Enchanted (Taylor Swift song)

In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Swift described what inspired her to write "Enchanted," saying, "It was about this guy that I met in New York City, and I had talked to him on email or something before, but I had never met him. And meeting him, it was this overwhelming feeling of: I really hope that you're not in love with somebody."[1] She also described her use of the word "wonderstruck" in the song to be purposeful because the subject used it in one of his emails to Swift after they met. Swift further hinted at who the song is about by leaving a secret message in the Speak Now album booklet reading "A-D-A-M" in the song's lyrics.[1]

Adam Young later confirmed suspicions that the song was about him when he posted a cover of the song along with a note to Swift on Valentine's Day in 2011 on Owl City's website. In the post, Young described listening to the song for the first time and decoding his name in the album booklet. He said, "The track is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so tremendously honored that Taylor would write such an elegant song and thereby offer a gracious nod in my direction. Needless to say, I was lost for words and utterly smitten. I couldn't stop smiling."[2]

Young's note to Swift states:[2]

Dearest Taylor,

I’ll be the first to admit I’m a rather shy boy and since music is the most eloquent form of communication I can muster, I decided to record something for you – as sort of a “reply” to the breathtaking song on your current record. This is what I wanted so badly to tell you in person but could never quite put into words: Everything about you is beautiful. You’re an immensely charming girl with a wonderful heart and more grace and elegance than I know how to describe. You are a true princess from a dreamy fairy tale; a modern Cinderella. I’m terribly sorry it’s taken me such a long time to reply but I figured Valentine’s Day was the perfect time to write this note to you and simply say… I was enchanted to meet you too.

Love,

Adam

In the cover of "Enchanted," Young changes some of the lyrics to directly address Swift. He sings "I was never in love with someone else / I never had somebody waiting on me / 'Cause you were all of my dreams come true / And I just wish you knew / Taylor I was so in love with you." These tweaks address Swift's original lyrics that plead "Please don’t be in love with someone else / Please don’t have somebody waiting on you."[3]

"Enchanted" has received critical acclaim from music critics. Many claim it is one of Swift's best songs with Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone ranking it as Swift's twelfth best song,[8] Billboard ranking it as the fourth most underrated Taylor Swift song,[9] Paste Magazine ranking it as Swift's seventh best song,[10] Insider stating it is in the top 15 of Swift's discography,[11] and The Telegraph including it in their list of Swift's top ten songs.[12].On the release,The Guardian's praised the song stating "The hazy crush of Enchanted showcases Swift's instinct for capturing emotion with astonishing exactitude – right down to the dread sneaking in at the song's close."[13]

Having never served as a single or promotional single for the Speak Now album, "Enchanted" charted due to strong digital album sales in the first reported week after the album debut. During this week, the song peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[14] It also peaked at number 11 on the US country digital song sales,[15] number 44 on the US digital song sales,[16] and number 95 on the Canadian Billboard Hot 100 chart.[17]

Swift's first live performance of "Enchanted" was for an NBC Speak Now Thanksgiving Special in November 2010 which showcased the making of the album along with live performances on a rooftop in New York City.[18] The song was a regular part of the setlist of the Speak Now World Tour.[19] During the 1989 World Tour, a mashup of "Enchanted" and "Wildest Dreams" was also made part of the permanent setlist.[20] Swift performed "Enchanted" as a surprise acoustic song on the Red Tour at the Louisville, Denver, Los Angeles, and Portland tour stops.[21] She also performed it as a surprise song at the Reputation Stadium Tour New Jersey Show at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2018.[22][23]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[24]

• Taylor Swift – lyricist, vocalist, producer, composer, acoustic guitar
• Nathan Chapman – producer, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass guitar, digital piano, electric guitar, mandolin, organ, piano, synthesizer
• Chris Carmichael – string arranger, strings, writer
• Tim Lauer – hammond B3, piano
• Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar
• Amos Heller – bass guitar
• Tim Marks – bass guitar
• Tommy Sims – bass guitar
• John Gardner – drums
• Nick Buda – drums
• Shannon Forrest – drums
• Grant Mickelson – electric guitar
• Mike Meadows – electric guitar
• Paul Sidoti – electric guitar
• Rob Hajacos – fiddle
• Al Wilson – percussion
• Eric Darken – percussion
• Smith Curry – steel guitar