You are currently reading the article dedicated to the song. You may have been looking for the album, the re-recorded album, or the tour.
"Red" is the second track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on October 2, 2012, through Big Machine Records.[1] It is also the second track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.
Background[]
Swift performed the song on the October 1, 2012, episode of ABC's Good Morning America. In the lyrics of the song, she compares her emotions towards a former boyfriend to different colors. "Losing him is blue, like I'd never known. Missing him was dark grey, all alone. Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met. But loving him was red."
Prior to singing the song, Swift explained:
| “ | "I wrote this song about the fact that some things are just hard to forget, because the emotions involved with them were so intense and, to me, intense emotion is red. Thinking about what that means to me and all the different emotions that are written about on this album - they're all pretty much about the tumultuous, crazy, insane, intense, semi-toxic relationships that I've experienced in the last two years. All those emotions - spanning from intense love, intense frustration, jealousy, confusion - in my mind, all those emotions are red. There's nothing in between; there is nothing beige about any of those feelings." | ” |
In an interview with Billboard magazine[2]:
| “ | I think the reason I said that was because I made the record exactly the same way I made the last three. I knew I hadn't jumped out of my comfort zone, which at the time was writing alone and working with Nathan. [Red] the song was a real turning point for Red the album. When I wrote that song my mind started wandering to all the places we could go. If I were to think outside the box enough, go in with different people, I could learn from and have what they do rub off on me as well as have what I do rub off on them. | ” |
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: SAG.
The song is rumored to be about Jake Gyllenhaal, who Swift dated from October through December of 2010. It's theorized that SAG could be an abbreviation for Sagittarius (Gyllenhaal's astrological sign) or the Screen Actor's Guild.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street
Faster than the wind, passionate as sin, ending so suddenly
Loving him is like trying to change your mind once you're already flying through the free fall
Like the colors in autumn, so bright, just before they lose it all
[Chorus]
Loving him was blue like I’d never known
Missing him was dark gray, all alone
Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never met
But loving him was red
Loving him was red
[Verse 2]
Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you
Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite song
Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there's no right answer
Regretting him was like wishing you never found out that love could be that strong
[Chorus]
Losing him was blue like I’d never known
Missing him was dark gray, all alone
Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met
But loving him was red
Oh, red, burning red
[Bridge]
Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes
Tell myself it's time, now, gotta let go
But moving on from him is impossible when I still see it all in my head
In burning red
Loving him was red
[Chorus]
Losing him was blue, like I’d never known
Missing him was dark gray, all alone
Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never met
'Cause loving him was red
Yeah, yeah, red
We're burning red
[Outro]
And that’s why he’s spinning around in my head
Comes back to me in burning red
His love was like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street
Lyric video[]
Taymoji pack[]
 I’ve heard of singing the blues but...  Wave the red flag!  Your ticket to happiness.  Everyone’s favorite color.  I like the beat of your drum.  R u ready to rock?  Driving down a dead-end street...  Loving him was red!  Box |
Critical reception[]
"Red" received positive reviews from music critics, most praising Swift's strong lyrics.
Rebecca Macatee of E! Online, found the lyrics to be a rainbow of fruit flavors: ”She…goes through myriad colors to describe her feelings… We’re not sure what color Swift’s heart is, but we’re sure it’s pretty.”[3] Laurence of Music City Post, noted the track’s melodic strength: “With a lot of heart on the sleeve lyricism (...) and a hefty guitar solo, ‘Red’ does nothing by half measures."[4] Rolling Stone responded favorably to the record, noting that the song marries her heartbreak anthems with a radio-friendly sound "with banjos flying, strings swelling and guitars wailing, Swift keeps her lyrics simple but effective[.]"[5] The Pop Fairy gave a negative review: "“Red” is (...) another love song by America’s favorite cougar of the moment. (...) The only unique thing about the song is the thing I can’t stand, the electronic ‘R-R-Red’ that repeats after the chorus.” Finishing with 'A little more effort would be nice.', giving the song a grade 'C'.[6]
Charts[]
| Chart (2012–13) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 30 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 5 |
| France (SNEP) | 103 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 25 |
| Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[7] | 76 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 14 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 46 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 26 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard) | 2 |
Awards and nominations[]
“Red” received two awards from two nominations.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BMI Country Awards | Publisher of the Year | Won |
| Country Awards Top 50 Songs | Won |
Live performances[]
Swift performed the song live for the first time at the BBC Radio Teen Awards on October 7, 2012, which was held at the Wembley Arena in London.
"Red" was a part of the main setlist of the Red Tour. It was performed as a surprise song on the 1989 World Tour in Columbus, Ohio, on September 17, 2015, and as a surprise song on the Reputation Stadium Tour in Pasadena, California, on May 18, 2018.
The song was performed as a surprise song at the Eras Tour twice: in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2023; and in Melbourne, Australia, on February 16, 2024.
References[]
- ↑ Williott, Carl (September 21, 2012). "Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ Nabs Countdown Campaign With iTunes & ‘Good Morning America’". Idolator. Buzz Media. http://idolator.com/6927062/taylor-swift-red-countdown-itunes-good-morning-america. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Swift explains why Red was chosen as the album title". 2012-12-15. http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107859438859/.
- ↑ Macatee, Rebecca (2012-10-02). "Listen: Taylor Swift Debuts New Single "Red"; Donates Concert Tickets to Internet-Pranked School". E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/news/350586/listen-taylor-swift-debuts-new-single-red-donates-concert-tickets-to-internet-pranked-school. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift – Red". Music City Post. 2012-10-02. http://www.musiccitypost.tv/2012/10/02/taylor-swift-red/. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Describes Color of Heartache on 'Red'". Rolling Stone. 2012-10-02. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/taylor-swift-drops-twangy-title-track-for-red-20121002. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift’s “Red” Is More Beige". E! Online. 2012-10-02. http://thepopfairy.com/2012/10/01/review-taylor-swifts-red-is-more-beige/. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
- ↑ "Japan Billboard Hot 100" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. January 3, 2013. http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail/?a=hot100. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
| RED | ||
|---|---|---|
| "State of Grace" • "Red" • "Treacherous" • "I Knew You Were Trouble" • "All Too Well" • "22" • "I Almost Do" • "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" • "Stay Stay Stay" • "The Last Time" • "Holy Ground" • "Sad Beautiful Tragic" • "The Lucky One" • "Everything Has Changed" • "Starlight" • "Begin Again" | ||
| ||
| ||
|