22 (Taylor Swift song)

"22" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). As the sixth track on the album, it was written by Swift along with its producers Max Martin and Shellback. It was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013. "22" has been described as a "thunderous" pop song, that kicks off with a twangy acoustic guitar riff, propelling into a disco, bubblegum pop and dance-pop chorus. Lyrically, it describes the joys of being 22 years old. Over the course of time, the song grew into a cultural phenomenon that dubs the age twenty-two as a milestone, resulting in the prominence of twenty-second birthdays.[1]

"22"
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Red
ReleasedMarch 12, 2013 (2013-03-12)
Genre
Length3:52
LabelBig Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"I Knew You Were Trouble"
(2012)		 "22"
(2013)		 "Highway Don't Care"
(2013)
Music video
"22" on YouTube

Upon release, "22" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the catchy melody and pop production. The song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the sixth song from Red to reach the top 20 in the United States. It reached the top-ten in many countries worldwide. "22" has been certified 3× Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America for selling over 3 million units in the country. The accompanying music video was shot in Malibu, California. It sees Swift bouncing on trampolines, playing on the beach and having a house party with her friends. As of February 2021, the video has more than 566 million views on YouTube.

Background and release

After writing her third studio album Speak Now (2010) entirely solo, Swift opted to collaborate with different songwriters and producers for Red. Thus, she called Max Martin and Shellback, two songwriters and producers whose work she admired, to discuss a possible collaboration. She told Billboard magazine: "For me, being 22 has been my favorite year of my life. I like all the possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. You still know nothing, but you know that you know nothing. You're old enough to start planning your life, but you're young enough to know there are so many unanswered questions. That brings about a carefree feeling that is sort of based on in-decision and fear and at the same time letting loose. Being 22 has taught me so much".[2]

The song was officially supposed to impact contemporary hit radio in the U.S. on March 5, 2013, before being pushed back by one week to March 12, 2013,[3] and in the UK on March 31, 2013.[4] An exclusive limited edition individually numbered CD single was also released exclusively to Swift's store on March 13, 2013, the same day the music video was released. The CD single was sold by itself or via an exclusive package with the Red Tour items and a T-shirt.[5][6]

Composition and lyrics

"22" is a pop,[7] disco,[8] bubblegum pop[9] and dance-pop[10][11] song lasting three minutes and 52 seconds. According to The Boot, the song is "is [an] essential part of her country years", despite "Swift's looming full pivot to pop music [being] obvious in [the song]".[12] The song is written in the key of G major with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.[13][14] Swift's vocals span one and a half octaves, between G3 and D5.[13] The song was written by Swift, along with Max Martin and Shellback, who helped her in writing and producing her previous hits "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "I Knew You Were Trouble". The lyrics describe the joys and the happiness of being 22 years old.[15]

Critical reception

"22" received positive reviews from critics. Idolator said "'22' is a thunderous pop track kicking off with a twangy acoustic guitar riff before a propulsive beat that evokes Katy Perry‘s 'Teenage Dream' drops to make way for verses that are cute and likeably bratty".[16] Digital Spy said ""We're happy free confused and lonely at the same time," Swift acknowledges over perky guitars, before launching into an earworm chant of "twenty twooo-oo-oo" that will stubbornly swirl around your head for hours on end. She may have already achieved more during her youth than most do in their lifetime, but with one more pop smash to add to her repertoire, it seems she's only just getting started.", giving the song four out of five stars.[17]

Billboard said that it is "Swift's most blatantly pop song of her career", adding that:

"'22' is all about trying to 'forget about the deadlines' and embraces only the most sugary hooks available. Underneath the heel-clicking positivity and shiny production sits the line 'We're happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way', a rather stunning meditation on being in your early 20s that's flicked off like a piece of pre-chorus lint. Even when she's having fun, Swift is succinctly communicating conflicting emotion."[18]

Accolades
Year Organization Award/work Result Ref
2013 Neox Fan Awards Best Song of the Year Nominated [19]
2014 V Chart Awards Best Music Video Won [19]
2015 BMI Awards Award-Winning Songs Won [20]
Publisher of the Year Won

Music video

The music video for "22" was filmed in February 2013, and premiered on March 13, 2013. It was directed by Anthony Mandler, who had previously directed the music video for Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble".[21] The video, presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio format, shows Swift bouncing on trampolines, playing on the beach and having a house party with her friends. As of November 2020, the video had more than 560 million views on YouTube. The music video was shot in Malibu, California.[22]

Live performances

Swift first performed the song during her live webchat on August 13, 2012; the performance was later released during the holiday season. Also, she performed the song at Comic Relief on February 22, 2013, and for a private concert in France while on a boat which was broadcast on OFF.tv. She also performed the song on her third concert tour, The Red Tour, and on May 19, 2013 at the Billboard Music Awards.[23] The song was also performed three times during the Reputation Stadium Tour, at the second show in Chicago, Illinois; the first show in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and the show in Sydney, Australia.[24] On December 8, 2019, Swift performed the song at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball 2019 in London.[25]

Chart performance

Several songs from Red, including "22", charted in different countries due to strong digital sales following the release of the album. "22" debuted at number 44 on United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as at number seven on Billboard Hot Digital Songs chart with sales of 108,000.[26][27] It later re-entered the Hot 100 at number 84 on the chart week of January 12, 2013. When it was again released as a single, it reentered the charts at number 64.[28] "22" also debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 20. It also managed to reach number nine on the UK Singles Chart.[29][30] It reached 2 million in sales by 2014.[31] As of November 2017, the song had sold 2.3 million copies in the United States.[32]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[60] Platinum 80,000^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[61] Gold 45,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[62] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Gold 400,000^
United States (RIAA)[64] 3× Platinum 2,300,000[32]
Venezuela (APFV)[65] Gold 15,000 
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[66] Gold 1,300,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Country Date Format Label
United States March 12, 2013[3] Contemporary hit radio Big Machine Records
March 13, 2013[67][68] CD single
United Kingdom March 31, 2013[4] Contemporary hit radio

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