"Back To December" is the third track from Taylor Swift's third studio album, Speak Now, released on October 25, 2010, through Big Machine Records. The song became the second single from the album on November 15, 2010. It is also the third track from Swift's third re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), released on July 7, 2023, through Republic Records.
Background[]
The song's hidden message ("Tay.") confirmed rumors that it is about Taylor Lautner, her ex-boyfriend.
According to Swift, "Back To December" is an apology to a former lover in the form of a song, something that she has never done before.[2][3] She continued, "I've never felt the need to apologize in a song before. But in the last two years I've experienced a lot, [including] a lot of different kinds of learning lessons. And sometimes you learn a lesson too late and at that point you need to apologize because you were careless."[3] Based on the lyrics, critics have speculated that the song is Swift's apology to her ex-boyfriend, The Twilight Saga actor Taylor Lautner.[2][4] Lautner has confirmed these rumors. "Back To December" was first released as a promotional single from Speak Now on October 12, 2010, as an exclusive campaign by the iTunes Store leading up to the album release.[5] On November 15, 2010, the song was then released as the second single from Speak Now.[6]
Commercial performance[]
"Back To December" is one of fourteen songs on the standard edition of Speak Now which has charted within the top forty of the Billboard Hot 100.[7] Upon its release as a promotional single, "Back To December" debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 with sales of approximately 242,000 digital downloads, on October 12, 2010.[8] Following its single release, the song re-entered Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-four on the week ending November 27, 2010.[9] The song has since reached a position of number twenty-five. It also peaked at number one on Hot Digital Songs, number twelve on Hot Country Songs, and at number nineteen on Billboard Pop Songs.[10]
Internationally, "Back To December" has had moderate success. In Canada, the song entered the Canadian Hot 100 and peaked at number seven on the week ending October 30, 2010.[11] In Australia, the song entered the Australian Singles Chart at number twenty-six on the week ending October 31, 2010.[12] On the week ending October 18, 2010, the song debuted at number twenty-four on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[13]
Charts[]
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[12] | 26 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] | 7 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ)[13] | 24 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] | 6 |
| U.S. Country Songs (Billboard)[15] | 12 |
| U.S. Pop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 19 |
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Tay.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I'm so glad you made time to see me
How's life? Tell me, how's your family?
I haven't seen them in a while
You've been good, busier than ever
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up and I know why
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses and I left them there to die
[Chorus]
So, this is me, swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night"
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and make it alright
I go back to December all the time
[Verse 2]
These days, I haven't been sleeping
Staying up, playing back myself leaving
When your birthday passed and I didn't call
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I loved you in the fall
[Pre-Chorus 2]
And then the cold came, the dark days
When fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye
[Chorus]
So, this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you, saying, "I'm sorry for that night"
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Bridge]
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile
So good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinking
Probably mindless dreaming
But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't
So, if the chain is on your door, I understand
[Chorus]
But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you, saying, "I'm sorry for that night"
And I go back to December
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and make it alright
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Outro]
All the time
Audio[]
Taymoji pack[]
 A lot of things can be fixed with a warm bath.  You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye.  A moment frozen in time.  Wait, did you say we’re getting a cat?  It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you...  Can I get a hug?  Cool it!  It’s better to have a warm heart than a cold one. I know. Deep.  Box |
Awards and nominations[]
“Back To December” received three awards from four nominations.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | American Country Awards | Female Video of the Year | Nominated |
| BMI Country Awards | Publisher of the Year | Won | |
| Award Winning Songs | Won | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Breakup Song | Won |
Live performances[]
Swift first performed "Back To December" in Paris at a showcase at the Salle Wagram theater, on October 18, 2010, to promote her upcoming album, Speak Now, set for release on the October 25, 2010.[16] Swift also performed the song on Speak Now: Taylor Swift Live From New York City, a special program which was streamed live on CMT.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and other MTV Networks websites in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America to celebrate the release of her new album.[17]
Swift also performed "Back To December" on several other occasions. On November 10, 2010, she performed the song live at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.[18] Her performance of the song during that event was graded as a "B+" in the Los Angeles Times, noting she "kept it simple" and "rose to the occasion".[19] On November 21, 2010, Swift performed "Back To December" with OneRepublic's "Apologize" as a medley at the 38th American Music Awards.[20][21] Her rendition in that event was graded as a "B-" in the Los Angeles Times, noting that "a brief end-song breakaway into OneRepublic's "Apologize" seemed unnecessary".[22]
Swift performed "Back To December" and several songs from Speak Now on November 24, 2010, during Thanksgiving night, on NBC.[23] She later performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 2, 2010.[24]
Track listing[]
- U.S. Digital Download[25]
- "Back To December" – 4:54
Release history[]
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Canada[26] | October 12, 2010 | Digital download |
| United States[27] | ||
| Australia[28] | October 13, 2010 | |
| New Zealand[29] | ||
| United States | November 15, 2010[6] | Country radio |
| November 30, 2010[30] | Mainstream |
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1665767974857318401?s=20
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "VIDEO: Taylor Swift Explains Apology Song 'Back to December'". People.com. 2010-11-23. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20444470,00.html. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jennifer Still (2010-10-13). "Swift: 'Back To December is an apology'". Digitalspy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a281766/swift-back-to-december-is-an-apology.html. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift apologizes (to Taylor Lautner?) in 'Back to December'". Entertainment Weekly. 2010-10-12. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/12/taylor-swift-back-to-december-apologizes-taylor-lautner/. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ↑ "SPEAK NOW 3-WEEK ITUNES COUNTDOWN!". Taylorswift.com. September 27, 2010. http://www.taylorswift.com/news/o1287965052241?post=speak-now-3-week-itunes-countdown0.69034700%201287776315#o1287965052241. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Country". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. Radio & Records. November 15, 2010. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/15/2010&Format=4. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ↑ Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio (November 4, 2010). "Chart Moves: Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Kanye West". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if13877e698a1cce20e466a7d37767515. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio (October 21, 2010). "Chart Moves: Lil Wayne, David Archuleta, Taylor Swift, Kanye West". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i493aa786b5893edc9b7afa6eb4f225b5. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ↑ "US Singles Top 100 - November 27, 2010". aCharts.us. November 27, 2010. http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2010/47. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Back to December". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/song/taylor-swift/back-to-december/22821648. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Hot 100. October 30. 2010, 2010. http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer#/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Australian-charts.com - Taylor Swift - Back to December".". Hung Medien. http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Taylor+Swift&titel=Back+To+December&cat=s. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "New Zealand-charts.com - Taylor Swift - Back to December".". Hung Medien. http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Taylor+Swift&titel=Back+To+December&cat=s. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ↑ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 30, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 30, 2010. http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Back to December - Taylor Swift". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). November 18, 2010. http://www.billboard.com/#/song/taylor-swift/back-to-december/22821648. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Performs In Paris, France". Disney Dreaming. October 20, 2010. http://www.disneydreaming.com/2010/10/20/taylor-swift-performs-in-paris-france/. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ↑ Todd, C.M.T Staff (October 25, 2010). "Taylor Swift Meets Her Friends Live From New York City". CMT.com. http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1650805/taylor-swift-meets-her-friends-live-from-new-york-city.jhtml. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
- ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (November 10, 2010). "Taylor Swift Performs 'Back To December' At CMA Awards". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652019/20101110/swift__taylor.jhtml. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ↑ Todd, Martens (November 10, 2010). "CMA Awards 2010 live: All the performances as they happen". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/cma-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ↑ Ward, Kate (Nov 21, 2010). "AMAs: Taylor Swift covers OneRepublic. Who was she singing to?". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/11/21/taylor-swift-ama-performance-one-republic/. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
- ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (November 21, 2010). "Taylor Swift Goes 'Back To December' With Snowy AMA Performance". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652765/20101121/swift__taylor.jhtml. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ↑ Todd, Martens (November 21, 2010). "American Music Awards 2010: Rihanna, Katy Perry, Santana, Ke$ha and all the performances, graded". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/american-music-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ↑ Eastman, Marc (November 23, 2010). "NBC Kicks Off The Holidays With Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade And More – Previews Included". Tv.com. http://www.tv.com/nbc-kicks-off-the-holidays-with-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-and-more-andndash-previews-included/webnews/220783.html. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Watch Taylor Swift Perform -- On Ellen's Music Page". Ellen Degeneres Show. http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/12/taylor_swift_performs_back_to_december_1202.php. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Back to December – Single". iTunes Store. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-december-single/id397438992. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift - Back to December - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/back-to-december/id397438992?i=397438993&ign-mpt=uo%3D2. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift - Back to December - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-december/id397438992?i=397438993&ign-mpt=uo%3D2. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift - Back to December - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/back-to-december/id397361196?i=397361199&ign-mpt=uo%3D4. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift - Back to December - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/back-to-december/id397361196?i=397361199&ign-mpt=uo%3D4. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings: 11/30 Mainstream". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services. http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239#210. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
| Speak Now | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Mine" • "Sparks Fly" • "Back To December" • "Speak Now" • "Dear John" • "Mean" • "The Story Of Us" • "Never Grow Up" • "Enchanted" • "Better Than Revenge" • "Innocent" • "Haunted" • "Last Kiss" • "Long Live" | ||
| ||
|