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"Back to December" is the third track from American singer and songwriter 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[]

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]

Composition[]

"Back to December" is a country pop song with a length of four minutes and fifty-five seconds.[7] Bill Lamb from About.com commented that "'Back to December' musically has a bit more of a rock feel than the previously released songs"[8] and Stephen M. Deusner from The 1953 called the song "an elegant ballad full of orchestral swells, solemn guitars, and pleading lyrics".[9] It is set in common time and has a ballad tempo of 72 beats per minute. It is written in the key of D major and Swift's vocals span one octave, from F♯3 to A4.[10] It follows the chord progression D–Bm7–G-D.[10] Randy Lewis from Los Angeles Times commented that "Back to December" is one of two songs where Swift has first incorporated an orchestra on record (the other being "Haunted").[11]

The song's narrative is in first person, and depicts Swift apologizing to a young man whose heart she broke. Lyrically, it is about somebody who was incredible and perfect to her in a relationship. However, she was really careless with him hence the break-up. Therefore, the lyrics are the words that she would say to him that he deserves to hear.[8] Mandi Bierly from Entertainment Weekly describes the song as "a melancholy mea culpa with the kind of driving chorus and age-appropriate yet universal honesty",[4] adding that "in the tune [...] she says she’s sorry for the last time he saw her (“You gave me roses, and I left them there to die”) and that she wishes she realized what she had (“I’d go back to December, turn around, and change my own mind/I go back to December all the time”).[4]

Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly ranked these couplets from the song, ("Your guard is up and I know why, 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"), at number two out of ten best couplets from Speak Now sheet.[12]

A snippet of a demo leaked on September 16, 2023.

Critical reception[]

The song has been well received by music critics. Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone gave the song a positive review commenting, "Swift's voice is unaffected enough to mask how masterful she has become as a singer; she lowers her voice for the payoff lines in the classic mode of a shy girl trying to talk tough."[13] Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine complimented Swift's ability "to write an indelible melody" and praised the production of the song, writing "[the song] showcase(s) Swift's unique knack for matching the overall tone of a melody to the broader themes of a song". He added that "it isn't easy to make a melancholy song like "Back to December" sound catchy at the same time, but that's what Swift does, and it's an impressive trick."[14] Bobby Peacock from Roughstock gave the song four stars out of five and praised Swift's vocal, saying that "it's her best vocal since 'Tim McGraw'". He concluded that "[the song] feels a little more focused, a little more mature and a little better-sung than her previous material."[15]

Ryan Brockington from New York Post lauded the song, writing "it’s a very surprising, and somewhat brilliant, apology track where Taylor sings about wishing to fix a relationship she wished she wouldn't have ruined in the first place."[16] His point was echoed by Rudy Klapper from Sputnikmusic, who described the song as a "regret-filled apology".[17] Stephen M. Deusner from The 1953 gave the song a thumbs-up and praised Swift as "an expressive singer", calling the song "a dark fantasy of apology and reconciliation" which is "a true heartbreaker".[9] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe graded the production of the song as "B", complimenting the lyrics in particular, by writing "it’s always a good sign when there’s a line as memorable as that one, the kind that lingers around in your head more than the song itself." He also added that he "appreciate(s) the restrained vocal, though a more varied melody would’ve made the chorus quite a bit more distinctive."[18]

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.[19] 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.[20] Following its single release, the song re-entered Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-four on the week ending November 27, 2010.[21] 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.[22]

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.[23] In Australia, the song entered the Australian Singles Chart at number twenty-six on the week ending October 31, 2010.[24] On the week ending October 18, 2010, the song debuted at number twenty-four on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[25]

Charts[]

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 26
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] 7
New Zealand (RIANZ)[25] 24
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[20] 6
U.S. Country Songs (Billboard)[27] 12
U.S. Pop Songs (Billboard)[22] 19

Hidden message[]

Hidden message: Tay.

The apologetic song is about Taylor Lautner, Swift's ex-boyfriend.

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

Lyric video[]

Taymoji pack[]

Expand/collapse gallery

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.[28] Swift also performed the song on Speak Now: Taylor Swift Live From New York City, a special programme 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.[29]

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.[30] 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".[31] On November 21, 2010, Swift performed "Back to December" with OneRepublic's "Apologize" as a medley at the 38th American Music Awards.[32][33] 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".[34]

Swift performed "Back to December" and several songs from Speak Now on November 24, 2010, during Thanksgiving night, on NBC.[35] She later performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 2, 2010.[36]

Swift performed "Back to December" as a surprise song on the Eras Tour on July 15, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.

Track listing[]

  • U.S. Digital Download[37]
  1. "Back to December" – 4:54

Release history[]

Country Date Format
Canada[38] October 12, 2010 Digital download
United States[39]
Australia[40] October 13, 2010
New Zealand[41]
United States November 15, 2010[6] Country radio
November 30, 2010[42] Mainstream

References[]

  1. https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1665767974857318401?s=20
  2. 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. 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.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "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.
  5. "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. 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.
  7. [[[:Template:Allmusic]] "allmusic {{{Speak Now > Overview}}}"]. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Template:Allmusic. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Bill Lamb (2010-10-12). "Taylor Swift's "Back To December" Issues Her First Apology In Song and Tops iTunes". About.com. http://top40.about.com/b/2010/10/12/taylor-swifts-back-to-december-issues-her-first-apology-in-song-and-tops-itunes.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Stephen M. Deusner (2010-11-29). "Taylor Swift – “Back To December”". The 1953.com. http://www.the9513.com/taylor-swift-back-to-december/. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Digital sheet music - Taylor Swift - Back to December". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing.
  11. Randy Lewis (2010-10-24). "Taylor Swift: the next chapter". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/24/entertainment/la-ca-taylor-swift-20101024. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  12. Leah Greenblett (2010-10-25). "Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now': The 10 best lines from her new album". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/25/taylor-swift-speak-now-best-lyrics/. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  13. Sheffield, Rob (October 26, 2010). "Taylor Swift Speak Now (2010)". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/45342/225745. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  14. Jonathan Keefe (2010-10-25). "Taylor Swift Speak Now". Slant Magazine. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-speak-now/2300. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
  15. Bobby Peacock (2010-11-16). "Taylor Swift - "Back To December Single". Roughstock. http://www.roughstock.com/blog/taylor-swift-back-to-december-single. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
  16. Brockington, Ryan (October 12, 2010). "Listen to Taylor Swift's big girl single 'Back to December'". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/listen_to_taylor_swift_big_girl_a2IJDTkq28A3cgTahhpYRN. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  17. Klapper, Rudy (October 25, 2010). "Taylor Swift Speak Now (staf review)". Sputnikmusic. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39865/Taylor-Swift-Speak-Now/. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  18. Coyne, Kevin (November 11, 2010). "Single Review: Taylor Swift, “Back to December”". Country Universe. http://www.countryuniverse.net/2010/11/11/single-review-taylor-swift-back-to-december/. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  19. 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.
  20. 20.0 20.1 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.
  21. "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.
  22. 22.0 22.1 "Back to December". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/song/taylor-swift/back-to-december/22821648. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  23. "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.
  24. 24.0 24.1 "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.
  25. 25.0 25.1 "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.
  26. "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.
  27. "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.
  28. "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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. 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.
  36. "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.
  37. "Back to December – Single". iTunes Store. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-december-single/id397438992. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  38. "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.
  39. "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.
  40. "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.
  41. "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.
  42. "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"
Deluxe Edition
"Ours" • "If This Was A Movie" • "Superman" • "Back to December" (acoustic) • "Haunted" (acoustic) • "Mine" (Pop Mix)
Taylor's Version
"Electric Touch" (feat. Fall Out Boy) • "When Emma Falls In Love" • "I Can See You" • "Castles Crumbling" (feat. Hayley Williams) • "Foolish One" • "Timeless"
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