Taylor Swift Wiki
Register
Advertisement
This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

"Begin Again" is the sixteenth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on September 25, 2012, through Big Machine Records. It is also the sixteenth track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.

Background[]

Swift said that the song is "about when you've gotten through a really bad relationship and you finally dust yourself off and go on that first date after a horrible breakup, and the vulnerability that goes along with all that".[1] She previewed it on Good Morning America on September 24, 2012,[2] and was released digitally on iTunes the next day, September 25.[3] The song initially served as a promotional single, the first of four tracks to be released during the four weeks preceding the release of her fourth studio album Red.[4] It was later announced that the song would be the second single from Red. An individually numbered CD single was released on October 23, 2012, exclusively to Amazon.com and Swift's official store.[5][6]

Critical reception[]

The song was generally critically acclaimed by music critics, many of whom praised Swift's songwriting. Writing for Taste of Country, Billy Dukes gave the song a four star rating out of five, describing it as "a cleansing breath that hopefully foreshadows the true tone of her album".[7] Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly wrote the song is "a well-crafted love story" and noted Swift's talent "at taking a single moment in time and letting it unfold like a pop-up storybook."[8] Jessica Sager of Popcrush gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, saying that "Swift paints a vivid picture of a first date following a rough breakup in ā€˜Begin Againā€™ ā€” and she sounds like a young woman... Sheā€™s not settling, whether in her love life or her studio sessions. And for that, Taylor Swift, we salute you."[9] Matt Bjorke gave four out of five stars too for Roughstock, complimenting that "The song is a vast improvement for Taylor. A ballad that's neither in-your-face or sounding like its from a twelve year old".[10]

The Boot noted that the story Swift painted was "sweet" and it's a "beautiful ballad".[11] Justin Proper of Under The Gun Review praised Swift for knowing "how to keep her core audience happy, and that is exactly what ā€œBegin Againā€ accomplishes.", also saying that the song gave him a "sensation of relief".[12] MuchMusic lauded Swift, stating "while she is more than capable of releasing the carefree, jump-around-your-room-with-a-hairbrush break up songs like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," she also has the pen of a poet and knows how to craft emotionally gut-wrenching songs that speak to her millions of fans."[13] However, Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave a mixed review, giving the song a grade "B". He lamented how Swift's songs never leave the topic of boys, saying "as Swift continues to grow older, itā€™s becoming more troublesome that her sense of self-worth and happiness is always inextricably linked to whatever man is currently the object of her affection."[14]

The American pop singer Katy Perry told Billboard that the song "Begin Again" by Taylor Swift is one of her favorites of 2012: "I love the new song from Taylor Swift, Begin Again, it hit me. 'On a Wednesday in the cafe, I watched it begin again' I love this verse."[15]

Commercial performance[]

"Begin Again" debuted in Australia at number twenty on the week ending September 30, 2012.[16] The track debuted at number one on Billboard Hot Digital Songs selling 299,000 digital copies in the week ending September 30, 2012. It became Swift's fifth number one on that chart.[17] As a result, "Begin Again" debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 4, 2012.[18]On the week ending of September 30, 2012, A few hours later, "Begin Again" got an early release on iTunes, where itā€™s already shot to No. 1, thereby becoming the first single to dethrone "Gangnam Style" in a week and also surpassed Rihanna's Diamonds[19]

The song also attained a moderately success worldwide, "Begin Again" became Swift's sixth top five hit on the Canadian Hot 100, debuting and peaking number 4. In the United Kingdom peaking and debuting number 30, giving Swift second 30th peaked on chart after reaching it on "Mine" on the week ending of October 30, 2010. In New Zealand, the song reached number 11. In Ireland, the song reached number 25. In Spain, the song reached number 30.

Live Performance[]

"Begin Again" was performed as first surprise song on the third Houston, TX show of The Eras Tour. She sang the words "he never did" more intentionally, leaving place for fans to make theories about her recently rumored break-up with Joe Alwyn.

Music video[]

The music video for "Begin Again" began filming on September 30, 2012, in Paris.[20][21] It was directed by Philip Andelman, who previously directed Swift in the "Safe & Sound" music video.[22] The official music video premiered on Swift's VEVO account on October 23, 2012, the day after the album Red was released. Swift described the video as a "love letter to Paris." She said about the filming of the video and added, "It's just the city and this story line of somebody moving on and finding yourself again."[23]

The video starts with Swift standing on a bridge while pensively gazing across the water and remembering a lost love. She then takes a walk on a dock wearing a Red dress with white flower appliques and blue peep toes and sits beside a lake. The video draws comparison to that of singer Adele's video "Someone Like You" and Swift's "Back to December" (only much happier).[24] She then rides a bicycle, wearing a blue and white floral skirt with white cat flats with sun glasses on and bikes down a Cobblestone street. She goes shopping and tries on new clothes, which is inter spliced with shots of Swift talking (singing) to a man. At a cafe while sipping cappuccino her attention is brought to a French man to whom she was talking earlier. He starts taking snapshots of her with a new Leica M camera. They then have a bitter-sweet conversation, laughing and giggling at each other. The following clips shows Swift sitting at a park and sampling pastries. They also show Swift walking by the Seine. The clip ends with the two walking side-by-side, as Swift allows herself to "begin again."

Entertainment Weekly thought the video was ā€œanother classic bittersweet Swift joint,ā€ writing: ā€œThough her boyfriend doesn't laugh at her jokes and bores her with stories about his familyā€™s Christmas movie-watching traditions, she finds the ultimate salve: Wandering through the streets of Paris, chuckling with handsome dudes in a cafĆ© (and probably snacking on snails or something) Itā€™s a lovely clip, but a little bit sleepy. Also, thereā€™s something about it that recalls ā€™Back to Decemberā€™ ā€” is it the color palette, or just the general moodiness?ā€.[25]

Hidden message[]

Hidden message: I wear heels now.

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Took a deep breath in the mirror
He didn't like it when I wore high heels, but I do
Turn the lock and put my headphones on
He always said he didn't get this song but I do, I do

Walked in, expecting you'd be late
But you got here early and you stand and wave
I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in
And you don't know how nice that is, but I do

[Chorus]
And you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafƩ, I watched it begin again

[Verse 2]
You said you never met one girl who
Had as many James Taylor records as you, but I do
We tell stories and you don't know why
I'm coming off a little shy, but I do

[Chorus]
But you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafƩ, I watched it begin again

[Bridge]
And we walked down the block to my car
And I almost brought him up
But you start to talk about the movies
That your family watches every single Christmas
And I want to talk about that
And for the first time, what's past is past

[Chorus]
'Cause you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafƩ, I watched it begin again

[Outro]
But on a Wednesday in a cafƩ, I watched it begin again

Lyric video[]

Taymoji pack[]

Expand/collapse gallery

Awards and nominations[]

"Begin Again" received two awards from seven nominations.

Year Organization Award Result
2013 American Country Awards Female Single of the Year Nominated
Video of the Year Nominated
Female Video of the Year Nominated
BMI Country Awards Publisher of the Year Won
Country Awards Top 50 Songs Won
CMT Music awards Female Video of the Year Nominated
2014 Grammy Awards Best Country Song Nominated

Charts and certifications[]

Weekly charts[]

Illegal chart entered Billboardcountryairplay|9
Chart (2012-13) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[26] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 25
New Zealand (RIANZ)[29] 11
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 35
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[31] 30
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 7
US Digital Songs (Billboard)[33] 1
US Country Songs (Billboard)[34] 10

Year-end charts[]

Chart (2012) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[35] 100

Release history[]

List of radio and release dates with formats and record labels
Country Date Format Label
United States September 25, 2012[3] Digital download Big Machine Records
October 1, 2012 Country radio
October 23, 2012[5][6][23] CD single
Music video

Credits and personnel[]

Credits and personnel adapted from album liner notes.[36]

  • Taylor Swift ā€“ songwriter, lead vocalist, producer
  • Dan Huff - producer, electric guitar, digital editing, acoustic guitar
  • Nathan Chapman - producer, acoustic guitar, high string acoustic guitar
  • Steve Marcantonio - recording
  • Seth Morton - assistant recording
  • Justin Niebank - mixing
  • Drew Bollman - assistant mixing
  • Mike "Frog" Griffith - production coordinator
  • Jason Campbell - production coordinator

  • Tom Bukovac - electric guitar
  • Paul Frank - steel guitar
  • Ilya Toshinskiy - mandolin
  • Jimmie Sloas - bass
  • Jonathan Yudkin - violin
  • Charlie Judge - b-3 organ, synths, strings, accordion, piano
  • Aaron Sterling - drums
  • Caitlin Evanson - background vocals
  • Scott Borchetta - executive producer

See also[]

References[]

  1. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift 'Begin Again' Lyrics Tell Sweet Story of First Date". The Boot. September 25, 2012. http://www.theboot.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again-lyrics/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  2. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift's 'Begin Again' Previewed On 'Good Morning America' [UPDATE"]. The Huffington Post. Aol, Inc. September 24, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/taylor-swift-begin-again_n_1909027.html. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  3. ā†‘ 3.0 3.1 "Begin Again - Single by Taylor Swift". Template:Noitalic. Apple, Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/begin-again-single/id564931599. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  4. ā†‘ Williott, Carl (September 21, 2012). "Taylor Swiftā€™s ā€˜Redā€™ Nabs Countdown Campaign With iTunes & ā€˜Good Morning Americaā€™". Idolator. Buzz Media. http://idolator.com/6927062/taylor-swift-red-countdown-itunes-good-morning-america. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  5. ā†‘ 5.0 5.1 "LIMITED EDITION "Begin Again" Single CD". Amazon.com (US) Amazon, Inc. http://www.amazon.com/LIMITED-Begin-Again-Single-CD/dp/B009YJ93X8/. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  6. ā†‘ 6.0 6.1 "LIMITED EDITION "Begin Again" Single CD". Template:Noitalics. Amazon.com (US) Amazon, Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-12-19. http://www.webcitation.org/6D2DjuwAg. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  7. ā†‘ Dukes, Billy (September 25, 2012). "Taylor Swift, ā€˜Begin Againā€™ ā€“ Song Review". Taste of Country. http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-begin-again/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  8. ā†‘ Smith, Grady (September 25, 2012). "Taylor Swift's new track 'Begin Again' isn't a break-up song". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  9. ā†‘ Sager, Jessica (September 25, 2012). "TAYLOR SWIFT, ā€˜BEGIN AGAINā€™ ā€“ SONG REVIEW". Popcrush. http://popcrush.com/taylor-swift-begin-again//. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  10. ā†‘ Bjorke, Matt (September 25, 2012). "Single Review: Taylor Swift - Begin Again". Roughstock. http://www.roughstock.com/blog/single-review-taylor-swift-begin-again/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  11. ā†‘ Boot, The (September 25, 2012). "Taylor Swift 'Begin Again' Lyrics Tell Sweet Story of First Date". The Boot. http://www.theboot.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again-lyrics/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  12. ā†‘ Proper, Justin (September 25, 2012). "STREAM: TAYLOR SWIFT ā€“ BEGIN AGAIN". Under The Gun Review. http://www.underthegunreview.net/2012/09/25/stream-taylor-swift-begin-again/. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  13. ā†‘ Music, Much (September 25, 2012). "TAYLOR SWIFT OPENS UP IN NEW SONG BEGIN AGAIN". MuchMusic Blog. http://blog.muchmusic.com/taylor-swift-opens-up-in-new-song-begin-again/?album=6&gallery=657. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  14. ā†‘ John Coyne, Kevin (September 28, 2012). "Single Review: Taylor Swift, "Begin Again"". Country Universe. http://www.countryuniverse.net/2012/09/28/single-review-taylor-swift-begin-again/. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  15. ā†‘ http://taylorswift.com.br/katy-perry-begin-again-e-uma-das-minhas-musicas-favoritas-do-ano/
  16. ā†‘ Copsey, Robert (October 1, 2012). "Psy 'Gangnam Style' tops Aussie singles chart". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a409276/psy-gangnam-style-tops-aussie-singles-chart.html. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  17. ā†‘ "Mumford & Sons, Green Day, No Doubt Debut at Nos. 1-3 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. 2012-10-03. http://www.billboard.com/news/mumford-sons-green-day-no-doubt-debut-at-1007966352.story?utm_source=most_recent#/news/mumford-sons-green-day-no-doubt-debut-at-1007966352.story?utm_source=most_recent. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  18. ā†‘ "PSY Can't Beat Maroon 5 In Close Race For Hot 100's Top Spot". Billboard. 2012-10-03. http://www.billboard.com/news/psy-can-t-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-1007966592.story?utm_source=most_recent#/news/psy-can-t-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-1007966592.story?utm_source=most_recent. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  19. ā†‘ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a409276/psy-gangnam-style-tops-aussie-singles-chart.html
  20. ā†‘ "Photos: "Begin Again" Music Video Set". October 1, 2012. http://tay-swift.com/photos-begin-again-music-video-set/. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  21. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift (taylorswift13) on Twitter". October 1, 2012. https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/252623315682881536. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  22. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift : Begin Again". CMT. Viacom. http://www.cmt.com/videos/taylor-swift/846410/begin-again.jhtml. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  23. ā†‘ 23.0 23.1 "Template:Citation"
  24. ā†‘ "Swift debuts her second video of Red". Billboard. 2012-11-25. http://www.billboard.com/news/taylor-swift-decides-to-begin-again-in-paris-1007988602.story. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  25. ā†‘ "Entertainment weekly thought the video as lovely". 2012-11-05. http://idolator.com/7218672/taylor-swift-begin-again-video-review-revue.
  26. ā†‘ "Australian-charts.com - Taylor Swift - Begin Again". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  27. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Taylor Swift. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  28. ā†‘ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. GfK. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  29. ā†‘ "Charts.org.nz - Taylor Swift - Begin Again". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  30. ā†‘ "Spanishcharts.com - Taylor Swift - Begin Again" Canciones Top 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  31. ā†‘ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  32. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Taylor Swift. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  33. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Digital Songs for Taylor Swift. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  34. ā†‘ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Country Songs for Taylor Swift. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  35. ā†‘ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. http://www.billboard.com/charts-year-end#/charts-year-end/hot-country-songs?year=2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  36. ā†‘ Borchetta, Scott (2012). "Liner notes", p. 18. Album notes for Red by Taylor Swift. Nashville: Big Machine Records.
RED
"State of Grace" ā€¢ "Red" ā€¢ "Treacherous" ā€¢ "I Knew You Were Trouble" ā€¢ "All Too Well" ā€¢ "22" ā€¢ "I Almost Do" ā€¢ "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" ā€¢ "Stay Stay Stay" ā€¢ "The Last Time" ā€¢ "Holy Ground" ā€¢ "Sad Beautiful Tragic" ā€¢ "The Lucky One" ā€¢ "Everything Has Changed" ā€¢ "Starlight" ā€¢ "Begin Again"
Deluxe Edition
"The Moment I Knew" ā€¢ "Come Back...Be Here" ā€¢ "Girl at Home" ā€¢ "Treacherous" (demo) ā€¢ "Red" (demo) ā€¢
"State of Grace" (acoustic)
Taylor's Version
"Ronan" ā€¢ "Better Man" ā€¢ "Nothing New" ā€¢ "Babe" ā€¢ "Message in a Bottle" ā€¢ "I Bet You Think About Me" ā€¢ "Forever Winter" ā€¢ "Run" ā€¢ "The Very First Night" ā€¢ "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)"
The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter
"Safe & Sound" ā€¢ "Eyes Open"
Advertisement