“I Almost Do” is the seventh track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on October 22, 2012, through Big Machine Records. It is also the seventh track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Wrote this instead of calling.
Critical reception[]
The song has received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Swift's talent in country music. About.com called the song "an everyday scene from an independent film of uncertain quality", giving it a rate of 3 out of 5 stars. Billboard has also given the song a very positive review, saying: "gentle guitar strums soundtrack Swift's ode to reaching for the phone to reconnect with an ex, but not being able to "risk another goodbye." Unlike the slices of radio fodder that sandwich "I Almost Do" on the album, the mid-tempo ballad is a slow grower, with shards of ace songwriting presenting themselves over time." Idolator praised the placement of the song after "22" on the record saying that "“I Almost Do” breaks up the pop nicely." Allmusic also gave the song a positive review, giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Chart performance[]
Due to strong digital download sales upon the release of Red, the song peaked at number 65 and 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100, respectively. It also charted on the US Country Songs, peaking at number 13.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I bet this time of night, you’re still up
I bet you’re tired from a long, hard week
I bet you’re sittin' in your chair by the window
Looking out at the city and I bet
Sometimes, you wonder 'bout me
[Chorus]
And I just wanna tell you
It takes everything in me not to call you
And I wish I could run to you
And I hope you know that
Every time I don’t, I almost do, I almost do
[Verse 2]
I bet you think I either moved on or hate you
‘Cause each time you reach out, there’s no reply
I bet it never, ever occurred to you
That I can’t say hello to you and risk another goodbye
[Chorus]
And I just wanna tell you
It takes everything in me not to call you
And I wish I could run to you
And I hope you know that
Every time I don’t, I almost do, I almost do
[Bridge]
Oh, we made quite a mess, babe
It’s probably better off this way
And I confess, babe
In my dreams, you’re touching my face
And asking me if I want to try again with you
And I almost do
[Chorus]
And I just wanna tell you
It takes everything in me not to call you
And I wish I could run to you
And I hope you know that
Every time I don’t, I almost do, I almost do
[Outro]
I bet this time of night, you’re still up
I bet you’re tired from a long, hard week
I bet you’re sittin' in your chair by the window
Looking out at the city and I hope
Sometimes, you wonder 'bout me
Song preview[]
Live performances[]
The song was performed multiple times on the Red Tour. It was also performed as a surprise song on The Eras Tour twice: once on June 9, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan, and once mashed-up with "The Moment I Knew" on July 13, 2024, in Milan, Italy.
| RED | ||
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| "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" | ||
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