"Ours" is the fifteenth track from the deluxe edition of 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 sixth and final single of the album on December 5, 2011. It is also the fifteenth track from her third re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), released on July 7, 2023, through Republic Records.
Background[]
"Ours" was released as an exclusive bonus song on the Target exclusive deluxe edition, as well as the international deluxe edition, of Swift's third studio album, Speak Now.[2] It was released as a promotional single from Speak Now by Big Machine Records on November 8, 2011.[3] The song was released on Swift's first live album, Speak Now: World Tour Live. A CD single was released exclusively to US Wal-Mart stores alongside the live album.[4] The song is the sixth single from the album, Speak Now, and was originally intended to be released on November 28, 2011[5] but is set to be released to country radio on December 5, 2011.[6][7] It is the fifth single from Speak Now to be sent to country radio.[8]
Composition[]
"Ours" is a country pop song of three minutes and fifty-seven seconds.[3] The song is written soley by Swift, who also produced the song along with Nathan Chapman.[9] The song has been described as a "love letter".[10][11] Amy Sciarretto of Pop Crush described the song as "a pretty, slower tempo song that showcases Swift’s strengths, which are her inviting, open journal lyrics and that sweet voice." [12] Karen Goodner of All Access describes the song as being "in love and knowing that they can make it through the rough times."[13]
Critical reception[]
The song opened to critical acclaim from music critics. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song a 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that "Lyrically, 'Ours' is similar to 'Our Song' in that it’s cheesy and delicious." He added that the lyrics were "sharply written" and that the "production was welcomed respite from the shine and polish Swift has coated previous hit songs with."[11] Liv Carter of Urban Country News gave the song a thumbs up and noted that the songwriting is "superb" where Swift sets the scene beautifully with an expert use of language.[10] Amy Sciarretto of Pop Crush praised the song and stated that Swift "saved the best for last."[12] Karen Goodner of All Access called the song "one of my favorites."[13]
Chart performance[]
The song appeared on the US iTunes Top 100 and debuted at number 5 on the Hot Digital Songs chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[14][15]
Internationally, the song appeared at number 71 on the Canadian Hot 100,[16] and at number 181 on the UK Singles Chart.[17] The song also charted at number 91 on the Australian Recording Industry Association charts.[18]
Charts[]
| Chart (2010-11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[18] | 91 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16][19][20] | 71 |
| UK Singles (UK Singles Chart)[17] | 181 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[21] | 13 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[22] | 56 |
Music video[]
According to Swift, on November 3, 2011,[23] she had finished the second day of shooting for the music video of "Ours".[24] The music video premiered on E! News and E! Online on December 2, 2011, at 7:00pm ET. Swift herself came up with the concept for the video. The video is directed by Declan Whitebloom.[8]
The music video revolves around a girl living through an average work day in her workplace. She has a desk job in a plain looking office. She reminisces about her boyfriend, who we find out was deployed in the army. At the end of the video, Taylor meets her boyfriend at the airport when he came back. Her and him both dropped their bags to hug each other tightly.
Track listing[]
- Digital download[3]
- "Ours" – 3:57
- CD Single[4]
- "Ours" – 3:57
- "Ours" (Live) – 4:05
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Mayor.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Elevator buttons and morning air
Strangers' silence makes me want to take the stairs
If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares
But right now, my time is theirs
Seems like there's always someone who disapproves
They'll judge it like they know about me and you
And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do
The jury's out, my choice is you
[Chorus]
So, don't you worry your pretty, little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough
But this love is ours
[Verse 2]
You never know what people have up their sleeves
Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me
Lurking in the shadows with their lip gloss smiles
But I don't care, 'cause right now, you're mine
[Chorus]
And you'll say
"Don't you worry your pretty, little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough
But this love is ours"
[Bridge]
And it's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong and
Your hands are tough but they are where mine belong and
I'll fight their doubt and give you faith
With this song for you
[Breakdown]
'Cause I love the gap between your teeth
And I love the riddles that you speak
And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored
'Cause my heart is yours
[Chorus]
So, don't you worry your pretty, little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
Don't you worry your pretty, little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
But they can't take what's ours
They can't take what's ours
[Outro]
The stakes are high, the water's rough
But this love is ours
Awards and nominations[]
"Ours" received one award from four nominations.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | American Country Awards | Female Single of the Year | Nominated |
| Female Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| CMT Music Awards | Female Video of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2013 | BMI Country Awards | Country Awards Top 50 Songs | Won |
Release history[]
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 8, 2011[3] | Digital download | Big Machine Records |
| November 21, 2011[4] | CD single | ||
| December 5, 2011[6] | Country radio |
Live performances[]
"Ours" was apart of the Speak Now World Tour setlist after the Denver show on September 27, 2011. "Ours" was also performed as a surprise song twice on the Red Tour: on May 4, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan and on February 4, 2014 in London, England.
"Ours" was performed again as a suprise song on the Reputation Stadium Tour on July 28, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. "Ours" was also performed as a surprise song three times on The Eras Tour: on March 31, 2023 in in Arlington, Texas, on May 29, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland, mashed-up with "This Love", and on November 22, 2024 in Toronto, Canada mashed-up with "the last great american dynasty".
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1665767974857318401?s=20
- ↑ Speak Now Deluxe Edition references:
- "Taylor Swift Speak Now Deluxe Edition CD (feat. "Ours") : CDs". Store.taylorswift.com. 2010-10-25. http://store.taylorswift.com/Speak-Now-Deluxe-feat-Ours/dp/B004927I50. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- "Speak Now: Taylor Swift: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speak-Now-Taylor-Swift/dp/B004498KUU/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1321439939&sr=1-2. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ours digital download reference:
- "iTunes - Music - Ours - Single by Taylor Swift". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-11-08. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ours-single/id475655679. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- "Ours: Taylor Swift: Mp3 Downloads: Amazon.com". Amazon.com. 2011-11-08. http://www.amazon.com/Ours/dp/B005ZLSW18. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Ours: Taylor Swift: Music: Amazon.com". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Ours-Taylor-Swift/dp/B006CBE75K/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1322187436&sr=8-30. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
- ↑ "Sony/ATV Music Publishing : Taylor Swift to release "Ours" as next single". Sonyatv.com. 2011-11-16. http://www.sonyatv.com/en-us-na/index.php/articles/678. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Future Releases for Country". Allaccess.com. http://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ↑ "Country Air Check Weekly". 2011-11-28. http://countryaircheck.com/pdfs/current112811.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "E! ONLINE WILL DEBUT "OURS" MUSIC VIDEO FRIDAY,...". TaylorSwift.com. 2011-11-29. http://taylorswift.com/news/53083. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
- ↑ (2011) Album notes for Ours by Taylor Swift [CD]. Big Machine Records (BMRTS0306A).
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Single Review: Ours – Taylor Swift". Liv Carter. Urbancountrynews.com. 2011-11-11. http://www.urbancountrynews.com/single-review-ours-taylor-swift/. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Taylor Swift, ‘Ours’ – Song Review". Billy Dukes. Tasteofcountry.com. 2011-11-11. http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-ours/. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "TAYLOR SWIFT, ‘OURS’ – SONG REVIEW". PopCrush.com. 2011-11-29. http://popcrush.com/taylor-swift-ours/. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Cool new music". AllAccess.com. 2011-11-29. http://www.webcitation.org/63bXZEu6B. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
- ↑ "Rihanna Still Reigns Hot 100, But Taylor Swift's 'Movie' Debuts in Top 10". Billboard.biz. 2011-02-26. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rihanna-still-reigns-hot-100-but-taylor-1005537412.story. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
- ↑ "Rihanna Still Atop Hot 100, Taylor Swift's 'Movie' Premieres in Top 10". Gary Trust. Billboard.com. 2011-11-16. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/rihanna-still-atop-hot-100-taylor-swift-1005531152.story. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History: "Canadian Hot 100"". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/766101?f=793&g=Singles. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update". Zobbel. The Official Charts Company. http://zobbel.de/cluk/101106cluk.txt. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Australian Recording Industry Association references:
- "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 8th November 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5u7LEFdye. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
- "ARIA Charts". Pandoraarchive.com. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 30, 2009. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20091205-0000/issue1031.pdf. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ↑ "Nielsen Music: Canadian Update (November 5, 2010)". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5tzBIIElp. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ↑ "Digital Songs: Week of February 13, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-songs?chartDate=2010-02-13&order=gainer. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2011-11-26. http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100?order=gainer#/charts/hot-100?order=gainer. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ↑ "Chart Highlights: Taio Cruz's 'Hangover' Debuts On Pop Songs". Billboard charts. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/news#/column/chartbeat/chart-highlights-taio-cruz-s-hangover-debuts-1005573552.story. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ↑ "Twitter / @taylorswift13: About to wrap day 2 of a n...". Taylor Swift. Twitter. 2011-11-3. http://twitter.com/#!/taylorswift13/status/132193672879017984. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Teases New ‘Ours’ Music Video". Tasteofcountry.com. http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-ours-music-video/. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
| 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" | ||
| ||
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