"Safe & Sound" is a song by American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift featuring country/folk duo The Civil Wars, and a single from the soundtrack for the 2012 film, The Hunger Games. By November 2017, the song had sold 1.9 million copies in the United States.
The re-recorded version of the song was released on March 17, 2023. Joy Williams and John Paul White returned as featured vocalists. Using cover art from Red (Taylor's Version), it was included on an EP of Red songs, titled The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter, alongside "Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)".
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight
[Chorus]
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
[Verse 2]
Don't you dare look out your window
Darling, everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone, gone
[Chorus]
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
Chart performance[]
The song entered the Digital Songs tally at No. 19 with 136,000 sold in two days.[1] The song debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. In its second week it dropped to No. 31.[2]
Track listing[]
Digital Download[3][]
- Safe & Sound ā 4:01
Charts[]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[4] | 33 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 30 |
Music video[]
The song's music video, which is directed by Philip Andelman, premiered on February 13, 2012, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV.[6] The video features Swift, walking barefoot through the woods, wearing a long white gown. In between scenes, The Civil Wars sing in front of a fireplace, as they accompany Swift.[7] The video was shot in a cemetery and the scene with Swift on the graves is a real couple's grave from 1853.[8]
Nods to The Hunger Games[]
The video mentions some things related to The Hunger Games book series, written by Suzanne Collins. Some of the references are:
- Taylor represents the older ghost of Primrose Everdeen in a destroyed District 12.
- The Civil Wars' members represent the older ghosts of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.
- There are nightlock berries in the video.
- Prim (Taylor) sits in the tombs of Katniss and Peeta.
- Taylor finds the Mockingjay Pin.
Gallery[]
Awards and nominations[]
"Safe & Sound" received one award from six nominations.
| Award show | Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Music Association Awards | 2012 | Musical Event of the Year | Nominated |
| CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated | |
| Collaborative Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Golden Globe Awards | 2013 | Best Original Song | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | Best Country Duo/Group Performance | Nominated | |
| Best Song Written for Visual Media | Won |
References[]
- ā "Michael Buble Remains No. 1, Adele's '21' Has Best Sales Week Yet". Billboard. Billboard. 2011-12-29. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/michael-buble-remains-no-1-adele-s-21-has-1005744752.story. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ā "Week Ending Jan. 1, 2012. Songs: LMFAO Beats Everybody". Yahoo. Yahoo. 2012-01-05. http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-jan-1-2012-songs-lmfao-beats-002955103.html. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- ā "iTunes - Music - Safe & Sound [feat. The Civil Wars] - Single by Taylor Swift". Itunes.apple.com. 1989-12-13. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/safe-sound-from-the-hunger/id490735511?ls=1. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
- ā "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard (magazine). http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/song/taylor-swift-featuring-the-civil-wars/safe-sound/27533082. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ā "Week Ending Dec. 25, 2011. Songs: Bringing āSexyā Back". Yahoo. Yahoo. 2011-12-29. http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-dec-25-2011-songs-bringing-sexy-235057906.html. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ā "Safe and Sound video premiere". Facebook. 2012-02-10. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150570574165369&set=a.113530295368.91862.19614945368&type=1&theater. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ā "Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' Video Matches Song's Eerie Vibe". MTV. MTV. 2012-02-14. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679207/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-music-video-premiere.jhtml. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ā Geller, Wendy (2012-02-15). "Taylor Swift Has Ghostly Location For New Video, āSafe And Soundā | Our Country (NEW) - Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/taylor-swift-ghostly-location-video-safe-sound-152330948.html. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
| 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" | ||
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