"Sparks Fly" is the second track from the standard 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 fifth single from the album on July 18, 2011. It is also the second track from Swift's third re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), released on July 7, 2023, through Republic Records.
Background
Swift began work on her third studio album Speak Now two years prior to its release in 2010.[2] She performed the song live during several bar shows "of forty and fifty people".[3] A recorded live performance of the song during one of her concerts made its way onto the internet in 2007.[4] The song became a favorite among Swift's fans, leading Swift to rework the song and include it on Speak Now after having so many requested for it to be included on the album.[5][6] Of the song, Swift said:
“ | "Sparks Fly" is about falling for someone who you maybe shouldn't fall for, but you can't stop yourself because there's such a connection and chemistry. This is a song I wrote a few years ago and I have been working on it ever since. It's been awesome to see it change over the years. The fans have heard it before in concert, but there have been some really cool changes that I am very proud of and can't wait for them to hear. | ” |
The song was sent to country music radio stations on July 18, 2011,[7] as the fifth single from Speak Now.[8][9] An exclusive package was released to Swift's official store including a Speak Now necklace and an individually numbered Sparks Fly CD single. Only 2,500 copies of the CD single were made and the package was made available for a limited time.[10][11] The single was later included in another package that is exclusive to Swift's official store. The package included the Target exclusive deluxe edition of Speak Now, a free pair of headphones, and the choice between either the "Sparks Fly", "The Story of Us", or the "Mean" CD single.[12] The song was featured on a promotional trailer for the CW show, Hart of Dixie.[13] It was also featured on the annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show" in 2012. The song was released on Now That's What I Call Country Volume 5.[14][15]
Hidden message
Hidden message: Portland, Oregon.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The way you move is like a full on rainstorm and I'm a house of cards
You're the kind of reckless that should send me running
But I kinda know that I won't get far
And you stood there in front of me, just close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't see what I was thinking of
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
[Verse 2]
My mind forgets to remind me you're a bad idea
You touch me once and it's really something
You find I'm even better than you imagined I would be
I'm on my guard for the rest of the world
But with you, I know it's no good
And I could wait patiently, but I really wish you would
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
[Bridge]
I run my fingers through your hair and watch the lights go wild
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me
It's just wrong enough to make it feel right
And lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow?
I'm captivated by you, baby, like a fireworks show
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk (Ah-ah) take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
- [Outro]
And the sparks fly
Oh, baby, smile
And the sparks fly
[Verse 1]
The way you move is like a full on rainstorm and I'm a house of cards
You say my name for the first time, babe
And I fall in love in an empty bar
And you stood there in front of me
Just close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't see what I was thinking of
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
[Verse 2]
So, reach out open handed and lead me out to that floor
I don't need more paper lanterns
Take me down, baby, bring on the movie score
'Cause my heart is beating fast and you are beautiful
I could wait patiently, but I really wish you would
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
[Bridge]
I'll run my fingers through your hair and watch the lights go wild
Gonna strike this match tonight
And lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow?
I'm captivated by you, baby, like a fireworks show
[Chorus]
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
[Outro]
And the sparks fly
Oh, baby, smile
And the sparks fly
Lyric video
Taymoji pack
Awards and nominations
"Sparks Fly" received three awards from four nominations.
Year | Award Show | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | BMI Country Awards | Publisher of the Year | Won |
2012 | BMI Country Awards | Top 50 Songs | Won |
2012 | American Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Song | Nominated |
2012 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Country Song | Won |
Live performances
"Sparks Fly" was the opening song on the setlist of the Speak Now World Tour. It was also on the main setlist for the Red Tour. It was performed as a surprise song on the 1989 World Tour on August 1, 2015, in Vancouver. It was also performed as a surprise song on the Reputation Stadium Tour on July 7, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio, and made an appearance as an Eras Tour surprise song twice: once on May 5, 2023, in Nashville, following the announcement of Speak Now (Taylor's Version), and once on March 8, 2024, in Singapore, mashed-up with "gold rush".
Taylor's Version lyric video
References
- ↑ https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1665767974857318401?s=20
- ↑ https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/07/21/taylor-swift-sets-release-date-for-new-album-speak-now/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOPFMrF7v4Q
- ↑ http://www.roughstock.com/blog/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-single-review
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOPFMrF7v4Q
- ↑ http://www.nashville.com/music/2011/08/fans-responsible-for-getting-%E2%80%9Csparks-fly%E2%80%9D-on-taylor-swift-cd/
- ↑ http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly/
- ↑ http://countryaircheck.com/pdfs/current062711.pdf
- ↑ http://shuffleme.net/2011/07/07/taylor-swift-confirms-5th-single-off-speak-now/?amp&
- ↑ https://www.webcitation.org/61XQNCWra
- ↑ https://www.amazon.com/TAYLOR-SWIFT-SPARK-LIMITED-SINGLE/dp/B005HG4A0I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1313588024&sr=8-3
- ↑ https://www.webcitation.org/63HM8RWYV
- ↑ http://uk.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/taylor_swift_makes_sparks_fly_in_new/284818
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/now-thats-what-i-call-country-vol-5-mw0002369735
- ↑ https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Country-Thats-What-Call/dp/B007Y56KJO/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338686520&sr=1-3
Speak Now | ||
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"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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