Ours (song)

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"Ours"
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Speak Now
Released November 21, 2011 (2011-11-21)
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2008–10
Nashville, Tennessee
(Pain in the Art Studio, Starstruck Studios, Blackbird Studios)
Genre Country[1]
Length 3:58
Label Big Machine
Writer(s) Taylor Swift
Producer(s) Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift singles chronology

"Sparks Fly"
(2011)		 "Ours"
(2011)		 "Safe & Sound"
(2011)

Music video
"Ours" on YouTube

"Ours" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album Speak Now (2010). The song was written by Swift, who also was aided by Nathan Chapman in producing the song. It was later released as a promotional single by iTunes and Amazon.com on November 8, 2011. It was released as the sixth and final single of the album and was the fifth single from Speak Now to be sent to country radio on December 5, 2011.

The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Songs Chart and number 13 on the Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Internationally, the song did not garner well peaking at 91 in Australia and 68 on the Canadian Hot 100. In the UK, it peaked at number 181 on the UK Singles Chart.

A music video for the song was released in December 2011 and aired on E! News and E! Online and is the second video of Swift's to be directed by Declan Whitebloom, as well as the second video for which Swift would do the concept for. The video received positive praise from music critics.

Release

"Ours" was first released as a promotional single from Speak Now by Big Machine Records on November 8, 2011.[2] A CD single was released exclusively to US Wal-Mart stores alongside the live album.[3] The song is the sixth single from the album, Speak Now, and was originally intended to be released on November 28, 2011[4] but was released to country radio on December 5, 2011.[5] It is the fifth single from Speak Now to be sent to country radio.[6]

Composition
"Ours" (2011)
A twenty-four second sample of "Ours", from the deluxe edition of Swift's Speak Now. The sample features the chorus of the song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Ours" is a country ballad, with a length of three minutes and 58 seconds (3:58).[7] The song is written solely by Swift, who also produced the song along with Nathan Chapman.[8] The song is written in the key of C Major with Swift's vocals spanning two octaves, between E3 and A4.[9] The song has been described as a "love letter".[10][11] Amy Sciarretto of Pop Crush describes the song as "a pretty, slower tempo song that showcases Swift’s strengths, which are her inviting, open journal lyrics and that sweet voice."[7] Karen Goodner of All Access describes the song as being "in love and knowing that they can make it through the rough times."[12]

Reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song a four-and-a-half out of five 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."[7] Karen Goodner of All Access called the song "one of my favorites."[12] On the contrary, Erin Thompson of Seattle Weekly stated that "If This Was a Movie", a promotional single from Speak Now is better than "Ours", citing that "I've given it a few listens and it just keeps sounding like a mess of mixed metaphors to me."[13] Allen Jacobs of Roughstock claimed ""Ours" may be her best single since "White Horse.""[14]

The song appeared on the US iTunes Top 100 and debuted at number five on the Hot Digital Songs and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[15][16] As of August 2012, the song has sold 1,224,000 copies in the United States. The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA.[17] Internationally the song appeared at number 68 in Canada,[18] and at number 181 in United Kingdom.[19] The song also charted at number 91 in Australia.[20] On the week ending March 3, 2012, "Ours" became Swift's 15th consecutive song to hit the top ten on Hot Country Songs. This made Swift the first woman to begin her chart history with 15 consecutive Top Tens dating to the survey's 1944 launch.[21] On the week ending March 31, 2012, "Ours" has topped the Billboard Country Songs chart, making it Swift's sixth chart-topper, following "Our Song" in 2007-2008, "Should've Said No" in 2008, "Love Story" in 2008, "You Belong with Me" in 2009, and "Sparks Fly" in 2011.[22] As of August 2012, "Ours" has sold 1,224,000 copies in the United States.[23]

Live performances

Swift performed the song at the 2011 Country Music Association Awards on November 9, 2011.[24][25] Amanda Hensel of Taste of Country stated that Swift's performance of the song felt "more personal and less like an arena show."[24] During the performance Swift "donned a simple pink sweater and plopped down on a couch."[26] The Target exclusive of the live album, Speak Now: World Tour Live, contains the bonus performance of "Ours" on the Speak Now World Tour.[27]

Music video

Development and release

According to Swift, on November 3, 2011[28] she had finished the second day of shooting for the music video of "Ours".[29] 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.[6] In an interview with E! News, Swift describes her idea, "I had a very definitive idea of what I wanted this video to be." Whitebloom, who also directed Swift's "Mean" video[30] expresses, "When Taylor says, 'I've got an idea,' you listen to what she's gonna say. And so I did, and it was a great idea—and I loved it!"[31] To promote the video Swift released thirteen behind the scene "webisodes" daily on her official website.[32][33]

Synopsis

Swift in an elevator with co-workers in the music video for "Ours".

The video begins as Swift, dressed as a career woman, passes through the lobby to the elevator and greets the people she meets. As the elevator's door closes, Swift begins to sing, looking indolent and slothful, seeing the people surrounding her in the elevator. As the elevator reaches the thirteenth floor, people surrounding her start to exit, nudging her. Swift then walks in the office and sluggishly sits at her office desk while a man disturbs her. She then walks around the office to use the office's printer (which is first out of paper, out of toner, and then disappears altogether); waits for a man who is noisily drinking water at a water cooler in the staff room; and eats while two women laugh and talk about her behind her back. Later at her office desk, Swift takes a sticky note written by her and her boyfriend (portrayed by Zach Gilford) stating that they loved each other first. Swift turns on the computer, watching and smiling at various videos of her and her boyfriend. She takes a look at her watch and leaves the office in a better mood than when she arrived. Swift waits for a bus outside. On the bus, Swift watches more videos on a Sony Tablet S of moments with her boyfriend. The bus stops at the airport. Swift gets off and looks around. Her boyfriend then emerges from the sliding doors of the airport, revealing to the audience that he was overseas serving in the military. Swift breaks into a smile, drops everything that she is carrying, and runs into her boyfriend's arms. They embrace each other as the video ends.[34]

Reception

Idolator described the video as being "the perfect video to end the week with" and "double-dares [viewers] to not get a case of the “aww“s in the video’s heartwarming conclusion."[35] Chelsea Lewis of VH1 called the video an "emotional video".[36] Erin Strecker of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "I’ll admit it: I gasped at the twist ending with Swift rushing off from work not home, but to an airport to meet her military beau, presumably returning from overseas. Sweet, with just the right tinge of bittersweet sadness for the country-infused pop story."[37]

Track listing

  • Digital download[2]
  1. "Ours" - 3:58
  1. "Ours" – 3:58
  2. "Ours" (Live) – 4:12

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.[8]

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals
  • Brian David Willis – additional engineering
  • Bryan Sutton – national, 12-string guitar, ukulele
  • Chad Carlson – recording
  • Drew Bollman – assistant mixing
  • Emily Mueller – production assistant
  • Hank Williams – mastering
  • Jason Campbell – production coordinator
  • Justin Niebank – mixing
  • Matt Rausch – assistant mixing
  • Nathan Chapman – producer, recording, acoustic guitar, programming, rhodes piano, harmony vocals, additional engineering
  • Steve Blackmon – assistant mixing
  • Matt Rausch – background vocals, producer, writer
  • Tristan Brock-Jones – assistant engineer
  • Todd Tidwell – assistant engineer
  • Whitney Sutton – copy coordinator

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2010–2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[20] 91
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[ 1] 68
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[19] 181
US Billboard Hot 100[ 1] 13
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[ 1] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[38] Platinum 1,224,000[23]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[39] 37

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States November 8, 2011[2] Digital download Big Machine Records
November 21, 2011[3] CD single
December 5, 2011[5] Country radio

References

  1. ↑ Foster, Ben (10 Dec 2011). "CU Roundtable Review: Taylor Swift, "Ours"". Country Universe. Retrieved 25 October 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ours digital download reference:
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Ours: Taylor Swift: Music: Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24. 
  4. ↑ "Sony/ATV Music Publishing : Taylor Swift to release "Ours" as next single". Sonyatv.com. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-11-26. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Country Air Check Weekly". 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-11-30. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "E! ONLINE WILL DEBUT "OURS" MUSIC VIDEO FRIDAY,...". TaylorSwift.com. 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2011-11-29. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "TAYLOR SWIFT, ‘OURS’ – SONG REVIEW". PopCrush.com. 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2011-11-29. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ours (CD single liner notes). Taylor Swift. Big Machine Records. 2011. BMRTS0306A.
  9. ↑ "Digital sheet music – Taylor Swift – Ours". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. October 25, 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-27. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Single Review: Ours – Taylor Swift". Liv Carter. Urbancountrynews.com. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2011-11-16. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Taylor Swift, ‘Ours’ – Song Review". Billy Dukes. Tasteofcountry.com. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2011-11-16. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Cool new music". AllAccess.com. 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2011-11-29. 
  13. ↑ "Taylor Swift's Speak Now Track "If This Was A Movie" Is Better Than Her Upcoming New Single". Erin Thompson. SeattleWeekly.com. 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2011-12-12. 
  14. ↑ NAME:. "Music Video: Taylor Swift - Ours | Country Music Videos, Johnny Cash to Carrie Underwood". Roughstock.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15. 
  15. ↑ "Rihanna Still Reigns Hot 100, But Taylor Swift's 'Movie' Debuts in Top 10". Billboard.biz. 2011-02-26. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  16. ↑ "Rihanna Still Atop Hot 100, Taylor Swift's 'Movie' Premieres in Top 10". Gary Trust. Billboard.com. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-11-16. 
  17. ↑ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
  18. ↑ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History: "Canadian Hot 100"". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 12, 2011. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update". Zobbel. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2010. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Australian Recording Industry Association references:
  21. ↑ "The Top 30 Country Singles - Week of February 15, 2012". roughstock. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19. 
  22. ↑ "Chart Highlights: Adele, Taylor Swift, Madonna Notch New No. 1s". Billboard.com. March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Sales". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2012. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Taylor Swift Performs New Single ‘Ours’ at 2011 CMA Awards". Tasteofcountry.com. Retrieved 2011-11-16. 
  25. ↑ "2011 CMA Awards : Country Music Association Awards – Nov 9, 2011". CMT. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2011-11-16. 
  26. ↑ "Taylor Swift Performs New Single "Ours" At CMA’s". Wdok.radio.com. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2011-11-18. 
  27. ↑ "Taylor Swift World Tour – Only at Target". target.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  28. ↑ "Twitter / @taylorswift13: About to wrap day 2 of a n...". Taylor Swift. Twitter. 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-11-26. 
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift Teases New ‘Ours’ Music Video". Tasteofcountry.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18. 
  30. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (May 6, 2011). "Taylor Swift's 'Mean' Video Aims To Empower Fans. Singer plays up anti-bullying message in her video.". MTV. Retrieved December 5, 2011. 
  31. ↑ "Watch Now: Taylor Swift's "Ours" Music Video Premiere". E! News. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2011-12-03. 
  32. ↑ by User. ""OURS" VIDEO BEHIND-THE-SCENES WEBISODE #1! : Taylor Swift Official Website". TaylorSwift.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07. 
  33. ↑ TasteofCountryMusic (2011-12-10). "Taylor Swift Behind the Scenes of 'Ours' – Webisode Eight". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-12-12. 
  34. ↑ TaylorSwiftVEVO (2011-12-06). "Taylor Swift – Ours". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-12-12. 
  35. ↑ "Taylor Swift is a drab working girl in 'Ours' music video". Idolator (website). 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2011-12-03. 
  36. ↑ Chelsea Lewis (2011-12-19). "VH1 | Topic | Taylor Swift 'Ours' Music Video Review". Community.vh1.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15. 
  37. ↑ Beard, Lanford (2011-11-23). "Taylor Swift: watch 'Ours' video | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15. 
  38. ↑ "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Ours". Recording Industry Association of America.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  39. ↑ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012. 

External links

Taylor Swift
Fearless
Speak Now
Red
Collaborations
Other songs

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