Forever and Always (Taylor Swift song)

"Forever and Always"
Song by Taylor Swift from the album Fearless
Recorded 2008; 2009
Genre

(Original version)
Pop (Piano version)

Length 3:46 (Original version)
4:27 (Piano version)
Writer Taylor Swift
Producer

"Forever and Always" (sold as "Forever & Always") is a song written by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). It was a last-minute addition to the album[1] but went on to become a fan favorite, becoming certified Platinum by the RIAA[2] and peaking within the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 despite not being individually released or promoted as a single. "Forever & Always" revolves lyrically around a breakup and the resultant heartache, and is musically one of the most decidedly pop-oriented songs on the album.

Background and recording

Inspired by her recent break-up with Joe Jonas,[3] Swift quickly wrote and recorded the song at the last minute for inclusion on Fearless. As Swift explained in a track-by-track insight into the album, the song was written about a man in her life who she could see "slowly [slipping] away" from her and the confusion she felt in dealing with a crumbling relationship.[4] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Swift described the fallout of that relationship as a "really dramatic and crazy" experience that she "[needed] to address" through her music.[1]

Jonas addressed the song in the June 2009 issue of Seventeen Magazine. When talking about it, he said he wasn't bothered by Swift writing a song about their relationship. "It's flattering," said Jonas. "It's always nice to hear their side of the story."[5]

In 2009, Swift re-recorded the song in an acoustic ballad style for the Platinum Edition re-issue of Fearless. This remastered cut is officially titled "Forever & Always (Piano version)".

Live performances

Swift performed "Forever & Always" at the 2009 CMA Awards and nightly on her 2009–2010 Fearless Tour.

Chart performance

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 37
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 34

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Scaggs, Austin. "Taylor's Time: Catching Up With Taylor Swift". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "American certifications – Swift, Taylor". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  3. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn. "Taylor Swift Talks About Joe Jonas Breakup Online, On The Radio, On TV And In Her New Album". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  4. ↑ Swift, Taylor. "Cut By But". Bigmachinerecords.com. Big Machine Records. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Forever & Always by Taylor Swift".
  6. ↑ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Taylor Swift.
  7. ↑ "Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Taylor Swift.

External links

Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics