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22 (Taylor Swift song)

{{Short description|2013 single by Taylor Swift}}

{{good article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}{{Infobox song

| name = 22

| cover = Taylor Swift - 22.png

| alt = Cover artwork of "22" by Taylor Swift has the number "22" in red, in the foreground, behind the number is a black and white photo Taylor on a grassy field

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = Red

| released = {{Start date|2013|03|12}}

| studio = * MXM (Stockholm)

| genre = * Bubblegum

| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=52}}

| label = Big Machine

| writer = * Taylor Swift

| producer = * Max Martin

  • Shellback

| prev_title = I Knew You Were Trouble

| prev_year = 2012

| next_title = Highway Don't Care

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|AgFeZr5ptV8|"22"}}}}

}}

"22" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013, by Big Machine Records. Written and produced by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, "22" combines pop styles such as dance-pop and bubblegum with disco and 1990s rock. The track begins with an acoustic guitar riff and progresses into an upbeat refrain which incorporates pulsing synthesizers and syncopated bass drums. The lyrics celebrate being 22 years old while acknowledging the heartache that the narrator experienced in the past.

Upon Red{{'s}} release, critics complimented the production of "22" as catchy but some found the lyrics weak and the song repetitive. Retrospectively, some have considered it one of Swift's best pop songs. "22" peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received platinum or higher certifications in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, peaking in the top 10 on the singles chart on the UK Singles Chart as well as Israel and South Africa. The accompanying music video was shot in Malibu, California, depicting Swift having a house party with friends. Swift included the song in the set list of the Red Tour (2013–2014) and the Eras Tour (2023–2024). She performed it live at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.

Some media outlets dub "22" a cultural phenomenon resulting in the prominence of 22nd birthdays. A re-recorded version of the track, titled "22 (Taylor's Version)", was released as part of Swift's second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), on November 12, 2021. It peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Global 200 and entered on the charts of Australia, Canada, Portugal, Singapore, and the United States.

Writing and production

Swift released her third studio album, the self-written Speak Now, in October 2010.{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=October 19, 2010 |title=Album Review: Taylor Swift's Speak Now 14|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/taylor-swift-speak-album-31396/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818201357/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/taylor-swift-speak-album-31396/ |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, Speak Now expands on the country-pop production style of its predecessor, Fearless (2008).{{cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=November 18, 2020 |title=500 Greatest Albums: Taylor Swift Looks Back on Her 'Only True Breakup Album' Red |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-albums-taylor-swift-red-1059586/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204182537/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-albums-taylor-swift-red-1059586/ |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Speak Now – Taylor Swift |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/speak-now-mw0002025410 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105185251/https://www.allmusic.com/album/speak-now-mw0002025410 |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=AllMusic}} On her fourth studio album, Red (2012), Swift wanted to experiment with other musical styles.{{cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Mansfield |date=October 17, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift sees Red all over |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/17/taylor-swift-red-interview/1637307/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221175440/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/17/taylor-swift-red-interview/1637307/ |archive-date=December 21, 2012 |work=USA Today}} To this end, she worked with producers outside of her career base in Nashville, Tennessee, and went to Los Angeles to collaborate with Swedish producer Max Martin.{{cite magazine |last=Dickey |first=Jack |date=November 13, 2014 |title=The Power of Taylor Swift |url=https://time.com/3583129/power-of-taylor-swift-cover/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819085008/https://time.com/3583129/power-of-taylor-swift-cover/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=August 8, 2020 |url-access=limited}} Swift cited Martin's ability to "just land a chorus" as an inspiration.{{cite magazine |last=Gallo |first=Phil |date=October 19, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Q&A: The Risks of Red and The Joys of Being 22 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474565/taylor-swift-qa-the-risks-of-red-and-the-joys-of-being-22 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224174636/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474565/taylor-swift-qa-the-risks-of-red-and-the-joys-of-being-22 |archive-date=February 24, 2013}}

Martin and Shellback, another Swedish producer, co-wrote and co-produced three songs with Swift on Red—"22", "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", and "I Knew You Were Trouble"—all of which feature a pop production and programmed keyboards.{{cite web |last=Griffiths |first=George |date=June 21, 2021 |title=The Biggest Hits And Chart Legacy of Taylor Swift's Red ahead of its rerelease |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-hits-and-chart-legacy-of-taylor-swifts-red-ahead-of-its-rerelease__33407/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621172529/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-hits-and-chart-legacy-of-taylor-swifts-red-ahead-of-its-rerelease__33407/ |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}{{cite web |last=Shriver |first=Jerry |date=October 21, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Glows on Hot Red |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/21/taylor-swift-red-album-review/1644735/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209155310/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/21/taylor-swift-red-album-review/1644735/ |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |work=USA Today}} Michael Ilbert and Sam Holland recorded "22" at MXM Studios in Stockholm and Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with engineers John Hanes, Eric Eylands, and Tim Roberts. Şerban Ghenea mixed "22" at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach. The instruments used on the track include acoustic guitar (Swift, Shellback), bass (Shellback), electric guitar (Shellback), and keyboards (Martin, Shellback).

Talking about the theme of "22", Swift told Billboard that the song captures how she felt about being 22 years old and the "possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. [...] That brings about a carefree feeling that is sort of based on indecision and fear and at the same time letting loose". She said during a February 2013 interview with Ryan Seacrest that the song's inspiration was a group of female friends with whom she often hung out; despite the uncertainty of adulthood, "the one thing that you have is that you have each other".{{Cite web |last=Monde |first=Chiderah |date=February 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift has fun in the sun shooting '22' music video with gal pals in Malibu beach |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/taylor-swift-beach-day-shooting-music-video-article-1.1262309 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=New York Daily News |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603081238/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/taylor-swift-beach-day-shooting-music-video-article-1.1262309 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=February 12, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift Hits The Beach For Her '22' Video Shoot |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8u58ob/taylor-swift-22-video-set |access-date=2022-12-10 |website= |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210044748/https://www.mtv.com/news/8u58ob/taylor-swift-22-video-set |url-status=dead }} On March 12, 2013, Big Machine in partnership with Republic Records released "22" to US contemporary hit radio as the fourth Red single. A day later, it was released exclusively to Swift's official website as a limited-edition CD single, which was sold by itself or via an exclusive package with the Red Tour merchandise.{{cite web |title=Taylor Swift Limited Edition '22' Single CD |url=http://taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-22-Single-CD/dp/B00BT0PSXE?field_availability=-2&field_browse=3228049011&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&id=LIMITED+EDITION+22+Single+CD&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchNodeID=3228049011&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319064047/http://store.taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-22-Single-CD/dp/B00BT0PSXE |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |publisher=taylorswift.com}}{{cite web |title=Limited Edition '22' Single Package |url=http://taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-22-Single-Package/dp/B00BT0WAZ8?field_availability=-2&field_browse=3228182011&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&id=LIMITED+EDITION+22+Single+Package&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchNodeID=3228182011&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316141733/http://store.taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-22-Single-Package/dp/B00BT0WAZ8 |archive-date=March 16, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |publisher=taylorswift.com}} "22" was released in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/sitecomponent/a28814/singles-release-diary.html |title=Singles Release Diary |work=Digital Spy |date=4 February 2006 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430100420/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/sitecomponent/a28814/singles-release-diary.html |archive-date=April 30, 2013}}

Composition and lyrics

{{Listen

| filename = Taylor Swift - 22 (song sample).ogg

| title = "22"

| description = The upbeat refrain of "22" incorporates electronic vocal processing, pulsing synthesizers, and syncopated bass drums.

}}

Music critics described "22" as a pop song{{cite web |author=Lansky |first=Sam |date=February 6, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift Announces '22' As Next Red Single |url=http://idolator.com/7438222/taylor-swift-22-single |access-date=February 18, 2013 |work=Idolator |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116040430/http://www.idolator.com/7438222/taylor-swift-22-single |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |date=October 19, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift, Red: Track-By-Track Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-red-track-by-track-review-1066798/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213012607/https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1066798/taylor-swift-red-track-by-track-review |archive-date=February 13, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2012}} incorporating styles such as bubblegum{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8533755/taylor-swift-album-poll-favorite-vote|title=Which Taylor Swift Album Is Your Favorite? Vote!|magazine=Billboard|first=Glenn|last=Rowley|date=October 22, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030233644/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8533755/taylor-swift-album-poll-favorite-vote|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Every Taylor Swift song ranked in order of greatness |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=NME |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |url-status=live }} and dance-pop.{{cite web |last1=Levine |first1=Nick |title=The 20 best Taylor Swift songs |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/music/best-taylor-swift-songs |website=Time Out |access-date=July 21, 2020 |date=May 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721151852/https://www.timeout.com/london/music/best-taylor-swift-songs |url-status=live }} Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone described the genre as disco,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/22-2012-195322/|title=All 153 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216164251/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/22-2012-195322/|url-status=live}} and Annie Zaleski in the Cleveland Scene called the track a "spunky '90s-rock gem".{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428144744/https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/04/26/concert-review-and-slideshow-taylor-swift-at-quicken-loans-arena|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/04/26/concert-review-and-slideshow-taylor-swift-at-quicken-loans-arena|title=Concert Review and Slideshow: Taylor Swift at Quicken Loans Arena|first=Annie|last=Zaleski|author-link=Annie Zaleski|date=April 26, 2013|website=Cleveland Scene|access-date=April 26, 2013|archive-date=April 28, 2013}} "22" begins with an acoustic guitar riff and incorporates an acoustic guitar-based arrangement in the verses.{{cite web |date=October 18, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's '22': Listen To The Storming Pop Track |url=http://idolator.com/7204522/taylor-swift-22-listen |access-date=November 26, 2012 |website=Idolator |publisher= |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075213/http://www.idolator.com/7204522/taylor-swift-22-listen |url-status=live }}{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}} The upbeat refrain infuses elements of dance and electronic music; it incorporates pulsing 1980s-pop-influenced synthesizers and syncopated bass drums that evoke influences from hip hop and alternative rock.{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}}{{cite web |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |date=October 24, 2012 |title=No More Kid Stuff for Taylor Swift |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/arts/music/no-more-kid-stuff-for-taylor-swift.html?_r=0 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512000832/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/arts/music/no-more-kid-stuff-for-taylor-swift.html?_r=0 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2016 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite magazine |last=Maerz |first=Melissa |date=October 18, 2012 |title=Red – review – Taylor Swift |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/10/26/red-review-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131230153750/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20639830,00.html |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |access-date=October 18, 2012}} Billboard said "22" was Swift's "most blatantly 'pop' song" up to that point, and Perone commented that her vocals, processed by Martin's and Shellback's electronic production, make the track sound radically different compared to her previous songs.{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46–47}} According to The Boot's Riane Konc, despite the pop production, "22" remains "[an] essential part of [Swift's] country years".{{Cite web |last=Konc |first=Riane |date=October 23, 2020 |title=All of Taylor Swift's Country Singles, Ranked |url=https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-country-singles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028193251/https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-country-singles/ |archive-date=2019-10-28 |access-date=2019-11-20 |website=The Boot}} Musically it is written in key of G major and has a tempo of 104 beats per minute.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0111214|title=Digital sheet music - Taylor Swift - 22|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=Alfred Publishing|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=December 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224084252/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0111214|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://songbpm.com/taylor-swift/22 |title=BPM for '22' by taylor swift |work=songbpm.com |access-date=April 28, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610045758/https://songbpm.com/taylor-swift/22 |url-status=live }} Swift's vocals span from G3 and D5.

In the lyrics, the narrator celebrates the experience of being 22 years old, inviting friends to dress up, hang out, and "make fun of [their] exes" after having gone through a heartbreak.{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}}{{cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift: Red |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-red-1798174734 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045049/http://www.avclub.com/articles/taylor-swift-red,87872/ |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |work=The A.V. Club}} When she and the friends are at the party, she realizes the place has "too many cool kids" (who murmur, "‘Who's Taylor Swift anyway, ew?"). The group then decides to "ditch the whole scene". Towards the song's conclusion, the narrator dances with a man who "looks like bad news", but whom she "has to have".{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}}

Critics observed the conflicting emotions of early adulthood. Jordan Sargent of Spin said the refrain's bass has a "fleeting upward sweep" that reflects the lyrical sentiment of "feeling young and invincible" while facing the impending "doom of growing up".{{cite web |last=Sargent |first=Jordan |date=June 16, 2017 |title=Listen to Taylor Swift's Red, One of the Best Pop Albums of Our Time |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/06/taylor-swift-red-essay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101062952/https://www.spin.com/2017/06/taylor-swift-red-essay/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |work=Spin}} For Billboard, although the production is upbeat with "the most sugary hooks available", the lyrics are rather contemplative. NPR Music's J. English wrote that the contradictory feelings ("We're happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time / It's miserable and magical") serve as a mission statement for Red{{'s}} depiction of a wide array of emotions, from the wide-eyed optimism on "Begin Again" to the cautionary tale of celebrity on "The Lucky One".{{cite web |last=English |first=J. |date=August 28, 2017 |title=Shocking Omissions: Taylor Swift's Red, A Canonical Coming-Of-Age Album |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/28/546359653/shocking-omissions-taylor-swift-s-red-a-canonical-coming-of-age-album |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412213355/https://www.npr.org/2017/08/28/546359653/shocking-omissions-taylor-swift-s-red-a-canonical-coming-of-age-album |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |work=NPR}} Perone otherwise found the track to be escapist and carefree; whereas the narrators of Swift's previous songs ponder about lost love in her own headspace, the narrator of "22" hangs out at parties and gets along with a man she just met.{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}}

Critical reception

Billboard{{'s}} review of Red appreciated Swift's songwriting on "22" for "succinctly communicating conflicting emotion" despite the upbeat production. Digital Spy's Lewis Corner deemed the single another "pop smash" for Swift's career.{{cite web |last=Corner |first=Lewis |date=March 14, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift: '22' – Single review |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a465359/taylor-swift-22-single-review.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515131800/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a465359/taylor-swift-22-single-review.html |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |work=Digital Spy}} Reviewers that highlighted "22" as one of the album's best tracks included Idolator's Sam Lansky,{{cite web |last=Lansky |first=Sam |date=October 22, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's Red: Album Review |url=http://idolator.com/7210192/taylor-swift-red-album-review |accessdate=December 3, 2012 |website=Idolator |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140117064439/http://www.idolator.com/7210192/taylor-swift-red-album-review |url-status=live }} USA Today{{'s}} Jerry Shriver,{{Cite web |last=Shriver |first=Jerry |date=October 22, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift has a glow on Red |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1114045262 |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=USA Today |id={{ProQuest|1114045262}} |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207164630/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1114045262 |url-status=live }} and the Tampa Bay Times{{'}} Max Asayesh-Brown, all of whom complimented the production.{{Cite web |last=Asayesh-Brown |first=Max |date=November 1, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift: Red |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1125079781 |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Tampa Bay Times |id={{ProQuest|1125079781}} |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209124537/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1125079781 |url-status=live }} Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press found it better than the lead single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" but deemed the lyrics weak.{{Cite news |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's Red fades to mediocrity |pages=E10 |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81966343/taylor-swifts-red-fades-to-mediocrity/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724154608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81966343/taylor-swifts-red-fades-to-mediocrity/ |archive-date=July 24, 2021}} Some viewed the song as derivative of the chart hits by Swift's contemporaries such as Katy Perry and Kesha, including The Boston Globe{{'s}} James Reed,{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=James |date=October 22, 2012 |title=Golden, but no longer a girl: On her new album, Taylor Swift pursues pop hits and more mature songwriting |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113963946 |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Boston Globe |id={{ProQuest|1113963946}} |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207164631/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113963946 |url-status=live }} Telegram & Gazette{{'s}} Craig S. Semon,{{Cite web |last=Semon |first=Craig S. |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift seeing Red on new album |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1220768531 |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Telegram & Gazette |id={{ProQuest|1220768531}} |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209130349/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1220768531 |url-status=live }} and Slant Magazine{{'s}} Jonathan Keefe, who labelled it as a "shrill, deliberately vapid {{Sic|Ke$ha}} knockoff".{{cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=October 22, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift: Red |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-red/2900 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012014408/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-red/2900 |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2012 |work=Slant Magazine}} AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine dubbed it a "cheerfully ludicrous club-filler".{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Taylor Swift – Red |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/red-mw0002414735 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126153103/https://www.allmusic.com/album/red-mw0002414735 |url-status=live }}

At the 2015 Pop Awards held by Broadcast Music, Inc., "22" was one of the three songs (with "Everything Has Changed" and "Shake It Off") that helped Swift earn recognition as one of the "Songwriters of the Year".{{cite web |date=May 13, 2015 |title=P!nk Receives President's Award at 63rd Annual BMI Pop Awards |url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2015_bmi_pop_awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408002639/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2015_bmi_pop_awards |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=May 11, 2016 |publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.}} Retrospective reviews have been generally positive, with welcoming comments from Lansky, who highlighted the "millennial pink fizz" and "neutered naughtiness",{{Cite magazine |last=Lansky |first=Sam |date=2017-11-08 |title=Why Taylor Swift's Red Is Her Best Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-red-best-album-8030142/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030220907/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-red-best-album-8030142/ |url-status=live }} and Sheffield, who said the song is "[approximately] 22,000 times more fun than actually being 22". Nate Jones from Vulture hailed "22" for simultaneously being "absurdly catchy" and having "enough personality",{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-access=limited |access-date=December 6, 2021 |website=Vulture |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-status=live }} and Nick Levine from Time Out's deemed it "far smarter" than an average dance-pop song. In a 2019 ranking of Swift's 44 singles, The Guardian{{'s}} Alexis Petridis placed the song at number four, and lauded its catchiness and contemplative lyrics about early adulthood.{{cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift's Singles – Ranked |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/26/taylor-swifts-singles-ranked |access-date=January 24, 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427062612/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/26/taylor-swifts-singles-ranked |url-status=live }} Perone nonetheless deemed "22" not as sophisticated and grounded as Swift's previous songs about heartbreak, specifically "Fifteen" (2009).{{Sfn|Perone|2017|p=46}}

Some media publications dubbed "22" a cultural phenomenon resulting in the prominence of 22nd birthdays;{{cite magazine |last=Lash |first=Jolie |date=June 18, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift to rerelease Red with all 30 of its original songs |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-to-rerelease-red-album-november-2021/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724093217/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-to-rerelease-red-album-november-2021/ |url-status=live }} according to NME{{'s}} Hannah Mylrea, "Before '22' nobody cared when you celebrated your 22nd birthday [...] and somehow Swift turned it into a milestone."

Commercial performance

For the week ending October 28, 2012, "22" debuted at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on Hot Digital Songs with first-week sales of 108,000 digital copies; it was the week's highest debut position.{{cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Week Ending Oct. 28, 2012. Songs: Chris Brown's Comeback |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-28-2012-songs-chris-brown-213026172.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112041335/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-28-2012-songs-chris-brown-213026172.html |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |publisher=Yahoo! Music}} After its single release, the song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the sixth track from Red to reach the top 20.{{Cite magazine |date=2022-03-23 |title=Taylor Swift's 40 Biggest Hot 100 Hits |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-taylor-swift-songs-top-100-hits/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214072657/https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-taylor-swift-songs-top-100-hits/ |url-status=live }} The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single triple platinum, denoting three million track-equivalent units based on digital sales and streaming. In the United Kingdom, "22" peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The single also received sales certifications in Australia (four-times platinum), Canada (platinum), New Zealand (gold), and Japan (gold), and peaked within the top 30 in the first three countries.

Music video and live performances

File:Taylor Swift IMG 0248 (9926956034).jpg (2013)]]

Swift travelled to Malibu, California, in February 2013, and filmed the music video for "22" there a day after she attended the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. She premiered the video on March 13, 2013, on Good Morning America.{{Cite magazine |last=Carlson |first=Adam |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift debuts '22' video, has more fun than you |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/03/13/taylor-swift-22-video/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=March 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325061505/https://ew.com/article/2013/03/13/taylor-swift-22-video/ |url-status=live }} Directed by Anthony Mandler, the video for "22" departs from the narrative-driven video for Swift's previous single, "I Knew You Were Trouble"; it features scenes of Swift and her friends baking in the kitchen, sunbathing on the beach, bouncing on trampolines, and throwing a house party which ends with Swift diving into the pool, clothes on.{{Cite magazine |last=Payne |first=Chris |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift Debuts Malibu-Shot '22' Music Video |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1551792/taylor-swift-debuts-malibu-shot-22-music-video |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511093903/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1551792/taylor-swift-debuts-malibu-shot-22-music-video |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift's '22' Video: The Diary of A Normal Girl |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/0jgt64/taylor-swift-22-music-video |access-date=2022-12-10 |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210050600/https://www.mtv.com/news/0jgt64/taylor-swift-22-music-video |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Maresca |first=Rachel |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift debuts '22' music video: Singer has a beach day before kicking off Red tour |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/taylor-swift-debuts-world-premiere-22-article-1.1287228 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=New York Daily News |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210050606/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/taylor-swift-debuts-world-premiere-22-article-1.1287228 |url-status=live }} Some media publications noticed Swift's fashion as hipster-inspired, particularly her chambray shirt and plastic glasses,{{Cite web |last=L. |first=Darwin |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift's '22' Music Video: Look By Look |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/k0nvnc/taylor-swift-22-music-video-2 |access-date=2022-12-10 |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210050605/https://www.mtv.com/news/k0nvnc/taylor-swift-22-music-video-2 |url-status=dead }} while Cosmopolitan and Entertainment Weekly deemed the aesthetics reminiscent of Instagram's.{{Cite web |last=Dray |first=Kayleigh |date=2013-03-14 |title=Taylor's girl power video! |url=http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/celebs/celebrity-gossip/rss/taylor-swift-22-music-video-watch |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Cosmopolitan |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527230357/http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/celebs/celebrity-gossip/rss/taylor-swift-22-music-video-watch |url-status=live }}

File:Eras Tour - Inglewood, California - Red act 12.jpg (2023)]]

Before the release of Red on August 13, 2012, Swift performed an acoustic rendition of "22" for her "YouTube Webchat" in Nashville.{{cite web |date=December 18, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift - Acoustic Performances from Red Album |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2obMo7y-rvA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717091124/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2obMo7y-rvA |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |access-date=November 30, 2023 |via=YouTube |url-status=live }}

It was later included on the set list to Swift's private concert held on a péniche on the Seine on January 28, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Decant |first=Charles |date=January 29, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift a brillé sur la Seine |trans-title=Taylor Swift shined on the Seine |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Taylor-Swift/news-84055.html |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Pure Charts |language=fr |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210095545/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Taylor-Swift/news-84055.html |url-status=live }} Her first televised performance of "22" was on May 19, 2013, at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.{{cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kristen |date=May 20, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift's Brilliant '22' Billboard Music Awards Performance |url=http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Taylor-Swift-s-Brilliant-22-Billboard-Music-4531752.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112015129/http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Taylor-Swift-s-Brilliant-22-Billboard-Music-4531752.php |archive-date=November 12, 2017 |access-date=May 20, 2013 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}} Dressed in silver shoes, black high-waisted shorts, and a unicorn T-shirt saying "Haters Gonna Hate", Swift sang the first verse and chorus, and the second verse in the dressing room backstage. She appeared onstage for the rest of the song, joined by America's Got Talent winners and the dance crew Jabbawockeez; the performances ended with red balloons falling from the ceiling.{{Cite magazine |last=Benjamin |first=Jeff |date=2013-05-20 |title=Taylor Swift Brings the Party Backstage & Onstage at Billboard Music Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-brings-the-party-backstage-onstage-at-billboard-music-awards-1562896/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210054652/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-brings-the-party-backstage-onstage-at-billboard-music-awards-1562896/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Rogers |first=Ray |date=2013-05-25 |title=Taylor Swift: Billboard Music Award Wins Were a 'Wonderful Feeling' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-billboard-music-award-wins-were-a-wonderful-feeling-1563860/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210054651/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-billboard-music-award-wins-were-a-wonderful-feeling-1563860/ |url-status=live }} The song was part of the set list to the Red Tour (2013–2014), where Swift performed it with a dance troupe.{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Piet |date=August 11, 2013 |title=Concert review: Taylor Swift's Red tour brings color, spectacle to Chicago's Soldier Field |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/concert-review-taylor-swifts-red-tour-brings-color-spectacle-to-chicagos-soldier-field-b9968845z1-219170441.html |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506154240/http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/concert-review-taylor-swifts-red-tour-brings-color-spectacle-to-chicagos-soldier-field-b9968845z1-219170441.html |url-status=live }}

Swift later included "22" as part of the set lists to her other concerts and shows, including at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September 2014,{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=September 20, 2014 |title=Taylor Swift Shakes Off the 'Frenemies' During iHeartRadio Fest Performance: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/6259021/taylor-swift-iheartradio-festival-performance-shake-it-off |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920202759/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/6259021/taylor-swift-iheartradio-festival-performance-shake-it-off |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |access-date=December 9, 2019}} at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in October 2016,{{cite web |date=October 23, 2016 |title=Taylor Swift Takes The Stage For First Concert In Almost A Year, Performs Song She Wrote For Calvin Harris |url=https://etcanada.com/news/175995/taylor-swift-takes-the-stage-for-first-concert-in-almost-a-year-performs-song-she-wrote-for-calvin-harris/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228102417/https://etcanada.com/news/175995/taylor-swift-takes-the-stage-for-first-concert-in-almost-a-year-performs-song-she-wrote-for-calvin-harris/ |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |access-date=December 28, 2019 |website=ET Canada}} and at the DirecTV Super Saturday Night, as part of a series of pre-Super Bowl concerts, in February 2017.{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Kayleigh |date=February 5, 2017 |title=Here's What Happened at Taylor Swift's Alleged Only Performance of 2017 |work=Elle |url=http://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/news/a42698/taylor-swifts-alleged-only-performance-of-2017/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015252/http://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/news/a42698/taylor-swifts-alleged-only-performance-of-2017/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017}} She performed "22" on the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) as a "surprise song" for the second show in Chicago, the first show in Foxborough, and the show in Sydney.{{cite magazine |last1=Iasimone |first1=Ashley |date=November 20, 2018 |title=All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed On Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008113110/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |archive-date=8 October 2019 |access-date=19 December 2018}} On December 8, 2019, Swift performed the song at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball 2019 in London.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545722/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-live-video-capital-fm-jingle-bell-ball|title=Taylor Swift Performs 'Christmas Tree Farm' Live for the First Time at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball: Watch|last=Iasimone|first=Ashley|magazine=Billboard|date=December 8, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208234825/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545722/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-live-video-capital-fm-jingle-bell-ball|url-status=live}} In March 2023, Swift embarked on the Eras Tour, as a tribute to her discography.{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Kelsey |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's Eras tour is a career-defining spectacle full of surprises – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-eras-tour-review-b2303820.html |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=The Independent |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125732/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-eras-tour-review-b2303820.html |url-status=live }} The tour consisted of ten acts, including the Red set, where "22" was the opening track.{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Analysis {{!}} Taylor Swift's Eras Tour opener: A complete recap of all 44 songs |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-costumes-recap/ |access-date=November 30, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318162008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-costumes-recap/ |url-status=live }} Swift performs the song while wearing a version of the white T-shirt and black hat from the song's music video. Towards the end of the song, she greets a fan pre-selected from the audience and gives them the hat.{{Cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Mikael |last2=Exposito |first2=Suzy |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift delivers emotional catharsis and anthems galore in epic, three-hour-plus show |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-08-03/taylor-swift-sofi-stadium-opening-night-concert-eras-tour-live-updates |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804075610/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-08-03/taylor-swift-sofi-stadium-opening-night-concert-eras-tour-live-updates |url-status=live }}

Credits and personnel

Adapted from Red album liner notes{{cite AV media notes|title=Red|others=Taylor Swift|publisher=Big Machine Records|location=Nashville|year=2012|type=vinyl liner notes|id=BMR310400D}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Weekly chart performance for "22"

!scope="col"|Chart (2013)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|21|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true|refname="AUS"}}
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|3|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|28|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100){{Cite journal |date=September 2013|title=Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay |journal=Billboard Brasil |issue=44 |page=88 |editor=BPP}}

|97

scope="row"|Brazil Hot Pop Songs

|28

{{single chart|Canada|20|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=October 30, 2012|rowheader=true|refname="canada"}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|16|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=November 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|11|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Czech Republic|100|song=22|year=2013|week=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardeurodigital|18|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|France|155|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|12|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true|refname="ireland"}}
{{single chart|Israelairplay|3|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|week=18|year=2013|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|53|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=November 5, 2023|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"| Japan Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2013&month=05&day=13|title=Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay Chart|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=November 6, 2023|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106045708/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2013&month=05&day=13|url-status=live}}

| 45

scope="row"|Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20){{Cite web |url=http://www.olt20.com/Taylor_Swift#fragment-2&panel1-2 |title=Taylor Swift| publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20 |access-date=2016-09-01 |archive-date=2016-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917021214/http://www.olt20.com/Taylor_Swift#fragment-2&panel1-2 |url-status=live }}

|14

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Tipparade 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/taylor-swift-3/taylor-swift-22-23949|title=Taylor Swift – 22|language=nl|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=May 9, 2022|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510025630/https://www.top40.nl/taylor-swift-3/taylor-swift-22-23949|url-status=live}}

| 7

{{single chart|New Zealand|23|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Scotland|9|song=22|date=April 20, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Slovakia|36|song=22|year=2013|week=18|access-date=February 16, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|South Africa|4|song=22|date=2013-05-21|access-date=April 25, 2014|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|9|song=22|date=January 19, 2012|rowheader=true|access-date=March 24, 2013}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|20|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=October 31, 2012|rowheader=true|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|19|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=June 13, 2013|refname="adultconemporary"|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|9|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=May 25, 2013|refname="adultpopsongs"|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|12|song=22|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=April 27, 2013|refname="popsongs"|rowheader=true}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for "22"

!Chart (2013)

!Position

scope="row"|Canada (Canadian Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/canadian-hot-100?page=7|title=Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|access-date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219175808/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/canadian-hot-100?page=7|url-status=live}}

| 78

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20130106/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2013|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329174014/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20130106/37501/|url-status=live}}

| 76

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-100-songs?page=7|title=Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2013-12-13|archive-date=2013-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216045314/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-100-songs?page=7|url-status=live}}

|71

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Adult Pop Songs Year End 2015|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/adult-pop-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518164455/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/adult-pop-songs|url-status=live}}

|48

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "22"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=4|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|access-date=June 14, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=May 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2013|certyear=2013|title=22|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|refname="MC"|award=Platinum|digital=true|access-date=November 10, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|digital=true|title=22|artist=Taylor Swift|refname="RIAJ"|award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2022|certmonth=9|access-date=November 17, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2012|certyear=2015|refname="RMNZ"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2013|certyear=2021|id=12488-1598-1|access-date=December 10, 2022|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|refname="BPI"|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2012|certyear=2015|title=22|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|access-date=December 10, 2022|refname="RIAA"|award=Platinum|number=3}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|certyear=2013|relyear=2013|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22|award=Gold|type=single|certmonth=8|id=6100|streamsonly=true}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true|streamsonly=true|noshipments=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "22"

! scope="col"| Country

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| Ref.

scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States

| March 12, 2013

| Contemporary hit radio

| {{hlist|Big Machine|Republic}}

| style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |title=Airplay Archive |work=FMQB |access-date=February 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101095739/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 }}

March 13, 2013

|CD single

| Big Machine

| style="text-align:center;"|

scope="row"| United Kingdom

| March 31, 2013

| Contemporary hit radio

| {{hlist|Big Machine|Mercury}}

| style="text-align:center;"|

"22 (Taylor's Version)"

{{Infobox song

| name = 22 (Taylor's Version)

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = Red (Taylor's Version)

| released = {{start date|2021|11|12}}

| genre =

| studio = * Kitty Committee (Belfast)

  • Prime Recording (Nashville)

| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=52}}

| label = Republic

| writer = * Taylor Swift

| producer = * Taylor Swift

| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|9boiT64sm0Q|"22 (Taylor's Version)"}}}}

}}

Swift re-recorded "22" for her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021). She posted a snippet of the re-recorded song, titled "22 (Taylor's Version)", on her Instagram on August 5, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-phoebe-bridgers-red-remake-word-puzzle-1235035385/|title=Taylor Swift Teases Phoebe Bridgers, Chris Stapleton Collaborations for Red Album in Word Puzzle|first=Chris|last=Willman|work=Variety|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=September 23, 2021|archive-date=August 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809070704/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-phoebe-bridgers-red-remake-word-puzzle-1235035385/|url-status=live}} Red (Taylor's Version) was released on November 12, 2021, by Republic Records; it is part of Swift's move to claim the ownership to her master recordings after a public dispute with her former label Big Machine and talent manager Scooter Braun.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/red-taylors-version-release-date-tracklist-why-taylor-swift-is-rerecording-her-albums/|title=Red (Taylor's Version): Release date, tracklist, why Taylor Swift is rerecording her albums|work=CNET|first=Abrar|last=Al-Heeti|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 13, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120224012/https://www.cnet.com/news/red-taylors-version-release-date-tracklist-why-taylor-swift-is-rerecording-her-albums/|url-status=live}}

"22 (Taylor's Version)" was produced by Swift, Shellback, and Christopher Rowe. In reviews of Red (Taylor's Version), some critics remarked that "22" was one of Swift's best pop songs, with Olivia Horn from Pitchfork deeming it one of her "great masterpieces".{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version|title=Taylor Swift Re-Immortalizes Classic Red (Taylor's Version)|first=Ana|last=Clara Ribeiro|date=December 16, 2021|website=PopMatters|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717103640/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Horn|first=Olivia|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/|title=Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version)|website=Pitchfork|date=November 15, 2021|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115143729/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/|url-status=live}} In Slant Magazine, Jonathan Keefe commented that though the 2012 version was indiscernible from the music of other pop stars of the era, the 2021 re-recorded version improved with a wistful tone.{{cite web|last=Keefe|first=Jonathan|date=November 17, 2021|title=Review: Taylor Swift's Red Redux Flaunts the Singer's Refined Pop Instincts|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review/|access-date=November 17, 2021|website=Slant Magazine|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117163448/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review/|url-status=live}}

Commercially, "22 (Taylor's Version)" entered the countries of Singapore (17), Australia (27), the Canadian Hot 100 (33), and Portugal (151). In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it extended her record of most chart entries among women.{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=November 22, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Charts 26 Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-26-songs-hot-100-red-taylors-version-1235001484/ |access-date=November 30, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124035344/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-26-songs-hot-100-red-taylors-version-1235001484/ |url-status=live }} On non-national charts, the song reached number 36 on New Zealand's Hot Singles Chart and number 49 on the United Kingdom's Audio Streaming Chart. It also peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Global 200.

=Personnel=

Adapted from Red (Taylor's Version) album liner notes{{cite AV media notes|title=Red (Taylor's Version)|others=Taylor Swift|year=2021|publisher=Republic Records|type=vinyl liner notes}}

{{div col}}

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, background vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Christopher Rowe – producer, lead vocals engineer
  • Shellback – producer, songwriter
  • Max Martin – songwriter
  • Dan Burns – additional programming, additional engineer
  • Matt Billingslea – drums
  • Bryce Bordone – engineer
  • Derek Garten – engineer, editor
  • Şerban Ghenea – mixer
  • Max Bernstein – synths
  • Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, synths
  • Amos Heller – bass guitar, bass synthesizer
  • Paul Sidoti – electric guitar

{{div col end}}

=Charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Chart performance for "22 (Taylor's Version)"

! scope="col"| Chart (2021–2022)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-11-22|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=November 22, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119060857/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-11-22|url-status=live}}

| 27

{{single chart|Canada|33|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 23, 2021|refname=Canada2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|30|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 23, 2021|refname="Global200"}}
scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2022-01-07|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=January 10, 2022|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108133606/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5260|url-status=live}}

| 36

{{single chart|Portugal|151|artist=Taylor Swift|song=22|rowheader=true|access-date=February 9, 2022|refname="Portugal2023"}}
scope="row" | Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 46 (12 – 18 Nov 2021)|date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121350/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|archive-date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

| 17

{{single chart|UKstreaming|49|date=20211119|rowheader=true|access-date=November 19, 2021|refname="UKstreaming"}}
scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100

| 52

=Certification=

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certification "22 (Taylor's Version)"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|certref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22 (Taylor's Version)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22 (Taylor's Version)|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2021|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Taylor Swift|title=22 (Taylor's Version)|award=Silver|id=19888-1598-1|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|accessdate=April 12, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

References

{{Reflist}}

=Sources=

  • {{cite book |last=Perone |first=James E. |title=The Words and Music of Taylor Swift |publisher=ABC-Clio |year=2017 |isbn=978-1440852947 |series=The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection}}

{{Taylor Swift songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2013 singles

Category:2012 songs

Category:Taylor Swift songs

Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift

Category:Songs written by Max Martin

Category:Songs written by Shellback (record producer)

Category:Big Machine Records singles

Category:Republic Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Anthony Mandler

Category:Song recordings produced by Max Martin

Category:Song recordings produced by Shellback (record producer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift

Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Rowe

Category:Songs about dancing

Category:Bubblegum pop songs

Category:American disco songs

Category:American dance-pop songs