Back to December
{{Short description|2010 single by Taylor Swift}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Back to December
| cover = Back to December.png
| alt = Cover art of "Back to December" showing Swift looking downwards
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Speak Now
| released = {{start date|2010|11|15}}
| genre = Country pop
| length = 4:53
| label = Big Machine
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| prev_title = Mine
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Mean
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|QUwxKWT6m7U|"Back to December"}}}}
}}
"Back to December" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released it as the album's second single on November 15, 2010. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Back to December" is a country pop song and a power ballad that incorporates a string section. Inspired by Swift's relationship with the actor Taylor Lautner, the lyrics are about a remorseful plea for forgiveness from a former lover.
In contemporary reviews, music critics praised "Back to December" for its production and the mature lyrics expressing regret over lost love. Several critics have considered it one of Swift's best songs. In the United States, the single peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Country Songs chart, and the Recording Industry Association of America certified it triple platinum. Elsewhere, "Back to December" peaked at number seven in Canada and received certifications in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The song's music video, directed by Yoann Lemoine, depicts the aftermath of a breakup between Swift and her boyfriend. Swift performed "Back to December" at the Country Music Association Awards and the American Music Awards. On the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012), she performed the song as part of a medley with OneRepublic's "Apologize" and her song "You're Not Sorry". A re-recorded version, titled "Back to December (Taylor's Version)", was released as part of Swift's third re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), on July 7, 2023. The re-recorded song topped the Philippines Songs chart.
Background and release
Swift wrote her third studio album, Speak Now (2010), entirely by herself. According to Swift, Speak Now is a collection of songs about the things she had wanted to say to the people in her life, but never had a chance to.{{Cite web |last=Conger |first=Bill |date=October 11, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift Talks About Her New Album Speak Now, And Her Songwriting |url=http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift2010.htm |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Songwriter Universe |language= |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172752/https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift2010.htm |url-status=live }} "Back to December" is an apology to a past lover in the form of a song, something that she had never done before.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20444470,00.html |title=VIDEO: Taylor Swift Explains Apology Song 'Back to December' |magazine=People |date=November 23, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107230600/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20444470%2C00.html |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author=Jennifer Still |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a281766/swift-back-to-december-is-an-apology.html |title=Swift: 'Back To December is an apology' |website=Digital Spy |date=October 13, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101016044404/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a281766/swift-back-to-december-is-an-apology.html| archive-date= October 16, 2010 | url-status= live}} In press interviews leading up to the release of Speak Now, Swift said that although her past songs usually criticized her ex-boyfriends, she felt the need to apologize to a person who was nice to her: "Guys get what they deserve in my songs, and if they deserve an apology, they should get one. There was someone who was absolutely wonderful to me and I dropped the ball, and I needed to say all that."{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2010 |title=Life after the Fairy Tale: Pop princess Taylor Swift on staying grounded while living her dream |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/759690125 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Idaho State Journal |page=H.5 |id={{ProQuest|759690125}} |language= |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165046/https://www.proquest.com/docview/759690125 |url-status=live }}
"Back to December" was produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman.{{cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now |year=2010 |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Big Machine Records |id=BTMSR0300A |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}} It was first released as a promotional single from Speak Now on October 12, 2010, as a part of the exclusive campaign by the iTunes Store leading up to the album's release.{{cite web |date=September 27, 2010 |title=Speak Now 3-week iTunes countdown! |url=http://www.taylorswift.com/news/o1287965052241?post=speak-now-3-week-itunes-countdown0.69034700%201287776315#o1287965052241 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107204440/http://www.taylorswift.com/news/o1287965052241?post=speak-now-3-week-itunes-countdown0.69034700%201287776315 |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=December 15, 2010 |publisher=Taylor Swift Official Store}} On November 15, 2010, the song was released to US country radio by Big Machine Records, as the second single from Speak Now.{{cite web |date=November 15, 2010 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Country |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/15/2010&Format=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316092305/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11%2F15%2F2010&Format=4 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |access-date=December 15, 2010 |work=Radio & Records |publisher=}} Around the time of its release, the inspiration behind the song was subject to media scrutiny, because of Swift's dating history with other celebrities.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Leah |date=October 25, 2010 |title=Swift won't change her tune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/760165147 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The Vancouver Sun |page=D.4 |id={{ProQuest|760165147}} |language= |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165046/https://www.proquest.com/docview/760165147 |url-status=live }} In press interviews, Swift refused to reveal the subject of the song, as well as other Speak Now tracks, because she wanted to focus on the songwriting aspect of her work.{{Cite web |last=Patch |first=Nick |date=October 25, 2010 |title=Lautner, Kanye, Mayer, oh my: Swift doesn't mind speculation about her songs |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/760101640 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The Canadian Press |id={{ProQuest|760101640}} |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165047/https://www.proquest.com/docview/760101640 |url-status=live }} The actor Taylor Lautner, an ex-boyfriend of Swift, told the press in 2016 that he was the inspiration of "Back to December".{{cite magazine |last=Kickham |first=Dylan |date=August 9, 2016 |title=Taylor Lautner confirms Taylor Swift's 'Back to December' is about him |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/09/taylor-lautner-taylor-swift-back-december |url-status=dead |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223080035/http://ew.com/article/2016/08/09/taylor-lautner-taylor-swift-back-december/ |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |access-date=June 16, 2022}}
Composition
{{listen
| pos = right
| filename = Taylor Swift - Back To December (Clip).ogg
| title = "Back to December"
| description = A sample of "Back to December", showing the song's use of orchestral strings in the refrain. The power ballad combines country and pop and has lyrics about the narrator apologizing to an ex-lover for having hurt him.
}}
"Back to December" has a length of 4 minutes and 55 seconds.{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Speak Now – Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1948200 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |publisher=AllMusic |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101012023/http://allmusic.com/album/r1948200 |url-status=live }} Musically, it is a power ballad.{{Cite web |last=Rodgers |first=Larry |date=October 26, 2010 |title=Swift's evolving as singer-writer |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/760061731 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The Arizona Republic |page=D.6 |id={{ProQuest|760061731}} |language= |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165047/https://www.proquest.com/docview/760061731 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=March 16, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |access-date=April 11, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} In contemporary reviews, critics categorized the ballad as country{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Leah |date=October 13, 2010 |title=Swift apologizes in new song |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/758842147 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Regina Leader-Post |page=B.2 |id={{ProQuest|758842147}} |language= |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165053/https://www.proquest.com/docview/758842147 |url-status=live }} and pop.{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Chrissie |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift's intuition: Star says she writes what she feels |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/759300261 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune |page=3.1 |id={{ProQuest|759300261}} |language=en |via=ProQuest |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009194432/https://www.proquest.com/docview/759300261 |url-status=live }} The song incorporates an orchestral arrangement consisting of strings, recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.{{cite magazine |last=Vick |first=Megan |date=January 8, 2011 |title=Singles Review: 'Back to December' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D0b70DQT1HkC&pg=PA49 |magazine=Billboard |volume=123 |issue=1 |page=49 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |via=Google Books |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165056/https://books.google.com/books?id=D0b70DQT1HkC&pg=PA49 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|author=Randy Lewis |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-taylor-swift-20101024-story.html |title=Taylor Swift: the next chapter |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 24, 2010 |access-date=December 24, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101206222125/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/24/entertainment/la-ca-taylor-swift-20101024| archive-date= December 6, 2010 | url-status= live}} It is one of the three Speak Now tracks to incorporate orchestral strings, the other two being "Haunted" and "Enchanted". Maura Johnston from Vulture described the song's texture as "a chilly day when the sun goes down too soon and the mind can only turn to past regrets".{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Maura |author-link=Maura Johnston |date=November 10, 2017 |title=Speak Now Is a Peek Into Taylor Swift's Future |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/11/revisiting-taylor-swifts-album-speak-now.html |url-access=limited |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Vulture |language=en-us |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110174955/http://www.vulture.com/2017/11/revisiting-taylor-swifts-album-speak-now.html |url-status=live }} Clash opined that the production is "wintry" with "soft flourishes of guitar and strings".{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2022 |title=15 Best Taylor Swift Songs |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Clash |language= |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118191109/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |url-status=live }} In the Los Angeles Times, Martens Todd found the song borderline 1980s rock.
In the lyrics, the narrator apologizes to an ex-lover for having hurt him. The lyrics lament a failed relationship that could have been special, "It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you / Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine." The narrator reminisces about the last time she saw the ex-lover, "You gave me roses, and I left them there to die." She wishes to go back in time to change her mind, "I'd go back to December, turn around, and change my own mind / I go back to December all the time."{{Cite magazine |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's Speak Now Turns 10: Billboard Staff Goes Track-By-Track On Their Favorite Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-anniversary-favorite-songs-9470930/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language= |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604085716/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-anniversary-favorite-songs-9470930/ |url-status=live }} In the bridge, the narrator attempts to fix uncovered memories and change where she went wrong, but ultimately realizes that it is too late.
Billboard journalist Lyndsey Havens wrote of the lyrics, "To hear Swift declare and own a previous mistake was both comforting and empowering all at once — and proved that it's OK, and sometimes even necessary, to swallow one's pride in the name of love." Mandi Bierly from Entertainment Weekly described the song as "a melancholy mea culpa with the kind of driving chorus and age-appropriate yet universal honesty".{{cite magazine |last=Bierly |first=Mandi |date=October 12, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift apologizes (to Taylor Lautner?) in 'Back to December' |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/12/taylor-swift-back-to-december-apologizes-taylor-lautner/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207020124/http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/12/taylor-swift-back-to-december-apologizes-taylor-lautner/ |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2010}} Leah Greenblatt from the same publication deemed the lyric "Your guard is up and I know why, because the last time you saw me is still burned in the back of your mind / You gave me roses and I left them there to die" one of the most outstanding lyrics from Speak Now.{{cite magazine |author=Greenblett |first=Leah |date=October 25, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift's Speak Now: The 10 best lines from her new album |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/25/taylor-swift-speak-now-best-lyrics/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207030150/http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/25/taylor-swift-speak-now-best-lyrics/ |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=December 8, 2010}}
Critical reception
"Back to December" received widespread critical acclaim. Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone gave it a positive review commenting, "Swift's voice is unaffected enough to mask how masterful she has become as a singer; she lowers her voice for the payoff lines in the classic mode of a shy girl trying to talk tough."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/45342/225745|title=Taylor Swift Speak Now (2010)|date=October 26, 2010|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|author-link=Rob Sheffield|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=November 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202061419/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/45342/225745|archive-date=December 2, 2010|url-status=dead}} Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine complimented Swift's ability "to write an indelible melody" and praised the production of the song, writing "[the song] showcase(s) Swift's unique knack for matching the overall tone of a melody to the broader themes of a song". He added that "it isn't easy to make a melancholy song like "Back to December" sound catchy at the same time, but that's what Swift does, and it's an impressive trick."{{cite magazine |author=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=October 25, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift, Speak Now |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-speak-now/2300 |url-status=live |magazine=Slant Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028093509/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-speak-now/2300 |archive-date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2010}}
Rudy Klapper from Sputnikmusic described the song as a "regret-filled apology".{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39865/Taylor-Swift-Speak-Now/|title=Taylor Swift Speak Now (staf review)|date=October 25, 2010|first=Rudy|last=Klapper|website=Sputnikmusic|access-date=November 26, 2010| archive-url= https://archive.today/20101030061533/http://sputnikmusic.com/review/39865/Taylor-Swift-Speak-Now/| archive-date= October 30, 2010 | url-status= live}} In The Washington Post, Allison Stewart picked it as one of the album's "great" songs.{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Allison|title=Album review: Taylor Swift, Speak Now|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/10/album_review_taylor_swift_spea.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 18, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812201835/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/10/album_review_taylor_swift_spea.html|archive-date=August 12, 2013|date=October 26, 2010}} Dan DeLuca, writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer, considered "Back to December" the Speak Now track that most showcased Swift's maturing songwriting, thanks to the lyrics depicting her acknowledgements of her own shortcomings without blaming others.{{Cite web |last=DeLuca |first=Dan |date=October 26, 2010 |title=Take that: On her enjoyable and mature Speak Now, Taylor Swift has words (and music) for the celebs that done her wrong |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/759979009 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=D.1 |id={{ProQuest|759979009}} |language= |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165104/https://www.proquest.com/docview/759979009 |url-status=live }} Steven Hyden, in a review for The A.V. Club, was less enthusiastic, deeming "Back to December" a generic ballad and saying that it is not as effective as other album tracks where Swift criticizes those who had wronged her, such as "Innocent", "Better than Revenge", or "Mean".{{Cite web |last=Hyden |first=Steven |author-link=Steve Hyden |date=November 2, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift: Speak Now |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-speak-now-1798166341 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173150/https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-speak-now-1798166341 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |language=}}
Retrospectively, Johnston selected "Back to December" as one of the most memorable tracks on the album, deeming it a wistful song and praising the emotional sentiments: "Swift's lyrics slip between in-the-moment narration and getting lost in her head in an utterly relatable way." James Rettig, in a 10-year anniversary review of Speak Now for Stereogum, found it to represent Swift "at her best" for portraying universal feelings about "lost love and youthful regret" despite taking inspiration from her own personal life.{{Cite web |last=Rettig |first=James |date=October 23, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now' Turns 10 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2102155/taylor-swift-speak-now-10th-anniversary/reviews/the-anniversary/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language= |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173735/https://www.stereogum.com/2102155/taylor-swift-speak-now-10th-anniversary/reviews/the-anniversary/ |url-status=live }} Clash{{'s}} editors included the single in their list of the 15 best songs by Swift, with Sahar Ghadirian specifically lauding the bridge. On a less complimentary side, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian ranked "Back to December" 39th in his 2019 ranking of Swift's 44 singles; while saying that the song is "beautifully produced", he remarked that it "never quite sets your pulse racing".{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift's singles – ranked! |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/26/taylor-swifts-singles-ranked |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=}}
Commercial performance
Upon its digital release, "Back to December" debuted and peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 with first-week digital sales of 242,000 downloads.{{Cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |last2=Pietroluongo |first2=Silvio |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Chart Moves: Lil Wayne, David Archuleta, Taylor Swift, Kanye West |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i493aa786b5893edc9b7afa6eb4f225b5 |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |publisher= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023234934/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i493aa786b5893edc9b7afa6eb4f225b5 |archive-date=October 23, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2010}} On the Hot Country Songs chart, the single peaked at number three. On other airplay charts by Billboard, "Back to December" peaked at number 11 on Pop Songs, number 11 on Adult Pop Songs, and number 14 on Adult Contemporary. According to the Billboard Year-End Charts of 2011, "Back to December" ranked at number 38 on the year-end Hot Country Songs{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-country-songs | title=Best of 2011: Country Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | year=2011 | access-date=December 10, 2011 | archive-date=May 25, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525023458/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-country-songs | url-status=live }} and number 74 on the year-end Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-100-songs | title=Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | year=2011 | access-date=December 9, 2011 | archive-date=February 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211095431/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-100-songs | url-status=live }} As of November 2017, "Back to December" had sold two million digital copies in the United States.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8046939/taylor-swift-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard | title=Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales | date=November 26, 2017 | access-date=November 26, 2017 | first=Gary | last=Trust | magazine=Billboard | archive-date=November 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125002923/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8046939/taylor-swift-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard | url-status=live }} Elsewhere, the single peaked at number seven on the Canadian Hot 100,{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-10-30/canadian-hot-100?order=gainer|title=Taylor Swift Album & Song Chart History|date=October 30, 2010|publisher=Billboard Hot 100|access-date=December 12, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110120235803/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-10-30/canadian-hot-100?order=gainer| archive-date= January 20, 2011 | url-status= live}} number 26 on the Australian ARIA Charts, and number 24 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.
Music video
=Development and concept=
The music video for "Back to December" was directed by Yoann Lemoine, and was filmed in late December 2010 before Christmas Day.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655845/taylor-swift-breaks-heart-her-back-december-video.jhtml |title=Taylor Swift Breaks A Heart In Her 'Back To December' Video |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030012550/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655845/taylor-swift-breaks-heart-her-back-december-video.jhtml |url-status=dead }} In an interview with Country Music Television, Lemoine explained that he developed the idea for the video after being inspired from the 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-offstage/1655954/offstage-et-inspires-taylor-swifts-back-to-december.jhtml|title=OFFSTAGE: E.T. Inspires Taylor Swift's "Back to December"|last=Bonaguro|first=Alison|date=January 14, 2011|publisher=CMT|access-date=January 22, 2011|archive-date=January 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117040801/http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-offstage/1655954/offstage-et-inspires-taylor-swifts-back-to-december.jhtml|url-status=dead}} He also told MTV News that he wanted it to be simple yet metaphorical, adding, "I wanted to work on the coldness of feelings in a very visual way, playing with the snow, the distance and sadness."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656134/taylor-swifts-back-december-video-director-explains-clip.jhtml |title=Taylor Swift's 'Back To December' Video Director Explains Clip |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=January 18, 2011 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121062855/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656134/taylor-swifts-back-december-video-director-explains-clip.jhtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2011/01/21/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video-taylor-lautner/|title=Taylor Swift's 'Back to December' Video Dissected|last=L. Betts|first=Stephen|date=January 21, 2011|work=The Boot|access-date=January 22, 2011|archive-date=January 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125075123/http://www.theboot.com/2011/01/21/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video-taylor-lautner|url-status=live}} He wanted to focus on Swift's look in the video so that she would come off as accessible, saying "I wanted her to perform a very natural way, to make her look very European. This was the main challenge to me. All of Taylor's world is very far away from my culture, but I saw something in her that could be very rough and heartbreaking; far from the princess glittery outfits and glam that she often goes for." Lemoine was allowed to take control of the whole production of the video, although it was Swift's idea to have her character leave the letter for her beloved. Swift's love interest in the video was played by the model Guntars Asmanis.{{cite web |url=http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-costar-guntar-asmanis/ |title=Who Is Taylor Swift's 'Back To December' Video Co-Star, Guntars Asmanis? |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114230757/http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-costar-guntar-asmanis/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/01/13/taylor-swifts-back-to-december-video-who-is-the-mystery-man/|title=Taylor Swift's 'Back to December' Video: Who is the Mystery Man?|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corporation|access-date=January 13, 2011|date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=January 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114220600/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/01/13/taylor-swifts-back-to-december-video-who-is-the-mystery-man/|url-status=live}} Lemoine commented that Asmanis was the perfect fit for Swift's love interest, saying "I wanted a boy that was fragile and beautiful. I didn't want to go for a hunk or a perfect cheesy boy that would have killed the sincerity of the video." The outdoor scenes were filmed in Binghamton, New York (including footage of the school and stadium at MacArthur Park) and neighboring Vestal, New York,{{cite web|url=http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20110113/NEWS01/110113021/New-Taylor-Swift-video-partially-shot-at-Binghamton-s-MacArthur-Park|title=New Taylor Swift video partially shot at Binghamton's MacArthur Park|work=Pressconnects.com|publisher=Press & Sun-Bulletin|access-date=January 13, 2011}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Traci |title=Vestal House Featured in Taylor Swift Music Video To Be Torn Down |url=https://981thehawk.com/taylor-swift-back-to-december/ |publisher=WHWK |date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204200910/https://981thehawk.com/taylor-swift-back-to-december/ |url-status=live }} while scenes with Swift were shot in an old country mansion outside of Nashville.
The music video premiered on January 13, 2011, on Country Music Television{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/videos/taylor-swift/612419/back-to-december.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift: Back to December|publisher=CMT|access-date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=January 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117040826/http://www.cmt.com/videos/taylor-swift/612419/back-to-december.jhtml|url-status=dead}} and Great American Country.{{cite web |url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2011/01/13/watch-the-world-premiere-of-taylors-swifts-video-for-back-to-december/ |title=Watch the World Premiere of Taylor's Swift's Video for "Back To December" |last=Mease |first=Jason |date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=Great American Country |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117004931/http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2011/01/13/watch-the-world-premiere-of-taylors-swifts-video-for-back-to-december/ |url-status=dead }} It begins with a young man seen walking alone in a small town to the snowy football field in a winter morning. The video cuts to Swift inside a house wearing a comfy sweater draped over one shoulder. She is brooding and singing about her lost love while wandering morosely around her house. She is also seen sitting in the bathtub, missing her boyfriend who she didn't treat well when they were together. About halfway through the video, it starts to snow inside the spacious house. A montage of Swift writing a letter is shown alternately with scenes of her boyfriend strolling around the town. It is then revealed that the whole situation is the aftermath of a break-up between Swift and her boyfriend. It is also shown that Swift slips the letter that she has written in his coat pocket before he leaves. The final scene shows her ex-boyfriend sitting in the bleachers of the snowy football field, reading her apology letter.{{cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/music/106457_WATCH_Taylor_Swift_Goes_Back_to_December/ |title=WATCH: Taylor Swift Goes 'Back to December' |last=Willis |first=Jackie |date=January 13, 2011 |work=Entertainment Tonight |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630205143/http://www.etonline.com/music/106457_WATCH_Taylor_Swift_Goes_Back_to_December/ |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
=Reception=
Critical receptions towards the music video were generally positive. Jillian Mapes of Billboard believed that the video was "appropriately understated" considering the fact that the song is all about making an apology.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/473654/taylor-swift-braves-breakup-in-back-to-december-video|title=Taylor Swift Braves Breakup in 'Back To December' Video|last=Mapes|first=Jillian|date=January 13, 2011|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=July 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707230852/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/473654/taylor-swift-braves-breakup-in-back-to-december-video|url-status=live}} Kyle Anderson from MTV argued that it puts Swift in a "pantheon of modern classics" with regards to its "almost haunting visual sense" which makes up for the inadequate narrative.{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video/ |title=Taylor Swift's 'Back To December' Video: The Key Scene |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114204039/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video/ |url-status=dead }} Leah Collins of Dose called the music video "dreamy and moody".{{cite web |url=http://www.dose.ca/music/4103187/story.html|title=Video: Go Back to December with Taylor Swift (But Not Taylor Lautner)|last=Collins |first=Leah |date=January 13, 2011 |work=Dose |access-date=January 13, 2011}} Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly similarly deemed it "kind of lovely", which corresponds with the melancholic yet regretful mood of the song.{{cite magazine |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video/ |title=Taylor Swift's new 'Back to December' video: So cold, so very cold |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |date=January 13, 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114204721/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/01/13/taylor-swift-back-to-december-video/ |url-status=live }} Joycelyn Vena from MTV said that the video was "darker" and "somber", something that is not synonymous with Swift. The Oxonian Review considered Swift's "listlessness, the bare trees, and snowy indoors" in the music video attuned to the tenor of the song, achieved by "mixing wide shots, medium close ups, and cut-ins of Ms. Swift and her ex, matching their gazes across frames, and blurring focus tastefully."{{cite web |url=http://www.oxonianreview.org/wp/taylor-swift-is-cold/ |title=Taylor Swift Is Cold |last=Prabhakar |first=Rahul |date=January 14, 2011 |work=The Oxonian Review |access-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208085107/http://www.oxonianreview.org/wp/taylor-swift-is-cold/ |url-status=usurped }}
The Improper Bostonian said that the video has "the look and feel of a Hallmark movie and is almost as maudlin".{{cite web |url=http://www.theimproper.com/music/2283/taylor-swift-melancholy-in-back-to-december-video-watch |title=Taylor Swift Melancholy in Back to December Video |date=January 13, 2011 |work=The Improper Bostonian |access-date=January 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116205646/http://www.theimproper.com/music/2283/taylor-swift-melancholy-in-back-to-december-video-watch |url-status=dead }} Amos Barshad of New York described it as "terrible",{{cite web |url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/01/taylor_swift_makes_a_boring_br.html |title=Taylor Swift Makes a Boring Breakup Video Featuring Magic Snow |last=Barshad |first=Amos |date=January 13, 2011 |work=New York |access-date=January 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116201058/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/01/taylor_swift_makes_a_boring_br.html |url-status=live }} and Tamar Anitai from MTV regarded it as "a bummer", writing, "it isn't just about a girl with her calendar permanently stuck on the twelfth month of the year. It's not just about feeling like a Lady Antebellum song. It's about getting stuck in a place of romantic regret."{{cite web |url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/01/13/video-taylor-swift-back-to-december/ |title=Video Premiere: Taylor Swift, 'Back To December' |last=Anitai |first=Tamar |date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115222316/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/01/13/video-taylor-swift-back-to-december/ |url-status=dead }}
Awards and nominations
Live performances
File:Taylor Swift - Back To December - Speak Now Tour in Vancouver.jpg in 2011]]
Swift first performed "Back to December" in Paris at a showcase at the Salle Wagram theater, on October 18, 2010, to promote Speak Now a week before its release.{{cite web |url=http://www.disneydreaming.com/2010/10/20/taylor-swift-performs-in-paris-france/ |title=Taylor Swift Performs In Paris, France |date=October 20, 2010 |work=Disney Dreaming |access-date=December 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022002035/http://www.disneydreaming.com/2010/10/20/taylor-swift-performs-in-paris-france/ |archive-date=October 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Swift also performed the song on Speak Now: Taylor Swift Live From New York City, a special programme which was streamed live on CMT.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and other MTV websites in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America to celebrate the release of the album.{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1650805/taylor-swift-meets-her-friends-live-from-new-york-city.jhtml |title=Taylor Swift Meets Her Friends Live From New York City |last=Todd |first=C.M.T Staff |date=October 25, 2010 |publisher=CMT |access-date=December 16, 2010 |archive-date=October 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029202346/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1650805/taylor-swift-meets-her-friends-live-from-new-york-city.jhtml |url-status=dead }}
Swift also performed "Back to December" on several other occasions. On November 10, 2010, she performed the song live at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652019/20101110/swift__taylor.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Performs 'Back To December' At CMA Awards|first=Mawuse|last=Ziegbe|date=November 10, 2010|publisher=MTV|access-date=November 26, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101113213931/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652019/20101110/swift__taylor.jhtml| archive-date= November 13, 2010 | url-status= dead}} Her performance of the song during that event was graded as a "B+" in the Los Angeles Times, noting she "kept it simple" and "rose to the occasion".{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/cma-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html |title=CMA Awards 2010 live: All the performances as they happen |last=Todd |first=Martens |date=November 10, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 26, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101117013631/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/cma-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html| archive-date= November 17, 2010 | url-status= live}} On November 21, 2010, Swift mashed "Back to December" with OneRepublic's "Apologize" at the 38th American Music Awards.{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/11/21/taylor-swift-ama-performance-one-republic/|title=AMAs: Taylor Swift covers OneRepublic. Who was she singing to?|first=Kate|last=Ward|date=November 21, 2010|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 14, 2010|archive-date=November 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124083448/http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/11/21/taylor-swift-ama-performance-one-republic/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652765/20101121/swift__taylor.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Goes 'Back To December' With Snowy AMA Performance|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|date=November 21, 2010|publisher=MTV|access-date=November 26, 2010|archive-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106041511/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652765/taylor-swift-goes-back-december-with-snowy-ama-performance.jhtml|url-status=dead}} Her rendition in the event was graded as a "B−" in the Los Angeles Times, noting that the mashup "seemed unnecessary".{{cite news |last=Todd |first=Martens |date=November 21, 2010 |title=American Music Awards 2010: Rihanna, Katy Perry, Santana, Ke$ha and all the performances, graded |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/american-music-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128150107/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/american-music-awards-2010-live-all-the-performances-as-they-happen.html |archive-date=November 28, 2010}}
Swift performed "Back to December" on November 24, 2010, during Thanksgiving night, on NBC.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/nbc-kicks-off-the-holidays-with-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-and-more-andndash-previews-included/webnews/220783.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205040322/http://www.tv.com/nbc-kicks-off-the-holidays-with-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-and-more-andndash-previews-included/webnews/220783.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |title=NBC Kicks Off The Holidays With Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade And More – Previews Included |last=Eastman |first=Marc |date=November 23, 2010 |website=TV.com |access-date=December 9, 2010 }} She later performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 2, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/12/taylor_swift_performs_back_to_december_1202.php|access-date=December 9, 2010|website=The Ellen DeGeneres Show|title=Watch Taylor Swift Perform – On Ellen's Music Page|archive-date=December 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210062217/http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/12/taylor_swift_performs_back_to_december_1202.php|url-status=dead}} On January 31, 2011, she sang the song in JetBlue's Terminal 5 in New York City as part of the JetBlue's Live at Terminal 5 concert series.{{cite web |url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2011/01/31/taylor-swift-performs-back-to-december-live-from-t5/ |title=Taylor Swift Performs "Back To December" Live From T5 |last=Wyland |first=Sarah |date=January 31, 2011 |publisher=Great American Country |access-date=February 2, 2011 |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725045802/http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2011/01/31/taylor-swift-performs-back-to-december-live-from-t5/ |url-status=dead }} She included the song on her Speak Now World Tour, performing it in a medley with "Apologize" and her song "You're Not Sorry".{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20110528/NEWS01/305289989/912797 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630192444/http://www.omaha.com/article/20110528/NEWS01/305289989/912797 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift shimmers in Omaha |last=Coffey |first=Kevin |date=May 28, 2011 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=August 18, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.larioja.com/agencias/20110320/mas-actualidad/cultura/taylor-swift-encandila-unos-4.000_201103200004.html |title=Taylor Swift encandila a unos 4.000 madrileños con su country edulcorado |trans-title=Taylor Swift dazzle some 4,000 locals sweetened country |author=Herrero, Javier |date=March 19, 2011 |work=La Rioja |publisher=Grupo Vocento |access-date=September 9, 2011 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328194320/http://www.larioja.com/agencias/20110320/mas-actualidad/cultura/taylor-swift-encandila-unos-4.000_201103200004.html |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.soester-anzeiger.de/nachrichten/kultur-nrw/blaue-augen-suesse-songs-taylor-swift-oberhausen-1159212.html |title=Blaue Augen, süße Songs: Taylor Swift in Oberhausen |trans-title=Blues, sweet songs: Taylor Swift in Overhausen |author=Sträter, Andreas |date=March 13, 2011 |work=Soester Anzeiger |access-date=September 9, 2011 |language=de |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154625/http://www.soester-anzeiger.de/nachrichten/kultur-nrw/blaue-augen-suesse-songs-taylor-swift-oberhausen-1159212.html |url-status=live }} The performance was recorded and released as part of Swift's live album Speak Now: World Tour Live.{{cite web |last=Vaughan |first=Andrew |url=https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Now-World-Tour-Live/dp/B005OLF6BI/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322248576&sr=1-1 |title=Speak Now World Tour Live [CD/DVD]: Taylor Swift: Music |publisher=Amazon |access-date=November 25, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207165052/https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Now-World-Tour-Live/dp/B005OLF6BI/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322248576&sr=1-1 |url-status=live }} On the July 15, 2023, concert in Denver, as part of the Eras Tour, Swift sang "Back to December" as a "surprise song".{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=July 15, 2023 |title=All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far) |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-eras-tour-surprise-songs/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Back to December" ! Chart (2010–2011) ! Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|26|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Back to December|refname=australia|access-date=January 11, 2012|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|7|artist=Taylor Swift|refname=canada|access-date=January 11, 2012|rowheader=true|song=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|34|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=November 7, 2017|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadacountry|5|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=November 7, 2017|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|29|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=November 7, 2017|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}} |
| scope="row"| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2011&month=01&day=03|title=Japan Hot 100 Chart|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=November 6, 2023}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 62 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Japan Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2011&month=01&day=03|title=Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay Chart|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=November 6, 2023}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 27 |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|24|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Back to December|refname=newzealand|access-date=January 11, 2012|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|6|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=January 13, 2011|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|14|artist=Taylor Swift|refname=ac |access-date=March 28, 2011|rowheader=true|song=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|11|artist=Taylor Swift|refname=adultpop |access-date=January 20, 2011|rowheader=true|song=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|3|artist=Taylor Swift|refname=country |access-date=January 13, 2011|rowheader=true|song=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|11|artist=Taylor Swift|refname=pop |access-date=January 13, 2011|rowheader=true|song=}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Back to December"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|access-date=February 14, 2024|refname=ARIA}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Back To December|award=Platinum|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|access-date=May 1, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2010|certyear=2011|title=Back to December|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|award=Gold|digital=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Back to December|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2020|certyear=2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2010|certyear=2023|title=Back to December|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|award=Silver|id=18666-1598-1|access-date=January 20, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2010|certyear=2014|title=Back to December|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=August 22, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
"Back to December (Taylor's Version)"
{{Infobox song
| name = Back to December (Taylor's Version)
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Speak Now (Taylor's Version)
| released = {{start date|2023|07|7}}
| studio =
- Blackbird Studio (Nashville)
- Kitty Committee Studio (London)
- The EBC (London)
- Prime Recording (Nashville)
| genre =
| length = 4:54
| label = Republic
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|qc2Z-OX9wnc|"Back to December (Taylor's Version)"}}}}
}}
After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.{{cite web |last=Melas |first=Chloe |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064935/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |publisher=CTV News}} The decision came after the public 2019 dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums the label had released.{{Cite news |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Wants to Re-record Her Old Hits |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822202321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 |archive-date=August 22, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Finnis |first=Alex |date=November 17, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212170953/https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 13, 2021 |work=i}} By re-recording her catalog, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, including the copyright licensing of her songs, devaluing the Big Machine-owned masters.{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Neil |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 25, 2022 |issn= |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-status=live }} Her first two re-recordings, Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version), were released in April and November 2021, respectively.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' Debuts Huge: What It Means for Replicating Oldies, Weaponizing Fans |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421003048/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=May 6, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=November 21, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Scores 10th No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Red (Taylor's Version)' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-tenth-number-one-album-billboard-200-red-taylors-version-1235000860/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123123924/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-tenth-number-one-album-billboard-200-red-taylors-version-1235000860/ |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |access-date=May 6, 2023}}
On May 5, 2023, at the first Nashville show of the Eras Tour, Swift announced Speak Now (Taylor's Version) as her next re-recorded album, slated for release on July 7,{{cite magazine |last1=Lipshutz |first1=Jason |last2=Aniftos |first2=Rania |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Announces 'Speak Now' as Next Re-Recorded Album at Nashville Concert |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-release-date-1235322958/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506121210/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-release-date-1235322958/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=May 6, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} with "Back to December (Taylor's Version)" as the third track of the record.{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Reveals Hayley Williams and Fall Out Boy Features on New Speak Now (Taylor's Version) Tracklist |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-reveals-hayley-williams-and-fall-out-boy-features-on-new-speak-now-taylors-version-tracklist/ |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610051237/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-reveals-hayley-williams-and-fall-out-boy-features-on-new-speak-now-taylors-version-tracklist/ |url-status=live }} On June 29, a snippet of "Back to December (Taylor's Version)" was featured in the trailer to the second season of the Prime Video original series, The Summer I Turned Pretty.{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Debuts 'Back to December (Taylor's Version)' in New 'Summer I Turned Pretty' Trailer |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-back-to-december-taylors-version-summer-i-turned-pretty-trailer-1235364688/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630033505/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-back-to-december-taylors-version-summer-i-turned-pretty-trailer-1235364688/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date=June 30, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} The re-recording was recorded in Nashville at Prime Recording Studios and Blackbird Studio, and in London at the Kitty Committee Studio and The EBC Studios.
= Personnel =
Adapted from Speak Now (Taylor's Version) digital album inline notes.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now (Taylor's Version) |others=Taylor Swift |publisher=Republic Records |year=2023 |type=digital album notes}}
Production
- Taylor Swift – producer
- Christopher Rowe – producer, vocal engineer
- David Payne – recording engineer
- Lowell Reynolds – assistant recording engineer, editor
- Derek Garten – engineer, editor, programming
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Bryce Bordone – mix engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering
Musicians
- Taylor Swift – vocals, background vocals, songwriter
- Amos Heller – bass guitar
- Paul Sidoti – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, Hammond B-3, mandolin, background vocals
- Max Bernstein – electric guitar, synth pads
- Jeremy Murphy – string recording
- London Contemporary Orchestra – strings
- Galya Bisengalieva, Zahra Benyounes, Natalie Kloudak, Charlotte Reid, Anna Ovsyanikova, Antonia Kesel, Eloisa-Fleur Thom, Anna de Bruin, Charis Jenson, Guy Button, Nicole Crespo O'Donoghue, Nicole Stokes – violin
- Zoe Matthews, Clifton Harrison, Matthew Kettle, Stephanie Edmundson – viola
- Oliver Coates, Jonny Byers, Max Ruisi – cello
- Dave Brown – double bass
= Charts =
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certification for "Back to December (Taylor's Version)"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=June 14, 2024|certref=}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Back to December (Taylor's Version)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=July 24, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taylor Swift songs}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Big Machine Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Yoann Lemoine
Category:Number-one singles in the Philippines
Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Rowe
Category:Song recordings produced by Nathan Chapman (record producer)
Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift