Begin Again (Taylor Swift song)

{{Infobox song

| name = Begin Again

| cover = Taylor Swift - Begin Again.png

| alt = Cover artwork of "Begin Again", showing Swift playing an acoustic guitar while sitting on a bed

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = Red

| released = {{start date|2012|10|1}}

| studio = Blackbird (Nashville)

| genre = * Country

| length = 3:57

| label = Big Machine

| writer = Taylor Swift

| producer = * Taylor Swift

| prev_title = Ronan

| prev_year = 2012

| next_title = I Knew You Were Trouble

| next_year = 2012

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|cMPEd8m79Hw|"Begin Again"}}}}

}}"Begin Again" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the second single from Red on October 1, 2012, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift, Dann Huff, and Nathan Chapman, "Begin Again" is a gentle country, soft rock, and folk-pop ballad with arpeggiated acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and percussion. Its lyrics detail falling in love again after going through heartbreak.

Music critics praised the gentle production and the narrative songwriting, with some welcoming Swift's mature perspective on love. "Begin Again" was nominated for Best Country Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014. In the United States, the single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on Hot Country Songs, and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It peaked at number four on the Canadian Hot 100 and received certifications in Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Philip Andelman. Shot in Paris, the video depicts Swift strolling around the city with a male love interest. Swift performed "Begin Again" live at the 2012 Country Music Association Awards and on the Red Tour (2013–2014). She also sang it on certain dates of her later tours: the Reputation Tour in 2018 and the Eras Tour in 2023–2024. Following the 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song as "Begin Again (Taylor's Version)" for her re-recorded album Red (Taylor's Version) (2021).

Background and release

Taylor Swift designated her fourth studio album, Red, as a breakup album that was inspired by a particularly intense relationship she had experienced.{{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-access=limited |url-status=live |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 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} She wrote "Begin Again" in 2011,{{cite magazine |author= |title= Behind the Lyrics with Taylor Swift: Begin Again|magazine= People Country |date= December 1, 2012 |pages=34–35}} and the track was produced for Red by Swift, Nathan Chapman, and Dann Huff. "Begin Again" was recorded by Steve Marcantonio and mixed by Justin Niebank, with assistance from Drew Bollman, at Blackbird Studio, Nashville. Hank Williams mastered the track at Nashville's MasterMix studio.{{cite AV media notes |title=Red |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Big Machine Records |year=2012 |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}

Swift previewed "Begin Again" on Good Morning America on September 24, 2012, and Big Machine Records released it for download onto iTunes the next day.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-24 |title=Taylor Swift Introduces New Song 'Begin Again', Starts Countdown To Album Release |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/taylor-swift-introduces-new-song-begin-again-starts-countdown-to-album-release/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website= |publisher=CBS News}}{{cite web |title=Begin Again – Single by Taylor Swift |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/begin-again-single/id564931599 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927235046/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/begin-again-single/id564931599 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |access-date=September 25, 2012 |work= |publisher=iTunes Store}} "Begin Again" was one of the four promotional singles that preceded the release of Red,{{cite web |last=Williott |first=Carl |date=September 21, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's Red Nabs Countdown Campaign With iTunes & Good Morning America |url=http://idolator.com/6927062/taylor-swift-red-countdown-itunes-good-morning-america |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151030072547/http://www.idolator.com/6927062/taylor-swift-red-countdown-itunes-good-morning-america |archive-date=October 30, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2012 |work=Idolator}} and it was later released to country radio in the United States on October 1, 2012, as the album's second single by Big Machine.{{cite news |date=September 24, 2012 |title=Country Aircheck Chart Info |url=https://www.countryaircheck.com/pdf_publication/Issue_313%20-%20September%2024,%202012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325050126/https://www.countryaircheck.com/pdf_publication/Issue_313%20-%20September%2024,%202012.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2012 |work=Country Aircheck |page=16 |issue=313}} In further promotion, an individually numbered CD single was released on October 23, 2012, to Amazon.com and Swift's official store.{{cite web |title='Begin Again' Single CD |url=https://www.amazon.com/LIMITED-Begin-Again-Single-CD/dp/B009YJ93X8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306025930/http://www.amazon.com/LIMITED-EDITION-Begin-Again-Single/dp/B009YJ93X8 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |website=Amazon.com}}{{cite web |title='Begin Again' Single CD |url=http://store.taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-Begin-Again-Single/dp/B009YJ93X8?field_availability=-2&field_browse=3228049011&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&id=LIMITED+EDITION+Begin+Again+Single&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchNodeID=3228049011&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526102917/https://www.webcitation.org/6D2DjuwAg?url=http://store.taylorswift.com/LIMITED-EDITION-Begin-Again-Single/dp/B009YJ93X8 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=December 19, 2012 |work=taylorswift.com}}

Composition and lyrics

{{Listen

| filename = BeginAgain.ogg

| title = "Begin Again" (2012)

| description = "Begin Again" is a country and soft rock ballad driven by arpeggiated acoustic guitar and steel guitar.

| pos = left

}}

"Begin Again" is a country,{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=52}} folk-pop,{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=95}} and soft rock ballad{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Hogan |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Flips Adele's Script, Finds Love In Paris-Set 'Begin Again' Video |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/10/taylor-swift-begin-again-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307160804/https://www.spin.com/2012/10/taylor-swift-begin-again-video/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=Spin}} accentuated by mandolin and banjo,{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Randy |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift 'Begin Again' video premieres; AMA performance due |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2012-oct-24-la-et-ms-taylor-swift-begin-again-video-premiere-20121024-story.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907022753/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2012-oct-24-la-et-ms-taylor-swift-begin-again-video-premiere-20121024-story.html |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=September 6, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} steel guitar, arpeggiated acoustic guitar, and gentle percussion in its production. Marc Hogan from Spin found the instruments reminiscent to the music of the 1970s soft-rock singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, the latter of whom is referenced to in the lyrics, "You said you never met one girl who had as many James Taylor records as you/ But I do."{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Hogan |date=September 25, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift, To Play Joni Mitchell, Cites James Taylor On Non-Breakup Song 'Begin Again' |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/09/taylor-swift-to-play-joni-mitchell-cites-james-taylor-on-non-breakup-song-begin-again/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815131429/https://www.spin.com/2012/09/taylor-swift-to-play-joni-mitchell-cites-james-taylor-on-non-breakup-song-begin-again/ |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022 |website=Spin}} For the music critic Annie Zaleski, "Begin Again" is stylistically reminiscent of the songs by James Taylor and Kris Kristofferson, whom Swift cited as her influences.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=95}} Lindsay Zoladz from The New York Times found the song to feature a "coffee shop folksiness".{{cite web |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well' and the Weaponization of Memory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/arts/music/taylor-swift-all-too-well.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217123137/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/arts/music/taylor-swift-all-too-well.html |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=September 6, 2022 |website=The New York Times}} The musicologist James E. Perone believed the song's production confirms the significance of Swift's country roots on the genre-spanning, pop-oriented Red.{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=52}}

The lyrics of "Begin Again" are about a protagonist falling in love again after a failed relationship. Swift told Good Morning America about the song's content, "It's actually a song about kind of when you've gotten through a really bad relationship and you finally dust yourself off and go on that first date after a horrible breakup and the vulnerability that goes along with all of that."{{cite magazine |last=Maloy |first=Sarah |date=September 25, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Wants to 'Begin Again' on New Single: Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-wants-to-begin-again-on-new-single-listen-474935/ |access-date=September 6, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} The narrator compares her ex-lover to a new love interest, "I think it's strange that you think I'm funny, because he never did." Billy Dukes from Taste of Country remarked that the narrator of "Begin Again" is willing to reveal her vulnerability to the new lover, which makes the song touching. The placement of "Begin Again" as the final track on the standard edition of Red received analysis—Perone observed that the track served as the thematic conclusion to the album.{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=52}} Noting the tracks of Red were centered on the emotional intensity of the narrator after exploring a newfound relationship—followed through stages of heartbreak and "red" tumultuous feelings from a toxic breakup—he settled that the track focused on a relationship that is deeper and potentially more lasting.{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=52}}

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Begin Again" received acclaim from critics, who complimented it as a showcase of Swift's mature songwriting. Perone found the lyrics "wide-ranging and free-ranging" and deemed the track an appropriate album closer for Red.{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=52}} Writing for Taste of Country, Billy Dukes gave the song a four star rating out of five, describing it as "a cleansing breath that hopefully foreshadows the true tone of her album".{{cite web|last=Dukes|first=Billy|title=Taylor Swift, 'Begin Again' – Song Review|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-begin-again/|work=Taste of Country|access-date=September 25, 2012|date=September 25, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210053/http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-begin-again/|url-status=live}} Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly wrote the song is "a well-crafted love story" and noted Swift's talent "at taking a single moment in time and letting it unfold like a pop-up storybook."{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Grady|title=Taylor Swift's new track 'Begin Again' isn't a break-up song|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 25, 2012|date=September 25, 2012|archive-date=November 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106015942/http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again/|url-status=dead}} Matt Bjorke gave four out of five stars as well for Roughstock, complimenting that "The song is a vast improvement for Taylor. A ballad that's neither in-your-face or sounding like its from a twelve year old".{{cite web|last=Bjorke|first=Matt|title=Single Review: Taylor Swift – Begin Again|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/single-review-taylor-swift-begin-again/|work=Roughstock|access-date=September 25, 2012|date=September 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011113043/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/single-review-taylor-swift-begin-again|archive-date=2012-10-11|url-status=dead}}

The storytelling of the song received praise; The Boot noted that it was "sweet" and a "beautiful ballad".{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift 'Begin Again' Lyrics Tell Sweet Story of First Date|url=http://www.theboot.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again-lyrics/|work=The Boot|access-date=September 25, 2012|date=September 25, 2012|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515085358/http://www.theboot.com/2012/09/25/taylor-swift-begin-again-lyrics|url-status=live}} MuchMusic lauded Swift, stating "while she is more than capable of releasing the carefree, jump-around-your-room-with-a-hairbrush break up songs like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," she also has the pen of a poet and knows how to craft emotionally gut-wrenching songs that speak to her millions of fans."{{cite web|title=TAYLOR SWIFT OPENS UP IN NEW SONG BEGIN AGAIN|url=http://blog.muchmusic.com/taylor-swift-opens-up-in-new-song-begin-again/?album=6&gallery=657|work=MuchMusic Blog|access-date=September 25, 2012|date=September 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103090410/http://blog.muchmusic.com/taylor-swift-opens-up-in-new-song-begin-again/?album=6&gallery=657|archive-date=2013-11-03|url-status=dead}} Billboard magazine ranked "Begin Again" at number six on their list of the best songs of 2012, praising Swift's artistic maturity.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/20-best-songs-of-2012-critics-picks-1481334/|title=20 Best Songs of 2012: Critics' Pick|magazine=Billboard|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=December 18, 2012}} Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone called the track "a deceptively simple ballad that sneaks up and steamrolls all over you".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/begin-again-2012-2-194971/|title='Begin Again' (2012)|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|access-date=September 6, 2022|date=October 26, 2021}} The song was nominated for Best Country Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014.{{cite news |date=January 26, 2014 |title=Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammy-nominations-winners-list-story.html#page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304121852/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammy-nominations-winners-list-story.html |archive-date=March 4, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Begin Again" debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs chart with first-week sales of 299,000 digital copies; it was Swift's fifth chart topper.{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=October 3, 2012 |title=Mumford & Sons, Green Day, No Doubt Debut at Nos. 1–3 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474813/mumford-sons-green-day-no-doubt-debut-at-nos-1-3-on-billboard-200-chart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702203628/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474813/mumford-sons-green-day-no-doubt-debut-at-nos-1-3-on-billboard-200-chart |archive-date=July 2, 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2012 |magazine=Billboard}} On the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 4, 2012, it debuted and peaked at number seven, becoming Swift's 12th top-10 entry and her ninth top-10 debut.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=October 3, 2012 |title=PSY Can't Beat Maroon 5 In Close Race For Hot 100's Top Spot |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474810/psy-cant-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-hot-100s-top-spot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224023928/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474810/psy-cant-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-hot-100s-top-spot |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2012 |magazine=Billboard}} On the Hot Country Songs chart dated October 13, 2012, "Begin Again" opened at number 37 with three million airplay impressions.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=October 13, 2012 |title=Swift Starts |magazine=Billboard |page=46 |via=ProQuest |volume=124 |issue=36 |id={{ProQuest|1114554917}}}} For the next week's issue, Billboard incorporated digital sales and streaming data to the Hot Country Songs chart, in addition to only airplay data as previously done. As a result, "Begin Again" jumped to number 10 on Hot Country Songs (which would be its peak position), and appeared at number 29 on the newly revamped Country Airplay chart, which replaced the aforementioned chart as the country-airplay-only ranking.{{cite magazine |date=October 20, 2012 |title=Billboard Shakes Up Genre Charts |magazine=Billboard |page=12 |via=ProQuest |volume=124 |issue=37 |id={{ProQuest|1115475333}}}} It ultimately peaked at number three and spent 22 weeks on the Country Airplay chart. On March 29, 2013, the song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

In Canada, "Begin Again" reached number four on the Canadian Hot 100 and number seven on the Canada Country airplay chart and received a gold certification from Music Canada. Elsewhere, the song debuted on the charts in several territories, peaking within the top 40 of New Zealand (11), Australia (20), Ireland (25), Scotland (27), the United Kingdom (30), and Spain (35), and Italy (72). The single was certified platinum in Australia, and gold in Brazil and New Zealand.

Music video

The music video for "Begin Again" premiered on MTV on October 23, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/6rtxja/taylor-swift-begin-again-video-paris|title=Taylor Swift's 'Begin Again' Video A 'Love Letter To Paris'|last=Wolkoff|first=Carly|website=MTV|date=October 23, 2012|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=September 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907024659/https://www.mtv.com/news/6rtxja/taylor-swift-begin-again-video-paris|url-status=dead}} Swift chose to film the video in Paris as a "love letter" in tribute to the city, " 'Cause it's just the city and this storyline of somebody moving on and finding yourself again." The video starts with Swift standing on a bridge while pensively gazing across the water and remembering a lost love. She then takes a walk along the Seine, wearing a red dress with white flower appliques and blue peep toes and sits beside the river Seine. The video draws comparison to that of singer Adele's music video "Someone Like You" and Swift's own "Back to December".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474495/taylor-swift-decides-to-begin-again-in-paris-watch-new-video|title=Taylor Swift Decides To 'Begin Again' in Paris: Watch New Video |magazine=Billboard |date=November 25, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2012 |first=Jason |last=Lipshutz}}

Directed by Philip Andelman and produced by Arthur Cantin,{{Cite web|url=https://imvdb.com/video/taylor-swift/begin-again|title=Taylor Swift – Begin Again (2012) {{!}} IMVDb|website=IMVDb|date=24 October 2012|access-date=2016-10-08|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010004509/https://imvdb.com/video/taylor-swift/begin-again|url-status=live}} the story in the video deviates from the song's lyrical narrative in several respects. While the lyrics recount the narrator's (Swift) trepidation of a first date after a bad breakup, the video instead relates a chance meeting in a cafe in Paris. In the video, Swift is seated at a booth, doodling in a small notebook when a Frenchman at another table takes interest and introduces himself. Missing from the video are the Swift's initial moments in the cafe, where her date has arrived early to wait for her, greets her, then helps her into her chair, displaying kindness and respect that was apparently absent from her former relationship. Late in the song, the restaurant encounter draws to a conclusion while the couple walks to Swift's car.

Entertainment Weekly thought the video was "another classic bittersweet Swift joint," writing: "Though her boyfriend doesn't laugh at her jokes and bores her with stories about his family's Christmas movie-watching traditions, she finds the ultimate salve: Wandering through the streets of Paris, chuckling with handsome dudes in a café (and probably snacking on snails or something). It's a lovely clip, but a little bit sleepy. Also, there's something about it that recalls ’Back to December’ — is it the color palette, or just the general moodiness?”.{{cite news | url=http://idolator.com/7218672/taylor-swift-begin-again-video-review-revue | title=Taylor Swift's "Begin Again" Video: Review Revue | date=October 24, 2012 | work=Idolator | access-date=April 28, 2013 | first=Sam | last=Lansky | archive-date=January 26, 2013 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126075350/http://idolator.com/7218672/taylor-swift-begin-again-video-review-revue | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=2012-10-24 |title=Taylor Swift unveils 'Begin Again' video |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/10/24/taylor-swift-begin-again-video/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123051629/http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/10/24/taylor-swift-begin-again-video/ |url-status=live }} The video was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2013 American Country Awards{{cite web |date=December 11, 2013 |title=American Country Awards: See the winners here! |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/showbiz/music/american-country-awards-ew/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622174252/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/showbiz/music/american-country-awards-ew/ |archive-date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=June 14, 2015 |publisher=CNN}} and Female Video of the Year at the 2013 CMT Music Awards.{{cite web |title=CMT Music Awards: Archives: 2013 CMT Music Awards |url=http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/archives/2013.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329213233/http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/archives/2013.jhtml |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |publisher=CMT}}

Live performances

File:Begin Again (9492115952) (2) (cropped).jpg (2013)]]

Swift first performed "Begin Again" at the 2012 Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. The performance featured Swift, in a red dress, singing on a Parisian café-inspired stage with an accordion player.{{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Grady |date=November 1, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift performs 'Begin Again' at the CMA Awards |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/01/taylor-swift-begin-again-cma-awards/ |access-date=September 6, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Grady Smith believed Swift did not showcase a powerful voice like other country artists, but found Swift's tone "gently evocative and rather soothing" in the right place.{{Cite web |last=Sciarretto |first=Amy |date=2012-11-02 |title=Taylor Swift Performs 'Begin Again' in a Mock Paris Cafe at 2012 CMA Awards |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-begin-again-2012-cma-awards-video/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Taste of Country |language=en}}

The song was later added on the main setlist to Swift's Red Tour (2013–2014).{{Cite web |title=Taylor Swift Average Setlists of tour: The Red Tour | setlist.fm |url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/taylor-swift-3bd6bc5c.html?tour=bd6adba |website=www.setlist.fm}} At the August 31, 2018, concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as part of her Reputation Stadium Tour, she sang "Begin Again" as a "surprise song".{{cite magazine |last1=Iasimone |first1=Ashley |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 |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=October 8, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |magazine=Billboard}} Swift again performed an acoustic guitar rendition at the April 23, 2023, concert in Houston, Texas and a piano rendition mashup with her song "Paris" at the May 12, 2024 concert in Paris, France as part of the Eras Tour.{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=May 13, 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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513185338/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-eras-tour-surprise-songs/ |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |access-date=May 14, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Other live performances of "Begin Again" include an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Sciarretto |first=Amy |date=2012-12-01 |title=Taylor Swift Performs Flawless Version of 'Begin Again' on 'Ellen' |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-begin-again-ellen/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Taste of Country |language=en}} Additionally, there was a "Live from New York City" performance in 2012,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ5tlnGg4wc |title=Taylor Swift - Begin Again (Live from New York City) |date=2012-11-05 |last=TaylorSwiftVEVO |access-date=2024-11-18 |via=YouTube}} and the song has most recently been performed as a "surprise song" on Swift's current tour cycle for the Eras Tour.{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=2024-11-04 |title=Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: Every Surprise Song She’s Played So Far |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-surprise-songs-list-1235578714/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} "Begin Again" was used in the setlist of the Eras Tour on April 23, 2023, in Houston, TX and again on May 12, 2024, in Paris, France.

Credits and personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of Red

Taylor Swift – lead vocals, writer, producer
Dann Huff – producer, electric guitar, digital editing, acoustic guitar
Nathan Chapman – producer, acoustic guitar, high string acoustic guitar
Steve Marcantonio – recording
Seth Morton – assistant recording
Justin Niebank – mixing
Drew Bollman – assistant mixing
Mike "Frog" Griffith – production coordinator
Jason Campbell – production coordinator
Tom Bukovac – electric guitar
Paul Franklin – steel guitar
Ilya Toshinsky – mandolin
Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass
Jonathan Yudkin – violin, string
Charlie Judge – Hammond B3, synthesizers, strings, accordion, piano
Aaron Sterling – drums
Caitlin Evanson – background vocals

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\| Italy (FIMI){{cite web\|language=it\|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2012/40\|title=Top Singles Chart, WK #40 (October 1–7, 2012)\|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana\|access-date=October 12, 2019\|archive-date=February 4, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204203449/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2012/40\|url-status=live}} \| 72
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ Weekly chart performance for "Begin Again" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2012–2013) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
{{single chart\|Australia\|20\|artist=Taylor Swift\|song=Begin Again\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 8, 2012\|refname=Australia}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|4\|artist=Taylor Swift\|artistid=371422\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 22, 2022\|refname=Canada}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadacountry\|7\|artist=Taylor Swift\|artistid=371422\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 20, 2013\|refname=CanadaCountry}}
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|25\|artist=Taylor Swift\|song=Begin Again\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 8, 2012\|refname=Ireland}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|11\|artist=Taylor Swift\|song=Begin Again\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 8, 2012\|refname=nz}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|27\|date=20121006\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 12, 2019\|refname=Scotland}}
{{single chart\|Spain\|35\|artist=Taylor Swift\|song=Begin Again\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 8, 2012\|refname=Spain}}
{{single chart\|UK\|30\|date=20121006\|rowheader=true\|access-date=October 6, 2012\|refname=uk}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|7\|artist=Taylor Swift\|artistid=371422\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 27, 2022\|refname="hot 100"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcountrysongs\|10\|artist=Taylor Swift\|artistid=371422\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 22, 2022\|refname="country songs"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcountryairplay\|3\|artist=Taylor Swift\|artistid=371422\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 11, 2013\|refname="country airplay"}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ 2012 year-end chart for "Begin Again" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-country-songs\|title=Hot Country Songs – 2012 Year-End Chart\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 14, 2012\|archive-date=July 8, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708141334/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-country-songs\|url-status=live}} \| 100

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

|+ 2012 year-end chart for "Begin Again"

! scope="col"| Chart (2012)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-country-songs|title=Hot Country Songs – 2012 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-date=July 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708141334/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-country-songs|url-status=live}}

| 100

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ 2013 year-end charts for "Begin Again" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2013) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/country-airplay-songs\|title=Country Airplay – 2013 Year-End Chart\|magazine=Billboard\|date=13 December 2013\|access-date=December 13, 2013\|archive-date=May 5, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505123617/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/country-airplay-songs\|url-status=live}} \| 48
scope="row"\| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-country-songs\|title=Hot Country Songs – 2013 Year-End Chart\|magazine=Billboard\|date=2 January 2013\|access-date=December 13, 2013\|archive-date=December 15, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215161138/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-country-songs\|url-status=live}} \| 57

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

|+ 2013 year-end charts for "Begin Again"

! scope="col"| Chart (2013)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/country-airplay-songs|title=Country Airplay – 2013 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=13 December 2013|access-date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505123617/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/country-airplay-songs|url-status=live}}

| 48

scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-country-songs|title=Hot Country Songs – 2013 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|access-date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215161138/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-country-songs|url-status=live}}

| 57

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Begin Again"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=1|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|access-date=February 14, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Begin Again|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|title=Begin Again|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|award=Gold|digital=true|access-date=September 15, 2022|refname=mc}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Begin Again|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2012|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|certmonth=3|title=Begin Again|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|award=Platinum|digital=true|access-date=September 14, 2022|refname="RIAA"}}

"Begin Again (Taylor's Version)"

{{Infobox song

| name = Begin Again (Taylor's Version)

| border = yes

| type = song

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = Red (Taylor's Version)

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

| studio = Black Bird (Nashville)

| genre =

| length = 4:00

| label = Republic

| writer = Taylor Swift

| producer = * Taylor Swift

Christopher Rowe

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|dXNZaHuKWNA|"Begin Again (Taylor's Version)"}}|type=song|header=Lyric video}}

}}

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://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/16/entertainment/taylor-swift-masters/index.html |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=CNN}} The decision came after the public 2019 dispute between Swift and 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 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822202321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |work=BBC News}}{{cite web |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 them, 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 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=}} The re-recording of "Begin Again", subtitled "(Taylor's Version)", was released as part of Red's re-recording, Red (Taylor's Version), on November 12, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Sager |first=Jessica |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) Is Here—Get All the Details On the Re-Release, Vault Tracks and More |url=https://parade.com/1225504/jessicasager/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308094405/https://parade.com/1225504/jessicasager/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/ |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Parade}}

"Begin Again (Taylor's Version)" was produced by Swift and Christopher Rowe, and it was recorded by David Payne at Blackbird Studios, Nashville. Rowe recorded Swift's vocals at Kitty Committee Studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Serban Ghenea mixed both tracks at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe complimented the re-recorded track for showcasing a stronger country production and an improved in Swift's musical instincts, "heightening its plainspoken candor and hopefulness".{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=2021-11-17 |title=Taylor Swift Red (Taylor's Version) Review: A Refinement of Pop Instincts |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Slant Magazine}}

=Personnel=

Adapted from the liner notes of Red (Taylor's Version){{cite AV media notes |title=Red (Taylor's Version) |year=2021 |publisher=Republic Records |type=vinyl liner notes |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}

Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
Christopher Rowe – producer, vocals engineer
David Payne – recording engineer
Dan Burns – additional engineer
Austin Brown – assistant engineer, assistant editor
Bryce Bordone – engineer
Derek Garten – engineer
Serban Ghenea – mixer
Charles Judge – accordion
Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, Hammond organ, mandolin
Amos Heller – bass guitar
Matt Billingslea – drums
Paul Sidoti – electric guitar
David Cook – piano
Max Bernstein – steel guitar, synths
Jonathan Yudkin – violin
Caitlin Evanson – background vocals

=Charts=

scope="row"\| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) \| 61
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Weekly chart performance for "Begin Again (Taylor's Version)" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
{{single chart\|Billboardglobal200\|76\|artist=Taylor Swift\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
scope="row"\| US Billboard Hot 100 \| 77
scope="row"\| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) \| 25

References

=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 |chapter=The Mean Era}}
{{Cite book |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |author-link=Annie Zaleski |title=Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-6672-0845-9 |pages=76–105 |chapter=The Red Era}}

Category:2012 singles

Category:2012 songs

Category:Taylor Swift songs

Category:Country ballads

Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift

Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift

Category:Song recordings produced by Dann Huff

Category:Song recordings produced by Nathan Chapman (record producer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Rowe

Category:Big Machine Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Philip Andelman

Category:2010s ballads