Forever & Always#Background and release
{{Short description|2008 song by Taylor Swift}}
{{about|the Taylor Swift song|other uses|Forever and Always (disambiguation)}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Forever & Always
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Fearless
| released = {{start date|2008|11|11}}
| recorded = October 2008
| studio = Starstruck (Nashville)
| genre = * Country pop
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=45}}
| label = * Big Machine
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Audio|1={{YouTube|SFGdKPDnWm4|"Forever & Always"}}}}
}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Fearless (Taylor's Version)
| released = {{start date|2021|4|9}}
| recorded =
| studio = * Black Bird
- Prime Recording (Nashville)
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=45}}
| label = Republic
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|T-41vMWQTUA|"Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)"}}}}
}}
"Forever & Always" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Inspired by her relationship with Joe Jonas, which lasted for several months in 2008, the lyrics are about an abrupt breakup that leaves the narrator angered and confused. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Forever & Always" is a country pop and pop rock song instrumented by guitars and fiddles. It was the last track recorded for Fearless, being added to the album shortly before it was mastered and published. A "Piano Version" was released as part of the Fearless: Platinum Edition reissue in 2009.
Music critics deemed the production of "Forever & Always" catchy and highlighted the emotions in Swift's vocals, but a few considered the track generic. Journalists have commented that the song became the blueprint for Swift's songwriting inspired by her high-profile romantic relationships. Swift performed "Forever & Always" at several live events, including the 2009 Country Music Association Awards and her Fearless Tour (2009–2010). Commercially, the track reached the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Canadian Hot 100 chart, and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
After a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song as "Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" for her 2021 re-recorded album Fearless (Taylor's Version). The new version peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted in Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United States.
Background and release
During 2007–2008, Taylor Swift toured as an opening act for other country musicians to promote her debut album, Taylor Swift (2006). While on tour, she wrote her second studio album, Fearless.{{cite web |last=Kawashima |first=Dale |date=February 16, 2007 |title=Special Interview (2007): Taylor Swift Discusses Her Debut Album, Early Hits, and How She Got Started |url=http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift123.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324060932/http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift123.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=December 17, 2010 |website=Songwriter Universe}}{{cite magazine |last=Tucker |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Tucker |date=March 26, 2008 |title=The Billboard Q&A: Taylor Swift |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046063/the-billboard-qa-taylor-swift |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705032846/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046063/the-billboard-qa-taylor-swift |archive-date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=June 21, 2011 |magazine=Billboard}} To ensure her fans could relate to Fearless, she wrote about "love and what it does to us and how we treat people and how they treat us" and used her life experiences at 17–18 years old as inspirations.{{cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=March 26, 2010 |title=Living Fearless Taylor Swift Talks About Her Whirlwind Rise to the Top |url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/26/entertainment/doc4baba3395e3ef490410773.txt?viewmode=default |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716215636/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/26/entertainment/doc4baba3395e3ef490410773.txt?viewmode=default |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2011 |work=The Oakland Press}}{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=20}}
"Forever & Always" was the last song that Swift wrote for Fearless. She pleaded with Big Machine Records' head Scott Borchetta to let her include the track on the album a day before the track list was finalized{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-26-ca-swift26-story.html|title=She's Writing Her Future|first=Randy|last=Lewis|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=October 26, 2008|access-date=August 21, 2021|archive-date=August 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822140403/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-26-ca-swift26-story.html|url-status=live}} because it was about "something really, really dramatic and crazy" that needed to be addressed via music.{{Cite magazine |last=Scaggs |first=Austin |date=January 25, 2010 |title=Taylor's Time: Catching Up With Taylor Swift |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylors-time-catching-up-with-taylor-swift-101783/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030070114/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylors-time-catching-up-with-taylor-swift-101783/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2013 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} The production took place at the last minute because Swift wrote songs to reflect her real-time experiences: "I can write something, call up my producer, we can get in the studio, put a rush on it, get an overnight mix." Recording of "Forever & Always" was completed in October 2008, one day before Fearless was mastered and published.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}} Swift and Nathan Chapman produced the track, which was recorded at Starstruck Studio in Nashville.{{cite AV media notes |others= |title=Fearless |title-link=Fearless (Taylor Swift album) |id=BMRATS0200 |publisher=Big Machine Records |year=2008 |type=CD liner notes |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}
Big Machine released Fearless on November 11, 2008, with "Forever & Always" as track number 11.{{sfn|Spencer|2010|p=58}} A "Piano Version" of "Forever & Always" was released as part of the Platinum Edition reissue of Fearless on October 26, 2009.{{cite news |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=October 26, 2009 |title=Taylor Swift Is Even More Fearless, One Day Early |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1624732/taylor-swift-is-even-more-fearless-one-day-early/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111051040/http://www.mtv.com/news/1624732/taylor-swift-is-even-more-fearless-one-day-early/ |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2011 |website= |publisher=MTV}} Supported by this "Piano Version", the track peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart issued for November 14, 2009.{{Cite magazine |last=Pietroluongo |first=Silvio |date=November 14, 2009 |title=Swift's Bonus Track Bounty |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EX4yD1pJCxUC&pg=RA6-PA42 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |via=Google Books}} It was one of nine songs that Swift had on the Hot 100 that week, the first time a female artist had held nine chart entries at the same time.{{Cite magazine |last=Pietroluongo |first=Silvio |date=November 5, 2009 |title=DeRulo Tops Hot 100, But Swift Swoops In With Record-Breaking Debut Sum |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/derulo-tops-hot-100-but-swift-swoops-in-with-record-breaking-debut-sum-266815/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524094311/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266815/derulo-tops-hot-100-but-swift-swoops-in-with-record-breaking-debut-sum |url-status=live }} The Recording Industry Association of America awarded the song a platinum certification for surpassing one million units based on sales and streaming. The song peaked at number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified gold in Australia.
Swift left Big Machine and signed with Republic Records in 2018.{{Sfn|Klein|2023}} She began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020; this decision followed a 2019 dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records and the masters of Swift's albums.{{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= |publisher=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}} Re-recording them would enable her to have full licensing rights of her songs for commercial use.{{Sfn|Klein|2023}} The re-recordings of "Forever & Always" and its "Piano Version", both subtitled "Taylor's Version", were produced by Swift and Christopher Rowe; they were released as part of Fearless{{'s}} re-recording, Fearless (Taylor's Version), on April 9, 2021, by Republic Records.{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded Fearless Album: Updated 'Love Story' Out Tonight |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9524797/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecorded-love-story-release/ |access-date=March 7, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213005253/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9524797/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecorded-love-story-release/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Still Fearless: Re-Recording The Past On Taylor's Version |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/12/985842675/still-fearless-re-recording-the-past-on-taylors-version |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418045503/https://www.npr.org/2021/04/12/985842675/still-fearless-re-recording-the-past-on-taylors-version |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |publisher=NPR}} "Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" charted in Australia (45), Canada (37), Singapore (28), and the United States (65). It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Writing and lyrics
File:JoeJonasSep10 3.jpg inspired "Forever & Always".|alt=Joe Jonas singing on a mic]]
Swift was inspired to write "Forever & Always" by her breakup with the singer Joe Jonas, whom she dated from July to October 2008.{{cite magazine |last=Fernando |first=Madeleine |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Joe Jonas & Taylor Swift: A Post-Breakup Timeline |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/joe-jonas-taylor-swift-a-post-breakup-timeline-8514830/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122132105/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/joe-jonas-taylor-swift-a-post-breakup-timeline-8514830/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}} Appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to promote Fearless in November 2008, Swift said that Jonas broke up with her "over the phone in 25 seconds".{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}} Feeling that she "owed it" to her fans to be open about their fallout, Swift publicized it via press interviews, on radio, and on her Myspace.{{cite news |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=November 11, 2008 |title=Taylor Swift Says She 'Owed It' to Her Fans to Be Open About Joe Jonas Breakup |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599032/20081110/swift__taylor.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312093907/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599032/20081110/swift__taylor.jhtml |archive-date=March 12, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |website= |publisher=MTV}}{{cite news |last=Vina |first=Jocelyn |date=November 6, 2008 |title=Taylor Swift Talks About Joe Jonas Breakup Online, on the Radio, on TV and in Her New Album |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1598752/taylor-swift-talks-about-joe-jonas-breakup-online-on-the-radio-on-tv-and-in-her-new-album/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904221949/http://www.mtv.com/news/1598752/taylor-swift-talks-about-joe-jonas-breakup-online-on-the-radio-on-tv-and-in-her-new-album/ |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |website= |publisher=MTV}} Jonas addressed the song in a 2009 issue of Seventeen magazine: "It's flattering. It's always nice to hear their side of the story."{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=April 30, 2009 |title=Jonas Brothers Talk Tour, New Album, Breakups and More |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1610375/jonas-brothers-talk-tour-new-album-breakups-and-more/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122132105/https://www.mtv.com/news/1610375/jonas-brothers-talk-tour-new-album-breakups-and-more/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |website= |publisher=MTV}} Swift, in a May 2019 appearance on the Ellen show, recalled that "[putting] Joe Jonas on blast" in the past was the "most rebellious thing" she did as a teenager.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}}
The lyrics of "Forever & Always" channel Swift's anger, sadness, and frustration in the immediate aftermath of the breakup.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}} She said that the track's title was meant to be sarcastic:{{Cite news |last=DeLuca |first=Dan |date=November 11, 2008 |title=Focused On 'Great Songs': Taylor Swift Isn't Thinking About 'the Next Level' or Joe Jonas Gossip |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=E1 |id={{ProQuest|287691192}}}} although the ex-boyfriend in the lyrics promised to stay with Swift's narrator forever, he unceremoniously broke up with her without proper explanations.{{sfn|Perone|2017|pp=22–23}}{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Fearless Was the Last Time Taylor Swift Could Pretend She Was Normal |url=https://theoutline.com/post/6558/taylor-swift-fearless-10th-anniversary |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=The Outline |language= |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111124935/https://theoutline.com/post/6558/taylor-swift-fearless-10th-anniversary |url-status=live }} This leaves the narrator wondering if it was because of something she did. Angered, she calls out the ex-boyfriend's behaviors, such as not calling her{{sfn|Perone|2017|pp=22–23}} and running and hiding "like a scared little boy" when she told him something too direct.{{Cite news |last=Semon |first=Craig S. |date=November 30, 2008 |title=Teen Phenom Swift Sings with Fearless Sincerity |work=Telegram & Gazette |location=Worcester, Massachusetts |page=G4 |id={{ProQuest|269016248}}}}{{cite web |last=Cills |first=Hazel |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift: Fearless |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819073504/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2019 |work=Pitchfork}} The lyrics use rain imagery to depict feelings of betrayal ("It rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong/ It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone"),{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=July 23, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's 100 Album Tracks – Ranked |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/taylor-swift-lover-best-songs-1989-reputation-red-lyrics-music-videos-a9076476.html |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=The Independent |language= |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203140818/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/taylor-swift-lover-best-songs-1989-reputation-red-lyrics-music-videos-a9076476.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Widdicombe |first=Lizzie |date=October 3, 2011 |title=You Belong with Me |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/taylor-swift-profile-you-belong-with-me |url-access=limited |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=The New Yorker |language= |issn= |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529045017/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/taylor-swift-profile-you-belong-with-me |url-status=live }} subverting its usage as a romantic trope in Swift's other songs.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}}{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Erin |date=November 25, 2011 |title=Taylor Swift's Speak Now Track 'If This Was A Movie' Is Better Than Her Upcoming New Single |url=http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2011/11/taylor_swifts_speak_now_track.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130224247/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2011/11/taylor_swifts_speak_now_track.php |archive-date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=Seattle Weekly}}
The liner notes of Fearless include two "secret messages" for "Forever & Always" ("If you play these games, we're both going to lose") and its "Piano Version" ("Still miss who I thought he was").{{cite magazine |last=Rosen |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |date=November 13, 2008 |title=Fearless |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fearless-20081113 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815082027/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fearless-20081113 |archive-date=August 15, 2012 |access-date=March 21, 2011 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{efn|The "secret messages" of Swift's songs are decoded by arranging certain capitalized letters in each song's lyrics, printed in the album booklet, in the order they appear to spell out a certain word or phrase.{{cite magazine |last1=Strecker |first1=Erin |title=Taylor Swift's 13 Best Liner Note Secret Messages – So Far |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6296379/taylor-swift-liner-note-secret-messages |access-date=May 18, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |date=October 24, 2014 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518043558/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6296379/taylor-swift-liner-note-secret-messages |url-status=live }}}} The music critic Annie Zaleski described the tone of the track as "raw-nerve".{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}} Whereas Fearless features prominent influences from fairy tales, the heartache portrayed in "Forever & Always" is rooted in real-life experiences and thus embodies a more realistic outlook on love. Gigwise
Music
{{Listen
| filename = Forever & Always by Taylor Swift (sample).ogg
| title = "Forever & Always"
| description = "Forever & Always" is a country pop and pop rock song instrumented by dynamic guitars and fiddles.
| filename2 = Forever & Always Piano Version by Taylor Swift (sample).ogg
| title2 = "Forever & Always (Piano Version)"
| description2 = The "Piano Version" is instrumented by piano and cello and has a slower tempo.
}}
At 3 minutes and 45 seconds long, "Forever & Always" is a country pop{{cite web |last1=Gajjar |first1=Saloni |last2=Carr |first2=Mary Kate |date=October 30, 2023 |title=22 Great But Seriously Underrated Taylor Swift Songs |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-underrated-songs-obscure-tracks-1849666689 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225204304/https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-underrated-songs-obscure-tracks-1849666689 |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=The A.V. Club}} and pop rock song that features guitars and fiddles.{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Kelsey |date=June 17, 2021 |title=The Story Of Us: 'Forever & Always' |url=https://www.gigwise.com/features/3399975/the-story-of-us-forever-always/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207014417/https://www.gigwise.com/features/3399975/the-story-of-us-forever-always/ |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=Gigwise}}{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Songs Ranked, from Worst to Best |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |work=Vulture }} Zaleski called it an "emo-country tune".{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=40}} Swift said that the music channeled her real-time emotions: the track begins with what Swift described as "this pretty melody that's easy to sing along with", and it ends with her "basically screaming" to reflect her anger. Tom Gardner of the Associated Press felt that the track showcased her "sweet unassuming voice [taking] on an edge".{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Tom |date=November 14, 2008 |title=Taylor Swift Just Gets Better on CD |publisher=Associated Press |id={{ProQuest|1177194130}}}} The arrangement of "Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" is the same as the original's, but the production has a few differences: the rattle of the hi-hats is clearer{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Releases A 'Perfect Replica' of Fearless |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56687699 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129031529/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56687699 |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |publisher=BBC}} and the fade-out in the outro is faster.{{cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Lauren |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's New Fearless Album Sounds Different—We Got An Expert to Tell Us Why |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-new-fearless-album-differences/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207051047/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-new-fearless-album-differences/ |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Pitchfork
The "Piano Version", at 4 minutes and 27 seconds long,{{Cite AV media notes |last=Swift |first=Taylor |title=Fearless: Platinum Edition |author-link=Taylor Swift |type=CD liner notes |year=2009 |publisher=Big Machine Records}} is instrumented by piano and cello.{{Sfn|Spencer|2010|p=58}} John Moser of The Morning Call described the sound as "piano rock" that resembles the styles of the Fray and Jack's Mannequin.{{Cite web |last=Moser |first=John J. |date=March 13, 2010 |title=The Rise Was Swift... |url=https://www.mcall.com/2010/03/13/the-rise-was-swift/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=The Morning Call |language= |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205051845/https://www.mcall.com/2010/03/13/the-rise-was-swift/ |url-status=live }} For Barnes, this slower and plaintive piano production adds a new layer to the narrative: after expressing an angry outburst, Swift spent time to reflect on her pain and disbelief, bringing forth a more "heartbreaking" atmosphere. According to the professor in commercial music Michael A. Lee, the "Taylor's Version" re-recording features Swift's mature vocals and an enhanced piano production, recorded with a fuller range of frequencies. These changes make the piano sound more like a grand piano rather than an "upright, bordering on honky-tonk" one as in the original.
Critical reception
Several reviews of "Forever & Always" described the production as catchy. Jim Farber of the New York Daily News selected it as one of the album's catchiest tracks that "soar",{{Cite news |last=Farber |first=Jim |date=November 4, 2008 |title=Wispy Formula Is Still Taylor-Made for Success |work=New York Daily News |page=36 |id={{ProQuest|306247988}}}} and Jane Song of Paste deemed it a "perfect pencil-drumming song".{{Cite web |last=Song |first=Jane |date=February 11, 2020 |title=All 158 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/best-taylor-swift-songs |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=Paste |archive-date=June 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625065820/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/best-taylor-swift-songs |url-status=live }} The musicologist James E. Perone similarly complimented the radio-friendly production but felt that it was too generic and "market-oriented" for a singer-songwriter like Swift.{{sfn|Perone|2017|pp=22–23}} Blum selected the track as the album's best, highlighting the shock and woundedness that Swift's vocals convey.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/|title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) Album Review|work=Pitchfork|last=Blum|first=Dani|date=April 20, 2021|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200729/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/|url-status=live}} Moser and Billboard's Lisa Brown preferred the "Piano Version" to the original; the former deemed it the most interesting track of the Platinum Edition and praised Swift's vocals that suggested she could deliver more than just "teenage love songs", while the latter considered it more mature and cathartic.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Lisa |date=October 30, 2016 |title=Taylor Swift’s 7 Best Songs On Piano |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swifts-best-songspiano-7557765/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Billboard |language= |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507085546/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swifts-best-songspiano-7557765/ |url-status=live }} Writing for The A.V. Club, Mark Kate Carr complimented the original as a "certified banger" and the "Piano Version" for its "lovely arrangement" that allows for a brooding listening experience. Reviewing the re-recording "Taylor's Version", Stereogum
Other reviews focused on the lyricism. Several critics contended that "Forever & Always" became a blueprint for Swift's songwriting about her failed relationships that received media coverage.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8029968/taylor-swift-fearless-best-album/|title=Why Taylor Swift's Fearless Is Her Best Album|date=November 7, 2017|first=Jennifer Keishin|last=Armstrong|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 8, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413220248/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8029968/taylor-swift-fearless-best-album/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/look-what-you-made-me-do-reputation-2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207224919/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/look-what-you-made-me-do-reputation-2017/ |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=Billboard |language=}} Billboard
Live performances
File:Taylor Swift - Fearless Tour - Los Angeles 04.jpg in 2010|alt=Swift singing on a mic]]
Swift first performed "Forever & Always" at the 2009 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, held on December 31, 2008, in New York City. She performed the song as part of a medley with "Picture to Burn", "Love Story", and "Change".{{Cite web |last=LaCroix |first=Emy |date=December 5, 2014 |title=The (Taylor) Swifts of New Year's Past |url=https://www.theamas.com/2014/12/taylor-swift-nyre-performing/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924190307/https://www.theamas.com/2014/12/taylor-swift-nyre-performing/ |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2018 |website= |publisher=American Music Awards}} She performed "Forever & Always" again in a January 2009 episode of Saturday Night Live{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-every-time-appeared-on-saturday-night-live-8532208/|title=Here's Every Time Taylor Swift Has Appeared on Saturday Night Live|first=Rania|last=Aniftos|magazine=Billboard|date=October 4, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122140458/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-every-time-appeared-on-saturday-night-live-8532208/|url-status=live}} and the 2009 Country Music Association Awards in November,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/arts/music/12country.html|title=New Levels of Inclusion at Country Music Awards|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|author-link=Jon Caramanica|website=The New York Times|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2021|url-access=limited|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107041655/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/arts/music/12country.html|url-status=live}} and she included it in the set lists of her concerts during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March,{{cite news |last=Rundle |first=Thomas |date=March 23, 2009 |title=Aftermath: Taylor Swift at RodeoHouston |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/aftermath-taylor-swift-at-rodeohouston-6509913 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226075221/https://www.houstonpress.com/music/aftermath-taylor-swift-at-rodeohouston-6509913 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |newspaper=Houston Press}} and Craven Country Jamboree in July 2009.{{Cite news |last=DeDekker |first=Jeff |date=July 11, 2009 |title=Swept Off Their Feet; Taylor Swift Simply Scintillating |work=Regina Leader Post |page=A1 |id={{ProQuest|350032490}}}}
"Forever & Always" was part of the regular set list of Swift's first headlining concert tour, the Fearless Tour (2009–2010).{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Taylor Swift Brings Fearless Tour to Madison Square Garden |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1619780/taylor-swift-brings-fearless-tour-to-madison-square-garden/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122140458/https://www.mtv.com/news/1619780/taylor-swift-brings-fearless-tour-to-madison-square-garden/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |website= |publisher=MTV}} The stage screened a mock interview of Swift on why she wrote songs that called out her ex-boyfriends before she appeared onstage in a red dress to sing the song. Midway through the number, she threw an armchair down the stairs onstage.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Molly |date=June 8, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift / June 5, 2010 / Foxboro, Mass. |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/957869/taylor-swift-june-5-2010-foxboro-mass |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002032401/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/957869/taylor-swift-june-5-2010-foxboro-mass |archive-date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 2, 2014 |magazine=Billboard}}{{cite web |last=Semon |first=Craig S. |date=June 7, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift Proves Worthy As Queen of Country Music |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20100607/NEWS/6070358 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608193427/http://www.telegram.com/article/20100607/NEWS/6070358 |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=June 8, 2010 |website=Telegram & Gazette}}
Swift occasionally performed "Forever & Always" on her later concert tours. She sang it at the March 22, 2013, show in Columbia, South Carolina, as part of the Red Tour,{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/blogs/about-last-night-taylor-swift-colonial-life-arena-march-20/article_ead80539-3b20-5dd1-a1b2-0e1459524f1a.html|title=Taylor Swift, Colonial Life Arena, March 20|website=Post and Courier|first=Patrick|last=Wall|date=March 24, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122141337/https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/blogs/about-last-night-taylor-swift-colonial-life-arena-march-20/article_ead80539-3b20-5dd1-a1b2-0e1459524f1a.html|url-status=live}} and the September 15, 2018, show in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of the Reputation Stadium Tour.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |title=All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far) |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |magazine=Billboard |date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008113110/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |url-status=live }} On the Eras Tour (2023–2024), she performed "Forever & Always" twice: at the May 13, 2023, show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,{{cite web |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=March 25, 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=May 12, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319011405/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-eras-tour-surprise-songs/ |url-status=live }} and as part of a piano mashup with her 2022 song "Maroon" at the February 26, 2024, show in Sydney, Australia.{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Dani |date=February 26, 2024 |title=What Surprise Songs Has Taylor Swift Played In Sydney? |url=https://harpersbazaar.com.au/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-surprise-songs-australia/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Harper's Bazaar Australia |language= |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326055450/https://harpersbazaar.com.au/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-surprise-songs-australia/ |url-status=live }}
Personnel
- Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
- Chad Carslon – recording engineer, mixing engineer
- Nathan Chapman – producer
- Shawn Daugherty – assistant mixer
- Todd Tidwell – assistant mixer
"Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" (2021){{cite AV media notes |others= |title=Fearless (Taylor's Version) |type=CD liner notes |year=2021 |publisher=Republic Records, an imprint of Universal Music Group |id=B0033578-02 (catalog no.) |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}
{{Div col}}
- Taylor Swift – lead vocals, background vocals, songwriter, producer
- Max Bernstein – electric guitar
- Matt Billingslea – drums, percussion programming
- Dan Burns – percussion programming
- Derek Garten – additional engineer
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – engineer
- Amos Heller – bass guitar
- Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, background vocals
- David Payne – recording
- Lowell Reynolds – assistant recording engineer, additional engineer
- Christopher Rowe – producer, vocals recording
- Paul Sidoti – electric guitar, background vocals
- Jonathan Yudkin – fiddles
{{Div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
="Forever & Always"=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Chart positions for "Forever & Always" !Chart (2008) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Canada|37|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=March 8, 2021|refname="can"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|34|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=March 8, 2021|refname="hot 100"}} |
| scope="row"| US Country Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/cdt/|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Country Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 12, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119043620/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/cdt/|url-status=live}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 44 |
|---|
{{col-2}}
="Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)"=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart positions for "Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|45|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)|access-date=April 19, 2021|rowheader=true|refname="aus"}} |
| scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
| 37 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|41|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=April 20, 2021|refname="glo"}} |
| scope="row" | Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|title=RIAS International Top Charts Week 15|publisher=Recording Industry Association Singapore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420072704/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|archive-date=April 20, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}}
| 28 |
| {{single chart|UKstreaming|83|date=20210416|rowheader=true|access-date=December 9, 2021|refname="UKStreaming"}} |
| scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100
| 65 |
| {{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|12|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=April 20, 2021|refname="CountrySongs"}} |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Forever & Always"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|number=1|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=February 14, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Forever|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2018|certyear=2018|access-date=July 23, 2018|refname=riaa}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Note
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
=Sources=
- {{Cite journal |last=Klein |first=Ashley N. |date=November–December 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Music Icon and Copyright Gamesman? |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A780928937/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=359637b2 |journal=Landslide |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=34+ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |via=Gale Academic OneFile}}
- {{cite book |first=James E. |last=Perone |title=The Words and Music of Taylor Swift |publisher=ABC-Clio |series=The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection |pages=5–25 |chapter=Becoming Fearless |isbn=978-1-4408-5294-7 |year=2017}}
- {{cite book |first=Liv |last=Spencer |title=Taylor Swift: Every Day Is a Fairytale – The Unofficial Story |publisher=ECW Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-55022-931-8}}
- {{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=27–52 |chapter=The Fearless Era}}
{{Taylor Swift songs}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forever and Always}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift
Category:Song recordings produced by Nathan Chapman (record producer)
Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Rowe
Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift