Login
Login

Out of the Woods

{{Short description|2014 single by Taylor Swift}}

{{about|the song by Taylor Swift|the definition of the phrase|:wikt:out of the woods|other uses|Out of the Woods (disambiguation)}}

{{Featured article}}

{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Out of the Woods

| cover = Taylor Swift - Out of the Woods.png

| alt = Cover artwork of "Out of the Woods", a polaroid photo of Swift standing on a beach in a light blue dress, with her initials "T.S.", the song title, and a lyric written on it

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = 1989

| released = {{start date|2016|1|19}}

| studio = * Conway Recording, Los Angeles

| genre = Synth-pop

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=55}}

| label = Big Machine

| writer = * Taylor Swift

| producer = * Taylor Swift

  • Jack Antonoff

| prev_title = Wildest Dreams

| prev_year = 2015

| next_title = New Romantics

| next_year = 2016

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|JLf9q36UsBk|"Out of the Woods"}}}}

}}

"Out of the Woods" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote and produced the song with Jack Antonoff. With lyrics inspired by a failed relationship and the ensuing anxieties that Swift experienced, "Out of the Woods" is a synth-pop song with elements of Eurodance and indietronica and features heavy synthesizers, looping drums, and layered background vocals.

Big Machine Records made the song available for download on October 14, 2014, as a promotional single for 1989. Swift premiered the music video for "Out of the Woods" on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2015; the video depicts Swift struggling to escape from a magical forest. The song was released to US pop and hot adult contemporary radio as the album's sixth single on January 19, 2016, by Big Machine in partnership with Republic Records.

Music critics praised "Out of the Woods" for its 1980s-influenced production and narrative lyrics offering emotional engagement. The song peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached the top 10 of charts in Canada and New Zealand. Swift performed the song on television shows such as Good Morning America and included it in the set list of the 1989 World Tour (2015). Following the 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song as "Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)" for her re-recorded album 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023).

Background and production

Taylor Swift had identified as a country singer-songwriter until her fourth studio album Red, which was released in October 2012.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474400/taylor-swifts-red-sells-121-million-biggest-sales-week-for-an-album-since-2002|title=Taylor Swift's Red Sells 1.21 Million; Biggest Sales Week for an Album Since 2002|magazine=Billboard|date=October 30, 2012|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201140727/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474400/taylor-swifts-red-sells-121-million-biggest-sales-week-for-an-album-since-2002|archive-date=February 1, 2013|url-status=live}} Red incorporates various pop and rock styles, transcending the country sound of her previous releases.{{sfn|McNutt|2020|p=77}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music-2014/6363514/billboard-woman-of-the-year-taylor-swift-on-writing-her|title=Billboard Woman of the Year Taylor Swift on Writing Her Own Rules, Not Becoming a Cliche and the Hurdle of Going Pop|first=Alan|last=Light|magazine=Billboard|date=December 5, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226012450/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music-2014/6363514/billboard-woman-of-the-year-taylor-swift-on-writing-her|archive-date=December 26, 2014}} Swift began writing her fifth studio album, 1989, in mid-2013, when she was on the Red Tour.{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/taylor-swift-talks-next-album-cmas-and-ed-sheeran|title=Taylor Swift Talks Next Album, CMAs and Ed Sheeran|last=Talbott|first=Chris|agency=Associated Press|date=October 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026093555/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/taylor-swift-talks-next-album-cmas-and-ed-sheeran|archive-date=October 26, 2013|access-date=October 26, 2013|url-status=live}} Inspired by 1980s synth-pop, she conceived 1989 as her first "official pop album" that transformed her image from country to pop.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-reveals-five-things-to-expect-on-1989-65750/ |title=Taylor Swift Reveals Five Things to Expect on 1989| url-access=limited| first=Josh|last=Eells| magazine=Rolling Stone| date=September 16, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173655/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-reveals-five-things-to-expect-on-1989-65750/ | archive-date=November 16, 2018| access-date=November 16, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/arts/music/sales-of-taylor-swifts-1989-intensify-streaming-debate.html|title=Sales of Taylor Swift's 1989 Intensify Streaming Debate|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|first=Ben|last=Sisario|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111032635/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/business/media/taylor-swifts-1989-carries-high-hopes-but-no-country-music.html|archive-date=November 11, 2014}} On 1989, Swift enlisted new producers including Jack Antonoff, who produced two songs with Swift for the standard edition—"Out of the Woods" and "I Wish You Would", and the bonus track "You Are in Love" for the deluxe edition;{{cite web|url=https://www.recordingacademy.com/grammys/news/oral-history-taylor-swifts-1989|title=The Oral History of Taylor Swift's 1989|first=Paul|last=Zollo|author-link=Paul Zollo|publisher=The Recording Academy|date=February 17, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609080910/https://www.recordingacademy.com/grammys/news/oral-history-taylor-swifts-1989|url-status=dead}} Antonoff had worked with Swift on "Sweeter than Fiction", a 1980s new wave-influenced song recorded by Swift for the soundtrack of One Chance (2013).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6281680/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-jack-antonoff|title=Taylor Swift's 'Out of the Woods': Jack Antonoff Reveals Inspiration, New 1989 Song Title|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111192204/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6281680/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-jack-antonoff|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226023709/http://ew.com/article/2013/10/20/taylor-swift-sweeter-than-fiction/|url=http://ew.com/article/2013/10/20/taylor-swift-sweeter-than-fiction/|title=Taylor Swift Goes 80s Bubblegum on New Single 'Sweeter than Fiction'|first=Grady|last=Smith|date=October 20, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=February 26, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2015}}

For "Out of the Woods", Antonoff envisioned the song to feature a 1980s sound with a modern twist. He used a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer to create most parts of the song, and a Minimoog Voyager for the refrain, which brought forth an "extremely modern" sound that he desired. He edited his background vocals and layered them over looping drums. After completing the instrumental, Antonoff sent it to Swift when she was on a plane.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115182030/http://www.mtv.com/news/2346822/taylor-swift-breaks-down-shake-it-off/|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2346822/taylor-swift-breaks-down-shake-it-off/|title=Taylor Swift Breaks Down 'Shake It Off' Partly So We Could All Dance to It at Weddings|website=MTV News|first=Patrick|last=Hosken|date=October 12, 2015|archive-date=November 15, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=February 27, 2019}} Swift sent him a voice memo containing the lyrics roughly 30 minutes later; it was the first time Swift wrote the lyrics to an existing track.{{cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Mansfield |date=October 14, 2014 |title=How Taylor Swift Created 'Out of the Woods' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/14/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods/17228091/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228080559/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/14/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods/17228091/ |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |work=USA Today}} According to the liner notes of 1989, "Out of the Woods" was recorded by Laura Sisk, assisted by Brendan Morawski, at Jungle City Studios in New York City; and Sam Holland, assisted by Cory Bice, at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Swift's vocals were produced by Max Martin.

Music and lyrics

{{Listen

| filename = Taylor Swift - Out of the Woods song sample.ogg

| title = "Out of the Woods"

| format = Ogg

| description = A sample of the song's bridge with looping drums, "oh-oh" background vocals, and lyrics referencing a snowmobile accident that Swift and an ex-lover encountered.}}

Music critics described "Out of the Woods" as a 1980s-influenced synth-pop song.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/14/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-listen-up-song-of-the-week/17189021/|title=Song of the Week: Taylor Swift Gets Frantic in 'Woods'|date=October 14, 2014|first=Brian|last=Mansfield|author-link=Brian Mansfield|work=USA Today|access-date=January 18, 2016|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218163908/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/14/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-listen-up-song-of-the-week/17189021/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Blistein |first1=Joe |title=Taylor Swift Delivers Chilling Acoustic 'Out of the Woods' Performance |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-delivers-chilling-acoustic-out-of-the-woods-performance-67474/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 25, 2020 |date=October 27, 2015 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725100200/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-delivers-chilling-acoustic-out-of-the-woods-performance-67474/ |url-status=live }} According to Hannah Mylrea from NME and Edwin Mcfee from Hot Press, the track consists of indietronica and Eurodance elements.{{cite magazine |last=Mcfee |first=Edwin |date=11 November 2014 |title=Taylor Swift 'Out of the Woods' Review |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-track-review-12974389 |magazine=Hot Press |access-date=29 April 2023}} The production is characterized by pulsing synthesizers, loud drums, and echoing background vocals that gradually build up towards the end.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/out-of-the-woods-is-taylor-swifts-best-song-yet/2202052/|title='Out of the Woods' Is Taylor Swift's Best Song Yet|website=Tampa Bay Times|first=Sean|last=Daly|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115236/https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/out-of-the-woods-is-taylor-swifts-best-song-yet/2202052/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Eakin|first=Marah|date=October 28, 2014|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/1989-taylor-swift-finally-grows-211047|title=With 1989, Taylor Swift Finally Grows Up|work=The A.V. Club|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028063859/http://www.avclub.com/review/1989-taylor-swift-finally-grows-211047|archive-date=October 28, 2014|url-status=live}} Compared to other tracks of 1989, "Out of the Woods" features a denser production.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-1989-new-album-review.html|title=A Farewell to Twang|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|work=The New York Times|author-link=Jon Caramanica|date=October 26, 2014|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111032622/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-1989-new-album-review.html|archive-date=November 11, 2014|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2014/10/taylor_swift_s_1989_reviewed_could_the_secret_to_the_pop_star_s_world_conquering.html|title=Contemplating Taylor Swift's Navel|first=Carl|last=Wilson|author-link=Carl Wilson (critic)|website=Slate|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726091416/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2014/10/taylor_swift_s_1989_reviewed_could_the_secret_to_the_pop_star_s_world_conquering.html|url-status=live}} Antonoff took inspiration from the music of rock band My Morning Jacket: "every sound is louder than the last ... It started out big, and then I think the obvious move would have been to do a down chorus, but the idea was to keep pushing."

The lyrics are about a fragile romance, inspired by the anxieties Swift experienced from a tumultuous relationship.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swifts-new-album-1989-defies-expectations-20141029-11cuu9.html|title=Taylor Swift's New Album 1989 Defies Expectations|first=Craig|last=Mathieson|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=September 18, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630235531/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swifts-new-album-1989-defies-expectations-20141029-11cuu9.html|url-status=live}} In the refrain, Swift repeats the line, "Are we out of the woods yet?" over and over, indicating her desire to stabilize the relationship.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-review-taylor-swift-smooths-out-the-wrinkles-on-sleek-1989-20141027-story.html|title=Taylor Swift Smooths Out the Wrinkles on Sleek 1989|first=Mikael|last=Wood|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115075319/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-review-taylor-swift-smooths-out-the-wrinkles-on-sleek-1989-20141027-story.html|archive-date=November 15, 2014|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Swift ponders over its inevitable end: "Your necklace hanging from my neck the night we couldn't quite forget / When we decided to move the furniture so we could dance / Baby, like we stood a chance."{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-1989/|title=Review: Taylor Swift, 1989|work=Slant Magazine|first=Annie|last=Galvin|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305234512/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-1989/|archive-date=March 5, 2019|url-status=live}} The bridge narrates an accident that requires one of the couple to undergo a surgery: "Remember when you hit the brakes too soon / Twenty stitches in a hospital room."{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/listen-to-taylor-swifts-out-of-the-woods.html|title=Listen to Taylor Swift's 'Out of the Woods'|first=Anna|last=Silman|date=October 14, 2014|work=Vulture|access-date=October 15, 2014|archive-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912071934/http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/listen-to-taylor-swifts-out-of-the-woods.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-1989-album-review-pop-star-shows-promising-signs-of-maturity-9814620.html|title=Taylor Swift, 1989 – Album Review: Pop Star Shows 'Promising Signs of Maturity'|work=The Independent|url-access=limited|first=Andy|last=Gill|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031191004/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-1989-album-review-pop-star-shows-promising-signs-of-maturity-9814620.html|url-status=live}} The accident in the bridge was inspired by a snowmobile accident that she and an ex-lover had suffered when they were on a ski trip; she had persuaded the tabloid media to not publicize it.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-20141014|title=Taylor Swift Unveils Synth-Heavy 'Out of the Woods'|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Daniel|last=Krepps|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103035835/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-20141014|url-status=live}} Besides its literal sense, the accident is a metaphor for the relationship's fragility and how the two have to deal with its aftermath.{{cite web|first=Melissa|last=Block|title='Anything That Connects': A Conversation With Taylor Swift|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/10/31/359827368/anything-that-connects-a-conversation-with-taylor-swift|publisher=NPR|access-date=January 30, 2015|format=Audio upload and transcript|date=October 31, 2014|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206065548/http://www.npr.org/2014/10/31/359827368/anything-that-connects-a-conversation-with-taylor-swift|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/10/taylor-swift-new-song-out-of-the-woods-1989-album-track-is-classic-swift-with-a-makeover-from-jack-antonoff-audio.html|title=Taylor Swift's New Song Is a Perfect Reminder of Why So Many People Love Her|first=Forrest|last=Wickman|website=Slate|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526132305/https://slate.com/culture/2014/10/taylor-swift-new-song-out-of-the-woods-1989-album-track-is-classic-swift-with-a-makeover-from-jack-antonoff-audio.html|url-status=live}} When promoting 1989 in October 2014, Swift remarked that "Out of the Woods" was the song that "best represents [the album]".{{cite web|url=https://news.iheart.com/onair/ryan-seacrest-52241/taylor-swift-unveils-new-song-out-of-the-woods-off-1989-album-listen-12865084/|title=Taylor Swift Unveils New Song 'Out of the Woods' off 1989 Album: Listen|first=Marc|last=Inocencio|website=iHeartRadio|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205111/http://news.iheart.com/onair/ryan-seacrest-52241/taylor-swift-unveils-new-song-out-of-the-woods-off-1989-album-listen-12865084/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Release and commercial performance

On October 13, 2014, Swift premiered 15 seconds of "Out of the Woods" on Good Morning America.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1961525/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-preview/|title=Listen to Taylor Swift's 'Out of the Woods' Clip As She Explains The 'Frantic Anxiety' of A Relationship|last=Lindner|first=Emilee|website=MTV News|date=October 13, 2015|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016062909/http://www.mtv.com/news/1961525/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-preview/|url-status=dead}} Big Machine Records made the song available for download on October 14, 2014, as a promotional single for 1989.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6281593/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-new-song-1989|title=Taylor Swift Previews 'Out Of The Woods,' New Track Out Tuesday: Listen|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|date=October 13, 2014|access-date=October 13, 2014|archive-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015144052/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6281593/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-new-song-1989|url-status=live}} It is track number four on 1989, which was released on October 27, 2014, by Big Machine.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-1989-liner-notes-6296676/|title=Taylor Swift's 1989 Liner Note Messages|magazine=Billboard|first=Erin|last=Strecker|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=May 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509085944/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-1989-liner-notes-6296676/|url-status=live}}

Swift premiered the music video for "Out of the Woods" on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, broadcast on December 31, 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swift-woods-music-video-850680 |title=Taylor Swift to Debut 'Out of the Woods' Music Video During New Year's Rockin' Eve |last=Strecker |first=Erin |date=December 22, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022161033/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swift-woods-music-video-850680 |url-status=live }} Big Machine and Republic Records released the song to US pop and hot adult contemporary radio stations on January 19, 2016;{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119061740/http://www.republicplaybook.com/genre/top-40/|url=http://www.republicplaybook.com:80/genre/top-40/|title=Top 40|publisher=Republic Records|archive-date=January 19, 2016|date=January 19, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119051547/http://www.republicplaybook.com/genre/hot-ac/|url=http://www.republicplaybook.com/genre/hot-ac/|title=Hot AC|publisher=Republic Records|archive-date=January 19, 2016|date=January 19, 2016|url-status=dead}} it was the sixth single from 1989.{{cite web|last1=Linder|first1=Emilee|title=Taylor Swift's Next Single 'Out Of The Woods' Is On Its Way: Get The Deets|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1958457/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-single-1989/|website=MTV News|access-date=October 15, 2014|date=February 3, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013104514/http://www.mtv.com/news/1958457/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-single-1989/|url-status=dead}} In Italy, "Out of the Woods" was released to radio on February 5, 2016, by Universal Music Group.{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift – Out of the Woods Radiodate|url=http://radiodate.it/radio-date/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-144108-05-02-2016-radiodate/|publisher=Radio Airplay SSL|access-date=February 4, 2016|date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205065644/http://radiodate.it/radio-date/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-144108-05-02-2016-radiodate/|url-status=live}}

"Out of the Woods" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 1, 2014, at number 18, its peak position. It entered the Billboard Digital Songs at number one, becoming Swift's eighth chart topper.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6289390/hot-100-meghan-trainor-ed-sheeran-glen-campbell|title=Meghan Trainor Rules Hot 100, Ed Sheeran Hits Top 10, Glen Campbell Returns|date=October 22, 2014|first=Gary|last=Trust|access-date=December 23, 2020|url-access=subscription|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025035224/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6289390/hot-100-meghan-trainor-ed-sheeran-glen-campbell|url-status=live}} After its video premiere on New Year's Rockin' Eve, the song re-appeared on the Hot 100 at number 46.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6842912/hot-100-chart-moves-dnce-taylor-swift-out-woods|title=Hot 100 Chart Moves: DNCE's 'Cake' Rises, Taylor Swift's 'Woods' Returns|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=January 13, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 23, 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003093822/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6842912/hot-100-chart-moves-dnce-taylor-swift-out-woods|url-status=live}} By May 2016, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) had certified it platinum for one million units based on digital sales and streaming. The single peaked within the top 10 on charts of New Zealand (number six) and Canada (number eight). In Australia, the song peaked at number 19 on the singles chart and was certified triple-platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The track was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Norway.

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim. Upon the release of 1989, music critics compared the 1980s-influenced production of "Out of the Woods" to the music of 1980s musicians including Phil Collins and Madonna.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/22/taylor-swift-summons-the-magical-music-of-1989/17299611/|title=Taylor Swift Summons the Magical Music of 1989|website=USA Today|first=Patrick|last=Ryan|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527120056/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/22/taylor-swift-summons-the-magical-music-of-1989/17299611/|url-status=live}} Sam Lansky from Time,{{cite magazine| url=https://time.com/3502753/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods/| title=Listen to Taylor Swift's Hypnotic New Song 'Out of the Woods'| magazine=Time| first=Sam| last=Lansky| author-link=Sam Lansky| date=October 13, 2014| access-date=December 24, 2015| archive-date=June 25, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625203745/http://time.com/3502753/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods/| url-status=live}} Jason Lipshutz from Billboard,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/track-review/6281699/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-song-review|title=Taylor Swift Sprints Forward on 'Out Of The Woods': Song Review|date=October 14, 2014|magazine=Billboard|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|access-date=October 16, 2014|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718000038/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/track-review/6281699/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-song-review|url-status=live}} Brian Mansfield from USA Today, and Lindsay Zoladz from Vulture praised the production for showcasing Swift's expanding artistry beyond her previous country styles.{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/album-review-taylor-swift-1989.html|date=October 27, 2014|title=Album Review: Taylor Swift's 1989|first=Lindsay|last=Zoladz|work=Vulture|access-date=January 18, 2016|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110162939/http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/album-review-taylor-swift-1989.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} In a review of 1989 for the Los Angeles Times, Mikael Wood deemed "Out of the Woods" one of the album{{'s}} highlights, describing it as the most authentic tribute to the 1980s synth-pop sound that Swift tried to recreate on the album.

Other reviews complimented Swift's lyrical craftsmanship and storytelling, which she had honed on her previous country songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/taylor-swift-hasnt-changed-why-out-of-the-woods-is-a-classic-track-for-her/381441/|title=Taylor Swift Hasn't Changed|website=The Atlantic|url-access=limited|first=David|last=Sims|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525170843/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/taylor-swift-hasnt-changed-why-out-of-the-woods-is-a-classic-track-for-her/381441/|url-status=live}} Lipshutz remarked that although the song was a musical departure for Swift, it was a reminder of her abilities to present "striking, instantly unforgettable images". Writing for The Independent, Andy Gill argued that the intricate lyrics capturing "dramatic emotional change in a few striking lines" of "Out of the Woods" were rare for a pop song. Carl Wilson, in a 1989 review for Slate, picked it as his favorite off the album, highlighting both the detailed lyrics and the production. Esther Zuckerman of Entertainment Weekly deemed the production generic, but highlighted the lyrics as a testament to Swift's ability to offer emotional engagement in her songs.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/10/14/out-of-the-woods-swift/|title='Out of the Woods' Finds Taylor Swift Doing What She Does Best|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Esther|last=Zuckerman|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525170843/https://ew.com/article/2014/10/14/out-of-the-woods-swift/|url-status=live}}

"Out of the Woods" ranked at number 94 on Pitchfork{{'}}s list of the 100 Best Tracks of 2014.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9555-the-100-best-tracks-of-2014/1/|title=The 100 Best Tracks of 2014|work=Pitchfork|access-date=February 5, 2015|date=December 15, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181815/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9555-the-100-best-tracks-of-2014/1/|url-status=live}} In retrospective reviews, Mylrea and Nate Jones from Vulture complimented the song's production and emotional sentiments,{{Cite web|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|date=September 8, 2020|title=Every Taylor Swift Song Ranked In Order of Greatness|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916|access-date=September 17, 2020|website=NME|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|title=All 162 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked|date=August 13, 2020|work=Vulture|url-access=limited|first=Nate|last=Jones|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|url-status=live}} but Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone was less enthusiastic, feeling that the production overwhelms the intricate lyrics.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/out-of-the-woods-2014-195906/|title=Taylor Swift's Songs: All Ranked by Rob Sheffield|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|author-link=Rob Sheffield|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609080912/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/out-of-the-woods-2014-195906/|url-status=live}} NME, honoring Antonoff with the Songwriter Award in 2022, selected "Out of the Woods" as one of his best songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/music-features/jack-antonoff-songwriter-nme-awards-2022-best-songs-taylor-swift-lana-del-rey-3174940|title=NME{{'s}} Songwriter Award Winner Jack Antonoff's 10 Best Songs So Far|website=NME|first=El|last=Hunt|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527120056/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/music-features/jack-antonoff-songwriter-nme-awards-2022-best-songs-taylor-swift-lana-del-rey-3174940|url-status=live}}

Music video

Joseph Kahn directed the music video for "Out of the Woods".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6820708/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-premiere-new-years-rockin-eve|title=Taylor Swift's Video for 'Out of the Woods' Will Premiere on New Year's Rockin' Eve|first=Erin|last=Strecker|magazine=Billboard|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015|archive-date=December 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223213943/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6820708/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-premiere-new-years-rockin-eve|url-status=live}} The video's filming locations in New Zealand included Bethells Beach and the mountains of Queenstown.{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift's New Music Video 'Out of the Woods' Showcases New Zealand|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/75580001/taylor-swifts-new-music-video-out-of-the-woods-showcases-new-zealand|website=Stuff|access-date=January 3, 2016|date=January 1, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822221245/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/75580001/taylor-swifts-new-music-video-out-of-the-woods-showcases-new-zealand|url-status=live}} During the filming, a severe storm struck, causing a one-week delay.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-taylor-swift-battle-nature-in-out-of-the-woods-video-20151231|title=Watch Taylor Swift Battle Nature in 'Out of the Woods' Video|first=Brittany|last=Spanos|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 31, 2015|access-date=January 1, 2016|archive-date=January 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103021622/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-taylor-swift-battle-nature-in-out-of-the-woods-video-20151231|url-status=live}} Conservationists in the area claimed that the production team breached their permit and endangered a rare native bird by using up to 12 vehicles, an accusation that Swift's crew denied.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/01/taylor-swift-releases-out-of-the-woods-music-video-on-new-years-eve|title=Taylor Swift Releases 'Out of the Woods' Music Video on New Year's Eve|first=Elle|last=Hunt|work=The Guardian|date=January 1, 2016|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103064121/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/01/taylor-swift-releases-out-of-the-woods-music-video-on-new-years-eve|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-34929753|title=Taylor Swift Film Crew Denies Harming Endangered Dotterels in New Zealand Shoot|website=BBC|date=November 26, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525172827/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-34929753|url-status=live}}

The video shows Swift battling to get out of a forest, interpreting the title literally. Swift is seen struggling to escape a magical forest while being chased by a pack of wolves as animate roots constantly follow her. She then finds herself in different natural settings like snowy mountains, an ocean, a barren landscape, a muddy location, and a burning forest. At the end of the video, the woods disappear as she finds a beach, where another version of her is standing by the shore as she reaches for her.{{cite web|last1=Shetty|first1=Sharan|title=Taylor Swift Takes on Wolves, Forest Fires, Mud Pits in the 'Out of the Woods' Music Video|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/01/02/taylor_swift_shares_out_of_the_woods_music_video_on_new_years_eve_video.html|website=Slate|access-date=January 3, 2016|date=January 2, 2016|archive-date=January 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102215859/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/01/02/taylor_swift_shares_out_of_the_woods_music_video_on_new_years_eve_video.html|url-status=live}} The video ends with the caption "She lost him, but she found herself, and somehow that was everything," which is a hidden message written in the booklet of 1989.

Kahn said that Swift "suffered for the art"; she did not employ a double stunt and did all the action, such as crawling through the mud and running through the snow, by herself.{{cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a32975/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-bts-music-video/|title=Taylor Swift Really Hung Out in the Mud, 'Suffered For Her Art' for the 'Out of the Woods' Video|first=Evan|last=Real|date=January 4, 2016|access-date=December 23, 2020|work=Elle|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027221556/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a32975/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-bts-music-video/|url-status=live}} Media publications remarked on the video's visual effects and cinematic storytelling.{{cite web|last1=Sblendorio|first1=Peter|title=Taylor Swift Debuts Stunning 'Out of the Woods' Music Video|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-debuts-stunning-woods-video-article-1.2482506|website=New York Daily News|access-date=January 3, 2016|date=January 1, 2016|archive-date=November 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102202236/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-debuts-stunning-woods-video-article-1.2482506|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Harley|title=Taylor Swift Flees Wolves in 'Out of the Woods' Video|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/01/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-video-watch/|website=Spin|access-date=January 3, 2016|date=January 1, 2016|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713163918/http://www.spin.com/2016/01/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-video-watch/|url-status=live}} Amanda Bell from MTV News compared the video's cinematic quality to the Harry Potter series, and commented that the video's message "serves as a clear metaphor for her very public relationship history and how she transformed each conflict into her own personal victories, one in particular".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2720130/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-video/|title=Taylor Swift's 'Out of the Woods' Video Is Here|website=MTV News|first=Amanda|last=Bell|date=December 31, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508235543/http://www.mtv.com/news/2720130/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-video/|url-status=dead}}

Live performances and other usage

File:Taylor Swift 103 (18118974610).jpg]]

During promotion of 1989, Swift performed "Out of the Woods" on televised shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live!,{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3536545/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-jimmy-kimmel/|title=Watch Taylor Swift Perform 'Out of the Woods' on Jimmy Kimmel Live!|first=Eliana|last=Docktorman|magazine=Time|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162041/https://time.com/3536545/taylor-swift-out-of-the-woods-jimmy-kimmel/|url-status=live}} The Ellen DeGeneres Show,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-ellen-appearances-8511659/|title=Every Time Taylor Swift Has Appeared on Ellen, From 2008 to 2019|first=Rania|last=Aniftos|magazine=Billboard|date=May 15, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230100119/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-ellen-appearances-8511659/|url-status=live}} and Good Morning America.{{cite magazine|last1=Lee|first1=Ashley|title=Taylor Swift Teases 1989 Tour During Good Morning America Concert|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/6304030/taylor-swift-1989-tour-good-morning-america|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 8, 2016|date=October 30, 2014|archive-date=October 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030101311/http://www.billboard.com/articles/6304030/taylor-swift-1989-tour-good-morning-america|url-status=live}} She performed the song as part of the "1989 Secret Sessions", live streamed by iHeartRadio and Yahoo! on October 27, 2014, the same day the album was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/taylor-swift-live-broadcasts-manhattan-744356|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031085153/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/taylor-swift-live-broadcasts-manhattan-744356|title=Taylor Swift Live-Broadcasts Manhattan Rooftop Secret Session|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Colin|last=Stutz|archive-date=October 31, 2014|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} On the 1989 World Tour in 2015, Swift included the song as the penultimate number on the regular set list.{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Lucy |title=Taylor Swift Has Kicked Off Her 1989 World Tour in Tokyo |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/news/a35504/taylor-swift-1989-world-tour-setlist/ |website=Cosmopolitan|access-date=January 4, 2020 |date=6 May 2015 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614123431/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/news/a35504/taylor-swift-1989-world-tour-setlist/ |url-status=live}} Swift played a stripped-down rendition of "Out of the Woods" on piano at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on September 30, 2015; John Blistein from Rolling Stone praised this version over the synth-pop production for better conveying the emotional sentiments of the lyrics.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-delivers-chilling-acoustic-out-of-the-woods-performance-67474/|title=Taylor Swift Delivers Chilling Acoustic 'Out of the Woods' Performance|first=John|last=Blistein|date=October 27, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725100200/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-delivers-chilling-acoustic-out-of-the-woods-performance-67474/|url-status=live}}

On December 3, 2015, she sang the song on piano at Hamilton Island in Australia as part of a Nova 96.9 radio program.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2685293/taylor-swift-acoustic-1989-hits/|title=Watch Taylor Swift Perform Acoustic Versions of 1989 Hits for 100 Super Fans|website=MTV News|access-date=December 29, 2015|archive-date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217035819/http://www.mtv.com/news/2685293/taylor-swift-acoustic-1989-hits/|url-status=dead|first=Gregory|last=Hicks|date=December 10, 2015}} Swift performed "Out of the Woods" as the opening number to the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4224939/grammys-2016-taylor-swift/|title=Taylor Swift Opened the Grammy Awards With 'Out of the Woods'|last=Feeney|first=Nolan|date=February 15, 2016|magazine=Time|access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-date=February 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217000548/http://time.com/4224939/grammys-2016-taylor-swift/|url-status=live}} She also included the song in the set lists of her shows at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin on October 22, 2016,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-wows-austin-crowd-at-only-2016-concert-110060/|title=Taylor Swift Wows Austin Crowd at Only 2016 Concert|first=Chad|last=Swiatecki|date=October 23, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|access-date=May 22, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180320/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-wows-austin-crowd-at-only-2016-concert-110060/|url-status=live}} and DirecTV's pre-Super Bowl event Super Saturday Night in Houston on February 4, 2017.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-super-bowl-concert-houston-better-man-i-dont-wanna-live-forever-7678029/|title=Taylor Swift Performs 'Better Man' & 'I Don't Wanna Live Forever' for First Time at Stunning Pre-Super Bowl Set|first=Katie|last=Atkinson|magazine=Billboard|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180320/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-super-bowl-concert-houston-better-man-i-dont-wanna-live-forever-7678029/|url-status=live}} Swift sang "Out of the Woods" as a "surprise song" during the stops in Toronto and Auckland of her Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) and the stop in Nashville of her Eras Tour (2023–2024).{{cite magazine |last1=Iasimone |first1=Ashley |date=November 20, 2018 |title=All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed On Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127111253/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2018 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Katie Louise |date=June 23, 2024 |title=Here's Every Surprise Song Performed on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/taylor-swift/eras-tour-surprise-songs-setlist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624104114/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/taylor-swift/eras-tour-surprise-songs-setlist/ |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024 |publisher=Capital FM}} Later on in the tour, she also performed the song in a mashup with "Is It Over Now?" (2023) in Buenos Aires and Paris, included "Clean" (2014) in London, "Getaway Car" (2017) in Milan, "All You Had to Do Was Stay" (2014) in Miami, and with "Us" (2024) in Toronto with American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams.

Rock singer Ryan Adams recorded a country folk-oriented cover of "Out of the Woods" for his track-by-track cover of Swift's 1989.{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/ryan-adams-1989/|title=Review: Ryan Adams, 1989|first=Jeremy|last=Winograd|work=Slant Magazine|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506211701/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/ryan-adams-1989/|url-status=live}} Yahoo! writer Oscar Gracey said that the cover "makes us want to hike through a forest, find a clearing, and mourn the relationships that didn't quite work out",{{cite news | last = Gracey | first = Oscar | title = Ryan Adams' 1989: Track By Track | website = Yahoo! | date = September 21, 2015 | url = https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/news/ryan-adams-1989-track-track-190055449.html?ref=gs | access-date = January 7, 2016 | archive-date = January 26, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126153457/https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/news/ryan-adams-1989-track-track-190055449.html?ref=gs | url-status = live }} and The A.V. Club{{'s}} Annie Zaleski viewed that Adams's acoustic production "exacerbates the song's uncertainty about a relationship's status".{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/ryan-adams-transforms-taylor-swift-s-1989-into-a-melanc-1798184927|title=Ryan Adams Transforms Taylor Swift's 1989 Into a Melancholy Masterpiece|first=Annie|last=Zaleski|author-link=Annie Zaleski| work=The A.V. Club |date=September 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212033205/https://music.avclub.com/ryan-adams-transforms-taylor-swift-s-1989-into-a-melanc-1798184927|archive-date=February 12, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=February 12, 2018}}

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of 1989.{{cite AV media notes |title=1989 |author=Swift |year=2014 |type=CD album liner notes |publisher=Big Machine Records |location=Nashville |id=BMRBD0500A |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}

Charts

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

|+ Chart performance for "Out of the Woods"

! scope="col"| Chart (2014–2016)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|19|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 25, 2014|refname="aus"}}
{{single chart|Austria|64|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 23, 2014}}
{{single chart|Flanders|50|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out of the Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}}
{{single chart|Canada|8|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 23, 2014|refname="can"}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadaac|13|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016|refname="can ac"}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|13|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016|refname="can chr"}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|9|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016|refname="can hac"}}
{{single chart|Denmark|23|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 23, 2014|refname="den"}}
{{single chart|Finnishairplay|90|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out of the Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=June 25, 2019}}
{{single chart|Finnishdownload|24|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out of the Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=June 25, 2019}}
{{single chart|France|70|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2014}}
scope="row"| Hong Kong (HKRIA){{cite web|url=http://musicweekly.asia/charts/top-30-singles-hong-kong |title=Top 30 Singles Chart Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance |date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027154636/http://musicweekly.asia/charts/top-30-singles-hong-kong |archive-date=27 October 2014 }}

| 5

{{single chart|Hungarytop10|37|year=2014|week=42|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 24, 2014|refname="hung"}}
scope="row"|Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/ricerca#/type:artists/show:charts/keyword:Taylor%20Swift/page:0|title=Taylor Swift on the FIMI charts|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161219180303/http://www.fimi.it/ricerca%23/type:artists/show:charts/keyword:Laura%20Pausini%20Feat.%20Gianna%20Nannini/page:0#/type:artists/show:charts/keyword:Taylor%20Swift/page:0|url-status=live}}

| 97

scope="row"| Mexico Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/mex/|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Mexico Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 22, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819193412/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift/chart-history/mexico-airplay|url-status=live}}

| 47

{{single chart|New Zealand|6|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 17, 2014|refname="nz"}}
scope="row"| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100){{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/top/archiwum.php?year=2016&idlisty=1914|title=Airplay archiwum|language=pl|publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry|access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314230402/http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/top/archiwum.php?year=2016&idlisty=1914|url-status=live}}

| 43

{{single chart|Scotland|48|date=2016-02-25|rowheader=true|access-date=February 19, 2016}}
{{single chart|Spain|22|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out Of The Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=October 25, 2014|refname="spa"}}
scope="row" | UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|title=CHART: CLUK Update 8.11.2014 (wk44)|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/141108cluk.txt|publisher=zobbel.de|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904075613/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/141108cluk.txt|url-status=live}}

| 136

{{single chart|Billboardhot100|18|artist=Taylor Swift|artistid=371422|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2014|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|20|artist=Taylor Swift|artistid=371422|rowheader=true|access-date=October 12, 2016}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|11|artist=Taylor Swift|artistid=371422|rowheader=true|access-date=February 16, 2016}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|12|artist=Taylor Swift|artistid=371422|rowheader=true|access-date=February 9, 2016}}

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

|+ 2023 chart performance for "Out of the Woods"

! scope="col"| Chart (2023)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Portugal|45|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Out of the Woods|rowheader=true|access-date=November 9, 2023}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Out of the Woods"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|refname="ARIA"|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Out of the Woods|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|refname="Brazil"|access-date=July 24, 2024}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|title=Out of the Woods|relyear=2014|award=Gold|access-date=February 6, 2016|digital=true|certyear=2016|certmonth=1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Out of the Woods|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2014|certyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Out of the Woods|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2020|access-date=November 20, 2020|refname="ifpino"}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|title=Out of the Woods|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|award=Gold|id=16961-1598-1|access-date=October 27, 2023|refname="bpi"}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Taylor Swift|type=single|title=Out of the Woods|relyear=2014|certyear=2016|award=Platinum|access-date=May 13, 2016|refname="riaa"}}

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

Release history

=Promotional release=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Release date and formats for "Out of the Woods"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Various

|October 14, 2014

|Digital download

|Big Machine

|align="center"|

=Single release=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Release date and formats for "Out of the Woods"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format(s)

! scope="col"| Label(s)

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

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

| rowspan="2"| January 19, 2016

| Hot adult contemporary radio

| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Big Machine|Republic}}

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

Contemporary hit radio

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

scope="row"| Italy

| February 5, 2016

| Radio airplay

| Universal

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

"Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)"

{{Infobox song

| name = Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)

| artist = Taylor Swift

| album = 1989 (Taylor's Version)

| released = {{start date|2023|10|27}}

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 3:55

| label = Republic

| writer =

| producer =

  • Taylor Swift
  • Jack Antonoff

| misc = {{External music video|header=Lyric video|type=song|1={{YouTube|gp1MR2WAAXY|"Out of the Woods (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://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 followed a public 2019 dispute between Swift and talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums which the label had released.{{Cite news |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits |work=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 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 the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use in hopes of substituting 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-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 25, 2022 |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 |issn=}}

Republic Records released 1989{{'s}} re-recording, 1989 (Taylor's Version), on October 27, 2023. The re-recording of "Out of the Woods", subtitled "Taylor's Version", was released as track number four on the re-recorded album.{{Cite web |last=Vassell |first=Nicole |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Celebrate As Pop Star Releases 1989 (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-1989-track-list-b2436950.html |url-access=limited |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=The Independent}} Prior to that, a snippet of "Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)" was used in a trailer for the American animated adventure film Migration (2023).{{Cite web |date=2023-10-14 |title=Hear an official snippet of Taylor Swift's re-recorded 'Out of the Woods' in new trailer |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/out-of-the-woods-taylors-version-migration-trailer-rcna120448 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Today.com |language=en}}

= Personnel =

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of 1989 (Taylor's Version).{{Cite AV media notes |title=1989 (Taylor's Version) |year=2023 |publisher=Republic Records |id=0245597656 |type=Compact disc liner notes |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}

Technical

{{Div col begin|colwidth=30em}}

  • Taylor Swift – producer
  • Jack Antonoff – producer, recording, programming
  • Zem Audu – synth recording
  • Bryce Bordone – engineer for mix
  • Jozef Caldwell – assistant engineer
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • David Hart – synth recording
  • Mikey Freedom Hart – synth recording, programming
  • Sean Hutchinson – drums recording
  • Oli Jacobs – recording
  • Jack Manning – assistant engineer
  • Joey Miller – assistant engineer
  • Megan Searl – assistant engineer
  • Jon Sher – assistant engineer
  • Michael Riddleberger – drums recording
  • Christopher Rowe – recording
  • Laura Sisk – recording
  • Evan Smith – Juno recording, programming

{{Div col end}}

Musicians

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter
  • Jack Antonoff – songwriter, bass, drums, synthesizer, background vocals
  • Zem Audu – synthesizer
  • David Hart – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Mikey Freedom Hart – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, background vocals
  • Sean Hutchinson – drums, percussion
  • Michael Riddleberger – drums, percussion
  • Evan Smith – Juno, background vocals

= Charts =

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

|+ Chart performance for "Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)"

! scope="col"| Chart (2023)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2023-11-06|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=November 6, 2023|access-date=November 3, 2023}}

| 12

{{single chart|Brazil2|98|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 9, 2023}}
{{single chart|Canada|14|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2023|refname=CANTV}}
{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|15|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2023|refname=GLOTV}}
scope="row"| Greece International (IFPI){{Cite web |title=Digital Singles Chart (International) |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |publisher=IFPI Greece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113024932/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|archive-date=November 13, 2023}}

| 18

scope="row"| Ireland (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Ireland Songs)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/i15/|access-date=November 7, 2023|magazine=Billboard}}

| 15

scope="row"| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2023-11-03|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=November 6, 2023|access-date=November 4, 2023}}

| 16

scope="row"| Philippines (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/i42/|access-date=November 7, 2023|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108142420/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/i42/|url-status=dead}}

| 8

scope="row"| Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 44 (27 Oct - 2 Nov 2023)|publisher=RIAS|access-date=November 7, 2023|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231107065231/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/}}

| 16

scope="row"| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=44|title=Veckolista Singlar, vecka 44|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=November 4, 2023}}

| 77

scope="row"| UK (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (U.K. Songs)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/i02/|access-date=November 7, 2023|magazine=Billboard}}

| 18

{{single chart|UKdownload|84|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2023}}
scope="row"| UK Singles Sales (OCC){{cite web|url=https://officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20231103/7509/|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 3, 2023}}

| 92

scope="row"| UK Streaming (OCC){{cite web |title=Official Streaming Chart Top 100 |url=https://officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20231103/7510/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=November 3, 2023}}

| 19

{{single chart|Billboardhot100|16|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2023}}
scope="row"| Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/vtm/|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 11, 2023}}

| 65

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Out Of The Woods (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}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

=Sources=

  • {{cite journal|first=Myles|last=McNutt|title=From 'Mine' to 'Ours': Gendered Hierarchies of Authorship and the Limits of Taylor Swift's Paratextual Feminism|year=2020|journal=Communication, Culture and Critique|volume=13|issue=1|pages=72–91|doi=10.1093/ccc/tcz042}}

External links

  • {{YouTube|TXJlB9riS1Y|Behind-the-scenes of "Out of the Woods"}}

{{Taylor Swift songs}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2014 songs

Category:2016 singles

Category:Big Machine Records singles

Category:Taylor Swift songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Jack Antonoff

Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift

Category:Song recordings produced by Max Martin

Category:Songs written by Jack Antonoff

Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift

Category:Music videos directed by Joseph Kahn

Category:American synth-pop songs

Category:Ryan Adams songs