Sparks Fly (song)
{{good article}}
{{Short description|2011 single by Taylor Swift}}
{{About|the Taylor Swift song|other songs|Sparks Fly (disambiguation)#Music{{!}}Sparks Fly § Music}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Sparks Fly
| cover = Sparks Fly - Single.png
| alt = Cover artwork of "Sparks Fly", showing Taylor Swift holding a mic and wearing a fringed golden dress
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Speak Now
| released = {{Start date|2011|7|18}}
| studio =
- Pain in the Art Studios (Nashville, TN){{cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now |year=2010 |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Big Machine Records |id=BTMSR0300A |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}
- Capitol Studios (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now |year=2010 |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Big Machine Records |id=BTMSR0300A |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}}
| genre = * Country
| written = November 2, 2006
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=22}}
| label = Big Machine
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| prev_title = The Story of Us
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Ours
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|oKar-tF__ac|"Sparks Fly"}}}}
}}
"Sparks Fly" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Swift had written the track in 2006 and occasionally performed it live, and she recorded it for Speak Now after receiving fan requests to release it. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Sparks Fly" is a track combining pop rock, arena rock, and country; its production incorporates dynamic electric guitars and subtle fiddles. The lyrics are about temptations and reluctance caused by a dangerous love affair.
Big Machine Records released "Sparks Fly" to country radio in the United States on July 18, 2011, as the fifth single from Speak Now. The accompanying music video was released on August 10, 2011, and it features footage from the Speak Now World Tour. Some critics praised the catchy production and lyrics that demonstrated personal emotions with specificity, but several others deemed the lyrical imagery somewhat unoriginal. "Sparks Fly" won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Music – Country Song.
In the United States, the single peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on Hot Country Songs, and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It also charted in Australia and Canada. Swift performed "Sparks Fly" on the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012) and the Red Tour (2013–2014), and she occasionally performed it on the 1989 World Tour (2015), the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), and the Eras Tour (2023–2024). Following the 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song as "Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)" for her re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor's Version) (2023).
Background and release
The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift began working on her third studio album, Speak Now (2010), two years prior to its release.{{cite magazine |last=Stransky |first=Tanner |date=August 27, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift Tells EW About New Album Speak Now: 'I've Covered Every Emotion that I've Felt in the Last Two Years.' |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/08/27/taylor-swift-speak-now-new-album/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319183417/https://ew.com/article/2010/08/27/taylor-swift-speak-now-new-album/ |archive-date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=March 19, 2015}} The track "Sparks Fly" was written by Swift when she was 16 years old, shortly after she released her self-titled debut album on November 2, 2006.{{cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift's Singles – Ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/26/taylor-swifts-singles-ranked |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427062612/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/26/taylor-swifts-singles-ranked |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2020 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOPFMrF7v4Q|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908063903/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOPFMrF7v4Q|archive-date=September 8, 2011|url-status=live|title=YouTube Presents Taylor Swift|date=September 1, 2011|publisher=YouTube|access-date=September 8, 2011}} She performed the song live for the first time as far back as 2007, and a recorded video of her performance circulated on the internet in 2008.{{Cite news |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Mansfield |date=September 15, 2010 |title=A Bountiful Fall Harvest of Country Music |work=USA Today |page=D8 |id={{ProQuest|750836309}}}} According to Swift, by the time Speak Now was scheduled for release in 2010, she had sung "Sparks Fly" live "at maybe one or two shows". The song became a favorite among her fans; after Swift received fan requests to release "Sparks Fly" during a meet-and-greet event at the 2010 CMA Music Festival, she decided to rework the song and include it on Speak Now.{{cite web|url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift2010.htm|title=Taylor Swift Talks About Her Album Speak Now, And Her Songwriting|first=Bill|last=Conger|work=Songwriter Universe|date=October 11, 2010|access-date=October 11, 2010|archive-date=October 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017080821/http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/taylorswift2010.htm|url-status=live}} The album version includes some changes to the lyrics but keeps the original arrangement.{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=October 18, 2010 |title=Taylor Swift Confronts Mayer, Laments Lautner in New Album |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/ourcountry/62996/taylor-swift-confronts-mayer-laments-lautner-in-new-album/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028195446/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/ourcountry/62996/taylor-swift-confronts-mayer-laments-lautner-in-new-album/ |archive-date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2010 |website= |publisher=Yahoo!}}
Big Machine Records released "Sparks Fly" to country radio in the United States on July 18, 2011; it was the fifth single from Speak Now.{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly/|title=Taylor Swift, 'Sparks Fly' – Song Review|date=July 4, 2011|work=Taste of Country|first=Amanda|last=Hensel|access-date=August 11, 2011|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807175616/http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=July 11, 2011 |title=Country Aircheck Chart Info |url=https://www.countryaircheck.com/pdf_publication/Issue_251%20-%20July%2011,%202011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325051250/https://www.countryaircheck.com/pdf_publication/Issue_251%20-%20July%2011,%202011.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2011 |work=Country Aircheck |page=16 |issue=251}} CD single variants were released as part of exclusive packages via Swift's online store; each package included Speak Now-themed merchandise.{{cite web|url=http://store.taylorswift.com/product/index/id/282?refstand=_LMSF_|title=Sparks Fly CD Single + Speak Now Necklace|date=August 10, 2011|website=taylorswift.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926010215/http://store.taylorswift.com/product/index/id/282?refstand=_LMSF_|archive-date=September 26, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|url-status=dead}} The single was also bundled with another exclusive package that included the Target-exclusive deluxe edition of Speak Now and related merchandise; this packaged included one of the three options for the CD single: "Sparks Fly", "The Story of Us", and "Mean".{{cite web|url=http://store.taylorswift.com/product/index/id/284?refstand=_LMSF_|title=Speak Now Deluxe CD-DVD + CD Single|website=taylorswift.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104195616/http://store.taylorswift.com/|archive-date=November 4, 2011|access-date=September 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Music and lyrics
{{listen
| pos = left
| filename = Sparks Fly Sample.ogg
| title = "Sparks Fly" (2011)
| description = A sample of "Sparks Fly" featuring the refrain beginning with Swift's a capella "Drop everything now". The song combines country, pop rock, and arena rock with electric guitars in the production.
}}
Swift wrote "Sparks Fly" alone and produced it with Nathan Chapman.{{cite AV media notes|title=Sparks Fly|others=Taylor Swift|year=2011|type=CD single|publisher=Big Machine Records|id=4393000542}}{{cite web |last=Thomas Erlewine |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Speak Now by Taylor Swift |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1948200 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101012023/http://allmusic.com/album/r1948200 |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |website= |publisher=AllMusic}} According to Swift, the song is about an irresistible but dangerous love affair with strong connection and chemistry. Critics mostly categorize it as a pop rock song.{{cite web|url=https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-country-singles/|title=All of Taylor Swift's Country Singles, Ranked|website=The Boot|first=Riane|last=Konc|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028193251/https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-country-singles/|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=54}} In Taste of Country, Amanda Hensel commented that "Sparks Fly" straddles the perceived boundary between country and pop. Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic called the song "a perfect blend of '70s arena rock and country".{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/08/12/best-taylor-swift-singles-ever-far/31478033/|title=30 Best Taylor Swift singles ever (so far)|first=Ed|last=Masley|work=The Arizona Republic|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025150234/https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/08/12/best-taylor-swift-singles-ever-far/31478033/|url-status=live}} The production incorporates dynamic electric guitars and subtle fiddles.
In the lyrics, which feature fairy-tale imagery,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8030047/taylor-swift-speak-now-best-album|title=Why Taylor Swift's Speak Now Is Her Best Album|first=Brittany|last=McKenna|magazine=Billboard|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108184728/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8030047/taylor-swift-speak-now-best-album|url-status=live}} the narrator talks about her obsession with a green-eyed boy, wanting to kiss him in the rain and waiting for him to lead her to private spaces.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-anniversary-favorite-songs-9470930/|title=Taylor Swift's Speak Now Turns 10: Billboard Staff Goes Track-By-Track On Their Favorite Songs|date=October 22, 2020|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=April 15, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604085716/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-anniversary-favorite-songs-9470930/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-19701/sparks-fly-2010-19844/|title='Sparks Fly' (2010)|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|author-link=Rob Sheffield|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807145654/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-19701/sparks-fly-2010-19844/|url-status=live}} In the refrain, the narrator begs her love interest to "Drop everything now" and meet her in the pouring rain; Jonathan Keefe in Country Universe deemed this part the track's hook.{{cite web|url=https://www.countryuniverse.net/2011/07/12/single-review-taylor-swift-sparks-fly/|title=Single Review: Taylor Swift, 'Sparks Fly'|date=July 12, 2011|first=Jonathan|last=Keefe|website=Country Universe|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=August 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816053555/http://www.countryuniverse.net/2011/07/12/single-review-taylor-swift-sparks-fly/|url-status=live}} The lyrics mentioning love under the rain recall many of Swift's previous songs from her second album Fearless (2008), including the title track, "Hey Stephen", and "Forever & Always".
The second verse of the 2010 album version replaces some lyrics in the original version such as, "Cause my heart is beating fast and you are beautiful," and includes new lyrics such as, "My mind forgets to remind me you're a bad idea." Chris Willman from Yahoo! Music commented that the new lyrics portray the narrator as more confident. Additionally, the album version leaves out the banjo on the original.{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-single-review|title=Taylor Swift – 'Sparks Fly'|first=Bobby|last=Peacock|website=Roughstock|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114032809/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-single-review|archive-date=January 14, 2012|url-status=dead}} According to Theon Weber of The Village Voice, the lyric, "Gimme something that'll haunt me when you're not around," is an allusion to sex.{{cite news |last=Weber |first=Theon |date=November 3, 2010 |title=The Iceberg Songs of Taylor Swift |newspaper=The Village Voice |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/the-iceberg-songs-of-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707060458/http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-03/music/the-iceberg-songs-of-taylor-swift/ |archive-date=July 7, 2012}}
Critical reception
In a review of Speak Now for Rolling Stone, Rob Sheffield selected "Sparks Fly" as an example where Swift improved as a singer.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-now-20101026|title=Taylor Swift: Speak Now|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 26, 2010|access-date=October 26, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111113759/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-now-20101026|url-status=dead|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|author-link=Rob Sheffield}} Country Universe
There were some less complimentary reviews. Bobby Peacock of Roughstock and Amanda Hensel of Taste of Country both gave "Sparks Fly" a three-and-a-half rating out of five. Peacock welcomed the lyrical revisions from the original version and said that although the refrain is catchy, the song begins to trail off by the second half. Hensel similarly commended the catchy production but felt that it lacked the originality of Speak Now{{'s}} previous single "Mean". On a more negative side, Erin Thompson of Seattle Weekly commented the rain imagery on "Sparks Fly" represented Swift's lack of repertoire in her songwriting.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2011/11/taylor_swifts_speak_now_track.php|title=Taylor Swift's Speak Now Track 'If This Was A Movie' Is Better Than Her Upcoming New Single|first=Erin|last=Thompson|date=November 25, 2011|website=Seattle Weekly|access-date=December 12, 2011|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|url-status=dead}} John J. Moser from The Morning Call and Mikael Wood from Spin considered it one of the album's weakest tracks.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2010/10/disc-review-maybe-it-wasnt-time-for-taylor-swift-to-speak-now.html|title=Maybe It Wasn't Time for Taylor Swift to Speak Now|first=John J.|last=Moser|work=The Morning Call|date=October 30, 2010|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929071627/https://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2010/10/disc-review-maybe-it-wasnt-time-for-taylor-swift-to-speak-now.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/taylor-swift-speak-now-big-machine |title=Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Big Machine) |last=Wood |first=Mikael |work=Spin |date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=October 26, 2010 |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702153358/http://www.spin.com/reviews/taylor-swift-speak-now-big-machine |url-status=live }} Sean Dealy, in the St. Petersburg Times, criticized the track as one of the album's "factory-line label-pleasers" and wrote that Swift should write fewer songs in that manner.{{Cite news |last=Daly |first=Sean |date=December 12, 2010 |title=The Almost Best of 2010 |work=St. Petersburg Times |page=D2 |id={{ProQuest|817465028}}}}
In a retrospective review, NME{{'s}} Hannah Mylrea lauded the "euphoric" production and described the song as a "toe-tapping head-banging anthem".{{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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=November 26, 2020 |work=NME}}{{cite web|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift: every single album ranked and rated|url=https://www.nme.com/features/taylor-swift-best-albums-ranked-in-order-2712330|access-date=August 27, 2020|work=NME|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810114345/https://www.nme.com/features/taylor-swift-best-albums-ranked-in-order-2712330|url-status=live}} Sheffield picked it as an example where Swift "shows off her uncanny power to make a moment sound gauchely private and messily public at the same time". In Consequence, Mary Siroky opined that "Sparks Fly", which "fervidly showcased Swift's maturing approaches to songwriting and romance", should have been Speak Now{{'s}} lead single replacing the "safe and reflective" "Mine".{{Cite web|last=Siroky|first=Mary|date=November 9, 2021|title=Every Taylor Swift Album Ranked from Worst to Best|url=https://consequence.net/2021/11/taylor-swift-albums-ranked-list/|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Consequence|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328011127/https://consequence.net/2021/11/taylor-swift-albums-ranked-list/|url-status=live}} Finley Liu, in a South China Morning Post ranking of Swift's discography, picked "Sparks Fly" as one of the album's underrated songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/report/latest-reports/article/3124973/ultimate-ranking-taylor-swift-albums-and-no-folklore-not|title=The ultimate ranking of Taylor Swift albums|first=Finley|last=Liu|date=March 11, 2011|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=May 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506023001/https://www.scmp.com/yp/report/latest-reports/article/3124973/ultimate-ranking-taylor-swift-albums-and-no-folklore-not|url-status=live}}
Accolades
At the BMI Country Awards in 2012, "Sparks Fly" was one of the 50 award-winning songs and helped Sony Music Publishing earn the award for Publisher of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/tom_t._hall_dallas_davidson_luke_laird_and_others_recognized_at_bmi_country |title=Tom T. Hall, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird and Others Recognized at BMI Country Awards |publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc. |access-date=January 25, 2015 |date=October 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124091407/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/tom_t._hall_dallas_davidson_luke_laird_and_others_recognized_at_bmi_country |archive-date=January 24, 2015 }} It received a nomination for Favorite Song at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards{{cite web|url=http://www.nick.com/kids-choice-awards/2012/nominees/|title= 2012 Kid's Choice Awards Nominations |access-date=June 23, 2015|publisher=Nickelodeon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920063336/http://www.nick.com/kids-choice-awards/2012/nominees/|archive-date=September 20, 2012 }} and won Choice Country Song at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.{{cite web|title=Teen Choice Awards 2012: Complete Winners List |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1690174/teen-choice-awards-winners-list/ |website=MTV |access-date=June 21, 2015 |date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702121854/http://www.mtv.com/news/1690174/teen-choice-awards-winners-list/ |archive-date=July 2, 2015 }} In 2019, Insider named "Sparks Fly" one of the eighteen best songs written by teenagers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/best-songs-written-by-teenagers-teens|title=The 18 best songs in history that were written by teenagers|last1=Ahlgrim|first1=Callie|date=December 18, 2019|website=Insider|access-date=2019-12-18|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808083938/https://www.insider.com/best-songs-written-by-teenagers-teens|url-status=live}}
Commercial performance
After Speak Now was released, "Sparks Fly" debuted at number 17 (which also became its peak) on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 4, 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if13877e698a1cce20e466a7d37767515|title=Chart Moves: Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Kanye West|date=November 4, 2010|first1=Keith|last1=Caulfield|first2=Silvio|last2=Pietroluongo|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107182635/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if13877e698a1cce20e466a7d37767515|archive-date=November 7, 2010|url-status=dead}} It was one of the ten Speak Now tracks that debuted on the Hot 100 the same week, making Swift the first act to have ten new Hot 100 entries at the same time.{{cite magazine|first=Silvio|last=Pietroluongo|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-debuts-10-speak-now-songs-on-hot-100-951777/|title=Taylor Swift Debuts 10 Speak Now Songs on Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=November 4, 2010|access-date=July 21, 2011|archive-date=April 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428113404/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-debuts-10-speak-now-songs-on-hot-100-951777/|url-status=live}} After its single release, it re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 on the week ending August 27, 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2011-08-27/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=August 27, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2011|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123064423/http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2011-08-27|url-status=live}} "Sparks Fly" spent a total of 20 weeks on the Hot 100.
On Billboard{{'s}} Hot Country Songs chart, which monitored US country airplay, the song peaked at number one on the chart dated November 26, 2011; it spent 21 weeks in total on the chart. It was Swift's fifth Hot Country Songs number-one single and her first since "You Belong with Me" (2009).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sparks-no-1-country-song-faith-hills-cma-bounce-465082/|title=Taylor Swift 'Sparks' No. 1 Country Song; Faith Hill's CMA Bounce|magazine=Billboard|first=Wade|last=Jessen|date=November 17, 2011|access-date=November 17, 2011|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130233157/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sparks-no-1-country-song-faith-hills-cma-bounce-465082/|url-status=live}} "Sparks Fly" ranked at number 37 on the 2011 Hot Country Songs year-end chart.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-country-songs | title=Best of 2011: Country Songs | magazine=Billboard | year=2011 | access-date=December 10, 2011 | archive-date=February 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201202133/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/hot-country-songs | url-status=live }} The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for surpassing one million units and, as of November 2017, had sold 1.1 million digital copies in the United States.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8046939/taylor-swift-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard | title=Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales | date=November 26, 2017 | access-date=November 26, 2017 | first=Gary | last=Trust | magazine=Billboard | archive-date=November 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125002923/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8046939/taylor-swift-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard | url-status=live }}
In Canada, "Sparks Fly" debuted and peaked at number 28 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number three on the Canada Country chart. The single reached the lower-tier positions on charts in Australia (number 97) and Flanders (number 17 on the Ultratip chart).
Live performances
File:Taylor Swift Speak Now Tour 2011 4.jpg (pictured in Pittsburgh in 2011)|alt=Swift on the Speak Now World Tour]]
Swift performed "Sparks Fly" as an unreleased song during a few live shows in 2007.
She performed "Sparks Fly" for an NBC Speak Now Thanksgiving Special, which broadcast on November 25, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-nbc-tv-special/|title=Taylor Swift TV Special to Air Thanksgiving Night|first=Nancy|last=Dunham|date=November 19, 2010|website=The Boot|access-date=November 30, 2021|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604161227/https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-nbc-tv-special/|url-status=live}} The television special showcased the making of the album along with live performances on a rooftop in New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/zap-taylor-swift-speak-now-story-story.html|title=Taylor Swift speaks now about her NBC holiday special|last=Bobbin|first=Jay|date=November 18, 2010|website=Chicago Tribune|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413001434/https://www.chicagotribune.com/zap-taylor-swift-speak-now-story-story.html|archive-date=April 13, 2020}} On the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012), Swift included it as the opening song to the concerts.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508034003/http://newsok.com/article/3632007|url=http://newsok.com/article/3632007|title=DVD review: Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour Live CD+DVD|website=The Oklahoman|date=December 16, 2011|archive-date=May 8, 2012|url-status=dead}} She sang the song wearing a gold dress and tall black boots as fireworks dashed through a three-staircase stage.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116150655/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2011/06/08/singer-impressive-in-many-ways.html|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2011/06/08/singer-impressive-in-many-ways.html|title=Taylor Swift impressive in many ways|first=Gary|last=Budzak|website=The Columbus Dispatch|date=June 8, 2011|archive-date=January 16, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|first=Melissa|last=Maerz|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/07/27/speak-now-tour-review-taylor-swift/|title=Speak Now Tour review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703071108/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20513249,00.html|url-status=live}} The performance was recorded and released on Swift's live album, Speak Now World Tour – Live (2011).{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/reviews/album-dvd-review-taylor-swift-speak-now-world-tour-live|title=Album/DVD Review: Taylor Swift – Speak Now: World Tour Live|first=Matt|last=Bjorke|website=Roughstock|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608074929/http://www.roughstock.com/reviews/album-dvd-review-taylor-swift-speak-now-world-tour-live|archive-date=June 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}
On January 11, 2011, Swift performed "Sparks Fly" as part of an exclusive concert for the Allure of the Seas cruise in Mexico.{{cite news|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-cruise-allure-of-the-seas/|title=Taylor Swift Takes Royal Caribbean Cruise Liner By Storm|first=Amanda|last=Hensel|website=Taste of Country|date=January 24, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728015348/https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-cruise-allure-of-the-seas/|archive-date=July 28, 2019|url-status=live}} She later performed "Sparks Fly" at the 2011 CMA Music Festival, held in August,{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-cma-music-festival-special/|title=Taylor Swift Makes 'Sparks Fly' on 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock'|first=Amanda|last=Hensel|date=August 11, 2011|website=Taste of Country|access-date=May 31, 2012|archive-date=September 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919002727/http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-cma-music-festival-special/|url-status=live}} and at a showcase in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in September 2012, with Brazilian singer-songwriter Paula Fernandes.{{cite news|language=pt-br|url=https://musica.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2012/09/13/taylor-swift-canta-7-sucessos-em-seu-primeiro-show-no-brasil.htm|title=Em seu primeiro show no Brasil, Taylor Swift canta sete sucessos e recebe Paula Fernandes|access-date=July 10, 2017|work=Universo Online|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012757/https://musica.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2012/09/13/taylor-swift-canta-7-sucessos-em-seu-primeiro-show-no-brasil.htm|archive-date=November 7, 2017}} Swift later included the track on the set list of the Red Tour (2013–2014); during the shows, she sang the song on a platform suspended from the ceiling.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-brings-red-to-life-in-new-jersey-live-review-1554918/|title=Taylor Swift Brings Red To Life In New Jersey: Live Review|first=Chris|last=Payne|magazine=Billboard|date=March 28, 2013|access-date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808083927/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-brings-red-to-life-in-new-jersey-live-review-1554918/|url-status=live}} She performed it at the Formula 1 Grand Prix held on October 22, 2016, in Austin.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7550007/taylor-swift-formula-1-grand-prix-austin-concert-calvin-harris|title=Taylor Swift Delivers a Knockout Performance at Formula 1 Concert in Austin|magazine=Billboard|last=Hall|first=David Brendan|date=October 23, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2016|archive-date=August 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830202302/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7550007/taylor-swift-formula-1-grand-prix-austin-concert-calvin-harris|url-status=live}} "Sparks Fly" was also part of select shows for Swift's later tours, the 1989 World Tour (Vancouver, August 2015),{{cite web|url=https://www.straight.com/music/500611/taylor-swift-shows-vancouver-audience-why-shes-woman-influence|title=Taylor Swift shows Vancouver audience why she's a woman of influence|first=Michael|last=Mann|work=The Georgia Straight|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806000034/http://www.straight.com/music/500611/taylor-swift-shows-vancouver-audience-why-shes-woman-influence|url-status=live}} Reputation Stadium Tour (Columbus, July 2018),{{cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=May 26, 2018 |title=All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527060413/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |access-date=May 27, 2018 |url-access=limited}} and the Eras Tour (Nashville, May 2023 / Singapore, March 2024).{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=2023-05-01 |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=2023-05-06 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |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 }} She sang the song as part of a mashup with her song "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)" (2024) on the May 29, 2024, concert in Madrid as part of the Eras Tour.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Katie Louise |date=May 30, 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/20240530154704/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/taylor-swift/eras-tour-surprise-songs-setlist/ |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |publisher=Capital FM}}
Music video
The music video for "Sparks Fly", directed by Christian Lamb, was released on August 10, 2011.{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift to Release 'Sparks Fly' Video Tomorrow|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/94902/taylor-swift-to-release-sparks-fly-video-tomorrow|date=August 9, 2011|website=All Access|access-date=August 11, 2011|archive-date=September 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920013148/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/94902/taylor-swift-to-release-sparks-fly-video-tomorrow|url-status=live}} It features footage from the Speak Now World Tour;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-231464/|title=Taylor Swift 'Sparks Fly'|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=August 10, 2011|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807142939/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-231464/|url-status=live}} much of the footage was captured at four tour date locations, including one from the show in Newark, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-video/|title=Taylor's New 'Sparks Fly' Video Features Fans and Concert Theatrics|last=Billy|first=Dukes|date=August 10, 2011|website=Taste of Country|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516222314/https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-video/|url-status=live}} Throughout the video, Swift is seen performing with many stage actors, dancers, and acrobats, through multiple costume changes, and slow motion is used extensively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-offers-tour-highlights-in-sparks-fly-video-467973/|title=Taylor Swift Offers Tour Highlights in 'Sparks Fly' Video|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|date=August 11, 2011|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718130326/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-offers-tour-highlights-in-sparks-fly-video-467973/|url-status=live}} Media publications praised the video's production quality with visually stimulating stage settings.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668842/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-music-video.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Gives Fans Front-Row Seat In 'Sparks Fly' Video|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|date=August 11, 2011|website=MTV News|access-date=September 7, 2011|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108002306/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668842/taylor-swift-sparks-fly-music-video.jhtml|url-status=dead}} During the week of its release, the music video accumulated over 400,000 views and helped Swift rise from number nineteen to ten on Billboard{{'s}} Social 50 chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/taylor-swift-rockets-up-social-50-with-sparks-1005321802.story|title=Taylor Swift Rockets Up Social 50 with 'Sparks Fly' Video (Watch)|first=Kyle|last=Bylin|date=August 18, 2011|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104223355/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/taylor-swift-rockets-up-social-50-with-sparks-1005321802.story|archive-date=November 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Sparks Fly" ! Chart (2011-2012) ! Peak |
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1080.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20101120130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20101121-0001/Issue1080.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-11-20|title=The ARIA Report: Issue 1080|publisher=ARIA Charts|issue=1080|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=January 16, 2013}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 97 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Flanders Tip|19|artist=Taylor Swift|song=Sparks Fly|rowheader=true|access-date=May 4, 2014|refname="belgium"}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|28|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=June 28, 2012|rowheader=true|refname="canada"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadacountry|3|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|refname="canadacountry"}} |
| scope="row"| Philippines (MyMusicStore){{cite web|url=http://www.mymusicstore.com.ph/songs-topsong.html|title=MyMusicStore Philippines|work=MyMusicStore|access-date=April 13, 2025|archive-date=January 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120012901/http://www.mymusicstore.com.ph/songs-topsong.html}}
| style="text-align:center;"|64 |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|17|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=June 28, 2012|rowheader=true|refname="hot100bb"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|1|artist=Taylor Swift|access-date=June 28, 2012|rowheader=true|refname="country"}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "Sparks Fly" ! Chart (2011) ! Position |
| scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)
| style="text-align:center;"| 37 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Sparks Fly"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2023|access-date=June 9, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Sparks Fly|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2020|certyear=2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Sparks Fly|award=Platinum|certyear=2014|certmonth=4|relyear=2010|access-date=August 10, 2014|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of radio and release dates |
| scope="col" | Region
! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label |
|---|
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | United States
| rowspan="2" | Big Machine Records |
| August 10, 2011
| Limited edition CD single |
"Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)"
{{Infobox song
| name = Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)
| artist = Taylor Swift
| album = Speak Now (Taylor's Version)
| released = {{start date|2023|07|7}}
| studio = * Prime Recording (Nashville, TN){{Cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now (Taylor's Version) |publisher=Republic Records |year=2023 |type=digital album notes}}
- Blackbird Studio (Nashville, TN){{Cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now (Taylor's Version) |publisher=Republic Records |year=2023 |type=digital album notes}}
- Kitty Committee Studio (London, England){{Cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now (Taylor's Version) |publisher=Republic Records |year=2023 |type=digital album notes}}
| genre = * Country
| length = 4:21
| label = Republic
| writer = Taylor Swift
| producer = * Taylor Swift
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|UlFrV5GJA_4|"Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)"}}}}
}}
After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.{{cite web |last=Melas |first=Chloe |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064935/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |website=CTV News}} The decision came after the public 2019 dispute between Swift and the music executive Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums the label had released.{{Cite news |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Wants to Re-record Her Old Hits |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 her catalog, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, including the copyright licensing of her songs, devaluing the Big Machine-owned masters.{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Neil |date=2021-04-09 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-09-25 |issn= |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-status=live }}
A re-recorded version of "Sparks Fly", titled "Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)", was released on July 7, 2023, via Republic Records as part of Speak Now (Taylor's Version), Swift's third re-recorded album.{{cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift (Finally) Announces 'Speak Now' as Next Re-Recording |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-announces-speak-now-re-recording-1234730728/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506122039/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-announces-speak-now-re-recording-1234730728/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023}} The album was officially announced on May 5, 2023 at the Eras Tour in Nashville; after the announcement, Swift performed "Sparks Fly" on acoustic guitar as one of her "surprise songs". "Sparks Fly" (Taylor's Version) was revealed to be the second song on the album when the tracklist was officially released on June 5.{{cite web|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=June 5, 2023|title=Taylor Swift Reveals Hayley Williams and Fall Out Boy Features on New Speak Now (Taylor's Version) Tracklist|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-reveals-hayley-williams-and-fall-out-boy-features-on-new-speak-now-taylors-version-tracklist/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=June 8, 2023|archive-date=June 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610051237/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-reveals-hayley-williams-and-fall-out-boy-features-on-new-speak-now-taylors-version-tracklist/|url-status=live}}
= Personnel =
Adapted from Speak Now (Taylor's Version) digital album inline notes{{Cite AV media notes |title=Speak Now (Taylor's Version) |publisher=Republic Records |year=2023 |type=digital album notes}}
- Taylor Swift – vocals, background vocals, songwriter, producer
- Christopher Rowe – producer, vocal engineer
- David Payne – recording engineer
- Lowell Reynolds – assistant recording engineer, editor
- Derek Garten – engineer, editor, programming
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Bryce Bordone – mix engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Matt Billingslea – drums, percussion
- Amos Heller – bass guitar
- Paul Sidoti – electric guitar
- Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, Hammond B-3, mandolin, background vocals
- Max Bernstein – electric guitar
- Jonathan Yudkin – fiddle
- David Cook – piano
= Charts =
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
= Sources =
- {{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=52–75 |chapter=The Speak Now Era}}
{{Taylor Swift songs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sparks Fly (song)}}
Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift
Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift
Category:Song recordings produced by Nathan Chapman (record producer)
Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Rowe