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Long Live (Taylor Swift song)

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"Long Live"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Speak Now
WrittenJune 2010
ReleasedOctober 25, 2010 (2010-10-25)
GenreHeartland rock
Length5:17
LabelBig Machine
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)

"Long Live" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Long Live" is a heartland rock song featuring girl group harmonies and chiming rock guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's gratitude for her fans and bandmates, using high-school and royalty imagery to describe the accomplishments in the narrator's life.

After Speak Now was released, "Long Live" entered and peaked at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Some music critics deemed it an album highlight and lauded the production and lyrics, but others felt it was generic and unmemorable. A commercial successes in Brazil, "Long Live" peaked at number five on the Brasil Hot 100 Airplay chart and was certified four-times diamond by Pro-Música Brasil.

Swift included the song on the set lists of three of her world tours — the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012), Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), and The Eras Tour (2023–2024) — and performed it on select dates of the Red Tour (2013–2014) and the 1989 World Tour (2015). A re-recorded version, titled "Long Live (Taylor's Version)", was released as part of Swift's third re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor's Version) on July 7, 2023.

Composition and lyrics

[edit]
"Long Live"
"Long Live" features chiming rock guitars, loud cymbals, and girl-group-styled vocal harmonies.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Taylor Swift released her third studio album, Speak Now, on October 25, 2010.[1] She wrote all 14 tracks on the standard album by herself and co-produced them with Nathan Chapman.[2] "Long Live" is the closing track of Speak Now's 14-track standard edition.[3] Musically, "Long Live" is a heartland rock song,[4][5] featuring contemporary country elements, chiming rock guitars, loud cymbal beats, and girl-group-styled vocal harmonies.[6][7][8] Rob Sheffield in Rolling Stone compared the song's guitars to those on "Hysteria" by Def Leppard,[6] while the musicologist James E. Perone compared the song's production to rock music from the 1980s, specifically the music of the Irish band U2.[9]

Swift dedicated "Long Live" to her bandmates and fans.[4][10] The lyrics celebrate moments of triumph in the narrator's life,[11] featuring royalty (kings and queens) and high school imagery ("You traded your baseball cap for a crown / And they gave us our trophies / And we held them up for our town") to describe the accomplishments in life.[6][12] The narrator describes herself as a queen who, with a king by her side, fights dragons to protect her kingdom.[8][13] Swift also acknowledges that her triumph will fade some day,[1] and there are bittersweet and poignant moments ("If you have children someday, when they point to the pictures, please tell them my name").[12] Towards the end, Swift sings, "Will you take a moment / Promise me this / That you'll stand by me forever," which Billboard interpreted as her message to her fans.[14] Perone commented that the lyrical theme of overcoming odds to achieve victory, coupled with the "near anthem-like structure", resembles David Bowie's 1977 classic "Heroes".[9] Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone agreed with this interpretation, saying that "Long Live" throws back to "Heroes" by how "it portrays two lovers who have amicably parted ways but not without leaving an unforgettable mark on one another".[15]

In Vulture, Nate Jones commented that despite Swift's intention to dedicate the track to her bandmates and fans, the "adolescent self-mythologizing" lyrics are universal enough to be taken as a graduation song.[10] Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine commented that the track features fairy-tale imagery recalling Swift's 2008 album Fearless.[16] In an analysis for the New Statesman, Anna Leszkiewicz deemed the imagery of crowns, kings, and queens in "Long Live" a representation of Swift's optimism towards her life and career, and her earnestness with her fans. Leszkiewicz noted that in some of Swift's later songs, such as "Blank Space" (2014) and "Call It What You Want" (2017), the imagery became darker and represented the pitfalls of celebrity.[17] Some lyrics of the song are included in one of Swift's journal entries from June 2010, printed in the liner notes of her 2019 studio album Lover.[18]

Live performances

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Taylor Swift on tour
Swift performing "Long Live" on the Speak Now World Tour (pictured in Pittsburgh in 2011)

Swift's first live performance of "Long Live" was for an NBC Speak Now Thanksgiving Special, which broadcast on November 25, 2010.[19] The television special showcased the making of the album along with live performances on a rooftop in New York City.[20] She also included the song as part of the set list of the Speak Now World Tour, performing it as the last song before the encore.[21]

Swift performed "Long Live" on select dates of her later tour, including the Red Tour (Vancouver, June 2013),[22] and the 1989 World Tour (Melbourne, third night, December 2015).[23] On her Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), she performed a mashup of "Long Live" and "New Year's Day" on piano.[24] Following the release of Speak Now (Taylor's Version) (2023), Swift added "Long Live" to the set list for the Eras Tour, from July 7, 2023 to March 9, 2024, as part of the Speak Now act;[25][26] she also performed as part of a piano mashup with "You're on Your Own, Kid" (2022) during a Lisbon concert on May 25, 2024 and as part of a guitar mashup with "Change" (2008) during a London concert on August 19, 2024[27]

Reception

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After Speak Now was released, "Long Live" debuted and peaked at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[28] In a review of Speak Now for Rolling Stone, Sheffield stated that it is "a ridiculously over-the-top prom anthem".[6] He placed "Long Live" sixth on his list ranking all songs in Swift's discography, and called it "a song nobody else could have written, as she rides those power chords home".[5] In BBC Music, Matthew Horton noted the track as an example of Swift's maturing songwriting.[29] In a 2021 retrospective for Consequence, Natalia Barr picked "Long Live" as the best song from Speak Now; he lauded its anthemic production and lyrical sentiments and opined that the song "has only gotten better with time".[8] PopMatters editor Dave Heaton compared the song favorably to "Change" from Fearless; he found "Long Live" somewhat generic, but that the ambiguity of its subject matter strengthened the song's appeal as an anthem.[11] Spanos picked it among the 10 best deep cuts in Swift's discography and wrote: "Swift can make falling in love sound like every holiday is happening at once."[15]

On a less positive side, Keefe believed that the high-school imagery showcased Swift's lack of repertoire in her songwriting.[16] In her review for HitFix, Melinda Newman deemed "Long Live" too long and lyrically unsophisticated compared to the sharper lyricism of other tracks.[30] Mikael Wood from Spin selected the song as one of Speak Now's most forgettable, alongside "Sparks Fly".[31] NME's Hannah Mylrea, in a 2020 ranking of Swift's catalog, regarded "Long Live" as a generic filler on Speak Now.[32]

Charts

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2011 chart performance for "Long Live"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 85
US Country Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[33] 13
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[34] 5
Brazil (Brasil Hot Pop)[34] 2
2024 chart performance for "Long Live"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Singapore (RIAS)[35] 19

Certifications

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Certification for "Long Live"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[37] 4× Diamond 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Long Live (Taylor's Version)"

[edit]
"Long Live (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Speak Now (Taylor's Version)
ReleasedJuly 7, 2023 (2023-07-07)
Length5:17
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Long Live (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube

After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[38] The decision came after the public 2019 dispute between Swift and talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums the label had released.[39][40] 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.[41]

A re-recorded version of "Long Live", titled "Long Live (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.

Personnel

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Adapted from Speak Now (Taylor's Version) digital album inline notes[42]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Long Live (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[43] 53
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[44] 58
Global 200 (Billboard)[45] 55
Philippines (Billboard)[46] 16
Singapore (RIAS)[47] 29
UK Streaming (OCC)[48] 99
US Billboard Hot 100[49] 53
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[50] 24

Certifications

[edit]
Certification for "Long Live (Taylor's Version)"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b Willman, Chris (October 19, 2010). "Album Review: Taylor Swift's Speak Now". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Farley, Christopher John (October 22, 2010). "Taylor Swift's Solo Act". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  3. ^ Speak Now (CD liner notes). Taylor Swift. Big Machine Records. 2010. BTMSR0300A.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Sodomsky, Sam (August 19, 2019). "Taylor Swift: Speak Now". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (October 26, 2021). "All 199 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked by Rob Sheffield". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Sheffield, Rob (October 26, 2010). "Speak Now (2010)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  7. ^ M. Deusner, Stephen (October 26, 2010). "Well Spoken: Taylor Swift, Speak Now". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Siroky, Mary (November 9, 2021). "Every Taylor Swift Album Ranked from Worst to Best". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Perone 2017, p. 39.
  10. ^ a b Jones, Nate (August 13, 2020). "Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked from Worst to Best". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Heaton, Dave (November 29, 2010). "Taylor Swift: Speak Now". PopMatters. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Willman, Chris (October 18, 2010). "Taylor Swift Confronts Mayer, Laments Lautner in New Album". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  13. ^ Maerz, Melissa (July 27, 2011). "Speak Now tour review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "Taylor Swift's Speak Now Turns 10: Billboard Staff Goes Track-By-Track On Their Favorite Songs". Billboard. October 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Spanos, Brittany (June 9, 2017). "Taylor Swift: 10 Great Deep Cuts You Can Stream Now". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Keefe, Jonathan (October 25, 2010). "Taylor Swift: Speak Now". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  17. ^ Leszkiewicz, Anna (November 3, 2017). "A line-by-line analysis of Taylor Swift's new song Call It What You Want". New Statesman. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  18. ^ Swift, Taylor (August 23, 2019). Lover (Media notes) (Deluxe; 2nd ed.). Republic Records.
  19. ^ Dunham, Nancy (November 19, 2010). "Taylor Swift TV Special to Air Thanksgiving Night". The Boot. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  20. ^ Bobbin, Jay (November 18, 2010). "Taylor Swift speaks now about her NBC holiday special". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020.
  21. ^ Garin, Nina (October 21, 2011). "A wonderfully nice time with Taylor Swift". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  22. ^ Tam, Christine (June 30, 2013). "Taylor Swift fans have the best night at Vancouver concert... like ever". Global News. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  23. ^ Melbourne – Night 3. taylorswift.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  24. ^ Sheffield, Rob (May 9, 2018). "Why Taylor Swift's Reputation Tour Is Her Finest Yet". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  25. ^ Roberts, Kayleigh (July 10, 2023). "How Taylor Swift Has Changed the Eras Tour Set List Since the Tour Kicked Off". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Savage, Mark (May 9, 2024). "Taylor Swift Changes Eras Tour Setlist As European Tour Kicks Off in Paris". BBC News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (May 25, 2024). "Taylor Swift Plays 'The Tortured Poets Department' Title Track Live for the First Time in Lisbon". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  29. ^ Horton, Matthew (October 25, 2010). "Review of Taylor Swift – Speak Now". BBC Music. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  30. ^ Newman, Melinda (October 22, 2010). "Review: Taylor Swift takes on John Mayer and Taylor Lautner on Speak Now". HitFix. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  31. ^ Wood, Mikael (October 26, 2010). "Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Big Machine)". Spin. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  32. ^ Mylrae, Hannah (September 8, 2020). "Every Taylor Swift song ranked in order of greatness". NME. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  33. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Country Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  34. ^ a b BPP, ed. (May 2012). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (30): 86–87.
  35. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 11 (8 - 14 Mar 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Taylor Swift – Long Live" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  38. ^ Melas, Chloe (November 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters". CTV News. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  39. ^ "Taylor Swift Wants to Re-record Her Old Hits". BBC News. August 22, 2019. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  40. ^ Finnis, Alex (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained". i. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  41. ^ Shah, Neil (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  42. ^ Speak Now (Taylor's Version) (digital album notes). Taylor Swift. Republic Records. 2023.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 17 July 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1741. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 17, 2023. p. 4.
  44. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  45. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  47. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 28 (7 - 13 Jul 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  48. ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  49. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  50. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2023.

Source

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  • Perone, James E. (2017). The Words and Music of Taylor Swift. The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection. ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1440852947.
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