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I Know Places (Taylor Swift song)

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"I Know Places"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album 1989
ReleasedOctober 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
StudioConway Recording, Los Angeles
GenreTrip hop
Length3:15
LabelBig Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"I Know Places" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote the song with Ryan Tedder, and the two produced it with Noel Zancanella. It is a trip hop song with influences of reggae and trap in its instrumentation, and the lyrics are about a couple's struggle with public scrutiny. Critics have generally deemed "I Know Places" a weaker track in Swift's catalog, although a few complimented its concept and sound.[1] Swift performed the song as part of the setlist of the 1989 World Tour (2015), and later performed it as a surprise number in select shows in her future shows.

Following a 2019 dispute over her masters, Swift re-recorded the song as "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)", taken from her fourth re-recorded studio album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). Critics praised its increase in power in Swift's vocals compared to the original.

Background and writing

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The singer-songwriter Taylor Swift abandoned the country stylings of her past music and embraced a pop production for her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), which she marketed as her "first official" pop album.[2] Her musical inspiration was 1980s synth-pop and its experimentation with synthesizers, drum pads, and overlapped vocals.[3][4] She began writing the album in mid-2013 while touring in support of her fourth album, Red (2012),[5] and enlisted prominent contemporary pop producers including Ryan Tedder, whom she contacted via a Voice Memo.[6][7] In that voice memo, Swift sang a demo of the chorus while playing a piano.[8]

During the production of 1989, Swift faced a lot of media scrutiny, which she said, put her in a place where "No one is going to sign up for [a relationship]. There are just too many cameras pointed at me. There are too many ridiculous elaborations about my life". Fantasizing a relationship where she she "[met] someone awesome, and they were like, hey, I'm worried about all this attention you get", inspiring her to write "I Know Places".[9][10]

Lyrics and composition

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"I Know Places" is a trip hop song[11] about the pressures of public scrutiny.[12] It contains influences of reggae and incorporates trap-inspired snare beats.[13] It takes a seemingly hopeless perspective on a lifestyle where nothing is private,[14] and Swift's need to "hide [her personal information] from the world".[15] It has angry and anthemic feels in the verses and chorus, which were praised by Eliza Thompson of Cosmopolitan.[16] In an interview with Grammy Pro, Swift mentioned that the love she wrote about in "I Know Places" was similar to that of her 2016 single, "Out of the Woods", which was theorized to be about English singer Harry Styles.[9]

"I Know Places" portray the paparazzi as people that "cage" celebrities and put them into "boxes", the lyrics also show her "running from something" despite being a role model to other people.[15] It builds up trap-influenced snare drums before launching into a chorus reminiscent of American singer-songwriter Pat Benetar.[17] The song also focuses on Swift's desire to preserve an unstable relationship.[10]

Critical reception

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Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone said that she "goes all Kate Bush" in "I Know Places".[18] Christine DiStasio of Bustle praised the intense imagery and suspense in "I Know Places", claiming that it was unsuspected by anyone. She also deemed the song the most vulnerable song in 1989, claiming that the song made her worried about Swift's wellbeing.[19][20] Lindsay Zoladz, writing for Vulture, compared the song to the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.[21]

Release, live performances and covers

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Taylor Swift in a white crop top and dress presshing her hand onto a cyan door, singing with a microphone
Taylor Swift performing "I Know Places" during the 1989 World Tour

Big Machine Records released 1989 on October 27, 2014; "I Know Places" is number 12 on the standard track listing.[22] The song received Gold certification in Australia (ARIA)[23] and the United States (RIAA).[24]

Swift performed the song as part of the setlist for the 1989 World Tour (2015), where Swift runs through doors being chased by dancers in fox masks.[25] Outside the 1989 World Tour, Swift later performed the song as a surprise song during the Reputation Stadium Tour (Tokyo, first show)[26] and the Eras Tour (2023-4) (Inglewood, fifth show). Additionally, during the Edinburgh stop of the Eras Tour, Swift performed "I Know Places" in a mashup with "Would've, Could've, Should've" (2022).[27] Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy recorded a video of him covering "I Know Places" to his YouTube channel.[28] Swift deemed his cover "so mesmerizing, it's so pretty".[29] American singer-songwriter Ryan Adams covered the song as part of his track by track cover of 1989.[12]

Certifications

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Certifications for "I Know Places"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] Gold 35,000‡
United States (RIAA)[24] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"I Know Places (Taylor's Version)"

[edit]
"I Know Places (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album 1989 (Taylor's Version)
ReleasedOctober 27, 2023 (2023-10-27)
StudioMandarin Oriental, Milan
Length3:15
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Ryan Tedder
Producer(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Ryan Tedder
  • Noel Zancanella

After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[30] 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.[31][32] 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 doing so, she hoped that the re-recorded songs would substitute the Big Machine–owned masters.[33]

The re-recording of "I Know Places", subtitled "Taylor's Version" was released as part of the re-recording of 1989, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023).[34] Swift produced "Shake It Off (Taylor's Version)" with Christopher Rowe, who had produced her previous re-recordings.[35] Upon release, all songs on 1989 (Taylor's Version) entered the Billboard Hot 100, with "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" peaking at 36.[36]

Critical reception

[edit]

Rachel Martin of Notion praised its uptick in emotion in the vocals of "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)", alongside its "more powerful end".[37] Kelsey Barnes of The Line of Best Fit also praised its re-recording, hailing it as one of the best re-recorded tracks on 1989 (Taylor's Version), alongside "All You Had to Do Was Stay (Taylor's Version)", elaborating that it is "more guttural", hypothesizing that she "[channeled] her anger" at media scrutiny into the recording. Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine praised Swift's vocal's soar in power in "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)".[38]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2023) Peak

position

Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 35
Global 200 (Billboard)[40] 30
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[41] 32
US Billboard Hot 100[42] 36

References

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  1. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (July 23, 2020). "Taylor Swift's 100 album tracks – ranked". The Independent. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Light, Alan (December 5, 2014). "Billboard Woman of the Year Taylor Swift on Writing Her Own Rules, Not Becoming a Cliche and the Hurdle of Going Pop". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  3. ^ Eells, Josh (September 16, 2014). "Taylor Swift Reveals Five Things to Expect on 1989". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Zollo, Paul (February 13, 2016). "The Oral History of Taylor Swift's 1989". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016 – via Medium.
  5. ^ Talbott, Chris (October 13, 2013). "Taylor Swift Talks Next Album, CMAs and Ed Sheeran". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  6. ^ Leight, Elias (January 12, 2021). "10 Great Songs You Didn't Know OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder Wrote". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Perricone, Kathleen (October 20, 2014). "Taylor Swift Gives Details on Recording 'I Know Places' With Ryan Tedder". American Top 40. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015.
  8. ^ "GLAM Chat: Taylor Swift". www.glamour.co.za. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Who Are Taylor Swift's 1989 Songs About? What She Has Said About the Inspirations". People. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Iasimone, Ashley (October 11, 2015). "Taylor Swift Shares the Stories Behind 'Out of the Woods' & 'I Know Places'". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Jones, Nate (May 20, 2024). "All 245 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked". Vulture. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Wood, Mikael (September 21, 2015). "Ryan Adams Turns to Taylor Swift for Help on His Version of 1989". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  13. ^ Galvin, Annie (October 27, 2014). "Review: Taylor Swift, 1989". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Yahr, Emily (November 2, 2017). "If you think Taylor Swift writes only about her exes, then you don't get Taylor Swift". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Taylor Swift's "I Know Places" Lyrics Make It The Most Vulnerable Song On '1989'". Bustle. November 7, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  16. ^ Thompson, Eliza (October 27, 2014). "Taylor Swift's 1989: A Track-by-Track Review". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  17. ^ Galvin, Annie (October 27, 2014). "Review: Taylor Swift, 1989". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Sheffield, Rob (April 25, 2024). "All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Which Taylor Swift '1989' Song Should You Listen To First? A Definitive Ranking of the Album's 13 Tracks". Bustle. October 27, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "Taylor Swift's "I Know Places" Lyrics Make It The Most Vulnerable Song On '1989'". Bustle. November 7, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  21. ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (October 24, 2014). "Did Taylor Swift Rip Off Lorde and Lana Del Rey?". Vulture. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Graff, Gary (October 24, 2014). "Taylor Swift to the Haters: 'If You're Upset That I'm Just Being Myself, I'm Going to Be Myself More'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – I Know Places". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  25. ^ Caramanica, Jon (May 21, 2015). "Review: On Taylor Swift's '1989' Tour, the Underdog Emerges as Cool Kid". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  26. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (May 26, 2018). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  27. ^ Shafer, Ellise (August 20, 2024). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: Every Surprise Song She's Played So Far". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Vain, Madison. "Watch Vance Joy cover Taylor Swift's 'I Know Places'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Eidell, Lynsey (May 6, 2015). "Hear Taylor Swift's Favorite 1989 Cover?Ever". Glamour. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  30. ^ Melas, Chloe (November 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters". CNN. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ Vassell, Nicole (October 27, 2023). "Taylor Swift Fans Celebrate As Pop Star Releases 1989 (Taylor's Version)". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  35. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (October 30, 2023). "Taylor Swift: 1989 (Taylor's Version) Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  36. ^ Zellner, Xander (November 6, 2023). "Taylor Swift Charts All 21 Songs From '1989 (Taylor's Version)' on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  37. ^ Martin, Rachel (October 27, 2023). "Album Review: 1989 (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift". Notion. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  38. ^ Keefe, Jonathan (October 30, 2023). "Taylor Swift '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  39. ^ "Taylor Siwft Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  40. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  41. ^ "Taylor Swift – All You Had to Do Was Stay (Taylor's Version)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  42. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
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