Long Live (Taylor Swift song) explained

Long Live
Type:song
Cover:Taylor Swift - Long Live (feat. Paula Fernandes).png
Alt:Cover artwork of "Long Live" featuring Paula Fernandes
Caption:Paula Fernandes version artwork
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:Speak Now
Released:
  • (Paula Fernandes version)
Written:June 2010
Genre:Heartland rock
Label:Big Machine
Producer:

"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 remix featuring verses written and sung in Portuguese by the Brazilian singer Paula Fernandes, accompanied by a music video, was released as a digital single in Brazil in January 2012 to promote the live album Speak Now World Tour – Live. 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

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 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] Rob Sheffield in Rolling Stone compared the song's guitars to those on "Hysteria" by Def Leppard, 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.

Swift dedicated "Long Live" to her bandmates and fans.[8] The lyrics celebrate moments of triumph in the narrator's life,[9] 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.[10] The narrator describes herself as a queen who, with a king by her side, fights dragons to protect her kingdom.[11] [12] Swift also acknowledges that her triumph will fade some day, and there are bittersweet and poignant moments ("If you have children someday, when they point to the pictures, please tell them my name"). 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.[13] 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". 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".[14]

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.[8] Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine commented that the track features fairy-tale imagery recalling Swift's 2008 album Fearless.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

Live performances

Swift's first live performance of "Long Live" was for an NBC Speak Now Thanksgiving Special, which broadcast on November 25, 2010.[18] The television special showcased the making of the album along with live performances on a rooftop in New York City.[19] 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.[20]

Swift performed "Long Live" on select dates of her later tour, including the Red Tour (Vancouver, June 2013),[21] and the 1989 World Tour (Melbourne, third night, December 2015).[22] On her Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), she performed a mashup of "Long Live" and "New Year's Day" on piano.[23] 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;[24] [25] 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.[26]

Reception

After Speak Now was released, "Long Live" debuted and peaked at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 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.[27] 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".[11] 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.[9] 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."[14]

On a less positive side, Keefe believed that the high-school imagery showcased Swift's lack of repertoire in her songwriting.[15] In her review for HitFix, Melinda Newman deemed "Long Live" too long and lyrically unsophisticated compared to the sharper lyricism of other tracks.[28] Mikael Wood from Spin selected the song as one of Speak Now most forgettable, alongside "Sparks Fly".[29] NME Hannah Mylrea, in a 2020 ranking of Swift's catalog, regarded "Long Live" as a generic filler on Speak Now.[30]

Paula Fernandes version

In 2012, Swift recorded and released a new version of "Long Live" featuring the Brazilian singer Paula Fernandes.[31] It features Portuguese verses written and sung by Fernandes, and was released to promote the Brazilian edition of Swift's 2011 live album, Speak Now World Tour – Live, and was included in the soundtrack of the Brazilian soap opera Avenida Brasil.[32] The version was released onto the Brazilian iTunes Store on January 3, 2012, through Universal Music Group.[31] [33]

The music video for the song, directed by Eduardo Levy, includes scenes of Fernandes singing the song in a studio in Brazil and Swift performing it during a U.S. concert.[33] In Billboard, Taylor Weatherby praised Fernandes's deeper vocals complementing Swift's lighter tones.[32] Swift and Fernandes performed the song live at a Rio de Janeiro concert held at Citibank Hall on September 13, 2012.[34] The version featuring Fernandes reached the top five on Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay chart.[35] "Long Live" was later included on Fernandes's studio album Meus Encantos (2012) as a bonus track,[36] and her live album Multishow Ao Vivo: Um Ser Amor (2013).[37]

Charts

2011 chart performance for "Long Live"!Chart (2011)!Peak
position
US Country Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[38] 13
Chart performance for "Long Live" (featuring Paula Fernandes)!Chart (2012)!Peak
position
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)5
Brazil (Brasil Hot Pop)2
Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Singapore (RIAS)[39] 19

"Long Live (Taylor's Version)"

Long Live (Taylor's Version)
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:Speak Now (Taylor's Version)
Length:5:17
Label:Republic
Producer:

After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[40] 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.[41] [42] 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.[43]

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

Adapted from Speak Now (Taylor's Version) digital album inline notes[44]

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[45] 53
Philippines (Billboard)[46] 16
Singapore (RIAS)[47] 29
UK Streaming (OCC)[48] 99

Certifications

References

Source

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Album Review: Taylor Swift's Speak Now. The Hollywood Reporter. Chris. Willman. October 19, 2010. October 20, 2020. August 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818201357/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/taylor-swift-speak-album-31396/. live.
  2. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150712200330/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304510704575562401576663866. Taylor Swift's Solo Act. The Wall Street Journal. Christopher John. Farley. October 22, 2010. July 12, 2015. July 12, 2015. live. subscription.
  3. Speak Now. Taylor Swift. 2010. CD liner notes. Big Machine Records. BTMSR0300A.
  4. Web site: Taylor Swift: Speak Now . . Sodomsky . Sam . August 19, 2019 . August 19, 2019 . December 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230042/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-speak-now/ . live .
  5. Sheffield. Rob. Rob Sheffield. 2021-10-26. All 199 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked by Rob Sheffield. 2021-10-26. Rolling Stone. February 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210215023910/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/. live.
  6. Speak Now (2010) . Sheffield . Rob . Rob Sheffield . . October 26, 2010 . December 20, 2019 . limited . September 11, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130911112406/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-now-20101026 . live .
  7. News: Well Spoken: Taylor Swift, Speak Now. Stephen. M. Deusner. The Washington Post. October 26, 2010. July 10, 2022.
  8. Web site: Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked from Worst to Best. Vulture. Nate. Jones. 2020-08-13. August 25, 2020. September 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html. live. limited.
  9. Web site: Heaton. Dave. Taylor Swift: Speak Now. PopMatters. 13 September 2013. Nov 29, 2010. October 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015202540/http://www.popmatters.com/review/133940-taylor-swift-speak-now/. live.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20101028195446/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/ourcountry/62996/taylor-swift-confronts-mayer-laments-lautner-in-new-album/. Taylor Swift Confronts Mayer, Laments Lautner in New Album. Chris. Willman. Yahoo! Music. October 18, 2010. October 28, 2010. October 28, 2010. dead.
  11. Web site: Siroky. Mary. November 9, 2021. Every Taylor Swift Album Ranked from Worst to Best. November 10, 2021. Consequence. March 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220328011127/https://consequence.net/2021/11/taylor-swift-albums-ranked-list/. live.
  12. Speak Now tour review. Entertainment Weekly. Melissa. Maerz. July 27, 2011. July 10, 2022. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005122448/https://ew.com/article/2011/07/27/speak-now-tour-review-taylor-swift/. live.
  13. Taylor Swift's Speak Now Turns 10: Billboard Staff Goes Track-By-Track On Their Favorite Songs. October 22, 2020. Billboard. April 15, 2022. June 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220604085716/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-speak-now-anniversary-favorite-songs-9470930/. live.
  14. Taylor Swift: 10 Great Deep Cuts You Can Stream Now. June 9, 2017. Spanos. Brittany. Rolling Stone. limited. September 10, 2022. September 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220921232203/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-10-great-deep-cuts-you-can-stream-now-114840/. live.
  15. Web site: Taylor Swift: Speak Now . Keefe . Jonathan . . October 25, 2010 . October 25, 2010 . October 28, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028093509/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-speak-now/2300 . live .
  16. Web site: A line-by-line analysis of Taylor Swift's new song Call It What You Want. November 3, 2017. New Statesman. Anna. Leszkiewicz. July 10, 2020. November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126153743/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2017/11/taylor-swift-new-song-call-it-what-you-want-analysis. live.
  17. Swift. Taylor. Taylor Swift. August 23, 2019. Lover. Republic Records. Deluxe; 2nd.
  18. Web site: Taylor Swift TV Special to Air Thanksgiving Night. Nancy. Dunham. November 19, 2010. The Boot. November 30, 2021. June 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220604161227/https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-nbc-tv-special/. live.
  19. Web site: Taylor Swift speaks now about her NBC holiday special. Bobbin. Jay. November 18, 2010. Chicago Tribune. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413001434/https://www.chicagotribune.com/zap-taylor-swift-speak-now-story-story.html. April 13, 2020.
  20. Web site: A wonderfully nice time with Taylor Swift. Nina. Garin. October 21, 2011. The San Diego Union-Tribune. November 30, 2021. May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531104623/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-wonderfully-nice-time-taylor-swift-2011oct21-htmlstory.html. live.
  21. Web site: Taylor Swift fans have the best night at Vancouver concert... like ever. Christine. Tam. June 30, 2013. Global News. July 23, 2022. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005124239/https://globalnews.ca/news/682969/taylor-swift-fans-have-the-best-night-at-vancouver-concert-like-ever/. live.
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20151215020900/http://taylorswift.com/media/videos/74153/84233. Melbourne – Night 3. taylorswift.com. December 15, 2015. dead. December 15, 2015.
  23. Why Taylor Swift's Reputation Tour Is Her Finest Yet. Rob. Sheffield. Rob Sheffield. Rolling Stone. limited. May 9, 2018. July 10, 2022. July 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180714033652/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/why-taylor-swifts-reputation-tour-is-her-finest-yet-628294/. live.
  24. Web site: Roberts . Kayleigh . July 10, 2023 . How Taylor Swift Has Changed the Eras Tour Set List Since the Tour Kicked Off . July 16, 2023 . . en-US . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321063050/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a43355418/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist/ . live .
  25. Web site: Savage . Mark . May 9, 2024 . Taylor Swift Changes Eras Tour Setlist As European Tour Kicks Off in Paris . May 10, 2024 . . May 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240510001926/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp0grg871dlo . live .
  26. Web site: Iasimone . Ashley . May 25, 2024 . Taylor Swift Plays 'The Tortured Poets Department' Title Track Live for the First Time in Lisbon . May 26, 2024 . . May 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240525232856/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-song-live-now-that-we-dont-talk-1235693169/ . live .
  27. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20210830042922/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/gzx2/. Review of Taylor Swift – Speak Now. BBC Music. August 30, 2021. August 30, 2021. October 25, 2010. Matthew. Horton.
  28. Web site: Newman. Melinda. Review: Taylor Swift takes on John Mayer and Taylor Lautner on Speak Now. HitFix. 13 September 2013. Oct 22, 2010. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091203/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/album-review-taylor-swifts-speak-now-has-a-lot-to-say. live.
  29. Web site: Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Big Machine) . Wood . Mikael . . October 26, 2010 . October 26, 2010 . July 2, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120702153358/http://www.spin.com/reviews/taylor-swift-speak-now-big-machine . live .
  30. Web site: Every Taylor Swift song ranked in order of greatness. Hannah. Mylrae. NME. September 8, 2020. November 26, 2020. September 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916. live.
  31. Web site: Long Live (feat. Paula Fernandes). iTunes Store. October 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120424041550/http://itunes.apple.com/br/album/long-live-feat.-paula-fernandes/id507339468 . April 24, 2012 . dead .
  32. Taylor Swift's Collaborations, Ranked: Critic's Take. Taylor. Weatherby. December 15, 2017. Billboard. July 22, 2022. May 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240526121110/https://ow.pubmatic.com/setuid?bidder=amx&uid=3c93764b-be8b-434c-8487-75d517d82e6a&gdpr=0&gpp=DBABBg~BUoAAAJY.QA&gpp_sid=8&do=www.billboard.com#!. live.
  33. Web site: Exclusivo: uma espiadinha nos bastidores da gravação do clipe de Paula Fernandes. pt-br. Dec 18, 2011. Pedro. Willmersdorf. Jornal do Brasil. https://web.archive.org/web/20120108093321/http://www.jb.com.br/heloisa-tolipan/noticias/2011/12/18/exclusivo-uma-espiadinha-nos-bastidores-da-gravacao-do-clipe-de-paula-fernandes/. 2012-01-08. dead. January 8, 2012. Exclusive: a sneak peek behind the scenes of the recording of Paula Fernandes' music video.
  34. Web site: Taylor Swift Sings With Paula Fernandes In Brazil. September 17, 2012. Contactmusic.com. July 22, 2022. July 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220723034831/https://www.contactmusic.com/taylor-swift/news/taylor-swift-sings-with-paula-fernandes-in-brazil_1415209. live.
  35. May 2012 . Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay . . 30. 977-217605400-2 -->. 86–87 . BPP.
  36. Web site: Mues Encantos. mercadolivre. pt. July 22, 2022.
  37. Web site: Multishow ao Vivo: Paula Fernandes – Um Ser Amor (Deluxe Version). Apple Music. July 22, 2022. July 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220723035040/https://music.apple.com/br/album/multishow-ao-vivo-paula-fernandes-um-ser-amor-deluxe/1442795026. live.
  38. Taylor Swift Chart History (Country Digital Song Sales). Billboard. November 22, 2021. November 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211119043620/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/cdt/. live.
  39. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 11 (8 - 14 Mar 2024). RIAS. March 19, 2024. March 19, 2024. https://archive.today/20240319073155/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  40. Web site: Melas . Chloe . November 16, 2020 . Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064935/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 . November 18, 2020 . November 19, 2020 . CTV News.
  41. News: August 22, 2019 . Taylor Swift Wants to Re-record Her Old Hits . . live . August 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822202321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 . August 22, 2019.
  42. Web site: Finnis . Alex . November 17, 2020 . Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212170953/https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411 . February 12, 2021 . February 13, 2021 . i.
  43. News: Shah . Neil . 2021-04-09 . Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog . . live . subscription . 2022-09-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 . October 8, 2021 .
  44. . . . 2023 . digital album notes.
  45. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 17 July 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1741. 4. July 17, 2023.
  46. Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs) . . July 18, 2023 . November 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108142420/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/i42/ . dead .
  47. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 28 (7 - 13 Jul 2023). RIAS. July 18, 2023. July 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230718064818/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  48. Web site: Official Streaming Chart Top 100 . . July 15, 2023 . July 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230716181515/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20230714/7510 . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Long Live (Taylor Swift song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.