Message in a Bottle (Taylor Swift song) explained

Message in a Bottle
Type:Single
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:Red (Taylor's Version)
Released:November 15, 2021
Cover:Taylor Swift - Message in a Bottle (Fat Max G Remix).png
Alt:Cover of "Message in a Bottle" showing Swift in a beret and trench coat; behind her is a red convertible
Caption:Fat Max G remix cover
Genre:
Studio:
  • Kitty Committee (Belfast)
  • House Mouse (Stockholm)
Length:3:45
Label:Republic
Producer:
Prev Title:I Bet You Think About Me
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:The Joker and the Queen
Next Year:2022

"Message in a Bottle" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was her first writing collaboration with Max Martin and Shellback. The song was intended for but excluded from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Shellback and Elvira Anderfjärd produced the track for Swift's re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021). "Message in a Bottle" is a 1980s-influenced dance-pop and electropop song with lyrics about the anxiety from falling in love.

Republic Records issued the song to the US hot AC and mainstream radio formats as a single following the album's release in November 2021. Music critics generally praised the song's production as catchy, although a few found it underwhelming. The song peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted in Australia, Canada, and the United States, among other countries. It also peaked in the top 20 on three Billboard airplay charts.

Background

After ending her 13-year contract with Big Machine Records and signing anew with Republic Records in 2018, Taylor Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[1] The decision followed a public 2019 dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine, including the masters of her albums which the label had released.[2] [3] 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 and therefore replaced the Big Machine–owned masters.[4]

In April 2021, Swift released her first re-recorded album: that of her 2008 studio album Fearless, subtitled Taylor's Version. In addition to the re-recorded tracks, it contained several unreleased "From the Vault" tracks that she had written but left out of the original album.[5] On November 12, 2021, she released her second re-recorded album: that of her 2012 studio album Red, also subtitled Taylor's Version.[6] As with its predecessor, Red (Taylor's Version) includes "From the Vault" tracks.

Composition

"Message in a Bottle" was the first song that Swift wrote with the Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback.[7] The two produced three songs for the original Red album: "22", "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", and "I Knew You Were Trouble".[8]

"Message in a Bottle" is an uptempo dance-pop[9] and electropop tune[10] [11] produced by Shellback and Elvira Anderfjärd. According to the album's liner notes, both Shellback and Anderfjärd played the keyboards; the former played guitar and the former played the bass and drums. Some critics commented that "Message in a Bottle" could have fitted into Swift's 2014 album 1989, which she described as her first official pop album.[12] NME's Hannah Mylrea said the 1980s-influenced production evoked the music of Carly Rae Jepsen's 2015 album Emotion. Meanwhile, Laura Snapes from The Guardian said that the production evoked "tropical house via Coldplay". The lyrics are about the anxiety ensued from falling in love with somebody ("But now/You're so far away and I'm down/Feeling like a face in the crowd/I'm reaching for you, terrified").[13]

Release and commercial performance

"Message in a Bottle" is one of the vault tracks on Red (Taylor's Version), which Republic Records released on November 12, 2021; it is number 26 on the track listing.[14] [15] Republic released it to US hot adult contemporary radio on November 15, and the following day the song also impacted contemporary hit radio format, making it an official radio single.[16] A remix by Fat Max G was released to digital and streaming services on January 21, 2022. Swift performed "Message in a Bottle" as a "surprise song" outside the regular set list at the Seattle concert on July 23, 2023, as part of her Eras Tour.[17] She sang it again on the tour's Stockholm stop on May 19, 2024, as part of a medley with her songs "New Romantics" and "How You Get the Girl".[18]

After Red (Taylor's Version) was released, "Message in a Bottle" debuted and peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 27, 2021.[19] The single also charted on three Billboard airplay charts. On Adult Pop Songs, it debuted at number 36 on the chart dated November 20, 2021, after three days of tracing, marking Swift's record-extending 36th entry,[20] and peaked at number 10. It peaked at number 11 on Adult Contemporary and number 17 on Pop Songs. The track peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Global 200 and the singles charts of Australia (33) and Canada (32).

Critical reception

"Message in a Bottle" received generally positive reviews. Mylrea called the song a "effervescent nugget of pure-pop".[21] Paul Bridgewater of The Line of Best Fit labeled the track "A-grade Swift",[22] while Beth Kirkbride of Clash thought that the electronic soundscape contributed to the diverse musical styles of Red (Taylor's Version).[23] Ranking "Message in a Bottle" third among the nine vault tracks on the album, Billboard's Jason Lipshutz described the track as "compact, propulsive" with "the same energy (and crackling charm)" as the songs that pushed Swift's artistry towards the album 1989.[24] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine said that "Message in a Bottle" had a catchy hook as Swift's singles "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "Shake It Off", but he said that it did not have "the self-conscious repetitions of those hits".[25]

Variety's Chris Willman gave the song a four-star rating; he opined that the "thoroughly infectious" track had "a strong shot for hit single status" but added that "as good as it is, you can imagine almost anyone in pop singing it".[26] Josh Kurp of Uproxx placed "Message in a Bottle" fifth on his ranking of Swift's 26 vault tracks on her Taylor's Version re-recordings; he predicted that it would become one of Swift's most memorable tracks thanks to its earworm quality.[27] Time's critics ranked it 13th out of 25 vault songs; Annabel Gutterman described it as "upbeat, punchy", and "fun".[28]

Pitchforks Olivia Horn gave a lukewarm review, complimenting the production but criticizing its "dearth of personality".[29] Snapes deemed "Message in a Bottle" generic and inferior compared to "22", another pop song that was included in the original 2012 album.[30] Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone agreed that "Message in a Bottle" sounded too similar to "22", which made it understandable that Swift left it out of the original Red.[31]

Track listing

All tracks are noted as "Taylor's Version".

Digital download and streaming[32]

  1. "Message in a Bottle" (Fat Max G Remix) – 3:45
  2. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) – 3:47

Digital download and streaming[33]

  1. "Message in a Bottle" (Fat Max G Remix) – 3:45
  2. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) – 3:46
  3. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) (lyric video) – 3:46

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Red (Taylor's Version).[34]

Fat Max G Remix[35]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 33
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[37] 16
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[38] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[39] 23
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 29

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Message in a Bottle"
RegionDateFormat(s)VersionLabel
United StatesNovember 15, 2021Hot adult contemporary radioOriginalRepublic[41]
November 16, 2021Contemporary hit radio[42]
VariousJanuary 21, 2022Fat Max G remix[43]
ItalyRadio airplayOriginalUniversal[44]

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. 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 . CNN.
  2. News: August 22, 2019 . Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822202321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817 . August 22, 2019 . August 22, 2019 . BBC News.
  3. 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.
  4. News: Shah . Neil . April 9, 2021 . Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog . subscription . live . 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 . September 25, 2022 . .
  5. News: April 9, 2021 . Taylor Swift Remade Fearless as Taylor's Version. Let's Discuss. . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409224903/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version.html . April 9, 2021 . April 9, 2021 . The New York Times.
  6. Lipshutz . Jason . July 6, 2023 . 7 Key Stats Proving That Taylor Swift's First Two Taylor's Version Re-Recordings Have Been Dominant . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161950/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-taylors-version-stats-chart-numbers/an-even-more-enormous-difference-in-total-sales/ . July 7, 2023 . July 7, 2023 . Billboard.
  7. Web site: Willman . Chris . 2023-08-09 . Taylor Swift's 25 Best Bonus Tracks, Ranked . 2024-01-12 . . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106080704/https://variety.com/lists/taylor-swift-best-bonus-tracks-ranked-deluxe-vault/ . live .
  8. Dickey . Jack . November 13, 2014 . The Power of Taylor Swift . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200819085008/https://time.com/3583129/power-of-taylor-swift-cover/ . August 19, 2020 . January 12, 2024 . Time.
  9. Sheffield . Rob . Rob Sheffield . November 12, 2021 . Red (Taylor's Version) Makes a Classic Even Better . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112050416/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-red-taylors-version-1255956/ . November 12, 2021 . July 24, 2022 . Rolling Stone.
  10. Web site: Weiner . Josh . Elyasi . Nasim . Schaarschmidt . Nina . Mosk . Mitch . 2021-11-29 . Roundtable: A Review of Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) . 2024-01-12 . Atwood Magazine . January 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112105541/https://atwoodmagazine.com/red-taylors-version-taylor-swift-album-review/ . live .
  11. Web site: Kaplan . Ilana . November 15, 2021 . Taylor Swift's Red Rerelease Proves What Fans Always Knew . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115233505/https://slate.com/culture/2021/11/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-review.html . November 15, 2021 . November 19, 2021 . Slate.
  12. News: King . Ariel . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift Bridges Between Red & 1989 With 'Message In A Bottle' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211113000257/https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-11-12-taylor-swift-bridges-between-red-1989-with-message-in-a-bottle/ . November 13, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . iHeartMedia.
  13. October 25, 2023 . The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked . January 11, 2024 . . November 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105054343/https://time.com/6327597/taylor-swift-best-vault-songs/ . live .
  14. Mamo . Heran . August 5, 2021 . Here Are All the Decoded Red (Taylor's Version) Bonus Tracks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117023124/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-bonus-tracks-list-9611265/ . November 17, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . Billboard.
  15. Web site: Sager . Jessica . 2021-11-12 . Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) Is Here—Get All the Details On the Re-Release, Vault Tracks and More . 2024-01-12 . . March 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308094405/https://parade.com/1225504/jessicasager/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/ . live .
  16. Zellner . Xander . 2021-12-14 . Here Are the Answers to the Latest Billboard x VersusGame Matchups: Taylor Swift's 'Message in a Bottle' & More . 2024-01-12 . . January 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112104634/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/billboard-x-versusgame-answers-taylor-swifts-message-in-a-bottle-1235010391/ . live .
  17. Web site: Ruggieri . Melissa . July 24, 2023 . Taylor Swift is adding surprise songs to every Eras tour stop. See the list so far. . July 25, 2023 . . March 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325164625/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/25/taylor-swift-surprise-songs-eras-tour-full-list/11529638002/ . live .
  18. Web site: West . Bryan . May 19, 2024 . Taylor Swift Performs 'Max Martin Medley' in Sweden on Final Night of Stockholm Eras Tour: Watch . May 20, 2024 . . en-SG . . May 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520090451/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/taylor-swift-performs-max-martin-213753483.html . live .
  19. Zellner . Xander . 2021-11-22 . Taylor Swift Charts 26 Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Billboard Hot 100 . 2024-01-13 . . November 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124035344/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-26-songs-hot-100-red-taylors-version-1235001484/ . live .
  20. Asker . Jim . Trust . Gary . Taylor Swift Debuts These Two Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Airplay Charts . November 18, 2021 . . November 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117084729/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-red-radio-airplay-10140068/ . November 17, 2021 . live.
  21. News: Mylrea . Hannah . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift – Red (Taylor's Version) review: a retread of heartbreak . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118014958/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-review-3093107 . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . NME.
  22. News: Bridgewater . Paul . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift's reworking of Red finds even more magic in her pop blueprint . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118020034/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-reworking-red-taylors-version-magic-pop-blueprint . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . The Line of Best Fit.
  23. News: Kirkbride . Beth . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118020437/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . Clash.
  24. Lipshutz . Jason . November 12, 2021 . Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version): Critic's Picks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118013138/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-from-the-vault-songs-ranked-9659077/ . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . Billboard.
  25. News: Keefe . Jonathan . Review: Taylor Swift's Red Redux Flaunts the Singer's Refined Pop Instincts . November 18, 2021 . . November 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118021324/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review/ . November 18, 2021 . live.
  26. News: Willman . Chris . On 'Red (Taylor's Version),' Taylor Swift's Vault Tracks Are All Too Swell: Album Review . November 18, 2021 . . November 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211113040229/https://variety.com/2021/music/album-reviews/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review-all-too-well-1235110634/ . November 13, 2021 . live . limited.
  27. Web site: Kurp . Josh . 2023-10-27 . Every Taylor Swift 'From The Vault' (Taylor's Version) Song, Ranked . 2024-01-13 . . November 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104202516/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-taylors-version-from-the-vault-songs-ranked/ . live .
  28. 2023-10-25 . The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked . 2024-01-13 . . November 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105054343/https://time.com/6327597/taylor-swift-best-vault-songs/ . live .
  29. News: Horn . Olivia . November 15, 2021 . Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) Album Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118011827/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/ . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . Pitchfork.
  30. News: Snapes . Laura . Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) review – getting back together with a classic . November 18, 2021 . . November 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118022220/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/12/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-review-republic . November 18, 2021 . live.
  31. Sheffield . Rob . Rob Sheffield . 2023-10-28 . 'Message in a Bottle' (2021) . 2024-01-12 . . May 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520090526/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/message-in-a-bottle-2021-1261516/ . live .
  32. Web site: Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version). Tidal. subscription. January 21, 2022. March 3, 2022. March 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303062853/https://listen.tidal.com/album/213183447. live.
  33. Web site: Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version). Tidal. subscription. January 21, 2022. March 3, 2022. March 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303062857/https://listen.tidal.com/album/213221203. live.
  34. Red (Taylor's Version). Taylor Swift. 2021. Taylor Swift / Republic Records. digital media liner notes.
  35. Web site: 'Message in a Bottle' (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version) . . January 21, 2022 . April 4, 2022 . April 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175146/https://listen.tidal.com/album/213183447/credits . live .
  36. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 22, 2021. November 19, 2021. November 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211119060857/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-11-22. live.
  37. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas [2022/02/02 公開]]. Billboard Japan. ja. February 2, 2022. February 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220202202939/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2022&month=02&day=07. live.
  38. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. January 31, 2022. January 29, 2022. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128225635/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5274. live.
  39. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022. December 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221201141126/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/adult-contemporary-songs/. live.
  40. Adult Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022. December 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221201183929/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/adult-pop-songs/. live.
  41. Web site: Taylor Swift's 'Message In A Bottle' Ranks As Hot Adult Contemporary Radio's Most Added Song. Headline Planet. Brian. Cantor. November 15, 2021. March 3, 2024. March 3, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240303171512/https://headlineplanet.com/home/2021/11/15/taylor-swifts-message-in-a-bottle-ranks-as-hot-adult-contemporary-radios-most-added-song/. live.
  42. Web site: A Recap of Radio Add Recaps. Hits. November 16, 2021. November 20, 2023. November 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231120002403/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D329252. live.
  43. Web site: 'Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version)' - Single . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121050210/https://music.apple.com/us/album/message-in-a-bottle-fat-max-g-remix-taylors-version-single/1606076267 . January 21, 2022 . January 21, 2022 . Apple Music.
  44. Web site: Taylor Swift 'Message in a Bottle' (Radio Date: 21/01/2022). January 19, 2022. radiodate.it. it. January 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120100851/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/taylor-swift-message-in-a-bottle-233051-21-01-2022-radiodate/. live.

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