State of Grace (song) explained

State of Grace
Cover:Taylor Swift - State of Grace.png
Alt:Cover art for "State of Grace": Swift in a grassland with her back towards the camera, holding a guitar upside-down
Border:yes
Type:promo
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:Red
Genre:Arena rock
Label:Big Machine
Producer:
State of Grace (Taylor's Version)
Border:yes
Type:song
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:Red (Taylor's Version)
Label:Republic
Producer:

"State of Grace" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album, Red. To promote the album before its release, Big Machine Records released the song for download on October 16, 2012. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "State of Grace" is an arena rock song that uses chiming, feedback-drenched guitars and pounding drums. An acoustic version features as a deluxe-edition bonus track. The lyrics are about the tumultuous feelings evoked by the first signs of love.

Critics deemed the song's arena-rock production a showcase of Swift's expanding artistry beyond her previous country pop sound. They praised the production and emotional sentiments and retrospectively regarded it as one of Swift's best songs. "State of Grace" peaked within the top 50 of singles charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It reached number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Following a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's masters, she re-recorded the song as "State of Grace (Taylor's Version)", as part of Red's re-recording, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021). "State of Grace (Taylor's Version)" peaked within the top 10 of singles charts in Ireland, Canada, and Singapore; and top 25 in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Background

In October 2010, the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released her third studio album Speak Now, which she wrote entirely by herself.[1] She co-produced it with Nathan Chapman, who had produced both of her previous albums.[2] Speak Now continued the country pop sound of Swift's previous records, with a radio-friendly pop crossover production and elements from various rock subgenres of the 1970s and 1980s decades. On Speak Now follow-up Red, Swift wanted to experiment beyond country pop and worked with different producers. Chapman remained a key collaborator on Red—he and Swift produced eight tracks, including "State of Grace".[3] It was one of the first songs she wrote in Nashville, Tennessee, before she went to Los Angeles to enlist other producers.

Production and release

The engineers Brian David Willis, Chad Carlson, and Matt Rausch recorded "State of Grace", and Justin Niebank mixed it, at Blackbird Studios, Nashville. Hank Williams mastered the track at Nashville's MasterMix studio. From September 24, 2012, to promote Red, Big Machine Records released on the iTunes Store one track each week until the album's October 22 release date as part of a four-week release countdown.[4] "State of Grace" was released as the fourth promotional single from Red on October 16.[5] [6] An acoustic version, also produced by Swift and Chapman, was released as a deluxe-edition bonus track.[7] Swift performed "State of Grace" live for the first time on November 15, 2012, during the second season of the U.S. version of The X Factor.[8] She included it in her set list for the Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden, New York City, on December 7, 2012.[9] It was the opening number on the set list to Swift's Red Tour (2013–14).[10] Swift performed "State of Grace" as a "surprise song" during the July 10, 2018, concert in Landover, Maryland, as part of her Reputation Stadium Tour,[11] and during the March 18, 2023, concert in Glendale, Arizona, as part of her Eras Tour.[12] At the June 28, 2024, concert in Dublin as part of the Eras Tour, she sang it in a mashup with her song "You're on Your Own, Kid" (2022).

After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[13] The decision came after a 2019 public dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums the label had released.[14] [15] By re-recording them, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, including the copyright licensing of her songs, devaluing the Big Machine-owned masters.[16] The re-recordings of "State of Grace" and the acoustic version, both subtitled "(Taylor's Version)", were released as part of Red's re-recording, Red (Taylor's Version), on November 12, 2021.[17] Both "State of Grace (Taylor's Version)" and "State of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor's Version)" were produced by Swift and Christopher Rowe, and it was recorded by David Payne at Blackbird Studios, Nashville. Rowe recorded Swift's vocals at Kitty Committee Studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Serban Ghenea mixed both tracks at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Music and lyrics

"State of Grace" runs for 4 minutes and 55 seconds.[3] It is an arena rock song that expands on the rock stylings of Speak Now[18] [19] with a production that critics described as "epic"[20] and "massive".[21] The track uses chiming, feedback-drenched guitars and pounding drums. In the re-recorded version, the drums are more defined.[22] Swift sings loudly and with elongated syllables. Critics said the rock-leaning production departed from the country-pop sound of her previous albums and cited Irish rock band U2 as a possible influence. According to musicologist James E. Perone, the track has a 1980s-college-rock throwback feel, a guitar sound evoking the style of U2 musician The Edge, and a melodic quality reminiscent of Australian rock band Men at Work (specifically citing their song "Who Can It Be Now?" as a reference point). Some journalists compared the song's style to that of U2's album The Joshua Tree (1987).

The lyrics are about the many possibilities of how a romance could proceed and the tumultuous feelings evoked by the first signs of love.[23] [24] As Red's opening track, "State of Grace" sets the tone for an album about broken relationships and the conflicting emotions that ensue.[25] It starts with pounding drums and vague lyrics about heartbreak; "We fall in love 'til it hurts or bleeds / or fades in time". In the second verse, the beats halt and Swift sings; "We are alone, just you and me / Up in your room and our slates are clean / Just twin fire signs / four blue eyes".[24] [26] After the second verse, fast-paced drums and loud guitars propel in the background.[27] The narrator admits that the lover is not a "saint" and she has "loved in shades of wrong", and in the refrain admits, "And I never saw you coming/ And I'll never be the same". The track concludes with a realization, "Love is a ruthless game unless you play it good and right". The acoustic version relies on soft guitar and gentle drum notes to highlight Swift's vocals, which The A.V. Clubs Saloni Gajjar described as "velvety".[28]

Some critics highlighted the maturity of Swift's songwriting. In Spin, Marc Hogan found the lyrics uplifting because Swift does not seek revenge for a failed relationship in the lines; "And I never saw you coming / And I'll never be the same".[20] In a review for The Atlantic, Brad Nelson said Swift introduced more nuances to the narrative than those in her previous love songs; after "clichéd" lyrics at the beginning, she "gets writerly" with the second verse using "the kind of details that detach from a narrative and stretch over it like clouds", reminding Nelson of the work of Steely Dan songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.[27]

Critical reception

Upon its release, "State of Grace" received positive reviews from critics, who complimented it as self-assured and effective.[29] Many critics immediately deemed the arena-rock sound impactful and said it showcased a new aspect to Swift's artistry. In album reviews of Red, some critics picked "State of Grace" as a highlight[30] for what they described as a compelling production and a confident delivery. Although some, such as Bernard Perusse from the Edmonton Journal[31] and Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times, found "State of Grace" a worthwhile experimentation, Ben Rayner of the Toronto Star criticized it for "shamelessly knocking off U2 for a shot at rock-radio play".[32] Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine and Sean Daly of Tampa Bay Times felt the production led to a diminishing quality of Swift's songwriting,[33] but the latter remarked that it was "bold regardless".[34]

Retrospective reviews of "State of Grace" have been generally positive, and several critics picked it as an example of Swift's artistic versatility and a high point on Red. Jordan Sargent of Spin described its production as a "thematically perfect musical [composition], unhurried as if to marinate on the moment but also fleetingly epic". On critics' rankings of Swift's entire catalog, the track was ranked in the top 10 by the staff of Billboard,[35] Hannah Mylrea of NME, Jane Song of Paste,[36] and Nate Jones of Vulture, all lauding the arena-rock sound that Swift has since not recreated.[37] Reviewing Red (Taylor's Version), Keefe appreciated how the reworked instrumentation gave the track a stronger emotional resonance.[38] Jason Lipshutz from Billboard admired what he deemed a concise hook and an exhilarating production, and he proclaimed "State of Grace" as one of Swift's most enduring non-singles.[39] The track featured on Billboard's 2017 list of the "100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars", and its editor Andrew Unterberger praised the refrain for "[saying] everything it needs to say in so few syllables".[40]

Commercial performance

Upon its initial 2012 release, "State of Grace" charted in the top 50 of singles charts in New Zealand (20), the United Kingdom (36), Ireland (43), and Australia (44). The song peaked at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 and at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In June 2017, it received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, which denotes 500,000 track-equivalent units based on sales and on-demand streaming. After Red (Taylor's Version) was released in November 2021, "State of Grace (Taylor's Version)" debuted on several countries: it peaked within the top 25 of Ireland (7), Canada (9), Singapore (10), New Zealand (12), the United Kingdom (18), the United States (18), and Australia (25), and further reached South Africa (77) and Portugal (89). The song charted at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200.

Credits and personnel

"State of Grace" (2012)[3]

"State of Grace (Taylor's Version)" (2021)[41]

Charts

"State of Grace (Taylor's Version)"

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[42] 25
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 12
Singapore (RIAS)[44] 10
South Africa (RISA)[45] 77
US Billboard Hot 10018

References

Citations

Notes and References

  1. Bernstein . Jonathan . November 18, 2020 . 500 Greatest Albums: Taylor Swift Looks Back on Her 'Only True Breakup Album' Red . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204182537/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-albums-taylor-swift-red-1059586/ . December 4, 2020 . December 25, 2020 . limited.
  2. Web site: Tingen . Paul . February 2011 . Taylor Swift Speak Now . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910113359/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/taylor-swift-speak-now?amp . September 10, 2021 . September 9, 2021 . Sound on Sound.
  3. . CD liner notes . Taylor Swift . . 2012.
  4. Web site: Bernstein . Alyssa . September 21, 2013 . Taylor Swift Launches Red Album Release With 4-Week Song Preview Countdown . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121123233722/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/09/good-morning-america-exclusive-taylor-swift-launches-red-album-release-with-4-week-song-preview-countdown-exclusively-on-abcs-good-morning-america/ . November 23, 2012 . February 18, 2013 . ABC News.
  5. Web site: Brown. August. Taylor Swift releases 'State of Grace' single. Los Angeles Times. limited. October 19, 2012. October 16, 2012. October 23, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023161026/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-taylor-swift-releases-state-of-grace-20121016,0,4301656.story. live.
  6. Web site: Taylor Swift's 'State of Grace' goes straight to #1 on iTunes. MTV News. James. Montgomery. October 16, 2012. July 24, 2021. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115173210/http://www.mtv.com/news/1695625/taylor-swift-state-of-grace-red-album/. dead.
  7. Red (Deluxe) . Taylor Swift . . 2012 . BMR310450A . 2-CD album, liner notes.
  8. Kroll . Katy . November 16, 2012 . Taylor Swift Debuts 'State of Grace' During X Factor Double Elimination . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171631/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-debuts-state-of-grace-during-x-factor-double-elimination-68251/ . November 23, 2020 . July 24, 2021 . limited.
  9. Hampp . Andrew . December 8, 2012 . Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, One Direction and More Light Up NYC at Z100 Jingle Ball . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160309171919/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/1481513/justin-bieber-taylor-swift-one-direction-and-more-light-up-nyc-at-z100 . March 9, 2016 . April 28, 2013.
  10. Sheffield . Rob . March 28, 2013 . Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tour: Her Amps Go Up to 22 . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140326061251/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/pop-life/taylor-swifts-red-tour-her-amps-go-up-to-22-20130328 . March 26, 2014 . October 19, 2017.
  11. Iasimone . Ashley . All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed On Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far) . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20191008113110/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8458025/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list . October 8, 2019 . December 19, 2018.
  12. Web site: Smith . Katie Louise . June 28, 2024 . Every Surprise Song Performed on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour So Far . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240629045820/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/taylor-swift/eras-tour-surprise-songs-setlist/ . June 29, 2024 . June 29, 2024 . Capital FM.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. News: Shah . Neil . April 9, 2021 . Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog . . live . subscription . September 25, 2022 . 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 .
  17. Web site: Sager . Jessica . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) Is Here—Get All the Details On the Re-Release, Vault Tracks and More . March 8, 2023 . . March 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308094405/https://parade.com/1225504/jessicasager/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version/ . live .
  18. Web site: Barnes . Kelsey . February 21, 2023 . Every Taylor Swift album ranked . March 6, 2023 . . March 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306222932/https://www.altpress.com/taylor-swift-albums-ranked/ . live .
  19. Web site: Sargent . Jordan . June 16, 2017 . Listen to Taylor Swift's Red, One of the Best Pop Albums of Our Time . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514162551/https://www.spin.com/2017/06/taylor-swift-red-essay/ . May 14, 2021 . July 24, 2021 . Spin.
  20. Web site: Hogan . Marc . Marc Hogan . October 16, 2012 . Taylor Swift Reaches 'State of Grace' on Feedback-Streaked Rock Anthem . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151217033038/http://www.spin.com/2012/10/taylor-swift-state-of-grace-listen/ . December 17, 2015 . October 19, 2012 . Spin.
  21. Web site: Mylrea . Hannah . September 8, 2020 . Every Taylor Swift song ranked in order of greatness . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 . September 17, 2020 . September 17, 2020 . NME.
  22. Web site: Mylrea . Hannah . November 12, 2021 . Taylor Swift – Red (Taylor's Version) review: a retread of heartbreak . March 7, 2023 . . March 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307124245/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-review-3093761 . live .
  23. Lipshutz . Jason . October 16, 2012 . Taylor Swift Finds 'State of Grace' on New Red Track: Listen . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160803095540/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474630/taylor-swift-finds-state-of-grace-on-new-red-track-listen . August 3, 2016 . July 23, 2021.
  24. Web site: Nelson . Brad . August 19, 2019 . Taylor Swift: Red Album Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190820002611/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-red/ . August 20, 2019 . August 21, 2019 . Pitchfork.
  25. November 11, 2021 . Ranking the Songs on Taylor Swift's Red . March 4, 2023 . Time.
  26. Web site: Graham. Adam. Listen: Taylor Swift swings for the fences with 'State of Grace'. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925101724/http://blogs.detroitnews.com/poptropolis/2012/10/16/listen-taylor-swift-swings-for-the-fences-with-state-of-grace/. September 25, 2013. The Detroit News. October 19, 2012. October 16, 2012.
  27. Web site: If You Listen Closely, Taylor Swift Is Kind of Like Leonard Cohen. Brad. Nelson. The Atlantic. limited. November 1, 2012. July 24, 2021. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225063319/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/11/if-you-listen-closely-taylor-swift-is-kind-of-like-leonard-cohen/264275/. live.
  28. Web site: Gajjar . Saloni . Carr . Mary Kate . November 21, 2022 . 20 underrated Taylor Swift songs that prove her lyrical prowess . March 6, 2023 . . October 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221020010029/https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-underrated-songs-obscure-tracks-1849666689/amp . live .
  29. Web site: Taylor Swift's 'State of Grace': Review Revue. Lansky. Sam. October 16, 2012. Idolator. July 16, 2018. July 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727040115/https://www.idolator.com/7199991/taylor-swift-state-of-grace-review-revue?adblock=1&chrome=1. live.
  30. News: Clayton-Lea . Tony . November 2, 2012 . Album reviews . 14 . . .
  31. News: Perusse. Bernard. Taylor Swift's tabloid tales lack sharp musical edge. October 23, 2012. Edmonton Journal. C3. .
  32. News: Rayner . Ben . October 23, 2012 . Taylor Swift: Red (Universal) . E3 . Toronto Star. .
  33. Web site: Keefe . Jonathan . October 22, 2012 . Taylor Swift: Red . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012014408/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-red/2900 . October 12, 2013 . December 27, 2012 . Slant Magazine.
  34. News: Daly . Sean . October 23, 2012 . A Whole New Hue . . B2 . .
  35. 2023-03-16 . The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks . 2023-05-23 . . April 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411021029/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ . live .
  36. Web site: February 11, 2020 . All 158 Taylor Swift Songs, ranked . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200413001443/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/best-taylor-swift-songs/#4-state-of-grace-red . April 13, 2020 . October 6, 2020 . Paste.
  37. Web site: Jones . Nate . August 13, 2020 . Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked from Worst to Best . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html . September 13, 2019 . August 25, 2020 . .
  38. Web site: Keefe . Jonathan . November 17, 2021 . Taylor Swift Red (Taylor's Version) Review: A Refinement of Pop Instincts . March 7, 2023 . . November 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118021324/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-album-review/ . live .
  39. Lipshutz . Jason . August 1, 2017 . Taylor Swift's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks . March 6, 2023 . Billboard.
  40. News: The 100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars: Critics' Picks. November 21, 2017. Billboard. December 29, 2019. November 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171123002844/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8039437/best-pop-album-tracks-21st-century-deep-cuts. live.
  41. Red (Taylor's Version). Taylor Swift. 2021. Republic Records. vinyl liner notes.
  42. 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.
  43. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 22, 2021. November 20, 2021. November 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211119213656/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5234. live.
  44. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 46 (12 – 18 Nov 2021). November 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121350/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. November 23, 2021. November 23, 2021.
  45. Web site: Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 46. The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. November 26, 2021. dead. November 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211125145001/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/local-international-streaming-chart-top-100-week-46/.

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