The Alchemy Explained

The Alchemy
Artist:Taylor Swift
Album:The Tortured Poets Department
Studio:
Genre:
Length:3:16
Label:Republic
Producer:
  • Taylor Swift
  • Jack Antonoff

"The Alchemy" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Swift wrote and produced the track with Jack Antonoff. A pop rock track with R&B influences, "The Alchemy" uses extensive football imagery to describe a burgeoning romance after going through heartbreak.

Some critics deemed the football imagery and metaphors weak, but some others praised the production elements. "The Alchemy" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Global 200 and reached the top 25 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

Background and release

Swift started working on The Tortured Poets Department immediately after she submitted her tenth studio album, Midnights, to Republic Records for release in 2022. She continued working on it in secrecy throughout the US leg of the Eras Tour in 2023.[1] The album's conception took place when Swift's personal life continued to be a widely covered topic in the press.[2] She described The Tortured Poets Department as her "lifeline" album which she "really needed" to make.[3] Republic Records released it on April 19, 2024; "The Alchemy" is 15th on the track list.[4] On May 12, 2024, Swift performed an acoustic guitar version of "The Alchemy" at the fourth Paris show of her Eras Tour.[5]

Music and lyrics

"The Alchemy" is a pop rock song with R&B influences in its instrumentation,[6] composed of echoing drums and layered vocals.[7] Will Hodgkinson of The Times wrote that it has a "dreamy, romantic" production.[8] The lyrics use extensive football imagery to describe starting a new relationship.[9] [10] [11] Time's Shannon Carlin wrote that the track's placement near the end of the standard album shows that Swift's character is willing to "fight again with this new one-of-a-kind guy" after detailing ex-lovers on the preceding tracks ("These blokes warm the benches/ We've been on a winning streak").[12] Lauren Huff of Entertainment Weekly agreed, saying that "The Alchemy", placed after "songs about heartache so bad that Swift compares it to 'cardiac arrest' in her epilogue", signaled a "good kind" of madness, of falling in love.[13] Vogue Australia nina Miyashita thought that the lyrics appear to draw a parallel between the chemicals released by the brain when playing a sport and those released when one is in love.[14]

Swift's character tells her new lover that she is willing to be all in ("So when I touch down/ Call the amateurs and cut 'em from the team") and admits that she does not have another choice ("Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?"). The song also features details of the lover winning a football match ("Shirts off, and your friends lift you up, over their heads").[15] In the bridge, Swift's character asserts: "Where's the trophy? He just comes, running over to me."

Reception

Criticisms of the song mostly took issue with its lyrics. Some critics, such as The Atlantic's Spencer Kornharber,[16] Slate's Carl Wilson,[17] and Beats Per Minute's John Wohlmacher, considered the football imagery in the lyrics weak, "terrible", and "tossed-off". The Daily Telegraph's Neil McCormick said the track contains "cheesy sports puns".[18] Writing for the Financial Times, Ludovic Hunter-Tilney said that the song was one of the "repetitive" tracks and opined that the title was used incorrectly.[19] Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times described the song as "weightless".[20]

Reviews that were somewhat more positive focused on the production. Sputnikmusic's Hugh G. Paddles argued that "The Alchemy" is an "otherwise effervescent and personally charged" track but criticized the "faux-narcotic slurred delivery" mentioning a drug reference near the ending lines.[21] Wohlmacher praised the sound as "[laid] back and elegant" and said that the "mood of the composition" makes up for the lyrics. Hodgkinson gave the song a five-star rating: "It's excellent—epic but intimate, like the final scene in a blockbuster." Ranking all 31 tracks on The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, Jason Lipshutz of Billboard placed "The Alchemy" at 21, calling it a "glittering love song".[22] Alex Hopper of American Songwriter described the track as "sauntering, sexy".[23]

Following its release, "The Alchemy" debuted and peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where the song and tracks from the album made Swift the first artist to occupy the top 14 of the chart.[24] In Australia, it opened at its peak of number 18 on the ARIA Singles Chart and made her the artist with the most entries in a single week with 29.[25] Elsewhere, "The Alchemy" reached number 19 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted within the countries of New Zealand (19), Canada (21), Portugal (41), Switzerland (46), Sweden (65), and France (157). It also peaked at number 23 on the United Kingdom's Audio Streaming Chart and number 39 on Greece's International Top 100 Digital Singles.

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[26] 18
France (SNEP)[27] 157
Greece International (IFPI)[28] 39
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 19
Philippines (Billboard)[30] 25
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 65
Swiss Streaming (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 46
UK Streaming (OCC)[33] 23

Notes and References

  1. Blistein . Jon . February 7, 2024 . Taylor Swift Reveals Tortured Poets Department Back Up Plan In Case She Didn't Win a Grammy . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207163624/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-backup-plan-tokyo-1234963303/ . February 7, 2024 . April 19, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  2. News: Sisario . Ben . Ben Sisario . 2024-04-19 . Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Arrives With a Promotional Blitz . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422193932/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/arts/music/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department.html . April 22, 2024 . 2024-04-19 . .
  3. Bonner . Mehera . February 16, 2024 . Taylor Swift Reveals Bonus Track Title and New Album Cover for The Tortured Poets Department . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216224610/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a46813336/taylor-swift-the-bolter/ . February 16, 2024 . April 19, 2024 . Cosmopolitan.
  4. Web site: April 19, 2024 . As The Tortured Poets Department drops, here's all Taylor Swift's albums ranked by sales . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240419095336/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/as-the-tortured-poets-department-drops-here-s-all-taylor-swift-s-albums-ranked-by-sales/089645 . April 19, 2024 . 2024-04-19 . Music Week.
  5. Web site: May 12, 2024 . Travis Kelce Attends Taylor Swift's 4th Eras Tour Show in Paris . 2024-05-12 . . May 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517065020/https://people.com/travis-kelce-attends-taylor-swift-s-4th-eras-tour-show-in-paris-8646030 . live .
  6. Web site: Wohlmacher . John . 2024-04-23 . Album Review: Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423190310/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department/ . April 23, 2024 . 2024-05-01 . .
  7. Lipshutz . Jason . 2024-04-19 . Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: All 31 Tracks Ranked . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420200628/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department-tracks-ranked/ . April 20, 2024 . 2024-04-29 . .
  8. News: Hodgkinson . Will . Will Hodgkinson . April 19, 2024 . Love, Men and the Story Behind Each Song on Taylor Swift's New Album . subscription . live . https://archive.today/20240419043009/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-track-by-track-guide-zp7qjwszr . April 19, 2024 . May 12, 2024 . The Times.
  9. Web site: Zoladz . Lindsay . April 19, 2024 . Taylor Swift's New Album, The Tortured Poets Department, Could Use an Editor: Review . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420000556/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/arts/music/taylor-swift-album-tortured-poets-department-review.html . April 20, 2024 . May 12, 2024 . The New York Times.
  10. Web site: Chiu . Melody . April 19, 2024 . Is Taylor Swift's 'The Alchemy' About Travis Kelce? See the Lyrical Football References . 2024-05-12 . . May 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517065022/https://people.com/is-taylor-swift-song-the-alchemy-inspired-by-travis-kelce-football-references-8635732 . live .
  11. Web site: Bowenbank . Starr . April 19, 2024 . Taylor Swift Gushes Over Her and Travis Kelce's Relationship on 'The Alchemy' and 'So High School' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240419201242/https://www.instyle.com/taylor-swift-the-alchemy-so-high-school-about-travis-kelce-8635929 . April 19, 2024 . 2024-05-12 . InStyle.
  12. Carlin . Shannon . 2024-04-19 . Why Swifties Are Convinced 'The Alchemy' Is About Travis Kelce . 2024-05-12 . . May 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240512155233/https://time.com/6969049/taylor-swift-song-travis-kelce-the-alchemy/ . live .
  13. Huff . Lauren . April 19, 2024 . Is Taylor Swift's new song 'The Alchemy' about Travis Kelce? . 2024-05-12 . . May 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240512154958/https://ew.com/taylor-swift-the-alchemy-travis-kelce-the-tortured-poets-department-8635833 . live .
  14. Web site: Miyashita . Nina . Waterhouse . Jonah . All the hidden meanings in Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department album . . 13 May 2024 . 24 April 2024 . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423150126/https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department/image-gallery/6d24952094c0b5fd2a02d1406bdf8a53 . live .
  15. Web site: O'Connor . Roisin . 2024-04-19 . Taylor Swift appears to share first song about boyfriend Travis Kelce . 2024-05-12 . . May 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240512154958/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-the-alchemy-lyrics-b2531352.html . live .
  16. Kornhaber . Spencer . April 19, 2024 . Taylor Swift Is Having Quality-Control Issues . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422202226/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/04/taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department-review/678121/ . April 22, 2024 . April 23, 2024 . The Atlantic.
  17. News: Wilson . Carl . Carl Wilson (writer) . 2024-04-19 . The Problem With Taylor Swift's New Album . 2024-05-12 . . en-US . 1091-2339 . April 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422002019/https://slate.com/culture/2024/04/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-album-review.html . live .
  18. News: McCormick . Neil . Neil McCormick . 2024-04-22 . Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department: a sharp, savage attack on her British exes . 2024-05-13 . . May 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513204555/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department-review-healy/ . live .
  19. News: Hunter-Tilney . Ludovic . 19 April 2024 . Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department review — heartbreak inspires anguish, anger and a career highlight . 12 May 2024 . . April 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420145407/https://www.ft.com/content/66753273-04d3-49c4-ac5a-6e48a7d3a27c . live .
  20. News: Zoladz . Lindsay . On 'The Tortured Poets Department,' Taylor Swift Could Use an Editor . 13 May 2024 . The New York Times . 23 April 2024 . April 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420000556/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/arts/music/taylor-swift-album-tortured-poets-department-review.html . live .
  21. Web site: Puddles . Hugh G. . April 22, 2024 . Review: Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department . 2024-05-13 . . April 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425130051/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/88489/Taylor-Swift-The-Tortured-Poets-Department/ . live .
  22. Lipshutz . Jason . 19 April 2024 . Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: All 31 Tracks Ranked . 12 May 2024 . . May 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240512232018/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-the-tortured-poets-department-tracks-ranked/the-alchemy/ . live .
  23. Web site: Hopper . Alex . 2024-04-19 . The Gloves are off on Taylor Swift's Double Album, The Tortured Poets Department . 2024-05-13 . . April 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421080229/https://americansongwriter.com/the-gloves-are-off-on-taylor-swifts-double-album-the-tortured-poets-department/ . live .
  24. Trust . Gary . April 29, 2024 . Taylor Swift Claims Record Top 14 Spots on Billboard Hot 100, Led by 'Fortnight' with Post Malone . May 9, 2024 . . April 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429170523/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-hot-100-top-14-fortnight-post-malone-record/ . live .
  25. News: Gbogbo . Mawunyo . April 29, 2024 . Taylor Swift's New Album The Tortured Poets Department Smashes Chart Records in the US, UK and Australia . May 10, 2024 . . en-AU . May 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240510010807/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-29/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-charts-uk-billboard-aria/103779382 . live .
  26. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 29, 2024. April 26, 2024. May 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240509103914/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2024-04-29. live.
  27. Web site: Top Singles (Week 16, 2024). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. April 29, 2024. May 31, 2021. https://archive.today/20210531082745/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?categorie=Top%20Singles. live.
  28. Web site: IFPI Charts . May 1, 2024 . www.ifpi.gr . May 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240501120745/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html . live .
  29. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 29, 2024. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426045359/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5799. live.
  30. Philippines Songs - Week of May 4, 2024 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240502213709/https://www.billboard.com/charts/philippines-songs-hotw/ . May 2, 2024 . July 5, 2024 . Billboard.
  31. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17. Sverigetopplistan. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426122136/https://sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41/?dspy=2024&dspp=17. live.
  32. Web site: Streaming Top 100. Schweizer Hitparade. May 15, 2024. May 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240515150223/http://swisscharts.com/charts/streaming/28-04-2024. live.
  33. Web site: Official Streaming Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. April 26, 2024. May 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240509095655/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20240426/7510/. live.

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