Hey Stephen
Fearless (2008) | Fearless (Taylor's Version) [2021]
Background and Lyrical Theme
«It's someone who I've always been friends with and always kind of had a thing for... and he doesn't know. It's always fun for me to put something on the album that is personal. Something I know I'm going to have to deal with when the record comes out.»
Recording
Live Performances
Critical Reception
In retrospective reviews of the song, Sheffield and Nate Jones from Vulture complimented its catchy melody. Jones wrote: “Swift is in the zone as a writer, performer, and producer on this winning deep cut.” In a 2021 article for Gigwise, Kelsey Barnes noted “Hey Stephen” as a parallel to Taylor’s artistic evolution and personal life; her youthful innocence on the track reflected her desire to be “seen, loved, and accepted by those she’s daydreaming about”, a recurring theme on many of her later songs. Barnes also commented that the track offered a glimpse into Taylor’s life before her personal life became sensationalized in the press.
Commercial Performance
Taylor's Version
«Some of my favorite songs to re-record on Fearless I think were 'The Way I Loved You' and 'Hey Stephen.' Those were always lowe key favorites of mine, and favorites to sing live. I think having a bit of a more grown up voice really lent itself to songs like 'The Way I Loved You' and 'Tell Me Why.' Just songs that maybe I kind of struggled to master live back when I was eighteen. They were so much easier to sing now and they kind of felt more like they fit.»
Lyrics
[Intro]
Mmm-mm, mm-mm
Mmm-mm, mm-mm
Mmm-mm, mm-mm, yeah
[Verse 1]
Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceiving
But I know I saw a light in you
And as we walked we were talking
I didn’t say half the things I wanted to
Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window
I’ll be the one waiting there even when it’s cold
Hey Stephen, boy, you might have me believing
I don’t always have to be alone
[Chorus]
‘Cause I can’t help it if you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain, so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
Mmm, I can’t help myself
[Verse 2]
Hey Stephen, I’ve been holding back this feeling
So I’ve got some things to say to you (Ha!)
I’ve seen it all, so I thought
But I never seen nobody shine the way you do
The way you walk, way you talk, way you say my name
It’s beautiful, wonderful, don’t you ever change
Hey Stephen, why are people always leaving?
I think you and I should stay the same
[Chorus]
‘Cause I can’t help it if you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain, so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
Mmm, I can’t help myself
[Bridge]
They’re dimming the street lights, you’re perfect for me
Why aren’t you here tonight?
I’m waiting alone now, so come on and come out
And pull me near and shine, shine, shine
Hey Stephen, I could give you fifty reasons
Why I should be the one you choose
All those other girls, well, they’re beautiful
But would they write a song for you? (Ha-ha-ha)
[Final Chorus]
I can’t help it if you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain, so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
Mmm, I can’t help myself
If you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain, so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
Mmm, I can’t help myself
[Outro]
Ah-uh, myself
Mmm-mm, I can’t help myself, I can’t help myself
Oh-oh-oh
Mmm-mm, mm-mm
Mmm-mm, mm-mm
Mmm-mm, mm-mm
Albums | Fearless Fearless (Taylor’s Version) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 11, 2008 | |||
Re-Released | April 9, 2021 | |||
Studio | Studio of John McBride | |||
Genre | Country Pop | |||
Length | 4:16 | |||
Labels | Big Machine Records Republic Records | |||
Songwriter | Taylor Swift | |||
Producers | Nathan Chapman (original) Christopher Rowe Taylor Swift | |||
FEARLESS CHRONOLOGY | ||||
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