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The Way I Loved You

Fearless (2008) | Fearless (Taylor's Version) [2021]

“The Way I Loved You” is track ten on Taylor’s second studio album, Fearless (2008). She sings about being in a healthy relationship, but missing the excitement she felt with her ex boyfriend. The re-recording of the song, “The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)”, was released on April 9, 2021, on Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

Background

When writing for Fearless in 2007, Taylor called country singer-songwriter John Rich out of the blue and asked him to work on “The Way I Loved You” with her. She had some of the verses completed already, so they wrote the chorus together. He said the whole process took less than two hours. Taylor told That’s Country about their collaboration:

«It was always one of my goals to write with John. I had heard so many things about him. I just wanted to see what it was like to get into a room with him because I know I'm a very opinionated writer and I knew he was a very opinionated writer. So I knew this was either going to be the best thing in the world or was just going to be a complete train wreck.»

Taylor Swift

John Rich is a Republican and spoke out against Taylor after she openly supported the Democratic Party in 2018, which is why it is unlikely that the two will collaborate again.

Lyrical Theme

Taylor got the idea for “The Way I Loved You” while being in a relationship with a nice guy who was punctual and opened up the door for her and brought her flowers, but made her feel nothing. She found herself missing the passionate, albeit unstable, relationship she had with her ex. She elaborated:

«The whole time you’re with him, you’re thinking about the guy who was complicated and messy and frustrating. So I brought that idea, the title and where I thought the song should go to John. He was able to relate to it because he is that complicated, frustrating messy guy in his relationships. We came at the song from different angles. It was just so cool to get in a room and write with him because he really is an incredible writer.»

Taylor Swift

Live Performances

“The Way I Loved You” was part of the regular setlist for Taylor’s first ever concert tour, the “Fearless Tour,” which ran from 2009-2010. She didn’t perform the song again for fourteen years, until she decided to include it in the acoustic section during her show on May 24, 2024, in Lisbon. She played the song as a mashup with “The Other Side Of The Door” (2009) and “Come Back…Be Here” (2012).

Commercial Performance

“The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)” debuted at No. 24 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on the week ending April 15, 2021. The song also debuted at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same week.

Taylor's Version

The re-recording of the song, “The Way I Loved (Taylor’s Version)” was released on April 9, 2021. In an interview during the promotional run for Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Taylor mentioned that “The Way I Loved You” was among the songs she was most excited to re-record:

«Some of my favorite songs to re-record on Fearless I think were 'The Way I Loved You' and 'Hey Stephen.' Those were always low 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.»

Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
He is sensible and so incredible
And all my single friends are jealous
He says everything I need to hear and it’s like
I couldn’t ask for anything better
He opens up my door and I get into his car
And he says, “You look beautiful tonight”
And I feel perfectly fine

[Chorus]
But I miss screaming, and fighting, and kissing in the rain
And it’s 2am and I’m cursing your name
So in love that you act insane
And that’s the way I loved you
Breakin’ down and coming undone
It’s a rollercoaster kinda rush
And I never knew I could feel that much
And that’s the way I loved you

[Verse 2]
He respects my space
And never makes me wait
And he calls exactly when he says he will
He’s close to my mother
Talks business with my father
He’s charming, and endearing
And I’m comfortable

[Bridge]
He can’t see the smile I’m faking
And my heart’s not breaking
‘Cause I’m not feeling anything at all
And you were wild and crazy
Just so frustrating, intoxicating
Complicated, got away by some mistake and now

[Chorus Variation]
I miss screaming, and fighting, and kissing in the rain
And it’s 2am and I’m cursing your name
So in love that I acted insane
And that’s the way I loved you
Breakin’ down and coming undone
It’s a rollercoaster kinda rush
And I never knew I could feel that much
And that’s the way I loved you, oh, oh

[Outro]
And that’s the way I loved you, oh, oh
Never knew I could feel that much
That’s the way I loved you