Back to December
Single | Speak Now (2010)
Background
«‘Back To December’ is a song that addresses a first for me, in that I’ve never apologized to someone in a song before. This is about a person who was incredible to me – just perfect in a relationship, and I was really careless with him. So, this is a song full of words that I would say to him that he deserves to hear.»
The Boy from Michigan
Music Video
Live Performances
Taylor performed “Back to December” and several songs from Speak Now on November 24, 2010, during Thanksgiving night, on NBC for the special Taylor Swift: Speak Now (2010). She also performed the song on her “Speak Now World Tour” (2011-2012) as well as mashing the song with “Apologize” and her own song “You’re Not Sorry“, from her album Fearless (2008). The performance was released on Taylor’s first live album called “Speak Now: World Tour Live” (2011).
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I’m so glad you made time to see me
How’s life? Tell me, how’s your family?
I haven’t seen them in a while
You’ve been good, busier than ever
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up, and I know why
[Pre-chorus 1]
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses, and I left them there to die
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, “I’m sorry for that night”
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you
Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine
I’d go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December all the time
[Verse 2]
These days, I haven’t been sleeping
Staying up, playing back myself leavin’
When your birthday passed and I didn’t call
Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I loved you in the fall
[Pre-chorus 2]
And then the cold came, the dark days
When fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was, “Goodbye”
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, “I’m sorry for that night”
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you
Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine
I’d go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Bridge]
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile
So good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinking
Probably mindless dreaming
But if we loved again, I swear I’d love you right
I’d go back in time and change it, but I can’t
So if the chain is on your door, I understand
[Final Chorus]
But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, “I’m sorry for that night”
And I go back to December
It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you
Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine
I’d go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I’d go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Outro]
All the time
Album | Speak Now | |||
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Released | October 25, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Country Pop | |||
Length | 4:54 | |||
Label | Big Machine Records | |||
Songwriter | Taylor Swift | |||
Producers | Nathan Chapman Taylor Swift | |||
SPEAK NOW CHRONOLOGY | ||||
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