Back to December
Single | Speak Now (2010) | Speak Now (Taylor's Version) [2023]
Table of Contents
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.»
Taylor Swift
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). She didn’t perform the song again for twelve years, until she chose it as the second surprise song for her “The Eras Tour” show in Denver on July 15, 2023. She performed it acoustically on piano.
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
Taylor's Version
Taylor Lautner and his wife (also Taylor Lautner) have become some of Taylor’s closest friends, she revealed on stage during her “The Eras Tour” concert on July 7, 2023, where she premiered the music video for “I Can See You“, which Taylor Lautner stars in:
«He was a very positive force in my life when I was making the Speak Now album. [...] He and his wife have become some of my closest friends and it's very convenient because we all share the same first name.»
Taylor Swift
Upon the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), “Back to December (Taylor’s Version)” debuted and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the week ending July 13, 2023.
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 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 leaving
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 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 go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Outro]
All the time
Artist | Taylor Swift | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Albums | Speak Now Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) | |||
Released | October 25, 2010 | |||
Re-Released | July 7, 2023 | |||
Written | 2010 | |||
Genre | Country Pop | |||
Length | 4:54 | |||
Labels | Big Machine Records Republic Records | |||
Songwriter | Taylor Swift | |||
Producers | Nathan Chapman (original) Christopher Rowe Taylor Swift | |||
SPEAK NOW CHRONOLOGY | ||||
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