Safe & Sound
The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond | 2011 | 2023
Table of Contents
Background and Release
«The Civil Wars had a show that night in L.A., so they raced right over to T-Bone's house. There's so many things he could've done production-wise to make that song bigger sonically than it is, but I think that would have possibly been a mistake. For him to have left the song as a lullaby is brilliant.»
Taylor Swift
Lyrical Theme
«We had this idea that we wanted the song to be about the empathy that goes into this film. And the undertones of like, sympathy and human compassion that go along with such an incredible film with all this action and fighting in it. We wanted to highlight the fact that there's a lot of heart beneath all that.»
Taylor Swift
Composition
Music Video
Live Performances
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
The official Hunger Games companion album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 175,000 copies in its first week. It was the first multi-artist film soundtrack to reach the peak position since The Twilight Saga: New Moon rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in its second week on the tally in November 2009.
Accolades
This was the last time Joy Williams and John Paul White of The Civil Wars, who accepted the award with Taylor, were seen together. Their relationship had soured during the recording of their second album, which was released a few months later after they had effectively broken up. At the ceremony, they kept their distance.
Taylor's Version
«I have so much respect for what Taylor is doing with several of her songs – going back and reclaiming them. I was honored when she reached out wanting to re-record a song she and I, alongside John Paul White and T-Bone Burnett wrote years ago for The Hunger Games movie. We were fortunate enough to win a Grammy for it that year. What a treat to re-record this storytelling song, to give it another life, and to be part of the reclamation. I hope you love 'Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)' as much as I do.»
Joy Williams
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I’ll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don’t leave me here alone
But all that’s dead and gone and passed tonight
[Chorus]
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound
[Verse 2]
Don’t you dare look out your window, darling everything’s on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby even when the musics gone, gone
[Chorus]
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound
Just close your eyes, you’ll be alright
Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound
Artist | Taylor Swift |
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Released | December 26, 2011 |
Re-Released | March 17, 2023 |
Written | 2011 |
Genre | Folk Alternative Country |
Length | 4:01 (original) 3:59 (Taylor’s Version) |
Labels | Big Machine Records Republic Records |
Songwriters | Taylor Swift Joy Williams John Paul White T-Bone Burnett |
Producers | T-Bone Burnett (original) Taylor Swift Christopher Rowe Paul Mirkovich |