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Nothing New (song)

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This article is about the Taylor Swift song. For other songs with the same name, seeNothing New (disambiguation).

"Nothing New"
SongbyTaylor SwiftfeaturingPhoebe Bridgers
from the albumRed (Taylor's Version)
WrittenMarch 2012
ReleasedNovember 12, 2021(2021-11-12)
Studio
Genre
Length4:18
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Nothing New"onYouTube

"Nothing New"[a]is a song by the American singer-songwritersTaylor SwiftfeaturingPhoebe Bridgers.Swift wrote the song in March 2012 and produced it withAaron Dessnerfor her secondre-recordedstudio album,Red (Taylor's Version),which was released in 2021 throughRepublic Records.The track is a guitar-ledfolkandalternative rocktune about anxieties over romance and growing up.

Critics interpreted "Nothing New" as Swift's message about the music industry's treatment of female musicians. They lauded the song's emotional sentiments, Swift's songwriting, and Bridgers's performance. AfterRed (Taylor's Version)was released, the track peaked at number 43 on the USBillboardHot 100and the top 40 on national charts in Australia, Canada, and Ireland. "Nothing New" was included on the set list of Swift'sthe Eras Tourat concerts opened by Bridgers, who performed the song with her.

Background

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"Nothing New" featuresPhoebe Bridgers(pictured in 2017).

After signing a new contract withRepublic Records,the American singer-songwriterTaylor Swiftbeganre-recordingher first six studio albums in November 2020.[2]The decision followed apublic 2019 disputebetween Swift and the talent managerScooter Braun,who acquired Big Machine Records, including themastersof Swift's albums which the label had released.[3][4]By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs forcommercial useand therefore substituted the Big Machine–owned masters.[5]On April 9, 2021, Swift released the first re-recorded album,Fearless (Taylor's Version),a re-recording of her second studio albumFearless(2008); the album also featured several unreleased "From the Vault" tracks that she had written but left out of the original albums' track listings.[6]

For Swift's next re-recorded album,Red (Taylor's Version)(2021), she re-recorded all of the 30 songs she had intended for her fourth studio albumRed(2012).[7]The original album incorporatedcountryand new styles ofpopandrock,as a result of her experimenting with other styles; this prompted a debate over her status as a country artist at the time.[8][9]Like the previous re-recorded album,Red (Taylor's Version)features nine "From the Vault" tracks among the 30 songs.[10]One such track was "Nothing New", which she wrote on anAppalachian dulcimerin March 2012 when she was 22 years old.[11]Swift later approachedAaron Dessnerto produce it with her andPhoebe Bridgersto feature vocals on the track forRed (Taylor's Version).[12][13][1]

Music and lyrics

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I've been thinking a lot about getting older and relevancy and how all my heroes have ended up alone.

— Swift describing what led her to write "Nothing New", 2012[11]

"Nothing New" is analternative rock[14]andfolkballad.[15][16]Its duration lasts for 4 minutes and 18 seconds.[1]The song features a melancholic production[16]driven by guitar[17]and incorporates understatedcello,[18]light strings,[19]keyboard, piano, synthesizers, and violin.[1]It was recorded at Long Pond Studios inHudson Valley.Swift's vocals were recorded at Kitty Committee Studios inBelfastand Bridgers's vocals were recorded atSound City StudiosinLos Angeles.The song wasmixedat Long Pond andmasteredat Sterling Sound inEdgewater, New Jersey.[1]

The lyrics are about anxiety over romance and growing up.[17][20][16]In thechorus,Swift sings, "How can a person know everything at 18 but nothing at 22?" reflecting on her growing up, and "Will you still want me when I'm nothing new?"[19]In the views of Olivia Horn fromPitchfork,"Nothing New" is not only about romantic anxieties, but also about "the music business' famously fickle relationship to young women".[16]Laura Snapes fromThe Guardianagreed with this idea, citing the lyric "People love an ingenue" as Swift's internalized pressure to stay in the public eye.[21]In a journal entry dated March 2, 2012, Swift wrote that the song is about "being scared of aging and things changing and losing what you have".[b]

Release and reception

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"Nothing New" was released as the 23rd track onRed (Taylor's Version)via Republic on November 12, 2021.[22]The song peaked the top 40 on national charts in Australia (31),[23]Canada (22),[24]and Ireland (25).[25]In the United States, "Nothing New" debuted both on theBillboardHot 100andHot Country Songs,with peaks of number 43 and number 11 respectively.[26][27]On other non-national charts, it reached number 33 on theBillboardGlobal 200and number 11 on the United Kingdom'sAudio Streaming Chart.[28][29]After the album's release, Swift embarked onthe Eras Tourin March 2023, where she would perform various songs across her discography and would feature different opening acts at each concert, and Bridgers was one of them.[30][31]At concerts opened by her, "Nothing New" was added on the tour's set list, in which both Swift and Bridgers performed the track.[32][33]

In reviews ofRed (Taylor's Version),critics generally praised "Nothing New" for its emotional sentiments, Swift's songwriting, and Bridgers's performance. They picked it as an album highlight[c]and one of the best "From the Vault" tracks.[d]The New York Times'Lindsay Zoladz,Billboard'sJason Lipshutz,Variety'sChris Willman complimented Bridgers's vocals and the thoughtful lyrics.[34][18][36]Carrie Battan ofThe New Yorkercompared "Nothing New" to the "folksy poeticism" of Swift's 2020 albumsFolkloreandEvermore.[37]Angie Martoccio ofRolling Stonelauded the collaboration: "Swift's adult voice combines with Bridgers' honey-soaked, hushed vocals, melding together in an autumn rush that brushes against your cheek".[20]Some critics praised Swift'sdouble entendremessage about the music industry[e]—The A.V. Clubeditor Saloni Gajjar opined that its "extremely relatable even if you’re not a globally recognized musician."[38]For theLos Angeles Times,Mikael Wood highlighted its double entendre lyrics and nostalgic sentiments during the age ofinternet culture.[35]

Critics have ranked "Nothing New" highly among Swift's bonus/vault tracks. Willman and Josh Kurp fromUproxxboth ranked it sixth among over 25 vault tracks that Swift released; they praised Bridgers's appearance and the emotionally resonant lyrics.[39][40]Timewriters ranked it first in their list; the critic Rachel Sonis wrote: "It's interesting, if a little sad, that Swift was plagued with this thought at only 22 when she wrote this song, knowing where she is now."[41]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted fromRed (Taylor's Version)albumliner notes[1]

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Phoebe Bridgers– lead vocals
  • Aaron Dessner– producer, recording engineer, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, guitar, keyboard, piano, synthesizers
  • Tony Berg– vocal producer
  • Bella Blasko – recording engineer
  • Bryce Dessner– orchestrator
  • Clarice Jensen – cello, cello recording
  • Jonathan Low – recording engineer, mixing engineer
  • Randy Merrill- mastering engineer
  • Christopher Rowe– vocal recording
  • Will Maclellan – vocal recording
  • Kyle Resnick – violin recording
  • Yuki Numata Resnick – violin

Charts

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Chart performance for "Nothing New"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 31
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[24] 22
Global 200(Billboard)[28] 33
Ireland (IRMA)[25] 25
Portugal (AFP)[42] 158
UK Audio Streaming(OCC)[29] 44
USBillboardHot 100[43] 43
USHot Country Songs(Billboard)[27] 11

Certifications

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Certifications for "Nothing New"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[45] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Silver 200,000‡

‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^Subtitled "(Taylor's Version) (from the Vault)"[1]
  2. ^The journal entry was published in the deluxe edition booklet of Swift's 2019 albumLover.[11]
  3. ^Attributed toPitchfork'sOlivia Horn,[16]Spin'sBobby Olivier,[19]andThe Guardian'sLaura Snapes[21]
  4. ^Attributed toThe New York Times'Lindsay Zoladz[34]and theLos Angeles Times'Mikael Wood[35]
  5. ^Attributed toPitchfork'sOlivia Horn,[16]Spin'sBobby Olivier,[19]andThe Guardian'sLaura Snapes[21]

References

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  1. ^abcdefRed (Taylor's Version)(digital medialiner notes).Taylor Swift.Taylor Swift /Republic Records.2021.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^Melas, Chloe (November 16, 2020)."Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters".CNN.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2020.RetrievedNovember 19,2020.
  3. ^"Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits".BBC News.August 22, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on August 22, 2019.RetrievedAugust 22,2019.
  4. ^Finnis, Alex (November 17, 2020)."Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained".i.Archivedfrom the original on February 12, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 13,2021.
  5. ^Shah, Neil (April 9, 2021)."Taylor Swift Releases NewFearlessAlbum, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog ".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
  6. ^Espada, Mariah (July 6, 2023)."Taylor Swift Is Halfway Through Her Rerecording Project. It's Paid Off Big Time".Time.Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2023.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  7. ^Lipshutz, Jason (June 18, 2021)."Taylor Swift Announces 'Red' As Next Re-Recorded Album, Shares Release Date".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
  8. ^Eells, Josh (September 8, 2014)."Cover Story: The Reinvention of Taylor Swift".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2018.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
  9. ^McNutt 2020,p. 77–78.
  10. ^Al-Heeti, Abhar (November 11, 2021)."Red (Taylor's Version): Release date, tracklist, why Taylor Swift is rerecording her albums".CNET.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 30,2023.
  11. ^abcSwift, Taylor(August 23, 2019).Lover Deluxe(Media notes) (2nd ed.).
  12. ^Skinner, Tom (November 13, 2021)."Taylor Swift recalls texting Phoebe Bridgers to ask her to collaborate".NME.Archivedfrom the original on March 19, 2023.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  13. ^Feeney, Nolan (November 10, 2021)."Phoebe Bridgers 'Got Teary' Recording Her Part on Taylor Swift'sRed (Taylor's Version)".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on March 19, 2023.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  14. ^"Red (Taylor's Version)(+ A Message from Taylor) ".Apple Music.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2021.RetrievedAugust 23,2022.She wrestles with change on 'Nothing New,' an alt-rock duet with Phoebe Bridgers
  15. ^Kaplan, Ilana (November 15, 2021)."Taylor Swift'sRedRerelease Proves What Fans Always Knew ".Slate.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2021.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  16. ^abcdefHorn, Olivia (November 15, 2021)."Taylor Swift:Red (Taylor's Version)Album Review ".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2021.RetrievedNovember 18,2021.
  17. ^abOkon, Wongo (November 12, 2021)."Taylor Swift And Phoebe Bridgers Team Up For The Emotional 'Nothing New'".Uproxx.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2023.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  18. ^abLipshutz, Jason (November 12, 2021)."Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift'sRed (Taylor's Version):Critic's Picks ".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2021.RetrievedNovember 18,2021.
  19. ^abcd"Taylor Swift Remakes Heartbreak Odyssey withRed (Taylor's Version)".Spin.November 12, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2021.RetrievedNovember 12,2021.
  20. ^abMartoccio, Angie (November 12, 2021)."Congratulations, Indie Fans: We Finally Manifested a Taylor Swift/Phoebe Bridgers Duet".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2023.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  21. ^abcSnapes, Laura (November 12, 2021)."Taylor Swift:Red (Taylor's Version)review – getting back together with a classic ".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2021.RetrievedNovember 18,2021.
  22. ^Swift, Taylor(November 12, 2021)."Red (Taylor's Version)[+ A Message From Taylor] ".Apple Music(US).Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 30,2023.
  23. ^ab"Taylor Swift feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Nothing New ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  24. ^ab"Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  25. ^ab"Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50".Official Charts Company.Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  26. ^Zellner, Xander (November 22, 2021)."Taylor Swift Charts 26 Songs FromRed (Taylor's Version)onBillboardHot 100 ".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on November 24, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 27,2022.
  27. ^ab"Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  28. ^ab"Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)".Billboard.Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  29. ^ab"Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  30. ^"Taylor Swift's Eras tour is a career-defining spectacle full of surprises – review".The Independent.March 20, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on July 5, 2023.RetrievedAugust 27,2023.
  31. ^Willman, Chris (November 1, 2022)."Taylor Swift Announces 2023 'Eras Tour' of U.S. Stadiums".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2022.RetrievedAugust 27,2023.
  32. ^Armstrong, Megan (May 6, 2023)."Taylor Swift And Phoebe Bridgers Performed 'Nothing New' In Nashville".UPROXX.Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2023.RetrievedAugust 27,2023.
  33. ^Kickham, Dylan (May 7, 2023)."Taylor's Eras Tour Set List Gets An Extra Song When Phoebe Bridgers Is The Opener".Elite Daily.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2023.RetrievedAugust 27,2023.
  34. ^abZoladz, Lindsay (November 12, 2021)."Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers'sRedDuet, and 14 More New Song ".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 21, 2023.RetrievedNovember 19,2021.
  35. ^abWood, Mikael (December 17, 2021)."How Taylor Swift reclaimed 2012 to win 2021".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  36. ^Willman, Chris (November 11, 2021)."OnRed (Taylor's Version),Taylor Swift's Vault Tracks Are All Too Swell: Album Review ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2021.RetrievedNovember 18,2021.
  37. ^Battan, Carrie (November 17, 2021)."Taylor Swift's Quest for Justice".The New Yorker.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 20,2021.
  38. ^Gajjar, Saloni (November 15, 2021)."Album Review:Red (Taylor's Version)Is An Epic Time Machine ".The A.V. Club.Archivedfrom the original on November 16, 2021.RetrievedNovember 16,2021.
  39. ^Willman, Chris (August 9, 2023)."Taylor Swift's 25 Best Bonus Tracks, Ranked".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2023.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  40. ^Kurp, Josh (October 27, 2023)."Every Taylor Swift 'From The Vault' (Taylor's Version) Song, Ranked".Uproxx.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2023.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  41. ^Cooney, Samantha; Gutterman, Annabel; Mendes II, Moises; Sonis, Rachel (October 25, 2023)."The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked".Time.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2023.RetrievedNovember 5,2023.
  42. ^"Taylor Swift feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Nothing New ".AFP Top 100 Singles.Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  43. ^"Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  44. ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.RetrievedJune 21,2024.
  45. ^"Brazilian single certifications – Taylor Swift feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Nothing New"(in Portuguese).Pro-Música Brasil.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  46. ^"British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Nothing New (Taylor's Version)".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedSeptember 20,2024.

Journal

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