Bigger Than the Whole Sky

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"Bigger Than the Whole Sky"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Midnights (3am Edition)
ReleasedOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
Length3:38
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Jack Antonoff
Lyric video
"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" on YouTube

"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift as a bonus track of her tenth studio album, Midnights, released on October 21, 2022. As such, it is the 15th track on the extended (3am Edition) of the album, surprise-released three hours after the standard edition.[1] It was written solely by Swift, who produced it with Jack Antonoff.[2]

Background[edit]

On August 28, 2022, Taylor Swift announced her tenth studio album, Midnights, set for release on October 21, 2022. The track-list was not immediately revealed.[3] Jack Antonoff, a longtime collaborator of Swift who had worked with her since her fifth studio album 1989 (2014), was confirmed as a producer on Midnights by a video posted to Swift's Instagram account on September 16, 2022, titled "The making of Midnights."

On October 21, 2022, Midnights was released at 12:00 AM EDT. Three hours later, at 3:00 AM EDT, the Midnights (3am Edition) was released, containing "Bigger Than the Whole Sky".[4]

Composition and lyrics[edit]

The song is about heartache after a significant event.[5][6] Although the song's meaning is ambiguous,[7] some listeners have felt a connection to in relation to miscarriages that they have experienced,[8][9] with many using the song to share stories of their miscarriages on TikTok and other social media platforms.[10][11] Some listeners have compared the song with Swift's single, "Ronan".[12]

The first verse incorporates lyrics about being "sick with sadness".[7] The chorus alludes to grieving over someone whom Swift never met.[7] The second verse is about guilt.[7] The second verse also mentions religion as possibly playing a part in the loss.[5] In the song, Swift uses a "breathy upper register" to sing the word, "goodbye."[13] Staff writer Shirley Li of The Atlantic described the song as elegiac.[13]

Reception[edit]

Upon 3am Edition's release, all the album's 20 tracks debuted in the top-45 of the US Billboard Hot 100; "Bigger Than The Whole Sky" was at number 21.[14] On the Global 200, the track reached number 22.[15] It peaked on national record charts, at number 19 on the Philippines Songs chart,[16] at number 20 on the Canadian Hot 100,[17] at number 31 on Hungary's Single Top 40 chart,[18] at number 60 on the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100,[19] and number 68 on Portugal's Top 100 Singles.[20]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Bigger Than the Whole Sky"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 20
Global 200 (Billboard)[15] 22
Greece International (IFPI)[21] 65
Hungary (Single Top 40)[18] 31
Philippines (Billboard)[16] 19
Portugal (AFP)[20] 68
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 13
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[23] 35
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[24] 9
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[25] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[26] 21
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[19] 60

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brandle, Lars (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 'Chaotic Surprise' Is 'Midnights (3am Edition)', Featuring 7 Extra Tracks". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Swift, Taylor (October 21, 2022). "Credits / Midnights (3am Edition)". Tidal. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Martoccio, Angie (August 29, 2022). "Taylor Swift Announces New Album 'Midnights': 'A Journey Through Terrors and Sweet Dreams'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Mier, Tomás (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift Surprises Fans With 'Midnights 3 A.M. Edition' Featuring 7 Additional Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Durney, Ellen. "Taylor Released A Song Which Many Think Is About Miscarriage And Fans Are Sharing Their Own Experiences". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Stein, Michelle (October 21, 2022). "Swifties Have a Heartbreaking Theory About the Meaning of "Bigger Than the Whole Sky"". Distractify. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Watts, Marina (October 25, 2022). "People Who Have Had Miscarriages Are Relating To This Taylor Swift Song". Bustle. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  8. ^ Bologna, Caroline (October 22, 2022). "A New Taylor Swift Song Is Resonating With Those Who've Had Miscarriages". HuffPost. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Campoamor, Danielle (October 21, 2022). "A new Taylor Swift song is speaking powerfully to people who have had a miscarriage". TODAY Parents. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.,
  10. ^ Hampson, Laura (October 27, 2022). "Taylor Swift song praised by people who have suffered miscarriages". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (October 26, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 'Bigger Than The Whole Sky' Aids Mothers Who Had Miscarriage". UPROXX. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Gibson, Kelsie (October 26, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 'Bigger Than the Whole Sky' Song Is Resonating with Fans". People. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Li, Shirley (November 2, 2022). "Taylor Swift's Best New Songs Aren't Technically on Midnights". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  14. ^ Zellner, Xander (October 31, 2022). "Taylor Swift Charts All 20 Songs From 'Midnights' on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Bigger Than the Whole Sky". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 43". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  23. ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  26. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
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