Sweet Nothing (Taylor Swift song)

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"Sweet Nothing"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Midnights
ReleasedOctober 21, 2022
Studio
GenreBedroom pop
Length3:08
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Sweet Nothing" on YouTube

"Sweet Nothing" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Swift wrote the song with Joe Alwyn, who is credited under the pseudonym William Bowery, and produced it with Jack Antonoff. An electric piano-led ballad, "Sweet Nothing" features a bedroom pop production that is reminiscent of 1970s ballads. It is accompanied by saxophone and clarinet accents. The lyrics are about a narrator's appreciation of her lover for his calming presence and simple gestures amidst the chaos of the outer world.

In reviews of Midnights, music critics praised the intimate lyrics, vulnerable sentiments, and tender production of "Sweet Nothing"; some picked it as one of the album's best tracks. Esquire ranked it among the best songs of 2022. Commercially, "Sweet Nothing" peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Global 200 and in the top 40 on single charts in Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.

Background and release[edit]

British actor Joe Alwyn in an interview
Joe Alwyn co-wrote "Sweet Nothing".

At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards held on August 28, the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift announced her tenth studio album, set for release on October 21, during her acceptance speech for Video of the Year. Soon after, she revealed the title, Midnights, and its album cover on her social media, but did not immediately reveal the tracklist.[1] On September 21, a month before Midnights was released, she announced a thirteen-episode short series called Midnights Mayhem With Me, slated for release on the social media platform TikTok. Its purpose is to announce a song title through a telephone every episode by rolling a lottery cage containing thirteen ping pong balls numbered one to thirteen, each ball representing a track.[2][3] In the twelfth episode, she revealed "Sweet Nothing" as the twelfth track of the album.[4]

Midnights was released by Republic Records, and "Sweet Nothing" appears as track number 12. The English actor Joe Alwyn wrote and produced songs under the pseudonym William Bowery with Swift on her 2020 studio albums, Folklore and Evermore. He again wrote with Swift and is credited under the same pseudonym as co-writer on "Sweet Nothing".[5] Jack Antonoff, a longtime collaborator who produced Swift's albums since her fifth, 1989 (2014), was confirmed as a producer on Midnights by a video posted to Swift's Instagram account on September 16, titled "The making of Midnights".[6] The "Piano remix" of the song is included on the CD Deluxe edition of Midnights titled Lavender Edition.[7] "Sweet Nothing" had its live performance debut on August 24, 2023, at the first international show of the Eras Tour in Mexico City.[8]

Composition and lyrics[edit]

"Sweet Nothing" is three minutes and eight seconds long.[9] Swift wrote the song with Alwyn (credited as William Bowery) and produced it with Antonoff, who also engineered and programmed it. On "Sweet Nothing", Antonoff is credited with instruments including drums, piano, and synthesizers (Moog, Juno 6, Prophet 5), and Evan Smith is credited with organ, saxophone, flute, and clarinet. "Sweet Nothing" was recorded by Antonoff and engineer Laura Sisk at Rough Customer Studio, Brooklyn and Electric Lady Studios, New York, and Smith recorded Swift's performance at Pleasure Hill Recording, Portland. The track was mixed by Serban Ghenea, assisted by Bryce Bordone, at Sterling Sound, Edgewater, and mastered by Randy Merrill at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach.[10]

"Sweet Nothing" is a tender ballad that is reminiscent of 1970s songs.[11][12] Its acoustic arrangement sets it apart from a synth-heavy album.[13] The song is driven by an electric piano[14][15] and features accents of saxophone[16] and clarinet that crescendo towards the end.[14][17] Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen said the song had a bedroom pop "aesthetic".[18]

The title references the expression "sweet nothings", which denotes insubstantial romantic gestures only meant to flatter or seduce. In the lyrics, a narrator appreciates her lover for not expecting anything from her and describes him as a calm and reliable presence amidst the chaotic world outside.[16][19] She feels like home with him: "you're in the kitchen humming"; this lyric evokes imagery of a couple's intimacy within a kitchen setting on some of Swift's past songs such as "All Too Well" (2012) and "Cornelia Street" (2019).[20] She recalls how he appreciates her: "On the way home / I wrote a poem / You say what a mind."[21] The lyrics, "industry disruptors and soul deconstructors / And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other", allude to Swift's struggles with her fame and celebrity. The narrator expresses her vulnerability and admits to her lover, "I'm just too soft for all of it".[20] Some critics commented the song is structured similar to a nursery rhyme.[17][22]

Critical reception[edit]

"Sweet Nothing" received widespread acclaim from critics. Au-Nhien Nguyen picked it as an album highlight for a different side of Swift's songwriting.[18] Alex Hopper of American Songwriter appreciated the song's romantic simplicity because it feels "buoyantly free and delightfully naive".[23] Ranking every Midnights track, Billboard journalist Jason Lipshutz placed it as the album's eighth best song; he said Swift's subtle gestures are one of the album's most affecting.[16] Entertainment Weekly's Marc Hirsh called the song "charming" for Swift's devotion and gratitude to someone who demands nothing for her.[24] Rick Quinn from PopMatters picked "Sweet Nothing" as one of the songs that showcased Swift's ability to "enunciate and play with where the emphatic accent falls become rhythmic instruments."[25] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph hailed the "gossamer-light, flyaway ballad" as the album's best song.[26] In the Financial Times, Ludovic Hunter-Tilney picked the track as a showcase of Swift's ability to "sound conversational and highly tuneful at the same time" and lauded her "wonderfully deft use of tone and phrasing".[27] Esquire selected "Sweet Nothing" among the 45 best songs of 2022.[19]

Commercial performance[edit]

After Midnights' release, "Sweet Nothing" entered the Billboard Global 200 at number 14 along with the standard edition's 12 other tracks, all of which debuted inside the top-15 of the Global 200.[28] In Canada, it debuted and peaked at number 15 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified gold by Music Canada for selling over 40,000 units.[29][30] Elsewhere, "Sweet Nothing" debuted on the charts in several countries and peaked within the top 40 in the Philippines (12),[31] Australia (14),[32] the United States (14),[33] Singapore (15),[34] Malaysia (16),[35] Vietnam (27),[36] and Portugal (34).[37]

Personnel[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Midnights.[10]

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Sweet Nothing"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[32] 14
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 15
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[38] 66
Global 200 (Billboard)[28] 14
Greece International (IFPI)[39] 30
Ireland (Billboard)[40] 15
Lithuania (AGATA)[41] 72
Malaysia International (RIM)[35] 16
Philippines (Billboard)[31] 12
Portugal (AFP)[37] 34
Singapore (RIAS)[34] 15
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 78
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[43] 89
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 59
Swiss Streaming (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 70
UK (Billboard)[46] 18
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[47] 18
US Billboard Hot 100[33] 15
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[36] 27

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Sweet Nothing"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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 November 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "Taylor Swift Begins Revealing Midnights Song Titles—Starting with 'Track 13, Because of Course'". People. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Aniftos, Rania (September 23, 2022). "Taylor Swift Announces Next Midnights Song Title & It's Spicy". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Jones, Damian (October 7, 2022). "Taylor Swift reveals all song titles on new album Midnights". NME. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Mier, Tomás (October 18, 2022). "See Which Midnights Song Joe Alwyn Is Listed as a Co-Writer on With Taylor Swift". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (September 16, 2022). "Taylor Swift Confirms Jack Antonoff as Producer on Midnights in New Behind-the-Scenes Look". Variety. Archived from the original on September 16, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Huff, Lauren (October 23, 2022). "Everything to know about Taylor Swift's Midnights album". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Deville, Chris (August 25, 2023). "Taylor Swift Plays "I Forgot That You Existed" & "Sweet Nothing" Live: Watch". Stereogum. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "Taylor Swift releases Midnights: Fans and critics praise the dark and cryptic album – as it happened". The Independent. February 3, 2023. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Midnights (liner notes). Taylor Swift. Republic Records. 2022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Wilson, Carl (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift's Midnights Is the Right Kind of Concept Album". Slate. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  12. ^ Spanos, Brittany (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift Lets Us Into Her Darkest Dreams On Midnights". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Dwyer, Matthew (November 4, 2022). "Taylor Swift's Midnights Is the Solution and the Problem". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Willman, Chris (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift's Midnights Marks a Return to Electronic, Confessional Pop That's Worth Losing Sleep Over: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  15. ^ Bridgewater, Paul (October 21, 2022). "Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift: 'a love letter to emotional stability that can't hide its flaws'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (October 21, 2022). "Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Midnights". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Ruggieri, Melissa (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift returns to pop with poetic Midnights, her most deeply personal album yet". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Nguyen, Giselle Au-Nhien (October 21, 2022). "Clever, addictive: Taylor Swift's new album bridges pop and folk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  19. ^ a b McNeal, Bria; Hassan, Ammal; Miller, Matt (December 2, 2022). "The 45 Best Songs of 2022". Esquire. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Jennings, Rebecca (October 21, 2022). "Every song on Taylor Swift's Midnights, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  21. ^ Lowe, Lindsay (October 21, 2022). "Is Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn's Midnights collab about their own love story?". Today.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  22. ^ Moreland, Quinn (October 24, 2022). "Taylor Swift: Midnights Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Hopper, Alex (October 21, 2022). "Review: Taylor Swift Delivers Her Dreamiest and Most Introspective Album to Date with Midnights". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Hirsh, Marc (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift sleeps to dream on the moody, intimate 'Midnights'". EW.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  25. ^ Quinn, Rick (November 2, 2022). "Taylor Swift: Midnights (Album Review)". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. ^ McCormick, Neil (October 21, 2022). "On Midnights, Taylor Swift kisses goodbye to the crowd-pleasing hit". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  27. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift: Midnights review—fourth new album in three years finds the singer flagging". Financial Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing". Music Canada. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "RIAS Top Charts Week 43 (21 – 27 Oct 2022)". RIAS. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 43 (21/10/2022-27/10/2022)". RIM. November 5, 2022. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022 – via Facebook.
  36. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202243 into search. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  39. ^ "IFPI Charts". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  40. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Ireland Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  41. ^ "2022 43-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 19, 2022. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  42. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202243 into search. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  43. ^ "Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  44. ^ "Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  45. ^ "Streaming Charts Top 100" (in German). Schweizer Hitparade. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (U.K. Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  47. ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  48. ^ "Jan 2024 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  49. ^ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Sweet Nothing". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
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