Renegade (Big Red Machine song)

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Renegade"
Single by Big Red Machine featuring Taylor Swift
from the album How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?
ReleasedJuly 2, 2021 (2021-07-02)
RecordedMarch 2021
Studio
Genre
Length4:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Aaron Dessner
Big Red Machine singles chronology
"The Ghost of Cincinnati"
(2021) 		"Renegade"
(2021) 		"Phoenix"
(2021)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Gasoline"
(2021) 		"Renegade"
(2021) 		"I Bet You Think About Me"
(2021)
Music video
"Renegade" on
YouTube

"Renegade" is a song recorded by American indie band Big Red Machine featuring American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on July 2, 2021, by 37D03D and Jagjaguwar. It was serviced to US triple-A radio on the same day as the third single from the band's second studio album, How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? (2021).

Written by Swift and producer

mental health issues
can have on their personal relationships, and the resulting confusion and indecision. It depicts the narrator's frustration with their emotionally fortified partner, and the former's efforts to confront and help the latter. Music critics acclaimed the song, with emphasis on its sharp lyrics and instrumentation.

Marking Big Red Machine's first entry in all of the record charts it appeared on, "Renegade" charted in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The song reached the top 10 of the UK Independent Singles and the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts.

Background and release

This song was something we wrote after we finished

evermore and it dawned on us that this was a BRM [Big Red Machine] song. Taylor's words hit me so hard when I heard her first voice memo and still do, every time. Justin lifted the song further into the heavens, and my brother's (Bryce Dessner) strings and drummer Jason Treuting add so much. The feeling and sound of this song feel very much at the heart of How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?; I'm so grateful to Taylor for continuing to share her incredible talent with me and that we are still finding excuses to make music together.

— Aaron Dessner on "Renegade" to Zane Lowe, Pitchfork[1]

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift collaborated with Aaron Dessner, the guitarist of American indie rock band the National, and Justin Vernon, the vocalist of Bon Iver, on her eighth and ninth studio albums released in 2020, Folklore and Evermore, respectively. In a December 2020 interview for Rolling Stone, Dessner said that Swift had been writing songs for the upcoming project of Big Red Machine, a band consisting of Dessner and Vernon; two of those songs, "Dorothea" and "Closure", ended up appearing on the track-listing of Evermore instead.[2] Dessner further produced two tracks on Swift's 2021 re-recording, Fearless (Taylor's Version).[3] Two songs—"Renegade" and "Birch"—were recorded by Swift for Big Red Machine, at her Los Angeles home studio, Kitty Committee, in the week ending March 19, 2021, the same week Swift and Dessner had won Album of the Year for Folklore at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[4] Vernon recorded additional vocals at his studio, April Base.[5]

On April 13, 2021, Vernon previewed new music on his

adult contemporary radio as well, on July 12, 2021.[15] On August 17, a pop version of the song was released.[16]

Composition and lyrics

"Renegade"
A sample of the first chorus, which shows Swift's quick delivery of
syncopated
drums, guitar plucks, and Vernon's backing vocals.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

A

second person, "Renegade" has the narrator describe how the subject's anxiety and fear are obstacles for the narrator's love for the subject.[17] The song ends with the question "Is it insensitive for me to say, get your shit together so I can love you?", with the outcome remaining uncertain.[18] "Renegade" is set in a C major key. Swift's vocals range between E3 and G4.[19] It has a fast tempo of 168 beats per minute.[20]

"Renegade" is performed by Swift as the lead vocalist, backed by Vernon's additional vocals.[5] The song was written by Dessner and Swift. Dessner stated he was emotionally struck the first time he heard Swift talk about "how anxiety and fear get in the way of loving someone or create an inability for someone to love". Renegade sums up that emotion with a "fairly experimental" sound. It is an upbeat,[21] alternative indie,[22] indie pop,[23] indie folk,[22] and folk pop song[24] with strings by Dessner and drums by So Percussion's Jason Treuting.[1][25] Swift's vocal delivery is wordy, punctuated by brief plucks of gentle acoustic guitar and "rolling" synthesizers. The song ends with a polyphony of layered harmonies of Swift and Vernon.[26][27]

Critical reception

Spin critic Josh Chesler called "Renegade" an indie pop "banger",[23] Lauren Huff of Entertainment Weekly dubbed it an earworm,[28] and Variety's Jonathan Cohen said the song continued "the more musically adventurous vein" of Swift's latest work with Dessner, using emotionally stirring couplets.[25] Robin Murray, wiring for Clash, dubbed the song " love-struck melodrama" with "piercing" lyrics.[29] Nina Corcoran of Consequence wrote that "Renegade" is a "folk-pop earworm" with Swift's "future classic" lyrics.[24] Mary Siroky of the same publication said that the song's focus is "someone refusing to let love in", about "how many times someone can be turned away while waiting patiently for the subject of their affection to realize it's ok to ask for help, and, sometimes, for forgiveness". Siroky also praised the diction and honesty of Swift's songwriting.[18]

NPR's Stephen Thompson stated that Swift, in the song, "stares down a relationship that's become more toxic and labor-intensive than she'd been led to expect". He highlighted the lyric "Is it insensitive for me to say, 'Get your shit together so I can love you'?" and concluded "Renegade" sounds like a Swift song featuring Big Red Machine than the band featuring her.[30] Devon Ivie of Vulture appreciated the song's "memorable" couplets.[31] Pitchfork's rock critic Quinn Moreland said "Renegade" combines Swift's "thoughtful" 2020 songwriting with the "exploratory landscape" of Dessner and Vernon, and found the relationship described in the song as "claustrophobic and tangled in anxiety to the point of mutual destruction", filled with "frustration and indecision", juxtaposed against a "bright and warm" composition. Moreland added that Vernon and Swift’s "dueling" harmonies spiral together into "a cocoon of confusion".[26]

Savannah Roberts of

drones, tendrils of electric and acoustic guitar", and Vernon's "distant" backing vocals.[32] Billboard writer Jason Lipshutz said the sonic texture of "Renegade" derives from the works by the National, with its "all skittering beats and emotional warfare for adults", but Swift's imprint in that musical territory "remains thrilling, even after many months and multiple Bon Iver duets". He concluded that the song is as "satisfying" as "Exile" (2020), Swift's first duet with Vernon.[33]

Commercial performance

"Renegade" marked Big Red Machine's first ever entry on various charts across the globe. In the United States, the song landed at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Alternative Songs chart dated July 17, 2021, introducing Big Red Machine on the chart for the first time,

Rolling Stone Top 100, it entered at number 90, earning 38,300 units, including 3.7 million on-demand streams.[40]

In the United Kingdom, "Renegade" opened at number 73 on the

New Zealand Hot Singles chart.[47] "Renegade" arrived at number 96 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.[48]

Track listing

  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "Renegade" (featuring Taylor Swift) – 4:14
  1. "Renegade" (featuring Taylor Swift) – 4:14
  2. "Ghost of Cincinnati" – 3:37
  3. "Latter Days" (featuring Anaïs Mitchell) – 3:58
  • Digital download and streaming – pop version[16]
  1. Renegade (pop version) – 3:51

Personnel

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Renegade"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various July 2, 2021
  • streaming
 Standard
[49]
Italy
Radio airplay
 Goodfellas [58]
United States Triple A radio
  • 37D03D
  • Jagjaguwar
 [13]
July 12, 2021
Adult contemporary radio
[15]
July 13, 2021 Contemporary hit radio [59]
Various August 17, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Pop
  • 37D03D
  • Jagjaguwar
 [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c Minsker, Evan (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine and Taylor Swift Share Video for New Song "Renegade"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (December 18, 2020). "Aaron Dessner on the 'Weird Avalanche' That Resulted in Taylor Swift's 'Evermore'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Credits / Fearless (Taylor's Version) / Taylor Swift". Tidal. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Minsker, Evan (June 29, 2021). "Big Red Machine (Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner) Announce New Album With Taylor Swift, Fleet Foxes, and More". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Zemler, Emily (July 2, 2021). "Hear Taylor Swift Join Big Red Machine on 'Renegade'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Bon Iver's Justin Vernon Teases New Taylor Swift Collaboration". Pitchfork. April 14, 2021. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Langford, Jackson (July 2, 2021). "Listen to Big Red Machine's new song with Taylor Swift, 'Renegade'". NME. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (June 28, 2021). "Big Red Machine are teasing new music and fans think it'll feature Taylor Swift". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 29, 2021). "Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon's Big Red Machine Previews New Album With 'Latter Days'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  10. ^ White, Caitlin (June 29, 2021). "Big Red Machine Announces A New Project That Features Taylor Swift". Uproxx. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Monroe, Jazz (June 30, 2021). "Listen to Big Red Machine's New Song "The Ghost of Cincinnati"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Hirwani, Peony (July 2, 2021). "Taylor Swift releases new single Renegade with Big Red Machine". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Trust, Gary [@gthot20] (June 30, 2021). ".@BRMadjv "Renegade," feat. @taylorswift13, being promoted to adult pop & adult alternative radio upon its release Friday, 7/2 @aaron_dessner @boniver" (Tweet). Retrieved July 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @BRMadjv (July 1, 2021). "https://t.co/tpDYhFQKOB #howlongdoyouthinkitsgonnalast" (Tweet). Retrieved July 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ a b "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Big Red Machine; Swift, Taylor (August 17, 2021). "Renegade (Pop Version) – Single". Apple Music (NZ). Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  17. Newsbytes. Archived
    from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Siroky, Mary (July 2, 2021). "Song of the Week: Big Red Machine and Taylor Swift Debut a Stirring Summer Collab With "Renegade"". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  19. ^ Taylor, Swift; Aaron, Dessner; Taylor, Swift (December 11, 2020). "Renegade". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  20. ^ "Key & BPM for Renegade (feat. Taylor Swift) by Big Red Machine, Taylor Swift | Tunebat". tunebat.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  21. ^ Atkinson, Katie (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine & Taylor Swift's 'Renegade' Has Arrived: Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c Roberts, Savannah (July 2, 2021). "Taylor Swift touches on mental health in new song 'Renegade'!". Capital. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Chesler, Josh (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine Release New Song Featuring Taylor Swift". Spin. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  24. ^
    Consequence. Archived
    from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  25. ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine Unveils Taylor Swift Collab, 'Renegade'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Moreland, Quinn (July 2, 2021), "Big Red Machine — Renegade (ft. Taylor Swift)", Pitchfork, archived from the original on July 2, 2021, retrieved July 2, 2021
  27. ^ a b Tenreyro, Tatiana (July 2, 2021). "Taylor Swift's song with Big Red Machine is one of her all-time best". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  28. EW.com. Archived
    from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  29. ^ Murray, Clash (July 2, 2021). "Taylor Swift Voices Big Red Machine's 'Renegade'". Clash. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Thompson, Stephen (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine (Feat. Taylor Swift), 'Renegade'". NPR. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Ivie, Devon (July 2, 2021). "Taylor Swift's New Song 'Renegade' Isn't a Styx Cover But We Like It Anyway". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  32. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived
    from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  33. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (July 2, 2021). "First Stream: New Music From Big Red Machine & Taylor Swift, Brent Faiyaz & Drake and More". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  34. ^ "Big Red Machine – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  35. ^ "Taylor Swift – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  36. ^ "Taylor Swift – Alternative Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  37. ^ "Taylor Swift – Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  38. ^ "Taylor Swift – Alternative Streaming Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  39. ^ "Adult Pop Airplay Chart". Billboard. July 10, 2021. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  40. ^ a b "Top 100 Popular Songs – July 8, 2021". Rolling Stone. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  41. ^ "Big Red Machine". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  42. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. July 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  43. ^ "Big Red Machine – Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Big Red Machine Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  45. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 12 July 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1636. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 12, 2021. p. 4.
  46. ^ a b "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  47. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 12, 2021. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  48. ^ a b "Big Red Machine Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  49. ^ a b "Renegade by Big Red Machine feat. Taylor Swift on Spotify". Spotify. July 2, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  50. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  51. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  52. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9. 2021.
  53. ^ "Big Red Machine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  54. ^ "Big Red Machine Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  55. ^ "Big Red Machine Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  56. ^ "Big Red Machine Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  57. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  58. ^ Iurlano, Davide (July 2, 2021). "Big Red Machine - Renegade (feat. Taylor Swift) (Radio Date: 02-07-2021)". EarOne (in Italian). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  59. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ..." All Access. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Renegade_(Big_Red_Machine_song)&oldid=1208574656"