Today Was a Fairytale
"Today Was a Fairytale" | ||||
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Single by Taylor Swift | ||||
from the album Valentine's Day | ||||
Released | January 19, 2010 | |||
Genre | Country pop | |||
Length | 4:02 | |||
Label | Big Machine | |||
Songwriter(s) | Taylor Swift | |||
Producer(s) |
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Taylor Swift singles chronology | ||||
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2011 re-release cover | ||||
Audio video | ||||
"Today Was a Fairytale" on YouTube |
"Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor's Version)" | |
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Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album Fearless (Taylor's Version) | |
Released | April 9, 2021 |
Genre | Country pop |
Length | 4:02 |
Label | Republic |
Songwriter(s) | Taylor Swift |
Producer(s) |
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Lyric video | |
"Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube |
"Today Was a Fairytale" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, it was released digitally on January 19, 2010, by Big Machine Records as a single from the corresponding soundtrack for the 2010 film Valentine's Day, in which she acted. Swift had previously written the song and offered it to producers for the film's soundtrack. Musically, "Today Was a Fairytale" is country pop-influenced and, lyrically, speaks of a magical date.
Some critics deemed "Today Was a Fairytale" the best song on the Valentine's Day soundtrack, but some others deemed it bland. The song peaked at number one in Canada, number two in the United States, and number six in Australia. Swift included the track on a revised set list for the continuation of her Fearless Tour in 2010. The song was re-recorded and released as "Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor's Version)", as part of Swift's 2021 re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor's Version).
Background and release
Swift solely penned "Today Was a Fairytale" in the summer of 2008 and stored it away for a while.[1] After being cast as Felicia Miller on Valentine's Day, Swift offered the song to the film producers for the soundtrack as she did not believe it fit on her upcoming album. "When this movie opportunity came about, I reached back into my pocket and thought, 'I think this is perfect for the soundtrack. I hope it's perfect for the soundtrack'", Swift told The Tennessean.[1] "Today Was a Fairytale" was released as a single from the Valentine's Day soundtrack on January 19, 2010, exclusively through the iTunes Store.[2] The single was re-released on February 15, 2011.[3] Swift released a re-recorded version, "Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor's Version)", as the twentieth track on her re-recorded album Fearless (Taylor's Version), on April 9, 2021.[4]
Composition
"Today Was a Fairytale" has a length of four minutes and two seconds.
The song's lyrics describe a magical date.[10] Like many of Swift's songs, the lyrics invoke princess imagery with lines such as "Today was a fairytale/You were the prince/I used to be a damsel in distress."[7] Bertoldi said the lyrics were "driven more by sweeping emotion than [...] specific, youth-focused imagery".[9] Occasionally, Swift does interrupt the fairytale construct with modern day, real world details like the time her date arrives or the color of his shirt.[7]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. Melanie Bertoldi of Billboard compared the song's lyrics to those of Swift's previous singles "You Belong with Me" and "Fifteen"; she was convinced that "Today Was a Fairytale" would "help [Swift] reach an even broader audience."[9] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly did not see a departure from Swift, recalling lyrics to be familiar of those of "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me". However, she ended with "What do we know? The song sounds Taylor-made (oh, the wit!) for her fans, and we’re just happy she's still sweet, neat, and [...] age-appropriate."[11] An uncredited review from People magazine said the track led the Valentine's Day soundtrack.[12] Brittany Talarico of British magazine OK! called the song's refrains "catchy" and described the overall feel as "sweet."[13] Andrew Leahey of AllMusic said that there was special attention placed on Swift's tracks on the soundtrack, particularly on the song.[14] Jody Rosen of Slate magazine declared "Today Was a Fairytale" "track of the week", highlighting its imagery that, according to her, "sharpen the focus instead of softening it."[7] Jonah Weiner, also of Slate, wrote, "This song is a funny mix: some of her tightest songwriting to date, but some of her laziest lyrics." He mentioned that in the lyrics, Swift mainly "invoke[d] the cliché and hope[d] it [did] her heavy lifting for her."[7] In June 2022, Insider ranked "Today Was a Fairytale" as Swift's second worst soundtrack song.[15]
Commercial performance
On the week ending February 6, 2010, "Today Was a Fairytale" debuted at number two on the
"Today Was a Fairytale" was Swift's first song to peak at number one on the
Live performances
Swift performed a medley, which included the song, at the
Swift annexed "Today Was a Fairytale" to a revised set list for the continuation of her
Chart performance
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[53] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[54] | Platinum | 1,600,000[22] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[2] | January 19, 2010 | Digital download | Big Machine |
Australia[55] | January 22, 2010 | ||
Japan[56] | |||
United States[57] | February 9, 2010 | Contemporary hit radio |
|
Germany[58] | March 12, 2010 | Digital download | Universal |
United States[3] | February 15, 2011 | Digital download (rerelease) | Big Machine |
See also
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2010
- List of number-one digital songs of 2010 (U.S.)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2010 (Canada)
References
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- ^ a b "Today Was a Fairytale – Single by Taylor Swift". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "Today Was a Fairytale – Single by Taylor Swift". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (February 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded Fearless Album: Updated 'Love Story' Out Tonight". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- Rovi Corporation. Archivedfrom the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ Alfred Publishing.
- ^ The Washington Post Company. Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ Mylrea, Hannah (September 8, 2020). "Every Taylor Swift song ranked in order of greatness". NME. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- Viacom. Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- Time Warner. Archivedfrom the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "FIRST LISTEN: Like Taylor Swift? Stream the Valentine's Day Soundtrack!". People. Time Warner. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Talarico, Brittany. "Taylor Swift Serenades Sweethearts on 'Valentine's Day' Soundtrack". OK!. Northern & Shell. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Leahy, Andrew. "Valentine's Day: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack > Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Ahlgrim, Callie; Larocca, Courteney (June 26, 2022). "All 8 of Taylor Swift's soundtrack songs, ranked". Insider. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (August 21, 2012). "Official: Taylor Swift's 'Never' Song Sells 623,000; Sets Female Digital Record". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
- ^ Trust, Gary (February 5, 2010). "Ask Billboard: Miley's New Movie Music". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Today Was a Fairytale". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum: "Taylor Swift albums"". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (November 11, 2014). "Ask Billboard: All-Taylor Swift Edition". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Update February 12, 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "Taylor Swift - Today Was a Fairytale (Song)". Australian-charts.com. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Singles". ARIA.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ "Discography Taylor Swift". Irish-charts.com. Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company - Taylor Swift - Today Was a Fairytale". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ a b Ditzian, Eric (January 31, 2010). "Taylor Swift Shares The Stage With Stevie Nicks At The Grammys". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ Montgomery, James (February 3, 2010). "Taylor Swift Backlash: Readers Weigh In". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (February 3, 2010). "Taylor Swift's Grammy Performance Defended By Label CEO". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ CMT. Viacom. Archived from the originalon February 26, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ a b McDonnel, Brandy (April 1, 2010). "Concert review: Taylor Swift brings "Fearless" show to Ford Center". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma Publishing Company. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ Trust, Molly (June 8, 2010). "Taylor Swift / June 5, 2010 / Foxboro, Mass". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (April 14, 2023). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far)". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Taylor Swift – Today Was a Fairytale". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Taylor Swift". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ "Taylor Swift – Today Was a Fairytale". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Taylor Swift: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
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- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
- ^ "Best of 2010 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Jan 2024 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Today Was a Fairytale". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Today Was a Fairytale – Single by Taylor Swift". Australia: iTunes Store. January 2009. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ テイラー・スウィフト「Today Was a Fairytale – Single」 (in Japanese). Japan: iTunes Store. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- Allaccess.com. Archived from the originalon February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Today Was a Fairytale" (in German). Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2021.