Would've, Could've, Should've

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"Would've, Could've, Should've"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Midnights (3am Edition)
ReleasedOctober 21, 2022 (2022-10-21)
GenreSoft rock
Length4:20
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Aaron Dessner
Lyric video
"Would've, Could've, Should've" on
YouTube

"Would've, Could've, Should've" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is a bonus track originally released as part of the 3am Edition of her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, it is a new wave-leaning soft rock song about a narrator's rumination of a flawed, age-inappropriate romantic relationship in the past.

Music critics highly praised the lyrics, production, and emotional sentiments of the song, with some picking it as an album highlight. The song was included in 2022 year-end best-of lists by Business Insider, Rolling Stone, and Slant Magazine. It peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 21 on the Billboard Global 200, and charted in Canada, the Philippines, Portugal, Sweden, and Vietnam.

Background and release

On August 28, 2022, Swift announced her tenth studio album Midnights during her acceptance speech when she won Video of the Year for All Too Well: The Short Film at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.[1] The 13-track album was released at midnight on October 21, 2022, Eastern Time, on Republic Records. Three hours later, the 3am Edition of Midnights, which features "Would've, Could've, Should've" and six other songs, was surprise-released.[2] The song was also included on the Til Dawn and Late Night editions of the album that were released on May 26, 2023.[3][4] Aaron Dessner, who had collaborated with Swift on her 2020 studio albums Folklore and Evermore, worked on four tracks of the 3am Edition, including "Would've, Could've, Should've".[5]

On May 8, Swift performed the song with Dessner during the Nashville stop as part of her sixth headlining concert tour, the Eras Tour.[6] "Would've, Could've, Should've" debuted and peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7] On the Billboard Global 200, it peaked at number 21.[8] The track peaked on singles charts including the Canadian Hot 100 (18),[9] the Portuguese singles chart (66),[10] the Philippines Songs chart (23),[11] and the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 chart (96).[12]

Composition

Swift wrote and produced "Would've, Could've, Should've" with Dessner, who plays numerous instruments for the track including bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica, synthesizer, and piano.

Thomas Bartlett (keyboards, synthesizer).[13] The track's production features steadily building acoustic guitar, synthesizers, and distortion.[14][15] Callie Ahlgrim from Business Insider described the genre as soft rock,[16] and Rolling Stone considered it a new wave-leaning song.[17] In The Oregonian, Lizzy Acker found the track containing "an almost-country vibe".[18] Commenting on the production, USA Today's Melissa Ruggieri said it features "a galloping cadence and soaring chorus".[19]

In the lyrics, a narrator ruminates about a past relationship with an older man when she was 19 years old and how it still haunts her into adulthood.[17][20] The narrator reflects on the relationship, "I damn sure never would've danced with the devil at 19 / And the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven / And now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts."[21] She examines how the trauma turned her memories into weapons ("I regret you all the time"), but also admits how it used to entertain her ("the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven").[16][22] Religious references are prevalent ("You're a crisis of my faith" and "The tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind").[23]

"Would've, Could've, Should've"
A sample of "Would've, Could've, Should've", a soft rock song with a distorted production combining guitars and synthesizers
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The bridge contains the lyric that some critics found striking and most cutting, "Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts / Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first", accusing the man of stealing her innocence, and abusing her emotionally and sexually.[16][17][23] Many critics viewed "Would've, Could've, Should've" as a loose sequel to Swift's 2010 song "Dear John", as both are about a teenage girl dealing with a relationship with an older man.[16][24][25] Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone considered "Would've, Could've, Should've" "messier, more confused, more ambivalent".[26] In Slate, Carl Wilson said the song finds Swift "returning to stories that feel familiar, but with second thoughts".[27]

Reception

Many critics considered "Would've, Could've, Should've" the best track on the 3am Edition of Midnights,

bonus track.[16][25] A few agreed with the song's status as a 3am Edition-only track because it stands out production-wise;[14][25] Variety journalist Chris Willman added that the painful lyrics might tarnish the rather playful Midnights.[21] Wilson called the song a "killer" with intense lyrics that feel like "where she stays inside the house as it burns".[27] Quinn Moreland from Pitchfork picked it as one of the best songs of Swift's career, and praised the nuanced, mature perspective compared to the 2010 track "Dear John".[29] In The Atlantic, Shirley Li commented that despite the media gossip that surrounded the subject behind "Would've, Could've, Should've", the track would stand the test of time thanks to its emotional sentiments.[30] Acker was less complimentary; she deemed the track not as fun as other Midnights songs.[18] The song was ranked in year-end lists of the best songs of 2022 by Business Insider (1st),[31] Slant Magazine (24th),[15] and Rolling Stone (59th).[17]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[13]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Aaron Dessner – songwriting, production, bass guitar, drum programming, drums, electric guitar, guitar, harmonica, piano, synthesizer, recording engineering
  • Bryce Dessner – electric guitar
  • James McAlister – drum programming, drums, synthesizer
  • Bryan Devendorf – drums
  • Thomas Bartlett
     – keyboards, synthesizer, additional engineering
  • Jonathan Low – mixing, recording engineering, vocal engineering
  • Randy Merrill – mastering
  • Bella Blasko – recording engineering
  • Justin Vernon – additional engineering

Charts

Chart performance for "Would've, Could've, Should've"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 18
Global 200 (Billboard)[8] 21
Greece International (IFPI)[32] 49
Ireland (Billboard)[33] 24
Philippines (Billboard)[11] 23
Portugal (AFP)[10] 66
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 4
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[35]
 31
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[36] 11
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[37]
 15
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 20
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[12] 96

Certifications

Certifications for "Would've, Could've, Should've"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Gold 35,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  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 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b 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 November 4, 2022.
  3. ^ Lonsdale, John (May 26, 2023). "From 'Til Dawn' to '3 a.m.,' Here's Where to Buy Every Edition of Taylor Swift's Midnights Online". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Midnights (The Late Night Edition) Digital Album". Taylor Swift Official Store. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Willman, Chris (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift Releases Deluxe '3 am' Edition of 'Midnights' With Seven Bonus Tracks". Variety. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Blistein, Jon (May 8, 2023). "Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner Debut 'Would've, Could've, Should've' in a Downpour". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Would've, Could've, Should've". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Credits / Midnights (3am Edition)". Tidal. October 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Hudson, Alex; LaPierre, Megan (October 21, 2022). "Hot-Take Reactions to Taylor Swift's Midnights: A Return to Synthpop, Autobiographical Lyrics and the Word 'Fuck'". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "The 50 Best Songs of 2022". Slant Magazine. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e Ahlgrim, Callie (October 27, 2022). "The best song from Taylor Swift's Midnights is one she left off the actual album". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d "The 100 Best Songs of 2022". Rolling Stone. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Acker, Lizzy (October 24, 2022). "Tracks on Taylor Swift's Midnights (3am Edition), ranked from slightly less best to best". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  19. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (October 24, 2022). "Taylor Swift feeds fan frenzy by releasing seven additional songs from Midnights". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  20. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 'Would've, Could've, Should've' Lyrics Seem to Reveal Her John Mayer Romance Regret". Elle. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Willman, Chris (October 21, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 3 am Bonus Tracks, Reviewed: Peeks Into Prior Relationships Prove Fascinating, Even if She Was Right to Trim From Midnights". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  22. ^ Jennings, Rebecca (October 21, 2022). "Every song on Taylor Swift's Midnights, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c Quinn, Rick (November 2, 2022). "Taylor Swift: Midnights (Album Review)". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  24. ^ Dailey, Hannah (October 21, 2022). "Here's Why Swifties Think Taylor Swift Shaded John Mayer on Midnights". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c 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 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Sheffield, Rob (October 26, 2022). "All 229 of Taylor Swift's Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Hampton, Rachelle; Hampton, Susan; Wilson, Carl (October 25, 2022). "Is Taylor Swift's Midnights Great or Cringe? Four Generations of Fans Debate". Slate. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  28. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived
    from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Moreland, Quinn (October 24, 2022). "Taylor Swift: Midnights Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  30. ^ 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 5, 2022.
  31. ^ Ahlgrim, Cahllie (December 10, 2022). "The 20 Best Songs of 2022". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  32. ^ "IFPI Charts". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  33. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Ireland Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  34. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 43". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  35. ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  37. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  39. ^ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Would've Could've Should've". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
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