"Message in a Bottle"
Cover of "Message in a Bottle" showing Swift in a beret and trench coat; behind her is a red convertible
Fat Max G remix cover
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Red (Taylor's Version)
ReleasedNovember 16, 2021
Studio
  • Kitty Committee (Belfast)
  • House Mouse (Stockholm)
Genre
Length3:45
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"I Bet You Think About Me"
(2021)		 "Message in a Bottle"
(2021)		 "The Joker and the Queen"
(2022)
Lyric video
"Message in a Bottle" on YouTube

"Message in a Bottle"[lower-alpha 1] is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Written by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, it was intended for but left out of her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Shellback and Elvira Anderfjärd produced the track for Swift's re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021). "Message in a Bottle" is a dance-pop and electropop song with a 1980s-influenced production featuring synthesizers and a pulsating bass.

Republic Records released the song to the US contemporary hit radio as a single on November 16, 2021. Music critics generally praised the song's production as catchy, although a few found it underwhelming. The song peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted in Australia, Canada, and the United States. It also peaked in the top 20 on three Billboard airplay charts.

Background

After ending her 13-year contract with Big Machine Records and signing anew with Republic Records in 2018, Taylor Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020.[2] The decision followed a public 2019 dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine including the masters of her albums which the label had released.[3][4] By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use and therefore substituted the Big Machine–owned masters.[5]

In April 2021, Swift released her first re-recorded album: the re-recording of her 2008 studio album Fearless, subtitled Taylor's Version. In addition to the re-recorded tracks, it contained several unreleased "From the Vault" tracks that she had written but left out of the original album.[6] On November 12, 2021, she released her second re-recorded album: the re-recorded version of her 2012 studio album Red, also subtitled Taylor's Version.[7] As with its predecessor, Red (Taylor's Version) also includes "From the Vault" tracks that Swift had intended for but left out of the original Red.[8]

Composition

"Message in a Bottle" was the first song that Swift wrote with the Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback.[9] The two producers introduced their electronic-pop production consisting of pulsing synthesizers, programmed bass drums, and electronically processed vocals to the original Red album with the songs "22", "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", and "I Knew You Were Trouble".[10][11][12]

Produced by Shellback and Elvira Anderfjärd, "Message in a Bottle" also stylistically aligned with the three Red tracks released before.[9][13] It is an uptempo dance-pop[14] and electropop tune.[7][13][15] Its production synthesizers and a pulsing bass.[16] Both Shellback and Anderfjärd played the keyboards; the former played guitar and the former played the bass and drums.[17] Some critics commented that "Message in a Bottle" could have fit in Swift's 2014 album 1989, which she described as her first official pop album.[18][19][20] NME's Hannah Mylrea said the 1980s-influenced production evoked the music of Carly Rae Jepsen's 2015 album Emotion.[21] The lyrics are about the anxiety ensued from falling in love with somebody (But now/You're so far away and I'm down/Feeling like a face in the crowd/I'm reaching for you, terrified").[22][19]

Critical reception

"Message in a Bottle" received generally positive reviews. Mylrea called the song a "effervescent nugget of pure-pop".[21] Paul Bridgewater of The Line of Best Fit labeled the track "A-grade Swift",[18] while Beth Kirkbride of Clash thought that the electronic soundscape contributed to the diverse musical styles of Red (Taylor's Version).[23] Ranking "Message in a Bottle" third among the nine vault tracks on the album, Billboard's Jason Lipshutz described the track as "compact, propulsive" with "the same energy (and crackling charm)" as the songs that pushed Swift's artistry towards the album 1989.[20] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine said that "Message in a Bottle" had a catchy hook as Swift's singles "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "Shake It Off", but he said that it did not have "the self-conscious repetitions of those hits".[24]

Variety's Chris Willman gave the song a four-star rating; he opined that the "thoroughly infectious" track had "a strong shot for hit single status" but added that "as good as it is, you can imagine almost anyone in pop singing it".[25] Josh Kurp of Uproxx placed "Message in a Bottle" fifth on his ranking of Swift's 26 vault tracks on her Taylor's Version re-recordings; he predicted that it would become one of Swift's most memorable tracks thanks to its earworm quality.[26] Time's critics ranked it 13th out of 25 vault songs; Annabel Gutterman described it as "upbeat, punchy", and "fun".[27]

Pitchfork's Olivia Horn gave a lukewarm review, complimenting the production but criticizing its "dearth of personality".[16] Laura Snapes from The Guardian deemed "Message in a Bottle" generic and inferior compared to "22", another pop song that was included in the original 2012 album.[28] Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone agreed that "Message in a Bottle" sounded too similar to "22", which made it understandable that Swift left it out of the original Red.[29]

Release and commercial performance

"Message in a Bottle" is one of the vault tracks on Red (Taylor's Version), which Republic Records released on November 12, 2021; it is number 26 on the track listing.[30][31] Republic released it to US contemporary hit radio on November 16, 2021, making it an official radio single.[32][33] A remix by Fat Max G was released to digital and streaming services on January 21, 2022.[34] Swift performed "Message in a Bottle" as a "surprise song" outside the regular set list at the Seattle concert on July 23, 2023, as part of her Eras Tour.[35]

After Red (Taylor's Version) was released, "Message in a Bottle" debuted and peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 27, 2021.[36][37] The single also charted on three Billboard airplay charts. On Adult Pop Songs, it debuted at number 36 on the chart dated November 20, 2021, after three days of tracing, marking Swift's record-extending 36th entry,[38] and peaked at number 10.[39] It peaked at number 11 on Adult Contemporary and number 17 on Pop Songs.[7] The track peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Global 200[40] and the singles charts of Australia (33)[41] and Canada (32).[42]

Track listing

All tracks are noted as "Taylor's Version".

Digital download and streaming[43]

  1. "Message in a Bottle" (Fat Max G Remix) – 3:45
  2. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) – 3:47

Digital download and streaming[44]

  1. "Message in a Bottle" (Fat Max G Remix) – 3:45
  2. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) – 3:46
  3. "Message in a Bottle" (From the Vault) (lyric video) – 3:46

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Red (Taylor's Version).[17]

Fat Max G Remix[45]

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriting
  • Shellback – songwriting
  • Max Martin – songwriting
  • Fat Max Gsus – production, remixing, bass, drums, percussion, programming, synthesizer, vocal production
  • Randy Merrill – masters engineering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – immersive mix engineering
  • Christopher Rowe – vocal engineering

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Message in a Bottle"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
United States November 16, 2021 Contemporary hit radio Original Republic [32]
Various January 21, 2022 Fat Max G remix [34]
Italy Radio airplay Original Universal [56]

Notes

  1. ↑ Subtitled "(Taylor's Version) (from the Vault)".[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Red (Taylor's Version) (+ A Message from Taylor) by Taylor Swift". Apple Music. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ Melas, Chloe (November 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters". CNN. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits". BBC News. August 22, 2019. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  4. ↑ Finnis, Alex (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained". i. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  5. ↑ Shah, Neil (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Taylor Swift Remade Fearless as Taylor's Version. Let's Discuss". The New York Times. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Lipshutz, Jason (July 6, 2023). "7 Key Stats Proving That Taylor Swift's First Two Taylor's Version Re-Recordings Have Been Dominant". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ Al-Heeti, Abrar (November 11, 2021). "Red (Taylor's Version): Release date, tracklist, why Taylor Swift is rerecording her albums". CNET. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Willman, Chris (August 9, 2023). "Taylor Swift's 25 Best Bonus Tracks, Ranked". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  10. ↑ Dickey, Jack (November 13, 2014). "The Power of Taylor Swift". Time. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  11. ↑ McNutt 2020, pp. 77–78.
  12. ↑ Perone 2017, p. 46.
  13. 1 2 Weiner, Josh; Elyasi, Nasim; Schaarschmidt, Nina; Mosk, Mitch (November 29, 2021). "Roundtable: A Review of Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version)". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  14. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (November 12, 2021). "Red (Taylor's Version) Makes a Classic Even Better". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  15. ↑ Kaplan, Ilana (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Red Rerelease Proves What Fans Always Knew". Slate. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Horn, Olivia (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Taylor Swift (2021). Red (Taylor's Version) (digital media liner notes). Taylor Swift / Republic Records.
  18. 1 2 Bridgewater, Paul (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's reworking of Red finds even more magic in her pop blueprint". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  19. 1 2 King, Ariel (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift Bridges Between Red & 1989 With 'Message In A Bottle'". iHeartMedia. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (November 12, 2021). "Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version): Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  21. 1 2 Mylrea, Hannah (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift – Red (Taylor's Version) review: a retread of heartbreak". NME. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  22. ↑ "The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked". Time. October 25, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  23. ↑ Kirkbride, Beth (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version)". Clash. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  24. ↑ Keefe, Jonathan (November 17, 2021). "Review: Taylor Swift's Red Redux Flaunts the Singer's Refined Pop Instincts". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  25. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 11, 2021). "On 'Red (Taylor's Version),' Taylor Swift's Vault Tracks Are All Too Swell: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ Kurp, Josh (October 27, 2023). "Every Taylor Swift 'From The Vault' (Taylor's Version) Song, Ranked". Uproxx. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  27. ↑ "The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked". Time. October 25, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  28. ↑ Snapes, Laura (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) review – getting back together with a classic". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  29. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (October 28, 2023). "'Message in a Bottle' (2021)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  30. ↑ Mamo, Heran (August 5, 2021). "Here Are All the Decoded Red (Taylor's Version) Bonus Tracks". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  31. ↑ Sager, Jessica (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) Is Here—Get All the Details On the Re-Release, Vault Tracks and More". Parade. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  32. 1 2 "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  33. ↑ Zellner, Xander (December 14, 2021). "Here Are the Answers to the Latest Billboard x VersusGame Matchups: Taylor Swift's 'Message in a Bottle' & More". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  34. 1 2 "'Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version)' - Single". Apple Music. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  35. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (July 24, 2023). "Taylor Swift is adding surprise songs to every Eras tour stop. See the list so far". USA Today. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  36. ↑ Zellner, Xander (November 22, 2021). "Taylor Swift Charts 26 Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  37. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  38. ↑ Asker, Jim; Trust, Gary (November 16, 2021). "Taylor Swift Debuts These Two Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Airplay Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  39. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  40. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  41. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  42. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version)". Tidal. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Message In A Bottle (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version)". Tidal. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  45. ↑ "'Message in a Bottle' (Fat Max G Remix) (Taylor's Version)". Tidal. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas [2022/02/02 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  50. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Adult Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Taylor Swift 'Message in a Bottle' | (Radio Date: 21/01/2022)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.

Sources

  • McNutt, Myles (2020). "From 'Mine' to 'Ours': Gendered Hierarchies of Authorship and the Limits of Taylor Swift's Paratextual Feminism". Communication, Culture and Critique. 13 (1): 72–91. doi:10.1093/ccc/tcz042.
  • Perone, James E. (2017). The Words and Music of Taylor Swift. The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection. ABC-Clio. ISBN 978-1440852947.
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