"I Bet You Think About Me"
Single by Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton
from the album Red (Taylor's Version)
WrittenJune 2011
ReleasedNovember 15, 2021 (2021-11-15)
Studio
  • Hoffman Streets
  • Long Pond (New York)
  • Kitty Committee (Belfast)
  • Sputnik Sound (Nashville)
  • EBC (London)
Genre
Length4:45
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Renegade"
(2021)		 "I Bet You Think About Me"
(2021)		 "Message in a Bottle"
(2021)
Chris Stapleton singles chronology
"Glow"
(2021)		 "I Bet You Think About Me"
(2021)		 "Easy on Me"
(2021)
Music video
"I Bet You Think About Me" on YouTube

"I Bet You Think About Me"[lower-alpha 1] is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring harmony vocals from the American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton. Swift wrote it with Lori McKenna in June 2011 intending for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Although it did not make the cut, it was produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner for Red's re-recorded version, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021). Republic Records and MCA Nashville released the song to US country radio on November 15, 2021.

"I Bet You Think About Me" is a country and folk-pop ballad with a harmonica-laced production that incorporates acoustic guitars, lap steel guitars, high-strung guitars, and a string section. Its tongue-in-cheek lyrics contrast the narrator's humble upbringing with an ex-lover's pretentious, high-class lifestyle. The accompanying music video, which marked Blake Lively's directorial debut, stars Swift as a woman who attempts to sabotage the wedding of her ex-boyfriend (Miles Teller).

Music critics generally complimented the country production, songwriting, and Stapleton's vocals. "I Bet You Think About Me" peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200 and entered on the charts in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The song was nominated for Best Country Song at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, and the music video was nominated for Video of the Year at both the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards and 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

Background and release

After ending her 13-year contract with Big Machine Records and signing anew with Republic Records in 2018, 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]

"I Bet You Think About Me" is one of the vault tracks on Red (Taylor's Version).[9] Swift wrote the song while staying in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to play two Gillette Stadium shows as part of her Speak Now World Tour in June 2011.[10][11] She then contacted the American musician Lori McKenna, whom she had known through their mutual friend Liz Rose, to ask McKenna to join the song as a co-writer. The two completed writing at McKenna's house within the first day of the Gillette show. McKenna recalled that Swift had the rough idea and title, and she helped Swift "bounce stuff off of".[12] Officially titled "I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)", it is track number 26 on Red (Taylor's Version).[13] Republic Records and MCA Nashville released the song to US country radio on November 15, 2021.[14] On April 30, 2023, Swift performed "I Bet You Think About Me" on guitar as a "surprise song" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as part of her sixth headlining concert tour, the Eras Tour.[15]

Production and lyrics

Swift produced "I Bet You Think About Me" with Aaron Dessner, who recorded and engineered the track with Jonathan Low. Christopher Rowe recorded Swift's lead vocals at Kitty Committee Studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Dessner played acoustic guitar, bass guitar, high-strung guitar, and piano. Josh Kaufman was an additional recording engineer and played the harmonica, electric guitar, and lap steel guitar. The track features a string section (consisting of violins, violas, cellos) played by the London Contemporary Orchestra; their performance was conducted by Robert Ames, orchestrated by Dessner's brother Bryce, and recorded by Jeremy Murphy at the EBC Studio in London. Chris Stapleton's vocals were recorded at Sputnik Sound Studio in Nashville. Low mixed the track and Dessner recorded the instruments that he played at Long Pond Studios in New York.[13]

The end product is a country[16][17] and folk-pop ballad.[18] It has a harmonica-driven production[19] with twangy vocals[20] and tenor background vocal harmonies from Stapleton.[16] In the lyrics, Swift makes multiple sarcastic remarks towards an ex-lover and his lifestyle.[21] Swift said, "We wanted this song to be like a comedic, tongue-in-cheek, funny, not caring what anyone thinks about you sort of breakup song", and explained that she and McKenna wanted to write a drinking song.[11] The ex-lover in question has made Swift feel inferior towards him; she fails to fit in with his "upper-crust circles", and he has once told her that he and Swift are "too different".[22] Recounting the differences between the two former partners' childhoods, she labels herself as a girl "raised on a farm" and the ex-lover as someone from a "silver spoon" and "gated community".[23] At the end of the song, Swift additionally calls out her ex-lover's love for "cool indie concerts", "organic shoes", and "million-dollar couch".[17][23] She concludes the song, referring to her songwriting profession: "When you say, 'Oh my god, she's insane, she wrote a song about me?'/ I bet you think about me."[24]

Reception

Stapleton playing a guitar, wearing a cowboy hat
Critics generally praised Chris Stapleton's guest appearance.

Music critics praised the production, Swift's songwriting, and Stapleton's guest appearance.[25] Variety's Chris Willman gave "I Bet You Think About Me" a five-star rating and lauded the lyrics as sharp. Although Willman considered Stapleton's guest appearance too short, he praised the country production as rowdier compared to Swift's early artistic output.[26] Jessica Nicholson from Billboard complimented Stapleton's "burnished, bluesy vocal" which together with Swift's delivery brought forth a "well-crafted" song.[27] Also from Billboard, Jason Lipshutz remarked that Swift's "deadpanning" delivery made it highlight her attributes of a "funny" performer.[28] In USA Today, Melissa Ruggieri wrote that Stapleton's "whiskey-hued vocals are the beautiful sandpaper to Swift's sleek voice" and found the lyrics to contain some of Swift's "snarkiest".[29] Time's critics in 2023 placed "I Bet You Think About Me" fourth on their ranking of Swift's 25 vault tracks; Moises Mendes II commended the lyricism and deemed Stapleton a fitting guest vocalist.[30] Josh Kurp of Uproxx ranked it seven out of 26 vault tracks and said that the "sarcastic" lyricism made it a good drinking song.[31] At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards (2023), the song received a nomination for Best Country Song.[32]

After Red (Taylor's Version) was released, "I Bet You Think About Me" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 27, 2021.[33] According to MusicRow, it was the most added song on country radio during its first week of release.[34] The single peaked at number 23 on the Country Airplay chart[35] and number three on the Hot Country Songs chart.[36] In Canada, "I Bet You Think About Me" reached number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100[37] and number 34 on the Canada Country chart.[38] The song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200,[39] number 43 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia,[40] and number 75 on the UK Streaming Chart in the United Kingdom.[41]

Music video

The video marked the directorial debut of Blake Lively (left) and stars Miles Teller (right).

A music video for "I Bet You Think About Me" premiered on the video-sharing platform YouTube on November 15, 2021. Swift and the American actress Blake Lively wrote the treatment for the video, and the latter directed it in her directorial debut.[42] The video documents a wedding, with the wedding couple played by the actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry, who had been a friend of Swift's for years.[43][44] Swift plays an ex-girlfriend who intrudes upon the wedding.[45] Aaron Dessner has a cameo as a member of the wedding band, while Swift's brother Austin is credited as a producer for the music video.[46]

The six-minute video begins with Teller, at his wedding party, having flashbacks to his and Swift's failed relationship. At the wedding ceremony, Swift knocks over the groom figurine on top of the cake, chugs wine after giving a toast, and goofs off with children guests.[47] The video contains references to other Swift music videos and All Too Well: The Short Film, as well as multiple references to the Lewis Carroll stories of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Swift had been asked about Easter eggs prior to the release, quoting Carroll in response.[48][49] In 2022, the music video was nominated for Video of the Year at both the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards[50] and the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards.[51]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Red (Taylor's Version).[13]

Production

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Lori McKenna – songwriter
  • Chris Stapleton – background vocals
  • Aaron Dessner – producer, recording engineer
  • Michael Fahey – assistant vocal recording
  • Josh Kaufman – additional recording engineer
  • Jonathan Low – recording engineer, mixer
  • Jeremy Murphy – strings recording
  • Vance Powell – vocal recording
  • Christopher Rowe – vocal recording

Musicians

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Bet You Think About Me"
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
United States November 15, 2021 Country radio [14]

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. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 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. ↑ 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. ↑ Brown, Helen (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Red is a better, brighter version of a terrific pop album". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ DeSantis, Rachel (November 17, 2021). "Taylor Swift Reveals 'I Bet You Think About Me' Is 'Sort of a Drinking Song'". People. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Iasimone, Ashley (November 14, 2021). "Taylor Swift Calls 'I Bet You Think About Me' the 'Drinking Song' of Red (Taylor's Version)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  12. ↑ Watts, Cindy (April 5, 2022). "Lori McKenna Shares her 'Extraordinary' Experience Songwriting with Taylor Swift". CMT News. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 Red (Taylor's Version) (digital media liner notes). Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift / Republic Records. 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. 1 2 "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". AllAccess. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  15. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (April 24, 2023). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Dowling, Marcus K. (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift Enlists Chris Stapleton for Unreleased Single 'I Bet You Think About Me'". CMT News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (November 12, 2021). "Red (Taylor's Version) Makes a Classic Even Better". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ Dukes, Billy (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift Taps Chris Stapleton for 'I Bet You Think About Me' (Taylor's Version)". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  19. ↑ Hudak, Joseph (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift and Chris Stapleton Take Down Her Ex on Collab 'I Bet You Think About Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ Olivier, Bobby (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift Remakes Heartbreak Odyssey With Red (Taylor's Version)". Spin. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  21. ↑ Bailey, Alyssa (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift's 'I Bet You Think About Me' Lyrics Seem Full Of Jabs At Ex Jake Gyllenhaal". Elle. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  22. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie (November 13, 2021). "The ultimate guide to every song on Red (Taylor's Version)". Insider. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  23. 1 2 Vitagliano, Joe (November 12, 2021). "Listen to Taylor Swift and Chris Stapleton Sing an Unreleased Song From Red". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  24. ↑ Brown, Helen (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Red is a better, brighter version of a terrific pop album – review". The Independent. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  25. ↑ Ramsey, Mary (November 15, 2021). "Chris Stapleton's Taylor Swift duet, 'I Bet You Think About Me,' gets star-studded video". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  26. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 12, 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 13, 2021.
  27. ↑ Nicholson, Jessica (November 12, 2021). "First Country: Jason Aldean, Dolly Parton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood & More". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  28. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (November 12, 2021). "Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version): Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  29. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's new Red is a fan feast of 30 sensitive, angry and transformative songs". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  30. ↑ "The Best Taylor Swift Vault Songs, Ranked". Time. October 25, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  31. ↑ Kurp, Josh (October 27, 2023). "Every Taylor Swift 'From The Vault' (Taylor's Version) Song, Ranked". Uproxx. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Grammy Awards 2023: The Full List of Nominees". The New York Times. November 15, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  33. ↑ Zellner, Xander (November 22, 2021). "Taylor Swift Charts 26 Songs From Red (Taylor's Version) on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  34. ↑ Parry, Alex (November 19, 2021). "Chart Action: Taylor Swift Most-Added At Country Radio". MusicRow. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  35. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  36. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  37. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  38. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton – I Bet You Think About Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  41. 1 2 "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  42. ↑ Elizabeth, De (November 14, 2021). "Taylor Swift to Release 'I Bet You Think About Me' Music Video Directed By Blake Lively". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  43. ↑ Bjornson, Greta (November 18, 2021). "Taylor Swift Posts Behind-the-Scenes Photos from Music Video Set with Miles and Keleigh Teller". People. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  44. ↑ Mamo, Heran (November 18, 2021). "Taylor Swift Calls Miles Teller 'The Greatest Dance Partner' After Co-Starring in 'I Bet You Think About Me' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  45. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift Goes Rogue at an Ex's Wedding in New 'I Bet You Think About Me' Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  46. ↑ Feller, Madison; Bailey, Alyssa (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift's 'I Bet You Think About Me' Music Video Easter Eggs, Broken Down". Elle. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  47. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (November 15, 2021). "Taylor Swift and Blake Lively Debut 'I Bet You Think About Me' Music Video Starring Miles Teller". Variety. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  48. ↑ Willen, Claudia (November 17, 2021). "All the details you might have missed in Taylor Swift's 'I Bet You Think About Me' music video". Insider. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  49. ↑ "10 Easter Eggs In The 'I Bet You Think About Me' Video, According To Fans". ScreenRant. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  50. ↑ Newman, Melinda; Nicholson, Jessica (February 10, 2022). "ACM Awards Nominations 2022: Snubs & Surprises". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Blake Lively Gets First CMA Awards Nomination for Taylor Swift Video: See the Full List of 2022 Nominees". E! Online. September 7, 2022. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
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