Music critics complimented the single's catchy production and retrospectively considered it one of Swift's best pop songs. "22" peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received platinum or higher certifications in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, peaking in the top 10 on the single chart in the lattermost country. The accompanying music video was shot in Malibu, California, depicting Swift having a house party with friends. Swift included the song in the set list of the Red Tour (2013–2014) and performed it live at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.
A re-recorded version of "22", titled "22 (Taylor's Version)", was released as part of Swift's second re-recorded album "Red (Taylor's Version)" on November 12, 2021, by Republic Records. "22 (Taylor's Version)" peaked within the top 40 on singles charts of Australia, Canada, and Singapore; and peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
After writing her third studio album "Speak Now" entirely solo, Taylor Swift opted to collaborate with different songwriters and producers for "Red". Thus, she called Max Martin and Shellback, two songwriters and producers whose work she admired, to discuss a possible collaboration. She told Billboard magazine: "For me, being 22 has been my favorite year of my life. I like all the possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. You still know nothing, but you know that you know nothing. You're old enough to start planning your life, but you're young enough to know there are so many unanswered questions. That brings about a carefree feeling that is sort of based on in-decision and fear and at the same time letting loose. Being 22 has taught me so much".
The song was officially supposed to impact contemporary hit radio in the United States on March 5, 2013, before being pushed back by one week to March 12, 2013, and in the UK on March 31, 2013. An exclusive limited edition individually numbered CD single was also released exclusively to Swift's store on March 13, 2013, the same day the music video was released. The CD single was sold by itself or via an exclusive package with the Red Tour items and a T-shirt.
The music video for "22" was filmed in February 2013, and premiered on March 13, 2013. It was directed by Anthony Mandler, who had previously directed the music video for Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble". The video, presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio format, shows Swift bouncing on trampolines, playing on the beach and having a house party with her friends. As of January 2022, the video has more than 600 million views on YouTube. The music video was shot in Malibu, California. Actress Jessica Szohr cameos.
Several songs from "Red", including "22", charted in different countries due to strong digital sales following the release of the album. "22" debuted at number 44 on United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as at number seven on Billboard Hot Digital Songs chart with sales of 108,000. It later re-entered the Hot 100 at number 84 on the chart week of January 12, 2013. When it was again released as a single, it reentered the charts at number 64. "22" also debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 20. It also managed to reach number nine on the UK Singles Chart. It reached 2 million in sales by 2014. As of November 2017, the song had sold 2.3 million copies in the United States.
22
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And make fun of our exes
Uh-uh, uh-uh
It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
To fall in love with strangers
Uh-uh, uh-uh
Yeah
We're happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time
It's miserable and magical, oh yeah
Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines
It's time
Uh-oh
I don't know about you
But I'm feeling twenty-two
Everything will be alright, if
You keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright, if
We just keep dancing like we're twenty-two, twenty-two
It seems like one of those nights
This place is too crowded
Too many cool kids ("Who is Taylor Swift anyway? Ew")
Uh-uh, uh-uh
It seems like one of those nights
We ditch the whole scene
And end up dreamin'
Instead of sleeping
Yeah
We're happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way
It's miserable and magical, oh yeah
Tonight's the night, when we forget about the heartbreaks
It's time
Uh-oh
(Hey) I don't know about you
But I'm feeling twenty-two
Everything will be alright if (uh-uh-uh)
You keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright if
We just keep dancing like we're twenty-two
(Uh, ah-ah-ah uh) twenty-two
I don't know about you
twenty-two
twenty-two
It feels like one of those nights
We ditch the whole scene
It feels like one of those nights
We won't be sleeping
It feels like one of those nights
You look like bad news
I gotta have you
I gotta have you
Uh-uh, uh-uh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I don't know about you (I don't know about you)
But I'm feeling twenty-two
Everything will be alright, if (uuh)
You keep me next to you
You don't know about me (you don't know about me)
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright, if
We just keep dancing like we're twenty-two
Uh-oh, oh, oh twenty-two
(Dancing like) twenty-two
Yeah, yeah, twenty-two, yeah, yeah
It feels like one of those nights
We ditch the whole scene
It feels like one of those nights
We won't be sleeping
It feels like one of those nights
You look like bad news
I gotta have you
I gotta have you
In Taylor Swift's song "22," she sings about the joys of being young and carefree. Swift talks about having fun, going out with friends, and living life to the fullest. The song perfectly captures the feeling of being in your early 20s, when you're trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do in life. Swift encourages her listeners to embrace this time in their lives and enjoy it without worrying about the future.
The first verse sets the tone for the song. Swift sings, "It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters / And make fun of our exes / Uh-uh, uh-uh / It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight / To fall in love with strangers / Uh-uh, uh-uh." She's talking about going out with friends, having a good time, and forgetting about any past heartbreaks.
In the chorus, Swift sings, "I don't know about you / But I'm feeling twenty-two / Everything will be alright, if / You keep me next to you." She's recognizing that everyone's experience is different, but she wants to hang out with her friends and have a good time together. The lyrics are upbeat and positive, encouraging listeners to embrace their youth and not worry about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters
It's a night that feels perfect to dress up in unconventional, trendy attire
And make fun of our exes
To laugh and joke about the people we used to date
Uh-uh, uh-uh
Repetition of sounds for emphasis and rhythm
It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
This night is perfect for having breakfast food very late at night
To fall in love with strangers
To begin to feel affection for people we have just met
Yeah
Agreement, affirmation
We're happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time
We have mixed emotions and are experiencing disparate feelings all at once
It's miserable and magical, oh yeah
This night is both fraught with unhappiness and full of wonder
Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines
This evening is the perfect time to disregard our obligations and enjoy ourselves
It's time
This is the moment to seize the opportunity
Uh-oh
Expression of concern or apprehension
I don't know about you
I am uncertain about your perspective
But I'm feeling twenty-two
I feel young and vibrant, full of life and joy
Everything will be alright, if
As long as...
You keep me next to you
If we stay close together
You don't know about me
You are not aware of my personality and experiences
But I'll bet you want to
I'm convinced that you're interested in me
We just keep dancing like we're twenty-two, twenty-two
We should dance as if we're carefree and youthful
It seems like one of those nights
This night gives off a certain vibe
This place is too crowded
The location is too jam-packed with people
Too many cool kids ("Who is Taylor Swift anyway? Ew")
There are too many people who believe they are fashionable or trendy, and may even look down on others
We ditch the whole scene
We leave this environment behind
And end up dreamin'
We spend time lost in our own thoughts
Instead of sleeping
Rather than going to bed
We're happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way
Despite some negative emotions, we are also close to feeling jubilant and uninhibited
Tonight's the night, when we forget about the heartbreaks
This evening is the time for forgetting our romantic disappointments
(Hey) I don't know about you
A casual way of addressing someone to convey uncertainty in one's own knowledge or to get their attention
Everything will be alright if (uh-uh-uh)
All will be well so long as...
You keep me next to you
We stay near each other
It feels like one of those nights
This event feels like one of those nights
We won't be sleeping
We won't be getting any rest tonight
You look like bad news
You seem like you might be trouble
I gotta have you
I really want you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetition of sounds for emphasis and rhythm
(Dancing like) twenty-two
Dancing like we are youthful and carefree
Yeah, yeah, twenty-two, yeah, yeah
Affirmation and repetition of sounds for emphasis and rhythm
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Martin Max Sandberg, Johan Karl Schuster, Taylor Alison Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yazmin Carrizo
VERY GOOD... TAYLOR SWIFT
@sundailylife
She is 33 now OMG I literally still can’t get over this song
34 now!!!!
@fatillapur1539
samee I was just thinking about that
@user-rm1sx2dg2o
this song came out 7 years ago(almost 8) and she was 22 back then ..I don't understand how she is 31 years old now..
@yellowcatgacha350
@@user-rm1sx2dg2o she was 23 and in the song she’s talking about how she feels 22 and wants to be 22 again
@delrosario7453
@@user-rm1sx2dg2o she was born in 1989 she probably wrote this song when she was 23 and performed it
when she was 24 for nostalgia
@user-rm1sx2dg2o
@@yellowcatgacha350 oh okay thanks!
@dheaismaxx
Taylor girl, we need a track for the 30 something cause we gettin there.
@lillyy3470
Lol don’t remind me😭
@isalafond5571
How are the 20-30 btw. I just turned 17 hahaha