22

"22" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013, by Big Machine Records. Written and produced by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, "22" combines pop styles such as dance-pop and bubblegum with disco and 1990s rock. The track begins with an acoustic guitar riff and progresses into an upbeat refrain which incorporates pulsing synthesizers and syncopated bass drums. The lyrics celebrate being 22 years old while acknowledging the heartache that the narrator experienced in the past. Upon Red release, critics complimented the production of "22" as catchy but some found the lyrics weak and the song repetitive. Retrospectively, some have 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 singles 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 the Eras Tour (2023). She performed it live at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. Some media outlets dub "22" a cultural phenomenon resulting in the prominence of 22nd birthdays. 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; it also peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Writing and production Swift released her third studio album, the self-written Speak Now, in October 2010. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, Speak Now expands on the country-pop production style of its predecessor, Fearless (2008). On her fourth studio album, Red (2012), Swift wanted to experiment with other musical styles. To this end, she worked with producers outside of her career base in Nashville, Tennessee, and went to Los Angeles to collaborate with Swedish producer Max Martin. Swift cited Martin's ability to "just land a chorus" as an inspiration.