Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
“Back To December” sees Taylor apologizing to her ex Taylor Lautner,actor and Valentine’s Day co-star, for ending their relationship. In a Facebook Live interview promoting his show Scream Queens, Taylor Lautner confirmed this song was about him.
‘Back To December’ was the first Swift song to feature orchestral arrangements, the second being fellow Speak Nowtrack- ‘Haunted’. The song was successful, receiving critical acclaim and peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went on to win two BMI Awards- ‘Publisher of the Year’ & ‘Award Winning Songs’, as well as a Teen Choice Awardfor ‘Choice Break-Up Song’. It was also notably written on a napkin in an airplane bathroom.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I'm so glad you made time to see me How's life? Tell me, how's your family? I haven't seen them in a while You've been good, busier than ever We small talk, work and the weather Your guard is up and I know why
[Pre-Chorus]
Because the last time you saw me Is still burned in the back of your mind You gave me roses, and I left them there to die
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride Standing in front of you, saying I'm sorry for that night And I'd go back to December all the time It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
[Post-Chorus]
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it alright I go back to December all the time
[Verse 2]
These days, I haven't been sleeping Staying up, playing back myself leaving When your birthday passed and I didn't call And I think about summer, all the beautiful times I watched you laughing from the passenger side and Realized I loved you in the fall
[Pre-Chorus]
And then the cold came The dark days when fear crept into my mind You gave me all your love, and all I gave you was goodbye
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride Standing in front of you, saying I'm sorry for that night And I'd go back to December all the time It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
[Post-Chorus]
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind I go back to December all the time
[Bridge]
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile So good to me, so right And how you held me in your arms that September night The first time you ever saw me cry Maybe this is wishful thinking Probably mindless dreaming But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't So if the chain is on your door, I understand
[Chorus]
But this is me swallowing my pride Standing in front of you, saying I'm sorry for that night And I'd go back to December It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
[Post-Chorus]
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it alright I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind I go back to December all the time