# Red > 2012 studio album by Taylor Swift **Wikidata**: [Q858750](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q858750) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_(Taylor_Swift_album)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/red-q858750 ## Summary Red is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 22, 2012, by Big Machine Records. The album marked a pivotal transition in Swift's career, bridging her country roots with full-fledged pop production, and features notable collaborations including "The Last Time" with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol and "Everything Has Changed" with Ed Sheeran. Red produced several chart-topping singles including "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble," and "22," solidifying Swift's status as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music. ## Key Facts - **Album Title**: Red - **Artist**: Taylor Swift - **Release Date**: October 22, 2012 - **Record Label**: Big Machine Records - **Genre**: Country-pop (transition album from country to pop) - **Album Type**: Fourth studio album - **Wikipedia Title**: Red (Taylor Swift album) - **Wikidata Description**: 2012 studio album by Taylor Swift - **Sitelink Count**: 42 - **Notable Singles**: "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (2012), "I Knew You Were Trouble" (2012), "22" (2013), "Everything Has Changed" (2013), "The Last Time" featuring Gary Lightbody (2013), "Begin Again" (2012), "State of Grace" (2012), "Treacherous" (2012), "Holy Ground" (2012) - **Associated Label**: Big Machine Records (founded January 1, 2005; headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee; founder: Scott Borchetta) - **Part of**: Taylor Swift's albums in chronological order - **Parent Company of Label**: HYBE (South Korean entertainment company) ## FAQs **What record label released Red?** Red was released by Big Machine Records, an American record label founded in 2005 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. The label was founded by Scott Borchetta and has been home to numerous country and pop artists, including Taylor Swift during the early years of her career. **What are the most famous songs from the Red album?** The album produced several hit singles, with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" becoming one of Swift's signature songs. Other notable singles include "I Knew You Were Trouble," "22," "Everything Has Changed" featuring Ed Sheeran, "The Last Time" featuring Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, "Begin Again," "State of Grace," "Treacherous," and "Holy Ground." **Why is Red significant in Taylor Swift's career?** Red marked Taylor Swift's transitional album from country to pop music, representing a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution. The album showcased her ability to blend genres while maintaining commercial success, setting the stage for her subsequent full pop album "1989" in 2014. **Who did Taylor Swift collaborate with on Red?** Taylor Swift collaborated with several artists on Red, including Ed Sheeran on "Everything Has Changed" and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol on "The Last Time." These collaborations helped expand her musical reach beyond the country genre. **What is the connection between Red and Big Machine Records?** Red was released by Big Machine Records, which signed Taylor Swift early in her career and released her first six studio albums. The label, founded by Scott Borchetta in 2005, played a crucial role in launching and developing Swift's career before she later moved to other labels. ## Why It Matters Red matters because it represents a watershed moment in both Taylor Swift's career and the broader landscape of popular music. The album demonstrated that an artist could successfully transition between genres without losing their core audience or commercial viability—a feat that had rarely been accomplished on such a large scale. Swift's ability to blend country sensibilities with pop production on tracks like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "I Knew You Were Trouble" created a new template for crossover artists in the 2010s. The album's commercial success further cemented Swift's position as one of the most important recording artists of her generation. Red performed exceptionally well on charts worldwide, with multiple singles reaching number one on various Billboard charts. The album's impact extended beyond sales figures; it influenced how the music industry approached genre boundaries and artist development in the streaming era. Furthermore, Red showcased Swift's evolution as a songwriter, with more mature themes exploring heartbreak, nostalgia, and complex relationships. The collaboration with artists like Ed Sheeran and Gary Lightbody demonstrated her ability to work across musical boundaries, setting precedents for future cross-genre partnerships in pop music. ## Notable For - **Genre Transition**: Red is widely recognized as the album that marked Taylor Swift's transition from country to pop music, bridging two distinct musical worlds - **Commercial Success**: The album produced multiple chart-topping singles and achieved multi-platinum status worldwide - **Collaborations**: Featured notable guest artists including Ed Sheeran ("Everything Has Changed") and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol ("The Last Time") - **Critical Acclaim**: Received widespread critical praise for its genre-blending approach and mature songwriting - **Chart Performance**: Multiple singles from the album reached number one on Billboard charts - **Industry Impact**: Set a precedent for country artists seeking to expand into pop music without abandoning their roots - **Award Recognition**: Received numerous award nominations and wins, further establishing Swift's credibility across genres ## Body ### Album Overview and Release Red was released on October 22, 2012, by Big Machine Records, serving as Taylor Swift's fourth studio album and third album with the label. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 1.2 million copies in its first week in the United States. This marked Swift's third consecutive album to debut at the top of the charts, demonstrating her consistent commercial appeal and growing fanbase. The album's title, Red, was inspired by the emotionally charged nature of the songs contained within, with Swift describing the album as representing the romantic, passionate, and sometimes tumultuous aspects of relationships. The color red served as a metaphor for the intense emotions explored throughout the record. ### Record Label and Production Context Red was released through Big Machine Records, an American record label founded on January 1, 2005, by Scott Borchetta in Nashville, Tennessee. Big Machine Records has been instrumental in Taylor Swift's career, having signed her as a teenager and releasing her first six studio albums. The label specializes in country and pop music, representing artists including Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Midland, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, and Jewel. Big Machine Records operates as a key player in the phonographic industry, focusing on the marketing of music recordings and music videos. The label was later acquired by HYBE, a South Korean entertainment company known for its work with K-pop groups like BTS, positioning Big Machine as a global entity with expanded international reach. ### Musical Style and Genre Evolution Red represents a significant evolution in Taylor Swift's musical style, marking her transition from country to pop. While her previous albums had featured country instrumentation and production, Red incorporated more prominent pop elements while retaining subtle country influences. This genre-blending approach allowed Swift to appeal to both country and pop audiences simultaneously. The album features a diverse range of musical styles, from the country-tinged "Begin Again" and "Treacherous" to the more pop-oriented "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "I Knew You Were Trouble." This versatility demonstrated Swift's artistic range and her ability to adapt her songwriting to different production styles. ### Notable Singles and Tracks The album produced numerous hit singles that achieved commercial success worldwide: **"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"** (2012) became one of Swift's signature songs, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The track's catchy pop-rock sound and relatable lyrics about ex-partners resonated with a broad audience. **"I Knew You Were Trouble"** (2012) showcased a darker, more electronic pop sound, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's confession of falling for the wrong person became a fan favorite. **"22"** (2013) captured the excitement and freedom of being in one's twenties, becoming an anthem for young adults. The song reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. **"Everything Has Changed"** (2013) featured a collaboration with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The duet combined acoustic folk-pop elements with both artists' songwriting styles, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. **"The Last Time"** (2013) featured Gary Lightbody, lead singer of Snow Patrol. This collaboration represented Swift's first duet with a rock artist, further expanding her musical boundaries. The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other notable tracks include "Begin Again," "State of Grace," "Treacherous," and "Holy Ground," each showcasing different aspects of Swift's evolving musical style. ### Collaborations and Musical Partnerships Red featured several notable collaborations that contributed to the album's cross-genre appeal: - **Ed Sheeran**: Contributed vocals and songwriting to "Everything Has Changed," blending Swift's pop-country style with Sheeran's folk-pop sensibilities - **Gary Lightbody**: Featured on "The Last Time," bringing his distinctive voice and emotional delivery to a country-pop ballad - **Max Martin and Shellback**: Swedish producers who worked on several tracks, including "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," helping to craft the album's pop-forward sound These collaborations demonstrated Swift's ability to work with artists and producers from various musical backgrounds, further cementing her reputation as a versatile and adaptable artist. ### Place in Taylor Swift's Discography Red holds a significant position in Taylor Swift's discography as the third album in her chronological catalog released through Big Machine Records. The album followed "Taylor Swift" (2006), "Fearless" (2008), and "Speak Now" (2010), and preceded "1989" (2014), "Reputation" (2017), and subsequent albums. The album represented a transitional period in Swift's career, serving as a bridge between her country roots and her eventual full embrace of pop music with "1989." This evolution reflected Swift's artistic growth and her willingness to experiment with different musical styles while maintaining her signature storytelling approach. ### Cultural Impact and Legacy Red left a lasting impact on the music industry by demonstrating the commercial viability of genre-blending for established artists. The album's success proved that artists could evolve musically without alienating their existing fanbase, a lesson that influenced subsequent career decisions by many country artists seeking broader appeal. The album's themes of heartbreak, nostalgia, and personal growth resonated with listeners across demographics, particularly young adults navigating relationships and life transitions. Swift's candid songwriting continued to establish her as one of the most relatable and influential songwriters of her generation. ### Industry Recognition Red received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with critics praising Swift's songwriting maturation and her successful genre experimentation. The album was nominated for numerous awards and contributed to Swift's growing reputation as one of the most talented and versatile artists in contemporary music. The success of Red further established Big Machine Records' position as a leading label in the country-pop genre, demonstrating their ability to develop and support artists seeking to expand their musical reach. The album's commercial performance reinforced the label's reputation for identifying and nurturing talent capable of achieving mainstream success. ### Related Entities and Connections Red is connected to several important entities in the music industry: - **Big Machine Records**: The label that released the album, founded by Scott Borchetta in Nashville, Tennessee - **Taylor Swift**: The artist who wrote and performed all tracks on the album - **Ed Sheeran**: Collaborator on "Everything Has Changed" - **Gary Lightbody**: Collaborator on "The Last Time" - **HYBE**: The parent company that acquired Big Machine Records - **Taylor Swift's albums in chronological order**: The album series to which Red belongs The album's singles, including "Red" (2013), "Begin Again" (2012), "Holy Ground," "I Knew You Were Trouble," "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (2012), "Treacherous," "The Last Time" (2013), "State of Grace," "22" (2013), and "Everything Has Changed" (2013), each achieved significant chart success and contributed to the album's overall impact. ## References 1. MusicBrainz 2. Apple Music 3. AllMusic 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. [Source](http://www.mtv.com/news/1695100/taylor-swift-red-album-track-listing/) 6. Spotify 7. BabelNet 8. Deezer 9. Tidal 10. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0002414735) 11. [Source](https://taylorswift.fandom.com/wiki/Red?oldid=38334) 12. Album of the Year 13. Rate Your Music 14. AnyDecentMusic?