Taylor Swift, You Need to Calm Down | Track Review

Taylor Swift delivers an empowering, catchy anthem supporting LGBTQ+ rights on “You Need to Calm Down,” the second single from her seventh LP, ‘Lover.’

“You are somebody that I don’t know / But you’re taking shots at me like it’s Patrón…” Wow! We all knew that 2019 was the year – the return of Taylor Swift.  After releasing reputation in 2017, and promo single “ME!” (featuring Brendon Urie) in April 2019, it was only a matter of time before the new album, Lover was announced (August 23, 2019).  “ME!” has performed respectably on the Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at no. 2 as opposed to no. 1. Maybe her second Lover single, “You Need to Calm Down” will pack more of a punch.

Like “ME!”, “You Need to Calm Down” is bright, irresistible, and sunny in sound. In other words, this is all major key baby! Besides the sound and vibe itself, Taylor Swift manages a super catchy chorus, something that she’s had a knack for dating back to her country days, which plays out a little something like this:

“So, oh-oh…

You need to calm down, you’re being too loud

And I’m just like, oh-oh…

You need to just stop, like can you just not step on my gown

You need to calm down.”

Adding to the allure of the chorus is the use of vocal layering.  On the surface, if you examine the lyrics, Taylor Swift seems to be doing something she does often – write songs about those who have perhaps wronged her.  But, actually, this is an anthem that notably encompasses love and respect for the LGBTQ+ community.  This is most explicitly shown in the second verse, with references to GLAAD, as well as a key lyric, “Sunshine on the street at the parade / But you would rather be in the dark ages / Makin’ that sign must’ve taken all night.”

Final Thoughts 

Honestly, so much more could be said about “You Need to Calm Down.” Swift manages to co-write a gem with Joel Little that is both incredibly catchy and socially tuned in. Well-produced, well-performed with some sassiness from Swift, and empowering and infectious to the nth degree.

Taylor Swift • Lover • Taylor Swift • Release: 8.23.19

Photo Credit: Taylor Swift