Taylor Swift released her star-making single, ‘Love Story’, seven years ago today on 12th September 2008.
From her second studio album Fearless, ‘Love Story’ was the song that pushed Swift into the spotlight and made her the one-to-watch in modern country music. Written and performed by Swift, this instant hit was inspired by William Shakespeare’s bittersweet tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.
The song was the first single taken from Swift’s second commercial album (Image via RCA)
The upbeat melody tells the story from the point of view of Juliet, who has fallen into a forbidden love with her Romeo. However, unlike Shakespeare’s doomed lovers, the star-crossed couple in this song have a happy ending – proven in the final chorus when Romeo proposes to his beloved; “I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress, its a love story baby just say yes.”
According to Deborah Evans-Price of Billboard magazine, by following the plot of Shakespeare’s most well known play, Swift was singing a catchy song with a theme that was “age-appropriate and relatable to her target audience of young pre-teen girls, as well as a wider cultural audience that can reminisce on ‘that’ period of their lives while listening to the track.”
Overall the song was a critical success, with critics applauding the breakout star’s writing style and the beautiful and complex plot of the song. It was also a staggering commercial success, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and peaking at number two in the UK charts. The track is one of Swift’s top-charting singles along with later hits; ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘Bad Blood’.
‘Love Story’ also paved the way for Swift to claim her place as America’s country sweetheart. In 2009, the track was declared Country Song of the Year and contributed to Fearless winning both Best Country Album and Album of the Year at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
Remind yourself of the ‘Love Story’ music video – starring Swift and model Justin Gaston as the loved up couple – below.
