The Enchanting Tale Behind Taylor Swift’s Enchanted

24th November, 2023

A Magical Encounter: The Inspiration Behind the Lyrics

Taylor Swift’s Enchanted captures the essence of a fleeting yet profound connection. The lyrics of Enchanted are a heartfelt reflection of Swift’s own experience, a moment of serendipity with Owl City’s Adam Young. This encounter, filled with anticipation and uncertainty, is beautifully encapsulated in the song’s poignant verses.

Swift’s lyrical prowess shines as she weaves a story of a chance meeting that left her “wonderstruck.” The song’s narrative shows Swift’s ability to transform personal experiences into universal emotions, resonating with anyone who has ever felt the thrill of a new connection. The line “Please, don’t be in love with someone else” echoes the vulnerability and hope that define the early stages of infatuation.

Swift revealed the inspiration behind the song in the liner notes of her album Speak Now, where she wrote the word “ADAM” in capital letters using the code of capitalising certain letters in the lyrics. She also posted a letter on her website, explaining how she met Young in New York City and exchanged emails with him, and how she felt “enchanted to meet him.”

Young responded to Swift’s song by posting a cover version of it on his website on Valentine’s Day 2011, along with a note to Swift thanking her for the song and expressing his admiration for her. He also changed some of the lyrics to reflect his perspective, such as “I was never in love with someone else” and “I was enchanted to meet you too.“

The Unique Standout on Speak Now

Enchanted, a gem in Taylor Swift’s Speak Now album, holds a special place as it uniquely encapsulates the fairytale-like quality of her early work. The song stands out for its storybook narrative style, setting it apart from the rest of the album. It’s a musical journey that takes listeners through the highs and lows of a magical evening, leaving them hanging on every word.

The song uses fairytale imagery and language to describe Swift’s feelings and the night she met Young. Some examples are:

The word “enchanted” itself means to be under a spell or to be charmed by someone or something.
The phrase “this night is sparkling” evokes the idea of magic and stars.
The word “wonderstruck,” which means to be filled with awe and wonder, is also the title of one of Taylor Swift’s perfumes.
The word “flawless,” which is often used to describe a perfect princess or a beautiful gem.
The phrase “dancing around all alone” could be a reference to Cinderella, who danced with the prince at the ball and then had to leave before midnight.

The song also draws parallels with other songs by Swift or other artists that have similar themes or styles, such as:

You Belong With Meby Taylor Swift, which is about her crush on a boy who has a girlfriend, some fans believe that the boy in that song is Young and that she finally got to meet him and tell him how she feels.
Out of the Woodsby Taylor Swift, which is about her relationship with Harry Styles. Some fans believe that the song is about the same night she met Styles and that she used the same words and phrases to describe both of them, such as “enchanted,” “wonderstruck,” and “2 AM.”
Firefliesby Owl City, which is Young’s most popular song. The song has a similar dreamy and whimsical tone as Enchanted and also uses fairy tale imagery, such as fireflies, misty eyes, and planet Earth.

The Creative Process and Production

Enchanted, produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift herself, was released on October 25, 2010. The song’s production complements its lyrical depth with a melody that carries listeners through the story. Swift’s decision to include the word “wonderstruck,” a direct reference to her correspondence with Young, showcases her attention to detail and commitment to authenticity in her songwriting.

The song is a pop-rock ballad with elements of folk and country. It has a slow tempo and a soft melody, with piano, guitar, strings, and drums as the main instruments. The song has a simple structure, with four verses, four choruses, a bridge, and an outro.

The song is the longest track on the album Speak Now, with a duration of 5 minutes and 52 seconds. Despite not being released as a single, it still charted in several countries due to digital downloads and streaming. It peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 12 on the Canadian Hot 100, number 28 on the Australian Singles Chart, and number 50 on the UK Singles Chart. It also received positive reviews from critics, who praised its lyrics, melody, and emotion. The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards but lost to Adele’s Someone Like You.

The Meaning of Enchanted in Love

At its core, Enchanted explores the theme of love in its most whimsical form. It’s about the magic of a first encounter, the hope for a future connection, and the fear of unrequited feelings. The song captures the essence of what it means to be enchanted in love – a feeling of being completely captivated by someone, even if just for a moment.

The song also reflects Swift’s personal views on love, which she has expressed in interviews and songs. She believes that love is “a magical thing” that can “change your life in a moment.” She also believes that love is “a collection of moments” that are “fleeting, rare, and miraculous.” She also believes that love is “a spark” that can “ignite into something more.”

A Song That Resonates Across Time

Enchanted by Taylor Swift is a song that evokes the feelings of a timeless story and continues to resonate with audiences. Its lyrics, melody, and the story behind it come together to create a musical experience that is both enchanting and deeply relatable. As Swift herself said, it’s about the “positive, wistful feeling” of meeting someone special, a sentiment that continues to touch the hearts of listeners around the world.

The song has been featured in various media and platforms, such as:

The 2011 film Beastly, which is a modern adaptation of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The song plays during the end credits of the film as the main characters kiss and embrace.
The commercial for the perfume Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift, which was launched in 2011. The song plays in the background of the commercial as Swift walks through a forest and meets a mysterious man.

Enchanted by Taylor Swift is a song that celebrates the magic of love in its purest form. It’s a song that invites listeners to relive their own enchanted moments and to hope for more. It’s a song that reminds listeners that love is a wonder that can change everything. It’s a song that is truly enchanting.

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