Six-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift is wrapping up her busy year with a new release destined to be among 2012's best-selling albums.
Swift is used to breaking sales records and she continues that trend with Red. The album sold more than 1.2 million copies its first week of release, which makes Taylor Swift the only female artist in SoundScan history to have two consecutive albums sell more than one million copies in an opening week.
Red leans more towards pop-rock than Swift's previous three albums. Most music critics agree that the 16 songs reflect a more mature and confident artist.
Five tracks from Red were pre-released on iTunes. The title track has sold 4.5 million downloads in the U.S. and also topped the all-genre iTunes Top Songs chart in 32 countries.
“I think red is a really daring adventurous color and I think it really kind of symbolizes what I wanted to do musically with this record which was make something new and bold and it’s definitely that,” Swift said, explaining why she titled the album Red.
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was the album's first single. Swift is known for writing songs that deal with her personal relationships. Although she never reveals her subject, many listeners believe that song is about ex-boyfriend, actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The 22-year-old superstar says she bared her emotions throughout the entire album.
“I think the theme of this album is just the kind of adventures and misadventures I’ve had in love, and life and love, and the lessons I’ve learned and a few really significant relationships that taught me a lot," she explained. "And, I think that writing love songs and heartbreak songs is kind of what I love doing.”
Red features duets with British singer Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. Swift wrote nine of the tracks alone. She also collaborated for the first time with Swedish pop hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, and American producer Jeff Bhasker, who’s respected for his work with Kanye West, Beyonce, Bruno Mars and fun., among others.
As confident as Taylor Swift comes across in her songwriting and live shows, she admits she has many fears. During a question-and-answer session at a recent college performance in California, Swift told the audience that one of her concerns is “people getting tired of me.” For now, her millions of fans around the world remain loyal. Swift feels their similar life experiences created the bond they share.
“I think my songs resonate with people because, hopefully because they’re going through the same things as I was going through," she said. "I think that’s what connects me to my fans, like when they hear a song and they say, ‘That’s kind of what I’m going through right now, that’s the exact situation.’ I think there’s a connection made there knowing that we’ve both felt something in the same way.”
Swift leads the nominees for the upcoming MTV European Music Awards (EMA). She received five nominations, including Best Pop Artist and Best Live Artist. She will be in Frankfurt, Germany on November 11 to perform at the EMA ceremony. And, she has announced plans to support Red with a 58-concert North American tour that is set to get underway in March 2013.
“I have so many ideas about how to really bring this music to life, and I can’t wait to share the new show with all my fans!” Swift exclaimed.