Message In A Bottle

Album: Red (Taylor's Version) (2021)
Charted: 45
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 1979, The Police sang of a lonely desert island castaway sending a SOS to the world in a bottle. Here, Taylor Swift finds herself isolated in America, far away from her English love interest. The only way she can reach out to him is to send him a message in a bottle. Maybe he'll get it one day and he'll hear of her feelings for him.
  • Taylor Swift had a much documented romance with English star Harry Styles during the winter of 2012-13. The singer penned this wistful pop song in the same era as her 2012 album Red, so the One Direction singer may be the intended recipient of Swift's message.
  • Swift wrote this propulsive dance track with Shellback and Max Martin. It was the first song she penned with the Swedish hitmaking duo as she looked to expand her music beyond her traditional country-pop style. Swift would form a successful writing partnership with the pair; their other collaborations on Red were "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble" and "22."
  • The song never made it onto Red, but Swift later re-recorded it for her 2021 Red (Taylor's Version) album. The new version is part of the superstar's effort to re-do her first six albums following Scooter Braun's controversial purchase of her masters.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.