Question...?

Album: Midnights (2022)
Charted: 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Taylor Swift kicks off "Question...?" singing about a past relationship between a "good girl" and a "sad boy" that at the time meant something. Throughout the rest of the song she poses a bunch of questions to the guy about incidents during their romance and how his girlfriends since then compare to her.
  • Swift drops several hints that "Question…?" may be about Harry Styles, whom she dated during the winter of 2012-2013.

    1. "Question...?" begins with a similar cadence and melody to Swift's 2014 song "Out Of The Woods." The lyric portion then starts with an interpolation of "I Remember" from the 1989 track. "Out Of The Woods" is also widely believed to have been about Styles.

    2. Could this lyric be a direct reference to Swift and Styles sharing a kiss on New Year's Eve in 2013?

    Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room
    And every single one of your friends was
    Making fun of you
    But 15 seconds later they were clapping too?


    Swift and Styles' public display of affection took place in the middle of New York City's Times Square. When the clock struck midnight, they shared an intimate kiss, which multiple revelers captured in photos and videos.

    3. The gossip columns spotted Swift and Styles talking at the 2021 Grammy awards.

    Does it feel like everything's just like
    Second best after that meteor strike?
    And what's that that I heard? That you're still with her?
    That's nice, I'm sure that's what's suitable


    Styles had just started dating Olivia Wilde at the time of the ceremony. Maybe as Swift reflected on their conversation, she wondered how he feels about their relationship now.
  • Swift co-wrote and co-produced "Question...?" with Jack Antonoff. The New Yorker has produced one or more tracks on every Swift album since 1989. One song he produced on 1989 was "Out Of The Woods."
  • The crowd applause on the rollicking track is credited to:

    Jack Antonoff

    Maze Runner actor Dylan O'Brien. A close friend of Swift and Antonoff, he appeared in the 2021 All Too Well short film and played drums on the Midnights track "Snow On The Beach."

    Jack Antonoff's sister, Rachel Antonoff. She featured in the "We Are Young" video for her brother's band, Fun.

    Taylor's younger brother, Austin Swift. He's appeared in his sister's videos for "The Best Day" and "Christmas Tree Farm," and produced the video for "I Bet You Think About Me."
  • This follows in the tradition of "...Ready For It?" and "So It Goes..." in Taylor Swift songs that have an ellipsis in the title.
  • Taylor Swift debuted "Question…?" live during her May 20, 2023, show at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.