Taylor Swift is known for calling out her exes, but there’s one song in her catalogue where she admits to being the one in the wrong.
Videos by American Songwriter
In “Back To December”, which first appeared on Swift’s 2010 album Speak Now, the singer apologized to her former flame.
“So this is me swallowin’ my pride / Standin’ in front of you sayin’ I’m sorry for that night / And I go back to December all the time,” Swift sang in the chorus. “It turns out freedom ain’t nothin’ but missin’ you / Wishin’ I’d realized what I had when you were mine / I’d go back to December, turn around and make it alright / I go back to December all the time.”
Later on in the track, Swift even asked for a second chance, though she acknowledged that she didn’t deserve one.
“Maybe this is wishful thinkin’ / Probably mindless dreamin’ / But if we loved again, I swear I’d love you right,” she sang. “I’d go back in time and change it, but I can’t / So if the chain is on your door, I understand.”
Who Is Taylor Swift’s “Back To December” About?
The emotional ballad is widely believed to be about Taylor Lautner. Swift dated the actor in 2009 after they met on the set of Valentine’s Day.
While speaking about the song during a 2010 TV special, Swift candidly expanded on the lyrics.
“The song ‘Back To December’ is an apology in the form of a song,” she said. “You know, in life, you learn lessons. And sometimes you learn them the hard way. Sometimes you learn them too late.”
“The song ‘Back To December’ is about a lesson I learned too late,” Swift added. “I think, when you do that, and you finally realize that you were wrong, you need to say you’re sorry. And this was the best way that I knew how.”
In an interview with E! News, Swift noted, “The person I wrote this song for deserves this. This is about a person who was incredible to me—just perfect to me in a relationship—and I was really careless with him.”
How Taylor Lautner Feels About “Back To December”
As for how Lautner feels about the track, during a 2023 episode of his podcast, The Squeeze, he said that “it feels great” to be known as Swift’s ex with the positive song about him.
That same year, ahead of the re-release of Speak Now, Lautner told TODAY, “I think it’s a great album. I feel safe.”
“Praying for John,” he further quipped of John Mayer, who notably got the opposite treatment to Lautner on Swift’s LP.
Lautner’s words aren’t just platitudes. He and Swift have reconciled in recent years. Lautner starred in Swift’s music video for “I Can See You” in 2023. The Twilight actor and his wife, who’s also named Taylor Lautner, attended Swift’s Eras Tour, even joining the singer on stage during the show.
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.