Taylor Swift — "Back To December"

Excellent choice. I think this is the best ballad on the album, and maybe even the best overall song. While I liked lead single "Mine", I think this one has better and deeper lyrics. I also really like "Sparks Fly" and "Speak Now" among others.

Perfect timing for the winter. It'll have a hot start so come holiday-time, I'm sure it'll be well into the top 20 if not the top 10. And even though this song isn't particularly "country" sounding, I think it's a great ballad that will do well on country radio. I wouldn't be surprised if she's able to collect a #1 hit here on the country chart...she might not, but I can see country radio embracing this one and giving her continued success. And if she doesn't hit #1? Probably not a problem. I think Taylor's association with the country format is still intact that she'll certainly get a top 10 hit, and she's going to keep moving albums. I would like to see her put out some more traditional country music someday (tho not change completely who she is as a musician), but I'm patient since I remember she's a developing young artist at just 20 years old..

This song seems different from most of Taylor's work (not saying that's necessarily good or bad), and also different than most of what's on the airwaves now, and I think that will bode well for her.

I think if she has any chance at #1 from this album era, considering "Mine" didn't hit #1, it would be this song.

I love the bold arrangement of this song. Is it me or the video, but do the vocals sound a tad grainy (distorted)? I do like the song. By the way, Taylor Lautner looks great in his Burger King crown!

... you mean the acoustic version?

This was the obvious next single. Should do well for her, I just hope the Christmas freeze doesn't affect it too much.

Excellent choice.

I fear she may continue to gradually lose Country radio's backing this era, but this is a quality song that also should assuage many listeners here who would otherwise feel she is continuing to abandon them (we saw probable signs of this uneasiness with the last two singles from "Fearless")

It's simply a well-written song on its own merits and that alone makes this a deserving to-be chart-topper.

I then anticipate "The Story of Us" will likely follow, which may not resonate well here but will likely on Top 40.

Namaste,
Lisping Hibiscus

I actually think this is one of the weaker links on Speak Now. It just doesn't give off those vibes one expects from a Taylor song - it's missing that usual charm/spark/you catch my drift.

This isn't my favorite from Speak Now, but it's a great song. I'm glad it's getting a release, because I think that it'll be the best bet for a country single right now. I think that if Taylor's going to get a big hit this era on the country format, it'll be this song. I love the lyrics to this one.

In case you were wondering (probably not), my favorites on Speak Now are "Dear John" and "Better Than Revenge." "Dear John" is far too long for a radio single and taking something out of it would make it feel incomplete. "Better Than Revenge" is way too Paramore for country radio.

I think this is probably a good choice. It's not my favourite song on the album, but it's a strong single choice, and the time of year could not be better to release this. I can see it being another multi-format hit for Taylor.

I might have to hear this a few more times before I make any judgements overall on the song. I think the instrument arrangement is quite good, and looking forward to a country version if it exists. I think the song well written, although there seems to be a few times where the words run together when maybe hearing the strings at certain parts would have maybe been better. I'm not a fan of songs that have lyrics that seem like a run-on sentence (pet peeve of mine).

Anyone know how long the radio might be? upwards of 4:30-4:45 could be a bit long. I'm sure there's stuff here that can be taken out if need be.

Love her choice. One of my favorites from Speak Now.

There are two out and out ballads on Speak Now : Back To December and Last Kiss and BTD suffers as a result of its direct comparison to Last Kiss.

Don't get me wrong,BTD is a great standalone song and single and is perfect for both country and pop radio.

But if you want raw emotional intensity and Taylor's most adult songwriting to date,Last Kiss is the way to go.It's almost uncomfortable listening to that song.It's the psychic equivalent of an open bleeding wound.Which is why Last Kiss will almost certainly never be a single.That plus the fact that Last Kiss is far less country than BTD in it's stylings and instrumentation.

I would sum up like this : BTD is mild regret,Last Kiss is open heart surgery without anesthesia.

I think this was definitely the right decision. While it's true there are better ballads on the album ("Dear John", "Last Kiss", and "Innocent" immediately come to mind), this song is the obvious single (melodically strong/radio-friendly). It's well written and her vocals throughout are quite good. This should no doubt prove to be yet another hit for Taylor.

Sounds like a reasonable choice. It did very good in Itunes, and fans loved it the most out of the tracks released early. Although I have to say i like "Last Kiss" best too as far as ballads are concerned. Hopefully BTD keeps the album selling good through the holiday season.

Next single after it should def be uptempo.

The album version is nearly 5 minutes, so I'm sure there will be a radio edit...




I'd bet on "Sparks Fly" being released next, just in time for the spring/summer months...