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[[Lionsgate]], the producer of ''The Hunger Games'', wanted Burnett to create music that evokes "what [[Appalachian music]] would sound like in 300 years".<ref name="Yahoo"/> To this end, "Safe & Sound" features a spare, folk-inspired production, congruent with the story's setting in the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]] region.<ref name="Yahoo" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift premieres 'Safe & Sound' video from ''The Hunger Games'': Watch it here! |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/02/13/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-video-hunger-games/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] described it as a folk [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |date=14 February 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' Video Released |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swifts-safe-sound-video-released-506147/ |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704033159/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/506147/taylor-swifts-safe-sound-video-released |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015 |quote=}}</ref> [[The Boot (website)|''The Boot'']] said that it veered towards folk and [[Americana (music)|Americana]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-14 |title=Taylor Swift, 'Safe and Sound' Video (Featuring the Civil Wars) |url=https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-video/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[The Boot (website)|The Boot]]}}</ref> ''[[NME]]''<nowiki/>'s Hannah Mylrea characterized it as [[indie folk]],<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Every Taylor Swift song ranked |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> and ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki/>'s Monica Herrera found the production reminiscent of [[alternative country]].<ref name="RS" />
[[Lionsgate]], the producer of ''The Hunger Games'', wanted Burnett to create music that evokes "what [[Appalachian music]] would sound like in 300 years".<ref name="Yahoo"/> To this end, "Safe & Sound" features a spare, folk-inspired production, congruent with the story's setting in the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]] region.<ref name="Yahoo" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift premieres 'Safe & Sound' video from ''The Hunger Games'': Watch it here! |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/02/13/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-video-hunger-games/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] described it as a folk [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |date=14 February 2012 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' Video Released |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swifts-safe-sound-video-released-506147/ |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704033159/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/506147/taylor-swifts-safe-sound-video-released |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015 |quote=}}</ref> [[The Boot (website)|''The Boot'']] said that it veered towards folk and [[Americana (music)|Americana]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-14 |title=Taylor Swift, 'Safe and Sound' Video (Featuring the Civil Wars) |url=https://theboot.com/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-video/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[The Boot (website)|The Boot]]}}</ref> ''[[NME]]''<nowiki/>'s Hannah Mylrea characterized it as [[indie folk]],<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Every Taylor Swift song ranked |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917054150/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/every-taylor-swift-song-ranked-2747916 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> and ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki/>'s Monica Herrera found the production reminiscent of [[alternative country]].<ref name="RS" />


In ''[[American Songwriter]]'', Evan Schlansky described the track as relying on "a swelling melody, and is built around an escalating run of notes".<ref name=":0" /> Swift described Burnett's production as "a lullaby",<ref name="RS" /> while critics deemed it melancholy,<ref name="Lipshutz">{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=March 20, 2012 |title=''The Hunger Games'' Soundtrack: Track-By-Track Review |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/499431/the-hunger-games-soundtrack-track-by-track-review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130804080730/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/499431/the-hunger-games-soundtrack-track-by-track-review |archive-date=August 4, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> eerie,<ref>{{cite web |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Listen To Taylor Swift's Song 'Safe and Sound' |url=http://www.idolator.com/6121271/taylor-swift-hunger-games-song-safe-and-sound |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140806013552/http://www.idolator.com/6121271/taylor-swift-hunger-games-song-safe-and-sound |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2017 |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite magazine |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=December 23, 2011 |title=''Hunger Games'' song: Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/12/23/hunger-games-taylor-swift-safe-sound/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513144757/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/12/23/hunger-games-taylor-swift-safe-sound/ |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> or haunting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2017 |title=30 Taylor Swift Music Videos, Ranked |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/11/taylor-swift-music-videos-ranked/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> Written in the [[key (music)|key]] of [[G major]], the track has a [[tempo]] of 72 beats per minute.<ref name=":1" /> It features Swift on lead vocals, singing with a high-pitched [[vibrato]], and the Civil Wars on [[Harmony vocal|harmony vocals]].<ref name="Matthew">{{cite magazine |last=Perpetua |first=Matthew |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Listen: Taylor Swift's ''Hunger Games'' Ballad 'Safe and Sound' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-taylor-swifts-hunger-games-ballad-safe-and-sound-20111223 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319030402/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-taylor-swifts-hunger-games-ballad-safe-and-sound-20111223 |archive-date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=2021-01-11 |title=All 179 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> The production is driven by acoustic and [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]] guitars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |author-link=Will Hodgkinson |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift: Four new songs review—what the queen of pop does best |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-four-new-songs-review-the-queen-of-pop-doing-what-she-does-best-xfgvtbkkn |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-03-24 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323052754/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-four-new-songs-review-the-queen-of-pop-doing-what-she-does-best-xfgvtbkkn |url-status=live }}</ref> Swift's vocals span from [[G (musical note)|G<sub>3</sub>]] to [[D (musical note)|D<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=9 January 2012 |title=Taylor Swift 'Safe & Sound' Sheet Music |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0099401& |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420170027/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0099401 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2014 |website=musicnotes.com |publisher=[[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]}}</ref> In hindsight, critics commented that the song's folksy production laid the groundwork for the sound of Swift's 2020 albums, [[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|''Folklore'']] and [[Evermore (Taylor Swift album)|''Evermore'']].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=October 26, 2021 |title='Safe & Sound' (2012) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/safe-and-sound-with-the-civil-wars-2012-198926/ |url-access=limited |access-date=September 22, 2022 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>
In ''[[American Songwriter]]'', Evan Schlansky described the track as relying on "a swelling melody, and is built around an escalating run of notes".<ref name=":0" /> Swift described Burnett's production as "a lullaby",<ref name="RS" /> while critics deemed it melancholy,<ref name="Lipshutz">{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=March 20, 2012 |title=''The Hunger Games'' Soundtrack: Track-By-Track Review |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/499431/the-hunger-games-soundtrack-track-by-track-review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130804080730/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/499431/the-hunger-games-soundtrack-track-by-track-review |archive-date=August 4, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> eerie,<ref>{{cite web |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Listen To Taylor Swift's Song 'Safe and Sound' |url=http://www.idolator.com/6121271/taylor-swift-hunger-games-song-safe-and-sound |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140806013552/http://www.idolator.com/6121271/taylor-swift-hunger-games-song-safe-and-sound |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2017 |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite magazine |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=December 23, 2011 |title=''Hunger Games'' song: Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/12/23/hunger-games-taylor-swift-safe-sound/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513144757/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/12/23/hunger-games-taylor-swift-safe-sound/ |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> or haunting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2017 |title=30 Taylor Swift Music Videos, Ranked |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/11/taylor-swift-music-videos-ranked/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> Written in the [[key (music)|key]] of [[G major]], the track has a [[tempo]] of 72 beats per minute.<ref name=":1" /> It features Swift on lead vocals, singing with a high-pitched [[vibrato]], and the Civil Wars on [[Harmony vocal|harmony vocals]].<ref name="Matthew">{{cite magazine |last=Perpetua |first=Matthew |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Listen: Taylor Swift's ''Hunger Games'' Ballad 'Safe and Sound' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-taylor-swifts-hunger-games-ballad-safe-and-sound-20111223 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319030402/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-taylor-swifts-hunger-games-ballad-safe-and-sound-20111223 |archive-date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=2021-01-11 |title=All 179 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> The production is driven by acoustic and [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]] guitars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |author-link=Will Hodgkinson |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift: Four new songs review—what the queen of pop does best |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-four-new-songs-review-the-queen-of-pop-doing-what-she-does-best-xfgvtbkkn |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-03-24 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323052754/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-four-new-songs-review-the-queen-of-pop-doing-what-she-does-best-xfgvtbkkn |url-status=live }}</ref> Swift's vocals span from [[G (musical note)|G<sub>3</sub>]] to [[D (musical note)|D<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=9 January 2012 |title=Taylor Swift 'Safe & Sound' Sheet Music |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0099401& |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420170027/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0099401 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2014 |website=musicnotes.com |publisher=[[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]}}</ref> In hindsight, critics commented that the song's folksy production laid the groundwork for the sound of Swift's 2020 albums, [[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|''Folklore'']] and [[Evermore (Taylor Swift album)|''Evermore'']].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=October 26, 2021 |title='Safe & Sound' (2012) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/safe-and-sound-with-the-civil-wars-2012-198926/ |url-access=limited |access-date=September 22, 2022 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>


The lyrics, according to Swift, are about Katniss's empathy and compassion for other characters in different parts of the story.<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=March 12, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Talks About Her Hunger to Contribute to ''The Hunger Games''—Exclusive! |url=https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/taylor-swift-talks-her-hunger-contribute-hunger-games-165834459.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812184621/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/taylor-swift-talks-her-hunger-contribute-hunger-games-165834459.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=July 27, 2014 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]}}</ref> She said of the novel, "I thought it would be an action-adventure type of thing, but it's so much more emotional than that. There's a huge amount of sadness."<ref name="RS" /> According to the film's marketing executive, "Safe & Sound" evokes the moment when Katniss realizes her ally and friend Rue has been killed.<ref name="Yahoo" /> The narrator tells her loved ones to hide away as "the war outside our door keeps raging on".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizvi |first=Shahryar |date=January 4, 2012 |title=The Problem With... Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' feat. The Civil Wars |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-problem-with-taylor-swifts-safe-and-sound-feat-the-civil-wars-7059846 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=[[Dallas Observer]] |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923135511/https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-problem-with-taylor-swifts-safe-and-sound-feat-the-civil-wars-7059846 |url-status=live }}</ref> She grows protective of her loved ones, entreating them to "Hold on to this lullaby even when the music’s gone."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karpen |first=Rebecca |date=2020-08-24 |title=Taylor Swift's 'seven' Marks the End of Innocence |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-seven-folklore-2647071695.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=[[PopMatters]] |page=2 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206082336/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-seven-folklore-2647071695.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Christopher John Farley from ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' described the lyrics as soothing, albeit laced with an undercurrent of hurt and dread: "Just close your eyes/ The sun is going down/ You'll be alright/ No one can hurt you now."<ref name="WSJ">{{cite web |last=Farley |first=Christopher |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Taylor Swift Releases 'Safe and Sound' From ''Hunger Games'' Soundtrack |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/12/23/taylor-swift-releases-safe-and-sound-from-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808080757/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/12/23/taylor-swift-releases-safe-and-sound-from-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]''<nowiki/>'s Jonathan Keefe suggested though the narrator sings promises of a better tomorrow, the dropping of the instruments in the [[Hook (music)|hook]] give the impression that the narrator does not believe it herself.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=2012-03-26 |title=Review: Original Soundtrack, ''The Hunger Games: Songs from the 12th District and Beyond'' |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/original-soundtrack-the-hunger-games-songs-from-the-12th-district-and-beyond/ |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=[[Slant Magazine]] |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329042753/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/original-soundtrack-the-hunger-games-songs-from-the-12th-district-and-beyond/2750 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The lyrics, according to Swift, are about Katniss's empathy and compassion for other characters in different parts of the story.<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=March 12, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift Talks About Her Hunger to Contribute to ''The Hunger Games''—Exclusive! |url=https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/taylor-swift-talks-her-hunger-contribute-hunger-games-165834459.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812184621/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/taylor-swift-talks-her-hunger-contribute-hunger-games-165834459.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=July 27, 2014 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]}}</ref> She said of the novel, "I thought it would be an action-adventure type of thing, but it's so much more emotional than that. There's a huge amount of sadness."<ref name="RS" /> According to the film's marketing executive, "Safe & Sound" evokes the moment when Katniss realizes her ally and friend Rue has been killed.<ref name="Yahoo" /> The narrator tells her loved ones to hide away as "the war outside our door keeps raging on".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizvi |first=Shahryar |date=January 4, 2012 |title=The Problem With... Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' feat. The Civil Wars |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-problem-with-taylor-swifts-safe-and-sound-feat-the-civil-wars-7059846 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=[[Dallas Observer]] |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923135511/https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-problem-with-taylor-swifts-safe-and-sound-feat-the-civil-wars-7059846 |url-status=live }}</ref> She grows protective of her loved ones, entreating them to "Hold on to this lullaby even when the music’s gone."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karpen |first=Rebecca |date=2020-08-24 |title=Taylor Swift's 'seven' Marks the End of Innocence |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-seven-folklore-2647071695.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=[[PopMatters]] |page=2 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206082336/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-seven-folklore-2647071695.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Christopher John Farley from ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' described the lyrics as soothing, albeit laced with an undercurrent of hurt and dread: "Just close your eyes/ The sun is going down/ You'll be alright/ No one can hurt you now."<ref name="WSJ">{{cite web |last=Farley |first=Christopher |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Taylor Swift Releases 'Safe and Sound' From ''Hunger Games'' Soundtrack |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/12/23/taylor-swift-releases-safe-and-sound-from-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808080757/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/12/23/taylor-swift-releases-safe-and-sound-from-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]''<nowiki/>'s Jonathan Keefe suggested though the narrator sings promises of a better tomorrow, the dropping of the instruments in the [[Hook (music)|hook]] give the impression that the narrator does not believe it herself.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=2012-03-26 |title=Review: Original Soundtrack, ''The Hunger Games: Songs from the 12th District and Beyond'' |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/original-soundtrack-the-hunger-games-songs-from-the-12th-district-and-beyond/ |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=[[Slant Magazine]] |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329042753/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/original-soundtrack-the-hunger-games-songs-from-the-12th-district-and-beyond/2750 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Upon release, "Safe and Sound" received positive reviews from critics. [[AllMusic]]'s Heather Phares considered it "the most crucial" track on the ''Hunger Games'' soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hunger-games-songs-from-district-12-and-beyond-mw0002308080|title=The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond|first=Heather|last=Phares|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001172326/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hunger-games-songs-from-district-12-and-beyond-mw0002308080|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jody Rosen]] from ''Rolling Stone'' gave the song four out of five stars, calling it Swift's "prettiest ballad" and writing that it suggested a novelty in Swift's artistry,<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Rosen, Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |date=December 30, 2011 |title=Song Review, 'Safe & Sound' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/safe-and-sound-20111229 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119125232/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/safe-and-sound-20111229 |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |access-date=March 21, 2012 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> an idea that was agreed by Jason Lipshutz from ''Billboard'', who called it a "non-Swiftian anthem that embraces the folksiness of the soundtrack".<ref name="Lipshutz"/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki/>'s Darren Franich and [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']]'s [[Marc Hogan]] wrote that "Safe & Sound" was a departure from the usual romantic pop songs in Swift's catalog. Franich lauded Swift and the Civil Wars for evoking an atmosphere that suggested the ''Hunger Games'' movie to be as "tough and heartfelt" as the books.<ref name=":5" /> Hogan wrote that despite his initial disappointment due to the lack of Swift's "usual pop immediacy and clarion songwriting voice", the track turned out to be satisfying later on and contained Swift's "terrifically gorgeous" vocals.<ref name=":2" /> Reviewing the soundtrack for ''Slant Magazine'', Jonathan Keefe praised Burnett's production for bringing a "real sense of gravity".<ref name=":3" />
Upon release, "Safe and Sound" received positive reviews from critics. [[AllMusic]]'s Heather Phares considered it "the most crucial" track on the ''Hunger Games'' soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hunger-games-songs-from-district-12-and-beyond-mw0002308080|title=The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond|first=Heather|last=Phares|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001172326/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hunger-games-songs-from-district-12-and-beyond-mw0002308080|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jody Rosen]] from ''Rolling Stone'' gave the song four out of five stars, calling it Swift's "prettiest ballad" and writing that it suggested a novelty in Swift's artistry,<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Rosen, Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |date=December 30, 2011 |title=Song Review, 'Safe & Sound' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/safe-and-sound-20111229 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119125232/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/safe-and-sound-20111229 |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |access-date=March 21, 2012 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> an idea that was agreed by Jason Lipshutz from ''Billboard'', who called it a "non-Swiftian anthem that embraces the folksiness of the soundtrack".<ref name="Lipshutz"/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki/>'s Darren Franich and [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']]'s [[Marc Hogan]] wrote that "Safe & Sound" was a departure from the usual romantic pop songs in Swift's catalog. Franich lauded Swift and the Civil Wars for evoking an atmosphere that suggested the ''Hunger Games'' movie to be as "tough and heartfelt" as the books.<ref name=":5" /> Hogan wrote that despite his initial disappointment due to the lack of Swift's "usual pop immediacy and clarion songwriting voice", the track turned out to be satisfying later on and contained Swift's "terrifically gorgeous" vocals.<ref name=":2" /> Reviewing the soundtrack for ''Slant Magazine'', Jonathan Keefe praised Burnett's production for bringing a "real sense of gravity".<ref name=":3" />


Retrospective reviews of "Safe & Sound" have remained generally positive. In a 2020 review, [[Idolator (website)|''Idolator'']]'s Mike Wass lauded the "sparse" production, Swift's "breathy vocals", and the "menacing lyrics [that] are a testament to her songwriting versatility". Wass opined that the track should have been bigger commercially.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |date=2020-02-18 |title=Should Have Been Bigger: Taylor Swift's Eerie 'Safe & Sound' |url=https://www.idolator.com/7906838/should-have-been-bigger-taylor-swifts-eerie-safe-sound |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420170037/https://www.idolator.com/7906838/should-have-been-bigger-taylor-swifts-eerie-safe-sound |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=2020-02-18 |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]}}</ref> In June 2022, [[Insider Inc.|Insider]] ranked "Safe & Sound" as Swift's best soundtrack song.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ahlgrim |first1=Callie |last2=Larocca |first2=Courteney |date=2022-06-26 |title=All 8 of Taylor Swift's soundtrack songs, ranked |url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-soundtrack-songs-ranked-2022-6 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=[[Insider Inc.|Insider]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207174920/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-soundtrack-songs-ranked-2022-6 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Vulture (website)|''Vulture'']]'s Nate Jones hailed the song as Swift's "best soundtrack cut by a country mile" and lauded her vibrato vocals that were outside her usual singing range.<ref name=":6" /> [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''Rolling Stone'' agreed: "
Retrospective reviews of "Safe & Sound" have remained generally positive. In a 2020 review, [[Idolator (website)|''Idolator'']]'s Mike Wass lauded the "sparse" production, Swift's "breathy vocals", and the "menacing lyrics [that] are a testament to her songwriting versatility". Wass opined that the track should have been bigger commercially.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |date=2020-02-18 |title=Should Have Been Bigger: Taylor Swift's Eerie 'Safe & Sound' |url=https://www.idolator.com/7906838/should-have-been-bigger-taylor-swifts-eerie-safe-sound |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420170037/https://www.idolator.com/7906838/should-have-been-bigger-taylor-swifts-eerie-safe-sound |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=2020-02-18 |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]}}</ref> In June 2022, [[Insider Inc.|Insider]] ranked "Safe & Sound" as Swift's best soundtrack song.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ahlgrim |first1=Callie |last2=Larocca |first2=Courteney |date=2022-06-26 |title=All 8 of Taylor Swift's soundtrack songs, ranked |url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-soundtrack-songs-ranked-2022-6 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=[[Insider Inc.|Insider]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207174920/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-soundtrack-songs-ranked-2022-6 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Vulture (website)|''Vulture'']]'s Nate Jones hailed the song as Swift's "best soundtrack cut by a country mile" and lauded her vibrato vocals that were outside her usual singing range.<ref name=":6" /> [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''Rolling Stone'' agreed: "She explores crevices in her voice she'd never opened up before."<ref name=":7" /> ''[[NME]]''<nowiki/>'s Hannah Mylrea described the track as "pretty" and "enthralling",<ref name=":4" /> and the staff of ''Billboard'' selected it among the 100 best songs by Swift, writing: "The best of her several early-'10s soundtrack contributions, it showed that Swift’s musical reach was expanding as quickly as her songwriting maturity."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>


At the 2012 [[Country Music Association Awards|Country Music Associatio]]' [[Country Music Association Awards|Awards]], "Safe & Sound" was nominated for Musical Event of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryweekly.com/news/2012-cma-awards-nominees-winners|title=2012 CMA Awards|work=[[Country Weekly]]|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=September 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928195402/http://www.countryweekly.com/news/2012-cma-awards-nominees-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> It also garnered a [[CMT Music Awards|CMT Music Award]] nomination for Collaborative of the Year in that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1683617/women-dominate-2012-cmt-music-awards-nominations.jhtml|title=Women Dominate 2012 CMT Music Awards Nominations|publisher=[[CMT (U.S. TV channel)|CMT]]|date=April 23, 2012|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=January 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115190743/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1683617/women-dominate-2012-cmt-music-awards-nominations.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was nominated for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] at the [[70th Golden Globe Awards]] in 2013, but lost to [[Adele]]'s "[[Skyfall (Adele song)|Skyfall]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/14/the-70th-golden-globe-awards-film-winners|title=The 70th Golden Globe Awards Winners|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=January 14, 2013|first=Amy|last=Poehler|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=December 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214024829/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/14/the-70th-golden-globe-awards-film-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2013 Grammy Awards]], "Safe & Sound" received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance|Best Country Duo/Group Performance]], but lost to "[[Pontoon (song)|Pontoon]]" by [[Little Big Town]], and won the [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media|Best Song Written for Visual Media]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/11/grammys-2013-the-complete-list-of-winners/|title=Grammys 2013|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=February 11, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2014|first=Wook|last=Kim|archive-date=July 25, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130725004048/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/11/grammys-2013-the-complete-list-of-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref>
At the [[2012 Country Music Association Awards]], "Safe & Sound" was nominated for Musical Event of the Year, but lost to "[[Feel Like a Rock Star]]" by [[Kenny Chesney]] and [[Tim McGraw]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2012 |title=46th CMA Awards: Winners' list |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/11/01/cma-awards-2012-winners/1673101/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> At the 2012 [[CMT Music Awards]], it was nominated for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year, but lost to [[Carrie Underwood]]'s "[[Good Girl (Carrie Underwood song)|Good Girl]]" and [[Brad Paisley]] and Carrie Underwood's "[[Remind Me (Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood song)|Remind Me]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 CMT Music Awards - Nominees & Recipients {{!}} CMT Press |url=http://www.cmtpress.com/program/2012-cmt-music-awards/page/nominees-recipients/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website= |publisher=[[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]]}}</ref> The song was nominated for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] at the [[70th Golden Globe Awards]] in 2013, but lost to [[Adele]]'s "[[Skyfall (Adele song)|Skyfall]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/14/the-70th-golden-globe-awards-film-winners|title=The 70th Golden Globe Awards Winners|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=January 14, 2013|first=Amy|last=Poehler|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=December 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214024829/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/14/the-70th-golden-globe-awards-film-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2013 Grammy Awards]], "Safe & Sound" received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance|Best Country Duo/Group Performance]], but lost to "[[Pontoon (song)|Pontoon]]" by [[Little Big Town]], and won [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media|Best Song Written for Visual Media]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Wook |date=February 11, 2013 |title=Grammys 2013 |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/11/grammys-2013-the-complete-list-of-winners/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130725004048/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/11/grammys-2013-the-complete-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
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Elsewhere, "Safe & Sound" reached on the charts in various Anglophone countries. It peaked at number 67 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref name=uk /><ref name=bpi /> In Oceania, the song reached number 38 on Australia's [[ARIA Singles Chart]] and number 11 on New Zealand's [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|RMNZ Singles Chart]].<ref name=Australia /><ref name=nz /> In July 2014, it received a platinum certification from the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA).<ref name=aria />
Elsewhere, "Safe & Sound" reached on the charts in various Anglophone countries. It peaked at number 67 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref name=uk /><ref name=bpi /> In Oceania, the song reached number 38 on Australia's [[ARIA Singles Chart]] and number 11 on New Zealand's [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|RMNZ Singles Chart]].<ref name=Australia /><ref name=nz /> In July 2014, it received a platinum certification from the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA).<ref name=aria />

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Organization
! Award/work
! Result
! Ref.
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 2012
| rowspan=2| [[CMT Music Awards]]
| Video of the Year
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/archives/2012.jhtml |title=CMT Music Awards: Archives: 2012 CMT Music Awards |publisher=CMT |access-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329225901/http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/archives/2012.jhtml |archive-date=March 29, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| Collaborative Video of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Country Music Association Awards]]
| Musical Event of the Year
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="CMA World">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmaworld.com/initiatives/international/international-awards/#achievement |title=CMA World&nbsp;— International Awards&nbsp;— CMA World |publisher=Country Music Association Awards |access-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201051132/http://www.cmaworld.com/initiatives/international/international-awards/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 }}</ref><br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://taylorswift.com/news/187833 |title=Taylor to be presented with CMA's Pinnacle Award! |publisher=[[Taylor Swift]] |access-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109131351/http://taylorswift.com/news/187833 |archive-date=January 9, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 2013
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Adele, Taylor Swift Nominated for Golden Globes |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481420/adele-taylor-swift-nominated-for-golden-globes |access-date=June 14, 2015 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609011415/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481420/adele-taylor-swift-nominated-for-golden-globes |archive-date=June 9, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media|Best Song Written for Visual Media]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greenburg |first1=Zack O'Malley |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/02/11/grammy-winners-2013-the-full-list/ |title=Grammy Winners 2013: The Full List |date=February 11, 2013 |work=[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]] |access-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029191303/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/02/11/grammy-winners-2013-the-full-list/ |archive-date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance|Best Country Duo/Group Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|}


==Live performances==
==Live performances==

Revision as of 08:30, 17 April 2024

"Safe & Sound"
Cover artwork of "Safe & Sound" showing a mockingbird graphic
Promotional single by Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars
from the album The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond
ReleasedDecember 26, 2011 (2011-12-26)
Genre
Length4:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)T Bone Burnett
Music video
"Safe & Sound" on YouTube

"Safe & Sound" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the American musical duo the Civil Wars, taken from from the soundtrack of The Hunger Games (2012). Swift and the Civil Wars wrote the track with its producer T Bone Burnett. The track is an indie folk ballad with a spare arrangement evoking Americana, alternative country, and Appalachian music. The lyrics are about the Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen's empathy and compassion for other characters, even as she fights to survive in the eponymous Games. Swift sings lead vocals with a high-pitched vibrato, and the Civil Wars provide vocal harmonies.

Big Machine Records released "Safe & Sound" for download via the iTunes Store on December 26, 2011. A music video for "Safe & Sound", directed by Philip Andelman and filmed in Watertown, Tennessee, was released on February 13, 2012. Music critics described the production as haunting and eerie and generally praised the songwriting. "Safe & Sound" won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013. The song charted in the top 40 and received multi-platinum certifications in Australia and the United States. Following the 2019 dispute over the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded "Safe & Sound" and released it as "Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)" on March 17, 2023, via Republic Records.

Background and release

T Bone Burnett produced The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond, the soundtrack to the 2012 film The Hunger Games. He recruited other artists to write and record songs for the soundtrack, including Taylor Swift and folk duo the Civil Wars.[1] While on a Los Angeles concert in fall 2011, the Civil Wars were invited to Burnett's house; there, they and Swift together wrote "Safe & Sound" during a two-hour session. Swift had spent two days reading the book to understand the story; the song is told from Katniss Everdeen's perspective. For Swift, who had mostly written autobiographical songs inspired by her personal life, writing from a fictional character's viewpoint was refreshing.[1] The Civil Wars' Joy Williams described the session with Swift and Burnett "an amazingly soulful, organic, productive time."[2]

On December 26, 2011, Big Machine Records released "Safe & Sound" onto the iTunes Store.[3] Philip Andelman directed the music video for "Safe & Sound", which premiered on MTV on February 13, 2012.[4] Parts of the music video were shot in a cemetery, including a scene of Swift sitting atop the graves of a couple who died in 1853.[5] The video features Swift, walking barefoot through a forest in Watertown, Tennessee, wearing a long white gown. Between scenes, the Civil Wars are seen inside a cottage house sitting in front of a fireplace as they sing along to the song.[4][6] It contains multiple references to The Hunger Games, including Swift finding a mockingjay pin.[7]

Composition and lyrics

Lionsgate, the producer of The Hunger Games, wanted Burnett to create music that evokes "what Appalachian music would sound like in 300 years".[8] To this end, "Safe & Sound" features a spare, folk-inspired production, congruent with the story's setting in the Appalachian region.[8][9] Billboard described it as a folk ballad.[10] The Boot said that it veered towards folk and Americana,[11] NME's Hannah Mylrea characterized it as indie folk,[12] and Rolling Stone's Monica Herrera found the production reminiscent of alternative country.[1]

In American Songwriter, Evan Schlansky described the track as relying on "a swelling melody, and is built around an escalating run of notes".[2] Swift described Burnett's production as "a lullaby",[1] while critics deemed it melancholy,[13] eerie,[14][15] or haunting.[16] Written in the key of G major, the track has a tempo of 72 beats per minute.[17] It features Swift on lead vocals, singing with a high-pitched vibrato, and the Civil Wars on harmony vocals.[18][19] The production is driven by acoustic and pedal steel guitars.[20] Swift's vocals span from G3 to D5.[17] In hindsight, critics commented that the song's folksy production laid the groundwork for the sound of Swift's 2020 albums, Folklore and Evermore.[12][21]

The lyrics, according to Swift, are about Katniss's empathy and compassion for other characters in different parts of the story.[8] She said of the novel, "I thought it would be an action-adventure type of thing, but it's so much more emotional than that. There's a huge amount of sadness."[1] According to the film's marketing executive, "Safe & Sound" evokes the moment when Katniss realizes her ally and friend Rue has been killed.[8] The narrator tells her loved ones to hide away as "the war outside our door keeps raging on".[22] She grows protective of her loved ones, entreating them to "Hold on to this lullaby even when the music’s gone."[23] Christopher John Farley from The Wall Street Journal described the lyrics as soothing, albeit laced with an undercurrent of hurt and dread: "Just close your eyes/ The sun is going down/ You'll be alright/ No one can hurt you now."[24] Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe suggested though the narrator sings promises of a better tomorrow, the dropping of the instruments in the hook give the impression that the narrator does not believe it herself.[25]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Safe and Sound" received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic's Heather Phares considered it "the most crucial" track on the Hunger Games soundtrack.[26] Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone gave the song four out of five stars, calling it Swift's "prettiest ballad" and writing that it suggested a novelty in Swift's artistry,[27] an idea that was agreed by Jason Lipshutz from Billboard, who called it a "non-Swiftian anthem that embraces the folksiness of the soundtrack".[13] Entertainment Weekly's Darren Franich and Spin's Marc Hogan wrote that "Safe & Sound" was a departure from the usual romantic pop songs in Swift's catalog. Franich lauded Swift and the Civil Wars for evoking an atmosphere that suggested the Hunger Games movie to be as "tough and heartfelt" as the books.[15] Hogan wrote that despite his initial disappointment due to the lack of Swift's "usual pop immediacy and clarion songwriting voice", the track turned out to be satisfying later on and contained Swift's "terrifically gorgeous" vocals.[6] Reviewing the soundtrack for Slant Magazine, Jonathan Keefe praised Burnett's production for bringing a "real sense of gravity".[25]

Retrospective reviews of "Safe & Sound" have remained generally positive. In a 2020 review, Idolator's Mike Wass lauded the "sparse" production, Swift's "breathy vocals", and the "menacing lyrics [that] are a testament to her songwriting versatility". Wass opined that the track should have been bigger commercially.[28] In June 2022, Insider ranked "Safe & Sound" as Swift's best soundtrack song.[29] Vulture's Nate Jones hailed the song as Swift's "best soundtrack cut by a country mile" and lauded her vibrato vocals that were outside her usual singing range.[19] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone agreed: "She explores crevices in her voice she'd never opened up before."[21] NME's Hannah Mylrea described the track as "pretty" and "enthralling",[12] and the staff of Billboard selected it among the 100 best songs by Swift, writing: "The best of her several early-'10s soundtrack contributions, it showed that Swift’s musical reach was expanding as quickly as her songwriting maturity."[30]

At the 2012 Country Music Association Awards, "Safe & Sound" was nominated for Musical Event of the Year, but lost to "Feel Like a Rock Star" by Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw.[31] At the 2012 CMT Music Awards, it was nominated for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year, but lost to Carrie Underwood's "Good Girl" and Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's "Remind Me".[32] The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 70th Golden Globe Awards in 2013, but lost to Adele's "Skyfall".[33] At the 2013 Grammy Awards, "Safe & Sound" received a nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, but lost to "Pontoon" by Little Big Town, and won Best Song Written for Visual Media.[34]

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Safe & Sound" debuted at its peak of number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 on the Hot Digital Songs chart with first-week sales of 136,000 digital units; it was the week's highest debut on the latter.[35][36] In August 2014, the song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[37] By November 2017, the song had sold 1.9 million copies in the United States.[38] In Canada, it entered the Canadian Hot 100 on January 2012 and later peaked at number 31.[39]

Elsewhere, "Safe & Sound" reached on the charts in various Anglophone countries. It peaked at number 67 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[40][41] In Oceania, the song reached number 38 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart and number 11 on New Zealand's RMNZ Singles Chart.[42][43] In July 2014, it received a platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[44]

Live performances

During the Australian leg of the Speak Now World Tour, Swift added "Safe & Sound" to the tour's setlist.[45] Swift performed the track while sitting on a couch onstage, wearing a "sparkling, floor-length gown", which, according to Brittany Cooper of Taste of Country, was slightly reminiscent of Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991). Cooper was favorable towards the performance, writing that "[Swift] took the song with a whimsical air and gave it all the mystique you would expect from the haunting ballad."[46]

During the Brazilian leg of the The Eras Tour, Swift performed "Safe & Sound" in São Paulo as the first of two surprise songs during the acoustic part of the show. She stated to the crowd on stage that it had been a long time since she had performed the song live.

Charts

Chart performance for "Safe & Sound"
Chart (2011–2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[42] 38
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[47] 62
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 31
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 11
Poland (Dance Top 50)[48] 44
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[49] 42
UK Singles (OCC)[40] 67
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 30

Certifications

Certifications for "Safe & Sound"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[50] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[41] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)"

"Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift featuring Joy Williams and John Paul White
from the EP The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter
ReleasedMarch 17, 2023 (2023-03-17)
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio
"Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube

A re-recorded version of "Safe & Sound", titled "Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)", was released by Swift on March 17, 2023, via Republic Records.[51] The song is part of Swift's re-recording plan following the dispute over the ownership of the masters of her older discography. Due to the Civil Wars having permanently split in 2014, its members Joy Williams and John Paul White are credited separately for their participation in the re-recording.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[52]

Charts

Chart performance for "Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[53] 8
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[54] 14
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[55] 16
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[56] 16
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[57] 4
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[58] 5

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Various March 17, 2023[59]
Republic

References

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  2. ^ a b Schlansky, Evan (December 29, 2011). "Taylor Swift with The Civil Wars, 'Safe And Sound'". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Safe & Sound [feat. The Civil Wars] – Single". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (February 13, 2012). "Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' Video Matches Song's Eerie Vibe". MTV. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
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