I Bet You Think About Me

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift wrote "I Bet You Think About Me" at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, during her Speak Now World Tour (2011–12), for her next studio album. She then contacted American musician Lori McKenna, through their mutual friend Liz Rose, to ask McKenna to join the song as a co-writer.[2] Swift released her fourth studio album, Red, on October 22, 2012, through Big Machine Records.[3][4] "I Bet You Think About Me" was not part of the track-list. The album, however, was a critical success, ranking at number 99 on Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[5] By June 2021, it had sold over four million pure copies in the United States.[6]

In 2019, Swift signed with Republic Records after her contract with Big Machine expired in 2018; her contract with the label granted her rights to the master recordings of her music.[7] Big Machine, as well as the master recordings of Swift's first six studio albums, were acquired by businessman Scooter Braun through his holding company Ithaca Holdings.[8] Swift began re-recording her Big Machine albums in November 2020, as a means to own her master recordings;[9][10] at the same time, Ithaca sold rights to Taylor Swift's Big Machine recordings to Shamrock Holdings for $300 million.[11] The first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor's Version), the re-recording of Swift's 2008 album, was released on April 9, 2021.[12] She released her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), the re-recording of Red, on November 12, 2021.[13] In addition to the original Red tracks, Red (Taylor's Version) features nine unreleased "from the Vault" tracks that were meant for the 2012 album but did not make the cut; "I Bet You Think About Me" was revealed to be one of these tracks.[14] On April 30, 2023, Swift performed "I Bet You Think About Me" as a "surprise song" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as part of her sixth headlining concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024).[15]

While on the Speak Now World Tour, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Swift wrote "I Bet You Think About Me" at Lori McKenna's house in June 2011.[16] She stated, "We wanted this song to be like a comedic, tongue-in-cheek, funny, not caring what anyone thinks about you sort of breakup song," and explained that she and McKenna wanted to write a drinking song.[16] The 2021 version of "I Bet You Think About Me" was recorded throughout studios in Belfast and New York, and the orchestra by London Contemporary Orchestra was recorded at the EBC Studio in London. Chris Stapleton's vocals were recorded at Sputnik Sound Studio in Nashville. The track was produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner. It was mixed and engineered by Dessner and Jonathan Low, with assistance from Josh Kaufman, at Dessner's Long Pond Studios in New York.[17]

"I Bet You Think About Me" is a country ballad[18] that incorporates additional pop elements, typical of Swift's discography in the original Red album. Described as folk-pop by Taste of Country,[19] the song is a harmonica-driven track[20] with twangy vocals[21] and background vocal harmonies from feature artist Chris Stapleton.[22] In the lyrics, Swift makes multiple "cheeky jabs" towards her ex-lover and his lifestyle.[23] The ex-lover in question has "made [Swift] feel inferior" towards him; she fails to fit in with his "upper-crust circles", and he has once told her that he and Swift are "too different."[24] Recounting the differences between the two former partners' childhoods,[25] she labels herself as a girl "raised on a farm" and the ex-lover as someone from a "silver spoon" and "gated community".[26] At the end of the song, Swift additionally calls out her ex-lover's "organic shoes" and "million-dollar couch."[26]

"I Bet You Think About Me" received widespread praise from critics and appreciated Stapleton's guest feature.[27] Variety writer Chris Willman gave "I Bet You Think About Me" a five-out-of-five rating. Although Willman considered Stapleton's guest appearance too short, he praised the track for its rowdier country production compared to what "Swift was pulling off at the time" and the sharp lyrics.[28] Jessica Nicholson from Billboard complimented Stapleton's "burnished, bluesy vocal" which together with Swift's delivery brought forth a "well-crafted" song.[29] In USA Today, Melissa Ruggieri wrote that although Stapleton's "whiskey-hued vocals are the beautiful sandpaper to Swift's sleek voice – the tune should be remembered for some of Swift's snarkiest lyrics."[30]

After Red (Taylor's Version) was released, "I Bet You Think About Me" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 27, 2021.[31] According to MusicRow, it was the most added song on country radio during its first week of release.[32] The single peaked at number 23 on the Country Airplay chart[33] and number three on the Hot Country Songs chart.[34] In Canada, "I Bet You Think About Me" reached number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100[35] and number 34 on the Canada Country chart.[36] The song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200,[37] number 43 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia,[38] and number 75 on the UK Streaming Chart in the United Kingdom.[39]

Directed by Blake Lively (pictured left) in her directorial debut, the video stars Miles Teller (right).

A music video for "I Bet You Think About Me" premiered on video sharing platform YouTube on November 15, 2021. Swift and American actress Blake Lively wrote the treatment for the video, and the latter directed it in her directorial debut.[40] Stapleton does not appear in the video.

The video documents a wedding, with the wedding couple played by actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry Teller.[41] Swift plays an ex-girlfriend who intrudes upon the wedding.[42] Co-producer Aaron Dessner has a cameo as a member of the wedding band, while Swift's brother, actor Austin Swift, is credited as a producer for the music video.[43] The six-minute video begins with Teller, at his wedding party, having flashbacks to his and Swift's failed relationship. At the wedding ceremony, Swift knocks over the groom figurine on top of the cake, chugs wine after giving a toast, and goofs off with children guests.[44] The video contains references to other Swift music videos and All Too Well: The Short Film, as well as multiple references to the Lewis Carroll stories of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Swift had been asked about Easter eggs prior to the release, quoting Carroll in response.[45][46] The red and white gowns worn by Swift were designed by Nicole + Felicia Couture.[47]

In 2022, the "I Bet You Think About Me" music video was nominated for Video of the Year at 57th Academy of Country Music Awards,[48] and at the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards for Video of the Year as well.[49] At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards (2023), the song received a nomination for Best Country Song.[50]

Credits adapted from Red (Taylor's Version) album liner notes[17]

Production

Musicians