Bigger Than the Whole Sky
"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" | |
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Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album Midnights | |
Released | October 21, 2022 |
Length | 3:38 |
Label | Republic |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Lyric video | |
"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" on YouTube |
"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift as a bonus track of her tenth studio album, Midnights, released on October 21, 2022. As such, it is the 15th track on the extended, (3am Edition) of the album surprise-released three hours after the standard edition. It was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff.
Background
On August 28, 2022, Taylor Swift announced her tenth studio album, Midnights, set for release on October 21, 2022. The track-list was not immediately revealed. Jack Antonoff, a longtime collaborator of Swift who had worked with her since her fifth studio album 1989 (2014), was confirmed as a producer on Midnights by a video posted to Swift's Instagram account on September 16, 2022, titled "The making of Midnights."
On October 21, 2022, Midnights was released at 12:00 AM EDT. Three hours later, at 3:00 AM EDT, the Midnights (3am Edition) was released, containing "Bigger Than the Whole Sky".
Composition and lyrics
The song is about heartache after a significant event. Although the song's meaning is ambiguous, some listeners have felt a connection to in relation to miscarriages that they have experienced, with many using the song to share stories of their miscarriages on TikTok and other social media platforms. Some listeners have compared the song with Swift's single, "Ronan".
The first verse incorporates lyrics about being "sick with sadness". The chorus alludes to grieving over someone whom Swift never met. The second verse is about guilt. The second verse also mentions religion as possibly playing a part in the loss. In the song, Swift uses a "breathy upper register" to sing the word, "goodbye." Staff writer Shirley Li of The Atlantic described the song as elegiac.
Charts
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 20 |
Global 200 (Billboard) | 22 |
Greece (IFPI) | 65 |
Hungary (Single Top 40) | 31 |
Philippines (Billboard) | 19 |
Portugal (AFP) | 68 |
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) | 13 |
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) | 35 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) | 9 |
UK Singles Sales (OCC) | 12 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 21 |
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) | 60 |