LOVE STORY

"Love Story" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She produced the song with Nathan Chapman. It was released on September 12, 2008 by Big Machine Records, as the lead single from Swift's second studio album Fearless (2008). It was written about a love interest of Swift's who was not popular among Swift's family and friends. Because of the scenario, Swift related to the plot of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1597) and used it as a source of inspiration to compose the song. However, she replaced Romeo and Juliet's original tragic conclusion with a happy ending. It is a midtempo song with a dreamy soprano voice, while the melody continually builds. The lyrics are from the perspective of Juliet.

The song received widespread critical praise with critics complimenting Swift's writing style and the song's catchiness. It was a massive commercial success, selling over 18 million copies worldwide, therefore establishing itself among the best-selling singles of all time. In the United States, the song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 9 million paid digital downloads, becoming Swift's best-selling single to date and was once the best-selling download by a female country solo artist. It is also one of the best-selling singles in the United States and it was once the best-selling digital country single of all time there. The single was certified 8× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Internationally, "Love Story" became Swift's first number one single in Australia, followed by "Shake It Off" in 2014. The song has been certified 7x platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The song is one of the best-selling singles worldwide, with worldwide sales of more than 15 millions of units by 2010 (according to the IFPI).^[2]

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Trey Fanjoy, who directed the majority of Swift's prior videos. The video is a period piece that drew influences from the Medieval, Renaissance, and British Regency eras. It follows Swift and model Justin Gaston as they meet in a university campus and imagine themselves in a prior era. "Love Story" was promoted through numerous live performances. The song was included on all of Swift's headlining tours, the Fearless Tour (2009–10), the Speak Now World Tour (2011–12), The Red Tour (2013–14), The 1989 World Tour (2015) and the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018). "Love Story" has been covered by several artists, including Joe McElderry and Forever the Sickest Kids.