Style

Album: 1989 (2014)
Charted: 21 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song about a relationship with a guy who has "slicked-back hair" appears to be Taylor looking back at her time with Harry Styles. The clue is not only in the title but also Harry used to rock a slicked-back hair style.
  • Taylor wrote the song with Swedish hitmaker Max Martin (Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne), his protégé Johan Shellback and Ali Payami (who co-penned one of Lea Michele's Louder tracks, "Thousand Needles").
  • The song was first previewed when a portion of it was played during a Target commercial.
  • New Zealand teenage singer-songwriter Lorde was one of the first people that heard 1989. This was her favorite song on the album. She said: "I first heard 'Style' driving down the Pacific coast highway and it was EVERYTHING. I chair-danced so hard you have no idea."
  • Swift applied to trademark the song's phrase "we never go out of style" along with others from 1989 like "this sick beat" from "Shake It Off." The trademark means that people are prohibited from using these lyrics on items such as stationery, stickers, removable tattoos, T-shirts and bags in the US.
  • The dreamy video was shot around Los Angeles by film director and screenwriter Kyle Newman (Fanboys, The Hollow). The clip finds Swift reflecting on a romance - her boyfriend is played by English actor and model Dominic Sherwood, whom you might recognize from his role as Christian Ozera in the movie Vampire Academy.
  • This is one of several songs Taylor Swift wrote about Harry Styles - "Out Of The Woods" and "All You Had To Do Was Stay" are also widely believed to be about the One Directioner. Asked by Howard Stern if his ex using him as song material upsets him, Styles replied:

    "I think about what it means to me to write a song about somebody else, and for someone else to do that, I think it's flattering. Even if the song isn't that flattering, you still spend time on it, and ultimately, using Taylor as an example, she's a great songwriter."
  • At her August 15, 2015 show in Santa Clara, California, Swift brought out two ladies who never go out of style to share the stage as she performed the song: Julia Roberts and Joan Baez.

Comments: 1

  • Jennifer from TampaWhenever I hear Taylor say "Take me home" in this song, it reminds me of Stevie Nicks saying the same in "Stand Back". Both of them have incredible voices and I never cease to be amazed when I listen to these songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.