The Moment I Knew

Album: Red (2012)
Charted: 64
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Red bonus track was penned by Taylor with her regular producer Nathan Chapman. It features backing vocals from Taylor's friend, Liz Huett, whom the Nashville star first met in a meet and greet line, when she was performing at a club. Liz told her that she wanted to be a singer so Taylor brought her into her dressing room and gave her some advice. After moving to Nashville, Liz successfully auditioned to be Taylor's backup singer and has since toured with her all over the world with her.
  • The song is about Jake Gyllenhaal, Swift's then-boyfriend, missing her 21st birthday party.

    And they're all standing around me, singing
    "Happy birthday to you"
    But there was one thing missing
    And that was the moment I knew


    Swift spent the entire night hoping Gyllenhaal would show up at her party. When he never appeared, it was the moment she knew the magic was over. Swift described it to Yahoo! Music as "the worst experience ever."

Comments: 1

  • Alison from My BedroomThis is such a good song! One of my favorites.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.