"Wonderland" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from the deluxe version of her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote "Wonderland" alongside Swedish record producers Max Martin and Shellback, who both produced the song as well. "Wonderland" was released on October 27, 2014, and for digital download on iTunes on February 17, 2015.
Background and production
Taylor Swift had identified as a country musician until her fourth studio album, Red, which was released on October 22, 2012.[1]Red incorporates eclectic pop and rock styles beyond the country stylings of Swift's past albums, which led to critics questioning her country-music identity.[2] Swift began writing songs for her fifth studio album in mid-2013 while touring on the Red Tour.[3] Inspired by 1980s synth-pop, she named the album 1989 after her birth year to signify an artistic reinvention: she described it as her first "official pop album".[4][5]
On 1989, Swift worked with Max Martin as executive producers. Martin and Shellback produced seven out of 13 tracks for 1989's standard edition, and two out of the three bonus tracks in the deluxe edition, including "Wonderland".[6][7]
Music and lyrics
Lyrically, "Wonderland" is based off Alice in Wonderland. Swift uses "falling down the rabbit hole" as a metaphor for falling in love and going insane in the process, while the line, "Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds?" references Alice's observation that "curiosity often leads to trouble".[8] The line, "flash your green eyes", is also a reference to a character in the book, the Chesire Cat.[9] The song is about a woman, mad in love, who follows a lover into what is supposedly a safe place, referred to in-song as "Wonderland". Both lovers rush into the relationship without thinking twice, consumed by erotic desire.[10]
Critical reception
Rose Androwich of Observer commended Swift’s ability to "make connections to popular culture while crafting a distinct narrative of her life", applauding its lyrics as "witty".[11] In the re-recording of "Wonderland", subtitled "Taylor’s Version", Rachel Martin of Notion commended its "cleaner" vocals.[12]
Release and commercial performance
"Wonderland" was officially released on October 27, 2014 under Big Machine Records on the deluxe version of the album 1989 ; Wonderland" being the fourteenth track on the deluxe edition of 1989 and the first of three deluxe tracks on the 1989 track listing.[13][14] However, it was originally only available on CD, which was available exclusively at Target.[13][15] On February 17, 2015, Swift announced on Twitter that "Wonderland" would be available for digital download on the iTunes Store immediately, and that the other two tracks exclusive to the deluxe edition of 1989—"You Are in Love" and "New Romantics"—would be available on iTunes soon.[16][17] "Wonderland", as well as the rest of the deluxe tracks became available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify on June 30, 2015, and June 9, 2017; respectively.[18][19] "Wonderland" debuted and peaked at 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Wonderland" was performed on select dates on the 1989 World Tour (2015).[20][21] It was also performed during the Houston stops of the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)[22] and Eras Tour (2023-4).[23] Additionally, it was performed in a mashup with "The 1" (2020) in the Milan stop.[23]
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