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"How You Get the Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Co-written and produced by Swedish record producers Max Martin and Shellback, the song is track 10 from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Critics praised its catchiness, although a handful of them criticized its immaturity.

Following a dispute over her masters, Swift re-recorded the song as "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" for her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). The re-recording received general praise for its sonic similarity to its original counterpart, alongside Swift’s matured vocals.

Background and release

Taylor Swift had identified as a country musician until her fourth studio album, Red, which was released on October 22, 2012. 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. Swift began writing songs for her fifth studio album in mid-2013 while touring on the Red Tour. 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".

On 1989, Swift worked with Max Martin as executive producers. Martin and Shellback produced seven out of 13 tracks for 1989's standard edition, including "How You Get the Girl". The song was released on October 27, 2014 as part of 1989; "How You Get the Girl" is track 10 on the album and lasts for four minutes and seven seconds. "How You Get the Girl" charted in Canada (81) and the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. The song received a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Following a dispute over the masters of her first six albums with her previous record label Big Machine, Swift re-recorded and re-released "How You Get the Girl", subtitled "Taylor’s Version" as part of her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version), on October 27, 2023. The song is produced by Swift and Christopher Rowe, and is four minutes and seven seconds long. "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" peaked in Canada (34), New Zealand (31), Billboard Hot 100 (40) and Global 200 (29).

Music and composition

"How You Get the Girl" is a synth-pop song where Swift gives instructions on how to get her affections to an ex-lover six months after their relationship ends. The song is also about taking a good relationship for granted and letting it, only to want it back. The song has a guitar-based instrumental supported by bass beats.

Critical reception

Alex Kritselis of Bustle regarded "How You Get the Girl" as a "lightweight" song, but complimented its "stompin' beat and totally irresistible chorus", applauding its worth as a potential single from 1989 and comparing it to her 2013 single, "22". Bradly Burgess of The Argonaut complimented the song's catchiness and danceability. Isabelle Porter of Redbrick Reviews connected the song to "Paper Rings" (2019), commending its catchiness.

On a less positive side, John Caramanica of The New York Times regarded the song ineffective, elaborating that she sounds "least jaded" in the song, alongside her 2014 promotional single, "Welcome to New York". Courteney Larocca of Business Insider called the song a "bathroom break" song with a bad message in the name of "girl code". Additionally, Callie Alghrim compared the song to Radio Disney songs, calling it "basic" and "juvenile".

"How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" received generally positive reviews from critics. Mary Randolph of The Daily Northwestern complimented the "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)"'s sonic similarity to its original counterpart, as well as the increase in maturity of her voice. Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine applauded the increase in heft in the re-recording. However, Kimberly Tyson of The Dickinsonian regarded the chorus of "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" as "stitled and cut-off".

Live performances and usage in media

"How You Get the Girl" was used in a Diet Coke advertisement, where more cats appear whenever Swift takes a sip of a can of coke. "How You Get the Girl" is also part of the permanent setlist of the 1989 World Tour (2015), where Swift performs it wearing a pink two-piece light up dress, accompanied by choreography inspired by the 1952 musical, Singin' in the Rain. Backup dancers perform the choreography with neon umbrellas. Outside the 1989 World Tour, Swift performed the song on acoustic guitar during the second Dublin show of the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) and the third Atlanta show of the Eras Tour (2023-4). Additionally, during the final Stockholm show of the Eras Tour, Swift performed it as part of a medley with singles "Message in a Bottle" (2021) and "New Romantics" (2016), in dedication to Martin.

Charts

Certifications

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of 1989 (Taylor's Version)

• Taylor Swift – vocals, background vocals, co-producer
• Mike Meadows – synthesizer, acoustic guitar
• Amos Heller – bass guitar
• Dan Burns – drum programming, synth bass, synthesizer
• Matt Billingslea – drum programming, drums
• Max Bernstein – electric guitar, synthesizer
• Derek Garten – programming
• Brian Pruitt – drum programming, drums
• Paul Sidoti – electric guitar
• Randy Merrill – mastering
• Ryan Smith – mastering
• Serban Ghenea – mixing
• Derek Garten – engineering, editing
• Christopher Rowe – vocal engineering
• Bryce Bordone – mix engineering
• Dan Burns – additional engineering

References

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