The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). The song was written and produced by Swift and longtime collaborator Aaron Dessner.
| "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Taylor Swift | |
| from the album The Tortured Poets Department | |
| Released | April 19, 2024 |
| Studio | Long Pond (New York) |
| Length | 4:05 |
| Label | Republic |
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Lyric video | |
| "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" on YouTube | |
Background edit
Swift revealed The Tortured Poets Department at the Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024, while accepting the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights (2022).[1] Swift revealed she worked on the album in secret through 2022 and 2023. Upon its release on April 19, 2024, fans and the media speculated that the album's songs discussed her relationships in that time frame with the English actor Joe Alwyn, the English singer-songwriter Matty Healy, and the American football player Travis Kelce.[2]
Music and lyrics edit
"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" was described as a breakup song and a provocative "diss track" about an unnamed ex-lover.[3] Swift's lyrics discuss a man in a "Jehovah's Witness suit", accusing him of ghosting her and attempting to buy drugs from her distant friend.[4][5] Sonically, the track is mostly built around piano and "blinking programming".[6]
Critical reception edit
In a ranking of all 31 songs from The Anthology edition of The Tortured Poets Department, Billboard ranked "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" in first place, with writer Jason Lipshutz considering the song "another Taylor Swift post-breakup takedown for the ages."[6] Kaitlyn Huamani of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "The bridge is one of the best on the album, with haunting lyrics and stellar production."[7]
Personnel edit
- Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter, producer
- Aaron Dessner – producer, songwriter, recording engineer, bass guitar, drum programming, electric guitar, piano, synthesizer
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Bryce Bordone – engineer for mix
- Bella Blasko – recording engineer
- Beau Sorenson – additional engineer
- Rob Moose – arranger, violin, viola
- James McAlister – drums, electric guitar, percussion, synthesizer
- Laura Sisk – vocal engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Jason Slota – percussion
Charts edit
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | 16 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 18 |
| France (SNEP)[10] | 137 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[11] | 18 |
| Greece International (IFPI)[12] | 28 |
| Ireland (Billboard)[13] | 19 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[14] | 88 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] | 17 |
| Portugal (AFP)[16] | 31 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[17] | 97 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[18] | 90 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19] | 60 |
| UK (Billboard)[20] | 17 |
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[21] | 76 |
| UK Streaming (OCC)[22] | 17 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 14 |
References edit
- ^ West, Bryan (April 21, 2024). "Taylor Swift makes Grammys history with fourth album of the year win for 'Midnights'". USA Today. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Puckett-Pope, Lauren; Gonzales, Erica. "Is Taylor Swift's 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' About Matty Healy?". Elle. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Frost, Caroline. "Taylor Swift's "Diss Track" Sees Pop Star Ex's Family Speak Out In His Defence". Deadline. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Yasmin, Shahana; O'Connor, Roisin. "How Taylor Swift takes aim at Matty Healy on The Tortured Poets Department". The Independent.
- ^ Danhauer, Whitney. "Taylor Swift Seemingly Shades Matty Healy's Style in 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' From 'TTPD'". Life & Style. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason. "Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department': All 31 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Huamani, Kaitlyn (April 20, 2024). "The best songs from Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department double album". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 16, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Ireland Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "2024 16-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift – The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202417 into search. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift – Fortnight" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (U.K. Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.