Back to December is the third track and second single of Taylor's third album Speak Now. It was released on October 25, 2010. It became a single on November 15, 2010.
"Back to December addresses a first for me, in that I've never apologized to someone in a song before. In the good, or bad, or the apology, the person I wrote the song for deserves this. This is about somebody who was incredible to me, just perfect to me in a relationship, and I was really careless with him, so these are the words that I would say to him -- that he deserves to hear."
The music video premiered on January 13, 2011 and uploaded to YouTube on February 1, 2011. It's directed by Yoann Lemoine. Taylor's love interest is played by Guntars Asmanis.
Storyline
The video starts with a guy walking through the snow in a small town. Taylor is inside a house, thinking about how she regrets not treating her ex right. She's sitting in the kitchen, on her bed and inside the bathtub. The guy sits on the bleachers and strolls around in the cold, brooding. At some point, it starts snowing inside the house, covering the furniture in snow. Meanwhile, Taylor is writing a letter. She puts the letter inside the guy's jacket. The video ends with the guy, sitting on the bleachers, finding and reading the letter.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I'm so glad you made time to see me
How's life, tell me how's your family
I haven't seen them in a while
You've been good, busier than ever
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up, and I know why
[Pre-Chorus]
Because the last time you saw me is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses and I left them there to die
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and make it alright
I go back to December all the time
[Verse 2]
These days I haven't been sleeping
Staying up playing back myself leaving
When your birthday passed and I didn't call
Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I loved you in the fall
[Pre-Chorus]
And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye
[Chorus]
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
[Bridge]
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinking
Probably mindless dreaming
But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't
So if the chain is on your door I understand
[Chorus]
But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December turn around and make it alright
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
All the time
Awards & Nominations[]
Year
Organization
Award
Result
2011
American Country Awards
Female Video of the Year
Nominated
BMI Country Awards
BMI Award
Won
Teen Choice Awards
Choice Break-Up Song
Won
Videos[]
Taylor Swift - Back To December
Back To December (Acoustic Version)
Back To December
Back To December (Instrumental With Background Vocals)
Taylor Swift - Back To December (Live on Letterman)
Back To December-Apologize-You're Not Sorry (Live-2011-Medley)
Back To December - Apologize - You're Not Sorry (Live)
