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According to the lyrics there’s no mental health struggles, she’s simply not ready.
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| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|wMpqCRF7TKg|"Champagne Problems"}}}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|wMpqCRF7TKg|"Champagne Problems"}}}}}}


"'''Champagne Problems'''" (stylized in [[all lowercase]]) is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]]. It is the second track on Swift's ninth studio album, ''[[Evermore (Taylor Swift album)|Evermore]]'', which was released on December 11, 2020, through [[Republic Records]]. Swift wrote the song with [[Joe Alwyn]] (under the pseudonym William Bowery)<!-- Per WP:UNBROKEN, this link should not be piped. --> and produced it with [[Aaron Dessner]]. "Champagne Problems" is a [[lo-fi]] [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]] written from the perspective of a troubled girlfriend who turns down her lover's earnest marriage proposal due to her own mental health struggles. The song depicts the narrator taking responsibility for the breakup and mourning the faded relationship. It is built around a [[guitar riff]] and [[oom-pah]] piano.
"'''Champagne Problems'''" (stylized in [[all lowercase]]) is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]]. It is the second track on Swift's ninth studio album, ''[[Evermore (Taylor Swift album)|Evermore]]'', which was released on December 11, 2020, through [[Republic Records]]. Swift wrote the song with [[Joe Alwyn]] (under the pseudonym William Bowery)<!-- Per WP:UNBROKEN, this link should not be piped. --> and produced it with [[Aaron Dessner]]. "Champagne Problems" is a [[lo-fi]] [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]] written from the perspective of a troubled girlfriend who turns down her lover's earnest marriage proposal due to her not feeling ready. The song depicts the narrator taking responsibility for the breakup and mourning the faded relationship. It is built around a [[guitar riff]] and [[oom-pah]] piano.


Upon ''Evermore''{{'s}} release, "Champagne Problems" received critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of heartbreak and mental health. In the United States, the song debuted at number 21 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 3 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Rock & Alternative Songs]] chart, and number seven on the [[Rolling Stone Top 100|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]]. Internationally, it charted at number six in [[Canadian Hot 100|Canada]] and Ireland and reached the top 25 on the [[Billboard Global 200|''Billboard'' Global 200]] and in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Swift performed "Champagne Problems" live for the first time on [[the Eras Tour]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=2023-03-18 |title=Taylor Swift Eras Tour: The Full Setlist From Opening Night |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-1235552488/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
Upon ''Evermore''{{'s}} release, "Champagne Problems" received critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of heartbreak and mental health. In the United States, the song debuted at number 21 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 3 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Rock & Alternative Songs]] chart, and number seven on the [[Rolling Stone Top 100|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]]. Internationally, it charted at number six in [[Canadian Hot 100|Canada]] and Ireland and reached the top 25 on the [[Billboard Global 200|''Billboard'' Global 200]] and in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Swift performed "Champagne Problems" live for the first time on [[the Eras Tour]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=2023-03-18 |title=Taylor Swift Eras Tour: The Full Setlist From Opening Night |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-1235552488/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

Revision as of 06:29, 12 April 2023

"Champagne Problems"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Evermore
ReleasedDecember 11, 2020 (2020-12-11)
Length4:04
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Champagne Problems" on YouTube

"Champagne Problems" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is the second track on Swift's ninth studio album, Evermore, which was released on December 11, 2020, through Republic Records. Swift wrote the song with Joe Alwyn (under the pseudonym William Bowery) and produced it with Aaron Dessner. "Champagne Problems" is a lo-fi ballad written from the perspective of a troubled girlfriend who turns down her lover's earnest marriage proposal due to her not feeling ready. The song depicts the narrator taking responsibility for the breakup and mourning the faded relationship. It is built around a guitar riff and oom-pah piano.

Upon Evermore's release, "Champagne Problems" received critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of heartbreak and mental health. In the United States, the song debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 3 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, and number seven on the Rolling Stone Top 100. Internationally, it charted at number six in Canada and Ireland and reached the top 25 on the Billboard Global 200 and in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Swift performed "Champagne Problems" live for the first time on the Eras Tour in 2023.[1]

Background and release

On July 24, 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Taylor Swift surprise-released her eighth studio album, Folklore, to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.[2] In September 2020, Swift and her co-producers and co-writers for the album, Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, and Joe Alwyn, assembled at Long Pond Studio, located in a secluded cabin in upstate New York, to film the documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.[3] Released to Disney+ and accompanied by a live album released digitally, Swift performed the stripped-down renditions of all 17 tracks on Folklore and recounted the creative process of developing the album.[4]

Swift wrote "Champagne Problems" song with Joe Alwyn (under the pseudonym William Bowery),[5][6] who she was in a romantic relationship with 2016 until 2023.[7] Despite speculation that Swift wrote it about their own relationship, she explained that she and Alwyn wrote it together and detailed the writing process: "I say it was a surprise that we started writing together, but in a way, it wasn't, because we have always bonded over music and had the same musical tastes, and he's always the person who's showing me songs by artists and then they become my favorite songs or whatever. Joe and I really love sad songs. We've always bonded over music. So it was… We write the saddest [ones]. We just really love sad songs. What can I say?" She selected the song's bridge as one of her favorite parts of the song: "I'm so excited to one day be in front of a crowd when they all sing, 'She would have made such a lovely bride / What a shame she's fucked in the head.'"[8]

On December 10, 2020, Swift announced that her ninth studio album and Folklore's sister album, Evermore, would come out at midnight and revealed its track listing, where "Champagne Problems" placed second.[9] In the announcement, Swift teased imageries of various tracks, including "Champagne Problems", in which "two longtime college sweethearts had very different plans for the same night, one to end it and one who brought a ring."[10] Lyric videos of each song on the album were released to Swift's YouTube channel; "Champagne Problems" has since garnered over 31 million views as of October 2022. In the video, the lyrics appear over a glass of champagne.[11] The song was also included in The "Dropped Your Hand While Dancing" Chapter, a streaming compilation by Swift released by Swift on January 21, 2021, featuring four other songs from Evermore and one from Folklore.[12]

Composition and lyrics

"Champagne Problems" mentions Dom Pérignon, a brand of vintage Champagne produced by the Champagne house of Moët & Chandon.

"Champagne Problems" is a weepy[13] ballad[14] with spacious,[15] lo-fi instrumentals, consisting of oompah piano chords that interlace with guitar arpeggios, and choir vocals.[16] It is narrated by an apologetic girlfriend whose personal issues interfere with her romantic relationship,[17] leading to her rejecting her lover's earnest marriage proposal,[16] which takes places at a Christmas party.[18] In the second verse, she sings "You told your family for a reason / You couldn't keep it in / Your sister splashed out on the bottle / Now no one's celebrating,"[19] alluding to the fact that the subject was so confident the narrator would say yes that they told their family beforehand.[20] The song sees her take responsibility for the heartache caused and mourning the relationship while observing her former lover moving on.[21] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described the narrative as "a quiet sense of hurt growing louder as the song's story of a shriveled romance... turns more urgent."[14] "Champagne Problems" also sees the narrator addressing her former lover from a second-person perspective:[13] the song opens with the line "You booked the night train for a reason / So you could sit there in this hurt."[19] Musically, the song is set in the key of C major with a tempo of 90 beats per minute. Swift's vocal span from E3 to G4.[22]

Critical reception

"Champagne Problems" received widespread critical acclaim. NME critic Hannah Mylrea juxtaposed "Champagne Problems" to Swift's 2008 hit "Love Story", with the latter being a song about accepting a marriage proposal while the former is about rejecting the same.[23] Terming it a "disenchantment ballad", Madeline Crone of American Songwriter thought that, by the song's first chorus, it is "painstakingly apparent" how "different plans" play out between two lovers.[24] Entertainment Weekly's Maura Johnston praised the song's "pointillistic" details, and underscored how the opening couplet "You booked the night train for a reason / So you could sit there in this hurt" accurately depicts "someone looking to escape from themselves, and not just their situation".[25]

The Guardian's Alexis Petridis said that the song, and more specifically the lyric "She would've made such a lovely bride / What a shame she's fucked in the head", was a partial callback to the "bad-news girlfriend" satirically depicted in Swift's 2014 single "Blank Space".[26] Music journalist Jon Pareles, in The New York Times, wrote that the music on the track was "an elaborate, evolving sigh", highlighting lo-fi piano chords that progress to guitar chords in more rapid succession and looped "aah" vocals.[27] Brodie Lancaster of The Sydney Morning Herald selected the song as an example of Swift's ability to write fictional characters and "write it until it's entirely wrung dry."[28] Writing for The Independent, Helen Brown described the song as "wickedly fizzy" and praised Swift's character building.[29]

Several critics, such as Patrick Ryan of USA Today,[30] selected "Champagne Problems" as a highlight on Evermore. Bobby Olivier of Spin singled out the song as an "unskippable" highlight on Evermore, applauding its "addictive" depiction of a failed marriage proposal.[31] Annie Zaleski of The A.V. Club pinpointed it as an example of Evermore's sonic cohesion and highly detailed lyricism,[18] while Tom Breihan of Stereogum applauded the song's "loving, exacting detail."[32]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard similarly praised its lyrics and highlighted the complexity with which Swift explores themes such as marriage and adult love.[33] Writing for Variety, Chris Willman described "Champagne Problems" as "a superb example of her abilities as a storyteller who doesn’t always tell all."[20] Mikael Wood, in a review published in the Los Angeles Times, selected "Champagne Problems" as a highlight, opining that its lyrics hold "so much empathy that neither character ends up as the bad guy."[34] According to Consequence, "Champagne Problems" has the best bridge in Evermore, containing Swift's best lyrics and performance in the album.[35] Picked by Clash critics as one of Swift's 15 best songs, their listicle claimed that the bridge of "Champagne Problems" is "without a doubt some of Taylor's best work as it flows between metaphor and brutal honesty."[36]

Commercial performance

Upon the release of Evermore, all 15 tracks debuted within the top 75 of the Billboard Global 200 chart simultaneously, with "Champagne Problems" at number 12. In the United States, the song opened at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, where it stayed for 20 weeks. "Champagne Problems" debuted at number 7 on the Rolling Stone Top 100, a chart similar to the Hot 100, with 18.3 million streams and 152,700 units sold. In Canada, it peaked at number 6 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified gold by Music Canada.

Elsewhere, "Champagne Problems" debuted on several single charts worldwide, peaking within the top 25 of Ireland (6), Australia (12), Malaysia (15), Singapore (16), New Zealand (24), and further reaching Portugal (75) and Switzerland (92). In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 15 on UK Singles Chart and received a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Impact

Inspired by the track, French luxury hotel Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa offered guests a new package called "Champagne Solution", which includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon, the champagne brand mentioned in the song's lyrics.[37]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Pitchfork.[5]

  • Taylor Swift − vocals, songwriting, production
  • Aaron Dessner − production, recording, piano, synthesizer, acoustic guitar, synth bass
  • William Bowery − songwriting
  • Jonathan Low − vocal recording, mixing, recording
  • Greg Calbi − mastering
  • Steve Fallone − mastering
  • Logan Coale − upright bass

Charts

Certifications

Record certifications for "Champagne Problems"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[52] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Shafer, Ellise (March 18, 2023). "Taylor Swift Eras Tour: The Full Setlist From Opening Night". Variety. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Shah, Neil (July 23, 2020). "Taylor Swift's New Album 'Folklore' Is Making a Surprise Debut". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  3. ^ "folklore: the long pond studio sessions". Disney+. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Spellberg, Claire (November 25, 2020). "Where is Long Pond Studio Located in Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' Movie?". Decider. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Minsker, Evan (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift Releases New Album evermore: Listen and Read the Full Credits". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Jeffrey, Joyann (May 20, 2022). "Joe Alwyn reveals meaning behind pseudonym on Taylor Swift's album". Today. NBCUniversal. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Boucher, Ashley (May 24, 2019). "Taylor Swift and Boyfriend Joe Alwyn Hold Hands as They Stroll the Streets of Paris". People. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Emmanuele, Julia (December 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Explained Why Joe Alwyn Helped Write 'Evermore's Saddest Songs". Bustle. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Taylor Swift Announces 'evermore' Album (Tracklist, Release Date, Cover, Review)". December 10, 2020.
  10. ^ Taylor Swift [@taylorswift13] (December 11, 2020). "I have no idea what will come next. I have no idea about a lot of things these days and so I've clung to the one thing that keeps me connected to you all. That thing always has and always will be music. And may it continue, evermore. evermore is out now: https://taylor.lnk.to/evermorealbum" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Swift, Taylor (December 11, 2020). Taylor Swift - champagne problems (Official Lyric Video) (Video). YouTube. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  12. ^ the "dropped your hand while dancing" chapter - EP by Taylor Swift, Apple Music, January 21, 2021, retrieved June 29, 2021
  13. ^ a b Johnston, Maura (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift levels up on Evermore". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (December 14, 2020). "Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's 'Evermore': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  15. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (December 15, 2020). "Taylor Swift: evermore". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (December 11, 2020). "'Evermore,' Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' Sequel, Is a Journey Deeper Inward". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  17. ^ Brodie, Lancaster (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift is back, stronger than ever before". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Zaleski, Annie (December 14, 2020). "Taylor Swift's powerful evermore returns to folklore's rich universe". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Bailey, Alyssa (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift's 'Champagne Problems' Lyrics Are About a Rejected Proposal. She Answered If It's Joe Alwyn's". Elle. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Willman, Chris (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift Has Her Second Great Album of 2020 With 'Evermore': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  21. ^ Crone, Madeline (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift 'evermore' Is Ready For Your Record Player, Radio Play Be Damned". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  22. ^ Swift, Taylor; Bowery, William (December 11, 2020). "champagne problems". MusicNotes. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Mylrae, Hannah (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift – 'Evermore' review: the freewheeling younger sibling to 'Folklore'". NME. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  24. ^ Crone, Madeline (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift 'evermore' Is Ready For Your Record Player, Radio Play Be Damned". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Johnston, Maura (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift levels up on Evermore". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  26. ^ Petridis, Alexis (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift: Evermore – rich alt-rock and richer character studies". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  27. ^ Pareles, Jon (December 11, 2020). "'Evermore,' Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' Sequel, Is a Journey Deeper Inward". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  28. ^ Lancaster, Brodie (December 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift is back, stronger than ever before". The Sydney Morning Herald. ISSN 0312-6315. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  29. ^ Brown, Helen (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift's new album Evermore is full of haunting tales – review". The Independent. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  30. ^ Ryan, Patrick (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' review: Pop star returns to the woods for a spellbinding 'Folklore' companion". USA Today. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  31. ^ Olivier, Bobby (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift 'Evermore' Album Review". Spin. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  32. ^ Breihan, Tom (December 11, 2020). "Review: Taylor Swift Burrows Deeper Into Sepia-Toned Mood Music On 'evermore'". Stereogum. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  33. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (December 11, 2020). "Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' is a Rewarding Journey Deeper Into the Woods". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  34. ^ Wood, Mikael (December 11, 2020). "Review: Taylor Swift's surprise LP 'Evermore' is more — and less — 'Folklore'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 2165-1736. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Siroky, Mary (November 9, 2021). "Every Taylor Swift Album Ranked from Worst to Best". Consequence. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  36. ^ "Taylor Swift: Her 15 Best Songs". Clash Magazine. January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  37. ^ Leasca, Stacey (January 22, 2021). "This French Hotel Is Offering a Taylor Swift-themed 'Champagne Problems' Package for the Broken Hearted". Travel and Leisure. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
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  44. ^ "Taylor Swift – Champagne Problems". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  45. ^ "RIAS Top Charts". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
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  52. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Taylor Swift – Champagne Problems". Music Canada. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  53. ^ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Champagne Problems". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
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