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Draft:How Did It End?

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"How Did It End?"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology
ReleasedApril 19, 2024
Studio
Length3:58
LabelRepublic Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Aaron Dessner
Lyric video
"How Did It End?" on YouTube

"How Did It End?" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from the double album edition of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (2024). Written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, "How Did It End?" is a somber[1] piano ballad about the aftermath of a broken relationship: the narrator details others' prying into the end of her relationship and her own anguish and unawareness of how it unraveled. The lyrics extensively use death-related imagery.[2][3]

Swift performed the song live during her sixth concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024), twice during the "surprise song" segment of the tour: first as a standalone performance at the Stockholm concert on May 19, 2024, and later in a mash-up with "You’re Losing Me" (2023) at the Toronto concert on November 23, 2024.[4]

Background and recording

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Taylor Swift announced her eleventh original studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024.[5][6] It was released on April 19, 2024, by Republic Records.[7][8] She had worked on the album shortly after submitting her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022), for release, and continued working on it in secrecy during the U.S leg of the Eras Tour in 2023.[9] The standard album was released on April 19, 2024, and the double album edition was surprise-released two hours later.[10] "How Did It End?" is taken from The Anthology and is track number 21 on the album.[11]

Swift conceived The Tortured Poets Department amidst heightened fame brought by the Eras Tour, and publicized personal relationships, including an end of a six-year relationship with the English actor Joe Alwyn and a short-lived romantic linking with the English musician Matty Healy.[3][12][13] Swift herself stated that she had been working on the album for about two years prior to its release,[5][14] describing the songwriting process for the album as a lifeline, a necessary outlet for her emotions during a tumultuous time.[8][15]

Swift wrote and produced "How Did It End?" with Aaron Dessner.[7][1][8] His production style, often characterized by atmospheric textures and melancholic arrangements, is evident in "How Did It End?", contributing to its somber and introspective mood.[7] The song's primary engineering and mixing duties were handled by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Recording sessions took place at the Long Pond Studios in Hudson Valley, New York, where Jonathan Low and Bella Blasko served as the principal recording engineers, with James Rand assisting. The final stereo mix was mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, New Jersey.[16]

Music and lyrics

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"How Did It End?" is a deeply introspective song that lyrically dissects the painful aftermath of a concluded relationship. The narrator details others' prying into the end of her relationship and her own anguish and unawareness of how it unraveled.[17][13][3][2] The song opens with a sense of resignation, with lines like "We hereby conduct this post-mortem" setting a clinical tone to the examination of a love that has died.[18][17] This framing device of a "post-mortem" or autopsy, along with other death-related imagery, is a central metaphor, suggesting a detailed, sorrowful investigation into the causes and consequences of the relationship's demise.[17][1][2] The lyrics also touch upon themes of blame, self-reflection, and the search for answers.[3][12]

In "How Did It End?", Swift's narrator bemoans the end of a relationship. In the first verse, the narrator details how the relationship unraveled.[15] The lyrics explore the theme of a slow, agonizing end rather than a sudden break, with Swift describing a love that faded and withered, touching upon feelings of being misunderstood.[12] In the second verse, she details how her circle of friends, their cousins, and the people around town have known about the breakup. By the end, all of them have drawn their conclusions, but Swift's narrator remains asking, "How did it end?".[15] There's a palpable sense of grief not just for the lost love, but for the lost future and shared dreams.[3][13] A significant theme is the external pressure and voyeuristic interest from the public and media.[13][3] Swift critiques the "empathetic hunger" of onlookers who seek out details of her private sorrow.[17][1] In the refrain, she expresses that she is fully aware of the fact that her relationships are a topic that attract gossip: "Come one, come all/ It's happening again."[19][20] This highlights the invasive speculation that often accompanies celebrity breakups, portraying the narrator as a spectacle.[13][18][1]

"How Did It End?" is a somber piano ballad characterized by its melancholic tone and sparse instrumentation.[1][7] The production, handled by Dessner alongside Swift, emphasizes her emotive vocals and the lyrical narrative.[7][1] The tempo is slow, contributing to the song's somber and reflective mood.[1] The song's structure follows a typical verse-chorus form, building emotional intensity towards a cathartic bridge and concluding with a more subdued outro.[1][7][21] The instrumentation primarily features piano, with subtle string arrangements that enhance the melancholic atmosphere.[7]

Critical reception

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"How Did It End?" received generally positive critical reviews for its somber tone and melancholic message.[1][22] Many critics highlighted the track for its poignant lyricism and emotional vulnerability, often citing it as a standout on the album.[1][23][2] Reviewers praised Swift's ability to articulate the complex and often painful emotions associated with a breakup, particularly the intrusive nature of public speculation.[13][17][18] The song's narrative, detailing the slow decay of a relationship and subsequent public dissection, was noted for its raw honesty and relatability.[3][12][15] The Independent selected "How Did It End?" as one of the best songs of 2024.[21]

Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield pointed to the song's melancholic production by Dessner as effectively complementing the lyrical themes.[7] The Observer's Kitty Empire noted that the sparse, piano-driven arrangement was seen as a strength of the song.[1] The New Yorker's Sinéad O’Sullivan drew comparisons to Swift's previous work, particularly from Folklore and Evermore.[24] However, not all reception was uniformly positive. Some critics felt it tread familiar thematic ground for Swift. Despite this, the consensus leaned towards appreciating its lyrical craftsmanship and exploration of heartbreak under public scrutiny.[7][1]

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.[16]

  • Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Aaron Dessner – songwriter, producer, drum programming, electric guitar, keyboards, piano, synthesizer, synth bass
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Bryce Bordone – engineer
  • Jonathan Low – recording engineer
  • Bella Blasko – recording engineer
  • James McAlister – drums, drum programming, recording, electric guitar, synthesizer
  • Thomas Bartlett – piano, keyboards, synthesizer, recording
  • Glenn Kotche – drums, percussion
  • JT Bates – drums
  • Robert Ames – conductor
  • Elisa Bergersen – viola
  • Matthew Kettle – viola
  • Morgan Goff – viola
  • Nicholas Bootiman – viola
  • Abi Hyde-Smith – cello
  • Brian O’Kane – cello
  • Max Ruisi – cello
  • Reinoud Ford – cello
  • Chris Kelly – double bass
  • Dave Brown – double bass
  • Sophie Roper – double bass
  • David McQueen – French horn
  • Akiko Ishikawa – violin
  • Alicia Berendse – violin
  • Anna de Bruin – violin
  • Cara Laskaris – violin
  • Dan Oates – violin
  • Eloisa-Fleur Thom – violin
  • Emily Holland – violin
  • Galya Bisengalieva – violin
  • Iona Allan – violin
  • Kirsty Mangan – violin
  • Marianne Haynes – violin
  • Nicole Crespo O’Donoghue – violin
  • Ronald Long – violin
  • Sophie Mather – violin
  • Laura Beck – assistant recording engineer
  • Randy Merrill – mastering

Charts

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Chart performance for "How Did It End?"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 30
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] 35
Global 200 (Billboard)[27] 36
Greece International (IFPI)[28] 70
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 38
Portugal (AFP)[30] 100
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 8
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[32] 84
UK Streaming (OCC)[33] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 35

Certification

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Certification for "How Did It End?"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Empire, Kitty (April 20, 2024). "Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department review – a whole lotta love gone bad". The Observer. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Willman, Chris (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 75 Best Songs, Ranked". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Bailey, Alyssa (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift Unpacks What Caused Her Breakup With Joe Alwyn in 'How Did It End?'". Elle. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  4. ^ Shafer, Ellise (December 9, 2024). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: Every Surprise Song She's Played". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Malone Kircher, Madison (April 19, 2024). "Harvard's Taylor Swift Scholars Have Thoughts on 'Tortured Poets'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  6. ^ West, Bryan (April 21, 2024). "Taylor Swift makes Grammys history with fourth album of the year win for Midnights". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sheffield, Rob (April 19, 2024). "Come for the Torture, Stay for the Poetry: This Might Be Taylor Swift's Most Personal Album Yet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Powers, Ann (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets' is written in blood". NPR. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  9. ^ Blistein, Jon (February 7, 2024). "Taylor Swift Reveals Tortured Poets Department Back Up Plan In Case She Didn't Win a Grammy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Phillipp, Charlotte (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift Surprises Fans with Double Album — 15 More The Tortured Poets Department Songs — at 2 A.M." People. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Rossingol, Derrick (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology: Here Are The Full Album Credits With Songwriters". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Marshall, Louisa (April 19, 2024). "How Did It End: Taylor Swift Lyrics and Song Meaning". Life & Style. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Topacio Long, Stephanie (April 19, 2024). "In This Taylor Swift Ballad, She's Tired Of The "Empathetic" Public". Bustle. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Savy, Alicia. "My Unsolicited Literary Analysis of TAYLOR SWIFT's TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT". Farrago Magazine. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d Princiotti, Nora (April 25, 2024). "How Taylor Swift Writes About Being Taylor Swift". The Ringer. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Swift, Taylor (2024). The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (vinyl). Republic Records. B0DK4N2CB1.
  17. ^ a b c d e "A Poetic Post-Mortem: "How Did it End?" Meaning, Explained". Swiftly Sung Stories. June 23, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Records, Burner (April 20, 2024). "Unveiling Taylor Swift How Did It End? Meaning and Review". Stay Free Radio. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  19. ^ Dailey, Hannah (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 13 Best Lyrics on The Tortured Poets Department: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Wickman, Forrest (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's New Album Finds an Exciting New Target: Her Own Fans". Slate. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "The 20 best songs of 2024, ranked". The Independent. November 18, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  22. ^ Curtis, Lucy (April 26, 2024). "'The Tortured Poets Department' is Brilliant, Raw Work From Taylor Swift". The Oberlin Review. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  23. ^ Wong, Stephanie; Genova, Emily (April 24, 2024). "Review: Taylor Swift is back, better and sooner than ever". Washington Square News. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  24. ^ O’Sullivan, Sinéad (April 30, 2024). "Why Normal Music Reviews No Longer Make Sense for Taylor Swift". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  25. ^ "Taylor Swift – How Did It End?". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  26. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  27. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  28. ^ "IFPI Charts". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  29. ^ "Taylor Swift – How Did It End?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  30. ^ "Taylor Swift – How Did It End?". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  31. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 17". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  33. ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  34. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
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