"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released for digital download and to U.S. pop radio as the lead single from Red on August 13, 2012, by Big Machine Records. Swift wrote and produced the song with Max Martin and Shellback. An upbeat incorporation of many pop styles, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" contains pulsing synthesizers, processed guitar riffs, bass drums, and a spoken-word bridge. Its lyrics express Swift's frustration with an ex-lover who wants to rekindle their relationship. An alternate version was released to U.S. country radio on August 21, 2012.
Music critics praised the track for its catchy melody and radio-friendly sound, though some described its lyrics as subpar for Swift's songwriting abilities. The song appeared in year-end lists by Rolling Stone, Time, and The Village Voice. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" peaked atop the charts in Canada and New Zealand, and reached the top five in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, and the U.K. On the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the single debuted at number 72 and rose to number one the following week, registering one of the biggest single-week jumps in chart history. The single spent a record-breaking nine consecutive weeks topping the Hot Country Songs chart and received multi-platinum certifications in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S.
The music video for the song was released on August 30, 2012. The accolades that "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" received include a Billboard Music Award for Top Country Song, a Grammy Award nomination for Record of the Year, a CMT Music Award nomination for Best Music Video, and a People's Choice Award nomination for Favorite Song. Swift included the song on the set lists of four of her world tours: the Red Tour (2013–14), the 1989 World Tour (2015), Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), and the Eras Tour (2023). A re-recorded version of the song is featured on Red (Taylor's Version), Swift's 2021 re-recording of her 2012 album.
Background and release
After writing Speak Now (2010) entirely solo, Swift opted to collaborate with different songwriters and producers for Red. Thus, she called Max Martin and Shellback, two songwriters and producers whose work she admired, to discuss a possible collaboration. The trio conceived the concept for "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" shortly after a friend of Swift's ex-boyfriend walked into the recording studio and spoke of rumors he heard that Swift and her former flame were reuniting. After the friend left, Martin and Shellback asked Swift to elaborate on the details of the relationship, which she described as "break up, get back together, break up, get back together, just, ugh, the worst". When Martin suggested that they write about the incident, Swift began playing the guitar and singing, "We are never ever......", and the song flowed rapidly afterwards. She described the process as one of the most humorous experiences she had while recording, and said the musical partners matched her expectations. An audio clip of her sarcastically speaking about breakups can be heard before the final chorus.
The single was the lead single from Red. Swift premiered the single on August 13, 2012, during a live chat on Google+ with the song released on Google Play that day for digital download and to iTunes and Amazon.com the next day, August 14. A lyric video also premiered on Swift's official Vevo that same day. The song was released to Adult Contemporary radio stations on August 13, 2012 and to mainstream radio stations the next day. The song was released to country radio on August 21, 2012. The music video for the song premiered on August 30, 2012. A limited edition individually numbered CD single was released to Swift's official store and Amazon.com on September 4, 2012. The limited edition CD single was packaged with a "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" T-shirt and backpack. The CD single was also available for individual purchase. The CD single was released exclusively to US Walmart stores the same day.