The 1: Difference between revisions

"The 1"
"The 1"
Promotional single by Taylor Swift
from the album Folklore
Written	July 2020
Released	October 9, 2020
Studio	Long Pond (Hudson Valley);
Genre	Folk; soft rock;
Length	3:30
Label	Republic
Songwriter(s)	Taylor Swift; Aaron Dessner;
Producer(s)	Aaron Dessner
Lyric video
	"The 1" on YouTube

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"The 1" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the opening track from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. A folk and soft rock tune with elements of indie folk, "The 1" sets Swift's conversational vocals over a production consisting of piano and percussion. In its lyrics, the narrator fondly introspects a failed romance and details the time when she found "the one" who never came to be. Republic Records released the song for download in Germany on October 9, 2020.

"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics, who discussed the song's significance as the album's opening track and praised the songwriting and production. Commercially, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It charted within the top 10 and received certifications in several countries. Swift included "The 1" as part of the concert documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (2020), and the Eras Tour (2023–2024).

Background and development

The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift began work on her eighth studio album, Folklore, during the COVID-19 lockdowns in early 2020. She conceived the record as figments of mythopoeic visuals in her mind, as a result of her imagination "running wild" while isolating herself during lockdown.^[1]^[2] For the album's sound, Swift recruited the first-time collaborator, Aaron Dessner, as a producer on Folklore.^[3] "The 1" was one of the tracks written by both Swift and Dessner, who produced the song.^[3] Due to the lockdown, they were separated and had to send them via digital files to create the album.^[4]

Although much of the songs they worked on started from Desnner's instrumental tracks,^[5] "The 1" was written first and then produced.^[6] It was one of the last two songs written for Folklore, the other being "Hoax"; Dessner thought the album was finished before Swift sent a voice memo with lyrics of "The 1" days prior to the album's release. Dessner subsequently worked on some of its production and tracked Swift's vocals, and then his brother Bryce Dessner added orchestration to the song. Aaron Dessner described the song's development as "one of the very last things [they] did" for Folklore.^[6]

Music and lyrics

"The 1"

A sample of "The 1", which presents the slightly echoing piano, percussion instruments, and Swift's conversational delivery.

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"The 1" is three minutes and thirty seconds long.^[7] It was recorded by Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond in Hudson Valley. The vocals were recorded by Laura Sisk at Kitty Committee Studio in Los Angeles. Aaron Dessner provided drum programming and instruments for the track, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Mellotron, OP1, piano, and synth bass. Other musicians on the song are Jason Treuting (percussion), Thomas Bartlett (OP1, synthesizer), and Yuki Numata Resnick (viola, violin). It was mixed by Low at Long Pond and mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound in New York City.^[3]

"The 1" is a folk^[8] and soft rock^[9] tune with elements of indie folk.^[10] The production begins with a piano that has a bit reverb to it,^[11] labeled by critics as "optimistic"^[12] and "soft".^[13] It incorporates a number of percussion instruments, including sparse and crisp programmed drums,^[12]^[14] slapped guitar strums,^[11] and finger-snaps;^[15] these bring what critics deemed a lively beat to the track.^[13]^[16] Combined with the piano, this resulted in an instrumentation they thought was "bouncy",^[17] "breezy",^[18] "brooding",^[19] and one of the most upbeat on Folklore.^[20] It also includes vocal harmonies.^[12] Some critics commented that aspects of the production were influenced by the music of Aaron Dessner and his bands the National and Big Red Machine.^[a]

The lyrics of "The 1" has a theme of introspection.^[17] The song describes the narrator positively reminiscing on a past relationship during her "roaring 20s".^[12]^[17] It explores on how she found "the one" at the time and wishes they could have been together: "It would have been fun, if you would've been the one".^[12] The lyrics also addresses the narrator's languid contemplation for an ideal romance: "You know, the greatest loves of all time are over now".^[6] Swift's conversational singing^[24] on the track contains elliptical wording^[21] and humorous one-liners juxtaposed against the sadness.^[25]^[6] Her voice is also "enigmatic" and clear, according to MusicOMH's Chloe Johnson, who believed it allowed her to highlight the song's narrative and imagery.^[13] Allegra Frank of Vox thought the song was less a "kiss-off [but] more a solitary, gray-skied stroll through her day-to-day".^[23] Rolling Stone's writer Rob Sheffield connected it to the fellow album track "Peace", opining that they "tell both sides" of the same narrative.^[26]

Release and commercial performance

Swift singing on a moss-covered roof — Swift performing "The 1" on the Eras Tour (2023–2024)

On July 24, 2020, "The 1" was released as the opening track on Folklore.^[27] It was also released by Republic Records for download in Germany on October 9.^[28] On November 25, Swift recorded a stripped-down rendition of the track for the Disney+ concert documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions and its live album.^[29] "The 1" was performed from March 31, 2023 to March 9, 2024, on the set list of the Eras Tour, Swift's sixth headlining concert tour, as part of the concert's Folklore set.^[30] On May 9, 2024, the song was removed from the set list.^[31]

"The 1" debuted and peaked within the top 10 at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, alongside the fellow album tracks "Cardigan" and "Exile" at numbers one and six, respectively. This made Swift the first artist to debut two songs in the top four and three songs in the top six at the same time.^[32]^[33] It also debuted and peaked on the Rolling Stone Top 100 chart at number two behind "Cardigan".^[34] The song received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[35] On the Billboard Global 200, "The 1" appeared and peaked at number 114 when the chart was inaugurated on September 19, 2020, nine weeks following the release of Folklore.^[36]^[37]

Elsewhere, "The 1" reached the top 10 in the countries of Malaysia (5),^[38] Singapore (5),^[39] Canada (7),^[40] Ireland (7),^[41] and New Zealand (7).^[42] In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the ARIA Singles Chart alongside the rest of Folklore, which made Swift have the most debuts in one week with 16 entries.^[43]^[44] It was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).^[45] In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 10 on the OCC's UK Singles Chart and increased Swift's top-10 entries to 16.^[46]^[47] It received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).^[48] In Brazil, the song was certified platinum by Pro-Música Brasil.^[49]

Critical reception

"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics. They discussed the song regarding its placement on the album as the opening track, the majority of whom found its style for Folklore to deviate from her previous works^[b] and to set the album's tone.^[c] Allegra Frank of Vox found the production danceable like her other album openers but "markedly slowed down" in comparison.^[23] Business Insider's critics Callie Ahlgrim and Courtney Lacrossa believed the song was Swift's best opening track since "State of Grace" from her 2012 album Red.^[50] John Wohlmacher from Beats Per Minute found the track had a vocal melody and song structure similar to "I Forgot That You Existed"—the opener of her 2019 album Lover—but thought their aesthetics were quite distinct from each other.^[53] Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic wrote that the song's placement was a little detrimental as the rest of Folklore employs its style and believed this made the song somewhat less engaging.^[52]

Critics mainly praised the song's production and songwriting. Ahlgrim included the song on her mid-year list of the best songs of 2020 and lauded it as one of Swift's "most relatable and stirring" tracks.^[25] Lacrossa believed the track was "incredibly solid" and her delivery had "a breezy attention to rhythm" that complements the narrative.^[50] Frank thought it was "wistful, introspective, and impressionistic" that does not neglect Swift's signature "melodic pop" and one of the defining tracks of Folklore.^[23] Wohlmacher was impressed by how "poignant and mature" the lyrics were.^[53] Johnson believed it was thoroughly written and produced.^[13] The New Yorker writer Amanda Petrusich thought Swift's rumination on the track was "heartening" and "serene" in a comical manner.^[54] The Telegraph critic Neil McCormick said that the song was full of narrative details and opined that its theme of "defeated love" may "suggest Swift's social isolation has been a lonely one".^[55] Caleb Campbell from Under the Radar deemed the song's lyrics about a crumbling romance one of her most mature takes on the subject to date.^[56]

Ellen Johnson of Paste described the lyrics as "bright, vivid and occasionally funny" but in a more sophisticated way compared to Swift's previous songs.^[22] Katie Moulton from Consequence thought the track was one of the first songs she did not write for radio formats and highlighted the "self-awareness and willingness to both hold herself responsible and forgive" that makes it distinguishable from other album tracks.^[57] Anna Leszkiewicz of the New Statesman found the lyrics "[w]istful but refreshingly lacking in regret" and believed the song blended her skill of "romantic nostalgia with a novel ease and acceptance".^[12] Eloise Bulmer from The Line of Best Fit said Swift embodied an "unlucky-in-love" character on the track and thought it showcased her wit.^[58] In contrast, Roisin O'Connor of The Independent favored the song's smaller details more than the one-liners.^[59] Hannah Mylrea from NME wrote that the instrumentation accompanies Swift's vocals and the hook very well.^[19] Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe stated that the song's use of repetitions succeeded, along with "Invisible String".^[60]

A few reviewers were more reserved in their praise. Spencer Kornhaber from The Atlantic said the track was reminiscent of the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and felt that its "solemnity [was] forced".^[24] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard listed the song at number eleventh on his ranking of the tracks from Folklore and said that it stays "unadorned" for the majority of its length.^[21] The Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood placed the song as the weakest track on his ranking of the album and believed it was "less emotionally daring" than the rest of the tracks.^[10]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Pitchfork.^[3]

Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriting
Aaron Dessner – songwriting, production, drum programming, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Mellotron, OP1, piano, synth bass, synthesizer, recording
Bryce Dessner – orchestration
Jason Treuting – percussion, recording
Thomas Bartlett – OP1, synthesizer, recording
Yuki Numata Resnick – viola, violin
Kyle Resnick – recording
Laura Sisk – vocal recording
Jonathan Low – mixing, recording
Randy Merrill – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for "The 1"
Chart (2020)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[44]	4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[40]	7
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)^[61]	36
Global 200 (Billboard)^[37]	114
Ireland (IRMA)^[41]	7
Malaysia (RIM)^[38]	5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[62]	99
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[42]	7
Portugal (AFP)^[63]	56
Scotland (OCC)^[64]	36
Singapore (RIAS)^[39]	5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[65]	92
UK Singles (OCC)^[46]	10
US Billboard Hot 100^[32]	4
US Rolling Stone Top 100^[34]	2

Certifications

Certifications for "The 1"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[45]	2× Platinum	140,000^‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)^[49]	Platinum	40,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[48]	Gold	400,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[35]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "The 1"
Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Germany	October 9, 2020	Digital download	Universal	^[28]

Notes

^ Aaron Dessner's influence on "The 1" is attributed to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard,^[21] Hannah Mylrea of NME,^[19] Ellen Johnson of Paste,^[22] and Allegra Frank of Vox.^[23] Mylrea and Johnson also cited the National^[19] and Big Red Machine,^[22] respectively.
^ Attributed to Katie Atkinson of Billboard,^[20] Courteney Lacrossa of Business Insider,^[50] and both Allaire Nuss and Maura Johnston of Entertainment Weekly^[11]^[51]
^ Attributed to Chloe Johnson of MusicOMH,^[13] Michael Sumsion of PopMatters,^[14] and Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic^[52]

References

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^ Blistein, Jon (November 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift to Release New Folklore Film, The Long Pond Studio Sessions". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
^ Doyle, Patrick (November 13, 2020). "Musicians on Musicians: Taylor Swift & Paul McCartney". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gerber, Brady (July 27, 2020). "The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's Folklore". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
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^ Willman, Chris (January 1, 2021). "Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020". Variety. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
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^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Johnson, Chloe (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – Folklore | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
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^ Jones, Nate (November 8, 2023). "All 214 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
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^ ^a ^b "The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lipshutz, Jason (July 24, 2020). "Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Folklore: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Ellen, Johnson (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift Morphs Her Sound Yet Again on the Stunning Folklore". Paste. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Frank, Allegra (July 24, 2020). "The 6 Songs That Explain Taylor Swift's New Album, Folklore". Vox. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
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[24] Aaron Dessner's influence on "The 1" is attributed to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard,^[21] Hannah Mylrea of NME,^[19] Ellen Johnson of Paste,^[22] and Allegra Frank of Vox.^[23] Mylrea and Johnson also cited the National^[19] and Big Red Machine,^[22] respectively.

[53] Attributed to Katie Atkinson of Billboard,^[20] Courteney Lacrossa of Business Insider,^[50] and both Allaire Nuss and Maura Johnston of Entertainment Weekly^[11]^[51]

[55] Attributed to Chloe Johnson of MusicOMH,^[13] Michael Sumsion of PopMatters,^[14] and Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic^[52]

[1] Suskind, Alex (December 8, 2020). "Taylor Swift Broke All Her Rules with Folklore — And Gave Herself a Much-Needed Escape". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.

[2] "'It Started With Imagery': Read Taylor Swift's Primer For Folklore". Billboard. July 24, 2020. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2023.

[Strauss-2020-3] Strauss, Matthew; Minsker, Evan (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift Releases New Album Folklore: Listen and Read the Full Credits". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2024.

[4] Blistein, Jon (November 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift to Release New Folklore Film, The Long Pond Studio Sessions". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2023.

[5] Doyle, Patrick (November 13, 2020). "Musicians on Musicians: Taylor Swift & Paul McCartney". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2023.

[Gerber-2020-6] Gerber, Brady (July 27, 2020). "The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's Folklore". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.

[7] Swift, Taylor (October 27, 2014). "Folklore". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2023.

[8] Jenkins, Craig (October 24, 2022). "Midnights' Moonlit Lessons". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[9] Willman, Chris (January 1, 2021). "Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020". Variety. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.

[Wood-2020-10] Wood, Mikael (July 26, 2020). "Taylor Swift's Folklore: All 16 Songs, Ranked". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2020.

[Nuss-2024-11] Nuss, Allaire (February 6, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 10 Seminal Albums, Ranked". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2024.

[Leszkiewicz-2020-12] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Leszkiewicz, Anna (July 24, 2020). "Folklore Reveals a More Introspective Side to Taylor Swift". New Statesman. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

[Johnson-2020-13] Johnson, Chloe (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – Folklore | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2024.

[Sumsion-2020-14] Sumsion, Michael (July 29, 2020). "Taylor Swift Abandons Stadium-Pop for a New Tonal Approach on Folklore". PopMatters. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2024.

[15] Sheffield, Rob (October 28, 2023). "'The 1' (2020)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.

[16] Rosen, Jody (July 24, 2020). "Review: Taylor Swift's Radically Intimate Folklore Is the Perfect Quar Album". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.

[Snapes-17] Snapes, Laura (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift: Folklore Review – Bombastic Pop Makes Way for Emotional Acuity". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.

[18] Jones, Nate (November 8, 2023). "All 214 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

[Mylrea-19] Mylrea, Hannah (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – Folklore Review: Pop Superstar Undergoes an Extraordinary Indie-Folk Makeover". NME. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.

[Billboard-2023-20] "The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

[Lipshutz-2020-21] Lipshutz, Jason (July 24, 2020). "Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Folklore: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

[Ellen-2020-22] Ellen, Johnson (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift Morphs Her Sound Yet Again on the Stunning Folklore". Paste. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.

[Frank-2020-23] Frank, Allegra (July 24, 2020). "The 6 Songs That Explain Taylor Swift's New Album, Folklore". Vox. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{good article}}
 {{short description|2020 song by Taylor Swift}}
 {{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
@@ Line 8: / Line 9: @@
 | artist = [[Taylor Swift]]
 | album = [[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]
+| written = July 2020
 | released = {{Start date|2020|10|9}}
 | recorded =
@@ Line 21: / Line 23: @@
 }}
-"'''The 1'''" (stylized in [[Letter case#All lowercase|all lowercase]]) is a song by the American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] and the opening track from her eighth studio album, ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'' (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, [[Aaron Dessner]]. A [[Folk music|folk]] and [[soft rock]] tune with elements of [[indie folk]], "The 1" sets Swift's conversational vocals over a production consisting of piano and [[Percussion instrument|percussion]]. In its lyrics, the narrator fondly introspects a failed romance and details the time when she found "the one" who never came to be. [[Republic Records]] released the song for [[Music download|download]] on October 9, 2020, in Germany.
+"'''The 1'''" is a song by the American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] and the opening track from her eighth studio album, ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'' (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, [[Aaron Dessner]]. A [[Folk music|folk]] and [[soft rock]] tune with elements of [[indie folk]], "The 1" sets Swift's conversational vocals over a production consisting of piano and [[Percussion instrument|percussion]]. In its lyrics, the narrator fondly introspects a failed romance and details the time when she found "the one" who never came to be. [[Republic Records]] released the song for [[Music download|download]] in Germany on October 9, 2020.
-"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics, who discussed the song in regard to it being the album's opening track and praised the songwriting and production. Commercially, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and was [[Music recording certification|certified]] platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). It charted within the top 10 and received certifications in several countries. Swift included "The 1" as part of the concert documentary ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]'' (2020) and her [[the Eras Tour|Eras Tour]] (2023–2024).
+"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics, who discussed the song's significance as the album's opening track and praised the songwriting and production. Commercially, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and was [[Music recording certification|certified]] platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). It charted within the top 10 and received certifications in several countries. Swift included "The 1" as part of the concert documentary ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]'' (2020), and [[the Eras Tour]] (2023–2024).
+== Background and development ==
-== Production ==
-The American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] began work on her eighth studio album, ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'', during the [[COVID-19 lockdowns]] in early 2020. She conceived the record as figments of [[Mythopoeia|mythopoeic]] visuals in her mind, as a result of her imagination "running wild" while isolating herself during lockdown.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Suskind |first=Alex |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Broke All Her Rules with ''Folklore'' — And Gave Herself a Much-Needed Escape |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063543/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=July 24, 2020 |title='It Started With Imagery': Read Taylor Swift's Primer For ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore-9423740/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184421/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9423740/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore |url-status=live }}</ref> For the album's sound, Swift recruited the first-time collaborator, [[Aaron Dessner]], as a producer on ''Folklore''.<ref name="Strauss-2020">{{Cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |last2=Minsker |first2=Evan |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New Album ''Folklore'': Listen and Read the Full Credits |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132536/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "The 1" was one of the tracks written by both Swift and Dessner, who produced all of them.<ref name="Strauss-2020" /> Due to the lockdown, they were separated and had to send them via [[digital file]]s to create the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift to Release New ''Folklore'' Film, ''The Long Pond Studio Sessions'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124135743/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+The American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] began work on her eighth studio album, ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'', during the [[COVID-19 lockdowns]] in early 2020. She conceived the record as figments of [[Mythopoeia|mythopoeic]] visuals in her mind, as a result of her imagination "running wild" while isolating herself during lockdown.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Suskind |first=Alex |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Broke All Her Rules with ''Folklore'' — And Gave Herself a Much-Needed Escape |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063543/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=July 24, 2020 |title='It Started With Imagery': Read Taylor Swift's Primer For ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore-9423740/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184421/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9423740/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore |url-status=live }}</ref> For the album's sound, Swift recruited the first-time collaborator, [[Aaron Dessner]], as a producer on ''Folklore''.<ref name="Strauss-2020">{{Cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |last2=Minsker |first2=Evan |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New Album ''Folklore'': Listen and Read the Full Credits |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132536/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "The 1" was one of the tracks written by both Swift and Dessner, who produced the song.<ref name="Strauss-2020" /> Due to the lockdown, they were separated and had to send them via [[digital file]]s to create the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift to Release New ''Folklore'' Film, ''The Long Pond Studio Sessions'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124135743/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 Although much of the songs they worked on started from Desnner's instrumental tracks,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Patrick |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Musicians on Musicians: Taylor Swift & Paul McCartney |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-mccartney-taylor-swift-musicians-on-musicians-1089058/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130060712/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-mccartney-taylor-swift-musicians-on-musicians-1089058/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> "The 1" was written first and then produced.<ref name="Gerber-2020">{{Cite web |last=Gerber |first=Brady |date=July 27, 2020 |title=The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-aaron-dessner-breaks-down-every-song.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728234347/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-aaron-dessner-breaks-down-every-song.html |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> It was one of the last two songs written for ''Folklore'', the other being "[[Hoax (song)|Hoax]]"; Dessner thought the album was finished before Swift sent a voice memo with lyrics of "The 1" days prior to the album's release. Dessner subsequently worked on some of its production and tracked Swift's vocals, and then his brother [[Bryce Dessner]] added [[orchestration]] to the song. Aaron Dessner described the song's development as "one of the very last things [they] did" for ''Folklore''.<ref name="Gerber-2020" />
-== Release and commercial performance ==
-[[File:Taylor Swift Eras Tour - Arlington, TX - Folklore act 2.jpg|thumb|right|Swift performing "The 1" on [[the Eras Tour]] (2023–2024)|alt=Swift singing on a moss-covered roof]]
-On July 24, 2020, "The 1" was released as the opening track on ''Folklore''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Hear Taylor Swift's New Album ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725062452/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also released by [[Republic Records]] for [[Music download|download]] in Germany on October 9.<ref name="Universal" /> On November 25, Swift recorded a stripped-down rendition of the track for the [[Disney+]] concert documentary ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]'' and [[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions#Live album|its live album]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New ''Folklore'' Film and Live Album |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releasing-newandnbspfolkloreandnbspfilm-on-disney/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228005714/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releasing-newandnbspfolkloreandnbspfilm-on-disney/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 31, 2023, "The 1" replaced "[[Invisible String]]" on the set list of [[the Eras Tour]], Swift's sixth headlining concert tour, as part of the concert's ''Folklore'' set.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Isobel |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Spot Eras Tour Setlist Change amid Joe Alwyn Split Rumours |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-eras-setlist-changed-b2317057.html |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215062857/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-eras-setlist-changed-b2317057.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-"The 1" debuted and peaked within the top 10 at number four on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], alongside the fellow album tracks "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" and "[[Exile (song)|Exile]]" at numbers one and six, respectively. This made Swift the first artist to debut two songs in the top four and three songs in the top six at the same time.<ref name="USHot100" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100 with 'Cardigan,' Is 1st Artist to Open atop Hot 100 & Billboard 200 in Same Week |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803195201/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> It also debuted and peaked on the [[Rolling Stone charts|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]] chart at number two behind "Cardigan".<ref name="RSTop100" /> The song received a platinum [[Music recording certification|certification]] from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="RIAA" /> On the [[Billboard Global 200|''Billboard'' Global 200]], "The 1" appeared and peaked at number 114 when the chart was inaugurated on September 19, 2020, nine weeks following the release of ''Folklore''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=September 15, 2020 |title=''Billboard'' Global 200 (Week of September 19, 2020) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2020-09-19/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103075624/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2020-09-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Global200" />
-Elsewhere, "The 1" reached the top 10 in the countries of Malaysia (5),<ref name="Malaysia" /> Singapore (5),<ref name="Singapore" /> Canada (7),<ref name="Canada" /> Ireland (7),<ref name="Ireland" /> and New Zealand (7).<ref name="NZ" /> In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the [[ARIA Singles Chart]] alongside the rest of ''Folklore'', which made Swift have the most debuts in one week with 16 entries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2020 |title='Cardigan' Lands Taylor Swift Sixth #1 Single |url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132508/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]}}</ref><ref name="Australia" /> It was certified double platinum by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA).<ref name="ARIA" /> In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 10 on the [[Official Charts Company|OCC]]'s [[UK Singles Chart]] and increased Swift's top-10 entries to 16.<ref name="UK" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Set to Land Three ''Folklore'' Tracks in U.K. Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727155824/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> It received a gold certification from the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref name="BPI" /> In Brazil, the song was certified gold by [[Pro-Música Brasil]].<ref name="PMB" />
 == Music and lyrics ==
@@ Line 51: / Line 43: @@
 "The 1" is three minutes and thirty seconds long.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift |date=October 27, 2014 |title=''Folklore'' |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/folklore/1524801260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724042203/https://music.apple.com/us/album/folklore/1524801260 |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US)}}</ref> It was recorded by Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond in Hudson Valley. The vocals were recorded by Laura Sisk at [[Kitty Committee Studio]] in Los Angeles. Aaron Dessner provided drum programming and instruments for the track, including acoustic guitar, [[electric guitar]], [[Mellotron]], [[Teenage Engineering OP-1|OP1]], piano, and [[synth bass]]. Other musicians on the song are [[Jason Treuting]] ([[Percussion instrument|percussion]]), [[Thomas Bartlett (musician)|Thomas Bartlett]] (OP1, [[synthesizer]]), and Yuki Numata Resnick ([[viola]], violin). It was [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by Low at Long Pond and [[Mastering (audio)|mastered]] by [[Randy Merrill]] at Sterling Sound in New York City.<ref name="Strauss-2020" />
-"The 1" is a [[Folk music|folk]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Craig |date=October 24, 2022 |title=''Midnights''{{'}} Moonlit Lessons |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/midnights-album-review-taylor-swift.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031180303/https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/midnights-album-review-taylor-swift.html |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> and [[soft rock]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020 |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101212954/https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> tune with elements of [[indie folk]].<ref name="Wood-2020">{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=July 26, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': All 16 Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329230604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2020 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> The production begins with a piano that has a bit [[Reverberation|reverb]] to it,<ref name="Nuss-2024" /> labeled by critics as "optimistic"<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> and "soft".<ref name="Johnson-2020">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Chloe |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift - ''Folklore'' {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=[[MusicOMH]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724123506/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore |url-status=live }}</ref> It also incorporates a number of percussion instruments, including sparse and crisp synth drums,<ref name="Ellen-2020">{{Cite web |last=Ellen |first=Johnson |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Morphs Her Sound Yet Again on the Stunning ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613231137/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020">{{Cite web |last=Leszkiewicz |first=Anna |date=July 24, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' Reveals a More Introspective Side to Taylor Swift |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2020/07/folklore-reveals-a-more-introspective-side-to-taylor-swift |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=[[New Statesman]] |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020072329/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2020/07/folklore-reveals-a-more-introspective-side-to-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sumsion-2020">{{Cite web |last=Sumsion |first=Michael |date=July 29, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Abandons Stadium-Pop for a New Tonal Approach on ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[PopMatters]] |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005457/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html |url-status=live }}</ref> slapped strums of guitar,<ref name="Nuss-2024">{{Cite magazine |last=Nuss |first=Allaire |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's 10 Seminal Albums, Ranked |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-albums-ranked/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126041743/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-albums-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Finger snapping|finger-snaps]];<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=October 28, 2023 |title='The 1' (2020) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/the-1-2020-1093982/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308095314/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/the-1-2020-1093982/ |url-status=live }}</ref> these bring what critics deemed a lively beat to the track.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Jody |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Review: Taylor Swift's Radically Intimate ''Folklore'' Is the Perfect Quar Album |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811075211/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Combined with the piano, this resulted in an instrumentation they thought was "bouncy",<ref name="Snapes">{{cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift: ''Folklore'' Review – Bombastic Pop Makes Way for Emotional Acuity |url=https://theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724053655/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 24, 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> "breezy",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=November 8, 2023 |title=All 214 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "brooding",<ref name="Mylrea">{{cite web |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' Review: Pop Superstar Undergoes an Extraordinary Indie-Folk Makeover |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828191216/https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> and one of the most upbeat on ''Folklore''.<ref name="Billboard-2023">{{Cite magazine |date=March 16, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |access-date=March 8, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411021029/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also includes vocal harmonies.<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> Some critics commented that aspects of the production were influenced by the music of Aaron Dessner and his bands [[The National (band)|the National]] and [[Big Red Machine (band)|Big Red Machine]].{{efn|Aaron Dessner's influence on "The 1" is attributed to Jason Lipshutz of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref name="Lipshutz-2020">{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked-critics-picks-9424095/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123071509/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked-critics-picks-9424095/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hannah Mylrea of ''[[NME]]'',<ref name="Mylrea" /> Ellen Johnson of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'',<ref name="Ellen-2020" /> and Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]''.<ref name="Frank-2020">{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=July 24, 2020 |title=The 6 Songs That Explain Taylor Swift's New Album, ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725095618/https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> Mylrea and Johnson also cited The National<ref name="Mylrea" /> and Big Red Machine,<ref name="Ellen-2020" /> respectively.}}
+"The 1" is a [[Folk music|folk]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Craig |date=October 24, 2022 |title=''Midnights''{{'}} Moonlit Lessons |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/midnights-album-review-taylor-swift.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031180303/https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/midnights-album-review-taylor-swift.html |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> and [[soft rock]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020 |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101212954/https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> tune with elements of [[indie folk]].<ref name="Wood-2020">{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=July 26, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': All 16 Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329230604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2020 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> The production begins with a piano that has a bit [[Reverberation|reverb]] to it,<ref name="Nuss-2024" /> labeled by critics as "optimistic"<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> and "soft".<ref name="Johnson-2020">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Chloe |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=[[MusicOMH]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724123506/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore |url-status=live }}</ref> It incorporates a number of percussion instruments, including sparse and crisp programmed drums,<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020">{{Cite web |last=Leszkiewicz |first=Anna |date=July 24, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' Reveals a More Introspective Side to Taylor Swift |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2020/07/folklore-reveals-a-more-introspective-side-to-taylor-swift |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=[[New Statesman]] |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020072329/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2020/07/folklore-reveals-a-more-introspective-side-to-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sumsion-2020">{{Cite web |last=Sumsion |first=Michael |date=July 29, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Abandons Stadium-Pop for a New Tonal Approach on ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[PopMatters]] |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005457/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html |url-status=live }}</ref> slapped guitar strums,<ref name="Nuss-2024">{{Cite magazine |last=Nuss |first=Allaire |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's 10 Seminal Albums, Ranked |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-albums-ranked/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126041743/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-albums-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Finger snapping|finger-snaps]];<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=October 28, 2023 |title='The 1' (2020) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/the-1-2020-1093982/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308095314/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/the-1-2020-1093982/ |url-status=live }}</ref> these bring what critics deemed a lively beat to the track.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Jody |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Review: Taylor Swift's Radically Intimate ''Folklore'' Is the Perfect Quar Album |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811075211/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Combined with the piano, this resulted in an instrumentation they thought was "bouncy",<ref name="Snapes">{{cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift: ''Folklore'' Review – Bombastic Pop Makes Way for Emotional Acuity |url=https://theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724053655/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 24, 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> "breezy",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=November 8, 2023 |title=All 214 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913234630/https://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "brooding",<ref name="Mylrea">{{cite web |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' Review: Pop Superstar Undergoes an Extraordinary Indie-Folk Makeover |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828191216/https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> and one of the most upbeat on ''Folklore''.<ref name="Billboard-2023">{{Cite magazine |date=March 16, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Taylor Swift Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |access-date=March 8, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411021029/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-taylor-swift-songs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also includes vocal harmonies.<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> Some critics commented that aspects of the production were influenced by the music of Aaron Dessner and his bands [[The National (band)|the National]] and [[Big Red Machine (band)|Big Red Machine]].{{efn|Aaron Dessner's influence on "The 1" is attributed to Jason Lipshutz of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref name="Lipshutz-2020">{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked-critics-picks-9424095/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123071509/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked-critics-picks-9424095/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hannah Mylrea of ''[[NME]]'',<ref name="Mylrea" /> Ellen Johnson of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'',<ref name="Ellen-2020" /> and Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]''.<ref name="Frank-2020">{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=July 24, 2020 |title=The 6 Songs That Explain Taylor Swift's New Album, ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725095618/https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> Mylrea and Johnson also cited the National<ref name="Mylrea" /> and Big Red Machine,<ref name="Ellen-2020" /> respectively.}}
+The lyrics of "The 1" has a theme of introspection.<ref name="Snapes" /> The song describes the narrator positively reminiscing on a past relationship during her "roaring 20s".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /><ref name="Snapes" /> It explores on how she found "the one" at the time and wishes they could have been together: "It would have been fun, if you would've been the one".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> The lyrics also addresses the narrator's languid contemplation for an ideal romance: "You know, the greatest loves of all time are over now".<ref name="Gerber-2020" /> Swift's conversational singing<ref name="Kornhaber-2020">{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Is No Longer Living in the Present |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004103310/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/ |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |website=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> on the track contains elliptical wording<ref name="Lipshutz-2020" /> and humorous [[One-line joke|one-liners]] juxtaposed against the sadness.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a">{{Cite web |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |date=September 15, 2020 |title=The 16 Best Songs of 2020, So Far |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-songs-released-this-year-2020-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205445/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-songs-released-this-year-2020-9 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="Gerber-2020" /> Her voice is also "enigmatic" and clear, according to ''[[MusicOMH]]''{{'s}} Chloe Johnson, who believed it allowed her to highlight the song's narrative and imagery.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'' thought the song was less a "kiss-off [but] more a solitary, gray-skied stroll through her day-to-day".<ref name="Frank-2020" /> ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'s}} writer [[Rob Sheffield]] connected it to the fellow album track "[[Peace (Taylor Swift song)|Peace]]", opining that they "tell both sides" of the same narrative.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Leaves Her Comfort Zones Behind on the Head-Spinning, Heartbreaking ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/ |access-date=March 15, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724155901/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+== Release and commercial performance ==
+[[File:Taylor Swift Eras Tour - Arlington, TX - Folklore act 2.jpg|thumb|right|Swift performing "The 1" on [[the Eras Tour]] (2023–2024)|alt=Swift singing on a moss-covered roof]]
+On July 24, 2020, "The 1" was released as the opening track on ''Folklore''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Hear Taylor Swift's New Album ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725062452/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also released by [[Republic Records]] for [[Music download|download]] in Germany on October 9.<ref name="Universal" /> On November 25, Swift recorded a stripped-down rendition of the track for the [[Disney+]] concert documentary ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]'' and [[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions#Live album|its live album]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New ''Folklore'' Film and Live Album |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releasing-newandnbspfolkloreandnbspfilm-on-disney/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228005714/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releasing-newandnbspfolkloreandnbspfilm-on-disney/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "The 1" was performed from March 31, 2023 to March 9, 2024, on the set list of [[the Eras Tour]], Swift's sixth headlining concert tour, as part of the concert's ''Folklore'' set.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Isobel |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Spot Eras Tour Setlist Change amid Joe Alwyn Split Rumours |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-eras-setlist-changed-b2317057.html |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215062857/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-eras-setlist-changed-b2317057.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 9, 2024, the song was removed from the set list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Changes Eras Tour Setlist As European Tour Kicks Off in Paris |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp0grg871dlo |access-date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510001926/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp0grg871dlo |url-status=live }}</ref>
+"The 1" debuted and peaked within the top 10 at number four on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], alongside the fellow album tracks "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" and "[[Exile (song)|Exile]]" at numbers one and six, respectively. This made Swift the first artist to debut two songs in the top four and three songs in the top six at the same time.<ref name="USHot100" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100 with 'Cardigan,' Is 1st Artist to Open atop Hot 100 & Billboard 200 in Same Week |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803195201/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> It also debuted and peaked on the [[Rolling Stone charts|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]] chart at number two behind "Cardigan".<ref name="RSTop100" /> The song received a platinum [[Music recording certification|certification]] from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="RIAA" /> On the [[Billboard Global 200|''Billboard'' Global 200]], "The 1" appeared and peaked at number 114 when the chart was inaugurated on September 19, 2020, nine weeks following the release of ''Folklore''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=September 15, 2020 |title=''Billboard'' Global 200 (Week of September 19, 2020) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2020-09-19/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103075624/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2020-09-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Global200" />
-"The 1" has a lyrical theme of introspection.<ref name="Snapes" /> The song describes the narrator positively reminiscing on a past relationship during her "roaring 20s".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /><ref name="Snapes" /> It explores on how she found "the one" at the time and wishes they could have been together: "It would have been fun, if you would've been the one".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> The lyrics also addresses the narrator's languid contemplation for a fantasized romance: "You know, the greatest loves of all time are over now".<ref name="Gerber-2020" /> Swift's conversational singing<ref name="Kornhaber-2020">{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Is No Longer Living in the Present |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004103310/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/ |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |website=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> on the track contains elliptical wording<ref name="Lipshutz-2020" /> and humorous [[One-line joke|one-liners]] juxtaposed against the sadness.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a">{{Cite web |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |date=September 15, 2020 |title=The 16 Best Songs of 2020, So Far |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-songs-released-this-year-2020-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205445/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-songs-released-this-year-2020-9 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="Gerber-2020" /> Her voice is also "enigmatic" and clear, according to ''[[MusicOMH]]''{{'s}} Chloe Johnson, who believed it allowed her to highlight the song's narrative and imagery.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'' thought the song was less a "kiss-off [but] more a solitary, gray-skied stroll through her day-to-day".<ref name="Frank-2020" /> ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'s}} writer [[Rob Sheffield]] connected it to the fellow album track "[[Peace (Taylor Swift song)|Peace]]", opining that they "tell both sides" of the same narrative.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Leaves Her Comfort Zones Behind on the Head-Spinning, Heartbreaking ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/ |access-date=March 15, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724155901/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Elsewhere, "The 1" reached the top 10 in the countries of Malaysia (5),<ref name="Malaysia" /> Singapore (5),<ref name="Singapore" /> Canada (7),<ref name="Canada" /> Ireland (7),<ref name="Ireland" /> and New Zealand (7).<ref name="NZ" /> In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number four on the [[ARIA Singles Chart]] alongside the rest of ''Folklore'', which made Swift have the most debuts in one week with 16 entries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2020 |title='Cardigan' Lands Taylor Swift Sixth #1 Single |url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132508/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]}}</ref><ref name="Australia" /> It was certified double platinum by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA).<ref name="ARIA" /> In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 10 on the [[Official Charts Company|OCC]]'s [[UK Singles Chart]] and increased Swift's top-10 entries to 16.<ref name="UK" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Set to Land Three ''Folklore'' Tracks in U.K. Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727155824/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> It received a gold certification from the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref name="BPI" /> In Brazil, the song was certified platinum by [[Pro-Música Brasil]].<ref name="PMB" />
 == Critical reception ==
-"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics. They discussed the song regarding its placement on the album as the opening track, the majority of whom found its style for ''Folklore'' to deviate from her previous works{{efn|Attributed to Katie Atkinson of ''Billboard'',<ref name="Billboard-2023" /> Courteney Lacrossa of ''[[Business Insider]]'',<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b" /> and both Allaire Nuss and [[Maura Johnston]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<ref name="Nuss-2024" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Maura |author-link=Maura Johnston |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Forges Her Own Path on the Confident ''Folklore'' |url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724213311/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and to set the album's tone.{{efn|Attributed to Chloe Johnson of ''[[MusicOMH]]'',<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> Michael Sumsion of ''[[PopMatters]]'',<ref name="Sumsion-2020" /> and Channing Freeman of ''[[Sputnikmusic]]''<ref name="Channing-2020" />}} Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'' thought the production was danceable like her other album openers but felt it was "markedly slowed down" in comparison.<ref name="Frank-2020" /> ''[[Business Insider]]''{{'s}} critics Callie Ahlgrim and Courtney Lacrossa believed the song was Swift's best opening track since "[[State of Grace (song)|State of Grace]]" from her 2012 album ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]''.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b">{{Cite web |last1=Ahlgrim |first1=Callie |last2=Larocca |first2=Courteney |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Might Be the Best Album of Her Entire Career |url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202000949/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> John Wohlmacher from ''[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]'' found the track had a vocal melody and [[song structure]] similar to "[[I Forgot That You Existed]]"—the opener of her 2019 album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]''—but thought their aesthetics were quite distinct from each other.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020">{{Cite web |last=Wohlmacher |first=John |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Album Review: Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]] |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728162240/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Channing Freeman of ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' wrote that the song was a little detrimental to ''Folklore'' as most tracks employs its style and believed it made the song somewhat less engaging.<ref name="Channing-2020">{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Channing |date=July 25, 2020 |title=Review: Taylor Swift - ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81781/Taylor-Swift-Folklore/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=[[Sputnikmusic]] |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007134315/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81781/Taylor-Swift-Folklore/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+"The 1" received generally positive reviews from critics. They discussed the song regarding its placement on the album as the opening track, the majority of whom found its style for ''Folklore'' to deviate from her previous works{{efn|Attributed to Katie Atkinson of ''Billboard'',<ref name="Billboard-2023" /> Courteney Lacrossa of ''[[Business Insider]]'',<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b" /> and both Allaire Nuss and [[Maura Johnston]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<ref name="Nuss-2024" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Maura |author-link=Maura Johnston |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Forges Her Own Path on the Confident ''Folklore'' |url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724213311/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and to set the album's tone.{{efn|Attributed to Chloe Johnson of ''[[MusicOMH]]'',<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> Michael Sumsion of ''[[PopMatters]]'',<ref name="Sumsion-2020" /> and Channing Freeman of ''[[Sputnikmusic]]''<ref name="Channing-2020" />}} Allegra Frank of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'' found the production danceable like her other album openers but "markedly slowed down" in comparison.<ref name="Frank-2020" /> ''[[Business Insider]]''{{'s}} critics Callie Ahlgrim and Courtney Lacrossa believed the song was Swift's best opening track since "[[State of Grace (song)|State of Grace]]" from her 2012 album ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]''.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b">{{Cite web |last1=Ahlgrim |first1=Callie |last2=Larocca |first2=Courteney |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Might Be the Best Album of Her Entire Career |url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202000949/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> John Wohlmacher from ''[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]'' found the track had a vocal melody and [[song structure]] similar to "[[I Forgot That You Existed]]"—the opener of her 2019 album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]''—but thought their aesthetics were quite distinct from each other.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020">{{Cite web |last=Wohlmacher |first=John |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Album Review: Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]] |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728162240/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Channing Freeman of ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' wrote that the song's placement was a little detrimental as the rest of ''Folklore'' employs its style and believed this made the song somewhat less engaging.<ref name="Channing-2020">{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Channing |date=July 25, 2020 |title=Review: Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81781/Taylor-Swift-Folklore/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=[[Sputnikmusic]] |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007134315/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81781/Taylor-Swift-Folklore/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-Critics' praise for "The 1" were on its production and songwriting. Ahlgrim included the song on her mid-year list of the best songs of 2020 and lauded it as one of Swift's "most relatable and stirring" tracks.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a" /> Lacrossa believed the track was "incredibly solid" and her delivery had "a breezy attention to rhythm" that complements the narrative.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b" /> Frank thought it was "wistful, introspective, and impressionistic" that does not neglect Swift's signature "melodic pop" and one of the defining tracks of ''Folklore''.<ref name="Frank-2020" /> Wohlmacher was impressed by how "poignant and mature" the lyrics.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020" /> Johnson believed it was thoroughly written and produced.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' critic [[Neil McCormick]] said that the song was full of narrative details and opined that its theme of "defeated love" may "suggest Swift's social isolation has been a lonely one".<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=2020-07-24 |title=Taylor Swift, ''Folklore'' Review: An Exquisite, Empathetic Lockdown Triumph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132440/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Caleb Campbell of ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]'' deemed the song's lyrics about a crumbling romance one of her most mature takes on the subject to date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Caleb |date=July 29, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' |url=http://undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809205350/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] }}</ref>
+Critics mainly praised the song's production and songwriting. Ahlgrim included the song on her mid-year list of the best songs of 2020 and lauded it as one of Swift's "most relatable and stirring" tracks.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a" /> Lacrossa believed the track was "incredibly solid" and her delivery had "a breezy attention to rhythm" that complements the narrative.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020b" /> Frank thought it was "wistful, introspective, and impressionistic" that does not neglect Swift's signature "melodic pop" and one of the defining tracks of ''Folklore''.<ref name="Frank-2020" /> Wohlmacher was impressed by how "poignant and mature" the lyrics were.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020" /> Johnson believed it was thoroughly written and produced.<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> ''[[The New Yorker]]'' writer [[Amanda Petrusich]] thought Swift's rumination on the track was "heartening" and "serene" in a comical manner.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Petrusich |first=Amanda |author-link=Amanda Petrusich |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's Intimate 'Indie' Album, ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore |access-date=2024-03-25 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |issn=0028-792X |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129174031/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' critic [[Neil McCormick]] said that the song was full of narrative details and opined that its theme of "defeated love" may "suggest Swift's social isolation has been a lonely one".<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=2020-07-24 |title=Taylor Swift, ''Folklore'' Review: An Exquisite, Empathetic Lockdown Triumph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132440/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Caleb Campbell from ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]'' deemed the song's lyrics about a crumbling romance one of her most mature takes on the subject to date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Caleb |date=July 29, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' |url=http://undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809205350/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] }}</ref>
-Ellen Johnson of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' described the lyrics as "bright, vivid and occasionally funny" but in a more sophisticated way compared to Swift's previous songs.<ref name="Ellen-2020" /> Katie Moulton from ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' thought the track was one of the first songs she did not write for radio formats and highlighted the "self-awareness and willingness to both hold herself responsible and forgive" that makes it distinguishable from other album tracks.<ref name="CoS">{{cite web |last=Moulton |first=Katie |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Dismantles Her Own Self-Mythologizing: Review |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724185604/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref> Anna Leszkiewicz of the ''[[New Statesman]]'' found the lyrics "[w]istful but refreshingly lacking in regret" and believed the song blended her skill of "romantic nostalgia with a novel ease and acceptance".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> Eloise Bulmer from ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' said Swift embodied an "unlucky-in-love" character on the track and thought it showcased her wit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bulmer |first=Eloise |date=July 24, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' Finds Taylor Swift Elegantly Evoking amid a Perfectly Minimalist Sound |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724093507/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[The Line of Best Fit]]}}</ref> In contrast, Roisin O'Connor of ''[[The Independent]]'' favored the song's smaller details more than the one-liners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's Eighth Album ''Folklore'' Is Exquisite, Piano-Based Poetry – Review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070730/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Hannah Mylrea from ''[[NME]]'' wrote that the instrumentation accompanies Swift's vocals and the hook very well.<ref name="Mylrea" /> ''[[Slant Magazine]]''{{'s}} Jonathan Keefe stated that the song's use of repetitions succeeded, along with "Invisible String".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' Review: The Album Mines Pathos from a Widening Worldview |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=[[Slant Magazine]] |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132417/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Ellen Johnson of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' described the lyrics as "bright, vivid and occasionally funny" but in a more sophisticated way compared to Swift's previous songs.<ref name="Ellen-2020">{{Cite web |last=Ellen |first=Johnson |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Morphs Her Sound Yet Again on the Stunning ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613231137/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]}}</ref> Katie Moulton from ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' thought the track was one of the first songs she did not write for radio formats and highlighted the "self-awareness and willingness to both hold herself responsible and forgive" that makes it distinguishable from other album tracks.<ref name="CoS">{{cite web |last=Moulton |first=Katie |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Dismantles Her Own Self-Mythologizing: Review |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724185604/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref> Anna Leszkiewicz of the ''[[New Statesman]]'' found the lyrics "[w]istful but refreshingly lacking in regret" and believed the song blended her skill of "romantic nostalgia with a novel ease and acceptance".<ref name="Leszkiewicz-2020" /> Eloise Bulmer from ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' said Swift embodied an "unlucky-in-love" character on the track and thought it showcased her wit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bulmer |first=Eloise |date=July 24, 2020 |title=''Folklore'' Finds Taylor Swift Elegantly Evoking amid a Perfectly Minimalist Sound |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724093507/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=[[The Line of Best Fit]]}}</ref> In contrast, Roisin O'Connor of ''[[The Independent]]'' favored the song's smaller details more than the one-liners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift's Eighth Album ''Folklore'' Is Exquisite, Piano-Based Poetry – Review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070730/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Hannah Mylrea from ''[[NME]]'' wrote that the instrumentation accompanies Swift's vocals and the hook very well.<ref name="Mylrea" /> ''[[Slant Magazine]]''{{'s}} Jonathan Keefe stated that the song's use of repetitions succeeded, along with "Invisible String".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' Review: The Album Mines Pathos from a Widening Worldview |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=[[Slant Magazine]] |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132417/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-A few reviewers were more reserved in their praise. Spencer Kornhaber from ''[[The Atlantic]]'' said the track had a "suspicious whiff" from the English singer-songwriter [[Ed Sheeran]] and felt that its "solemnity [was] forced".<ref name="Kornhaber-2020" /> Jason Lipshutz of ''[[Billboard Hot 100|Billboard]]'' listed the song at number eleventh on his ranking of the tracks from ''Folklore'' and said that it stays "unadorned" for the majority of its length.<ref name="Lipshutz-2020" /> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} Mikael Wood placed the song as the weakest track on his ranking of the album and believed it was "less emotionally daring" than the rest of the tracks.<ref name="Wood-2020" />
+A few reviewers were more reserved in their praise. Spencer Kornhaber from ''[[The Atlantic]]'' said the track was reminiscent of the English singer-songwriter [[Ed Sheeran]] and felt that its "solemnity [was] forced".<ref name="Kornhaber-2020" /> Jason Lipshutz of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' listed the song at number eleventh on his ranking of the tracks from ''Folklore'' and said that it stays "unadorned" for the majority of its length.<ref name="Lipshutz-2020" /> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} Mikael Wood placed the song as the weakest track on his ranking of the album and believed it was "less emotionally daring" than the rest of the tracks.<ref name="Wood-2020" />
 == Personnel ==
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-! scope="row" | [[Billboard Global 200|Global 200 (''Billboard'')]]<ref name="Global200">{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Taylor Swift Chart History - Global 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/glo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916145441/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift/chart-history/GLO |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
+! scope="row" | [[Billboard Global 200|Global 200 (''Billboard'')]]<ref name="Global200">{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Taylor Swift Chart History – Global 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/glo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916145441/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift/chart-history/GLO |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
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 {{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|song=The 1|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 4, 2020|refname="USHot100"}}
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-! scope="row" | US [[Rolling Stone charts#Rolling Stone Top 100|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]]<ref name="RSTop100">{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Top 100 Songs, July 24, 2020 - July 30, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616104810/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-24/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>
+! scope="row" | US [[Rolling Stone charts#Rolling Stone Top 100|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]]<ref name="RSTop100">{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Top 100 Songs, July 24, 2020 – July 30, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616104810/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-24/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>
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