"Bigger Than the Whole Sky" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Her discography spans multiple genres, and her vivid songwriting—often inspired by her personal life—has received critical praise and wide media coverage. Bor ...

as a bonus track of her tenth studio album, ''

Midnights ''Midnights'' is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 21, 2022, via Republic Records. Announced at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, the album marks Swift's first body of new work since her 2020 ...

'', released on October 21, 2022. As such, it is the 15th track on the extended (''3am Edition'') of the album, surprise-released three hours after the standard edition. Produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, "Bigger Than the Whole Sky" is a ballad with ambiguous lyrics expressing grief and heartache over a person the narrator has never met, leading some critics and listeners to believe the song is about

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. Upon release of ''Midnights'', the song charted in the top 30 region in Canada, the Philippines, and the United States. On November 19, 2023, Swift performed the song live for the first time at

the Eras Tour The Eras Tour (stylized as Taylor Swift The Eras Tour) is the upcoming sixth headlining concert tour by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Having not toured for her studio albums '' Lover'' (2019), ''Folklore'' (2020), and '' Evermore'' ...

in Rio de Janeiro, following the death of Ana Clara Benevides.

Background and release

On August 28, 2022,

announced her tenth studio album, ''

'', set for release on October 21, 2022. The track-list was not immediately revealed. Jack Antonoff, a longtime collaborator of Swift who had worked with her since her fifth studio album ''

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'' (2014), was confirmed as a producer on ''Midnights'' by a video posted to Swift's

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account on September 16, 2022, titled "The making of Midnights." On October 21, 2022, ''Midnights'' was released at 12:00 AM EDT. Three hours later, at 3:00 AM EDT, the ''Midnights (3am Edition)'' was released, containing "Bigger Than the Whole Sky". The track was produced by Swift and Antonoff. On May 26, 2023, the song was included on both the ''Til Dawn'' and ''Late Night'' editions of the album. On November 19, 2023, Swift performed the song live for the first time at

in Rio de Janeiro, following the death of Ana Clara Benevides.

Composition and lyrics

The song is about heartache after a significant event. Although the song's meaning is ambiguous, some listeners have felt a connection to in relation to

s that they have experienced, with many using the song to share stories of their miscarriages on

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and other

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. Some listeners have compared the song with Swift's single, " Ronan". The first verse incorporates lyrics about being "sick with sadness". The second verse is about guilt. The second verse also mentions religion as possibly playing a part in the loss. In the song, Swift uses a "breathy

upper register A register is the "height" or range of a note, set of pitches or pitch classes, melody, part, instrument, or group of instruments. A higher register indicates higher pitch. *Example 1: Violins are in a higher register than cellos. In woodwind ...

" to sing the word, "goodbye." Staff writer Shirley Li of ''

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'' described the song as elegiac.

Reception

Upon the release of the ''3am Edition'', all 20 tracks of the album debuted in the top 45 of the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100; "Bigger Than The Whole Sky" was at number 21. On the Global 200, the track reached number 22. It peaked on national record charts, at number 19 on the Philippines Songs chart, at number 20 on the

Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music industry record chart in Canada for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. The Canadian Hot 100 was launched on the issue dated March 31, 2007, and is currently the standard record chart in Canada; a n ...

, at number 31 on Hungary's Single Top 40 chart, at number 60 on the ''Billboard'' Vietnam Hot 100, and number 68 on Portugal's Top 100 Singles chart.

Charts

Certifications

Notes

References

{{Authority control 2022 songs Taylor Swift songs Songs written by Taylor Swift Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift Song recordings produced by Jack Antonoff