Fearless

"Fearless" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album of the same name (2008) as its opening track. It was released to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on January 4, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Swift wrote "Fearless" with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey while traveling on tour to promote her self-titled debut studio album (2006). With lyrics about a perfect first date, the song was chosen by Swift as the album's title track because it explores the courage to embrace the challenges of love, the overarching theme of all other songs. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, it is a country pop and pop rock song with dynamic guitars. Music critics praised "Fearless" for its production and lyrics. In the United States, the single peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); it additionally peaked at number 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. "Fearless" also entered charts in Canada and Spain. Swift performed the song on the Fearless Tour (2009–10); footage and behind the scenes of the tour were used to comprise a music video for "Fearless", directed by Todd Cassetty and released on February 17, 2010. After a dispute with Big Machine Records over the rights to the masters of her first six studio albums, Swift released Fearless (Taylor's Version), a re-recording of Fearless, on April 9, 2021, which includes the re-recording of "Fearless". Background and release "Fearless" was written by Swift in collaboration with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey and produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman. Swift conceived the song while touring as opening act to promote her eponymous debut album, Taylor Swift (2006). Despite the song describing the perfect date, Swift was not dating anyone or even "in the beginning states of dating anybody" while writing the song. Swift was inspired to write the song based on the perfect first date she wished she had experienced.