How You Get the Girl
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:55:50 AM Wikipedia source
"How You Get the Girl" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote it with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. A bubblegum pop and electropop song, "How You Get the Girl" is a ballad that features acoustic guitar strums and a heavy disco beat. The lyrics find Swift telling a man how to win his ex-girlfriend back after their breakup. Some music critics praised the song as catchy and energetic; they particularly highlighted the chorus and how the track combines acoustic and electronic elements. Less enthusiastic reviews considered the production generic and the lyrics lightweight. "How You Get the Girl" charted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in the United States and on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. It received certifications in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Swift included "How You Get the Girl" in the set list of the 1989 World Tour (2015), with choreography that evoked the musical film Singin' in the Rain (1952). She performed it on some dates of her later tours, the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) and the Eras Tour (2023–2024). The track was used in a Diet Coke advertisement prior to its release. Following a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of her back catalog, Swift re-recorded the song as "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" for her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). She produced the new version with Christopher Rowe. Music critics believed that the re-recording had a vibrant sound and an enhanced production quality. The track reached number 29 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and the top 40 on the national charts of Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Infobox
Released
October 27, 2014
Studio
MXM (Stockholm) Conway Recording (Los Angeles)
Genre
Bubblegum pop electropop
Length
4:07
Label
Big Machine
Songwriters
Taylor Swift Max Martin Shellback
Producers
Max Martin Shellback
Tables
Chart performance for "How You Get the Girl" · Charts
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Chart (2014)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Peakposition
81
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)
Peakposition
4
| Chart (2014) | Peakposition |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 81 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard) | 4 |
Certifications for "How You Get the Girl" · Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Region
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
200,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Chart performance for "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" · "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" › Charts
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Chart (2023)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Peakposition
34
Global 200 (Billboard)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Chart (2023)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Peakposition
29
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Chart (2023)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Peakposition
31
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (2023)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
40
| Chart (2023) | Peakposition |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 34 |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 29 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 31 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 40 |
Certifications for "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" · "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" › Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
35,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Namely, Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), and Speak Now (2010).
- Attributed to Annie Zaleski, The A.V. Club's Marah Eakin, PopMatters's Corey Beasly, and The Quietus's Amy Pettifer
- Critics such as Eakin, The New York Times' John Caramanica, and The Guardian's Alexis Petridis
- Critics such as the Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood and Business Insider's Courteney Larocca
- As discussed by The Independent's David Pollock, The Observer's Kitty Empire, The San Diego Union-Tribune's George Varga
- Critics such as The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber, Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe, and Rolling Stone UK's Mark Sutherlan
- McNutt 2020, p. 78.
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://www.ft.com/content/44c4ae65-9de9-4f5d-a56e-6bb4facd3ff2
- McNutt 2020, p. 77.
- Minnesota Star Tribunehttps://www.startribune.com/taylor-swift-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-grammy-folklore-1989-red-speak-now-kanye-west-harry-styles/600283837/
- Redhttps://www.today.com/popculture/red-alert-taylor-swift-country-enough-cmas-8c11535562
- Redhttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2012-oct-18-la-et-ms-taylor-swift-red-20121021-story.html
- PopMattershttps://www.popmatters.com/164733-taylor-swift-red-2495802583.html
- "Taylor Swift Talks Next Album, CMAs and Ed Sheeran"https://web.archive.org/web/20131026093555/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/taylor-swift-talks-next-album-cmas-and-ed-sheeran
- 1989https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-reveals-five-things-to-expect-on-1989-65750/
- 1989https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/arts/music/sales-of-taylor-swifts-1989-intensify-streaming-debate.html
- 1989https://www.grammy.com/news/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-pop-stardom
- 1989https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-1989-1-million-plus-debut/
- Loverhttps://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190820-taylor-swift-and-the-struggle-to-maintain-pop-superstardom
- 1989https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-unveils-1989-tracklisting-finally-__6299/
- "Taylor Swift Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2024.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Taylor-Swift/chart-history/HBU
- "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – How You Get the Girl"https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Taylor+Swift&ti=How+You+Get+the+Girl&format=Single&type=#search_section
- "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2024.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Taylor-Swift/chart-history/CAN
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles"https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/AExzyTkHniRw2CkE2G9HX6Y/2023%20Accreds.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf
- "New Zealand single certifications – Taylor Swift – How You Get the Girl"https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/
- "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – How You Get the Girl"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/19261-1598-1
- 1989
- 1989https://music.apple.com/us/album/1989/1440935467
- Zaleski 2024, p. 121.
- 1989https://www.avclub.com/with-1989-taylor-swift-finally-grows-up-1798181732
- 1989https://www.popmatters.com/187585-taylor-swift-1989-2495596654.html
- 1989https://thequietus.com/articles/16790-taylor-swift-1989-review
- 1989https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/1989-90808/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/taylor-swift-songs-ranked-rob-sheffield-201800/how-you-get-the-girl-2014-195643/
- Nickells 2024, p. 113–114.
- 1989https://www.stereogum.com/1714688/premature-evaluation-taylor-swift-1989/reviews/premature-evaluation/
- 1989https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-1989-liner-notes-6296676/
- 1989https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/oct/27/taylor-swift-1989-album-notes
- Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-gay-songs-queer-lyrics-2022-9
- The Listhttps://www.thelist.com/1469249/real-meaning-behind-taylor-swifts-how-you-get-the-girl/
- American Songwriterhttps://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-apologetic-how-you-get-the-girl-by-taylor-swift/
- 1989https://www.nylon.com/articles/taylor-swift-1989-review
- 1989https://www.phillymag.com/news/2014/10/27/playdar-1989-taylor-swift-takes-form-perfect-dive-1980s-pop/
- Tucker, Kenhttps://www.npr.org/transcripts/360134771?storyId=360134771?storyId=360134771
- 1989https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-1989
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-1989-new-album-review.html
- 1989https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/24/taylor-swift-1989-review
- 1989https://www.spin.com/2014/10/taylor-swift-new-album-1989-review/
- 1989https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-review-taylor-swift-smooths-out-the-wrinkles-on-sleek-1989-20141027-story.html
- Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-taylor-swift-songs
- 1989https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-lsquo1989rsquo-a-track-by-track-review/
- Vulturehttps://www.vulture.com/article/all-taylor-swift-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html
- 1989https://ew.com/article/2014/10/15/taylor-swifts-diet-coke-ad-features-new-1989-song-and-a-hundred-or-so-cats/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a603852/taylor-swift-magically-creates-kittens-in-new-diet-coke-ad/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/music/a645753/take-a-look-at-taylor-swift-dazzling-tokyo-on-opening-night-of-1989-world-tour/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swifts-epic-1989-tour-every-night-with-us-is-like-a-dream-191845/
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-hydro-glasgow-review-two-hour-hyperactive-spectacle-triumph-both-artist-and-her-fans-10340800.html
- The Observerhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/taylor-swift-review-poet-laureate-life-art-cusp
- The San Diego Union-Tribunehttps://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2015/08/30/taylor-swift-sweats-it-off-at-steamy-petco-park-show/
- Vulturehttps://www.vulture.com/2015/06/we-re-created-taylor-swifts-1989-world-tour.html
- "Taylor Swift and Friends Leave Their Mark on Hyde Park"https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33303397
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list-8458025/
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/16/eras-tour-in-australia-tracking-taylor-swifts-secret-songs/72607816007/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/feature/taylor-swift-surprise-songs-eras-tour-1235928594/
- "Every Surprise Song Performed on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour So Far"https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/taylor-swift/eras-tour-surprise-songs-setlist/
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/05/19/taylor-swift-eras-tour-stockholm-max-martin-medley/73696672007/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-how-did-it-end-live-debut-max-martin-medley-sweden-1235023740/
- 1989https://www.vulture.com/2015/09/ryan-adams-is-releasing-his-1989-covers-album.html
- 1989https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ryan-adams-on-his-full-album-taylor-swift-cover-you-just-have-to-mean-it-59783/
- The Weekhttps://theweek.com/articles/584633/taylor-swift-rise-robot-music
- 1989https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/22/review-ryan-adams-taylor-swift-1989-first-listen-track-by-track
- 1989https://ew.com/article/2015/09/21/ryan-adams-1989-review/
- 1989https://www.spin.com/2015/09/ryan-adams-1989-a-worthwhile-disappointment-taylor-swift/
- 1989https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/taylor-swift-ryan-adams-1989-ranked-worst-best-cover-6700825/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-news-alert-1203032124/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/pop/everyone-taylor-swift-said-re-recording-her-songs-9485702/
- "Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits"https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817
- ihttps://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411
- Fearlesshttps://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://music.apple.com/us/album/1989-taylors-version/1708308989
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version/
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)
- The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/10/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-review/675853/
- (Taylor's Version)https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-album-review/
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-could-be-the-best-pop-album-of-2023-33809/
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-1989-best-worst-songs-taylors-version-2023-10
- "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2024.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Taylor-Swift/chart-history/GLO
- "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2024.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Taylor-Swift/chart-history/HSI
- 1989 (Taylor's Version)https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-all-songs-hot-100-1235464591/
- "Taylor Swift – How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2024.https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Taylor+Swift&titel=How+You+Get+the+Girl+(Taylor's+Version)&cat=s
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles"https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/ANyJH-XrsjkDWsQErOGV2ek/Nov%20Single%20Accreds%202025.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf