| "Anti-Hero" | ||||
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| Single by Taylor Swift | ||||
| from the album Midnights | ||||
| Released | October 21, 2022 | |||
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| Length | 3:20 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
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| Taylor Swift singles chronology | ||||
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| "Anti-Hero" on YouTube | ||||
"Anti-Hero" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Swift wrote and produced the song with Jack Antonoff. It is a pop rock and synth-pop song driven by a 1980s-inspired drum loop generated with a LinnDrum and retro synthesizers such as the Juno 6 and the Prophet 5. Inspired by Swift's insecurities, the lyrics focus on self-loathing and the impact of fame on her wellbeing; the bridge narrates a nightmare where her daughter-in-law murders her for her last will. Republic Records released the song for download and streaming on October 21, 2022.
Music critics generally praised the catchy production and strong vocals of "Anti-Hero"; they deemed its lyricism candid and honest that showcased Swift at her most self-critical. Many publications ranked the song among the best releases of 2022. The single peaked a top the Billboard Global 200 and charted in the top 10 in many territories across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In the United States, it was Swift's ninth chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent eight weeks at number one, and made her the first artist to have a number-one single on Radio Songs in the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s decades. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, it was the ninth-most-streamed song of 2023 worldwide.
Swift wrote and directed the song's music video, which depicts her fears, insecurities, and eating disorder, using three different incarnations of her. The video also reenacts the nightmare mentioned in the lyrics, starring Mike Birbiglia, John Early, and Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Swift's fictional sons and daughter-in-law. "Anti-Hero" won many awards including a People's Choice Award, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, and six MTV Video Music Awards including Video of the Year, making Swift the first artist to win the award two consecutive years. It was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.