“One World: Together at Home” Reviews
Variety’s Chris Willman on Taylor’s performance of “Soon You’ll Get Better”:
“At the other extreme [compared to the performances with a happier tone] was Taylor Swift’s “Soon You’ll Get Better,” a cancer-themed ballad of sheer despair that the show needed as an 11:00 number, and as a reality check after so many assurances that everything will be all right, when we know that so many people won’t. […] It was up to Swift — not usually thought of as a bracingly downbeat figure — who emerged as sober truth-teller at nearly the last minute, appearing alone, mirrored by her piano top, to perform a song she may be unlikely to sing under any other circumstance outside the studio, “Soon You’ll Get Better.” It’s the song she wrote about facing her mother’s recurring cancer, with verses so distraught they threaten to betray the deceptively optimist title as magical thinking. On a day when U.S. deaths from COVID-19 reached their peak to date, there couldn’t have been a more appropriate song for all the families of ICU patients sitting at home, searching for each new set of probabilities and statistics as they face utter uncertainty. The upturn in Swift’s mouth as she wrapped up her appearance was measured in micro-millimeters, as it should be.”
Huffington Post ranks Taylor’s performance as #1 highlight of the event:
“Taylor Swift moves us to tears with her stunning performance: while her recent Lover album saw Taylor Swift heading in a much more in-your-face and pop-oriented sound, it also contained more subdued moments like this ballad, “Soon You’ll Get Better”. The track is a somber recollection of Taylor’s feelings during her mother’s battle with cancer, so it’s already a heart-wrenching listen, but took on another meaning in the current climate, when so many thousands of people have lost their lives due to Covid-19. Frankly, we don’t know how Taylor made it to the end of this stunning performance, but she has our total respect.”
BBC’s Mark Savage about 9 things we spotted - at #1 he writes “Taylor Swift made everyone weepy”:
“Taylor Swift once said she would never play “Soon You’ll Get Better” live, because the subject matter - her mother’s cancer diagnosis - was too emotionally difficult. But she powered through it on Sunday night, her eyes clenched firmly shut for most of the performance. In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the lines about bargaining with God in hospital waiting rooms carried extra emotional heft, as they summoned thoughts of people suffering from the virus, and the worries of their loved ones. When Swift’s voice caught on the line, “What am I supposed to do if there’s no you?” more than a few of us choked up with her.”
Billboard includes Taylor into their The 10 Best Moments list from the event:
“Taylor Breaks Our Hearts: pulling out “Soon You’ll Get Better,” a song she wrote about her mother’s battle with cancer, during One World, Taylor Swift effectively ripped our hearts out and reminded us of the power of music to both reflect and ease our pain. It was a tough, lovely and cathartic moment.”
MTV - Taylor Swift’s ‘Together At Home’ Performance Was Pastel Pink Perfection:
“From behind her piano, Swift brought an intense show that’s hard to forget. With her bright walls colored with pink roses, Swift’s at-home setup looks pretty pastel-ed out. The singer practically whispers “Soon You’ll Get Better.” She brings it to life further with her striking piano addition that really makes you feel the emotions in the moment. She practically never looks up from the piano, instead choosing to focus on performing the song to the best of her ability. There aren’t any smiles, winks, or any other theatrics. It’s just Swift and her instrument, working to immerse viewers in the moment with her.”
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