The 1 is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, and it is the opening track on her eighth studio album, Folklore, released in 2020. The song is folk and soft rock with indie folk elements and features introspective lyrics about a failed romance and finding "the one" who never came to be. It was co-written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, and the song received positive reviews for its songwriting and production. Commercially, it peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The song was also part of Swift's concert documentary and set list on her Eras Tour (2023–2024).
The song's lyrics explore the narrator's reflective and somewhat bittersweet view of a past relationship, with a conversational vocal style that juxtaposes sadness with humor and clarity. Critics praised it as an introspective and mature take on romance, setting the tone for the entire Folklore album.
There are interpretations and discussions on platforms like Reddit considering whether "The 1" might refer metaphorically to things beyond just a romantic partner, such as industry experiences or broader sentiments about relationships, but the song is primarily understood as about past romantic relationships.
