Dan + Shay Surprise Fans With News Of Upcoming Studio Version Cover Of Taylor Swift's Hit "Back To December"

Screenshot courtesy of Dan + Shay's Instagram on 11/23/2022

Dan + Shay are friends with global music superstar Taylor Swift and they happened to run into her to take this awesome selfie at The American Music Awards on November 20, 2022.

Fast forward to October, 2025. When I woke up on Friday October 10 and looked at my Facebook and Instagram feeds, I noticed that the duo had posted a video. Typically when they announce something big, it is in the afternoon or evening, so I said to myself "Why are they posting this early in the day?" and "What could this be about?" I pressed play to find out!

The clip started with Dan Smyers mentioning that he and Shay Mooney went to the mall earlier to buy some new apparel that they wore on camera. He asked the lead vocalist, "Shay, why did we pick out cute outfits?" 

"Well Dan, we did an impromptu cover of Taylor Swift's "Back To December", and a lot of guys were askin' for a full cover of it. So we're here, we're gonna record it, and we're going to keep you guys updated. 

"We're gonna film it, too. So stay tuned," Smyers chimed in. "Back To December" by Taylor Swift, one of our favorite songs of all time. Here we go." "Let's go," Mooney answered to end the video. Here is the clip below courtesy of Dan + Shay's YouTube channel.

    Video courtesy Of Dan + Shay's YouTube channel

The requests from fans (including me) for the duo to put out a full studio version cover of this song came after they posted a very short clip of the partial chorus on October 2 that happened during a soundcheck prior to their big performance on September 26 at the annual Pops on the Heights benefit concert for Boston College. Mooney's beautiful, piercing vocals gave me chills along with other fans as well. While I cannot share the video at this time because it is not on YouTube (yet), here is a link for you to click and view it on Dan + Shay's Instagram account! I know when you listen, it will leave you wanting to hear more too! https://www.instagram.com/p/DPUyohZkSMz/ Stay tuned for a future post with videos of their performances that night with the Boston Pops!

In the comments of the October 10 Instagram post, I wrote, "I was one of the people who requested a full cover and my wish is coming true! I cannot wait to hear this!" "you're the best Stacy! Hope we do it justice!," Dan + Shay replied. I know they will do it justice based on the small clips I have seen so far.

To start the process on Friday, the duo were seen in the studio at the piano trying to figure out what key to play it in. Smyers is seen laughing because he messed up, but then finalizes that the performance will be in the key of D. Here is that clip below courtesy of Dan + Shay's YouTube channel.

Video courtesy of Dan + Shay's YouTube channel

The next series of videos are not on YouTube (yet), but they are on Dan + Shay's Facebook page.

A few hours later, the duo are both seen at the piano practicing the bridge of the song. Smyers started singing the lyrics while playing the piano and Mooney continued on until he got to the end of the last line. Here is that link for you to click and view the video courtesy of Dan + Shay's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1258453102965948

In the second to last video, Smyers is featured at the piano while Mooney lurks in the background, but you can hear his voice. The producer and harmonist of the duo is playing the last part of the song on piano. "Now I'm nervous, I'm gonna screw it up," Smyers proclaims to his partner. "It looks good," the lead vocalist reassures him. As he hit the last note on the piano, both guys are excited and started laughing. "I hit that big D!", Smyers laughs with a huge grin on his face. Here is that link for you to click on and view the video courtesy of Dan + Shay's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1362852635182425

The final 10 second video showcases both guys recording the song. They are seen singing the very last line, "I go back to December all the time." 

The lead vocalist made some comments after he was done singing. "Hey, that's pretty good dude," Mooney tells Smyers. "I'm stoked. It's gonna be good." The video ends with both members of the duo giving each other a high-five! Here is that link for you to click on and view the video courtesy of Dan + Shay's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1261712145644028

With the exception of covering Lady Gaga's hit song "Million Reasons" in 2018 for a Spotify recording session, this will only be the second time the duo has released a full cover of someone else's song. That was a beautiful work of art and I know this one will be the same seven years later! 

Stay tuned for my full review of the cover once it is released! In the comment section of the final 10 second video from the duo's Instagram page, someone asked for them to release the song now. Dan + Shay replied, "gonna get it out to y'all ASAP!" This is in the comment section of the post. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPpbbMdkSms/

I am expecting Dan + Shay's studio cover version of Taylor Swift's "Back To December" to be ready in the next two to three weeks, if not sooner! I absolutely cannot wait to hear it for the very first time and then put it on repeat for the foreseeable future!

Reference: https://bcheights.com/222973/top-story/dan-shay-puts-audience-on-its-feet-at-12-3-million-pops-on-the-heights-fundraiser/