Taylor Swift remains Red hot

MANILA, Philippines - Taylor Swift is overwhelmed at the response to her latest and fourth studio album titled Red, according to an Associated Press report Thursday.

“I had hoped that my fans would get what I was doing there — that they would embrace it. And the fact that they celebrated that and 1.2 million of them went out and bought it the first week and it became my first U.K. No. 1 album, it is absolutely unbelievable,” the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter was quoted as saying on the album sales.

Red was released in the Philippines last Nov. 5 under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and features 16 tracks, including the hit We Are Never Getting Back Together.

After writing her last album, Speak Now, entirely by herself, Taylor, for this record, collaborated with several artists, producers and songwriters she had always wanted to work with.

“For the last two years, I’ve been working on Red,” Taylor says. “I called it Red because of the tumultuous, crazy adventures in love and loss that it chronicles. In my mind, when you experience love that’s fast paced and out of control and mixes infatuation, jealousy, frustration, miscommunication, and all of those lovely emotions… in retrospect, it all looks red.”

Meanwhile, there will be a Taylor Swift Red T-Party! tomorrow, beginning 1 p.m., at the Robinsons Galleria Cinema Lobby to celebrate the album release in the country.

Red is available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video, as well as online via iTunes and www.mymusicstore.com.ph.

Here’s a STAR exclusive Q&A with Taylor wherein she talks about holiday memories, and how she also gleans songwriting inspiration from the Christmas season.

You grew up on a Christmas tree farm. What was that like?

“The best part was watching all the individual families pick out trees. Every family wanted something different. We had one family that would come, and the dad would always pick out the ugliest tree we had, and his kids would all scream ‘Nooo, Dad!’ And he got the biggest kick out of it.”

What holiday memories have inspired your music?

“I love the scents of winter. For me, it’s all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread and spruce. Also, Christmas is a time of expressing love, of missing someone you wish you could be with around the holidays. There’s lots of inspiration to draw from.”

What holiday song gives you chills?

“I like Last Christmas because it’s about an old relationship. Go figure.”

What was the most memorable holiday gift you received growing up?

“My parents have a video of me getting my first guitar under the Christmas tree when I was about nine. I look psyched. And it ended up being a gift that changed my life.”

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

“My favorite holiday tradition is the baking and cooking. There’s always so much holiday food, hot chocolate, gingerbread, and cookie making happening at my house.”

What’s your secret to finding the perfect present for friends and family?

“Listen. If you start paying attention months in advance, it’s easy to know what your loved ones might want.”

How do you go about throwing a festive holiday gathering?

“You make sure it feels warm, whether it’s with decorations or just inviting people who know and love each other. The holidays are all about familiarity and warmth.”

What’s the most unusual holiday decoration you have in your home?

“I put mistletoe everywhere. Again, go figure.”

And finally, do you still believe in Santa?

“Yes. You have to believe in him or he won’t bring you anything. Everyone knows that.”