I'M GOING THROUGH CHANGES NOW

Aakriti, 23, India-Mum, she/her

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #12 - You Belong With Me

Favourite lyrics-

- I'm in my room, it's a typical Tuesday night

- Walking the streets with you and your worn out jeans

- You've got a smile that could light up this whole town

- Standing by, waiting by your back door

- Diriving to my house in the middle of the night

- I know your favourite songs and you tell me 'bout your dreams, think I'll know where you belong, think I'll know it's with me

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Much has been said of this song. Much has been speculated, discussed and stated. But really, it's just a song about a high school crush, nothing more and nothing less. Written by a high schooler herself, a little bit immature, a little bit innocent. But that's what gives it its charm. It's a time capsule to high school. Of course you may not think the way you did back then, but that doesn't change that that's the way you acted, behaved and thought back then. So honestly I don't get the big deal. Also, her voice sounds so good here.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #12 - You Belong With Me

Favourite lyrics-

- I'm in my room, it's a typical Tuesday night

- Walking the streets with you and your worn out jeans

- You've got a smile that could light up this whole town

- Standing by, waiting by your back door

- Diriving to my house in the middle of the night

- I know your favourite songs and you tell me 'bout your dreams, think I'll know where you belong, think I'll know it's with me

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #11 - White Horse

Favourite lyrics -

- Holding on, the days drag on

- I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale

- This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town

- I didn't know that to be in love, you had to fight to have the upper hand

- I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually treat me well

- This is a big world, that was a small town, they're in my rearview mirror disappearing now

- Try and catch me now

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

This sounds almost like grief. It's such a sad song. But at the same time it's empowering because those last 'It's too late to catch me now' lines are the ones that always make you feel like Taylor is the one in power here. No matter what happened during the relationship, she's the person who chose to walk away, and she is choosing to stay away, and no matter what the other person does they can't get her back. It has major vibes.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #11 - White Horse

Favourite lyrics -

- Holding on, the days drag on

- I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale

- This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town

- I didn't know that to be in love, you had to fight to have the upper hand

- I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually treat me well

- This is a big world, that was a small town, they're in my rearview mirror disappearing now

- Try and catch me now

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #10 - Hey Stephen

Favourite lyrics -

- Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window, I'll be the one waiting there even when it's cold

- You might have me believing I don't always have to be alone

- The way you talk, way you walk, way you say my name

- Hey Stephen, why are people always leaving? I think you and I should stay the same

- I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose. All those other girls-- well, they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

This one gives me major Stay Beautiful vibes. I love that song, just like I love this one. This one is more playful, a little more energetic, and a lot more perky. And I love how her voice sounds like she's smiling. Another one to always sing along to. I hum this under my breath without being aware of it.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #10 - Hey Stephen

Favourite lyrics -

- Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window, I'll be the one waiting there even when it's cold

- You might have me believing I don't always have to be alone

- The way you talk, way you walk, way you say my name

- Hey Stephen, why are people always leaving? I think you and I should stay the same

- I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose. All those other girls-- well, they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #9 - Love Story

Favourite lyrics -

- I'm standing there, in a balcony of summer air

- Escape this town for a little while

- You were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

- Romeo, save me. They're trying to tell me how to feel

- This love is difficult but it's real

- I love you and that's all I really know

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

This is the first TS song I ever heard. I know I said I'd listen to them as if it were the first time, but this song is so special to me. I used to watch a lot of Disney Channel when I was like 8/9, and this video would keep playing. I fell in love with the costumes and the story, so I went on YouTube and listened to all her music and was utterly in love. So this song is quite close to me.

I know the use of 'scarlet letter' in this song is wrong, but I think she just means it as someone dangerous to love in this case. Other than that, I love how descriptive the song is. 'Balcony of summer air', 'the lights, the party, the ballgowns', 'You were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles'. It's just so pretty. I can see why it appeals to little girls, certainly, but as a 20-year-old it still sets such a dreamy mood.

Also, it makes me feel really princessy. And that's never a bad thing.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #9 - Love Story

Favourite lyrics -

- I'm standing there, in a balcony of summer air

- Escape this town for a little while

- You were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

- Romeo, save me. They're trying to tell me how to feel

- This love is difficult but it's real

- I love you and that's all I really know

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #8 - Fifteen

Favourite lyrics-

- Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you saying I haven't seen you around before

- When you're fifteen, feeling like there's nothing to figure out

- Count to ten, take it in, this is life before you know who you're gonna be

- You're thinking he's the one and you're dancing round the room when the night ends

- In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team, but I didn't know it at fifteen

- When all you wanted was to be wanted, wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

- Swore I was going to marry him someday, but I realised some bigger dreams of mine

- I've found time can heal most anything, and you just might find who you're supposed to be

- I didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

I think this is my favourite track so far off Fearless. It's so honest. And it's something most high school girls really do need to hear.

We don't tell our girls what they're worth enough. They either have to compete with boys or want them so bad they're willing to give themselves up in the process. We forget to tell them what they're worth by themselves. We forget to treat them as people already worth loving without either being with a boy or beating a boy.

This is a song I think I'm going to keep listening to before I start any new phase in my life, because as a female, you never grow out of this reminder.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #8 - Fifteen

Favourite lyrics-

- Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you saying I haven't seen you around before

- When you're fifteen, feeling like there's nothing to figure out

- Count to ten, take it in, this is life before you know who you're gonna be

- You're thinking he's the one and you're dancing round the room when the night ends

- In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team, but I didn't know it at fifteen

- When all you wanted was to be wanted, wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

- Swore I was going to marry him someday, but I realised some bigger dreams of mine

- I've found time can heal most anything, and you just might find who you're supposed to be

- I didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #7 - Fearless

Favourite lyrics-

- I wonder if you know I'm trying so hard not to get caught up now

- You run your fingers through your hair, absentmindedly making me want you

-

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Okay this is the ultimate happy rainy day song. It's just so perfect to daydream to. Also, can we appreciate how lovely her vocals sound here. Also, it's the first title track we ever got. I don't know how to feel about this as the title track though because so far the album has been quite melancholy and this is such a happy song.

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Track #7 - Fearless

Favourite lyrics-

- I wonder if you know I'm trying so hard not to get caught up now

- You run your fingers through your hair, absentmindedly making me want you

-

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Track #6 - The Other Side of the Door

Favourite lyrics -

- I said 'Leave' but all I really want is you to stand outside my window throwing pebbles screaming 'I'm in love with you!'

- After everything and that little black dress

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This song sounds like the pouring rain she wants him to stand in.

Also, this is a song that worked in 2008 but would definitely not take off in 2019. Because no means no. And I'm sure mature almost-thirty Taylor understands that, but as a teenager it doesn't hit most of us. Especially someone who vests so much power in their partners.

But other than that, I really like how her voice balances out the heavy instrumentals and doesn't get drowned out at all. It's so pop for Fearless as well.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #6 - The Other Side of the Door

Favourite lyrics -

- I said 'Leave' but all I really want is you to stand outside my window throwing pebbles screaming 'I'm in love with you!'

- After everything and that little black dress

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #5 - SuperStar

Favourite lyrics -

- And I knew from the first note played I'd be breaking all my rules to see you

- So dim that spotlight, tell me things like I can't take my eyes off of you

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

I love how when you first start listening to the song you think it's about a guy from school that she likes or something, but very soon you realise that nope-- it's about a performer. More than that, it's a little sad, like all the songs on the album seem to be so far (except Jump Then Fall, the only truly peppy one amongst all of these so far). Fearless may not be as happy of an album as I always thought it to be.

Also is it just me or do most people forget all songs on Fearless except the singles? Because I never hear anyone talk about these.

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #5 - SuperStar

Favourite lyrics -

- And I knew from the first note played I'd be breaking all my rules to see you

- So dim that spotlight, tell me things like I can't take my eyes off of you

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

Track #4 - Come In With The Rain

Favourite lyrics:

- I know all the steps to your door, but I don't want to go there anymore

- I'll leave my window open 'cause I'm too tired at night to call your name/for all these games

- Just know that I'm right here hoping you come in with the rain

[rollerblading--and--poetry]

I love this track. It's so melancholic. And so full of longing. But again, I think it continues along the track of Forever and Always in the sense that it passes the onus entirely onto the next person. This speaks volumes about the psyche of an 18 year old girl. Most feel so powerless in relationships with members of the opposite gender/people older than them. They can't make the first move not because they're not bold enough to but because they've been taught it's not their place and it's not their job and it's something they have no business doing. That they don't have the authority to reach out first if they want to.

In that sense, I can definitely see how this album resonated so well with teenage girls at the time it came out. Because Taylor herself was 18 at the most when they were written.