The Stories of Taylor

Samantha | 26 | Libra | Georgia | Swiftie since '08

[storiesoftaylor]

Holy Ground (Taylor's Version)

Written By: Taylor Swift Produced By: Jeff Bhasker Length: 3:22

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: When you came to the show in SD

This song is WIDELY believed to be about Mr. Perfectly Fine. Because he was in fact seen at 2 of her California concerts.

We also know that Taylor wrote this song in February of 2012 according to the Lover Journals

[Verse One] I was reminiscing just the other day While having coffee all alone and Lord it took me away Back to a first glance feeling on New York time Back when you fit in my poems like a perfect rhyme

So it's said that Taylor and Joe were together from June 2008 - October 2008. It is said that they first ever met in New York City back in the summer of 2008. So here she is saying that their first glace was on NY time meaning two things; one that they were literally in New York the first time they locked eyes, and two "New York Time" means fast. It means rushed, just like New York. So shes saying it didn't last long. Took of faster than a green light, go Yeah, you skip the conversation when you already know I left a note on the door with a joke we made And that was the first day This part of the song she is letting us know that the relationship started just as quickly as it ended.

[Chorus] And darling, it was good Never looking down And right there where we stood Was Holy Ground I love that here she is just reminiscing on how good they were in that moment. She's looking at it for what it was, not what it became.

[Verse Two] Spinning like a girl in a brand new dress We had this big, wide city all to ourselves We block the noise with the sound of "I need you" And for the first time I had something to lose So here we know that she is happy. She feels joy, I mean she's spinning around in a brand new dress - not just an old one she found in the back of her closet. A brand new dress - she feels like a million bucks. But, that also means that she had something to lose. When you care about someone that much and love them, it's hard when you lose them. And she was aware that she could lose him, and it scared her. I guess we feel apart in the usual way And the story's got dust on every page But sometimes I wonder how you think about it now And I see your face in every crowd This part is soooooo good. So she's saying they broke up. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. They fell apart like relationships do - the usual way. Someone probably lost interest, or got bored, or found someone new. The story has dust on every page because at this point when this album came out (for the first time) it had been 4 years since her and Joe dated and broke up. So the story is old, but she still wonders about it. And she wants to know if he does too.

[Chorus] 'Cause darling, it was good Never looking down And right there where we stood Was Holy Ground

[Bridge] Tonight I'm gonna dance For all that we've been through But I don't wanna dance If I'm not dancing with you Tonight I'm gonna dance Like you were in this room But I don't wanna dance If I'm not dancing with you

[Chorus] It was good Never looking down Right there where we stood What Holy Ground

[Outro] Tonight I'm gonna dance For all that we've been through But I don't wanna dance If I'm not dancing with you Tonight I'm gonna dance Like you were in this room But I don't wanna dance If I'm not dancing with you

[notmuchfordancing]

[rylandsgrace]

Oh my god

[storiesoftaylor]

The Last Time (Taylor's Version) (Ft. Gary Lightbody)

Written By: Taylor Swift, Gary Lightbody, and Jacknife Lee Produced By: Jacknife Lee Length: 4:59

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: LA on your break

Lyrically, this song follows a girl who is sick of the boy mistreating her or not appreciating her. She is fed up with his behavior, while on the other side he is trying to convince her to stay, or to come back together. It is speculated to be about Mr. Superior Thinking... We know Taylor wrote this song about a conversation she had with him while he was in LA on break according to the hidden message in the lyrics.

I feel like this is a real conversation that Taylor shared with Mr. ST, I can picture him literally standing in the doorway telling her he is sorry and that was the last time he was gonna hurt her. Plus, Taylor says below that she pictures him standing in the cold outside - he was filming Love and Other Drugs around this time. So this is what I think happened: I think they had a fight, they broke up. Him being him, he comes back after leaving her. And they reconcile. She literally tells him THIS IS THE LAST TIME. You better start making me important in your life or we are going to have issues. So It's thought this conversation took place in December of 2010 - it would be cold outside. And it makes since that this conversation would be BEFORE her birthday, because "The Moment I Knew" is literally the moment she knew he wasn't gonna ever put her at the top of his list. She was always gonna be on the back burner when it came to him.

When doing promotion for the original album, Red this is was Taylor had to say about this song: "'The Last Time' is a song that I wrote with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. This was a song I wrote about something I had been going through where you've got... I picture a door and you've got on the outside of the door standing outside in the cold is this guy who's left his girlfriend over and over again and come back and asked for a second chance over and over and over again. And on the other side of the door you have this girl standing there with tears in her eyes wondering how she could possibly turn him away when she loves him this much, but she can't get hurt again. It's both of these people swearing that this will be the last time.  She is swearing this is the last time she is going to take him back, he swears its the last time he's going to leave her and hurt her.  It's a really intense song and I'm so proud to have Gary on the record."

[Verse One] (Gary Lightbody) I find my self at your door Just like all those times before I'm not sure how I got there All roads they lead me here I imagine you are home In you room, all alone You open your eyes into mine And everything feels better So this song is written like a conversation right, so everything the man is singing - I am attributing to what Mr. ST was thinking or where his mind was. So here we learn that he misses Taylor. He wants to be with her, and he is thinking about how looking into her eyes, would literally make every thing better for him.

[Pre-Chorus] (Both) And right before your eyes I'm breaking, no past No reasons why Just you and me This is important because they are both singing it, so that means that they are both feeling this way. I'll break that down. Taylor: She is breaking right before his eyes because she is gonna take him back. It's just them. Mr. ST: He is breaking because he's like is this really it? You're really done this time?

[Chorus] (Both) This is the last time I'm asking you this Put my name at the top of your list So here, it seems like they both felt they weren't number 1 to the other. They are both saying to put me at the top. This is the last time I'm asking you "why" I don't know why he would be asking why, but I'm sure she was asking why do we keep doing this? Why can't we just be happy? You break my heart in the blink of an eye, eye, eye

[Verse Two] (Taylor Swift) You find yourself at my door Just like all those times before You wear your best apology But I was there to watch you leave So here we see that this isn't the first time he has pulled this stunt. I love that line, 'you wear your best apology, BUT I WAS THERE TO WATCH YOU LEAVE' omfg.. We know what that's like right!? We miss him too, he is giving a wonderful apology - but she remembers when he left, she remembers the pain. And all the times I let you in Just for you to go again And she knows he will do it again. Disappear when you come back Everything is better Honestly, I'm not sure what she means by 'everything is better'. I don't know if she means it's better when he's gone, or if it's better when he's here with her. Because she says both - disappear and when you come back so im not really sure! Someone let me know!

[Pre-Chorus] (Both) And right before your eyes I'm aching, no past No where to hide Just you and me

[Chorus] (Both) This is the last time I'm asking you this Put my name at the top of your list This is the last time I'm asking you "why" You break my heart in the blink of an eye, eye, eye

[Bridge] (Both) This is the last time you tell me I've got it wrong This is the last time I say "It's been you all along" This is the last time I let you in my door This is the last time I won't hurt you anymore oh-ho, oh-ho, oh-ho, oh-ho oh-ho, oh-ho, oh-ho, oh-ho

[Chorus] (Both) This is the last time I'm asking you this Put my name at the top of your list This is the last time I'm asking you "Why" You break my heart in the blink of an eye

[Outro]

[storiesoftaylor]

Stay Stay Stay (Taylor's Version)

Written By: Taylor Swift Produced By: Taylor Swift & Christopher Rowe Length: 3:25

When promoting this album back in 2012, this is what Taylor had to say about this song: "The song 'Stay Stay Stay' is a song that I wrote based on what I've seen of real relationships, where it's not perfect, there are moments where you're just so sick of that person, you get into a stupid fight. It's still worth it to stay in it. There's something about it that you can't live without. In the bridge it says, 'I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life' and I think that's what probably the key to finding the one, you just want to hang out with them forever."

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: Daydreaming about real love

I really don't think that this song needs much explanation. This is what a real relationship looks like to Taylor. Someone who doesn't leave when they fight, someone who will joke about her crossing a line, someone that carries her groceries, someone who thinks she's funny when she's mad, and most importantly - someone that she wants hang out with for her whole life.

[Verse One] I'm pretty sure we almost broke up last night I threw my phone across the room, at you I was expecting some dramatic turn away But you stayed This morning, I said we should talk about it 'Cause I read you should never leave a fight unresolved That's when you came in wearing a football helmet And said, "Okay, let's talk" And I said

[Chorus] Stay, stay, stay I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad But I think that's it's best if we both stay

[Verse One] Before you, I'd only dating self-indulgent takers Who took all their problems out on me But you carry my groceries and now I'm always laughing And I love you because you have given me No choice but to

[Chorus] Stay, stay, stay I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad But I think that it's best if we both stay

[Bridge] You took the time to memorize me My fears, my hopes, and dreams I just like hanging out with you all the time All those times that you didn't leave, it's been occurring to me I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life

[Breakdown] Stay, and I'll be loving you for quite some time No one else if gonna love me when I get mad, mad, mad So I think that it's best if we both stay, stay Stay, stay, stay, stay!

[Chorus] Stay, stay, stay I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad But I think that it's best if we both stay

[Outro] Stay, stay, stay I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad But I think that it's best if we both stay (Ha-ha-ha, that's so fun)

[storiesoftaylor]

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor's Version)

Written By: Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback Produced By: Taylor Swift, Christopher Rowe, Shellback Length: 3:13

The back story to this song is actually hilarious. So it's rumored that she recorded this in April of 2012 in Los Angeles. It's also rumored that Adam Levine was also recording that night. This is important to the story of the song because it's said that Adam and Mr. Superior Thinking are good friends.

This part however isn't rumored - it comes straight from Taylor herself. In an interview when the song came out originally this is what she had to say about the interesting creative turn this song took.

"Writing ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was one of the most hilarious experiences I have ever had in the studio because it just happened so naturally. I ran into my ex's friend at the studio and he starts talking about how he’s heard we were getting back together and that was not the case. When he leaves, Max and Johan are like, ‘so what’s the story behind that?’ And so I start telling them the story of break up, get back together, break up, get back together, just, ugh, the worst. Max says, ‘this is what we’re writing. We’re writing this song,’ and I picked up the guitar and just started singing, ‘we are never–’ It just happened so fast. It was so much fun."

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: When I stopped caring what you thought

[Verse One] I remember when we broke up the first time Saying, "This is it! I've had enough." 'Cause like We hadn't seen each other in a month When you said you needed space (what) So, right off the bat, we can see where he was in the relationship. He needed space but they hadn't seen each other in a month... and that was just the FIRST TIME they broke up. And she says that she said that she had enough and she couldn't deal with it... but... Then you come around again and say "Baby, I miss you and I swear I'm gonna change. Trust me." Remember how that lasted for a day I say "I hate you" we break up, you call me, "I love you" The endless cycle of toxic relationships like this. He says he 'needs space' you get pissed and break it off. He then comes back around and says he misses you and he is going to fix this, and you go running back. Clockwork.

[Pre-Chorus] ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh We called it off again last night ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh This time, I'm telling you, I'm telling you

[Chorus] We-ee are never, ever, ever getting back together We-ee are never, ever, ever getting back together You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me But we-ee are never, never, never Getting back together like, ever I feel like all of the pre-chorus and chorus is pretty self-explanatory. They are NEVER getting back together.

[Verse Two] I'm really gonna miss you picking fights And me, falling for it, screaming that I'm right And you, would hide away and find your peace of mind With some indie record that's much cooler than mine This entire verse is sarcastic and I live for it. Is she really gonna miss him picking fights? And she would fall for the fight and scream that she was right, just falling right into his bullshit. And then once she got good and mad, he would disappear and go listen to the lame music that he thought made him look cool. Sadly for him, it just made him look pretentious.

[Pre-Chorus] ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh You called me up again, tonight ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh This time, I'm telling you, I'm telling you

[Chorus] We-ee (we) are never, ever, ever getting back together We-ee are never, ever, ever getting back together You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me (Talk to me) But we are never, ever, ever, ever Getting back together

[Post-Chorus] ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (yeah) ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (yeah) ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (yeah) oh-oh-oh

[Bridge] I used to think that we were forever, ever And I used to say, "Never say never" Here she is saying at one point she really believed in her heart and soul that they would last forever. And when people used to ask her if they would get back together she would say, "Never say never." Not anymore. She's very much saying, Fuck off. ugh, so he calls me up and he's like, "I still love you" And I'm like, "I just, I mean, this is exhausting, you know? Like, we are never getting back together, like ever Noooo!!! See, clearly reads "FUCK OFF MR. SUPERIOR THINKING!!!"

[Outro] We (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ohh, no) Getting back together We (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, oh) Getting back together (yeah) You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me (Talk to me) But we are never, ever, ever ever Getting back together

[storiesoftaylor]

The Lover Album lyrical analysis is complete!

Head over to my blog homepage and just click the tab that says "Lover"!

There you will find all of the songs and what the lyrics mean, as well as maps to show the locations, and easter eggs from the music videos!

Click here!

xoxo, Sam <3

[storiesoftaylor]

I Almost Do (Taylor's Version)

Written by: Taylor Swift Produced By: Taylor Swift & Christopher Lowe Length: 4:05

This is the sister song to "I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)". It's literally the same song, this one is just sad... And the other is a bit of tongue and cheek, a little sarcastic. But the idea is the same. He is in his awesome, big city - thinking about her, and regretting what he's done.

This is what Taylor had to say about this song in 2012 during the original release, "“I Almost Do” is a song I wrote about the conflict that you feel when you want to take someone back, and you want to give it another try, but you know you can’t. I think I needed to write this song in order to not call that person actually."

HIDDEN MESSAGE: I wrote this instead of calling

[Verse One] I bet this time of night, you're still up I bet you're tired from a long, hard week I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window Looking out at the city, and I bet Sometimes you wonder about me So Taylor is setting the scene. Mr. Superior Thinking is in his apartment in Brooklyn, up late at night, just pondering his thoughts, and then he starts to wonder about her.

[Chorus] And I just wanna tell you It takes everything in me not to call you And I wish I could run to you And I hope you know that every time I don't I almost do I almost do She really wants him to understand that just because she isn't calling, or isn't running to him doesn't mean that she doesn't want to. She just knows that it's not worth the inevitable pain that will follow.

[Verse Two] I bet you think I either moved on or hate you 'Cause each time you reach out, there's no reply I bet it never, ever occurred to you That I can't say hello to you and risk another goodbye That last line is one of the saddest that I have ever heard, and the way she sings it is just with so much pain OMG. It literally sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. Because it really is such a real experience. At least it was for me - and the person that I dedicated this song to lol.

[Chorus] And I just wanna tell you It takes everything in me not to call you And I wish I could run to you And I hope you know that every time I don't I almost do I almost do

[Bridge] Oooh, we made quite a mess, babe It's probably better off this way And I confess, baby In my dreams, you're touching my face And asking me if I wanna try again with you And I almost do THIS SONG IS SO FUCKED OMG The first 2 lines are Taylor saying that she knows that their relationship was toxic and she KNOWS that it's better for both of them to be separate. Just like in the song Better Man when she says, "standing in the mirror saying to my self 'you know you had to do it' I know, the bravest thing I ever did was run". But she is still admitting that in her dreams he is touching her and asking to try again... And she almost does.

[Chorus] And I just wanna tell you It takes everything in me not to call you And I wish I could run to you And I hope you know that every time I don't I almost do I almost do

[Outro] I bet this time of night you're still up I bet you're tired from a long hard week I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window Looking out at the city and I hope Sometimes you wonder 'bout me

[storiesoftaylor]

the 1

Written By: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner Produced By: Aaron Dessner Length: 3:31

Here is an excerpt from Aaron Dessner's piece with Vulture magazine, where he talks about every song on Folklore. And this is what he had to say about "The 1":

"It’s clear that “the 1” is not written from her (Taylor's) perspective. It’s written from another friend’s perspective. There’s an emotional wryness and rawness, while also to this kind of wink in her eyes. There’s a little bit of her sense of humor in there, in addition to this kind of sadness that exists both underneath and on the surface. I enjoy that about her writing."

So thanks to Aaron, we know that this song isn't autobiographical to her life - but that of one of her friends. I have searched the deepest crevices of the internet to try to find who the friend is... And throughout all of my Taylor Fan Blogs, Reddit threads, and other Tumblr blogs I have come to a decision. I think the song is about Selena Gomez reminiscing on a past relationship and really wishing it would have worked out. I don't see it being about Justin Bieber tho, since Taylor really isn't a fan of him or how he treated her bestfriend. so I don't see her creating a whole song about how he should have been the one for Sel. I think its Selena looking back on her relationship with The Weeknd.

[Verse One] I'm doing good I'm on some new shit Been saying "yes" instead of "no" I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though I hit the ground running each night I hit the Sunday matinee You know the greatest films of all time we're never made This first verse feels like she's just letting this guy know how she's doing. But she's not really talking to him, like there no actual dialog - this is just her thoughts, what she wishes she could say to him.

[Pre-Chorus] I guess you never know, never know And if you wanted me, you really should have showed And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow And it's alright now

[Chorus] But we were something, don't you think so? Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool And if my wishes came true It would've been you In my defense, I have none For never leaving well enough alone But it would've been fun If you would've been the one (Ooh) This is just talking about how good they were together. They were in the 20s and they were having the time of their lives. but then she says she has no defense for leaving well enough alone because she doesn't leave it alone. Well enough, isn't well enough for our speaker.

[Verse Two] I have this dream you're doing cool shit Having adventures of your own You meet some woman on the internet and take her home We never painted by the numbers, baby But we were making it count You know the greatest loves of all time are over now Here she is picturing what he is up to. In the first verse she is letting him know what she is up to, and this verse she is IMAGINING what he is up to. She's hoping that everything is great for him and he's happy. But she believes he was the greatest love of all time that she had ever experienced.

[Pre-Chorus] I guess you never know, never know And it's another day waking up alone

[Chorus] But we were something, don't you think so? Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool And if my wishes came true It would've been you In my defense, I have none For never leaving well enough alone But it would've been fun If you would've been the one

[Bridge] I, I, I persist and resist the temptation to ask you If one thing had been different Would everything be different, today? SO FUCKING SAD. This is a serious thought that millions of us have daily - 'If I did one thing different, would everything be different?' I mean, that question will keep you up at night, because there is no way to know. There is no way to know if one choice would change everything, and if it did change... would it be for the better, or worse? You never know.

[Chorus] We were something, don't you think so? Rose' flowing with your chosen family And it would have been sweet If it could've been me In my defense, I have none For digging up the grave another time But it would've been fun If you would've been the one (Ooh)

[storiesoftaylor]

22 (Taylor's Version)

Written by: Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback Produced by: Christopher Rowe and Taylor Swift Length: 3:52

It's very important to remember that Taylor wrote this song as a result of her 21st birthday being ruined by Mr. Superior Thinking. Her 21st was supposed to be the big milestone for her, I mean EVERYONE makes a big deal when they turn 21. But since he ruined it by just not showing up, she decided to glorify her 22nd birthday. So she and all her friends hung out at her Nashville apartment and had the best time. I'll Include photos of her birthday in the post.

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: Ashley, Diana, Claire, Selena

[Verse One] It feels like a perfect night To dress up like hipsters And make fun of our exes uh huh - uh huh It feels like a perfect night For breakfast at midnight To fall in love with strangers uh huh - uh huh

[Pre-Chorus] Yeah We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time It's miserable and magical, oh yeah Tonight's the night when we forget about all the deadlines It's time, oh oh

[Chorus] I don't know about you But I'm feeling 22 Everything will be alright if You keep me next to you You don't know about me But I'll bet you want to Everything will be alright if We just keep dancing like we're 22 22

[Verse Two] It seems like one of those nights This place is too crowded Too many cool kids (Who's Taylor Swift anyway? Ew.) It seems like one of those nights We ditch the whole scene And end up dreamin' Instead of sleepin'

[Pre-Chorus] Yeah We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way It's miserable and magical, oh yeah Tonight's the night when we forget about all the heartbreaks It's time, oh oh

[Chorus] (Hey!) I don't know about you But I'm feeling 22 Everything will be alright if (ooh) You keep me next to you You don't know about me But I'll bet you want to Everything will be alright if (Alright) We just keep dancing like we're 22 (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh) 22 (I don't know about you) 22 22 (Ooh)

[Post-Chorus] It feels like one of those nights We ditch the whole scene It feels like one of those nights We won't be sleeping It looks like bad one of those nights You look like bad news I gotta have you I gotta have you

[Bridge] oooh, oh Yeah, hey, yeah

[Chorus] (Hey!) I don't know about you (I don't know about you ) But I'm feeling 22 Everything will be alright if (ooh, oh-oh) You keep me next to you You don't know about me (You don't know about me) But I'll bet you want to Everything will be alright if We just keep dancing like we're (Dancing like we're 22) 22 (Ooh, whoa, oh-oh-oh) 22 (Dancing like) 22 (yeah, yeah) 22 (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

[corneliacat]

Hey Yall! Im looking for Taylor Merch obsessed Swifties to join our Taylor Merch Discord!

If you would like to join just like this post! ❤️

If you would like to help then do reblog! 😊

[storiesoftaylor]

All Too Well (Taylor's Version)

Written by: Taylor Swift & Liz Rose Produced by: Christopher Rowe & Taylor Swift Length: 5:29

TRACK 5 ALERT

I want to start by saying that I am creating 2 separate posts for this song. One for the original version (this one), and one for the 10-minute version.

Everyone and their mom know who this song is about. It's about Mr. Superior Thinking - like the majority of this album. This is one of the saddest songs in Taylor's discography, and she made it even sadder when she released the full version as a vault track. But we will get to that... In about 15 more posts. lol.

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: Maple Lattes

Wow. It looks like Taylor and Mr. Superior Thinking have some lattes... I wonder what flavor they are... Maple maybe?

[Verse One] I walked through to door with you, the air was cold But something about it felt like home, somehow And I left my scarf there, at your sister's house And you've still got it in your drawer, even now Here is the first mention of the infamous scarf. Now, there are a lot of theories about the scarf itself - whether it's real or not, whether it's really even about a scarf. Some of these theories are very invasive into Taylor's life, and her experiences, so I'm not going to touch on those theories. I'm just going to talk about it as the scarf. That's it.

[Verse Two] Oh you're sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze We're singing in the car getting lost upstate Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place And I can picture it after all these days The beginning of this song sets the scene that Mr. Superior Thinking was a good guy, and he was sweet and nice and made her feel special. He was a genuine guy, that she felt safe falling for. Hindsight is 20/20 though, right Taylor?

[Pre-Chorus] And I know it's long gone and that magic's not here no more I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all The last line is so sad to me because she's saying like, 'yeah, I'm okay... I'm hanging in here. Like I'm making it through. But I am no where near fine. I'm broken... Actually.'

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again on that little town street You almost ran the red, 'cause you were looking over at me Wind in my hair, I was there I remember it all too well This is a memory that makes her hard to let him go. The whole song she is basically saying it's hard to forget about the good. Like I know you suck and you skipped my 21st birthday... but you almost ran the red light because you couldn't take your eyes off of me, and I remember that.

[Verse Three] Photo album on the counter, your cheeks are turning red You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin sized bed Your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the T-Ball team You taught me about your past thinking your future was me The last line ALWAYS gets me. You learn all of these things about the person that you're with. You learn little details about their childhood, and things like that. And it SUCKS when it doesn't work out. And it's like, now you have all of this unneeded information about someone who you don't even speak to anymore... Because you thought there was a future. You thought there was a reason for learning these things about your partner. Until it ends, and your brain is full of shit about them.

[Pre-Chorus] And I know it's long gone and there was nothing else I could do I forget about you long enough, to forget why I needed to Again with the one-liners... She's saying I forget about you, until I miss you.. And then I remember why I needed to forget you, because it hurts so badly.

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light Down the stairs, I was there I remember it all too well, yeah Again with the memories, but this one is really visual. Even before Taylor released the short film for the 10 Minute version of this song, I could see it in my head. Sadly I saw her and Mr. Superior Thinking spinning around the light in the kitchen from the fridge.

[Bridge] Well maybe we got lost in translation Maybe I asked for too much This is sad to me... All she wanted was this man's love and attention and here she is saying that maybe that was asking too much. It was too much to want her boyfriend to love her the way that she loved him. But maybe this thing was a masterpiece, 'til you tore it all up Running scared, I was there I remember it all too well Notice here how she says that he tore it up. He ruined the masterpiece that they had. And you call me up again just to break me like a promise So casually cruel in the name of being honest I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here 'Cause I remember it all, all, all Too well Okay... This is fucked, man. You called me just to break me. You called me to say some fuck shit and it broke me all over again... just like the promises that you had made to me. You broke me, and you broke your promises. And then "So casually cruel in the name of being honest." I can just SEE Mr. Superior Thinking saying, "I mean yeah, the song is good... but it's kinda teeny-bopper" or something. And then just being like "I'm just trying to be honest with you" like no. You could say what you feel without being a dick about it. And then comparing herself to a CRUMPLED UP PIECE OF PAPER... really think about that? That means you wrote on it, spilled your heart, or your mind, or your ideas onto the sheet of paper, and then RIPPED it out of the spiral, crumpled it up in your hands, and then literally discarded it. That's what she feels like because of him. Really take that in. To feel used and discarded. Fuck.

[Verse Four] Time won't fly it's like I'm paralyzed by it I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it AHHHHHHHH!!!! Y'all, how many have felt like this? You were with a boy or a girl and they really just made your entire world go around, and then they leave you. You were so used to doing things with them, and things that yall would do together... you kind of forget how to just be you, and not be a part of a couple. After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone To go from spending the holiday's in upstate New York with this guys family, and dancing in refrigerator lights to him MAILING BACK YOUR THINGS. Like not even having the decency to bring them to your house and have a conversation, HE MAILED THEM. That's so impersonal and just fucked... I can't. But you keep my old scarf from that very first week 'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me You can't get rid of it, 'cause you remember it all too well He kept the scarf because it holds a memory or a feeling that he can't let go of, even tho he let go of her. He holds onto it, and he remembers her. Even if he wants to act like it was nothing serious, he remembers the way that they felt about each other.

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known That's deep. That's fucked. It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well

[Outro] Wind in my hair, you were there You remember it all Down the stairs, you were there You remember it all It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well

[emmaduerrewatson]

CONGRATULATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT! — Taylor is receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from NYU and will be speaking at the commencement for the the Class of 2022.

[storiesoftaylor]

AS THE MF QUEEN SHOULD!

[storiesoftaylor]

Red (Taylor's Version)

Written by: Taylor Swift Produced by: Christopher Lowe & Taylor Swift Length: 3:43

This song is about loving someone with everything that you have, even tho it's the wrong one. Taylor sings about passionate love and equally passionate pain. That's why Taylor considers her love with "Scarf Boy" "RED" because it was always one extreme or the other. Never in a comfortable state. And you have to remember this song is FULL of metaphors, Blondie loves those.

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: "SAG"

Some people that refers to her and "scarf boy" having the same Zodiac sign (Sagittarius), others think it stands for "Swift And Gyllenhaal", and some think it stands for the SAG awards which is something that actors attend - which "scarfy" is.. an actor.

Taylor wrote this song on September 7, 2011, at 21 years old while on a plane to Nashville.

September 8, 2011 - Nashville "I was supposed to fly to LA after the show in Tacoma WA last night, but after talking to my brother on the phone and missing my mom and my town where I know my way around - I got homesick and flew back to Nashville instead. It was a long flight, but I'm so happy I chose to come home. Mostly because I wrote a song on the plane on the way home called, 'Red'. I got in at 6AM this morning, slept til 10, brought mom eggs benedict for breakfast, went and got coffee (the pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks!!) and mom and I drove around talking. She showed me all the new decorating she'd done in

her new house. It looks absolutely fantastic. She has scented candles burning in every room. So each part of the house smells like a new kind of heaven. In the evening, I went to Nathan's studio to record (Nathan Chapman produced the original version of this song that we don't listen to anymore). When I played 'Red' for him, he lost it. He absolutely freaked over the lyrics. I was so happy. As we started recording it, it got more and more awesome, with banjo and this affected vocal part that runs under the chorus going "re-e-ee-e-d" I'd love to name my next album "Red". Scott "Slimeball" came over because I called him and he was still working at the office. He said this song takes it to the next level. He

lost it over this song. My mom loves it too. It's so different than anything we've done. I can't even tell you how alive and worthwhile I feel when I'm writing a new song and I finish it and people like it. It's the most fulfilling feeling, like getting an A+ on your report card. Recording again tomorrow. :) Taylor <3"

[Verse One] Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street Faster than the wind, passionate as sin, ended so suddenly So, for those of you that don't know, a Maserati is a car that is FAST. It has a top speed of 187, and it can get to 60mph in less than 5 seconds. So, in comparing her love with "Scarfy" to driving this super fast car down a dead-end street - she's saying it was never gonna work, but the thrill was worth it. Maserati:

Loving him is like trying to change your mind once you're already flying through the free fall This is such a good line because it's so true - in love, you can see it starting to fall apart right before your eyes, but you can't stop it. The same thing with flying thru the free fall, you can't just fly back up to solid ground... You have to go with gravity, my friend. Like the colors in Autumn, so bright just before they lose it all This one hurts, she's saying the love was absolutely beautiful until it very much wasn't. But she didn't say the colors faded, she said they LOST their color. Like it wasn't their choice like it was taken from them. That's why Taylor's diction (word choice) is so important.

[Chorus] Losing him was blue like I've never known Blue = Sadness, deep sadness. Missing him was dark gray all alone Dark gray feels like a lonely and vacant feeling from inside. It feels like this photo looks:

Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never met It's impossible to know someone you have never met, just like it's impossible to forget him. But loving him was red So, when Taylor says "red" she means passion, jealousy, love, hate, confusion, anger, sadness. All of that to her means "red". That's why in Daylight she sings, "I used to think love should be burning red, but it's golden". Because love shouldn't be like it was with "Scarfboy", love should feel serene.

[Post-Chorus] Red, red Red, red But loving him was red Red, red Red, red (This is the "vocal part" she was talking about in p. 2 of her journal entry.)

[Verse Two] Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you When she touched him, she knew that he was everything that she has ever wanted. Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite song He was easy to learn because he was her favorite topic of discussion. I mean, it's easy to learn a new song when it's by your favorite artist. Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there's no right answer *Ahem* Not them doing a crossword in the All Too Well Short Film.

But seriously, what she is saying here is that trying to reason with him was like talking to a brick wall. Regretting him was like wishing you never found out that love could be that strong This is so sad, regretting being with him because the love was so strong - so the pain was equally as strong. There are 2 quotes that I think of when I hear this line. The first is from Selena Gomez's song with Coldplay and the lyric is "They say love is only equal to the pain", and then the quote that is at the beginning of the Short Film, "Love is so short, forgetting is so long" by Pablo Neruda.

[Chorus] Losing him was blue like I've never known Missing him was dark gray all alone Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never met But loving him was red

[Post-Chorus] Red, Red (oh red) Red, Red Burning Red Red, Red

[Bridge] Remembering him comes from flashbacks and echos Tell myself It's time now gotta let go But moving on from him is impossible When I still see it all in my head In burning red In this whole verse, Taylor is saying is impossible to move on from this guy because she can still see it in memories in her head over and over. Flashbacks of memories, echoes of words and promises - all red.

[Instrumental Break] Burning, it was red

[Chorus] Oh losing him was blue like I've never known Missing him was dark gray all alone Forgetting him was like Trying to know somebody you've never met 'Cause loving him was red

[Post-Chorus] (red, red) yeah, yeah, yeah (red, red) Burning red (red, red) (red, red)

[Breakdown] And that's why he's spinning 'round in my head Comes back to me, burning red

[Outro] His love was like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street

[storiesoftaylor]

Check out my analysis of Red by Taylor Swift

[storiesoftaylor]

I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor's Version)

Written By: Taylor Swift, Shellback, and Max Martin Produced By: Shellback, Taylor Swift, and Christopher Lowe Length: 3:39

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: When you saw me dancing

Okay, Let me start off by saying this song is 100% about Mr. Style. I know what you're gonna say... "It's impossible!" "The timeline doesn't fit!" "She didn't know Harry yet!"

I'M ABOUT TO BLOW YOUR MIND. Haylor's stick around!

The night Taylor and Mr. Style first locked eyes, she was in fact dancing like the hidden message... TO HIS SONG WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING.

Let's set the scene... It's March 31, 2012 and it's the Kid's Choice Awards. A famous boy band takes the stage and sings their popular hit. Taylor and Selena are literally spotted dancing to the song.

On April 4th, Taylor goes to hang out with Selena and Justin at his house... Guess who else is there? I'll tell ya, the boys of the band. Justin says in this video, (7:22 mark) "I was just with them yesterday, they came over. We were all swimming, Taylor was there." And in this article, he says "I already know one of the biggest artists in the world thinks "Mr. Style" is so hot, but I have been sworn to secrecy.”

This is where it gets interesting, the following day, April 6th the band flew to NEW YORK for SNL. Think about the lyrics from "Come Back... Be Here" when Taylor sings, "You said it in a simple way 4:00 a.m. the second day How strange that I don't know you at all Stumbled through the long goodbye One last kiss, then catch your flight Right when I was just about to fall I told myself, don't get attached But in my mind, I play it back Spinning faster than the plane that took you" The band literally arrived in New York the second day after Taylor met them. Also fun fact, CBBH was written on April 12, 2012... Right after she met Mr. Style. This is a photo of when she was writing it with Dan Wilson*

Mr. Style famously kissed a girl in Australia on April 22, 2012. So he and Taylor clearly hit a halt.

[Verse One] Once upon a time, a few mistakes ago I was in your sights, you got me alone You found me, you found me, you found me-e-e-e-e I guess you didn't care, and I guess I liked that But when I feel hard, you took a step back Without me, without me, without me-e-e-e-e So this sets the scene that he wasn't trying to have anything serious, she really liked him a lot more than he seemed to like her in the beginning. But we have to remember he was younger than her and just thrust into this whole new world of women and girls literally throwing themselves at him.

[Pre-Chorus] And he's long gone when he's next to me And I realize the blame is on me She's saying here that his mind is somewhere else when he's with her. Maybe on another girl, maybe on something else in general. But it's not on her, and he's right next to her. And it could also mean he had one foot out the door the whole time. And she feels like it was her fault, because she knew better.

[Chorus] 'Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in So shame on me now Flew me to places I'd never been 'Til you put me down, oh I knew you were trouble when you walked in So shame on me now Flew me to places I'd never been Now I'm lying on the cold, hard ground The chorus is basically just Taylor saying that she knew falling for this guy was a bad idea, but he was so captivating. He flew her to other places - this could mean he literally flew her around the world, or she could mean he took her places emotionally that she had never been before. And now that he's gone - she's lying on the COLD, HARD ground. Think of those descriptive words. Cold and hard ground is not a good place to be. It doesn't feel safe, it feels lonely and full of dispair.

[Post-Chorus] Oh-oh-ohhhh Trouble, trouble, trouble Oh-oh-ohhhh Trouble, trouble, trouble

[Verse Two] No apologies, he'll never see you cry Pretend he doesn't know that he's the reason why You're drowning, you're drowning, you're drowning This part is what a lot of people do when someone has hurt them, they try to be okay. They try to pretend it didn't hurt - because you don't wanna give that person the satisfaction, right? That's what she's saying here. He is the reason that she is drowning, but she's not gonna let him know that. And I heard you moved on, from whispers on the street A new notch in your belt is all I'll ever be And now I see, now I see, now I see-e-e-e-e This is so sad to me. She heard he moved on, probably to the girl in the photo above. And she's saying she's just "another notch in his belt". She's saying she was a trophy or a prize that he could win. A conquest. Just another girl that fell for Mr. Paper Airplanes.

[Pre-Chorus] He was long gone, when he met me And I realized the joke is on me, hey Here she changes the lyrics from "the blame is on me" to "the joke is on me" - she feels like she's the butt of the joke, again. Always falling for the wrong person.

[Chorus] I knew you were trouble when you walked in (Oh) So shame on me now Flew me to places I'd never been 'Til you put me down, oh I knew you were trouble when you walked in So shame on me now Flew me to places I'd never been (Yeah) Now I'm lying on the cold, hard ground

[Post-Chorus] Oh-oh-ohhhh (Yeah) Trouble, trouble, trouble (Trouble) Oh-oh-ohhhh Trouble, trouble, trouble

[Bridge] And the saddest fear Comes creeping in That you never loved me Or her, or anyone, or anything Yeah Again, I think this is about the girl from the photo or something because this is way before him and Kendall were together... Or at least before they were public.

[Chorus] I knew you were trouble when you walked in So shame on me now Flew me to places I'd never been (Never been) 'Til you put me down, oh I knew you were trouble when you walked in (Knew it right there) So shame on me now (Knew it right there) Flew me to places I'd never been (Oh) Now I'm lying on the cold, hard ground

[Post-Chorus] Oh-oh-ohhhh Trouble, trouble, trouble (Oh) Oh-oh-ohhhh Trouble, trouble, trouble (Trouble) I knew you were trouble when you walked in Trouble, trouble, trouble I knew you were trouble when you walked in Trouble, trouble, trouble

[storiesoftaylor]

Treacherous (Taylor's Version)

Written by: Taylor Swift & Dan Wilson Produced by: Dan Wilson Length: 4:02

Here's what Taylor had to say about this song, "I brought in this idea because I wanted to explore the idea that something could be dangerous, and enticing at the same time. You know, but the positive side of that, like I believe this can work. It's got this big bridge at the end that kind of sounds like a second chorus, it's got all these vocals in the background, and it says, "nothing safe is worth the drive". And to me, that says so much about this album, because I really do feel like even if something hurt you if you made you feel something it was worth it.

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THE LYRICS: "Won't stop til it's over"

The amount of research I did for this song is crazy. Swifties everywhere have different theories of who this song is about. Some think is about "Mr. Scarf Boy", others think "Mr. Expert at Sorry", and even some think it's about "Mr. Paper Airplanes". I'm not going to speculate who this one is about, bc I honestly have no idea... So I'm just going to tell you what the song means.

The word "Treacherous" literally means: guilty of or involving betrayal or deception. So by the title, we know that this love was based on lies and deception. We know that this guy told her things that he never planned on doing, or made promises he never planned on keeping. That alone makes me think it's Scarf Boy. But who knows?

[Verse One] Put your lips close to mine As long as they don't touch Out of focus, eye to eye 'Til the gravity's too much So here she is saying that she wants to be near this guy, but she doesn't trust herself with him. She's saying to put his lips close, but don't touch. Maybe she wouldn't be able to stop herself. And I'll do anything you say If you say it with your hands And I'd be smart to walk away But you're quicksand Here we learn that Taylor is at this man's beck and call, she will do anything for him. He means a lot to her, but she also knows it's not right. She knows this isn't the situation or relationship that she should be in. But she can't walk away because every time she tries, she slips further into his grasp. Just like quicksand.

[Chorus] This slope is treacherous This slope is lying to me This path is reckless This path is a bad idea This slope is treacherous And I-I-I like it But I'm all in

[Verse Two] I can't decide if it's a choice Getting swept away So what she is saying here is, "I can't decide if falling for you was my own choice, or you were just so captivating, I couldn't help but to fall". I hear the sound of my own voice Asking you to stay This is so sad to me All we are is skin and bone Trained to get along Forever going with the flow But you're friction Going with the flow and friction are completely opposing ideas. Friction is not going with the flow, friction is working AGAINST the flow.

[Chrous] This slope is treacherous This path is reckless This slope is treacherous And I-I-I like it

[Bridge] Two headlights shine through the sleepless night And I will get you a-, get you alone Your name has echoed through my mind And I just think you should, think you should know That nothing safe is worth the drive And I will follow you, follow you home I'll follow you, follow you home

[Chorus] This hope is treacherous This daydream is dangerous This hope is treacherous And I-I-I, I-I-I, I-I-I-

[Bridge] Two headlights shine through the sleepless night And I will get you a-, get you alone Your name has echoed through my mind And I just think you should, think you should know That nothing safe is worth the drive And I will follow you, follow you home I'll follow you, follow you home I'll follow you, follow you home I'll follow you, follow you home

[Outro] This slope is treacherous I-I-I like it

[storiesoftaylor]

Lover Prologue

I wanted to end the Lover album with the Prologue that Taylor wrote for it. I think it's important to see her words about this body of work that we all enjoyed together.

Going forward, would y'all like the Prologues to be before I start the new album? Or keep it at the end as a way to end the album?

Lemme know! I'm totally open to questions, ideas, and theories!

"When I found old diaries from my childhood and my teens, they were covered in dust. I'm not just saying that for poetic effect, they were truly dusty with pictures drawn of the first day of school outfits and inspirational quotes I used to retrace over and over to get me through doubtful moments. I'd practice my autograph and tape my guitar picks to the pages. In the entires, I daydreamed on paper and mused about who might ask who to the dance or how nervous I was saying the national anthem at the local baseball game. I frequently and drastically changed my opinions on love, friends, confidence, and trust. I vented, described memories in detail, jotted down new song ideas and questions why I would ever try to shoot for a career I had such a small chance of ever attaining.

But what shocked me the most was how often I wrote down the things I loved. Writing a new song, riding in the car with my mom, the purple-pink skies on the soccer field on the walk home, the one night in middle school when none of my friends were fighting, the dazzle of opal necklaces I couldn't afford gleaming from a department store jewelry case. I wrote about tiny details in my life in these diaries from a bygone age with such... wonderment. Intrigue. Romance. I noticed things and decided they were romantic, and so they were. In life, we grow up and we encounter the nuanced complexities (the shady complications) of trying to figure out who to be, how to act, or how to be happy. Like invisible smoke in the room, we wonder what kind of anxiety pushes you forward and what kind ruins your ability to find joy in your life. We constantly question our choices, our surroundings, and we beat ourselves up for our mistakes. All the while, we crave romance. We long for those rare, enchanting moments when things just fall into place. Above all else we really, really want our lives to be filled with love.

I've decided that in this life, I want to be defined by the things I love, not the things I hate, the things I'm afraid of, or the things that haunt me in the middle of the night. Those things may be struggles, but they're not my identity. I wish the same for you. May your struggles become inaudible background noise behind the loud, clear voices of those who love and appreciate you. Turn those voices up in the mix in your head. May you take notice of the things in your life that are nice and make you feel safe and maybe even find wonderment in them. May you write down your feelings and reflect on them years later, only to learn all the trials and the tribulations you thought might kill you... didn't. I hope that someday you forget that the pain ever existed. I hope that if there is a lover in your life, it's someone who deserves you. If that's not the case, I hope you treat them with care.

This album is a love letter to love itself - all the captivation, spellbinding, maddening, devastating, red, blue, gray, golden aspects of it (that's why there are so many songs). I honor of fever dreams, bad boys (Cruel Summer), confessions of love on a drunken night out (Cruel Summer), Christmas lights still hanging in January (Lover), guitar string scars on my hands (Lover), false gods, and blind faith (False God), memories of jumping into an icy outdoor pool (Paper Rings), creaks in floorboards and ultraviolet morning light (Cornelia Street), finally finding a friend (It's Nice To Have A Friend), and opening the curtains to see the clearest, brightest, daylight after the darkest night (Daylight).

We are what we love. This is Lover.