Why you gotta be so mean?
"I keep my side of the street clean, you wouldn't know what I mean." - Taylor Swift
This quote from 'karma' has always felt significant, but I could never quite put my finger on why that was... until now. And it all stems from the word mean.
We often associate the word mean with having a negative attitude towards someone or use it to place emphasis on something specific, but it's also a mathematic term as well. In this case, the mean is the mathematical average of a set of two or more numbers. At first glance this is the least likely explanation for the mean reference in the lyric mentioned above, but that's also exactly why I believe that Taylor may be alluding to this definition specifically. And it all ties back into her love for numerology...
The basic premise of numerology is that—just like words—each number contains a unique quality on a metaphorical level. This can vary in complexity, from 13 being associated with bad luck and 111 being known as an angel number, to much more complex forms such as life path number archetypes and various astrological concepts. From the very beginning of Taylor's career there have been many occasions where she has used or referenced numerology, including numerical references in her song lyrics, planning her album announcement and release schedules around significant dates, and she has also used specific numbers as a form of easter egging as well. There have been a few instances of Taylor referencing numbers that occur in close succession—so with that in mind, lets explore how the mean of these numbers could be affecting how we interpret Taylor's use of numerology.
25 + 27 = the 26 mean number
During an interview on the Ellen show for the fearless album release party episode, Taylor had "put Joe Jonas on blast" by revealing that he had broken up with her over the phone in 25 seconds. She promptly doubled down on her confession by proclaiming that when she looked down at her phone after the call had ended, the call log confirmed that it had actually lasted for 27 seconds. And while this discrepancy between 25 and 27 seconds normally would've been seen as a typical lapse in memory, I couldn't help but wonder if the deviation had actually been intentional. The way that Taylor had described her relationship with Joe Jonas ending badly had always felt like she was alluding to something much more substantial—as if her rebellious attitude was her way of retaliating against something that had happened behind the scenes on a professional level, instead of on a more romantic one. Years later, Taylor also made a reference to this moment in history during her last interview with Ellen at the beginning of the lover era—seemingly drawing attention to the episode as a whole in the hopes that some day we would be intrigued enough to go back and watch it.
It was this combination of what Taylor was drawing attention to—and what was left unsaid—that lead me to wonder if the number 26 was purposefully left lingering between the numbers 25 and 27. It is, after all, the mean number in this equation. The most well known example of Taylor referencing this number is featured alongside the number 13 on the wedding cake in the 'I bet you think about me' music video. And although there's yet to be a definitive consensus on what this number on the cake represents, there's certainly a couple of significant connections to be found when it comes to this number. When it's converted to a date we end up with February the 6th, which just happens to be the day in 2020 when Taylor announced that she was proud to extend her partnership with UMG—all while posting a photo of herself holding Benjamin Button like he was her baby.
Considering Paramore opened for Taylor on the eras tour, it's worth noting here that they also have a song titled '26'. This has quickly become one of my all time favourite songs due to the lyrics: "Reality will break your heart. Survival will not be the hardest part—it's keeping all your hopes alive—when all the rest of you has died. So let it break your heart." Hayley Williams also recently released a song that references the Jumanji movie, which was in relation to Paramore's long term contract finally coming to an end after 20 years. On her website she shared a clip of the game resuming after Allan had been missing, and presumed dead, for... 26 years. "26 years ago we started playing a little game. And now, we're all going to sit down and we're going to finish it. And guess what? Your turn." Is it possible that Taylor's original comments about 25 and 27 seconds were a subtle reference to the 26 years—that Allan had spent trapped in the jungle for—from the very beginning? If that's the case, then this would also perfectly overlap with the 12-ish years that Truman and Sylvia had spent apart after being forcibly separated from each other in the Truman show. And guess who else has been missing, and at times, presumed to be dead? Meredith.
87 + 89 = the 88 mean number
Another set of numbers that many are familiar with is the "I'll be 87 and you'll be 89" mentioned in 'Mary's song (oh my, my, my)'. These numbers have become synonymous with Travis' 87 jersey number and Taylor's '89 birth year, but what if their mean number of 88 is also significant? Visually, the number 88 is made up of two sideways infinity symbols, whereas individually the number 8 replicates the shape of an hour glass sand timer. And in terms of dates, August the 8th lines up with the infamous lion's gate portal, which is known in the astrological realm as an auspicious date for manifestation and spiritual growth. Taylor's first reference to this number began in 2008—with the fearless album announcement. Other events worth noting on this date include the KISS prank on Keith Urban's tour, Taylor's EW skit audition where she dressed up as Natalie for the first time, and the moment her outfit was twinning with Paddington Bear. In addition, there was also the time in 2022 where Taylor had posted a photo of Benjamin Button—because August the 8th also happens to be... international cat day. In terms of the eras tour, one of the no LA shows landed on this date in 2023, and then there was also the 2024 date that was scheduled to occur in Vienna that unfortunately had to be cancelled due to extraneous circumstances. And interestingly, Shawn Mendes—who’s featured on the 'lover' remix—also has a birthday that falls on August the 8th as well.
13 + 15 = the 14 mean number
The number 13 is definitely the number that's most frequently associated with Taylor—it's the number she wore on the back of her hand during concerts and was discussed superstitiously during interviews—all because it corresponds with the day that she was born. In contrast, the number 15 is associated with her best friend, Abigail. This is due to the song Taylor wrote for her that's featured on the fearless album, which also contains some of her most impactful lyrics: "Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday, but I realised some bigger dreams of mine." When combined, these two numbers have a mean number of 14—or in other words, a fortnight. This corresponds with the 'fortnight' lead single on the tortured poets department album that features Post Malone. The way in which this music video is connected to the number 14 feels significant—considering it's the only non-tour based music video that's been released for the album to date. In addition, the twin flame imagery depicted in this music video almost feels like a visual display of two numbers being connected by their mean number—without the two ever actually touching each other—at the very point where the orange and blue flames intersect with each other in the middle. "And for a fortnight there, we were together." Furthermore, in terms of other connections to the number 14, there's less significant events associated with the 1/4 date—however, it is the date that 'fearless' was released as a single in 2008. In addition, the 10/4 date just so happens to be Dakota Johnson's birthday.
1 + 3 = the 2 mean number
When we look at Taylor's favourite number individually, we're left with the lowest common denominator of the mean number equation—which is the number 2. The most prominent use of this number stems from the peace sign Taylor used throughout the lead up to the tortured poets department album being released. On the surface this was an Easter egg for the anthology being surprise dropped two hours after the initial album was released, but in hindsight the number 2 symbol could also be seen as a reminder that "you don't know what you don't know" if we're missing a piece of the puzzle that would enable us to read between the lines.
With this in mind, I'd like to circle back to the pop-up book from the ‘karma’ music video. On the left side there’s Taylor walking along the yellow brick road while she’s dressed up as Dorothy from the wizard of Oz, and on the other side there’s three reapers cloaked in robes. In the middle of them both is a pop-up tree—that contains a mixture of two seasons—just like the mean number of 2 is a combination of the number of people standing on each side. This tree imagery and the number 2 also correspond with the fearless era. Or more specifically, the 'fifteen' music video that marks the beginning of Taylor using trees as a motif in her music videos. This transitional light and dark aesthetic also separates the ‘fifteen’ music video into two distinct halves, with Abigail's cameo landing in the middle.
2 + 6 = the 4 mean number
One of the last mean numbers I'd like to touch on is connected to the karma coffee cup. There are various ways to interpret the placement of Taylor's 1989 blue nail and reputation black nail that sit on either side of the latte clock art—but in terms of the mean numbers, what many consider to be the lost karma era falls in between these two eras much like the 5.5 mean number of Taylor’s 5th and 6th albums. With that in mind, should we be viewing the ‘karma’ music video as if it was set during this point in time? Also worth noting here is that the 2 o'clock and black reputation nail combine together to create the number 26. When viewed on their own, the numbers 2 and 6 create the mean number of 4—which corresponds with the red era.
So is it possible that this mean number of 4 is what the 26 on the ‘I bet you think about me’ cake ultimately represents? After all, this song is listed as track 26 on the red (Taylor’s Version) album, a vault track from the original red era. One of the biggest connections between this music video and the 'karma' music video stems from Taylor teaching the girls at the kids table to stick up their middle finger, just like the reapers cloaked in red. This combination of 4 people in white and 4 people in red repeating the same gesture—while remaining in groups of 3 and 5—feels significant too. The moment in the pop-up book scene where Taylor waves at the reapers and they respond by sticking up their rude finger is typically viewed as an interaction between the two sides, but perhaps they’re both contributing to the mean number in their own way—just like the twin flames intersecting during the ‘fortnight’ music video? And if that’s the case, then perhaps the middle finger—just like the mean number—is Taylor’s way of saying: “Fuck the patriarchy”. Which then begs the question: If the reapers represent Taylor's response to something that occurred prior to the red era, which side of the street truly is the clean one?
2 + 4 = the 3 mean number
When we combine the 2 and 4 mean numbers from the ‘I bet you think about me’ cake, we’re left with the mean number of 3—or in other words, the speak now era. In addition, the yellow and red colours—now frequently associated with Travis and the Chiefs team—also correspond with each side of the ‘karma’ pop-up book. This leaves the tree in the middle as a visual representation of the speak now era, and the dormant side just happens to look eerily similar to the life-size tree that was placed in the middle of the crowd during the speak now world tour. And not only is the speak now album Taylor’s only entirely self written album, it also deepens the context surrounding the mean number connections due to the overlap in wording with the song ‘mean’. “But the cycle ends right now, ‘cause you can’t lead me down that road—and you don’t know what you don’t know.” The underlying message in this song alludes to the various ways in which Taylor has hidden her truth in plain sight in order to bypass the restrictions she has faced throughout her career. This is further solidified with the cover of the 'all too well' book that Taylor reads from at the end of the short film—as it ties the fearless, speak now and red eras together—because of the two/too homophone, the dormant tree and the red scarf floating in the wind. Together, these feel symbolic of something much larger—as if there was a sacrifice made to remain in a state of dormancy within the ‘lavender haze’ as an act of long term self-preservation.
Yellow + red = the karma mean colour
With this in mind, I’d like to propose that the real version of karma is not a lost era per se, but instead a collection of ‘in-between moments’, with each one comprised of the mean numbers equation. After all, it’s the yellow and red colour combination that combines together to create orange—a colour that’s synonymous with karma. One of the more prominent examples of this colour is the ginger hair—a motif that both Sadie Sink as ‘her’ and Taylor as ‘her, later on' share in the ‘all too well’ short film. These two characters are typically viewed as the same person, while Dylan O'Brian as 'him' is typically considered to be seperate due to his association with the colour blue. But perhaps, just maybe, Taylor’s character is actually the result of the 'her' and 'him' twin flames combining together to create the ultimate mean number in the form of ‘her, later on’?
"So why don't you just meet me in the middle?" -Maren Morris
