Taylor Swift is one the greatest songwriters of all time blah blah blah.
We get it, every stan has a long drawn out story about their favorite Taylor Swift lyric or can wax poetically about Taylor’s decades-long career of songwriting genius. Myself included.
It’s been so long since I’ve felt this immersed in a Taylor album. I didn’t hate Lover; in fact, I thought it was her best attempt at pop music to date. She’d finally gotten a grip on combining her smart and engaging songwriting with hooky-radio friendly production.
The only issue was that she kept genius tracks like “Cruel Summer” for the album and gave the radio and, ultimately, the locals, “Me.”
But what she did on Folklore is some of her best work. And in an era where music fans are leaving behind their genre loyalties and venturing out to discover new music – especially since we’re all at home – this is the perfect album to let the world the hype around Taylor’s pen is 100% justified.
Here are the catchy, elaborate, and beautiful lyrics that I can’t get out of my head.
The 1
Rosé flowing with your chosen family
And it would’ve been sweet
If it could’ve been me
The beauty of this lyric is in Taylor’s whimsical delivery. She’s reflecting on the missed opportunity of happily ever after. Kinda like the Squidward meme…If you thought Taylor only spoke about failed relationships, start here.
Cardigan
I knew you’d miss me once the thrill expired
And you’d be standin’ in my front porch light
And I knew you’d come back to me
You’d come back to me
Ok, no cap, but I didn’t see it for cardigan at first. But then these verses started looping in my mind, and everything changed. Taylor is telling the story of lost love and all the memories that a person is left with when it ends. This last part of the song sounds like Taylor is thinking about everything she thought would happen but didn’t.
But if you look at this from Betty’s perspective…he did.
August
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Canceled plans just in case you’d call
And say, “Meet me behind the mall”
I don’t even know where to begin with “August.” The “meet me behind the mall” lyric is just…chef’s kiss. I mean, this verse alone accomplishes so much. A relationship based in nothing but wishes and hopes, driven home by the protagonist is willing to cancel her day just on the off chance that she’ll get that call for the mall. Just beautiful.
This Is Me Trying
I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere
Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here
Pouring out my heart to a stranger
But I didn’t pour the whiskey
I love this lyric because it alludes to Taylor and her self-awareness. She’s spent her whole career putting her love life in her music. But like stated at the top of the article, Taylor’s creativity has regressed over the past few years. The girl who was beating out her peers in every way possible became another radio-friendly pop star. This seems to acknowledge that flaw, and I’m glad we’re talking about it.
Illicit Affairs
Take the words for what they are
A dwindling, mercurial high
A drug that only worked
The first few hundred times
I mean, this is the kind of songwriting that would make Mariah Carey proud. An amateur would’ve just used the tried-and-true metaphor of love being a drug. But Taylor decided to break out the SAT words and get really descriptive. Dwindling, mercurial high? It just makes the next line hit so much harder.
Invisible String
Time, mystical time
Cutting me open, then healing me fine
Were there clues I didn’t see?
First off, this song in itself is songwriting genius. Taylor’s ability to tell two stories that eventually converge, without making it super obvious is superb. And, it drives home the concept of fate constantly leading you to your soulmate. I love this lyric because it is basically a prettier version of the saying, “time heals all.”
Mad Woman
And women like hunting witches too
Doing your dirtiest work for you
It’s obvious that wanting me dead
Has really brought you two together
One thing Taylor is going to do…is write some Salem Witch Trials imagery. And I love this verse because it can be interpreted in so many ways, but it drives home one important point: misogyny isn’t just reserved for men. And more times than not, women bond over the shortcomings of other women.
Betty
Just thinking of you when she pulled up like
A figment of my worst intentions
I have to credit Taylor for this line that develops the character of James. It drives the point that he did think about Betty, but then this girl appeared and capitalized on the worst part of him. A bit of empathy for the male perspective has been absent from most of Taylor’s discography, so this was fun. Still, if I’m honest, James is messy, and both Betty and the unnamed girl from “August” should leave him alone.
Peace
But I’m a fire and I’ll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade, ocean wave blues come
All these people think love’s for show
But I would die for you in secret
Whew, this is a ride or die. Taylor alluded to the idea of being there for someone, even during the rough times before. But the metaphor/hyperbole here is too good. Especially because it builds the tension of the one thing she can’t give. Peace.
Hoax
You knew it still hurts underneath my scars
From when they pulled me apart
But what you did was just as dark
I love the magic element of “Hoax,” and this part of the bridge hurts MY feelings. Despite my feelings about Taylor’s on-going beefs with literally everyone and her victim narrative, it did take a toll on her. And so I could definitely see the betrayal from someone she trusted with knowing about that pain, being equally hard.
Folklore saved Taylor’s songwriting legacy. It reminds everyone who forgot, informed those who doubted, and backed what many already knew to be true: Taylor’s pen is too strong. And her praise and success was no fluke.
It’s deserved.
Stream Folklore on Spotify and Apple Music!
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