“Lover”—Not What I Expected

I finished “Lover” this afternoon and I must say, it was not what I was expecting. From the album title to the description in the book I’m reading, I kind of thought it would be full of songs about being happy in love. Yet, there were songs on there that were very surprising and very impactful. For example, “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince”…I had no idea until I read the book afterwards that this was a song about the mid-term elections of 2018 and how turbulent they were. That just goes to show how intelligent and smart Taylor Swift is. The whole song was a giant metaphor, and she pulled it off well! There were other songs on there that weren’t about being in a romantic relationship and they were amazing songs! I think going into the rest of her albums, I’m going to have to keep an open mind and not automatically assume each song is about a relationship.

With that said, here are my thoughts about each song and lyrics that stood out to me:

1. I Forgot That You Existed—I love the poppiness of the music, Drake reference because of being friends with Kendrick Lamar? Getting over someone, I love it. Like how I’m starting to forget details of specific things that happened with the person that made me love the Reputation album. I really like this one! Especially, the “…so, yeah” at the end.
2. Cruel Summer—This song really fits with the vibe of the first one. I thought this was more recent given how often it’s been on the radio lately, at least the station I listen to. (*I read in the book that this came out a few years after the album, which is why it’s so popular now, because it wasn’t released all that long ago). Very light, airy, refreshing sound.
3. Lover—Slow, lazy kind of sound. “This is our place, we make the rules”, “Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years”, “Can we always be this close?”, “Can I go where you go?”, “Take me out and take me home”. Ah…I really love this! This is the song for my husband for sure. So sweet and so much of this is true of us.
4. The Man—Huh. Very interesting! Was not expecting lyrics like this. Such an awesome ‘girl power’ song! Way to call out the double standard!
5. The Archer—What kind of combat are we talking about? Very powerful lyrics. Questioning herself. Her insecurities. I like how it ends with combat again. She’s ready to fight to keep her love.
6. I Think He Knows—I like the beat! So fun! An adult crush, cute! A variety to the types of voices used.
7. Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince—“Saw the scoreboard” Oh wow. This is one big metaphor. Paparazzi and bad press again? Fighting against society? Just want to be together despite what everyone says? (*Yeah, I was pretty far off with what this was actually about.)
8. Paper Rings—What a fun song! I love the “friends to this”, being friends first. That’s a different kind of relationship than what she’s sung about before. “I like shiny things but I’d marry you with paper rings.” So sweet.
9. Cornelia Street—Telling a story. I like the street being the focus. “We bless the rains.” Lol! Is this an “Africa” reference? Has to be. “I hope I never lose you.” Reminds me of our first apartment and the routines we established and still have. “That’s the kind of heartbreak time could never mend”—terrified of that with my husband. “I don’t wanna lose you”—Another song for my husband.
10. Death By a Thousand Cuts—Heartbreak but not with anger, just sadness. Is this about Joe Alwyn? Sounds like what I read online about their breakup. I like the music when she sings “chandelier…”
11. London Boy—Ok so who is this about? (*THIS was the one about Joe Alwyn). I love the transition between what she loves in America vs. what she now loves in London. “A Tennessee Stella McCartney”, “I fancy you”, “Stick with me, I’m your queen”. I love the double meaning of queen.
12. Soon You’ll Get Better (featuring the Chicks)—Oh no! A sad song thrown in here. “I know delusion when I see it in the mirror”—like she knows getting better won’t really happen. Man! Fears that I have about my husband ever getting sick. “‘Cause you have to”. She’s trying to convince herself. Is this based on someone real? (*The book said it was about her mom).
13. False God—Mellow and smooth sound. A very blues-y sound, saxophone, nice, kind of sultry sounding. I like the religious symbolism, it’s a smart use of the words.
14. You Need to Calm Down—So playful. I love how she’s reacting and making light of someone so hateful. THIS is why I’ve seen social media influencers who are LGBTQ being huge fans of hers. I mean, anybody can be a fan of anybody and I’m sure there’s more than just this song that makes them a fan, but I love the advocacy in this song. (After this song, I wrote that this album is not just standing up for herself like she did on Reputation, now she’s standing up and using her voice and platform for others). Also, telling someone to calm down always makes them (and me) more mad. Was that her intention? That is so diabolical if it was!
15. Afterglow—Taking the blame for a fight. Nice way to apologize. I like the idea of meeting in the afterglow.
16. ME! (featuring Brandon Urie of Panic! At the Disco)—This is so fun! I love the duet. A good song to show just how perfect two people are for each other. “You can’t spell ‘awesome’ without ‘me’”. (*The book says it’s also about just being uniquely you and I love that!)
17. It’s Nice to Have a Friend—Are those steel drums?! A childhood friend growing up to become a lover, so short, simple, super sweet though.
18. Daylight—Finally seeing the light, waking up and everything being so bright and clear. Something pure about this, deep in love, I like the dialogue at the end. “You are what you love.”

Overall, I liked this album. There’s never been one that I haven’t liked, but this one is good in that the topics of her songs are expanding beyond just her and her own experiences and those of the people she knows. Those are the songs that are starting to be the most interesting to me. I’m looking forward to the other albums to see what else she has to say.

Only four more to go before I’m caught up! I already have my ticket to the release party, next Friday the 3rd at 7pm. All of the bracelet making supplies have come in. Now I’m waiting on the orange sequined jacket and the orange sparkly headband and earrings to come in. Expected delivery is before the 3rd, so fingers crossed that they get here in time. I think going to the release party will be the perfect culmination of this journey. I will absolutely share my thoughts about that. In the meantime, on to Folklore—excited about that one because I noticed it has an explicit lyrics warning on it. Interesting! What will she sing about that requires a warning like that? I’ll find out soon.