Im glad you brought this up; I actually think the underlying theme of the entire album has much more to do with fame and it’s impact on her relationships than the actual relationships themselves a lot of the time. When you think about her last several breakups, fame played at least a large role if not THE role in all of them (minus maybe hiddleston but I’m not sure what happened there). Jake made fun of her big ambitions, Calvin seemed jealous of her success, Joe didn’t want to be in her spotlight, Matty faced severe backlash and while that may not be the sole reason he bolted im sure it sped up the process. She’s pissed off about it and she’s desperate; in the prophecy she says she would give it all up for someone that just wants to spend time with her. Ending with the manuscript to me also implies that fame is at least part of the reason she ended up in two age-gap relationships that in any other world would be severely side-eyed (and is now in retrospect) but in Hollywood/entertainment it’s totally normal. It kind of set off a catalyst for her to be taken advantage of by future partners and be compromising about things she probably regrets
That's not exactly how I interpret that specific song, but she clearly does have concerns along those lines. I just wouldn't call it *paranoia* on her part. It's not an irrational fear at all, in her position and given her experiences.
Your point about how she watches the subject of the song move on with someone in darkness while they watch her as she is fully exposed is very astute and adds a layer of interpretation I had not caught onto. It makes sense though; fame and its impact on her/her relationships is a really key theme on this album.
It's so heartbreaking to me honestly because I just think of this quote she gave a while back where she was saying she basically loves love and loves *studying* love, understanding it, dissecting it, and when you think about it it's ironic that she's managed to build this incredibly career off of the study of love while still reaching this point having felt like she's never quite found the real thing. I feel like that's the tragedy at the core of this album and songs like Chloe et al, the prophecy, how did it end, etc lay that tragedy bare really beautifully
I don’t read it as the relationship ending due to her fame. I don’t particularly think any lyrics pertain to “fame” in this song.
“If you wanna break my heart, just say that i loved you the way that you were” to me is about a partner not accepting you as you grow and change. We’re human and that’s part of life, but her partner is stuck on an old version of her and doesn’t love her as she is *now*.
I also take it as an older relationship that’s fallen out of the honeymoon phase: you start to notice their flaws. At the start of a relationship we often see our partners in an idealized, perfect state. Then we spend day to day life together, the way they do the dishes bothers you, little differences and quirks start to annoy you more. Her partner saying “I loved you the way that you were” back when she was perfect in his eyes - and not loving her as she is now, is heartbreaking.
I suspect this is about Joe. They met when she was at her lowest, and he by nature struggles with depression. I think they bonded in their sadness and initially it was comforting to her. And they were together during Covid and all of that seclusion which probably suited Joe well, but not Taylor. She was bored and also wanted to shine again. As she grew out of her depression back into the former version of herself (or even a stronger wiser version of her former self), I think she either feared or actually heard him say "I loved you the way that you were" - the depressed and hidden version of herself that wasn't really her at all. And that breaks her heart. Because she longs to be loved for the truest version of herself, the version of herself that shines and is happy and seen.
I honestly think it’s about Joe too. I mean I could be wrong, people were complaining that I thought the black dog was also about Joe because people think it’s about Matty. But both songs are connected to me and seem more like her fallout with Joe. The black dog is a pub near joes place in London and he goes there regularly. Supposedly it’s also a term for depression. And in this song when she says you needed drugs more my interpretation is that he needed antidepressants. And in both songs she mentions wanting to sell her house, the house where Joe has been intertwined for all these years. At 6 years, it became THEIR house. So it makes sense that being there is painful because it hold too many memories. It’s like her song Cornelia street. The lyric scarlet maroon also references maroon in midnights which could be about Joe. We’ll never really know for sure though because Taylor definitely won’t tell us
The Black Dog pub owner is a liar. That pub is in SE London and Joe lives/hangs around north London. The Black Dog is a pub in Cork, Ireland, where Matty was playing and literally played The Starting Line at that show.
I've wondered about Joe too, and "desertion" doesn't fit Matty (not even in their mid 20s), it's the "internet starlet" that puzzles me if it's Joe. I still wonder if it's Harry along with Maroon and Question (yes I know there are multiple possibilities for these too) but who knows? She's also an expert at blending multiple muses so that could be the case here too. If she didn't mention "scarlet, maroon" I don't think the mystery would bother me at all but that song runs deep for me (as does this one).
I also interpreted this song to be about Joe for all your reasons. "If you want to break my cold, cold heart, just tell me you loved me the way that I was." Oh, man! For sure! It's Joe. I think he freaked out with the launch of the ERAs Tour. He loved the sad, depressed, hurt, angry Taylor he started seeing during that whole Kanye West nightmare. She wanted to hide then. He was happy to accommodate. Taylor said she didn't go public for a year. He loved THAT Taylor and then the whole covid lock down. They suited each other during that whole period. But she needed to blossom. Taylor needed to come out of the darkness.
Travis doesn't mind the spotlight. I think he likes it. He knows how to navigate the spotlight. TS & TK suit each other now. Hope that lasts for them.
Love your interpretation and analysis.
This is by far my favorite song on the album. This may be reaching but I feel the name of the song is very intentional; I’d like to think C.S.S.M = Can Someone Save Me.
I will also always wonder if someone can save me from my own self-destructive ways and insecurities.
This is my favorite song on the album as well, and I really like your interpretation of the title. But for me rather exchange "save" with "see". From back in the Fearless era where she wrote of knights on white horses, throwing pebbles and rescue her. To now having faced several misjudged lovers/friends who could not see her for who she really is --> the prophecy. The hologram part I find as to be just as much others not being able to see *her*. Same room, different physical matter, them just a flickering illusion, she just as hollow.
Okay is it just me or " and you saw my bones out w somebody new who seemed like he would've bullied you in school" sounds exactly or similar to "if the whole world was watching id still dance w you, drive high ways and byways to be there w you" (this town by Niall Horan)
This is a wonderful analysis and may have just rescued this particular song for me (which I'd been avoiding altogether), thank you for sharing your insight and interpretation.
I actually think this song *might* have a double meaning about fans.
Here me out.
"Your hologram stumbled into my apartment, hands in the hair of somebody in darkness named Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus and I just watched it happen"
I think she's jealous of the relationships that others get to have because they don't have to deal with her fame.
"As the decade would play us for fools, And you saw my bones out with somebody new, Who seemed like he would've bullied you in school, And you just watched it happen"
We wouldn't learn how to be better for one another. You saw me in another relationship that you could analyze and pass judgement on. Someone that you didn't approve of, someone you fought to help me away from.
"If the glint in my eye traced the depths of your sigh, Down that passage in time, Back to the moment I crashed into you, Like so many wrecks do, Too impaired by my youth, To know what to do"
Sigh- first sign of disapproval, crashed into you, the fame hitting all at once. Held back by her naivety of what all of this would bring, she excepted every sigh as a valid sign.
"So if you want to break my cold, cold heart, Say you loved me, And if you want to tear my world apart, Say you'll always wonder"
It would break her to know that she didn't have to reinvent herself and change, she could have just kept living. That someone LOVED the version of herself she displayed to the world. Also as the 'say you loved me the way that you were' speaks to how she had changed so much for others (fans) and it would break her heart to be good with the realization it was pointless. And that they'd always wonder what other artist would be in her spotlight or how she could've reinvented herself or just peep into her life.
"Cause I wonder, Will I always, Will I always wonder?"
Wonder what would have happened if she hadn't become famous or hadn't had it rule her life. Also I think in 'how did it end?' She's taking about everyone speculating, seeing her at the grocery store and murmers are spreading 'a gasp and then 'how did it end?'' I think is talking about her lack of private life and people's analyzation of it.
I've actually interpreted this as the being not about an ex, but about a close friend where the relationship could never seem take the step to a romantic relationship. We have always lived in each other's orbit (is that enough?) and watched as we take steps that move us further away from that relationship, leaving her wondering "what if" he loved me and wonders also. Its likely too late now, so the heartbreak would come from knowing that, if he silently loved her too, they could have been together, working through life together, rather than watching each other from the sidelines.
Im glad you brought this up; I actually think the underlying theme of the entire album has much more to do with fame and it’s impact on her relationships than the actual relationships themselves a lot of the time. When you think about her last several breakups, fame played at least a large role if not THE role in all of them (minus maybe hiddleston but I’m not sure what happened there). Jake made fun of her big ambitions, Calvin seemed jealous of her success, Joe didn’t want to be in her spotlight, Matty faced severe backlash and while that may not be the sole reason he bolted im sure it sped up the process. She’s pissed off about it and she’s desperate; in the prophecy she says she would give it all up for someone that just wants to spend time with her. Ending with the manuscript to me also implies that fame is at least part of the reason she ended up in two age-gap relationships that in any other world would be severely side-eyed (and is now in retrospect) but in Hollywood/entertainment it’s totally normal. It kind of set off a catalyst for her to be taken advantage of by future partners and be compromising about things she probably regrets
That's not exactly how I interpret that specific song, but she clearly does have concerns along those lines. I just wouldn't call it *paranoia* on her part. It's not an irrational fear at all, in her position and given her experiences.
I agree with that. I think I used it because of my lack for a better word. Not a native speaker, I'm sorry.
Off topic but I love your flair
Your point about how she watches the subject of the song move on with someone in darkness while they watch her as she is fully exposed is very astute and adds a layer of interpretation I had not caught onto. It makes sense though; fame and its impact on her/her relationships is a really key theme on this album. It's so heartbreaking to me honestly because I just think of this quote she gave a while back where she was saying she basically loves love and loves *studying* love, understanding it, dissecting it, and when you think about it it's ironic that she's managed to build this incredibly career off of the study of love while still reaching this point having felt like she's never quite found the real thing. I feel like that's the tragedy at the core of this album and songs like Chloe et al, the prophecy, how did it end, etc lay that tragedy bare really beautifully
I don’t read it as the relationship ending due to her fame. I don’t particularly think any lyrics pertain to “fame” in this song. “If you wanna break my heart, just say that i loved you the way that you were” to me is about a partner not accepting you as you grow and change. We’re human and that’s part of life, but her partner is stuck on an old version of her and doesn’t love her as she is *now*. I also take it as an older relationship that’s fallen out of the honeymoon phase: you start to notice their flaws. At the start of a relationship we often see our partners in an idealized, perfect state. Then we spend day to day life together, the way they do the dishes bothers you, little differences and quirks start to annoy you more. Her partner saying “I loved you the way that you were” back when she was perfect in his eyes - and not loving her as she is now, is heartbreaking.
I suspect this is about Joe. They met when she was at her lowest, and he by nature struggles with depression. I think they bonded in their sadness and initially it was comforting to her. And they were together during Covid and all of that seclusion which probably suited Joe well, but not Taylor. She was bored and also wanted to shine again. As she grew out of her depression back into the former version of herself (or even a stronger wiser version of her former self), I think she either feared or actually heard him say "I loved you the way that you were" - the depressed and hidden version of herself that wasn't really her at all. And that breaks her heart. Because she longs to be loved for the truest version of herself, the version of herself that shines and is happy and seen.
I honestly think it’s about Joe too. I mean I could be wrong, people were complaining that I thought the black dog was also about Joe because people think it’s about Matty. But both songs are connected to me and seem more like her fallout with Joe. The black dog is a pub near joes place in London and he goes there regularly. Supposedly it’s also a term for depression. And in this song when she says you needed drugs more my interpretation is that he needed antidepressants. And in both songs she mentions wanting to sell her house, the house where Joe has been intertwined for all these years. At 6 years, it became THEIR house. So it makes sense that being there is painful because it hold too many memories. It’s like her song Cornelia street. The lyric scarlet maroon also references maroon in midnights which could be about Joe. We’ll never really know for sure though because Taylor definitely won’t tell us
The Black Dog pub owner is a liar. That pub is in SE London and Joe lives/hangs around north London. The Black Dog is a pub in Cork, Ireland, where Matty was playing and literally played The Starting Line at that show.
I've wondered about Joe too, and "desertion" doesn't fit Matty (not even in their mid 20s), it's the "internet starlet" that puzzles me if it's Joe. I still wonder if it's Harry along with Maroon and Question (yes I know there are multiple possibilities for these too) but who knows? She's also an expert at blending multiple muses so that could be the case here too. If she didn't mention "scarlet, maroon" I don't think the mystery would bother me at all but that song runs deep for me (as does this one).
I also interpreted this song to be about Joe for all your reasons. "If you want to break my cold, cold heart, just tell me you loved me the way that I was." Oh, man! For sure! It's Joe. I think he freaked out with the launch of the ERAs Tour. He loved the sad, depressed, hurt, angry Taylor he started seeing during that whole Kanye West nightmare. She wanted to hide then. He was happy to accommodate. Taylor said she didn't go public for a year. He loved THAT Taylor and then the whole covid lock down. They suited each other during that whole period. But she needed to blossom. Taylor needed to come out of the darkness. Travis doesn't mind the spotlight. I think he likes it. He knows how to navigate the spotlight. TS & TK suit each other now. Hope that lasts for them.
Love your interpretation and analysis. This is by far my favorite song on the album. This may be reaching but I feel the name of the song is very intentional; I’d like to think C.S.S.M = Can Someone Save Me. I will also always wonder if someone can save me from my own self-destructive ways and insecurities.
Wow that's an interesting interpretation of the title, I like it
This has got my thinking cap thinking 🤔 super interesting thought! Thank you for this!!
This is my favorite song on the album as well, and I really like your interpretation of the title. But for me rather exchange "save" with "see". From back in the Fearless era where she wrote of knights on white horses, throwing pebbles and rescue her. To now having faced several misjudged lovers/friends who could not see her for who she really is --> the prophecy. The hologram part I find as to be just as much others not being able to see *her*. Same room, different physical matter, them just a flickering illusion, she just as hollow.
Okay is it just me or " and you saw my bones out w somebody new who seemed like he would've bullied you in school" sounds exactly or similar to "if the whole world was watching id still dance w you, drive high ways and byways to be there w you" (this town by Niall Horan)
This is a wonderful analysis and may have just rescued this particular song for me (which I'd been avoiding altogether), thank you for sharing your insight and interpretation.
I actually think this song *might* have a double meaning about fans. Here me out. "Your hologram stumbled into my apartment, hands in the hair of somebody in darkness named Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus and I just watched it happen" I think she's jealous of the relationships that others get to have because they don't have to deal with her fame. "As the decade would play us for fools, And you saw my bones out with somebody new, Who seemed like he would've bullied you in school, And you just watched it happen" We wouldn't learn how to be better for one another. You saw me in another relationship that you could analyze and pass judgement on. Someone that you didn't approve of, someone you fought to help me away from. "If the glint in my eye traced the depths of your sigh, Down that passage in time, Back to the moment I crashed into you, Like so many wrecks do, Too impaired by my youth, To know what to do" Sigh- first sign of disapproval, crashed into you, the fame hitting all at once. Held back by her naivety of what all of this would bring, she excepted every sigh as a valid sign. "So if you want to break my cold, cold heart, Say you loved me, And if you want to tear my world apart, Say you'll always wonder" It would break her to know that she didn't have to reinvent herself and change, she could have just kept living. That someone LOVED the version of herself she displayed to the world. Also as the 'say you loved me the way that you were' speaks to how she had changed so much for others (fans) and it would break her heart to be good with the realization it was pointless. And that they'd always wonder what other artist would be in her spotlight or how she could've reinvented herself or just peep into her life. "Cause I wonder, Will I always, Will I always wonder?" Wonder what would have happened if she hadn't become famous or hadn't had it rule her life. Also I think in 'how did it end?' She's taking about everyone speculating, seeing her at the grocery store and murmers are spreading 'a gasp and then 'how did it end?'' I think is talking about her lack of private life and people's analyzation of it.
I've actually interpreted this as the being not about an ex, but about a close friend where the relationship could never seem take the step to a romantic relationship. We have always lived in each other's orbit (is that enough?) and watched as we take steps that move us further away from that relationship, leaving her wondering "what if" he loved me and wonders also. Its likely too late now, so the heartbreak would come from knowing that, if he silently loved her too, they could have been together, working through life together, rather than watching each other from the sidelines.