I have a tradition that each time a new Taylor’s Version album comes out, I write a post of my favorite lyrics from the original track list. And now it’s Speak Now’s turn!
Speak Now is an important album to me, and is incredibly close to my heart. It marked a lot of firsts for me creatively, and has continued to be one of my all time favorite albums, so yeah, I’M SO FREAKIN’ EXCITED FOR THE TAYLOR’S VERSION. You probably couldn’t tell because I’m the most subtle person ever…
Anyways, I had so much fun going back to these songs and reliving the memories, and I apologize for the insane amount of spamming content/ the person I will become when it is released. I could write entire ESSAYS about every track on this album, and maybe I might still do that. But for now, here’s my favorite lyric from each track off of Speak Now by Taylor Swift, as well as some of my thoughts on each song.
MINE
Flash forward and we’re taking on the world together, and there’s a drawer of my things at your place.
I love this song because it’s a similar approach to how I write all of my love songs. I’ve never been in a relationship, and am happily single. But I will always be a hopeless romantic, who fantasizes about what love is, and I often get the inspirations for my music from the people around me, or a cute guy at a coffee shop who I never saw again, or the baker who liked my Sherlock shirt, etc. She wrote this song about a guy she saw at a cafe, and the rest is just fiction. A song doesn’t have to be a real experience, but it can be based off of real feelings.
SPARKS FLY
I’m captivated by you baby, like a fireworks show.
This song is always going to have a special place in my heart. The first time I ever performed in front of a crowd of strangers, at an open mic night, I sang two songs. Fourteen year old Tori, anxious as can be, got up the courage to go on that stage and sing. I did a cover of Sparks Fly as well as my own song, Invisible. I look back at that and remember how confident it made me feel, hearing others cheer me on as I took this risk. It was the perfect song to choose as well, since it’s all about taking risks, choosing to take a chance with someone and feel that rush of adrenaline. To feel the Sparks Fly.
And it’s the tour video, which makes it even more iconic.
BACK TO DECEMBER
You gave me roses and I left them there to die.
As writers, our experiences and emotions are going to be written about, it’s how we cope. How you treat us will determine your fate in the narratives we write (I even have a sweater that says “I’m a writer, annoy me and you’ll die in my next book” š). If you treat us right, you get beautiful, flowing stanzas; in this case, you get an honest, sincere, and beautiful ballad of what could’ve been. Good people and good experiences lead to songs like Back To December.
Everything about this song is perfect, and is still, at least in my opinion, one of her best songs.
This is also my dad’s favorite Taylor Swift song, and I can’t wait for him to hear the Taylor’s Version of it! He especially loves the cadence of the chorus, because it really hits the nail of a rambling apology, and what you wish you had said at the time.
SPEAK NOW
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PICK JUST ONE LINE???
Fun gestures are exchanged, and the organ starts to play a song that sounds like a death march.
Imagine this song on Folklore/Evermore lol.
Speak Now -the song- is still one of my favorite examples of storytelling in music. The lyrics describe everything so well that you can see the entire scenario playing out: the Bridezilla bossing everyone around, the loud, clambering sounds of a bridal march song, and the girl making her way to the front of the crowd to profess her love to the groom to be. I had a hard time picking one line, because they are all just fantastic and absolutely hilarious. You can’t help but smile, or even laugh, while singing some of these lyrics simply because of how ridiculous they are, and how much of a bridezilla this woman is.
It was a tie between the lyric above, and this one: “And she is yelling at a bridesmaid, somewhere back inside a room wearing a gown shaped like a pastry.”
DEAR JOHN
AGAIN I HAVE TO PICK ONE??? THE ENTIRE SONG, THERE.
The girl in the dress wrote you a song.
Well, we’ve made it to track five, which is the most raw and vulnerable song on a Taylor Swift album. Dear John does not disappoint.
The title is a reference to writing a ‘Dear John’ letter, but it’s possible it has a second meaning. The lyrics are so well crafted that I couldn’t even pick a favorite lyric; it’s basically a summary of the song’s contents. Remember how I said I could write an entire essay on each track? This one would be lengthy. I’m not going to go into detail on my thoughts because no one wants to hear my rant, and also, I don’t want to inadvertently start something.
Honestly, I hope the implied subject of this track gets his act together and changes his behavior. In a couple of tracks, I shared a similar message. You can feel a certain way about someone or something, without wishing them any ill will or being mean. People CAN change, and we should give them the chance to do so.
But I can still not like the guy and how he’s continued acting over the years. Hey, I’m hoping you grow and change, John. Because let’s be real, you should’ve known.
Let’s all try to show kindness to others, even if we don’t agree with them. We don’t want to be like the individual described in the next song.
MEAN
All you are is mean, and a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life and mean.
This song brings back memories. I remember singing it all the time, telling myself that one day, I’d be bigger than the ones who bullied for my size, complex inner world, and oddities. Kids are cruel, even without trying. But that’s okay. Because the very things that others continuously mocked me for, and made me feel bad about, are the very things that I am doing today that people admire me for. That weird girl who talked to herself, creating fictional characters and obsessively talking about Superheroes and Sonic games? Yeah she’s a writer now, working on a graphic novel filled with the characters she created in elementary school and high school. And her most popular posts on social media and her blog? They are all about the heroes, characters, and musicians she wouldn’t shut up about. Like the subject of this blog post right now, for example.
To quote a lyric from a different Taylor Swift album, “I’m doing better than I ever was.”
THE STORY OF US
How’d we end up this way, see me nervously pulling at my clothes and trying to look busy.
Do you ever have people in your life who you feel awkward around? That you have things you wish you said, or just drifted apart from? And when you see them again, you just don’t know how to act? It doesn’t matter who you are, we all have this happen at some point in our life. I love this line in particular because it’s the most accurate description of what you do to get through the situation. You try and act like it’s no big deal, and look like you don’t care. But you do care, and you just want that tension in the air to clear.
NEVER GROW UP
Take pictures in your childhood room, memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home. Remember the footsteps, remember the words said, and all your little brothers favorite songs.
I always have a bit of a hard time listening to this song, because it’s where I’m at in my life. We were fortunate enough to hear her perform it live at our show, and of course we all cried. It’s not easy moving into a new stage of life, no matter what that might be. When we get into those new phases, we reflect on what was, and how far we’ve come. I still cry every time I listen to this song. In fact I’m crying at the Starbucks as I write this part of the post. I still remember all of those little things, and I miss them. The lyrics hit hard, because we don’t want to have to grow up, even though we have to.
I will always miss those moments of pure innocence, but I’ve found solace in the fact that we grow up. It’s a bittersweet form of comfort, that we can reflect fondly over our childhood, but in the end we have to become an adult.
I’m still learning how to do that, and again, I could do entire rants on each and every song on this album.
ENCHANTED
This night is sparkling don’t you let it go, I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home.
Yep.
BETTER THAN REVENGE
But no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity.
Angsty teen Tori would sing this in her room when she was feeling particularly edgy that day. The lyrics are clever, concise, and cutthroat. I hate that there are so many people who want her to change the lyrics, because guess what, women can be crappy people too. And also, songs are all about the freedom to express emotion. Jealousy, revenge, and anger should be emotions written about, because when you get it out, you can move on. It’s cathartic in the best way possible. Plus the tour version where the ‘applause’ literally came in- iconic.
INNOCENT
Lost your balance on a tightrope, lost your mind trying to get it back.
I had the hardest time writing out my thoughts for this song, simply because of the subject matter and how unpopular he’s become. This is one of the only songs where she openly said who it was about, and he’s a bit of a controversial person. I tried to write it out, ending up rewriting it at least five times. But I just couldn’t get it right, so instead, I’m going to table that discussion for now.
What I will say is that mental illness is a complicated thing- believe me, I should know. I think that before we come to a conclusion on something, we should do our research, look at an individuals patterns, and see if they have tried to be better. Mental illness DOES NOT excuse poor behavior, rather, it can often cause it. It doesn’t make it right, nor does it mean we should automatically ignore or condone wrong actions. Rather, it can help us to show kindness and respect towards others.
I’m not a doctor, and you should always take what others say with a grain of salt. Do some research before sharing an opinion on someone else’s illnesses. Bipolar Disorder in particular can cause people to lose themselves completely if they experience severe bouts of mania, which can lead to poor judgement and decision making. That doesn’t make the actions okay. But it should make us think about what we say and how we say it.
You can not like someone and disagree with their actions while also showing them kindness.
Even if that person is John Mayer š
(BTW if anyone is confused, the song Innocent was written about Kanye West, specifically referencing the MTV awards incident.
–Also, PLEASE do not send any hate towards Kanye or John, it’s an immature thing to do. Personally, I hope they are both able to learn from their past and grow from it.)
HAUNTED
You and I walk a fragile line, I have known it all this time, but I never thought I’d live to see it break.
This was my favorite song on the tour; the acrobats, the red dress, the set design, everything about it was perfect. I still have my shirt of the in-color version of the album art for this song. This was the song my music teacher Matt used to teach me about crescendo, and it’s still one of his favorite Taylor Swift songs, because it’s so well written. I also love the way the song is sungā there’s a breathy tone, amidst the quieter verses, then the screaming chorus and the rising tension in the verse. You can feel that rising tension, as if something is lingering in the air. She can’t get rid of the feeling; that fear, anxiety, and panic. It’s like she is trying to run away from it but no matter how much she tries, that feeling lingers. And you get all of that just from the way the lines are sung.
LAST KISS
OKAY BUT HOW PERFECT IS IT THAT THE TAYLOR’S VERSION COMES OUT BEFORE LAST KISS DAY?!?
I roll my eyes and then you pull me in, I’m not much of a dancer but for you I did.
This was All Too Well before All Too Well. We get a full picture of a relationship, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The intimate moments shared just between the couple, the boyfriend meeting her parents, hanging out with their friends, doing things with your partner, but only with them. And then the fallout, how sometimes, we have something so beautiful, and it just ends. You never expected things to work out this way, and you have to figure out how you are going to move on from it. But you do, and still remember all of the sweeter moments you had with that person.
LONG LIVE
Long live all the mountains we moved, I had the time of my live fighting dragons with you.
Okay round two of Tori crying in the Starbucks as she writes this post. I always think of my friends when I hear this song. I think of the night I went to the Speak Now World Tour with my mom and best friends; of all of the good times I’ve had with the people who cheer me on; of the trials and the battles I have had to fight, and how they have stood by me this whole time. That there are people who will always be there for you, and you can count on. That after the years have passed, you can all look back on those memories together. It’s amazing to have such people in my life, and I’m incredibly grateful. Sometimes you find these things in life that are meant to last, and I hope all of my friendships I have now last forever, because I really had the time of my life, with you.
OURS
Lurking in the shadows with their lip-gloss smiles, but I don’t care, cause right now you’re mine.
I remember being so excited to watch the music video when it premiered- on cable tv. Wow, I just showed my age. It’s still one of my favorite music videos. It’s super cute, and a sweet sentiment of how at the end of the day, the love you have with someone is just yours.
IF THIS WAS A MOVIE
OKAY SINCE THIS WAS ON THE OG DELUXE I’M INCLUDING IT!
But if this was a movie you’d be here by now.
Another long time favorite of mine, and of course my dad’s as well. She compares the breakup to the loves we often see portrayed in film. How in those stories, if they were going to get back together, he would’ve come back by now. But he hasn’t, and life isn’t like the movies. It reminds me of Come Back, Be Here, another underrated track of hers.
SUPERMAN
He’s got his mother’s eyes, his father’s ambition, I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him.
Okay I know this is about her comparing the guy to Superman, but I can only think of Lois Lane and Clark Kent, because this is LITERALLY their relationship. This isn’t even a song about an ex of hers, it’s a song about Lois and Clark, and you CANNOT change my mind on that.
Which I’m not the biggest Superman fan, but when he’s done well, he’s pretty awesome. If only they could get him right consistently. If you want good Superman, live action: Smallville, animation: Justice League.
Anyways, it’s a cute song about being in love with someone who’s always busy, and you want them to notice you.
Well, that’s the last song on the original album. I hope you enjoyed my picks, and would love to know what your favorite lyrics are, as well as which track you are most excited to hear on Taylor’s Version! I think I’m most excited for Enchanted, Dear John, and Better Than Revenge, and the vault track Electric Touch, because Emo-phase Tori was a Fall Out Boy fan.
Also, if you want more Speak Now themed content, I’ll be streaming on Twitch every Wednesday playing The Sims 4. I’m currently making all of the different ‘Taylors’ in the game, and playing through their ambitions. I’m having a lot of fun with it and love being able to just be myself and interact with people. It’s a lot of fun, and would love you see there!
There’s going to be a lot of Speak Now themed content coming, because it’s an important album in my creative journey and I’m just SUPER EXCITED. I apologize in advance for the person I will become on Friday š.
Until next time š
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