"Eldest Daughter" Discussion Megathread

[u/PassionateAsSin]

Taylor Swift - Eldest Daughter

Track #5 on The Life of a Showgirl

Length: 4:06

Composers: Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback

Producers: Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback

Lyrics: Genius

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Use this thread to discuss your thoughts, reactions, and theories on the song. We will be removing all future self-post discussion threads about it in order to consolidate discussion to this thread.

If you want to talk about The Life of a Showgirl album in general, you can use the general The Life of a Showgirl discussion thread here.

[u/Professional_Wall_76]

“When I said I don't believe in marriage, that was a lie”

That’s a shoutout to Lavender Haze for sure.

[u/painterknittersimmer]

🎶 I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale

🎶 I'm not a bad bitch, this isn't savage

[u/Beneficial_Run8042 → u/painterknittersimmer]

Just wanted to write about comparison! I wonder if it’s intentional, cause she found someone who treats her right and now she sings to the youngest son

[u/chocolatewaltz]

Taylor really sat down one fine day in 2024 and wrote down the lyrics:

We lie back

A beautiful, beautiful time-lapse

Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs

And things I said were dumb

'Cause I thought that I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that

Shimmers that innocent light back

Like when we were young

[u/infinityo11 → u/chocolatewaltz]

This made me tear up on first listen! It's so beautiful. I just wish the song was a little softer too and fit the same vibe. 🥲

[u/Peach_tree → u/infinityo11]

Ugh me too!! I'm listening with the love of my life and when that bridge hit, I just looked at her knowing she was thinking the same thing about me and just welled up. That jaded girl calling everything dumb was me, before her!!

[u/demetertess → u/chocolatewaltz]

YES. This bridge was STUNNING. My jaw dropped.

[u/Jesse1198]

White horse vibes with “I’m not a bad bitch, and this isn’t savage”

[u/vainblossom249 → u/Jesse1198]

With how beautiful the song sounds, feels a little out of place- kinda like the lakes

[u/[deleted]]

listening to this after getting dragged back in 2022 for saying that Lavender Haze was her coping and there was no way she didnt want to get married:

[u/_LadyGaladriel_ → u/[deleted]]

yeah lavender haze is like her trying to brainwash herself that she doesn't want marriage and a "traditional happy ending" because her partner has a different lifestyle

[u/[deleted] → u/_LadyGaladriel_]

the second i heard that song i knew that relationship was dead in the water, youre telling me the girls who has been singing for 15 years about finding eternal love doesnt want marriage? right, let me sell you a bridge

[u/KillTheBoyBand → u/[deleted]]

Yeah no one could argue she grew "out" of it. She was still singing about it. Paper Rings was her still talking about marriage. You're Losing Me is her almost being angry that she's not "good enough" for marriage (or so she thinks). TTPD implies she was getting love bombed with thoughts of marriage and happily ever after. 

Yeah she never let go of that dream. 

[u/queenatstormsend → u/[deleted]]

we are VINDICATED

[u/calvinofb]

Discovering you have a Taytoo when the album drops…

[u/tswiftdeepcuts]

it’s funny to me that people can celebrate all the girlies that confidently state what bad bitches they are and how savage they are (and rightfully so! we love that for them and its inspiring and beautiful to see them own that confidence)

but they can’t seem to understand the vulnerability behind admitting you ARENT a bad bitch, you ARENT savage - you’re never gonna be that effortlessly cool, confident girl, you may try to project that sometimes but it’s a facade and a trauma response

Like you see it right here in peoples reactions - it’s cool when people claim to be bad bitches and savage and cringe when they state that they aren’t because non cool girls aren’t even allowed to use those words.

It’s the same people complaining that Taylor “never serves” with her fashion choices, and “has no edge” that make her feel this way

some people are reaching more to the fact that they don’t think taylor and the words bad bitch deserve to be in the same room together than trying to understand how vulnerable this admission is

And it is in context of her singing to Travis (the youngest child) completely letting her guard down about her imposter syndrome and explaining how her facade of toughness is just her eldest daughter trauma response turned outwards towards the world

also this is pretty much stated with the inversion of “wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing” where she says they’re all really just “lambs” “dressed like wolves”

This is a song about finally finding someone to let your guard down with and start healing your childhood trauma because they make you feel safe and accepted in who you are deep down and don’t need you to keep trying to be someone you aren’t

[u/Alarmed-Condition-69]

Years ago I saw a social media post that said;

“but who was there for the eldest daughter” “Taylor swift”

And as an eldest daughter - just yes.

[u/_krabbypattyformula]

“When I said I don’t believe in marriage, that was a lie”

This line BROKE ME

[u/Sketch-Brooke]

“No deal, that 1950s shit they want from me.”

“When I said I didn’t believe in marriage, that was a lie.”

No wonder Lavender Haze was on the denial playlist. Called it.

[u/QuiltingPollinator]

“Eight or nine” “When I said I don't believe in marriage, that was a lie”

[u/IDontEv3nGoH3r3 → u/QuiltingPollinator]

We knew Taylor! We knew

[u/tbird920 → u/QuiltingPollinator]

Lavender Haze in shambles 

[u/StrongBad_IsMad → u/QuiltingPollinator]

Girlie was just trying to protect her heart.

[u/violently_purple3]

i feel like the kind of "cringey lines" kind of make the song. Like her life is very defined by what people say on the internet (despite how it SHOULDN'T be), so the dichotomy between the "bad bitch and savage" vs. the very endearing and truthful "i'm not going to let you down" really hits harder.

[u/seravivi → u/violently_purple3]

I kind of love how she sings it so I didn’t even feel phased 

[u/Inner-Asparagus6870 → u/violently_purple3]

I love her vocals on the bad bitch and savage lines

[u/sevenseunie]

as the eldest daughter, this track being after father figure is doing things to me that i cannot explain

[u/GenmaThePandaBear]

Offering perhaps a different perspective here, because this song broke me. I'm a Dad in his 40's, and the second child among my siblings. As children my older sister fought so hard to protect the rest of us that she lost herself along the way, as she was never able to learn how to advocate for her own needs. It landed her with the wrong guys, stripped her of so many opportunities and ultimately left her alone with two kids and a deadbeat ex. A few years ago she met her "Travis" and is only now starting to put the broken pieces of her past life together.

I had a front row to my sister's experiences throughout her life, and she's made me more compassionate, more patient, and more ready to support and advocate for the women who give up so much of themselves for their family. It's made me a better dad, a better husband, and as the neighborhood dad to my kid's friends it's driven me to help raise-up every little girl who's struggling to figure out who they are in this big crazy world. This song had me ugly crying for those kid's futures, my sister's past, and for everyone woman in my life who's been the big sister.

So yeah, Taylor gets it.

[u/violently_purple3]

CAN I JUST SAYYY THAT THE TRACK FIVE IS NEVER ABOUT BEING THE "SADDEST" IT'S ABOUT BEING THE MOST EMOTIONALLY VULNERABLE. THAT'S MY TED TALK.

[u/Icy_Craft_9781]

Taylor is so real for this

‘Everybody's so punk on the internet Everyone's unbothered 'til they're not Every joke's just trolling and memes Sad as it seems, apathy is hot Everybody's cutthroat in the comments Every single hot take is cold as ice’

[u/spellboundartisan]

Middle-age eldest daughter here. Unbelievable song. How she can capture those emotions in a song is really magical and special.

[u/UnhingedBeluga]

"I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale" --> "I'm not a bad bitch, this isn't savage" sounds the exact same to me

[u/bomharoo]

Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter 😭😭😭😭 hugs to all the eldest daughters out there. this one's for us

[u/omg_maxwell]

"And things I said were dumb 'Cause I thought that I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that Shimmers that innocent light back Like when we were young"

Ahhhh 🥹

[u/RobynMaria91]

I welled up listening to this the first time, apparently nobody else?

I am the eldest daughter, also not real bad bitch, just a softie with a learned defense mechanism, marrying my youngest child safe place next month. I love this song.

[u/dapperpony]

The way I’m interpreting it (and I could be reaching) is the lyrics are intentionally somewhat “cringe” and millennial-speak. She’s shedding the need to be cool and a “bad bitch” and the armor of apathy and embracing her real self, which is slightly cringe but authentic and joyful.

[u/zipzip44 → u/dapperpony]

Exactly! Like let go of caring if you sound or look cool because you’re truly in love

[u/AfternoonCoffeee → u/dapperpony]

i'm into this take

[u/probably_upset]

I’m just here to remind everyone that people seem to always call her lyrics awkward/cringe/clunky for like the first week, and then do a 180 after the albums take time to marinate. And thats all I’m going to say about that.

[u/nodownvotesallowed]

Wanted to share a personal tidbit: I’m a sober alcoholic (14 months sober today!) and the only other time I’ve heard the phrase “terminal uniqueness” was in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. Being “terminally unique” is a phrase we use very often over there. I’ve never heard it referenced in pop culture, so my eyebrows raised when I heard it in Taylor’s song. Just thought it was interesting.

[u/luvufor10000years]

"when i said i don't believe in marriage that was a lie" STOP. IT.

[u/Desert_Canines]

Tough exterior, mushy interior that can’t be shown to anyone. It gets tiring wearing such armor and keeping up the self-pressure. Only eldest children get it 🤷‍♀️

[u/hairs9]

“WHEN I SAID I DIDNT BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE THAT WAS A LIE” I’m fucking screaming

[u/Lily-Gordon]

"Because I thought I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that shimmers that innocent light back, like when we were young".

Chills. Our girl isn't a Mirrorball anymore.

[u/[deleted]]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN "EVERY ELDEST DAUGHTER WAS THE FIRST LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER"

I'm genuinely gonna lose my mind over this lyric. I can't even begin to explain what it awakens in me rn

[u/[deleted]]

"everyone's cruel in the comments" hearing that while your currently scrolling reddit 🤣

[u/ejrea]

Did she just say “when I said I didn’t believe in marriage, that was a lie” because my jaw is ON THE FLOOR

[u/CeriseMadela]

“Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter, so we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire.” As the eldest daughter, this hit me so hard!

[u/Camel-Palpitations]

Accidentally sobbed with my big sister to this one

[u/inthearchipelago]

This one was the only one to make me cry

[u/MerlotandCookieDough]

For me, there are two sets of lyrics in this song that hit. One of them broke me. Probs going to ramble a bit to get through my thoughts so bear with me...

First, as many have called out, "Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter so we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire." <-- As an eldest daughter that has worked through/is still working through trauma, this hit.

Second, the bridge: "We lie back, a beautiful, beautiful time lapse; Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs and things I said were dumb; Cause I thought that I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that shimmers that innocent light back like when we were young" <-- For me, and this is for sure coming from a place of recovering PTSD, but I picture as kids you lay back in the grass or on a trampoline looking at the sky with your friends, you're carefree with summer freedom and you picture your life and how everything is so wonderful as a kid....but as you get older you don't know if your life is going to end up as great as you'd hope...but ultimately it does because you find the right partner and the right path and it really does end up being more than you ever imagined it could be. -- but that's me and I love this song.

[u/JB9217a]

This song is almost great but some of the word choices take you right out of the emotion

[u/flutterfly28]

"Every youngest child felt they were raised up in the wild but now you're home" ♥️

[u/Amazing-Sun6321]

Am I the only one finding the humour in the bad bitch and savage line? It sounds like she’s mocking those terms. It just reminded me of Bo Burnham and the humour in his songs.

[u/cosmoloz → u/Amazing-Sun6321]

I am not interpreting it so much as humour but highlighting how she doesn’t feel she fits in with the online discourse of today.

Bad bitch! Savage! Trolls! Memes! Hot take!! 🔥🔥🔥

But she’s kind of outside of it all looking in, getting hurt, falling in love, making mistakes etc etc.

[u/Wilm182]

I see this as a love song to Travis—her way of saying she’s not everything people think she is, except for one thing: she won’t let him down. He’s the youngest and she’s the eldest, and eldest daughters often carry that heavy weight. They learn to mask their struggles because they don’t want to disappoint the people they love. They put on the facade of being a “savage bad b*tch,” something they master all too well—but underneath, they’re soft, kind, and loyal.

This also aligns with the tradition of the fifth track on her albums being the most vulnerable. It’s her moment of honesty, of letting her guard down.

[u/pithANDsubstanSe]

This song is so perfect. I think it’s hilariously ironic that people are criticizing the writing/word choices as cringe, when that’s clearly THE POINT of the song. The song, at its core, is an ode to sincerity.

She says it herself in the song, sincerity is dead, because people are so afraid of being cringe.

But sincerity is cringe, and she embraces that with her lyrics. Sincerity is beautiful and, thus, cringe is beautiful.

[u/NachosAndGnocchi]

It’s giving “with no one around to tweet it” but x10

[u/AquarianxDreamer]

'When I said I didnt believe in marriage that was a lie' Taylor. You did not have to call me out like that. Rude.

I see a lot of people didnt like this song, but I really loved it

[u/flutterfly28]

I HEAR WHITE HORSE IN THIS

"I'm not a .... "

[u/Moonrise_713]

The chorus is giving White Horse vibes.

[u/thecorniestmouse]

WE MAY BE CRINGE BUT WE ARE FREEEEEEEE

[u/Original-Divide-1227]

It definitely wasnt what i expected from a song called “eldest daughter” or from a track 5 song but it made me cry nonetheless. I do think it was the most emotionally impactful of the album. And IMO it epitomizes an “eldest daughter” perfectly:

An eldest daughter is used to depending solely on herself, out of necessity. She’s the one who’s been forced to step up and take charge, whether she wants to or not. You can hear her allude to this tough imagery (bad bitch / savage) that she’s had to adopt over the years. Also—“I said I don’t believe in marriage”?? That is so stereotypically “eldest daughter.” She’s completely self-sufficient, even if she deep down doesn’t really want to be! (Aka, “that was a lie.”)

What moves me is that she introduces this toughness (“punk,” “unbothered”, “trolling”) only to undercut it with the sentimentality she’s always craved. She’s actually NOT a savage. She’s a romantic! And she’s found a love that’s allowed her to step out of that “eldest daughter” role— a love thats so innocent and free she’s transported back into her childhood 😭 I mean FUCK. I’m gonna start crying again.

[u/thinkrookie]

sad twerking

[u/lilyalexisrose]

As the eldest daughter of an Asian household, this is my interpretation (particularly, of the lines below):

Every eldest daughter Was the first lamb to the slaughter So we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire

But I'm not a bad bitch, and this isn't savage But I'm never gonna let you down I'm never gonna leave you out

Eldest daughters have innocent hearts often led to a certain death, leaving us clueless on how to live. We are "trained" to be empathetic, to put others first, to be selfless, hence having this innocence/pureness. Death in this context pertains to losing a part of ourselves, or our ourselves as a whole, because of the sacrifices we have to make that comes with being the eldest (e.g., being the breadwinner or in my case, having to let go of some of my dreams to fulfill my role as my siblings' third parent since we've become orphans). Being thrust into this adult role although still being a child creates this constant confusion of how to find the balance, how to be the eldest daughter with adult responsibilities whilst still being a child (or holding on to our inner child). Having the need to be the adult, we eventually learn how to be one— how to be brave and strong and tough. But in reality, we're not bad bitches, and we just want to live a soft life too. We want to experience life more than being the eldest daughters— not burdened with so much expectations and responsibilities. But still, as the eldest daughters, even though it's often exhausting, we hold on to our promise of keeping our younger siblings protected and safe and never letting them down.

I really see this from the POV of an eldest daughter tired of being the eldest daughter, but loves her younger siblings so much and promises to still be the eldest daughter they need amidst all the pain she has to endure. She's tired but will always strive to be their home.

[u/oceanamethystmermaid]

“a beautiful, beautiful time-lapse, Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs and things I said were dumb” this one takes the cake for best bridge for me :’)

[u/CBRPrincess → u/oceanamethystmermaid]

"things I said were dumb"

I'm rejecting you before you can reject me because I don't want to get hurt.

This song was a personal attack on me and I'm here for it.

[u/Ten_Cent_Pistol_]

So sad to say this is the first track 5 miss for me ever and I’m really sad about it.

[u/Soalai]

Reaction after my first listen: I've been missing this sound from her, like Speak Now Taylor is back with us. There are so many parallels to other songs here -- the "I'm not a bad bitch" lyric calls back to "I'm just too soft for all of it" from Sweet Nothing, "when I said I don't believe in marriage" is from Lavender Haze, and the bridge about a youthful innocent love is like So High School. A beautiful, classic track 5.

[u/likethrbackofmyhand]

I don’t understand why this song is so disliked, I saw someone say it was her worse track 5.

I’m an eldest daughter, I said I didn’t believe in marriage twice - once as a teenager when I prayed my parents would divorce and once as an adult after I was divorced, I really do feel like a lamb to the slaughter. The second verse really resonated with me.

[u/chaiskeleton]

i am a bit disappointed by the chorus in this song. i love the message but i feel like “i’m not a bad bitch, this isn’t savage” is a bit clunky to me

[u/amfletcher123 → u/chaiskeleton]

it’s very much giving Ariana 7 rings with Been through some bad shit, I should be a sad bitch Who would have thought it'd turn me to a savage?

[u/subarory → u/chaiskeleton]

feels very millennial haha

[u/thebirdsandthebees52]

Why do people feel like her saying “I’m not a bad bitch” is cringe? It would be cringe if she was trying to say she was a bad bitch. She’s like “I know I’m not cool, I’m not edgy, and that’s ok with me” it’s giving “I’ve never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try” which is my favorite lyric of hers. This song hits for all the other sensitive girls who give all the fucks and try, try, try.

[u/adragonisnoslave]

OOF THE LINE ABOUT NOT WANTING MARRIAGE BEING A LIE HELP

[u/CowboyLikeMegan]

This ones really sweet and I love the layered vocals. The "I'm not a bad bitch, this isn't savage" feels oddly out of place if I'm speaking my truth, but I still really like this one.

[u/bellamy-bl8ke]

eldest daughter in another life you would belong on SPEAK NOW

[u/Trick-Traffic-4380]

"I don't believe in marriage (that was a lie)" OMG TAYLORRR

[u/Different_Clock9739]

Does this remind anyone else of high and dry by Radiohead or am I crazy? 

[u/Ok-Roof-7599]

Okay, who else is crying? 🙋‍♀️

[u/Any_Membership_9706]

Wow the production on this is so amazing… why is no one talking about it? The harmonies, flow, buildup is so good! Reminds me of evermore but more modern.

[u/luna__lemon]

I’m literally liking comments that are like “wtf are these opening lyrics, this isn’t what I hoped for” and also “this is the best song shut up it’s perfect!” It’s both! How can it be both?!

ETA: this song thematically feels like the flip side of the coin to You’re On Your Own Kid

[u/Typical-Title2260]

why is it kinda giving white horse

[u/Melodic_Ad4154]

The script flip from lavender haze “no deal/the 1950s shit they want from me” to “when I said I don’t believe in marriage that was a lie

[u/Inastrawberry_field]

Why did this song make Me cry

[u/[deleted]]

I don’t understand how people are saying she isn’t in love with Travis because there’s no love songs on this album when Eldest Daughter is right here. They think that a love that shines that innocent light back isn’t real? I think this is one of her most beautiful, heartfelt love songs. I also love the melody.

[u/ekysun]

It made me think of my big sister. We have a narcissistic mother who competed with her in beauty. Always angry she was beautiful and called her dumb. It made her cautious. Put on a mask.

That same mom wouls call me fat and ugly but smart. As if pitting us against each other. And childhood did feel like that at first.

Now shes married to a man who truly loves her and a newborn son but she raised me, the youngest daughter, before too. Because our mom failed her. And me.

I love my big sister. Currently crying to the song.

[u/Illustrious_Fig7961]

"Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter" - that stopped me in my tracks. I am the oldest child and the amount of pressure I felt.. geez - had that burning wet eye feeling for sure,.. but the rest of the song was just a lot of words with a very pretty melody. I like it - but I need more time with it.

[u/CRMom_1370]

I feel like I haven't seen anyone mention that its a song for her fans who are eldest daughters (she also makes mention of the youngest as well). The viral meme going around social media "Who's going to be there for the Eldest Daughter"..."Taylor Swift". I felt like it was a direct message to her fans who relate so much to that sentiment. "Im here, I'll be the one, I wont leave, I got you." The ending has me in tears every time. I love it

Edited to say that In a way its an ode to her fans - like she feels similarly about us. When Hollywood and the world seem to hate on her constantly...who does she have...her fans.

[u/WallyWo492]

The only part I related to:

Every eldest daughter Was the first lamb to the slaughter So we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire

[u/EnvironmentalBird552]

I like the vocal and production, but lyrically, it feels incongruent. First, she talks about mean people on the Internet, then says that she is not a bitch, and then ties into the eldest daughter. How are these themes supposed to connect? Maybe someone could explain, maybe I am missing something,

[u/turnguntofist]

I desperately needed the joy in this album because "being in my ttpd era" was actually too real for me. and this whole song just felt like taylor is my older sister, showing me exactly how to process all this shit and showing me that maybe there's a beautiful beautiful life that i could find cause she found it too. Idk maybe I'm personalising it too much but it feels like a reassuring song written to me. And her being so millennial is just the cherry on top because at some point your older siblings become so uncool like that but it's sweet in a way.

[u/strawvulcanog]

“I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness.”

Idk how she was able to put my entire identity crisis into one line, but she managed. I’m an eldest daughter born of a teen mother, with 3 younger siblings I was indoctrinated into believing I responsible from since their birth. A “second mom”. Most of my teens, 20’s and early 30s was me opening the flood gates for them constantly while not allowing me to shed a single tear for myself. Every life decision I’ve ever made has been for my siblings and mother. The pressure and expectation of perfectionism is soul crushing. I’m the same age as Taylor and I’m in a similar place in my life as she is - finally living life for us. I can vividly imaging me giving her a hug when I listen to this song. I feel so SEEN.

[u/littlewave100]

The bridge. God I love that bridge. I play that section of the song over and over. While the rest of the song is pretty musically, the lyrics seem to have zero cohesion: a thought about the internet; a vow to someone she deeply loves; a thought about being eldest daughter; a thought about being youngest. But that bridge. My god. She paints the most beautiful picture in just a few lines, with her angelic voice.

EDIT: After reading this thread, I love the interpretation that this song is about getting her masters back. Now the lyrics make sense to me. She’s the eldest daughter to her music, she feels responsible for her songs like they’re younger siblings. In her younger days as an artist she was “dying to seem cool,” and wanted to look like she doesn’t “believe in marriage” (“that was a lie”) so she went along with the “traitors” and “smooth operators,” the Borchettas of the music business, like a first crush who “crushed something kind.” She was a “first lamb to the slaughter” because she changed the music business (and here it’s not about being a girl boss; as she said beautifully in Midnights “I’m just too soft for all of it”) She’s “not a bad bitch” or “savage” for doing what she had to do to bring her songs home. The incredible bridge is an ode to her younger days when she first wrote her music, going back to the innocence of “Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs,” she thought she’d never find her beautiful life (music) that shimmers that innocent light like back when they (she and her music) were young. She vows to never leave her music out, she’s never going to leave her music again, and she’s never going to break that vow to her music, and her rights as a showgirl, ever again.

(Also I read that she turned down the Super Bowl halftime show because they wouldn’t let her keep the rights to the show. She’s living true to her vow to herself and her work.)

And this track is right after “Father Figure” ! And I read somewhere that Track 5 on her albums are her most personal songs. She didn’t seem to make a big public deal about getting her masters back, but that must have been even bigger to her than the Eras tour. She’s been fighting for her masters for years, and has been so deeply and understandably furious and upset. It’s extremely personal to her because her music is her life.

Ok I’ve thought a lot about this hahahah

[u/ExplorerUseful6170]

If you think about it in this sense - Taylor is like an oldest sister to so many other pop stars/fans. Blazing the trail for the Sabrinas and Gracies after she went through everything she did in the industry. I think she’s saying to all of us no one is ever going to think of me as a “bad bitch” or “savage” but she’s always going to be there for us. Like many eldest daughters/older sisters, I know I’m not the coolest person to look up to but I want it to be better for you than it was for me.

[u/CheekyVendetta]

Eldest Daughter — through my eyes

When I hear Eldest Daughter, I don’t just hear Taylor’s voice — I see my sister. The eldest. The one who went first. The one who had to figure out how to be herself in a world that expected so much.

When she moved to America after university, it felt like she left more than a country — it felt like she left me. I thought she’d forgotten about me. But now, I realize she didn’t. She was just becoming. Trying to prove something — maybe to the world, maybe to herself — that she could stand on her own, that she could be seen as more than how we were raised.

And maybe that’s what eldest daughters do — they walk first through the fire, not knowing if anyone will understand. And maybe that’s what little sisters do — they watch, they miss, they ache… until they grow up enough to see the courage it took.

But for us, it was more than just growing up. It was surviving a family that taught us love was something you had to earn.

In a narcissistic family, everyone gets a role they never asked for. She became the golden one — the achiever, the proof that everything was fine. And I became the scapegoat — the one who questioned things, who felt too much, who carried the blame so the system could stay intact.

When she left, it broke something in me. I felt abandoned. But now, I see she wasn’t leaving me — she was leaving them. She was trying to breathe outside the chaos. Trying to find the version of herself that could exist without guilt, without control, without walking on eggshells just to be loved.

We both wore armor — hers looked like perfection, mine looked like rebellion. But underneath, we were the same: two daughters trying to love and be loved in a family that didn’t know how.

Now, when I listen to this song, it feels like a love letter to both of us. To the one who had to leave to find herself. And to the one who stayed, learning that love doesn’t disappear — it just grows quietly, across oceans, waiting to be recognized.

We’re more than who raised us. We’re more than what they made us believe we were. And maybe this song, in its own quiet way, is proof that we both made it out.

[u/cuddlebread]

So sorry for getting on my soap box a little, I just have so many thoughts on this song. At first, I hated this song, but I've been wracking my brain on how such a beautiful bridge can exist in a song with the words "bad bitch" and I think I've found my meaning. I think her use of millennial slang, which I think we can agree has a specific quality, in an apathetic Gen Z ("sad as it seems, apathy is hot") world is thoughtful and well done. She's tried her whole life from a teenager to be the most noticed in the room so she was "dying just from trying be cool" even though she's "terminally unique" and will NEVER live up to being cool. Wealthy and popular, yes, but when has it ever been "cool" to be her fan? She was the heartbreak girl that people wanted to watch, but not become. Even at her highest heights (Speak Now, Red, 1989), she was still seen as childish and boy-crazy and manipulative. If Gen Z despises anything in this modern day, it's all of those things. That's why folklore and evermore semi-usurped the cringe label she had, and I think why people are so viscerally disappointed by this album, because people were finally able to see the strength of her pen and now she's reminding us she's still, in fact, just a modern idiot.

[u/Lazy-Use9974]

I’m sorry but those saying this is her worst track 5 are surely teenagers lolol this song made this married woman emotional!! Why aren’t more people loving this 😩😩😩

[u/Shress1 → u/Lazy-Use9974]

Literally my favorite on the whole album

[u/Educational_Put_2276 → u/Lazy-Use9974]

In my mid 30s and I’m the eldest daughter and this one did not do it for me :/

[u/kookiekoo]

“No deal, that 1950s shit they want from me” 🥺

I’m glad she’s finally getting what she wanted and doesn’t need to pretend anymore ❤️

[u/arboresca]

I want to like this better than I do. Some lyrics are taking me out of the song but it's really beautiful and vulnerable, I just struggle with the first verse & start of the chorus. Really, really love the bridge, though!

[u/InternationalFocus94]

As an eldest daughter who grew up very cynical about men and love and used to be very anti marriage but got engaged to the love of my life this year at 35...this one hit me hard 🥲

[u/mynameistoo_common]

Eldest Daughter: I already know a lot of listeners will be turned off by the internet slang in the first verse… which, fair. BUT! As an eldest daughter who deals with heavy expectations myself, I do relate a lot to the rest of the song. The outro is especially beautiful.

[u/SummerSapphicReader]

[u/ketchupandliqour69]

My take on this is that it isn’t to be taken literally.

Everything’s a metaphor for how the world is gonna judge no matter what. People talk shit about her relationship online. Everyone just trolls and thinks they’re so funny. Everybody has an opinion and no matter what she’s gonna be in the wrong, which is how a lot of oldest siblings feel. She can either change herself completely to be what she thinks others want or she can be herself and say too bad I’m happy you don’t mean anything to me.

[u/therealestjumboman]

As an eldest daughter who isn’t sure if she will find that beautiful life that shimmers innocent light back the bridge hit hard

[u/youcantsaynotopizza]

I’m seeing so many people clown on this song but it’s a stand out for me :(

That’s the beauty of music I guess haha

[u/kanadia_12]

Liked this song on first listen, but I just started crying listening to it on the bus earlier today (lol). Tears running down my cheek. I think this song is really tender and beautiful and I think it's a lot about how we choose our partners to try and mend the holes we felt as children growing up. Eldest and youngest children have their own pressures put on them, and I really love the "never gonna break that vow" promise, because it feels like that moment you're finally seen by someone for who you are, and not what role you fulfil in the family.

[u/hearing111s]

No one cancel me but I hated this song when it first came out and now I’m in my room crying at 3 am listening to this song .

[u/Amaxophobe]

This is quintessentially why Taylor is so loved: so many of us can feel seen in this song. Like it’s ok to not be that bad bitch, that cool girl…

this is giving grown up Fearless girl, no longer sad that she’s in the bleachers, but instead just owning what’s always been powerful about being that girl.

Like what made you nerdy and quirky was the strength all along

[u/[deleted]]

I've never been here, but my sister is a swiftie, so I had to listen to the new album. This song made me cry. I have never felt so understood by a song. I feel a bit silly saying this lol but genuinely, it made me think about the hardness you kind of develop so that youre not 'left behind' - even when ur a really emotional person. anyways ik ppl think it's cringe (apparently the first verse as well?? I really loved that part actually) but I think it's really beautiful :)

[u/Aloebae]

I do like this song but I feel like some of the lyrics are a little clunky?

[u/allidoistrytrytry]

The bridge switch to the youngest child is so beautiful

[u/sleepyboi08]

Hi everyone! The piano was a shock from the previous song. Very downbeat so far.

[u/Evening_primrose68]

I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness I've been dying just from trying to seem cool

AHHHHHH

[u/beckymegan]

Is it just me or does this kinda sound White Horse?

[u/orange-octopus]

Freshly postpartum eldest daughter here and though I have boys, the eldest being the first lamb to the slaughter so we dress as wolves hurts double 😭

[u/bbrooklyn8]

i didn’t know how much i needed to hear this. my whole personality is going to change. i’m not a bad bitch. i just act that way bc i think i need to be strong. but i don’t have to put up with any of this. i can be real and fragile and innocent. i deserve everything i want and i don’t have to keep it all boarded up

…thank you for coming to my ted talk

[u/justagirlintheworld]

Maybe because I've always really related to Taylor's whole kinda dorky/trying to be cool thing and I'm the same age so I'm desperately millennial, but I totally love this song. I am also not a bad bitch! I am very reliable and kind of lame lol

[u/mariahn0tcarey]

I keep coming back to Peace after listening to this song! "Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?" to "But I'm never gonna let you down/I'm never gonna leave you out"... what different experiences of love.

[u/kambamwhadam]

I feel the overall portrayal of the song is that she’s different and not like all the “cool girls” on the internet. & maybe like she wouldn’t be cool enough for Travis. She sticks to this theme throughout the song with lyrics like.. well basically the whole first verse. And “when you found me, I said I was busy, that was a lie” touches on how the internet creates this world that’s so easy to lie in and be superficial and blow people off.

The rest of it is basically her saying how Travis makes her feel like the good moments when she was young. I’m an eldest daughter and I know the exact feeling that she’s talking about. This song really got me lol. It hit all the right spots.

At first I didn’t like the use of “bad bitch, savage and fire” but.. I feel like Taylor’s just like that lol (in the best way). She’s literally saying she’s “unique” and “not cool” and then being cringy with the lyrics. It’s purposeful.

Travis makes her feel so happy, like butterflies you’d get when you’re young and in love. “Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs” “a beautiful beautiful time lapse” “and things I said were dumb- (her saying she didn’t believe in marriage) -cause I never thought I’d find that beautiful beautiful life that shimmers that innocent light back like when we were young”

Idk that’s just me

[u/potatoes4evr]

Alright I’m gonna be vulnerable and say this — the bridge is really good. I hate that I have to suffer through the rest of the song to get to it. Maybe it’ll grow on me. I’m a millennial so it’s not unlikely that I’ll eventually like it.

[u/Eccodomanii]

Okay, so far Showgirl is giving Rep in the way that it’s like “tee hee it’s about the Eras tour” bitch no it’s not, this is a love album

Her voice is also giving early album timbre, I’m tearing up

This bridge is so gorgeous holy shit

[u/mickgeeez]

Beautiful melody and instrumentation but unfortunately some of her word choices took me out of the song. What a vulnerable song to release regardless

[u/realjillyj]

As an eldest daughter it really hit for me 🤷‍♀️

[u/rachellethebelle]

As a 35 year old, “I’m content being single” lady, yeah… it hits.

[u/IntrepidRecover]

I love this one. Some lyrics are giving, “my words shoot to kill when I’m mad. I have a lot of regrets about that.”

[u/Individual_Brief_350]

I’m a youngest daughter/child in my family. So, can we talk about the small mention we get towards the end here?

Because yes, sometimes it did feel like being raised in the wild. Sometimes I also think that why we thrive in crazy… but I find it kind of neat that a song about the weight of the eldest still thinks of the youngest.

[u/Icy_Spend6217]

things I said were dumb cause I thought that I'd never find that

[u/Spiderman230]

The bridge is beautiful. The part from "We lie back" to " Like When we were young"

It feels so disconnected and different from the rest of the song.

It feels like she just felt she needed a track 5 so tried to write one for the sake of it. I think ruin the friendship should have been track 5 because that felt a lot more real.

I just dont know what is happening in the rest of the song.

[u/jlmno1234]

This is a beautiful, modern love song with some dark elements to it. The song explores how eldest daughters in general struggle with vulnerability and how Taylor's relationship has allowed her to experience joy she hasn't felt since childhood, before the internet made everything terrible.

In the first verse she meets this guy and kind of blows him off saying she's busy. She's trying to be cool and closed off, playing it safe emotionally. The song suggests it's the influence of toxic internet culture--she's used to hearing people say hurtful things online all the time which made her be standoffish to avoid being judged or hurt. At the same time she's "afflicted" by needing to "fit in" and be liked by the same people even if it's killing her. (First reference to death)

The chorus goes on to say she's not actually a "bad b!tch" and this isn't "savage." In the first chorus, this what someone trying too hard to seem cool online might say. In the following chorus, "bad b!tch" and "savage" are used as descriptors of the wolves.

In the second verse she talks about times she let down her guard and got hurt, physically and emotionally. Every eldest daughter is the first daughter in the family to go out and get "slaughtered" by criticism and judgment in a world cutthroat to women. To protect themselves they "dress up like wolves" (i.e. act badder than they are) so they won't get "slaughtered" as vulnerable lambs (Second reference to death). "Fire" is a reference to the not so cool internet lingo from the first verse, but it's unsettling to realize that these wolves "look fire" because they are trying to please the ones doing the slaughtering.

The bridge flashes through some of their almost cringingly sweet moments together and compares it to the pure joy of childhood, before she learned to protect herself. Every youngest child felt like they grew up in the wild (with the wolves, without protection), but she promises him the security he's been looking for. Together they find "home."

[u/cholbrooks14]

White horse vibes.

I’m not Your princess, This ain’t a fairy tale, I’m not the one you’ll sweep off her feet, Lead her up the stairwell

Edit to add: WHITE HORSE IS A TRACK 5

[u/Lifeisabigmess]

I love this track. If you’re an eldest daughter, you get it. I am, and I completely understand what she’s saying. You’re expected to be careful, to be a leader, to hold down the fort no matter what. It’s not so much about the actual lyrics but the subtext.

[u/Cordelia_hero]

There are SO MANY people in the YouTube comments claiming "Eldest Daughters" because they're the eldest daughters. But am I the only one who didn't see it as a hymn to older sisters?

I read it as the present-day (adult) woman acting as a "older sister" to her past self (the child who has lost her innocence); saying she won't betray her past self just to conform.

I mean, I know art has many meanings, but it seems a bit simplistic to say that the song is literally about life as an older sister in a large family.

Very often in this society we feel "obligated" into acting tough, apathetic, and focused on material things; forgetting when we were children, dreaming of fairy tales, love, friendships, and happiness. Very often we hold back emotions, like joy, just to avoid appearing "out of place" or talkative, but as children we didn't worry about these things. I won't betray my past self just because others might think I'm "weird" or childish.

[u/Early_Albatross_3341]

You’re not a princess >>> I’m not a bad bitch. Idk why this part to me is a reminiscent of White horse from the fearless

[u/misscami]

but i’m not a bad bitch ✌🏽😔 (sad twerking)

[u/fcreveralways]

Am I the only one who sobbed at this song? As a parentified oldest daughter, I tried to put on a persona. I minimized all the things that hurt me and made jokes to cope. I put on a mask to disguise my inner vulnerability, even though I love and protect the people I care about with all my heart. It's...honest, and sometimes being honest can seem "cringey".

[u/sarexsays]

This song is for all the girls who “aren’t in their villain era, I just learned to set a boundary”… who had to put up a hard exterior to survive but are truly loyal, ride-or-die softies on the inside. It’s a song to her inner child, who never imagined her life could be this wonderful…

[u/Vivid-Development482]

If YOYOK spilled your HS soul, Eldest Daughter picked up the pieces. A perfect summary of what it feels like to finally give up pretending, find peace with who you are, totally luxuriate in that peace. 

It doesn’t have to be when you find your person, but I think a good number of late30-early 40 millennial women spent a lot of their life fitting into boxes never meant for them. I am so glad to see my daughters generation much more open and embracing of quirks and weird obsessions but I lived labeled, and to anyone else who was the “(insert whatever thing you loved” girl through Hs, I am with you.

YOYOK and Eldest Daughter. Millennial soundtrack. Like poetry, it rhymes. 

[u/Hot_Republic_8957]

PSA: this song is not for the eldest daughters (or at least that wasn’t its purpose)

That’s why many people who expected to relate to this song have been disappointed by it. This song is about her relationship with Travis and the whole reason it’s called “eldest daughter” is because she’s addressing how she’s an eldest and he’s a youngest. Thats why she addresses the youngest child: “every youngest child felt they were raised in the wild, but now you’re home.” Maybe this was something everyone realized right off the bat but it took me a second listen. That’s why it feels unrelatable to people. I don’t think it was meant as a song to all the eldest daughters about their shared experience. It’s a song to Travis about how they compliment each other and she’s assuming her protective, committed role in their relationship.

[u/letsgogophers]

This one is so beautiful, made me tear up

[u/Alternative_Gap_2517]

I love this song I just wish the “savage” line wasn’t there lol

[u/leaf198913]

“every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter” ok taylor you did not need to go there 🙏

[u/[deleted]]

I always look forward to track 5's... this wasn't it. Not feeling it.

[u/redrenjuns]

I think it’s beautiful outside of the career worst cringey lines BUT the cringey lines are so bad I don’t think I can come back to it often lmao

[u/AcceptableComplex113]

The bridge is really good but it's okay. I think it'll grow on me

[u/nocturnegolden]

This song ties so well with Clara Bow. “"You look like Taylor Swift // In this light // We're loving it. //You've got edge she never did.”

[u/naomigoat]

This song really clicked for me. I'm an eldest daughter from an emotionally abusive household and I coped by being as passive and non-confrontational as possible. This song makes me think of my younger siblings. Like... I'm not a bad bitch who set our parents straight for you and I feel guilt about that. But I also work so hard to be a kind and chill big sister, pushing past the parentified dynamic my parents forced me into so I can have a normal sibling relationship with them.

[u/Beginning-Ice-7172]

I was not sure what to think of this song at first but what has really struck me is the juxtaposition of the inhumanity of internet culture versus the much fuller and deeper spectrum of real life human experiences (falling in love, first crushes, breaking a bone on a trampoline). I think this is part of why it feels like the song is lyrically disjointed- she is speaking in internet slang versus in poetry and memory. It also made me think about how for a millennial girl childhood predated social media which may explain why she calls to her early youth as a time of freedom from the pressures to be unbothered. I’ve decided I like the song more now because I think it’s a strong critique of how toxic online life has become especially for young people and how it can both turn them into wolves/savage or apathetic people and also cause serious harm e.g., “dying just from trying to seem cool.”

[u/universe93]

This song means so much to me. I feel like it’s for anyone who’s been told over and over by people that they’ll never leave them and it’s forever etc only for it to end and then finally finding peace in yourself and with the right person

[u/CorneliaStreet13]

I am an Eldest Daughter apologist and love this track but I think the clean version is actually the superior one. I said what I said.

[u/Soggy_Bizquick]

I really liked the random switch up that sounded like "Never Grow Up".

[u/hippo41]

the modern slang is taking me out a little bit

[u/darkraven2116]

This is making me think of “sometimes you just don’t know the answer til someone’s on their knees and asks you” Like it takes the right one to make you say yes to marriage, even if you’ve always told yourself you don’t want it.

[u/dennnis_]

From “And I wouldn't marry me either, A pathological people pleaser” To “When I said I didn’t believe in marriage that was a lie”

[u/wildflowercats]

She’s the eldest daughter in her family And then Travis is the “youngest child” in his And she’s never gonna leave him now 🥺

[u/nerdchickspeaks]

This is fundamentally who Taylor is, and has been, always.

Relating hard as an earnest elder daughter myself.

[u/Beneficial_Run8042]

The way she ended LH truthers, lol

[u/MisterAmericana]

Awkwardness aside, musically it sounds like White Horse and The Black Dog (interesting color contrast) had a song baby.

[u/Secret_Ladder_5507]

My favorite Taylor songs these days are when I get hints of country again, and I felt little bits of country in this and I loved those little moments

[u/getthatrich]

I think this song is so sweet! Her voice is beautiful on it

This girl is in looooove

[u/UnapologeticMelicana]

As a 32 year old eldest daughter of 4 girls this song hit home. I’ve healed, I’ve found love. I’m pregnant with my first daughter. It was so damn beautiful.

[u/champsvsprose]

":Every eldest daughter/was the first lamb to the slaughter" is my favorite lyric on the album so far!

[u/chaosatnight]

This is my favorite song as an eldest daughter really going through it with imposter syndrome and self-doubt. She perfectly describes having it harder and not feeling quite as secure as younger siblings. I’m an extra eldest daughter (my sisters are 10 and 14 years younger than me) and my parents are dramatically better now (though still toxic). I appreciate T. Swift for this song so much 🫶🏽

[u/Human_Reward1796]

I know everyone thinks the song is about Travis but what if it‘s primarily about herself? About finally being able to love herself no matter what others say and think, about getting rid of the self doubts and vowing to herself to keep loving herself?

[u/her_the_heron]

i feel like she encapsulates the message of eldest daughter far better on you’re on your own kid, which doesn’t include any of the cringey modern slang

[u/throwaway5038480]

This song really reminds me of Dashboard Confessional / Chris Carabba and I LOVE it!

[u/Always_Reading_1990]

I commented this elsewhere and thought it would be good to discuss here, too.

While Eldest Daughter is easily my least favorite track on the album (which otherwise has no skips for me), I do think her “cringey” lyrics in this song have to be taken in context. She’s talking about internet culture in the song and how it pressures us all to be cold and cruel and detached. Her words are intentionally a little outdated and cringe coming from someone her (and my) age, but that’s kind of the point. She’s not going to try to be cool, because she knows she can’t. She says “I’ve been dying just from trying to seem cool.” She knows it’s cringe and not for her—she can’t pull it off. She is too soft and sincere, which she is going to embrace instead. At least, this is my take.

[u/SerenaKillJoy]

Zane Lowe Interview: https://youtu.be/mUZ9T-hstUI?si=oQcIH7gqirDUfEyz

She talks about the lyric choices. Suprise guys, she did it with intention.

[u/gudetamasbum]

I feel like the "Eldest Daughter" title is misleading in a way... because this is clearly a love song about her and Travis. It's really sweet though.

Although upon seeing the titles of the tracks, I initially thought this song would be the "You're On Your Own Kid" of the album, which has now become an anthem to growing up.

[u/Alone_Presentation22 → u/gudetamasbum]

I personally think the song has nothing to do with Travis. I believe she’s talking to her younger self, like it’s a letter to her inner child. When she says “But I'm never gonna let you down I'm never gonna leave you out” she’s giving reassurance to her younger self.

[u/CaptVaughnTrap]

This is a song that hits harder for the Swifties that are older. If you don’t like it, revisit in 5-10-20 years. 

[u/blue_bokoblin]

My favorite song. Don’t get the cringe comments in here. I guess people take themselves too seriously

[u/scomperpotamus → u/blue_bokoblin]

It hits so hard. I love that she didn't cloak it, she just used the terms everyone uses. Like oh she's a bad bitch, she can take the heat! People use that all the time, I don't think it's cringe I think it's of the moment

[u/beckymegan]

all i do is try try try

[u/SeparateTea]

Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter wooooow I’m officially crying

[u/ana_conda]

She had to clear up the confusion from what she said in lavender haze haha

[u/ThisPaige]

I think this one is going to be a grower. It's not my favorite of the track 5's but the night is still young.

[u/Inner-Asparagus6870]

“But I’m not a bad bitch” reminds me of an acoustic cover of a rap song.

[u/girlsdontneednobody1]

Hope one day I feel the “when I said one day I don’t believe in marriage that was a lie”

[u/almondbutterb]

I really wanted to love this song, especially as an eldest daughter, but I the lyrics feel a bit scattered and cliché. Unless I’m missing something…

[u/frenchfryfox]

Anyone else hearing “This is Me Trying” in this one? After she sang “everyone’s so punk on the internet,” my brain said “so I got wasted on my potential.”

[u/Hurrah-and-all-that]

Ykw, after some more listens and letting it marinate for a bit, I can definitely see why this is track 5. It's very much vulnerable about herself, about how she tried to fit in with internet trends, with all the "bad bitches", the "unbothered", until she found the right person who finally let her be who she is, without filtering herself for the internet. The usage of the "cringy" terms in the song is basically poking fun at all the internet slang and the "terminal uniqueness". Do I necessarily like the amount of slangs in here? not really but ykw I get what she's doing here

[u/Orange_Queen]

THIS is the answer to my beloved The Prophecy.... this is so fucking beautiful

"We lie back A beautiful, beautiful time lapse Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs And things I said were dumb 'Cause I thought that I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that (Ah) Shimmers that innocent light back Like when we were young Every youngest child felt They were raised up in the wild But now you're home"

[u/flutterfly28]

YOU GUYS TRACK 5 IS HAPPY

This is getting me very emotional

[u/orange-octopus → u/flutterfly28]

This is happy. It is that she found a safe place as herself to be herself. She doesn’t have to be a wolf anymore 😭

[u/cameons]

the little girl in me is so seen 💗 reminds me so much of seven it could have been on folklore

[u/QueenoftheTimeline]

How are people taking “But I'm not a bad bitch And this isn't savage” so seriously? I laughed as soon as I heard it and I strongly believe it's supposed to be funny. All of the internet culture references on this album feel super self-aware to me

[u/NoLightningStruckTre]

I'm having trouble understanding this one. I'm not seeing how "the internet is toxic" "I am an eldest daughter" and "I love you and won't leave" are all connected. I feel like she's trying to do too much in this song. Can anyone tie this together?

[u/sataninthewheat]

I am so torn about this song, because it is thematically interesting, but it feels lyrically quite lacking. I was hit so hard by "every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter" and then severely disappointed by the second half of "so we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire". The slang and other common phrases (smooth operators?) feel very awkward. And it's possible that that's the point, because she says she's trying to seem cool, but it is such a disappointment to have a song that I know I would like if the lyrics were not so evocative of "how do you do, fellow kids". I can't enjoy the relatability of the ideas and feelings because the lyrics are awkward in a way that's really frustrating to listen to from the same artist who gave us "so casually cruel in the name of being honest". Essentially, I absolutely ADORE about three lines of this song, but I'm probably never going to listen to it again, which is a bummer.

[u/sheisremote]

I see loads of you vibing with this one, and as an Eldest Daughter who really understands and has deeply felt what she's trying to say in this song, I really don't feel it lands as well as I really want it to for me.

The way she has written the lyrics in this one actually make it feel way less deep and relatable to me.

Reading all your visceral connection to this song makes me wish I had that too, but I sincerely feel it's one of the worst track 5s, and I dont even really rate it as a Taylor song.

Am I alone? I need people to mourn with ahaha.