Through her songwriting, Taylor Swift has managed to write into words how I've felt in certain situations since I've started listening to her. She has been there for me through every heartbreak, mistake, and all the moments of happiness I've had. The way she writes about stages of relationships is incredible. Whether it's the start of one, the middle, a tough time, or a breakup, she has created this special relationship with not just me, but with millions of people throughout the world. As I began to listen to more and more of Taylor's songs on repeat, I found a certain order of songs that describe the stages of a relationship perfectly:
Enchanted: Enchanted is the beginning of a possible romance. You see someone from across the room, you lock eyes, and you feel a spark. The night and the feeling you get is magical and sparkling, and you don't want to let it go. You pray to God that that special person isn't in a relationship with anyone else, because you definitely see some potential for a future relationship.
Key Lyric: Please don't be in love with someone else,
Please don't have somebody waiting on you.
You Belong with Me: Okay so now is when you start thinking about this special someone quite often. You're dreaming about park benches and talking to this person and you have this great connection; but you just think you're an average person who has no chance because this person's significant other is way prettier and more popular than you. You then want to just go up to that person, shake them and say, "you belong with me."
Key Lyric: I'm the one who makes you laugh, when you know you're 'bout to cry.
I know your favorite songs, and you tell me about your dreams.
Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me.
Everything has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran): Things are basically "officially official" between the two of y'all. The wheels of the relationship are continuing to turn and speeding up. The little things he does for you like opening the door or just the way he makes you feel those butterflies is making you fall for him. Hard.
Key Lyric: 'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like coming home.
All I know is a simple name, everything has changed.
All I know is you held the door, you'll be mine and I'll be yours.
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Love Story: Things are getting pretty darn serious. You are in L.O.V.E. This is a hopeless romantic's dream. You want to marry this dude, but your parents aren't too keen on this idea. Finally, you get your parents' seal of approval that this guy is perfect.
Key Lyric: Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad - go pick out a white dress
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes".
Mine: You two are in love and happy as ever. You realize that this person has saved you. He has made you who you are, and you can't imagine your life before he came into it. It's going to be you and him until the end of time. When you have a small argument you expect the worst but you realize that he will never leave you and will always love you.
Key Lyric: You said, "I remember how we felt sitting by the water.
And every time I look at you, it’s like the first time.
I fell in love with a careless man’s careful daughter.
She is the best thing that’s ever been mine."
The Moment I Knew: This is where the downfall happens. This isn't the first time he has let you down. He's supposed to be with you and he is missing in action. Your friends and even his friends are with you, and the only person missing is him. He calls a little too late, and in that moment is where you knew that this relationship had to come to a close.
Key Lyric: You called me later, and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't make it,"
And I said, "I'm sorry too," and that was the moment I knew.
The Story of Us: The relationship is over. You're pretty upset. You thought you would tell everyone how you met, your story, and how happy the two of you have been. You end up running into him somewhere (maybe the library?) and it's awkward and you're miserable. You want to just run up to him and tell him how much you love him and that you're willing to try to work things out. Sadly, no matter how much you want it, you know it would never work out forever.
Key Lyric: Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room and we're not speaking, and I'm dying to know is it killing you like it's killing me, yeah?
I don't know what to say, since the twist of fate when it all broke down, and the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now.
Wildest Dreams: You want him to remember you in the best way possible. You want him to remember you in this nice dress, staring at the sunset in his dreams. He sees you, and the dreams that you're in of his are following him around and it's like he can't get you out of his head. He misses you.
Key Lyric: Say you'll remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe.
Red lips and rosy cheeks, say you'll see me again, even if it's just in your wildest dreams.
Tim McGraw: The little things that you keep seeing- and that he keeps seeing in his dreams- is what is making this breakup tough to get over. Anytime he hears Tim McGraw, he thinks of you. He thinks of that time when you wore that black dress and he thought for the first time how much he loved you. You're not doing the best either. You still have all of the things he's ever given you, and you're starting to think it's time to let those things go.
Key Lyric: It's hard not to find it all a little bitter sweet, and lookin' back on all of that, it's nice to believe.
I Knew You Were Trouble: You are starting to think about the not-so-good times. You keep telling yourself that you should've saw that this person was a bad idea a while ago. You knew he wasn't good for you. He didn't have that great of a track record before you, but he tricked you into believing he was the one.
Key Lyric: And the saddest fear comes creeping in, that you never loved me or her, or anyone, or anything.
All Too Well: You come back to reminiscing with him, and it's like the missing part will never end. You used to have a blast together. Whether it was going on a long drive, dancing in the refrigerator light, or spending time with his momma looking at old photo albums, you two had the time of your lives together. He sent you all of your old things back, but kept that one thing from one of his favorite adventures with you.
Key Lyric: Hey, you call me up again just to break me like a promise.
So casually cruel in the name of being honest.
I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here, 'cause I remember it all, all, all... too well.
Clean: You are getting over him. One day it's the hardest day since the breakup: you're upset, you're lonely, and you just want to call your used-to-be someone special and tell him or her how much you love them. Then it hits you: you are clean. You are free. You still miss him, but you miss him as a friend, not in a romantic way.
Key Lyric: Rain came pouring down, when I was drowning, that's when I could finally breathe.
And by morning gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean.
Begin Again: You have reached the end of that old relationship. You have moved on, and you are finally back to your old self. You are happy, confident, and ready to date again. You meet someone new, someone that sparks your interest once again, and you're ready to begin.
Key Lyric: You throw your head back laughing like a little kid, I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did.
I've been spending the last eight months, thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end.
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again.
