We've all heard people say that the only things Taylor Swift sings about are boys and her relationships with them. But there are plenty of songs by her that break this stereotype. I've presented the songs, with lyrics, and the meanings behind the songs.
1. Shake It Off
Lyrics: "Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off"
Meaning: People are going to talk about you whether it's true or not, you just have to push through it because there are people who just simply aren't for you.
2. Brought Up This Way
Lyrics: "I didn't bring her up
So they could cut her down.
I didn't bring her here
So they could shut her out.
I live my whole damn life
To see that little girl's smile.
So why are tears pouring down that sweet face?
She wasn't brought up that way."
Meaning: The daughter is being hurt by many people, and the father is trying to protect her like he has done her whole life.
3. Can I Go With You?
Lyrics: Summer's over and leaves begin to fall
And another winter's on the way
I knew I wasn't gonna take this very well
But I'd give anything to have you here today
Everyday now they're talking war
& I know this time is like it's never been before
We're not talking about a week or two
Oh, daddy can I go with you?
Oh, daddy can I go with you?
Oh, daddy can I go with you?
Meaning: The girl's daddy is having to go to war, and all she wants to do is be with him. As a military brat, it definitely isn't something to take well.
4. Lucky You
Lyrics: Mama named her lucky on a starlit night
A rabbit foot in her pocket, she dances in spite
Of the fact that she's different
And yet she's the same
And she says lucky you, lucky you
Meaning: To be different is actually very lucky.
5. Ronan
Lyrics: What if I'm standing in your closet trying to talk to you?
What if I kept the hand-me-downs you won't grow into?
And what if I really thought some miracle would see us through?
What if the miracle was even getting one moment with you?
Come on baby with me, we're gonna fly away from here
Come on baby with me, we're gonna fly away from here
You were my best four years
I remember your bare feet down the hallway
I love you to the moon and back
Meaning: It's about a little boy who died from cancer.
6. Never Grow Up
Lyrics: Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
No one's ever burned you, nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to, just try to never grow up
Meaning: When you're younger, you're so ready to be a grown-up, even though people are telling you to enjoy being young. But once you are grown up, all you want is to be young again.
7. The Best Day
Lyrics: Now I know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side
Even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine
And I didn't know if you knew
So I'm taking this chance to say
That I had the best day
With you today
Meaning: Throughout the song, Taylor speaks of her childhood days, and how they were the best days.
8. Mean
Lyrics: You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like a nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You, picking on the weaker man
Well you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know, what you don't know...
Someday I'll be living in a big ole city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Meaning: It's talking about a bully and how they'll always be mean but she'll rise above the things they are doing to her.
