I've been listening to Taylor Swift for as long as I can remember. Her songs have taught me above love, life, change, fear, and basically everything else.
What I didn't expect them to teach me were words. She's a great writer, which means she doesn't use just any old word to describe her feelings. She uses words that a lot of people wouldn't know the meaning of right away or without context. As you read through this list of words, keep in mind that I was pretty young when I first heard these songs, so my vocabulary was still limited. (In case you think I was stupid for not knowing what a word meant.)
If you don't recognize some of these words, then congratulations, you're going to learn something new today!
1. Tendency
Callie Spencer
"Just a boy in a Chevy truck who had a tendency of getting stuck on backroads at night." -Tim McGraw
2. Fearless
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash"I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drag me headfirst, fearless. And I don't know why, but with you, I'd dance in a storm in my best dress, fearless." -Fearless
I knew what this word meant, but Taylor Swift taught me an entirely different definition.
"To me, 'Fearless' is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death...That's why I write these songs. Because I think love is fearless."
3. Outskirts
https://pixabay.com/en/d..., Callie Spencer
"I got tired of waiting, wondering if you were ever coming around. My faith in you was fading, when I met you on the outskirts of town." -Love Story
4. Self-indulgent
Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash"Before you, I only dated self-indulgent takers who took all of their problems out on me." -Stay Stay Stay
ADJ Characterized by doing or tending to do exactly what one wants, especially when this involves pleasure or idleness.
5. Naïve
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash"Maybe I was naïve. Got lost in your eyes. I never really had a chance." -White Horse
ADJ. Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
6. Absentmindedly
Photo by taylor on Unsplash"But you're just so cool. Run your hands through your hair. Absentmindedly making me want you."
ADJ So lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing or what is happening.
7. Sensible
Callie Spencer
"He is sensible and so incredible, and all my single friends are jealous." -The Way I Loved You
8. Cynic
"And the cynics were outraged, screaming, 'This is absurd!' 'cause for a moment a band of thieves in ripped up jeans got to rule the world." -Long Live
NOUN A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons.
9. Endearing
Callie Spencer
"He's charming and endearing and I'm comfortable." -The Way I Loved You
10. Speculate
Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash"It's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong." -Ours
VERB Form a theory or opinion about a subject without firm evidence.
11. Raided
Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash"We've been outnumbered, raided, and now cornered. It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair." -Change
NOUN Suddenly attacked by an enemy.
12. Disposition
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash"Your sweet disposition, and my wide-eyed gaze." -All Too Well
NOUN A person's inherent qualities of mind and character.
13. Flight Risk
https://www.pexels.com/p..., Callie Spencer
"I was a flight risk with a fear of falling. Wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts." -Mine
In Taylor Swift's case, being a flight risk means she's prone to leave the relationship when things get tough.
14. Captivated
Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash"I'm captivated by you, baby, like a fireworks show." -Sparks Fly
VERB To attract and hold the attention or interest of.
15. Humiliation
Photo by Stanisław Krawczyk on Unsplash"You with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation." -Mean
NOUN The act of causing in a person a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.
16. Vacancy
Photo by CARTER SAUNDERS on Unsplash"Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes, and vacancy vanished when I saw your face." -Enchanted
17. Silhouette
https://www.pexels.com/p..., Callie Spencer
"Across the room, your silhouette starts to make its way to me." -Enchanted
18. Sabotage
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash"She took him faster than you could say 'sabotage.'" -Better Than Revenge
VERB Deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something or someone, especially for personal advantage.
19. Condescending
Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash"Every smile you fake is so condescending, counting all the scars you've made." -Cold As You
ADJ. Having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority.
20. Sophistication
Photo by Valerie Elash on Unsplash"But sophistication isn't what you wear or who you know, or pushing people down to get you where you want to go." -Better Than Revenge
NOUN A great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture.
21. Deceiving
Callie Spencer
"Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceiving, but I know I saw a light in you." -Hey Stephen
22. Dignity
Photo by Dave Lowe on Unsplash"They didn't teach you that in prep school, so it's up to me. That no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity." -Better Than Revenge
NOUN The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
23. Intoxicating
https://pixabay.com/en/red-wine-glass-drink-wine-glass-1004255/, Callie Spencer
"You were wild and crazy. Just so frustrating, intoxicating, complicated. Got away by some mistake." -The Way I Loved You
24. Irrational
Photo by Burst on Unsplash"Tall, dark, and beautiful. He's complicated. He's irrational." -Superman
ADJ Not logical or reasonable
25. Nonchalant
Photo by Federico Burgalassi on Unsplash"And now that I can't put this down, if I had known what I know now, I never would've played so nonchalant."
ADJ Coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited.
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