Now that Taylor Swift has dropped her version of “1989,” it’s time to revisit old goodies and new prizes from the vault. As has become my tradition, I’ve compiled my favorite lyrics from the album and why they resonate. Check them out!
1. “When we go crashing down, we come back every time.” — Style
Regardless of whether it’s romantic or not, resilience is a virtue we all need. Life has its ups and downs, and that’s never going to change. But what can change is your approach to it. That’s easier said than done, but in the end, it’ worth it. When we get knocked down, we come back up, stronger than ever.
2. “The rest of the world was black and white, but we were in screaming color.” — Out of The Woods
Sometimes, negativity surrounds you. Maybe it’s at your job, household, or somewhere else you can’t escape. It can be hard not to give in to the darkness, but there’s so much power in your inner light. So find it within yourself, and find someone who brings their own light, too, so you can shine together.
3. “People like me are gone forever when you say goodbye.” — All You Had To Do Was Stay
It’s too true that we often don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone—and that applies to relationships, too. If someone lets you go, know it’s their loss, not yours. Even if a relationship has run its course, it’s still important to treasure what you have while you have it.
4. “I miss you too much to be mad anymore.” — I Wish You Would
How many of us have let someone go only to miss them like a phantom pain? Sometimes, relationships don’t work out, and things need to end. But that doesn’t mean you have to feel happy about it. It also doesn’t mean you don’t miss the person. You’re allowed to have all the messy feelings caused by a breakup.
5. “Bandaids don’t fix bullet holes.” — Bad Blood
We can hurt one another in many ways, but some pains inflicted are worse than others. If you majorly messed up in someone’s life, it will take more than a couple of gestures or small apologies for the wound to heal. And even then, that might not be enough. If you’ve been hurt this badly, it may be time to let things end to protect your peace of mind.
6. “Love’s a fragile little flame; it can burn out.” — I Know Places
Love is such a strong thing, yet it’s also tenuous. How many of us have faced heartbreak or mixed feelings in the name of love before? Some relationships may only last a season, others barely a flame, but one thing’s for sure: we’re always looking for that unique spark. And we hope we’ll find one that will never burn out.
7. “Haven’t you heard what becomes of curious minds?” — Wonderland
They say, “Curiosity killed the cat,” and that’s a sentiment Swift shares when falling in love with this metaphor-driven song. Curiosity can get the better of you, but whether it’s bad or not is relative. After all, the rest of the saying mentions that “satisfaction brought it back.” So even if a love ended, who’s to say it wasn’t worth it?
8. “The best people in life are free.” — New Romantics
Truer words couldn’t be said. When we live unrestrained lives, we don’t worry about what we “should” be doing or who we “should” be. We love uninhibited, taking joy in the little things that make us happy. And what could be a better way to live than that?
9. “I’m yours, but you’re not mine.” — Say Don’t Go
It’s heartbreaking to know that you love someone more than they love you. And in the instance of this song, knowing that the person you loved manipulated you and saw you as nothing more than a toy is a special kind of awful. But you are allowed to feel hurt. Your feelings are valid, even if the other person refuses to validate them.
10. “The more I gave, you’d want me less.” — Now That We Don’t Talk
This speaks of an unequal kind of love that also hurts. You may be more attracted to someone than they are to you, or maybe they’re afraid of commitment for personal reasons. Either way, a relationship like this isn’t bound to last. And as much as it may hurt, it’s better to end things. Relationships should include an equal part of giving and receiving, and you deserve nothing less than that.
You can listen to “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” on Spotify and other streaming services now!
