Before she was a singer, a director, or even a devoted cat mom, Taylor Swift was first and foremost a songwriter. Her storytelling ability, attention to detail and vulnerability across 11 albums (plus four re-recordings to date) have made her one of the most celebrated writers of her generation. But what makes her tracks compelling is how ruthless Swift can be at times.
Whether she's writing poetry about a devastating breakup, a secret relationship, LGBTQ+ rights, or just going out for the night, Swift always infuses her lyrics with brutal honesty, even if it's wrapped in metaphor or symbolism.
With her latest album "The Tortured Poets Department ", Arguably, she has become more ruthless than ever. The second part of the secret double album, titled "The Anthology," contains further brutality against those who had wronged her. One song alone contains three lines that immediately rank among her most chilling.
In honor of Swift's most confessional songwriting to date, revisit 13 of the most brutal lyrics in her vast catalog.
"You're such a heartbroken redneck, you're not good at lying."
Swift's ruthlessness had to start somewhere, and "Picture to Burn" from her self-titled debut album is impressive. She calls her ex a rube, a betrayer, and a liar in one go, which is pretty awesome for a 16-year-old.
"I would rather burn my whole life than listen to these whining and moaning for one more second."
In "But Daddy I Love Him," Swift calls out the critics who lash out at the man she loves and makes it clear that if it doesn't stop, she might disappear forever.
"I will forget you, but I will never forgive the smallest person who ever lived."
The title "Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" is one of the most vicious things Swift has ever written. But coupled with the fact that she would soon forget about him, that was what really tortured him throughout his life.
"You saw me with a new guy who seemed like he was going to bully you at school."
Pointing out that your new boyfriend is powerful enough to bully your ex in high school is the ultimate flexibility. So does naming the song "Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus" after your ex's random fling after the breakup.
"I will grow old, but your lover will always be the same age as me."
Swift's lyrics on "All Too Well" hit home, but her new lines in the 10-minute version are truly chilling, culminating in this "punchline" about her ex-lover. Nothing brings a man back to the real world like being reminded of his midlife crisis.
“I shine like a firework in your sad, empty town.”
"Dear John" is one of Swift's most touching songs. But in this line at the climax of the bridge, the singer deftly takes back her power and reminds the man who wronged her who he really is. yes.
"You don't meet the standards of a man at all."
In "The Smallest Man Ever," Swift seems cruel to call her ex a failure in every aspect of life, especially when it comes to relationships.
"This coward claims to be a lion."
Everyone wishes they could be Simba from "The Lion King ," but most men just don't have the guts, courage, or grace of the leader of the Pride Lands—as Swift mentions in "loml."
"Everyone knew my mother was a saint, but she always said she wished you were dead."
She breaks with Swift tradition by making the theme of "thanK you, aIMee" very clear with just three capital letters, which only makes the line feel even more weighty. Andrea Swift spends time interacting with fans on tour and has her daughter's guitar inlaid with rhinestones, and if she hates you that much, you 're really screwed.
"Am I being too honest? Let you run and hide like a scared little boy."
Swift warned us from the start with her brutal honesty on 2008's "Forever & Always," which was reportedly about her past relationship with Joe Jonas.
"I don't have to be your shrink to know that you'll never be happy."
"I Bet You'll Miss Me" is filled with clever lyrical irony about Swift's memory forever haunting her ex, but this line is at its best when it's tearing him apart and reminding him of what he's missing.
"God bless the pickiest guys who say they want what's best for me."
Swift usually indulges her callous tendencies through metaphor and action rather than name-calling, so hearing her outright call people "judgmental monsters" on "But Dad I Love Him" was both shocking and upsetting. People feel liberated.
“Who the hell is that guy in your Jehovah’s Witness suit?”
This quote from "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" has many layers to it. Swift may be mourning her ex-boyfriend, using a Jehovah's Witness suit to represent how she felt about him. Or calling his costume a "Jehovah's Witness costume" and asking what led to that decision may be the deadliest blow in a song full of ruthless comebacks.
