There's glitter on the floor after the party
Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby
Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor
You and me from the night before, but

Don't read the last page
But I stay when you're lost and I'm scared and you're turnin' away
I want your midnights
But I'll be cleanin' up bottles with you on New Year's Day

You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi
I can tell that it's gonna be a long road
I'll be there if you're the toast of the town, babe
Or if you strike out and you're crawling home

Don't read the last page
But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or we're makin' mistakes
I want your midnights
But I'll be cleanin' up bottles with you on New Year's Day

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
And I will hold on to you

Please don't ever become a stranger
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
Please don't ever become a stranger
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere

There's glitter on the floor after the party
Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby
Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor
You and me forevermore

Don't read the last page
But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or we're makin' mistakes
I want your midnights
But I'll be cleanin' up bottles with you on New Year's Day

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
And I will hold on to you (hold on)

Please, don't ever become a stranger (to the memories, they will hold on to you)
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere (hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you)
Please, don't ever become a stranger (hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you)
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere (I will hold on to you)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Taylor Swift's song New Year's Day encompass a sense of comfort in familiarity and holding onto memories. The lines "You and me from the night before" refers to a relationship that has overcome the possible awkwardness and unfamiliarity of the morning after, and has transcended into a deeper and more meaningful connection. This is further supported when Swift sings "But I stay when you're lost and I'm scared and you're turning away," indicating that she is committed to this relationship through thick and thin.

The chorus of the song also highlights the importance of memories and holding onto them. The repetition of "Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you" emphasizes the idea that memories hold a lot of weight in life and can sustain us during difficult times. Additionally, the line "Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere" suggests that the person in the song is someone worth remembering and holding onto.

Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that has endured hardships and is grounded in a strong sense of familiarity and memories. It conveys the idea that we should hold onto the important things in life, even if they are simple or seemingly insignificant.

Line by Line Meaning

There's glitter on the floor after the party
There are remnants of the past around us, but we're moving on to the next phase.

Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby
People are reflecting and leaving the party in the moment.

Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor
Small, tangible pieces of the past still exist in the present.

You and me from the night before but
We're stepping into a new day, but we still hold the memories of the past.

Don't read the last page
Don't focus on the end, focus on the moment.

But I stay when you're lost and I'm scared and you're turning away
I'll be there for you in moments of vulnerability and fear.

I want your midnights
I want to be there for you in the long run, through all the moments day and night.

But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day
I'll be there for you through the good and bad times, even if it means cleaning up after a party.

You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi
We have our own special signals and moments, even in everyday interactions like a taxi ride.

I can tell that it's going to be a long road
I'm willing to go through the ups and downs with you.

I'll be there if you're the toast of the town babe
I'll be there for you in moments of celebration and success.

Or if you strike out and you're crawling home
I'll be there for you in moments of vulnerability and defeat.

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Memories are powerful and can stay with us for a long time.

Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
Stay with me, even as time passes and things change.

You and me forevermore
We have a connection that will last beyond the present.

But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or we're making mistakes
I'll be there for you in moments of difficulty and mistakes.

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Memories are important and can stay with us for a long time.

And I will hold on to you
I'll be there for you, holding on to our connection.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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