Back to December
Taylor Swift Lyrics

I'm so glad you made time to see me
Expressing happiness that the person has come to meet her

How's life? Tell me, how's your family?
Asking about the person's life and family

I haven't seen them in a while
Admitting that it has been a while since she has seen the person's family

You've been good, busier than ever
Acknowledging that the person has been keeping busy

We small talk, work and the weather
Engaging in trivial conversation about work and the weather

Your guard is up and I know why
Noticing that the person is being guarded, and understanding the reason why

Because the last time you saw me
Explaining the cause for the person's guarded behavior

Is still burned in the back of your mind
Implying that the person has not forgotten the last encounter

You gave me roses and I left them there to die
Admitting that the person gave her flowers, which she neglectfully left to wither

So this is me swallowin' my pride
Acknowledging the need to swallow her pride

Standin' in front of you sayin' I'm sorry for that night
Apologizing for her actions on that night

And I go back to December all the time
Revisiting the past, specifically the month of December

It turns out freedom ain't nothin' but missin' you
Realizing that her independence has only resulted in her missing the person

Wishin' I'd realized what I had when you were mine
Regretting not appreciating what she had when the person was hers

I'd go back to December, turn around and make it alright
Wishing to go back to December and make things right

These days, I haven't been sleepin'
Admitting to current sleeplessness

Stayin' up playin' back myself leavin'
Replaying the moment she left the person over and over in her mind

When your birthday passed and I didn't call
Regretting not calling the person on their birthday

Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times
Reflecting on happier times, specifically during the summer

I watched you laughin' from the passenger's side
Recalling a moment where she watched the person laugh while sitting in the passenger's seat of a car

And realized I loved you in the fall
Realizing that she loved the person during the autumn season

And then the cold came, the dark days
Describing the winter season as cold and dark

When fear crept into my mind
Acknowledging that fear consumed her thoughts during the winter season

You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye
Recognizing that the person gave her love, and all she gave in return was a goodbye

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile
Admitting to missing specific physical qualities of the person

So good to me, so right
Expressing appreciation for the person as a whole

And how you held me in your arms that September night
Recalling a moment where the person held her in their arms during a specific night in September

The first time you ever saw me cry
Remembering the first time the person saw her cry

Maybe this is wishful thinkin'
Admitting that what follows may be a hopeful and unrealistic thought

Probably mindless dreamin'
Acknowledging that what follows may be a meaningless dream

But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right
Expressing a desire to love the person properly if given another chance

I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't
Wishing to change the past but acknowledging that it is impossible

So if the chain is on your door, I understand
Acknowledging that the person may not want to see her again

All the time
Implying a constant longing to change the past and make things right