Beautiful Ghosts
Taylor Swift Lyrics
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I wouldn't know where to lead you
Should I take chances when no one took chances on me?
So I watch from the dark, wait for my life to start
With no beauty in my memory
All that I wanted was to be wanted
Too young to wander London streets, alone and haunted
At least you have something
Something to cling to
Visions of dazzling rooms I'll never get let into
And the memories were lost long ago
But at least you have beautiful ghosts
Perilous night, their voices calling
A flicker of light before the dawning
Out here, the wild ones are taming the fear within me
Scared to call them my friends and be broken again
Is this hope just a mystical dream?
All that I wanted was to be wanted
Too young to wander London streets, alone and haunted
Born into nothing
At least you have something
Something to cling to
Visions of dazzling rooms I'll never get let into
And the memories were lost long ago
But at least you have beautiful ghosts
And so maybe my home isn't what I had known
What I thought it would be
But I feel so alive with these phantoms of night
And I know that this life isn't safe but it's wild and it's free
All that I wanted was to be wanted
I'll never wander London streets alone and haunted
Born into nothing
With them I have something
Something to cling to
I never knew I'd love this world they've let me into
And the memories were lost long ago
So I'll dance with these beautiful ghosts
And the memories were lost long ago
So I'll dance with these beautiful ghosts
“Beautiful Ghosts” is a reflective and introspective song, showcasing Taylor Swift's ability to express vulnerability and longing through her lyrics. The song touches upon themes of yearning for acceptance, the desire to be desired, feelings of isolation, and the power of imagination to create a sense of belonging.
In the first verse, Swift acknowledges the fear of taking chances in life, as nobody had taken chances on her before. She finds herself in the darkness, waiting for her life to truly begin, with no beautiful memories to hold onto. This speaks to a deep longing to be seen, understood, and loved by others, while feeling invisible and forgotten in the world.
In the chorus, Swift laments about her yearning to be wanted and to experience the vibrancy of life. She reflects on the missed opportunities she had as a young person, too young and haunted to wander through London's streets alone. Swift, who feels born into nothing, acknowledges that at least others have something to cling to, while she remains on the outside, looking into dazzling rooms she'll never be allowed to enter.
The second verse delves deeper into the internal struggle Swift faces. The night is described as perilous, with voices calling and a flicker of light before the dawn. She recognizes the wildness and fear within her, scared to open up to others and be hurt once again. Swift questions if the hope she feels is just an illusion, a mystical dream that may never come true.
In the second chorus, Swift continues to express her longing for acceptance and companionship. She acknowledges that her home is not what she had envisioned or hoped for, but with the "phantoms of night," she feels alive. Swift realizes that although this life may not be safe, it is wild and free, which brings her a sense of liberation.
The final lines of the song emphasize Swift's realization that she has found something to cling to in her connection with these "beautiful ghosts." She never thought she would love the world they've allowed her to enter, and although her memories have been lost long ago, she chooses to dance with these beautiful ghosts, embracing the imaginative and unconventional path that has become her own.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me home if you dare to
If you're brave enough, come with me and see where I come from
I wouldn't know where to lead you
I have no clear direction or path to guide you towards
Should I take chances when no one took chances on me?
Is it worth risking and taking opportunities when nobody believed in me before?
So I watch from the dark, wait for my life to start
I observe silently from the shadows, waiting for my moment to truly begin living
With no beauty in my memory
There are no pleasant or joyful memories to hold onto
All that I wanted was to be wanted
My sole desire was to be loved and desired by someone
Too young to wander London streets, alone and haunted
I was too innocent and naive to navigate the dark and unsettling streets of London by myself
Born into nothing
I didn't come into this world with anything noteworthy or significant
At least you have something
At least you possess some form of wealth or worth
Something to cling to
Something that provides stability and security
Visions of dazzling rooms I'll never get let into
I imagine myself in magnificent and prestigious places where I'll never be allowed entry
And the memories were lost long ago
My past experiences have faded into oblivion
But at least you have beautiful ghosts
Although I lack memories, you possess nostalgic and captivating remnants of the past
Perilous night, their voices calling
In the dangerous darkness, their voices beckon me
A flicker of light before the dawning
A glimmer of hope just before the arrival of a new day
Out here, the wild ones are taming the fear within me
In this place, those who embrace their untamed nature help me conquer my own fears
Scared to call them my friends and be broken again
I'm hesitant to consider them as friends, fearing they will hurt me like others in the past
Is this hope just a mystical dream?
Is this feeling of hope merely an elusive and unreal fantasy?
And so maybe my home isn't what I had known
Perhaps my concept of home has been shattered and altered from what I originally understood
What I thought it would be
My expectations of what I imagined home would be like
But I feel so alive with these phantoms of night
I feel a vibrant energy and vitality when surrounded by these ethereal nighttime beings
And I know that this life isn't safe but it's wild and it's free
I'm aware that this existence is full of risks, but it's also full of exhilaration and freedom
I'll never wander London streets alone and haunted
I'll never again fear walking through the haunting streets of London on my own
With them I have something
With these newfound companions, I have found a sense of belonging and purpose
I never knew I'd love this world they've let me into
I never expected to cherish and appreciate the world they have welcomed me into
So I'll dance with these beautiful ghosts
Therefore, I will joyfully embrace and celebrate these enchanting remnants of the past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jlt9287
Taylor writes about teenage crushes.
Taylor writes about friendships and family.
Taylor writes about young adult romance.
Taylor writes about adult romance.
Taylor writes about haters.
Taylor writes Taylor writes fairytales.
Taylor writes theatrical songs like these.
Platinum lyricist everyone.
@ritakhayat2090
This voice. Those lyrics. The emotion in her singing. She’s incredible.
@adriangasior7280
What is the exact amount of money 💵 you have to pay off 📴 to be able to pay for it for
@abhinayasubramaniam8751
Guys you all are so busy at folklore and evermore that y'all are forgetting this underrated gem!
@prabirpal2134
Omg yes😭😭😭😭
@johnwilliam2377
Not me
@yashi_san
True 😩 u read my mind
@bumblebeeproductions1673
Movie sucked tho
@saloni22815
This is one of my favourite song of hers
@denlillepige7730
“Scared to call them my friends and be broken again.”
That hit hard. I always cry!!!
@isaacpesino2185
Me but with money