Swift rose to mainstream prominence with her sophomore studio album, Fearless (2008), a country pop record with crossover appeal. Aided by the top-five singles “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me”, Fearless was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Swift's third studio album, Speak Now (2010), blended country pop with elements of rock and featured the top-ten singles “Mine” and “Back to December”.
Drawing inspiration from various pop, rock, and electronic genres, Swift's fourth studio album Red (2012) saw her transcending her country roots. She completely moved to pop with her synth-pop fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), and expanded the electropop sound on her next two studio albums, reputation (2017) and Lover (2019), which respectively embraced urban and retro styles. The four albums spawned a string of international top-five singles, including “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “I Knew You Were Trouble”, “Shake It Off”, “Blank Space”, “Bad Blood”, “Look What You Made Me Do”, “ME! (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco)”, “You Need to Calm Down”, and “Lover”.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift experimented with folk and alternative rock on her eighth and ninth studio albums, folklore and evermore (both 2020), whose lead singles “cardigan” and “willow” topped charts around the world. She also released the critically acclaimed documentaries Miss Americana and Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions that year. Swift's tenth studio album, Midnights (2022), marked her triumphant return to pop after two folk albums. The album set the record for biggest first day and first week ever on Spotify, spawned the hits Anti-Hero and Lavender Haze, and sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week becoming not only the biggest debut of the decade but also Swift's biggest debut ever. She would make history by becoming the first artist to occupy the entire top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 with tracks from Midnights.
Additionally, Swift began re-recording her back catalog in November 2020 as a result of a publicized dispute with talent manager Scooter Braun and her former label Big Machine, regarding the acquisition of the masters of her back catalog. In April 2021, Swift released a re-recorded issue of her 2008 album Fearless, titled Fearless (Taylor's Version). It debuted at number one in the US. Swift continued releasing re-recorded versions of her back catalog in November, 2021 with the release of Red (Taylor's Version), a 30 track re-issue of her 2012 critical smash. The album debuted at #1 in the US, spawned the #1 hit All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault), and broke the record at the time for biggest first day for a female album on Spotify. Red (Taylor's Version) was a critical and commercial hit, and proved that Swift's ambitious, yet ongoing plan to re-record her first 6 albums was well worth it.
Along with the release of Red (Taylor's Version) came All Too Well: The Short Film (2021), Swift's filmmaking debut. The 15 minute romantic drama was based on the lyrical content from Swift's 2012 fan favorite “All Too Well” starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien. It had a limited theatrical release in major cities, and Swift held special screenings of the film throughout 2022 at various film festivals. In December, 2022 Taylor announced that she would be making her feature directorial debut with Oscar-winning studio Searchlight Pictures.
Following the release of Midnights, Swift would embark on her first tour in five years, The Eras Tour—a retrospective tour covering the entirety of her discography. During her ongoing tour, Swift would release her next two re-recorded albums, Speak Now (Taylor's Version) in July and 1989 (Taylor's Version) in October of 2023. The former of which would land Swift as the woman with the most number-one albums (12) in Billboard 200 history, surpassing Barbra Streisand. The latter was her sixth album to sell one million copies in a single week in the US, her largest album sales in a week span. “Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version)”, the lead single for 1989 (Taylor's Version), would peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
At the 66th annual GRAMMY Awards, Taylor Swift surprised viewers by announcing her eleventh studio album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. On April 19, 2024, the album was released globally, breaking records: it became the first ever to amass 1 billion Spotify streams in a week and sold 2.6 million units in its first week in the US. Swift dominated the charts, monopolizing the top 14 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing the top 10 positions on Australia’s ARIA Singles Chart. The lead single, Fortnight, featuring Post Malone, quickly soared to the number-one position on the Hot 100. Additionally, just two hours after the album’s release, Swift surprised fans with a reissue titled THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY, which included 15 extra songs.
Swift has released several songs for film soundtracks. She co-wrote two songs for the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack— “You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home” and “Crazier”, and contributed two songs to the Valentine's Day soundtrack, including the single “Today Was a Fairytale”, which was her first number one on the Canadian Hot 100, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. She also contributed two original songs to The Hunger Games soundtrack album: “Safe & Sound - from The Hunger Games Soundtrack”, co-written and recorded with The Civil Wars and T-Bone Burnett, and “Eyes Open”. “Safe & Sound” won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. In 2013, Swift recorded “Sweeter than Fiction”, a song she wrote and produced with Jack Antonoff for the One Chance film soundtrack, which received a Best Original Song nomination at the 71st Golden Globe Awards. Swift and English singer Zayn Malik, mononymously known as Zayn, released a single together, “I Don't Wanna Live Forever”, for the soundtrack of the film Fifty Shades Darker (2017). She also recorded an original song called “Beautiful Ghosts”, which she wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Cats's soundtrack (2019). In 2020, Swift's documentary Miss Americana featured the song “Only the Young” which was written after the 2018 United States elections. In 2022, she released an original song titled “Carolina” for Where The Crawdads Sing (2022) inspired by the novel written by Delia Owens.
With sales of over 200 million records worldwide, Swift is a best-selling music artist. Her accolades include 14 Grammy Awards, including four Album of the Year wins, which makes Swift the artist with the most awards for that category in history, two Brit Awards (including a Global Icon award), an Emmy Award, 28 Guinness World Records, 32 American Music Awards (the most wins by an artist), and 23 Billboard Music Awards (the most wins by a woman). She ranked eighth on Billboard's Greatest of All Time Artists Chart (2019) and was listed on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time (2015). Swift has been included in various power rankings, such as Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2010, 2015 and 2019) and Forbes Celebrity 100 (placing first in 2016 and 2019). She was named Woman of the Decade (2010s) by Billboard, Artist of the Decade (2010s) by the American Music Awards, and Person of the Year (2023) by Time Magazine.
Better Off
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She′s going off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
I′m in the room, it′s a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn′t like
And she'll never know your story like I do
But she wears short skirts
I wear T-shirts
She′s Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you′re looking for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can't you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Walk in the streets with you in your worn-out jeans
I can′t help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself
Hey, isn′t this easy?
And you've got a smile
That can light up this whole town
I haven′t seen it in a while
Since she brought you down
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?
She wears high heelsI wear sneakers
She′s Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you′re looking for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Oh, I remember you driving to my house
In the middle of the night
I′m the one who makes you laugh
When you know you′re 'bout to cry
And I know your favorite songs
And you tell me ′bout your dreams
Think I know where you belong
Think I know it's with me
Can′t you see that I'm the one
Who understands you?
Been here all along
So, why can′t you see?
You belong with me
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me
You belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?
You belong with me
In the song "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift, the lyrics paint a picture of unrequited love and longing for someone who is in a relationship with someone else. The singer expresses frustration as she witnesses the person she loves, who is currently dating someone else, not recognizing the depth of their connection. The opening lines describe a scenario where the person is on the phone with their girlfriend, who is upset, and the singer understands the person's humor and emotions in a way that their partner does not. This sets up the theme of the singer feeling overlooked and undervalued.
As the song progresses, the singer contrasts herself with the person's current girlfriend. She emphasizes their differences in style and personality, highlighting that while the girlfriend may be more conventionally attractive or popular, the singer feels they have a deeper understanding and connection with the person. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning and longing for the person to realize that they truly belong with the singer instead.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the idea that the person belongs with the singer, despite their current relationship. The singer describes moments of intimacy and shared experiences they have had with the person, suggesting that they have a deeper bond and understanding that the person may not recognize. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and sadness at the person's apparent obliviousness to the depth of their connection.
Towards the end of the song, the singer points out specific moments and instances where she has been there for the person, offering comfort and support. The lyrics express a sense of certainty in the singer's belief that they are the one who truly understands and belongs with the person. The song closes with a plea for the person to consider the possibility that they belong together, ending on a hopeful note of longing and yearning for their love to be finally realized.
Line by Line Meaning
You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset
You're conversing with your significant other, who is clearly distressed.
She's going off about something that you said
She is venting her frustration regarding your words or actions.
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
Her inability to appreciate your sense of humor highlights a deeper disconnect.
I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday night
I am here alone, experiencing an ordinary evening.
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like
I am enjoying songs that do not resonate with her taste.
And she'll never know your story like I do
She lacks the understanding of your personal experiences and background that I possess.
But she wears short skirts
She portrays a fashionable and confident image.
I wear T-shirts
I opt for a more casual and comfortable style.
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
She holds a position of popularity and prominence while I remain more of an observer.
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
I long for the moment when realization strikes you.
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
You will discover that the right connection was always within reach.
If you could see that I'm the one
If only you could recognize that I am the person meant for you.
Who understands you
I possess a deep comprehension of your thoughts and feelings.
Been here all along
I have always been present in your life, waiting.
So, why can't you see?
What is preventing you from realizing this truth?
You belong with me
You are truly meant to be with me.
Walk in the streets with you in your worn-out jeans
I envision strolling together casually, enjoying each other's company.
I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be
I feel this is the ideal scenario for our relationship.
Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself
I'm reflective and content as we share joyful moments.
Hey, isn't this easy?
I'm struck by how effortless this connection feels.
And you've got a smile
Your expression radiates joy and warmth.
That can light up this whole town
Your happiness has the power to uplift everyone around you.
I haven't seen it in a while
It's been too long since I witnessed that happiness.
Since she brought you down
Her influence has diminished your joy.
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Though you claim to be okay, I can sense your true feelings.
Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?
I'm questioning your choice of partner considering your emotional state.
She wears high heels
She presents a more glamorous and elevated persona.
I wear sneakers
I prefer a more relaxed and approachable style.
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
She holds a social status while I remain a bystander.
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
I’m hoping for the moment when you realize the truth.
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
The answer to your heart's desire has always been right in front of you.
If you could see that I'm the one
If you could recognize that I am the appropriate choice for you.
Who understands you
I possess a unique insight into who you truly are.
Been here all along
I have consistently been a supportive presence in your life.
So, why can't you see?
What prevents you from understanding this reality?
You belong with me
Your true connection lies with me.
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
I am patiently waiting for you to realize our bond.
All this time how could you not know, baby?
Given our shared history, it’s surprising you haven’t recognized this sooner.
You belong with me
You are meant to be with me.
You belong with me
You are truly suited to be with me.
Oh, I remember you driving to my house
I recall fond memories of you visiting me.
In the middle of the night
During those intimate late-night moments.
I'm the one who makes you laugh
I am the person who brings joy to your life.
When you know you're 'bout to cry
I help lift your spirits during emotional times.
And I know your favorite songs
I have a deep familiarity with your tastes and preferences.
And you tell me 'bout your dreams
You confide in me your aspirations and hopes.
Think I know where you belong
I strongly believe I understand your true connection.
Think I know it's with me
I am convinced that your rightful place is by my side.
Can't you see that I'm the one
Why can’t you realize that I am your ideal match?
Who understands you?
I possess a deep insight into your character.
Been here all along
I have always been there for you.
So, why can't you see?
What's stopping you from understanding this truth?
You belong with me
Your true place is with me.
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
I remain hopeful for your acknowledgment of our connection.
All this time how could you not know, baby?
Given our close ties, it’s astonishing that you haven't come to this realization.
You belong with me
You are destined to be with me.
You belong with me
Your true connection lies with me.
You belong with me
You are meant to be alongside me.
Have you ever thought just maybe
Have you considered the possibility that...
You belong with me?
You are meant to be with me, instead of with someone else.
You belong with me
You truly belong in my life.
Writer(s): Taylor Swift, Liz Rose
Contributed by Jayden T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@popculturewithmary
The lyrics is in caption 💙
@m._luiz
This one mashuped with Girl At Home would be fire!
@meysam6963
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@popculturewithmary
قشنگ میبینی اجی
@seyedmortezamarashi2409
چه جالببب
@popculturewithmary
😂😂بله