The title is seemingly a reference to the 1989 Disney film, “The Little Mermaid,” in which the titular mermaid Ariel had to give up her voice to be with the one she loved.
But Daddy I Love Him
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I forget if this was ever fun
I just learned these people only raise you to cage you
Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best
Clutching their pearls, sighing "What a mess"
I just learned these people try and save you
... cause they hate you
Too high a horse
For a simple girl to rise above it
They slammed the door on my whole world
The one thing I wanted
Now I′m running with my dress unbuttoned
Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"
I'm having his baby
No, I′m not, but you should see your faces
I'm telling him to floor it through the fences
No, I'm not coming to my senses
I know he′s crazy but he′s the one I want
Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid
Tendrils tucked into a woven braid
Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all
He was chaos, he was revelry
Bedroom eyes like a remedy
Soon enough the elders had convened
Down at the city hall
"Stay away from her"
The saboteurs protested too much
Lord knows the words we never heard
Just screeching tires and true love
And now I'm running with my dress unbuttonedScreaming "But Daddy I love him!"
I′m having his baby
No, I'm not, but you should see your faces
I′m telling him to floor it through the fences
No, I'm not coming to my senses
I know he′s crazy but he's the one I want
I'll tell you something right now
I′d rather burn my whole life down
Than listen to one more second of all this griping and moaning
I′ll tell you something about my good name
It's mine alone to disgrace
I don′t cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing
God save the most judgmental creeps
Who say they want what′s best for me
Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I'll never see
Thinking it can change the beat
Of my heart when he touches me
And counteract the chemistry
And undo the destiny
You ain′t gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy
And all this wild joy
If all you want is gray for me
Then it's just white noise
And it's just my choice
There′s a lot of people in town that I
Bestow upon my fakest smiles
Scandal does funny things to pride
But brings lovers closer
We came back when the heat died down
Went to my parents and they came around
All the wine moms are still holding out
But it′s over.
Now I'm dancing in my dress in the sun and
Even my daddy just loves him
I′m his lady, and oh my God
You should see your faces
Time, doesn't it give some perspective
No, you can′t come to the wedding
I know he's crazy but he′s the one I want
I'll tell you something right now you ain't gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy
He was chaos, he was revelry
If all you want is gray for me
Then it′s just white noise, and it′s my choice
Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"
I'm having his baby
No, I′m not! But you –
Should see your faces
But oh my God you should see your faces
In the song "But Daddy I Love Him" by Taylor Swift, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tumultuous and rebellious love story that defies societal expectations and parental disapproval. The singer expresses a sense of confusion and disillusionment, questioning the traditional ideals and norms that have been imposed on them. The opening lines, "I forget how the West was won, I forget if this was ever fun," suggest a sense of disillusionment with the past and a realization that their upbringing has been restrictive and suffocating.
The mention of "Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best, clutching their pearls" alludes to the judgmental figures in society who feign concern for the singer's well-being while actually trying to control and confine them. The theme of rebellion and defiance against these societal pressures is further emphasized with lines like "Too high a horse for a simple girl to rise above it" and "I'm telling him to floor it through the fences, No, I'm not coming to my senses."
The lyrics also delve into the complexity of the singer's feelings towards their love interest, portraying him as chaotic and reckless but also irresistible and essential. The defiance against parental warnings and societal expectations is highlighted in lines like "Now I'm dancing in my dress in the sun and even my daddy just loves him." The singer's unwavering devotion and acceptance of the wild and unpredictable nature of their relationship is a central theme throughout the song.
The portrayal of love as a rebellious and all-consuming force that transcends societal norms and expectations is a recurring motif in the song. The singer's refusal to conform to the conventional standards of behavior and the ultimate acceptance of their love, despite the disapproval of others, conveys a powerful message about the strength and depth of their feelings. The lyrics culminate in a sense of empowerment and self-assertion as the singer asserts their agency and declares their choice to follow their heart, even in the face of criticism and judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
I forget how the West was won
Forgetting the past victories and struggles
I forget if this was ever fun
Questioning whether the situation was ever enjoyable
I just learned these people only raise you to cage you
Realizing that some people's intentions are to hold you back
Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best
Reference to judgmental individuals
Clutching their pearls, sighing 'What a mess'
Judging from a distance without understanding
I just learned these people try and save you... cause they hate you
Recognizing that some people pretend to care even when they have negative feelings
Too high a horse
Showing arrogance or superiority
For a simple girl to rise above it
Difficulty in overcoming obstacles
They slammed the door on my whole world
Feeling rejected and isolated
The one thing I wanted
Struggling to achieve a desired goal
I'm having his baby
Feeling emotionally invested in someone
No, I'm not, but you should see your faces
Expressing defiance towards judgmental individuals
I'm telling him to floor it through the fences
Encouraging taking risks despite consequences
No, I'm not coming to my senses
Choosing to follow emotions rather than reason
I know he's crazy but he's the one I want
Acknowledging flaws but still choosing love
Writer(s): Taylor Swift, Aaron Brooking Dessner
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thearchqrৎ
1 TTPD 1 AND 2 ACC
2 reputation
3 lover
4 fearless
5 midnights
6 1989
7 red
8 speak now
9 evermore
10 folklore
11 Taylor Swift
Is not beacause i think Are bad albums Is just that i idk all the songs of the album 😅
@potatxkloweeeee
I feel like this is the more untamed version of Love Story. Its wild and courageous twin sister... long hidden but no more.
@brynngoodwin6765
so true 😭
@chibacat1234
agree with you!🤍
@listentoyourheart529
what i was actually thinking while listening to it! I'm glad i found this comment!
@luisballestero9994
I was thinking the same and reminds me of what Sparks Fly and Mine are as well
@Soph1aF
agreed
@samhongsam
This feels like a matured version of Love Story where instead of a youthful puppy love kind of feeling the protagonist knows that despite it all the love she has is what she truly wants
@SolLaTiDo_
That's what I thought too🥺🫶🏻
@LexiFonseca
Yessss even the picture background is giving Love Story vibes
@kaitlynlenee
Ooooh love this. Now I see so many parallels lol