The song also touches upon the idea that everyone has secrets, and that these secrets can be the greatest luxury. Swift suggests that we should bend when we can, but snap when we have to, indicating that it's important to stand up for ourselves and not let others push us around. The bridge then takes a more personal turn, with Swift admitting to feeling lost and alone, despite her success. She shares her struggles with anxiety and loneliness, painting a picture of a cursed man seeking solace through alcohol and prayer.
The repeated chorus, "Never take advice from someone who's falling apart", serves as a warning against blindly following others, especially those who are themselves struggling. Despite her own struggles, Swift offers herself as a shining example of a guiding light, urging her listeners to find their own way and not rely on anyone else's advice.
Dear Reader
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're already in one
Dear reader, get out your map
Pick somewhere and just run
Dear reader, burn all the files
Desert all your past lives
And if you don't recognize yourself
That means you did it right
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart (you should find another)
Dear reader, bend when you can
Snap when you have to
Dear reader, you don't have to answer
Just 'cause they asked you (you should find another)
Dear reader, the greatest of luxuries
Is your secrets
Dear reader, when you aim at the devil
Make sure you don't miss
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart
So I wander through these nights
I prefer hiding in plain sight
My fourth drink in my hand
These desperate prayers of a cursed man
Spilling out to you for free
But darling, darling, please
You wouldn't take my word for it
If you knew who was talking
If you knew where I was walking
To a house, not a home, all alone 'cause nobody's there
Where I pace in my pen and my friends found friends who care
No one sees when you lose when you're playing solitaire
You should find another guiding light
Guiding light, but I shine so bright
You should find another guiding light
Guiding light, but I shine so bright
You should find another, you should find another (guiding light)
(Find another) you should find another
(You should find another)
The song Dear Reader by Taylor Swift is filled with advice and cautionary messages for the listener. The opening lyrics reflect the feeling of being trapped, suggesting that the listener should pick a destination and run to it to break free from the trap. The following lyrics suggest burning all files and deserting the past lives. This advice hints towards dissociation from the past in order to start afresh. If the listener fails to recognize themselves after doing so, then it means that they have successfully let go of their past and moved on. The song further suggests not taking advice from someone who is falling apart and finding another guiding light to rely on.
The song then shifts its focus towards the singer's personal struggles. The singer reveals that they prefer hiding in plain sight and drinking. The singer is trying to find solace and security while talking to the listener, but at the same time, they warn the listener about the importance of finding another guiding light. In the end, the song again emphasizes the listener to find another guiding light instead of relying on the singer's advice.
Overall, the song Dear Reader delivers a strong message to the listener, inspiring them to leave the past behind and move on to a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear reader, if it feels like a trap
If your situation feels like a trap, it probably is one.
You're already in one
You might not even realize it, but you're already stuck in the trap.
Dear reader, get out your map
Take control of your life and make a plan to escape your trap.
Pick somewhere and just run
Take action and move forward, even if it's scary or uncertain.
Dear reader, burn all the files
Let go of your past and everything that's holding you back.
Desert all your past lives
Leave behind your old self and the person you used to be.
And if you don't recognize yourself
You should feel like a totally different person after this transformation.
That means you did it right
The changes you've made have been effective and successful.
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart
Don't listen to people who themselves are struggling.
Never take advice from someone who's falling apart (you should find another)
If you want guidance, seek it from someone who seems to have their life together.
Dear reader, bend when you can
Be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances.
Snap when you have to
Stand up for yourself and be firm when necessary.
Dear reader, you don't have to answer
You have the right to keep your opinions and thoughts private.
Just 'cause they asked you (you should find another)
Don't let others pressure or guilt you into revealing more than you're comfortable with.
Dear reader, the greatest of luxuries
Having secrets and privacy can be very valuable and empowering.
Is your secrets
Your ability to keep things hidden and private is a powerful tool.
Dear reader, when you aim at the devil
If you're going to take on a challenge or obstacle, make sure you're ready for it.
Make sure you don't miss
You can't afford to fail when there's a lot at stake.
So I wander through these nights
I spend a lot of time feeling lost and uncertain.
I prefer hiding in plain sight
I try to blend in and avoid standing out too much.
My fourth drink in my hand
I'm probably enjoying some alcohol while I'm dealing with these feelings.
These desperate prayers of a cursed man
I'm reaching out for help or guidance, but I feel like things are hopeless.
Spilling out to you for free
I'm sharing my thoughts and feelings with you, even though there's no real reason for me to do so.
But darling, darling, please
I'm emphasizing the importance of what I'm saying and hoping you'll take my message to heart.
You wouldn't take my word for it
You might be skeptical of what I'm saying, or you might not trust me completely.
If you knew who was talking
You might be more likely to believe me if you knew more about me or my circumstances.
If you knew where I was walking
You might be more sympathetic to my message if you could understand my experiences better.
To a house, not a home, all alone 'cause nobody's there
I feel isolated and lonely in my current situation, like I don't have a true sense of belonging anywhere.
Where I pace in my pen and my friends found friends who care
I'm stuck in my own head, and my attempts to connect with others haven't been successful.
No one sees when you lose when you're playing solitaire
I feel like I'm losing at life and struggling to connect with others, even when I'm trying my hardest.
You should find another guiding light
You should look to someone else for inspiration and direction.
Guiding light, but I shine so bright
I might seem confident or successful from the outside, but I'm still struggling internally.
Find another
You need to move on and find someone else to look up to.
You should find another
I'm emphasizing how important it is for you to seek guidance from someone else.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Michael Antonoff, Taylor Alison Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@celine3803
for me this song is talking about how you shouldn’t listen to yourself/your thoughts when you’re breaking down or not feeling okay because everything will always seem wrong then (never take advice from someone who’s falling apart)
and this letter would be from her feeling fine to her when she will be breaking down and needing guidance, with all these pieces of advice
and then the bridge when she says "you wouldnt take my words for it if you knew who was talking : someone coming home to a house not a home cause nobody stays / with friends who found friends who care ) are those thoughts you shouldn’t listen to and the person you’re becoming in your mind if you listen to them (a bad friend, that no one loves, all alone…)
and then the end would mean that you should listen to something else than your sad thoughts but sometimes they are just so loud (i shine so bright), and this song could even be her breaking down and reading the letter while having these thoughts and trying to shut them down but they stay at the end cause they’re so loud
i don’t know if i make sense, just my thoughts 🤓
@atiara1122
" Dear Reader, you don't have to answer just cause they asked you" thanks taylor
@flamingaish
i'm never answering again
@haydenrose3237
This lyric hits different
@mahafarhan9181
me leaving the exam paper empty because of this lyric (also cuz I didn't know the answers)
@madesquire2796
The greatest of luxuries is your secrets <3
@midnights292
@@mahafarhan9181 JAJAJAJAJA
@strawberry2559
It feels like writing a letter to your younger self.
@lameesalsmadi7590
Yeah it does
@youtubersdigest
I think it’s more of a letter from Taylor to us. But that’s just my interpretation. Love yours too!!
@idontzucc
TRUE! I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT