Foolish One
Taylor Swift Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand
Chances are, tonight, you've already got plans
And chances are I will talk myself to sleep again
You give me just enough attention to keep my hopes too high
Wishful thoughts forget to mention when something's really not right
And I will block out these voices of reason in my head

And the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"

Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

You know how to keep me waitin'
I know how to act like I'm fine
Don't know what to call this situation
But I know I can't call you mine
And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof
'Cause when my head is on your shoulder
It starts thinkin' you'll come around
And maybe, someday, when we're older
This is something we'll laugh about
Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news

But then the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"

Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out

Now I'm slidin' down the wall with my head in my hands
Sayin', "How could I not see the signs?"
Oh, you haven't written me or called
But goodbye screamin' in the silence
And the voices in my head are tellin' me why

'Cause you got her on your arm and me in the wings
I'll get your longing glances, but she'll get your ring
And you will say you had the best of intentions
And maybe I will finally learn my lesson

Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out, oh-oh, oh, oh

La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, oh
La-la-la-la-la
Ain't never gonna come
Ooh, you will learn the hard way now
Foolish one
Sittin' 'round waiting for confessions of love
They ain't never gonna come
And thinkin' he's the one, you should've been walkin' out
Foolish one
The day is gonna come for your confessions of love




When all is said and done, he just wasn't the one
No, he just wasn't the one

Overall Meaning

"Foolish One" is a song by Taylor Swift that reflects on the experience of being caught up in unrequited love and holding onto hope despite the signs indicating otherwise. The lyrics portray a sense of longing and naivety, as the singer continues to invest in a relationship that will never materialize into the love she desires.


The song begins with the singer acknowledging the discrepancy between her openness and vulnerability (cards on the table) and her love interest's guardedness (cards in his hand). It is clear that he already has other plans and is not reciprocating her feelings. However, she continues to hold onto hope and talks herself to sleep, clinging to the little attention he gives her.


The voices in her head serve as a chorus of reason, attempting to remind her that she is not the exception and that she will never learn her lesson when it comes to falling for someone who won't love her back. Despite these warnings, she convinces herself that maybe someday things will change and they will laugh about their situation over morning coffee.


As the song progresses, the singer realizes she has been fooling herself. She's been kept waiting while acting like she's fine. The situation is delicate because she still sees him as someone she can't call hers, but she tries to appear resilient and bulletproof. However, the voices in her head become louder, painting a clearer picture of reality. It becomes apparent that he has moved on, having someone else on his arm and potential plans for marriage. The singer is left questioning how she missed the signs and realizing that she needs to let go and learn her lesson.


Overall, "Foolish One" explores the internal struggle of holding onto hope in a one-sided love affair, the ways in which we deceive ourselves, and the eventual realization that it's time to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand
I have been fully open and honest with you, while you hold all the power and control in this relationship.


Chances are, tonight, you've already got plans
It is highly likely that you already have other commitments or interests for tonight.


And chances are I will talk myself to sleep again
I tend to overthink and analyze our situation, which often keeps me up at night.


You give me just enough attention to keep my hopes too high
You occasionally show me affection or attention, leading me to believe there might be something more between us.


Wishful thoughts forget to mention when something's really not right
I often ignore the signs and convince myself that everything is fine, even when there are clear issues in our relationship.


And I will block out these voices of reason in my head
I actively choose to ignore the rational thoughts and warnings in my mind that tell me this relationship is not healthy.


And the voices say, "You are not the exception
The rational voices in my head remind me that I am not exempt from heartbreak or disappointment.


You will never learn your lesson"
They also tell me that I will continue to make the same mistakes and not learn from them.


Foolish one
I am the foolish one in this situation, making poor decisions and holding onto false hope.


Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
I need to stop seeking declarations of love or affection from you through letters or messages.


That ain't never gonna come
Those confessions will never materialize and become a reality.


You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
You will eventually realize the truth and face the consequences of our unhealthy relationship, but it will be a painful and difficult journey.


You know how to keep me waitin'
You are aware of how to manipulate my emotions and keep me in a state of anticipation and longing.


I know how to act like I'm fine
I have learned to pretend that I am emotionally stable and unaffected, even when deep down, I am hurting.


Don't know what to call this situation
I am unsure how to label or define our complicated relationship.


But I know I can't call you mine
I understand that I do not have ownership or a secure place in your life.


And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof
Although the situation is fragile and sensitive, I will strive to appear strong and unaffected by it.


'Cause when my head is on your shoulder
When I am physically close to you, leaning on your shoulder, my thoughts start to believe that you will eventually come around and reciprocate my feelings.


It starts thinkin' you'll come around
My mind begins to imagine a future where you change your feelings and realize the depth of my love for you.


And maybe, someday, when we're older
Perhaps in the future, when we are more mature and experienced, our situation will be something we can laugh about and see as foolish.


This is something we'll laugh about
We will find amusement or humor in the way we acted or felt during this time.


Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news
We will reminisce about our past over morning coffees, possibly when you have settled down and become a more stable presence in my life.


Now I'm slidin' down the wall with my head in my hands
I am overwhelmed with disappointment and despair, sitting on the floor and holding my head in my hands.


Sayin', "How could I not see the signs?"
I am questioning myself and reflecting on how I failed to recognize the warning signals that our relationship was not meant to be.


Oh, you haven't written me or called
You have not reached out or contacted me, further emphasizing the truth that our connection lacks the depth I had hoped for.


But goodbye screamin' in the silence
Despite the absence of communication, the silence speaks volumes and signifies our inevitable farewell.


And the voices in my head are tellin' me why
The rational voices in my mind are offering explanations and reasons behind our failed relationship.


'Cause you got her on your arm and me in the wings
You have publicly chosen someone else to be with, while I am left waiting in the background, hoping for a chance.


I'll get your longing glances, but she'll get your ring
You may give me longing looks or flirty gestures, but ultimately, she will be the one you commit to and marry.


And you will say you had the best of intentions
You will try to justify your actions by claiming that you never meant to hurt me and had good intentions throughout.


And maybe I will finally learn my lesson
Perhaps this experience will be the catalyst for me to finally understand and grow from my mistakes.


Sittin' 'round waiting for confessions of love
I foolishly waste my time waiting for you to confess your love to me.


They ain't never gonna come
Those confessions will never materialize and become a reality.


And thinkin' he's the one, you should've been walkin' out
Believing you are the one for me, I should have been leaving this unhealthy relationship behind.


The day is gonna come for your confessions of love
There will come a day when the truth about your feelings for me will be revealed.


When all is said and done, he just wasn't the one
In the end, it will be clear that you were not the right person for me.


No, he just wasn't the one
You were not the one I was meant to be with, despite my hopes and irrational attachment.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Taylor Swift

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bryansaclolo5690

LYRICS

[Verse 1]
My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand
Chances are, tonight, you've already got plans
And chances are I will talk myself to sleep again
You give me just enough attention to keep my hopes too high
Wishful thoughts forget to mention when something's really not right
And I will block out these voices of reason in my head

[Pre-Chorus]
And the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"

[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

[Verse 2]
You know how to keep me waitin'
I know how to act like I'm fine
Don't know what to call this situation
But I know I can't call you mine
And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof
'Cause when my head is on your shoulder
It starts thinkin' you'll come around
And maybe, someday, when we're older
This is something we'll laugh about
Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news

[Pre-Chorus]
But then the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"

[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out

[Bridge]
Now I'm slidin' down the wall with my head in my hands
Sayin', "How could I not see the signs?"
Oh, you haven't written me or called
But goodbye screamin' in the silence
And the voices in my head are tellin' me why
'Cause you got her on your arm and me in the wings
I'll get your longing glances, but she'll get your ring
And you will say you had the best of intentions
And maybe I will finally learn my lesson

[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out, oh-oh, oh, oh

[Outro]
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, oh
La-la-la-la-la
Ain't never gonna come
Ooh, you will learn the hard way now
Foolish one
Sittin' 'round waiting for confessions of love
They ain't never gonna come
And thinkin' he's the one, you should've been walkin' out
Foolish one
The day is gonna come for your confessions of love
When all is said and done, he just wasn't the one
No, he just wasn't the one



All comments from YouTube:

@rychickenfry6810

“I know how to act like I’m fine”

I felt that on many levels 😭

@raulsierra5315

Si es zazaprinces

@moonlight_haze

same 😭

@adibro505

word

@thesoundofmylife1610

this lyric came as i read the comment

@coolvids4u210

@@dj07677haha I read this comment yesterday and I’m still alive

3 More Replies...

@inizafirahripin

Taylor is like a sister giving advices to her younger sister to stop hoping and start moving on. I love you Taylor Swift!

@karmickittycat

Never had a sibling but at least I have Taylor 😭❤️

@TankG-hh4fx

listen dear reader lol

@chaiichaii33

+1

More Comments

More Versions