"I’d been talking to a guy I’ve never “officially” dated. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing when you have all these dreams of dating them, and you’re getting close, but it doesn’t work out. He would say things that would make me go, “Did you just say that?” It bothered me so much because he would say one thing and do another, do one thing and say another. Because he didn’t know what he wanted, he would just play all these mind games.
So I went over to write with Liz and was just ranting and raving about how this guy is such a flake and such a jerk sometimes, and so cool other times. I was like, “Liz, I don’t know what’s up with this guy!” So I just started playing the beginning, “I took a chance, I took a shot. And you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not.”
Tell Me Why
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not
You took a swing, I took it hard
And down here from the ground I see who you are
I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you love me then you cut me down
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you're around
And here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me why
You could write a book on how to ruin someone's perfect day
Well I get so confused and frustrated
Forget what I'm trying to say, oh
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I got no one to believe in
You tell me that you want me, then push me around
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you're around
And here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me why
Why, do you have to make me feel small
So you can feel whole inside
Why, do you have to put down my dreams
So you're the only thing on my mind
Well I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you want me then cut me down
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I've got no one to believe in
You ask me for my love then you push me around
Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me why
Why, tell me why
I take a step back, let you go
I told you I'm not bulletproof
Now you know
The song "Tell Me Why" by Taylor Swift is a reflection of a deteriorating relationship. The lyrics depict a situation where the singer has taken a chance on the relationship, but now feels that it is crumbling down. She's disillusioned and sad and cannot fathom why the relationship is falling apart. She feels like she doesn't know her partner anymore, leading to frustration and confusion. The song describes how her partner's attitude is getting worse, to the point where he demeans her dreams to make himself feel superior. The song is about insecurity, getting belittled and feeling like you're at the mercy of a partner who has a significant mean streak.
The song's verses are seemingly about a partner who loves her and then puts her down when he is angry. She feels helpless, like a small person in front of her partner's towering temper. She expresses her vulnerability and helplessness to withstand these attacks, which have left her bruised and battered emotionally. The song's chorus portrays the tug of war between her need for the partner's love and her fear of his temper, which she feels has gotten worse over time. She knows in her heart that she needs to walk away, but her heart and mind are at war. The song's main message is to empower the singer to walk away from this detrimental relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a chance, I took a shot
I took the risk of falling in love with you
And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not
You might think I can handle anything, but I’m vulnerable
You took a swing, I took it hard
You hurt me deeply with your words or actions
And down here from the ground I see who you are
I see your true nature and realize you're not who I thought you were
I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm fed up with the way you treat me and others around you
I'm feeling like I don't know you
I don’t recognize the person you’ve become
You tell me that you love me then you cut me down
You verbally or emotionally hurt me despite claiming to love me
And I need you like a heartbeat
I feel like I can’t live without you
But you know you got a mean streak
You have a cruel and unkind side to you
Makes me run for cover when you're around
I avoid being near you or interacting with you because of your behavior
And here's to you and your temper
I acknowledge and remember how explosive and unpredictable you can be
Yes, I remember what you said last night
I still carry the emotional weight of the hurtful things you said to me recently
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
You're aware of how your behavior is affecting me negatively
Tell me why
I want to understand your motivations and reasons for hurting me
You could write a book on how to ruin someone's perfect day
You have a talent for destroying people’s positive experiences or moods
Well I get so confused and frustrated
I feel overwhelmed and upset when trying to deal with you
Forget what I'm trying to say, oh
I struggle to communicate my thoughts and feelings to you
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I've had enough of your excuses and justifications for your hurtful behavior
I got no one to believe in
I feel alone and without support in dealing with you
You tell me that you want me, then push me around
You express interest in me but then treat me badly
Why, do you have to make me feel small
Why do you have to belittle or diminish me to feel good about yourself?
So you can feel whole inside
You’re attempting to fill a void inside of yourself by putting me down
Why, do you have to put down my dreams
Why must you mock or discourage my ambitions and aspirations?
So you're the only thing on my mind
You want me to focus solely on you and not pursue anything else
You ask me for my love then you push me around
You demand my affection but then treat me poorly
Here's to you and your temper
I acknowledge and remember your explosive and unpredictable nature
Now you know
I've made it clear that I won’t tolerate being mistreated
I take a step back, let you go
I'm distancing myself emotionally from you and ending this relationship
I told you I'm not bulletproof
I made it clear that I have my own vulnerabilities, too
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: Liz Rose, Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michellechan1
REMEMBER WHEN WE ALL STAYED UP FOR EVERMORE LIKE FOUR MONTHS AGO? US SWIFTIES ARE BLESSED.
@jillianhennessey3086
And then Folklore came out only a few months prior to Evermore? And when you think you can’t love her anymore, I can’t with this woman. I love her SOOOOOO much!!!!☺️💛
@mere4146
@@jillianhennessey3086 other way around :) folklore came out first
@meandmybobbygee1812
@@mere4146 prior means before :D so they were right
@mere4146
@@meandmybobbygee1812 OH MY GOSH I TOTALLY DIDNT READ THAT PART OOPS thank u for letting me know so sorry i somehow missed that!!
@mere4146
@@jillianhennessey3086 oops just realizing u said prior so sorry my bad! :)
@saadnayak3882
Ok but "you could write a book on how to ruin someone's perfect day" is sooo savage😭💀
@Azarath_Metrion_Zinthos
sounds more like a praise lol. if someone said that to me i'll take it as a compliment. lol
@granola1210
@@Azarath_Metrion_Zinthos in what sense is it a compliment? This is a breakup song afterall.
@changeurticket
from: me
to: my teacher