The themes of this song heavily parallel “no body, no crime”, which also sees Tayor involved in vigilantism.
Musically, this song continues with heavy synths reverberating, never quite building to its climax.
The sultry, building tune creates a dreamy atmosphere similar to that of “Dress” or “Call It What You Want”, but the subject matter is considerably darker.
Vigilante Shit
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You did some bad things, but I'm the worst of them
Sometimes I wonder which one'll be your last lie
They say looks can kill and I might try
I don't dress for women
I don't dress for men
Lately, I've been dressing for revenge
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
I don't dress for friends
Lately, I've been dressing for revenge
She needed cold, hard proof, so I give her some
She had the envelope, where you think she got it from?
Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride
Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife
And she looks so pretty
Drivin' in your Benz
Lately, she's been dressing for revenge
She don't start shit, but she can tell you how it ends
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
She don't dress for friends
Lately, she's been dressing for revenge
Ladies always rise above
Ladies know what people want
Someone sweet and kind and fun
The ladies simply had enough
While he was doin' lines and crossin' all of mine
Someone told his white-collar crimes to the FBI
And I don't dress for villains
Or for innocents
I'm on the vigilante shit again
I don't start shit, but I can tell you how it ends
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
I don't dress for friends
Lately, I've been dressing for revenge
In the song "Vigilante Shit," Taylor Swift sings about someone seeking revenge on their ex-partner, wanting to get even for the things that they have done wrong. The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer has been wronged by their ex and is out for revenge. They draw a cat-eye sharp enough to kill a man, showing their willingness to go to great lengths to achieve their goal. The singer speaks of dressing for revenge, no longer dressing for men or women but dressing specifically to get back at their ex.
The singer describes how they have given proof to someone who needed it, leading to their ex's downfall, losing their house, kids, and pride. They also mention being "thick as thieves" with their ex's ex-wife, suggesting that they have teamed up to get back at their former partner. They also talk about not dressing for villains or innocents but being on their "vigilante shit again." This suggests that they see themselves as a vigilante taking matters into their own hands to right the wrongs they have faced, where they don't start the fight but can end it.
Interestingly, the chorus of the song takes on a feminist tone, with the line "Ladies always rise above" and "Ladies know what people want." The song suggests that women have had enough of being wronged and are done with being the victim of the situation. Additionally, the song takes up an empowering theme about seeking revenge on someone that has wronged you. Taylor Swift's "Vigilante Shit" is a song about revenge, giving a sense of what it's like to fashion yourself into a detective who's ruthlessly seeking justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man
I'm putting on makeup that is so fierce it has lethal power
You did some bad things, but I'm the worst of them
I'm admitting that I've done things wrong too, but I plan on getting even
Sometimes I wonder which one'll be your last lie
I'm unsure when you will stop being dishonest with me
They say looks can kill and I might try
I'm using my appearance as a weapon to seek revenge
I don't dress for women
I'm not dressing up to impress other women
I don't dress for men
I'm not dressing up to impress men either
Lately, I've been dressing for revenge
I am using my fashion choices to show my desire for revenge
She needed cold, hard proof, so I give her some
I provided her with undeniable evidence
She had the envelope, where you think she got it from?
I helped her obtain the envelope with evidence
Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride
She is receiving everything that you lost due to your actions
Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife
Imagine me and your ex-wife as close allies seeking revenge on you
And she looks so pretty
Your ex-wife is looking great after taking everything you had
Drivin' in your Benz
She is driving your luxury car and enjoying the fruits of your labor
Lately, she's been dressing for revenge
She is also using her clothing choices to show her desire for revenge
Ladies always rise above
Women have a strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle
Ladies know what people want
Women are perceptive and understand what motivates others
Someone sweet and kind and fun
People are often attracted to qualities such as kindness and a sense of humor
The ladies simply had enough
Women have reached a breaking point and are taking action
While he was doin' lines and crossin' all of mine
He was being unfaithful and crossing boundaries in our relationship
Someone told his white-collar crimes to the FBI
Someone reported his illegal activities to the authorities
And I don't dress for villains
I'm not dressing up to appeal to criminals
Or for innocents
Nor am I dressing up to please innocent people
I'm on the vigilante shit again
I'm taking matters into my own hands and seeking revenge
I don't start shit, but I can tell you how it ends
I'm letting you know that I'm not confrontational, but I will still get revenge
Don't get sad, get even
It's better to seek revenge than to let injustices go unpunished
So on the weekends
I'm using my free time to plot and plan for revenge
I don't dress for friends
I'm not worried about impressing my friends with my clothing choices
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katie-ce2rz
this song had me SHOCKED when i first heard it. still catches me off guard every time
@audreyanderson2230
Ikr!
@leodah.5726
FR JUST SPEECHLESS EVERY TIME
@MsWill
It’s been my #1 on repeat today
@BeckywiseTheDancingClown
In the best way
@mylifebeforeyouwasamess497
FR
@nyurma_eden
It’s the “Don’t get sad, get even” for me. Done with people stepping all over my peace of mind. What a powerful line there!
@tamrawai8986
I don’t understand what it means..?
@kxnari7430
@@tamrawai8986 It means to not get sad, and get down into business
@deisycervantes9092
Ufff this songs describes what I did, and I savored every second of my revenge. Don’t get sad, get even indeed🎉