As the song builds into a frenzy, the audience receives a glimpse into Taylor’s past life: she writes a song, burns the lyrics or letters into ashes. Suddenly, she’s on her own, figuring out how to be herself.
The song utilizes a soft-pulsing percussive beat that slowly blossoms into an alt-pop soundscape. Lyrically and vocally, it sounds like something from Red, but with a darker sheen.“ - via Riff
The song parallels the “Lover“ track “It’s Nice To Have a Friend”, also about school kids falling in love. Musically, both have similar, short rhyming couplets.
You're on Your Own Kid
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I play it cool with the best of them
I wait patiently, he's gonna notice me
It's okay, we're the best of friends
Anyway
I hear it in your voice, you're smokin' with your boys
I touch my phone as if it's your face
I didn't choose this town, I dream of getting outThere's just one who could make me stay
All my days
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I waited ages to see you there
I searched the party of better bodies
Just to learn that you never cared
You're on your own, kid
You always have been
I see the great escape, so long, Daisy May
I picked the petals, he loves me not
Something different bloomed, writing in my room
I play my songs in the parking lot
I'll run away
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I called a taxi to take me there
I searched the party of better bodies
Just to learn that my dreams aren't rare
You're on your own, kid
You always have been
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I hosted parties and starved my body
Like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss
The jokes weren't funny, I took the money
My friends from home don't know what to say
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
And I saw something they can't take away
'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take
So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
You've got no reason to be afraid
You're on your own, kid
Yeah, you can face this
You're on your own, kid
You always have been
The song "You're On Your Own Kid" by Taylor Swift is a reflection on the singer's teenage years as she navigated her relationships and ambitions. The lyrics describe her longing for a boy who is not interested in her, her dreams of leaving her hometown, and her eventual realization that she has to rely on herself to achieve her goals.
In the first verse, Swift creates a sense of yearning as she describes her feelings for a boy who is oblivious to her. Despite this, she plays it cool and tries to be patient, hoping that he will one day notice her. The second verse takes a more cynical turn as Swift reveals that the boy never cared in the first place.
In the chorus, Swift acknowledges that she has to rely on herself and that she always has been on her own. She describes her struggles with trying to fit in at parties and sacrificing her own health and wellbeing to pursue her dreams. However, she also finds solace in the fact that these experiences have made her stronger and more resilient.
The bridge of the song is a call to action, encouraging the listener to embrace the challenges and opportunities that life brings. Swift acknowledges that everything you lose is a step you take, and that you should make the most of every moment, even if it's difficult.
Overall, "You're On Your Own Kid" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has struggled with feeling alone or uncertain about their future. Swift's lyrics are insightful and relatable, and her message of self-reliance and perseverance is inspiring.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer went away, still the yearning stays
Although summer has ended, I still feel the same longing I had before
I play it cool with the best of them
I act nonchalant and composed, just like the people around me
I wait patiently, he's gonna notice me
I'm waiting for him to take notice of me, hoping he will reciprocate my feelings
It's okay, we're the best of friends
We may only be friends, but that's okay with me because he's important to me
Anyway
Regardless of the situation, it doesn't change how I feel
I hear it in your voice, you're smokin' with your boys
I can tell from the way you talk that you're hanging out with your friends
I touch my phone as if it's your face
I find myself unconsciously reaching for my phone as if I'm trying to reach out to you
I didn't choose this town, I dream of getting out
I didn't choose to be here, and I dream of leaving this place with you
There's just one who could make me stay
You're the only reason I would ever consider staying in this town
All my days
You've been on my mind every day
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
From childhood to adulthood, from happy to sad times
I waited ages to see you there
I've been waiting a long time to see you
I searched the party of better bodies
I looked around for someone better to be with
Just to learn that you never cared
To realize that you never had feelings for me
You're on your own, kid
You're responsible for your own life and happiness
You always have been
You've always had to rely on yourself to make your own way
I see the great escape, so long, Daisy May
I see a way out of this place and I'm ready to leave
I picked the petals, he loves me not
I played the game where you pick flower petals to see if he loves me, but he doesn't
Something different bloomed, writing in my room
I discovered something new - writing songs in my room
I play my songs in the parking lot
I share my music with anyone who will listen, even in the parking lot
I'll run away
I'm ready to leave and start a new life
I called a taxi to take me there
I called a taxi to take me away from this place
Just to learn that my dreams aren't rare
To realize that other people have similar dreams and aspirations as me
I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this
I worked tirelessly and sacrificed a lot for this
I hosted parties and starved my body
I threw parties to gain popularity and acceptance, while neglecting my health
Like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss
I thought that finding someone to love me would make everything okay
The jokes weren't funny, I took the money
I did what I had to do for success, even if it wasn't enjoyable
My friends from home don't know what to say
My old friends don't understand the person I've become
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
I examined myself in a vulnerable state, feeling exposed and hurt
And I saw something they can't take away
I found my strength within myself and realized that no one can take that away from me
'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
I've moved on from the past and burned bridges, but it's for the best
Everything you lose is a step you take
Every loss or failure can lead to personal growth and progress
So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
Enjoy the present with good friends and don't take it for granted
You've got no reason to be afraid
Don't be scared to take risks and go after what you want
Yeah, you can face this
You have the strength to face any challenge
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Michael Antonoff, Taylor Alison Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@windy8395
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this
(Debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red)
I hosted parties and starved my body
Like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss
(1989)
The jokes weren't funny, I took the money
My friends from home don't know what to say
(reputation)
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
And I saw something they can't take away
(Lover)
'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
(Folklore, Evermore)
Everything you lose is a step you take
(Fearless and Red TV)
So make the friendship bracelet and take the moment and taste it
You've got no reason to be afraid (Midnights)
Just found this on TikTok, so cool
@lildarkbat
"everything you lose is a step you take" this song hits so hard at first, but in the end it feels like a hug.
@natashad1074
💯
@asteriolocks031
I'm not crying
@ay8957
THIS!! hey fellow stay btw 😭
@prettiestbaddie4194
@@asteriolocks031 it’s the onions cutting 😭😭
@firulais2720
Yeah
@sparksfly5529
i’m currently in my “trying to find a place in this world” phase, and this song feels like a hug
@mariaclara-q7f
same ❤️
@mduke644
let's say I got more life behind me than in front of me and this song feels like a hug to me as well
@Tomasso26
Hang in there… it gets better.