In the album’s prologue, Swift explains the song’s imagery: A single thread that, for better or for worse, ties you to your fate.
The song includes several nods to Swift’s past work, including October 2014’s “Bad Blood” and November 2017’s “Delicate.” Like on October 2012’s “Red” and August 2019’s “Daylight,” she uses the connotations of different colors to convey the intensity of her love for a partner.
“invisible string” debuted at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week of August 8, 2020.
invISIbLE stRING
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I used to read at Centennial Park
I used to think I would meet somebody there
Teal was the color of your shirt
When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop
You used to work at to make a little money
Time, curious time
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?
Ooh
Bad was the blood of the song in the cab
On your first trip to LA
You ate at my favorite spot for dinner
Bold was the waitress on our three year trip
Getting lunch down by the lakes
She said I looked like an American singer
Time, mystical time
Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?
Ooh
A string that pulled me
Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar
Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire
Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons
One single thread of gold tied me to you
Cold was the steel of my axe to grind
For the boys who broke my heart
Now I send their babies presents
Gold was the color of the leaves
When I showed you around Centennial Park
Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven
Time, wondrous time
Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies
And it's cool, baby, with me
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?
Ooh
Hee
Ooh
(Oh, ooh)
(Oh, ooh)
"invisible string" is a song about the idea of fate and destiny, and how the events in our lives are interconnected in mysterious ways. The lyrics are a nostalgic reflection on Taylor Swift's past relationships, and how each person she has loved was connected to her in some way, even before they met. The green grass in Centennial Park, where she used to read as a child, and the teal shirt of her ex-boyfriend at the yogurt shop, are examples of how seemingly insignificant moments in the past can have a profound impact on the present.
The chorus of the song, with its repeated refrain of "invisible string", is a metaphor for this idea of a hidden connection between people, and how it can pull us towards each other, even across great distances. The song also explores the theme of personal growth and healing, as Swift reflects on how the difficult experiences in her life have ultimately led her to a place of happiness and contentment.
Overall, "invisible string" is a poignant and introspective song that invites listeners to reflect on their own life journeys and the people who have influenced them along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Green was the color of the grass
The grass at Centennial Park was green.
Where I used to read at Centennial Park
I used to read at Centennial Park.
I used to think I would meet somebody there
I used to think I would meet someone at the park.
Teal was the color of your shirt
Your shirt was teal in color.
When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop
You were sixteen when you worked at the yogurt shop.
You used to work at to make a little money
You worked there to make some money.
Time, curious time
Time is a curious thing.
Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs
Time did not give me any directions or hints.
Were there clues I didn't see?
I may have missed some clues.
And isn't it just so pretty to think
It is a beautiful thought.
All along there was some
All along there was something.
Invisible string
A connection that cannot be seen.
Tying you to me?
Could that connection be tying us together?
Bad was the blood of the song in the cab
The song in the cab had a bad vibe.
On your first trip to LA
It was on your first trip to LA.
You ate at my favorite spot for dinner
You went to my favorite restaurant for dinner.
Bold was the waitress on our three year trip
The waitress we met on our three year trip was confident.
Getting lunch down by the lakes
We were having lunch by the lakeside.
She said I looked like an American singer
She commented that I looked like an American singer.
Time, mystical time
Time is mystical.
Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine
Time cuts me open, then heals me fine.
Were there clues I didn't see?
There may be some clues that I have missed.
And isn't it just so pretty to think
It is a beautiful thought.
All along there was some
There has been something all along.
Invisible string
An invisible connection.
Tying you to me?
Could this connection be tying us together?
A string that pulled me
There was a string that pulled me.
Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar
The string pulled me out of the wrong arms and into the dive bar.
Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire
Something has wrapped my past mistakes in barbed wire.
Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons
There are chains around my demons and wool to brave the seasons.
One single thread of gold tied me to you
A single thread of gold tied me to you.
Cold was the steel of my axe to grind
My axe to grind was icy cold.
For the boys who broke my heart
It was for the boys who broke my heart.
Now I send their babies presents
Now I send gifts to their babies.
Gold was the color of the leaves
The leaves were golden in color.
When I showed you around Centennial Park
I showed you around Centennial Park.
Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven
The journey was hellish, but it brought me to heaven.
Time, wondrous time
Time is wonderful.
Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies
Time gave me the blues and then turned into beautiful skies.
And it's cool, baby, with me
I am okay with everything.
And isn't it just so pretty to think
It is a beautiful thought.
All along there was some
All along there has been something.
Invisible string
A connection that cannot be seen.
Tying you to me?
Could this invisible string be tying you and me together?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Taylor A. Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
anisa nurraudah
People always say Taylor is so petty writing 'diss track' for her enemies but no one pay attention to how sweet her songs are written for the people she loves.
fine line
People will only look at bad side. Yes it's sad but it's true😔
Sof 1708
Reputation has more love songs than Lover and people still think its a diss album
anisa nurraudah
@Sof 1708 no offence but lover definitely has more love songs in them hence the title lover but yeah people always associate rep as a dark, vengeful album when the second half of it is actually a romantic album.
Sof 1708
@anisa nurraudah Actually Reputation has 12 love songs out of 15 and Lover has 7 love songs out of 18 which is weird but what matters is that she writes beautifully about the people she loves
林 凜
@Sof 1708 hey tbh only miss americana, the man and i forgot that you existed aren't about love
she said that “love” on this album represents a lot of things, such as self love, love for your family and friends, romantic love, heartbreak and etc
J c t
In my opinion: invisible string, illicit affairs, seven are the most underrated songs on folklore
Kyleen Urtola
august too!
Cassie Nolen
It’s so hard to choose a favorite, but I absolutely love the song seven!
nycto
And hoax and peace too