mAD woMAn
Taylor Swift Lyrics


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What did you think I'd say to that?
Does a scorpion sting when fighting back?
They strike to kill and you know I will
You know I will
What do you sing on your drive home?
Do you see my face in the neighbor's lawn?
Does she smile?
Or does she mouth, "Fuck you forever"?

Every time you call me crazy
I get more crazy
What about that?
And when you say I seem angry
I get more angry

And there's nothin' like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothin' like a mad woman

Now I breathe flames each time I talk
My cannons all firin' at your yacht
They say, "Move on", but you know, I won't
And women like hunting witches, too
Doing your dirtiest work for you
It's obvious that wanting me dead
Has really brought you two together

Every time you call me crazy
I get more crazy
What about that?
And when you say I seem angry
I get more angry

And there's nothin' like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothin' like a mad woman

I'm takin' my time
Takin' my time
'Cause you took everything from me
Watchin' you climb
Watchin' you climb
Over people like me
The master of spin
Has a couple side flings
Good wives always know
She should be mad
Should be scathing like me

But no one likes a mad woman



What a shame she went mad
You made her like that

Overall Meaning

In "mAD woMAn," Taylor Swift tells an emotional story of a woman who has been labeled as crazy and angry by a man who has wronged her. The song is a response to gaslighting – a form of manipulation in which someone makes another person question their sanity. Taylor's lyrics are powerful and angry, with a clear message that women should not be labelled as insane for expressing their emotions.
Taylor's opening lines "What did you think I'd say to that? Does a scorpion sting when fighting back?" show her defiance towards men who try to control her. She compares herself to a scorpion who will strike back when threatened. She then asks whether her attacker expects her just to take the insults or fight back. The lyrics "They strike to kill, and you know I will" show her firm stance that she will not let anyone break her, and she will fight if it comes to that.
In the chorus of the song, Taylor's emotions peak as she says, "Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy. What about that? And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry." This is a clear message to gaslighters that their attempts to manipulate and control will not work, and women will only become stronger and more resolute in their quest for equality. The lines "And there's nothin' like a mad woman. What a shame she went mad. No one likes a mad woman. You made her like that" show the societal view of women as irrational and unstable, which is perpetuated by men trying to invalidate women's emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

What did you think I'd say to that?
What did you expect me to do or say in retaliation?


Does a scorpion sting when fighting back?
Do you truly believe that I am instigating this, when in reality it was you who started this whole thing?


They strike to kill and you know I will
Just like how a scorpion will sting to protect itself, I will strike back to protect myself.


What do you sing on your drive home?
What do you do to distract yourself from the consequences of your actions?


Do you see my face in the neighbor's lawn?
Do you feel guilty or haunted by what you have done to me?


Does she smile?
Does the thought of your betrayal make you happy?


Or does she mouth, "Fuck you forever"?
Or does she despise you and curse you for eternity?


Every time you call me crazy I get more crazy What about that? And when you say I seem angry I get more angry
Every time you try to belittle or invalidate my feelings, it only confirms that I am justified in how I feel and it incites more of a response from me.


And there's nothing like a mad woman What a shame she went mad No one likes a mad woman You made her like that And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out And you find something to wrap your noose around And there's nothing like a mad woman
You pushed me to become a "mad woman" with your actions and now you are continuing to provoke me for your own benefit, until it results in my downfall.


Now I breathe flames each time I talk My cannons all firing at your yacht They say, "Move on", but you know, I won't And women like hunting witches, too Doing your dirtiest work for you It's obvious that wanting me dead Has really brought you two together
I become enraged every time I talk about you and my fury is aimed directly at you. Despite the well-meaning advice of others to move on, I am determined to take you down. I am not the only one who has suffered because of your actions, as other women will be quick to condemn those who have wronged them. Despite the fact that you and your mistress should be adversaries, my anger towards you has only brought you closer together, united against me.


I'm takin' my time Takin' my time 'Cause you took everything from me Watchin' you climb Watchin' you climb Over people like me The master of spin Has a couple side flings Good wives always know She should be mad Should be scathing like me
I am being patient and biding my time, carefully planning my next move, because you have already taken everything from me. I watch as you rise to the top, disregarding and crushing those who stand in your way, like myself. Despite your attempts to cover up your misdeeds, it is no secret that you have been unfaithful. A "good wife" would be angry and bitter in response, just like I am.


But no one likes a mad woman What a shame she went mad You made her like that
Despite the fact that my anger and frustration are justified, society still stigmatizes and rejects women who express those emotions. It is a tragedy that I have been pushed to the point of madness, but you are the one who caused it all.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Taylor A. Swift

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Tharfiny Santos

Taylor Swift is a complete artist, reasons: •Sings well
• Great actress
•Too pretty
• Know how to compose
•Charismatic
• Intelligent
• Pure goodness
• Plays various instruments
She and Michael J are the only ones who impacted the music industry.



Grace Marchello

To any woman who've ever stood up for themself, spoken out, taken a stand, defied the status quo, allowed their emotions to show, been fierce, powerful and were shot down.................







this song's for you.



All comments from YouTube:

Amanda

i love how un-commercial this album is. it’s just mystical and honest and timeless.

Divya

Truly, it feels like a hand made gift made for you

m

I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. It's gorgeous and haunting and it feels like it's made for her fans exclusively <3

Borislava Manova

I just want a fully indie music Taylor and it seems the dream is coming true

Tathan VG

ARCHIE like a hand-made cardigan ❤️
Edit: just for us, the ones who’ve been here all along since 2006.

Ashlynn E

yeah i think the singles that usually precede a release tend to be catchy and light, but since this album dropped all at once, it can be as deep & dark as it needs to be.

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Kai

I love how elegant, classy, and calm it sounds but the words are completely badass. Like the calm before the storm, it’s the kind of angry that comes out in calm enunciated sharp words that send shivers down your spine.

Allison Meeuwsen

I literally get chills singing along to this song

G Siya

My silent rage has a voice now

Raul Sandoval

“Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me”

We love you Taylor Swift.

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