Much like her previous songs “Blank Space” and “Look What You Made Me Do,” which she references throughout the song, Swift connects the concept of a delusional woman to her personal life, particularly her battles with Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta over owning her music and rapper Kanye West after he defamed her on his song “Famous.” Some of the story may originate from Rebekah Harkness, who Swift based earlier "folklore track" “the last great american dynasty” on.
“mad woman” debuted at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week of August 8, 2020.
mAD woMAn
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
@swalihaadritaa9494
Once Taylor tweeted that there are some references from Mad Woman, Mirrorball, Seven, Cardigan and Exile in Willow and I just found that out.
In Mad Woman there is a lyric "And women like hunting witches too" and at 2:16 She is with a bunch of women who are hunting witches
In Mirrorball there is a lyric " I know they say the end is near, but I'm still on my tallest tiptoes", and in Willow, both of them quietly walks to the door, and the video ends. There are also two lyrics "I'm still on that tightrope" and "Shimmering beautiful", and in this video she holds a tightrope which is shimmering beautiful.
In Seven there is a lyric "Although I can't recall your face, but I still got love for you", and in this video, it shows that the two of them were childhood friends 1:00 and it seems like they met after over a decade, and it's hard to remember a person's face after so long. There are two other lyrics "Just like a folk song, our love will last so long", and there love really lasted long, and Seven is from FOLKlore.
In Exile she says "I gave so many signs, but you didn't even see the signs". She's given so many signs that she was dropping Willow, but none of us even realised
On top of that Willow is a sequel of Cardigan.
@GraceMarchello
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.
@dinosaursmate2341
the intense contrast between the concept of insanity and the calmness of the song is insanely beautiful
@moumita_d99
Yes it is indeed. Duality ....
@gushernandez25
Same reason why I love Lana Del Rey
@lukalakicevic2305
also the the guitar picking is like anger boiling beneath - her artistry is unmatched.
@dinosaursmate2341
@@lukalakicevic2305 YESSSS
@rivereatswords
dinosaurs, mate i’m incredibly sorry this comment hasn’t got a million likes like some others cause damn it deserves them
@jacelynacopido8306
mad woman is reputation's mother. classy, elegant, and insanely badass.
@ivymural9201
Ikr!!!
@funnyusername7097
Classy bougie ratchet
@kaihui2270
this comment made me smile