Swift discussed this song in folklore: the long pond studio sessions:
“In folklore, there are a lot of songs that reference each other, or lyrical parallels, and one of the ones I like is the entire song ‘this is me trying’ then being referenced again in ‘mirrorball.’ […] It also is the first time, and one of the only times, that the time that we’re living through is actually lyrically addressed. I think that, you know, the pandemic and lockdown, and all that, runs through this album like a thread because it’s an album that allows you to feel your feelings, and it’s a product of isolation. […] This is the first time, in the bridge saying, ‘they called off the circus, burned the disco down. When they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns.’ I wrote this song right after I found out all my [Lover] shows were canceled. So it’s like I realize, here I am writing all this music, still trying.“
“mirrorball” debuted at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week of August 8, 2020.
mirrorball
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a mirrorball
I'll show you every version of yourself tonight
I'll get you out on the floor
Shimmering beautiful
And when I break it's in a million pieces
Hush
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
Hush
I know they said the end is near
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
I want you to know
I'm a mirrorball
I can change everything about me to fit in
You are not like the regulars
The masquerade revelers
Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten
Hush
When no one is around, my dear
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
Hush
I know they said the end is near
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
And they called off the circus
Burned the disco down
When they sent home the horses
And the rodeo clowns
I'm still on that tightrope
I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me
I'm still a believer but I don't know why
I've never been a natural
All I do is try, try, try
I'm still on that trapeze
I'm still trying everything
To keep you looking at me
Because I'm a mirrorball
I'm a mirrorball
I'll show you every version of yourself
Tonight
In "mirrorball," Taylor Swift speaks about how she is willing to adapt to different situations and show different versions of herself to fit in. She compares herself to a mirrorball, reflecting each person's unique perspective back to them. The chorus repeats multiple times, letting the listener know that she is willing to be whoever they need her to be. When she says, "I can change everything about me to fit in," she means that she can adapt to be who you need her to be during the moment.
The second verse emphasizes how Taylor Swift positions herself to make herself the center of attention, putting herself on "her tallest tiptoes" and "spinning in her highest heels." She is trying to showcase herself to the person she is talking to, shining just for them. She doesn't want to just be a "regular" person, but someone who is unique and stands out. Swift acknowledges that the world is changing rapidly with the line, "I know they said the end is near," but she is still trying to stay afloat by adapting to the changes.
In the bridge, Swift alludes to the chaos and downfall of society. The circus has called off, and the disco has burned down. She is still holding on to the tightrope and trapeze, trying her best to make someone happy. She is still a believer even though things are not going well. All she can do is try, try, try; even though she's not a natural performer, she's still putting herself out there, hoping to make a connection with someone.
Overall, "mirrorball" is a song about Swift's willingness to change and her desire to connect with someone. She is willing to be whoever, and she sees herself as a mirrorball, reflecting the people around her. The song's title is fitting because the lyrics demonstrate how Taylor Swift shifts her personality and becomes different versions of herself to fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to know
I want to make sure you are aware
I'm a mirrorball
I am a reflection of you
I'll show you every version of yourself tonight
I'll reveal different sides of you tonight
I'll get you out on the floor
I'll motivate you to dance
Shimmering beautiful
I am dazzlingly radiant
And when I break it's in a million pieces
When I am shattered, it's beyond repair
Hush
Be quiet
When no one is around, my dear
When it's just us
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
I'll stand on my tippy-toes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Dancing in my highest shoes, my love
Shining just for you
Glowing just for you
I know they said the end is near
I know people think it's all over
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
But I'm still standing tall
And they called off the circus
The show is over
Burned the disco down
Destroyed the party
When they sent home the horses
When the performers left
And the rodeo clowns
And the circus entertainers
I'm still on that tightrope
I'm still taking risks
I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me
I'm still doing everything to make you smile
I'm still a believer but I don't know why
I still have faith, but I don't know why
I've never been a natural
I'm not naturally gifted
All I do is try, try, try
I keep trying and persevering
I'm still on that trapeze
I'm still taking chances
I'm still trying everything
I'm still giving my all
To keep you looking at me
To keep your attention on me
Because I'm a mirrorball
Because I reflect you
I'll show you every version of yourself
I'll reveal different sides of you
Tonight
This evening
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Michael Antonoff, Taylor A. Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JC-db8nd
Notice how the "mirrorball" hints at different versions of herself through the colors:
Green - Taylor Swift
Yellow - Fearless
Purple - Speak Now
Red - Red
Blue - 1989
Black - reputation
Pink - Lover
Grey - folklore
@TalkAsSoftAsChalk
That "hush" is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life.
@Soul-ui3vf
Necesitas escuchar más música, al menos ese año salieron 14 mejores discos.
@gabrielacuello4522
@@Soul-ui3vf no ✋🏽. Folklore es el mejor álbum del año y no tan solo porque lo seleccionaron los Grammys sino porque su lírica y las vocals de Taylor son lo mejor. Y te lo dice una persona que ha escuchado TODA clase de música y los álbumes del 2020. Así que ... lo siento pero con Taylor no.
@nicolefuentes8279
@@Soul-ui3vfmay i ask, what did u say?
@blinkswiftie6896
@@gabrielacuello4522 Siii, aunque 1989 siempre me dara nostalgia, pero con Red la conoci y me volvi fan, asi que ese siempre sera mi favorito, pero Folklore es superior en todos los sentidos
@Soul-ui3vf
@@gabrielacuello4522 No creo que hayas escuchado Rise de SAULT o el de Fiona Apple (que recibió mucho más reconocimientos a disco del año)
@Footballnotsaka
Nobody is talking about that bridge. Its something else
@gs-pu7vh
It hits so hard. They called of the circus burned the disco.. It's about that she had to cancel all her shows due to Corona. And I think a lot of people can relate in there own way.
@gs-pu7vh
I was looking for this comment
@Barbara.moraes
Her bridges are always great