Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Intro]
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

[Verse 1]
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
You know that I caught it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
You know that I bought it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

[Pre-Chorus]
Killing me slow, out the window
I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
What doesn't kill me makes me want you more

[Chorus]
And it's new, the shape of your body
It's blue, the feeling I've got
And it's ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer
It's cool, that's what I tell 'em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer with you

[Verse 2]
Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine
I'm not dying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)
We say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times
We're not trying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)
[Pre-Chorus]
So cut the headlights, summer's a knife
I'm always waiting for you just to cut to the bone
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know, oh

[Chorus]
It's new, the shape of your body
It's blue, the feeling I've got
And it's ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer
It's cool, that's what I tell 'em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer with you

[Bridge]
I'm drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar (Oh)
Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true
I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)
And I scream, "For whatever it's worth
I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"
He looks up, grinnin' like a devil
[Chorus]
It's new, the shape of your body
It's blue, the feeling I've got
And it's ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer
It's cool, that's what I tell 'em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, woah-oh
It's a cruel summer with you

[Outro]
I'm drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar (Oh)
Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true
I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)
And I scream, "For whatever it's worth
I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

If you're a fan of Taylor Swift, then you would have heard her iconic song titled "Cruel Summer." This particular song tells a story about love, heartache, and uncertainty at the beginning of Taylor's new relationship with Joe Alwyn. There are so many details and emotions we can unpack from this song, making it a beautiful yet nostalgic track that fans can't stop talking about.

At the start of the song, Taylor describes her relationship’s uncertainty with Joe, who she explains was a “bad boy.” During this time, she secretly fell in love with him, making it a complex situation that she had to navigate while simultaneously being in a physically detached relationship. The song's themes align with a journal entry that Taylor made in her personal journal, which she released alongside her album Lover. In this entry, Taylor described the summer of 2016 as an apocalypse, further emphasizing the pain she felt during this time.

About Cruel Summer

Cruel Summer starts with an upbeat instrumental, followed by a chorus that is heart-wrenchingly sad. Her opening lines in the song are "Fever dream high in the quiet of the night, you know that I caught it, bad." Taylor is opening up about the deep, intense feelings she has for Joe, regardless of their situation. She adds a sense of nostalgia and yearning using imagery as she sings about the blue and green light that Alwyn's eyes emit.

As the song progresses, she talks about how she's ready to be in a committed relationship with Joe, and she's not afraid of the challenges that they might face. Taylor acknowledges that their relationship was not as smooth as they expected, but she chooses to stay regardless of their earlier challenges. The chorus goes, "I don't want to keep secrets just to keep you. And I, snuck in through the garden gate. Every night that summer just to seal my fate.", revealing Taylor's decision to put herself on the line for Joe, opening up about her love for him.

The first verse continues with the idea of memories that come when someone is in love, especially during the summer. Swift says, "I'm drunk in the back of the car And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh) Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you."

The song's production is light, catchy, upbeat piano chords and high pitch harmonies in the background making it easy to listen to, but the lyrics tell a different story. She paints a picture of vulnerability, knowing that she might have her heartbroken and that things might not work out with Joe, but she's willing to take a chance.

One of the most significant aspects of this song is Taylor's willingness to be authentic with her emotions, something that she has been known to be good at. By sharing her experience and heartache, she captures a sense of uncertainty and impulsive behavior which are true in the beginning stages of any relationship, making it very relatable to her audience.

Conclusion

The song "Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift is an emotionally charged track about a new relationship with Joe Alwyn. Her lyrics express a range of emotions such as tentative vulnerability, nostalgia, and yearning. The production adds light and catchy beats to the song, which doesn't take away from the message of the song. Overall, it is a great representation of a classic Taylor Swift song that fans know and appreciate.

• Release Date: August 23, 2019
• Artist: Taylor Swift