Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I sit and watch you reading with your head low
I wake and watch you breathing with your eyes closed
I sit and watch you
I notice everything you do or don't do
You're so much older and wiser, and I

[Chorus]
I wait by the door like I'm just a kid
Use my best colors for your portrait
Lay the table with the fancy shit
And watch you tolerate it
If it's all in my head, tell me now
Tell me I've got it wrong somehow
I know my love should be celebrated
But you tolerate it

[Verse 2]
I greet you with a battle hero's welcome
I take your indiscretions all in good fun
I sit and listеn, I polish plates until they gleam and glistеn
You're so much older and wiser and I

[Chorus]
I wait by the door like I'm just a kid
Use my best colors for your portrait
Lay the table with the fancy shit
And watch you tolerate it
If it's all in my head, tell me now
Tell me I've got it wrong somehow
I know my love should be celebrated
But you tolerate it
[Bridge]
While you were out building other worlds, where was I?
Where's that man who'd throw blankets over my barbed wire?
I made you my temple, my mural, my sky
Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life
Drawing hearts in the byline
Always taking up too much space or time
You assume I'm fine, but what would you do if I

[Chorus]
Break free and leave us in ruins
Took this dagger in me and removed it
Gain the weight of you, then lose it
Believe me, I could do it
If it's all in my head, tell me now
Tell me I've got it wrong somehow
I know my love should be celebrated
But you tolerate it

[Outro]
I sit and watch you

If you're a Taylor Swift fan, you most likely know that the singer is no stranger to writing about heartbreak and unrequited love. The fifth track of her ninth album, evermore, titled "tolerate it," is no exception. Known to always reserve track 5 for her most vulnerable song on each album, "tolerate it" is about the continuous struggle of wanting love from someone who apparently couldn't care less about you.

About ​tolerate it by Taylor Swift

Swift's "tolerate it" is an emotional piece about love, unreciprocated love, and the pain of feeling trapped in a relationship with someone who merely "tolerates" your existence. The song draws inspiration from Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca. Swift revealed in an interview with Apple Music Awards 2020 that she wrote the song based on how she felt when reading the book. She said she could relate to the book's protagonist, Rebecca, who felt like her husband only tolerated her and didn't value her efforts.

The track starts with a somber piano and Swift's melancholic voice gently whispering, "I sit and watch you." She then goes on to describe how she's always eager to please the person she loves, even when she knows her efforts will go unnoticed. The chorus of "tolerate it" is particularly moving and encapsulates the song's central theme of desperately seeking validation.

The second verse is where Swift's incredible storytelling prowess shines through. She paints a vivid picture of being trapped in a relationship that's quickly losing its spark. The lyrics, "I once believed love would be black and white / But it's golden" speak to that moment when you realize that love is not always as straightforward as we'd like it to be.

The bridge of the song is particularly cathartic, as Swift realizes that the person she loves might never change. There's a sense of sadness in her voice as she croons, "I know my love should be celebrated / But you tolerate it." Swift's vulnerability in this song makes it particularly poignant to her fans.

As usual, the production of "tolerate it" is great. The piano-led ballad offers a somber, yet beautiful backdrop for Swift's poignant lyrics. The minimalistic production allows the song's emotional lyrics and Swift's voice to shine through, making it one of the standout tracks on the album.

In summary, "tolerate it" is a moving ballad about unrequited love. Swift's lyrics are raw and emotional, drawing inspiration from a relatable novel on the subject. The minimalistic production is just enough to enhance the emotional impact of the song without being distracting. Whether you're a die-hard Swiftie or not, "tolerate it" is a must-listen.

• Release Date: December 11, 2020
• Artist: Taylor Swift