How to write an *ambiguous* ending to a story | Cowboy Like Me | Taylor Swift lyrics breakdown

Find the extended version of this video and more at / onwriting
Thanks again to @psychoswift2655 for recommending this one!! I was not expecting such a unique, fun story from Taylor. Today, we're looking at Cowboy Like Me for our Taylor Swift lyrics analysis so we can see how she created a full story in this song.
This one was a great picture of how to write an ambiguous ending to a story because Taylor really doesn't make it clear how this story ends. Are they still together? Or are they not?? I love it.
That's the best part of this Taylor Swift lyrics breakdown because we're able to read it in multiple ways.
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how to write a strong ending to a story | first time taylor swift reaction | taylor swift reaction first time | on writing | #writerreacts | #learningfromlyrics

[@OnWriting.]

What's your favorite lyric from Cowboy Like Me?

[@akashvalsan6609]

And you hang from my lips, like the gardens of Babylon...

[@narbuka]

So many good lyrics but my favorite is probably "Forever is the sweetest con" because the previous lines (for me) indicate they finally committed to each other but deep down she still knows this can't last forever. So sad lol.

[@maruchita222]

I love the sound of these lines: “We could be the way forward and I’ll know I’ll pay for it “

[@musicfangirl7403]

“And the tennis court was covered up with some tent-like thing”. First of all…the AND as the first word! We’re starting off smack in the middle of a story. And that story puts us at a wedding or an event someplace very fancy. An estate? A country club? I think it’s one of her most clever story songs.

[@eirinikomotini]

The skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up ! It just says sooo much

[@aasthasharma8392]

Calling it a tent like thing instead of calling it a marquee or a tarp just shows that the narrator is not familiar with the affluent setting and doesn't belong here. Thay are just swindling rich people

[@OnWriting.]

Ohhh this is interesting! I've been pondering this line. Thanks for adding this

[@aasthasharma8392]

@@OnWriting. I love your analysis and eagerly wait for your videos. A full on swiftie but I learn something new from your analysis each time. Thank you for going on this journey!

[@molls91]

I agree it's ambiguous but I also believe they stay together. And I think it's interesting that forever could still be a con in another way where till the day you die you still don't necessarily know it will be forever, no matter how committed or genuine you both believe it to be.

[@Paige-lq3mx]

I've always pictured these characters as con-artists or hustlers so the fact you went straight to sugar babies made me cackle.

[@OnWriting.]

lol XD

[@alohasargent]

I always thought the song was an allusion to the classic short story “The Most Dangerous Game” - in which the hunter becomes the hunted. She references that line in the beginning of the song, and there some hunter references, too (“perched in the dark”). In the end, they (or maybe just her?) were hunted/conned by love. It’s definitely ambiguous what happens at the end!

[@OnWriting.]

Ooooh I like this idea!

[@madelinewise8692]

I thought her saying she "locked it down" meant she committed to him and made him commit too. Great analysis!

[@harukalovenanase1624]

Now you hang from my lips Like the Gardens of Babylon With your boots beneath my bed Forever is the sweetest con

[@OnWriting.]

I love "forever is the sweetest con"!!

[@rgalvshpbks]

I love that the ending can be interpreted both ways. It really makes everyone have a different ending. I think they ended up together, but I have a friend who thinks they broke up.

[@narbuka]

I wish this story was a book, I'd definitely read it!

[@dremin-ip2em]

I really need book recommendation like this song

[@xoanna08]

I feel like “boots beneath my bed” is a clear sign they stayed together

[@OnWriting.]

Yeah, honestly? Makes sense

[@Frances-yf5lb]

I also think maybe "with your boots beneath my bed, forever is the sweetest con" after the Gardens of Babylon analogy, could imply he is nowhere to be seen, even though there are traces of him being with her. By leaving his boots under her bed he is implying his commitment by not leaving them by the door, but he's a bandit, a 'freebooter' after all and has conned her and left. He's played the biggest trick. Then "and i'm never gonna love again" because she knew it from the start but fell for it anyway, and can't see herself trusting anyone after that.

[@Frances-yf5lb]

also I could be completely reaching with this one, but the Gardens of Babylon were the seven wonders of the world, and in her song 'Seven' she mentions her friend's house must be haunted because their dad is always mad, and they hide in the closet etc. In 'Cowboy Like Me', she mentions the skeletons in both their closets plotted hard to mess things up...possibly suggesting childhood trauma is why they're bandits and can't trust anyone? The line "We can be pirates, then you won't have to cry" is being a bandit a safety net?

[@lena4097]

for me she is falling in love and meeting her match, knowing it ends in a heartbreak and being right. She gave it all and he didn’t. Through the whole song she really does believe he is the one, but she can never fully trust him that he's not going to run away. my fav line is “now u hang from my lips like the gardens of babylon” meaning she has to believe he loves her bc there is no evidence that it might be true and on the other hand it could mean that this love story was to good to be true.

[@thisismetrying17]

Yayy a new video!! Taylor said its a story about two con artists falling in love It's amazing how she can think such a variety of songs I thought the line " I'm never gonna love again " as that's the final time she loves(either real or pretending) as she had locked him down but now I'm confused too😅

[@Mary-ks2kc]

“With your boots beneath my bed” is a reference to a Shania Twain song (one of Taylor’s heroes) called Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? It’s euphemism for sleeping with someone

[@livelurklaugh]

yes it's ambiguous, but in my mind it's a happy ending because the song ends in a resolving, major chord. the ending instrumentals feel "bright" to me idk how to explain it lol

[@iteachlit]

Oooh; I like this explanation. I’d be happier if Marcus Mumford finished out the song, though (that is, if the two “characters” were “together” at the end vocally).

[@yanaeilabouny4100]

This story reads in two completely opposite ways at the same time thats why its one of my fav! Like it is a love story or did he trick her????

[@OnWriting.]

Haha right?? UGH

[@allanaaron2281]

We sure miss your smart, thoughtful lyric analysis. I sure hope you are doing well and everything is good with you.

[@OnWriting.]

Aw I miss you guys tooo! The biz has been extra busy lately, but I just filmed more videos so hoping to get one to you later this week 🥺❤️

[@allanaaron2281]

@@OnWriting. That's wonderful! First of all that you are doing well, tho busy, and second that you were able to make some videos. Thanks much for your reply to my comment, it made me smile to see it to know you are ok 🙂

[@hisao6286]

YOU NEED TO REACT TO HOW DID IT END? ALSO PETER AND LOML THERE ARE LYRICAL MASTERPIECE

[@michaelcastorino5184]

I think you should do a reaction to the summation poem Taylor wrote for TTPD. It’s incredible. I’m sure you can find it online but it’s on the last page of the Vinyl.

[@martha-louise]

Love these videos!

[@heevean1206]

I died at sugar babies 😂😂😂

[@OnWriting.]

XD

[@clarrencejakepalermo946]

Love this!

[@jovankai]

my favorite song from evermore

[@sam_sa09]

I love this song ❤❤❤❤ my favorite lyric is "Now you hang from my lips like the gardens of Babylon." It's just beautiful and magical to me aaakwkwiwie

[@POSSIBLYDYL]

I hadn’t thought about the ending as ambiguous until now but you kinda convinced me 😭

[@kraibeibi]

“now you hang from my lips like the Gardens of Babylon” man, I really feel it 🤎

[@palomarissa]

Hi there!! Cowboy like me is my fav from evermore, because of it I learned the history of babylon, in which I had no interest before. In my opinion, they ended up together. TS is a hopeless romantic. Thank you again sweet!

[@OnWriting.]

I'd like to think they ended up together, too :'). Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@samuisworld7716]

Her writing is so beautiful. My top 5 in my fav Taylor songs.

[@mwcolton11]

I love your videos! You pick up the deeper meaning of Taylor's songs on the first listen that so many others miss! I think the two "cowboys" are still together at the end of the song, but it is probably a fragile relationship.

[@shewhowatchesalot]

For a long time I believed they stayed together, but then one random time I really heard the pain in her voice at the end "I'm never gonna love again" and I since believe that her heart got terribly crushed and she'll never going to trust something like love again

[@ours.good.worth-the-fight]

Easily in the top 20,heck, even top 3 for me, haha Forever is the sweetest con, You said the two interpretations, but there's another. It could mean that, even if they stayed together "forever", in truth, nothing is forever, and they may not even die at the same time, ughh, And then the " with your boots beneath my bed", that was a saying? Idk the exact term, like for example "He's boots are definitely beneath Becky's bed", it means that he's sleeping with Becky, or in the song's case, the owner of the boots sleeps with the speaker/author, hope that's correct " Now you hang from my lips like the Gardens Of Babylon", You're right, nobody, as in, nobody knows for sure if it existed or not, and so does the speaker and her partner, they both don't know if this love is genuine, I swear this whole bridge makes me go insane, ughdwlams, this is some Prisoner's Dilemma type beat, kddndjdjf

[@pastramicheesemonster4873]

I've been waiting for you to react to this one!!! I think it's ambiguous - I was hoping you'd figure it out for me! 🤣

[@OnWriting.]

XD I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it as ambiguous :P

[@elizabeth9674]

I took the boots under the bed to mean no one had left and they’re together. Thanks.

[@zohrealipoor1599]

You're reaction for me is eye opener. English is not my strong suit and I love Taylor swift songs but these are so complicated for me so I wanna thank you for your reaction. And please react to great war by her too.

[@OnWriting.]

Aw I'm glad they're helpful!

[@user-mz2ne4yh2t]

One of my favorite songs from Evermore, i know the story is not but it soothes me lol

[@logan9208]

I think you could like Peace or The Last Great American Dynasty one is good in sonwriting and the other is a masterpiece in storytelling!

[@huyquang639]

Imma need your reaction to TTDP

[@OnWriting.]

Soooooon T.T

[@swiftie80]

There’s a French movie starring Audrey Tatou called Priceless that’s very similar to the story in this song.

[@ROZIEEEE]

Is the movie any good/worth watching?

[@swiftie80]

@@ROZIEEEE if you like quirky French comedies/foreign films then yes. I enjoyed it.

[@shohaida8234]

We need “loml” & “the black dog” & “so long London” line by line break down 🥹✨ we need a writer perspective

[@OnWriting.]

Sooon 😭

[@iteachlit]

I read the simile (analogy?) “you hang from my lips like the Gardens of Babylon” to mean that the song’s persona finds this love wondrous. She could also be referring to the need to speak of him constantly (“you hang from my lips”)-and, since both of them conned others in the past with their (spoken) promises, she might fear that forever is the sweetest con now that she’s on that side of the mark/hustler equation. I don’t know if this makes sense, but I agree-it’s complex.

[@EduardoMoreno-tg1uw]

Could you break down so long, London!🙏

[@OnWriting.]

Yess!! Soon!!

[@jeff-ramos22]

Please react to The Lakes by TS. I’m really interested how you’ll interpret it

[@MrFanomusic24]

You see, I always thought they never worked out. Sadly, they really did love each other & they both really made an effort but weren't able to make it work. Players don't like being vulnerable. So they'll just resume to playing the field hopping from person to person but never loving anyone again. This is why we get both male & female voices repeating "I'm never gonna love again" in the end. This song makes me so sad cuz I know there are people out there who think like this & will never allow themselves to be hurt by love again.

[@extrem780]

You need to react to no body, no crime. It's my favourite from the album and follows a story throughout that would be fun to see you unpick

[@gktte2574]

Forever is the sweetest con is basically forever is a the greatest lie but the two of them would savor their new found love for each other anyways with that thought in mind. Basically, idk if this is all true or not, ill treasure this while it last

[@MinervaLavender2371]

Great reaction, as always! Is it wrong, though, that I'm always distracted, waiting for your orange cat to jump on the bookshelf? There's something about seeing the kitty window watching or curled up in a sunbeam that makes dissecting the writing even more profound and fun!🐈

[@OnWriting.]

Oh my, this is so sweet! Sunny will be thrilled :')

[@vitoriasoares8155]

loved the video!! i think you might like “stranger” or “scared of my guitar” by olivia rodrigo

[@Mama-tf2dn]

Hi do you have video about second chance romance? Im planning to write one but not sure how will I start or whats gonna be the beggining. I'm torn between starting with how the lead characters met for the very first time OR meeting again after they broke up and adding flashbacks between chapters. Since second chance romance is like 2 series of their love story, how can I apply the 3 ACT

[@berndgruner8510]

❤❤❤Danke fürs Senden ❤❤❤❤😂😂😂❤

[@missymariebee]

In my mind they are still together at the end of the song, but she will always have it in back of her mind that he will end up leaving her at some point.

[@mrsam1907]

You're a bandit like me Eyes full of stars Hustling for the good life I think eyes full of stars means that they are always looking up to more and more

[@billieeylish5965]

PLEASE DO "THE GREAT WAR" from Midnights

[@ohnoleona]

i dont know if you've seen better call saul but this song is *made* for kim wexler & jimmy mcgill

[@williamprokipchak]

Terrific, fun, educational & just charming as always Meghan, esp. when tackling top shelf Taylor of evermore & folklore. PLEASE Check out one of the most funny & romantic screwball comedies about exactly this scenario of 2 sophisticated con artists falling for each other while trying bilk the rich: 1932's truly sublime Art Deco treasure "Trouble in Paradise". Brilliant!

[@maruchita222]

I would love it if you could react to some songs by Joni Mitchell: A Case of You, Little Green, River, The Last Time I saw Richard , could be some of them. From Taylor I love: The Lakes, Peace, Maroon, Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve, Last Kiss, Holy Ground, hoax I love your lyrics analysis , they are very thoughtful and profound ❤

[@psychoswift2655]

I feel like locked it down refers to her locking down the closet so the skeletons won't get out 😅

[@cloudyxsxies583]

could you react to epiphany from folklore? its about war soldiers and nurses during covid

[@MAY_sharma.]

TTPD analysis. Please.

[@OnWriting.]

Next week!! 😭

[@ghostwritersrus3225]

Please please please break down How did it end? (Or anything else from Taylor's new album!!)

[@OnWriting.]

Soooon 😭😭

[@jepros]

It’s the same storyline as ready for it! Definitely was about her and Joe being “partners in crime” and working out despite all their baggage. Well until they didn’t…

[@reflejos4676]

Ugh, you sound like a hater. Not all her music is about her own life, and I mean, is EVERMORE pure storytelling

[@jepros]

@@reflejos4676 Bro how does saying she wrote about her relationship multiple times make me a hater? 🤡 Folklore and Evermore use storytelling as a device to talk about her own life. Marjorie, My Tears Ricochet, Mad Woman, Peace, American Dynasty, It’s Time To Go, Hoax - all make very well known references to her life. She never said the entire albums are complete fiction.

[@philipnewey]

I think 'cowboy' has overtones of recklessness. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives these additional meanings to the term: 3: one having qualities (such as recklessness, aggressiveness, or independence) popularly associated with cowboys: such as a: a reckless driver b: a business or businessperson operating in an uncontrolled or unregulated manner

[@Muton230]

Boots beneath your bed means that they are sleeping together, it's a fairly common phrase in cowboy our country circles. Another iteration is the phrase, knocking boots.

[@OnWriting.]

Ohhh this makes sense!! Knocking boots, boots beneath the bed. I'd heard the former before but not the latter. Thanks for adding this!

[@dreiyyyy]

please listen to coney island by taylor swift 🙌🏼

[@reflejos4676]

Could you listen to Would've Could've Should've too?🥺

[@sunshii6424]

i love this song to bitsss. id like to believe that they stayed together at the end, where “im never gonna love again” means retiring from the act of swindling people. i interpret “love” here as the act of tricking people, considering the nature of the characters before they met each other love the reaction btwwww 🥹💖

[@sunshii6424]

also, one thing i also love abt this song is how ambiguous the ending is!! it grants the listeners the choice of subjective interpretation ✨

[@eirinikomotini]

“Dancing is a dangerous game” Taylor has always referred to love as dance, so that’s an interesting layer imo 🤍