Therapist Reacts To: You're On Your Own, Kid by Taylor Swift!

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Hi!! So excited to be reacting to this song for you lovelies! This one was highly requested so I hope you all enjoy my reaction/analysis of this AMAZING song! As always, I encourage everyone to discuss their perspective of the song in the comments below. What songs should I react to next? Don't forget to leave a like and subscribe :)
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[@kookiedoh4171]

the very last “you always have been” i interpreted it as her saying that you’ve always been on your own from the start so look what you’ve already done during that time

[@mendwithmere]

Exactly!❤

[@KatyToday]

Beautiful insights ♥️

[@hugomendoza5665]

That's what I love about this song. Throughout the rest of the song 'you're on your own, you always have been' seems like a grim reminder, but the very last 'you're on your own, you always have been' suddenly transforms into encouragement.

[@emiliyvandermeer9175]

First verse sounds like she’s still in her hometown. And each verse is another stage of her life, where she’s learning to rely on herself.

[@stephaniepritchard1049]

The line, "You're on your own kid, yeah, you can face this," makes me tear up. It's a reminder I need. I'm no kid, but sometimes I still feel like one. Damn it Taylor, why do you this?

[@shtrurtle]

I can never get past the line "i saw something they cant take away" without my voice breaking and eyes tearing up.

[@originalewalk]

I feel like this is exactly why this might take the top spot for my favorite track 5… She set herself up perfectly with “yeah, you can face this” to then finish out the song with something like “you can/will make it” after building us up about making the bracelets and tasting the moment, telling us we have no reason ti be afraid - but she doesn’t do that. instead she reminds us one last time that we are on our own and we always have been, before we get the final few seconds of the kinda buzzing sound often associated with isolation and fear in film. it’s so damn brutal but REAL.

[@allydening4241]

Loving this, I also think of ‘from sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes’ as growing up. Going from running through sprinklers as a little kid to sitting around a firepit/bonfire at a party as a teenager/adult

[@nikik.8761]

ooh that's smart i was wondering what she meant by that..

[@allydening4241]

@@nikik.8761 thank you 💖

[@mendwithmere]

Ooo so good!

[@peterquill726]

It can also be interpreted as 'as the season passes'(as time passes) because sprinklers are summer thing and fireplace is winter and Christmas symbol. This is the reason I love her music so much. There are just so many ways to interpret it and every song is personal and mold to our life experience.

[@flowingyin5676]

Excellent review. Taylor has transformed the concept of a self help book or a memoir into a song that is very honest, growth oriented and hopeful. Very much agree with you on this idea of learning that we are on our own and have to depend on ourselves.

[@mendwithmere]

Yes!! Thank you❤

[@edu.8552]

not fair, this song already made me cry lots. the way you explain things- made me cry more.

[@mendwithmere]

Tears are goood!! It’s a release and I’m glad it’s making you feel that way

[@al4xfegh]

im 13 and have had many therapists and none have helped but watching your videos make me feel like you actually understand ❤

[@DCNerd_Barbie]

i would totally book a therapy session with you i’d feel so safe

[@sofiaabate8262]

this song hits me so hard every time. i’m so glad you’re doing more videos about Taylor’s songs because she is great at representing feelings w her art. thank you so much 🫶

[@alex11037]

This song makes me cry. I used to have an eating disorder and i think this song really shows how insecucities can lead to that and during tjat time everyone around me left so i really always felt alone in my struggles. When i finally chose recovery i felt like i could now face things myself and that i dont always need others to depend on.

[@stephravin8597]

To me the “blood soaked gown” is pain, trauma. I have ptsd and that’s what it represents to me. It will always be there no matter what I do - I’ve learned from that pain - and it came at such a cost that It will never be forgotten.

[@julialara609]

maybe my favorite from the album, and i love that at the same time she says you are on your own, i feel so glad and lucky to have her songs in every moment of my life. she is grace, and you too! thanks for the video ❤

[@liviaahmad]

U are an inspiration for me because I want to study psychology and love watching ur analysis ❤

[@Rackel.131e]

this song hits me where it hurts, my dad was deadbeat drunk druggie and left me, my mom was a alcoholic who always chose the bad dudes and we were abused by them for years,move been having to raise myself since i was about 5 cause my mo was a single mom, god bless her soul, who was battling addiction so had to work 24/7 to put food in me and my brothers mouths, and one of my grandmas has Alzheimer's dementia which she died from this month, and the other was fallowing the same path as my dad, and my step grandma who is better than the real one, lived in another state, my older brother. was too focused on video games most of the time to care for me, so i have been on my own for a very long time, and this helped me realize i'm not alone, thank you for listening to me rant ❤️

[@lesliekristyn7597]

You are so well spoken! Great analysis!! ❤

[@C-Iris]

All the analysis you made, made appreciate more deeply this song, thanks Mere!

[@danver222]

I want so bad to connect this song with Forever Winter and for both songs to be about the same friend. I can't make enough of the puzzle pieces fit together but I think I am going to try to keep this alive at least in my own mind. This reaction video did give me one more connection I hadn't made: Sprinkler splashes--I'll be summer sun for you forever Fireplace ashes--Forever winter if you go.

[@zm1142]

Also idk if it was intended but when she says she found out that her dreams aren’t rare part of me thought that okay she found a place where people don’t bring her down for having wild ambitions because they too have these ambitions so maybe for a little while at least she didn’t feel so alone because she found people who appreciate and share her interests and dreams even if there is competition between them

[@azulAdLib]

Btw! Daisy Mae is a country artist. I think that line is her saying goodbye to her confort zone

[@ConejitoLoco13]

I have only one rule in life: don't be like others. I don't have a cell phone (and it's not for lack of money to buy one), I don't have social networks other than KZbin, I don't wear the clothes that are in fashion; I don't have a stereotypical, perfect body for my age. And obviously I have received and receive criticism. I have another rule about that: Ignore those comments and, what I think is more important, ignore the people who make them, because a person who makes them is equivalent to someone who is not worth enough to spend my time with.

[@alaskacollins6398]

Well in the lucky one the character in the song is used and torn down by the industry she’s in until she “takes the money and chooses the rose garden over Maddison square” and she wasn’t heard from again, kind of like how Taylor had enough of the media and just disappeared for years.

[@delacruzgarcia186]

Yes

[@beckylang91]

I feel like I relate to this on a friendship level, too- unrequited friendship

[@jamyamoline5510]

I love this song so much.

[@oswaldojj15]

Wooow I love your point of view about this magnificent song!❤

[@SCS89]

Okay, this might be a stretch but, hear me out.. is this a follow up to August? “Summer went away, still the yearning stays”. Then followed by “I play my songs in the parking lot. I’ll run away” makes me think of “Back when I was livin' for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all. Meet me behind the mall".

[@Jelly.Fish1212]

Maybe. If these songs are based off her childhood, it might be the same person she is writing about.

[@viniciusvallesalves3029]

The Carrie analogy makes total sense for taylor, that VMA mess was basically kanye throwing pig’s blood at her. Just horrible

[@libertyh.9204]

I've been binging your Taylor videos and I absolutely love hearing your take on them! I'm sure you have many many requests to sort through but as a swiftie (that needs therapy) I would 1000% recommend The Archer, mirrorball, closure, champagne problems, and Nothing New. (Also, if you're looking for another artist to review please please consider Conan Gray)

[@damian2972]

Can you please react to my tears ricochet by her from folklore album? The lyrics are truly something

[@cassandrabecker3242]

You’re awesome thank you :)

[@ellieandthetorts]

I really love your lyric breakdowns, they are hella insightful.

[@marieltr]

like most people life has been very tough at times and "you're on your own, kid You always have been" sounds just so true. It's unfair to put the burden of my happiness on other people. I got to be happy on my own. To me it's not even negative, it's like Karma, it's a relaxing thought :P lollll

[@AllyGirl-hg2sb]

Can you react to I bet you think about me by Taylor Swift it's one of the from the vault songs on red Taylor's version. I'm pretty sure it's about Jake Gyllenhaal. One of the lines in it is you laughed at my dreams and rolled your eyes at my jokes. Which I think is pretty shocking.

[@-chenlanying5818]

"Like i'd be save by a perfect kiss" The way romance is pushed on young women is so traumatizing. It reminds me of what Jo March said in Little Women 2019 ver: "Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as just beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I'm so sick of it.". It's so damaging yo little girls and women to have this narrative forced upon them from when they're born.

[@cliffsandifer3877]

I like Mean" , Carolina

[@e11esounds]

Love your videos. Ass isn’t a cuss word though come ooooon! Haha.

[@blakehoward2804]

Do you think you could do death by a thousand cuts by any chance?

[@blakehoward2804]

Awesome video, seriously!

[@somuchsavv]

This song gets me everytime. Tears constantly.

[@mendwithmere]

It really is powerful and gets me too

[@SlpBeauty333]

Same. Sometimes I can hear the hopeful part and sometimes I can't. She's just really good at getting emotions into songs.

[@ksenijajemensek6126]

Same

[@ireallylikemenitrust]

FOR REAL

[@jriversher]

Same here 😢

[@goldenonsense]

Taylor liked a tiktok saying that the bridge of the song is a flash foward through her discography that being: From sprinkler splashes: debut to fireplace ashes: fearless I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this: speak now I hosted parties: red and starved my body, like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss: 1989 The jokes weren't funny, I took the money, my friends from home don't know what to say: reputation I looked around in a blood-soaked gown and I saw something they can't take away: lover (probably related to the loss of her masters) 'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned: folklore/evermore Everything you lose is a step you take: the re-recorded albums (fearless tv and red tv) So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it, you've got no reason to be afraid: midnights

[@in.noctem]

you're a genius 🤯

[@jiyayadav576]

This is such a brilliant theory 👏 👌

[@tricia007100]

She writes her lyrics on many levels- this is like 3,000% accurate

[@crystalkadletc1944]

This is a genius theory

[@mjanelucero13]

masterpiece~

[@lulytaJB]

I love that the firsts “you’re on your own kid” are kinda sad, hard moments in her life where she realizes she only has herself; but the last one is hopeful, like she knows she can face whatever life throws her way because she has herself and I think that is a beautiful sentiment ❤

[@mendwithmere]

Yes it is 🤍

[@jamesmcinnis15]

I think the 'blood-soaked gown' line is actually quite revealing, and in a somewhat less flattering (yet profound) way. Though Taylor is an objectively lovely and wonderful human being (pretty much no one who's worked with her has said a bad thing about her), people in her position of fame and power don't often get to those places without getting 'blood' on their hands, so to speak. Based on the song's central theme of isolation, it's likely that she has sacrificed friendships and relationships that were meaningful to her in pursuit of the life she's always wanted, either because those people didn't support her vision/journey or because they couldn't accept the person she was becoming as a result of it. After accomplishing what she set out to do, she now wonders if it was worth it. Regardless of whether it was or not, she witnessed something very few people ever will, something they could never take away from her: she saw her dreams come true.

[@leeanntaylor9162]

This is a really good take. Thank you!

[@shtrurtle]

That's definitely the meaning i got out of that line, too, but I love the comparison to the prom scene in Carrie mentioned in this video. As much as Taylor references movies in her songs and videos, I wouldnt be surprised if that line was at least partially inspired by Carrie. Looking around, feeling mortified because of what others did to her.

[@jenniferpfluke2858]

I totally agree. In the same vein, it also made me think of the times she’s been stabbed in the back by people she trusted.

[@sam_sa09]

Goodness...I relate to that so much and I'm not even halfway there. I know I'm gonna lose people, significantly, even my own family members, simply because I chose something they didn't approve of

[@ashdude3058]

Yep you got it right, especially with the “pages turn with the bridges burned” so the blood on her dress is all the loss and suffering she has from the steps she had to take

[@bobbyrw1398]

I love how active you've become with Taylor related reactions.

[@mendwithmere]

Thank you!!

[@daisy2499]

This song, out of all of them on Midnights, strikes me so hard. Nearly impossible not to cry. Her longing to belong and literally trying everything including starving herself and wearing some kinda mask to fit in. So relatable.

[@KatyToday]

It is 🥺🥺🥺

[@Katie-qg7xz]

With the blood soaked gown in reference to Carrie, their was so much hope. She believed she had been chosen. In her innocence, she thought all what she desired at that point in time were coming true. She was set up to be humiliated and it was heartbreaking.

[@deaditeera]

😮 genius!!

[@shtrurtle]

While i agree that the phrase "starved my body" is about self image, i also think it has a double meaning in the context of the verse. "I gave my blood, sweat and tears for this I hosted parties and starved my body..." I think shes saying that she worked so hard for her career that she neglected herself in the process. She was gaining success, but her wellbeing and stability were slipping. That was my take on it but obviously there are lots of meanings.

[@mendwithmere]

Woah!!! Mind blown by this explanation. Wow. Truth 🤍

[@shaydavis5815]

My take was she was referencing the 1989 Era. She became extremely thin. In her film on Netflix she even mentions how she had an eating disorder and that how when she saw pictures of herself she would spiral and literally not eat. That "If you were thin you didn't have an ass but if you had enough meat on you to have an ass you weren't thin enough. It's all f****** impossible." She said she's in a healthier place now where when she sees a photo of herself and gets triggered she has to remind herself "We don't do that anymore. I'd rather be a size 6 than a 2 when my body was never meant to be a 2" It was really eye opening to struggles that she's faced being in the spotlight and being forced to live under the scrutiny of a society with impossible standards of beauty

[@peternewturkey]

I haven't commented on a video yet but I've been a subscriber for a good month or so. I appreciate you so much and just want to say please continue reacting to Taylor's songs, and contributing your astute and compassionate thoughts, because as cheesy as this sounds, I have begun to mend with mere.

[@maryjoyebrada5942]

male swifty makes me so happy 🥳

[@mendwithmere]

Peter!!! Thank you so much for these kind words. It means so much to me and I’m grateful that these videos have been mending you bc truthfully, you are mending me with your support ❤

[@maybememory1]

I imagine you’re a very good therapist, you just come across as genuinely caring

[@mendwithmere]

Wow, thank you!❤❤❤

[@MichelleCacace]

I’m over 50 and this song means so much to me. Especially the end where she says: “Yeah, you can face this.” I lost my husband to cancer a few years ago. I have needed to rebuild my life alone. And seeing how hard it was, but I still did it, it makes me tear up when I hear that line. Yes. I can face this.

[@etsugradlib]

“People throw rocks at things that shine.” Taylor, Ours, 2010

[@alexwuntch3368]

Seeing your reaction and breakdown, I feel like I hadn’t even fathomed this song yet. Amazing insights that made me love the song even more.

[@mendwithmere]

That’s so wonderful!! It is so deep

[@abbeywilkinson2789]

Make the friendship bracelets take the moment and taste it makes me sob every time! She continues on to say “you’re on your own kid, yeah you can face this” is an encouragement to keep going even if it’s hard. These lyrics to me have helped me understand how my childhood friendships have change as I’ve become an adult, and how I can’t have that childhood relationship anymore, even though I still want to hold onto it.

[@alissadoley7487]

The first time I heard "blood soaked gown" I immediately thought "Carrie" and because of how similar it was. Carrie was made a spectacle of on stage and everyone laughed at her. Taylor confessed that when Kanye interrupted on her on stage she thought everyone was booing her. I think she felt horrified and kind of related to Carrie.

[@lauravsthepage]

I think the “I took the money” is sorta how she went along with a lot of the “boys watch out” jokes for a while. Reminds me of some of her Ellen interviews. I also believe that the whole section from the “blood soaked gown” and on is referencing her time she “disappeared” between her 1989 and Rep albums. It was that time she describes as learning how to live a normal life again and was a time of great self discovery. What a beautiful song.

[@sgreenbe74]

Another therapist here, I just found your channel and am enjoying your Taylor reactions. This one is stand out!

[@mendwithmere]

Yay for therapists!!! Thank you so much for the support! Sending you good vibes and ❤

[@Tyler_Reacts]

My brother was giving me shit the other day for making friendship bracelets for when i go to see the film. And it honestly crushed my spirit a little bit. I know I'm not alone in feeling this way, but life can get so fucking lonely. I'm fucking lonely. And this song just gives me hope. It's more than just "making bracelets" to me. It's about connection, and understanding. And realizing that even though I sometimes feel like i'm screaming into a void where nobody can hear me, we're never truly alone. There are other people out there going through their own battles and feeling all of the same isolating feelings. Idk, man. I'm just trying to cling to whatever brings me even an OUNCE of joy lately. And Taylor fills my soul with SO much joy. I'm so eternally thankful for her AND for this song.

[@kikiw1004]

Does it seriously say Paper Dolls on the Daisy Mae cover? Like.... John Mayer 'Paper Doll'?

[@cduncan1983]

I am going through a divorce. I've been in love with him since I was 14. I'm 39. We got married at 25 after a bit of growing up. This song is actually encouraging to me.

[@mendwithmere]

Oh Crystal. Same. I’m going through one too and I’m having to truly rely on myself. I’ve surprised myself with what I’ve been able to do even while being in the depths of despair. You and I are on our own but we can get through anything, even the unexpected. Sending you ❤

[@cduncan1983]

@@mendwithmere I am just now seeing this. I'm fairly new to KZbin. Thank you so much for replying and the encouraging words. I'm loving your channel.

[@adriannelemcke106]

Ive been there too! Youve GOT this!! Better days ahead! Sending lots of love to you.

[@settheworldonfire94]

This is my favorite song on Midnights. It really resonated with me for so many reasons. I loved the hopeful turn at the end. As someone who’s spent a lot of life feeling alone and different and bad, it does make me want to savor those good moments and remember how they helped me along the way.

[@sam_sa09]

This song is both motivating and depressing at the same time. I've been chasing the same dream for five years but I find myself in the same position now that I'm a step closer, my dreams aren't rare and I'm not special, it's a painful realization. I don't know how to grow out of this phase of confusion and fear and impatience and self hate...

[@emrysbee9393]

Just found your channel a few days ago. I love how you breakdown the lyrics and give your thoughts. This song is so good, perfect track 5 for this album. It makes me cry lol

[@mendwithmere]

It’s soooo good! Thank you!!

[@nenataluv.7791]

I think that when she says "I went to parties with "better bodies"" it doesn't refer about physicality or not solely about it, but about the fact that she looked for better people (not just somebodies) to hangout, because she couldn't find her people before, and she herself talked about that struggle and how she tried to overcompensate those wounds. Like the "squad" she formed, just to learn that "her dreams aren't rare" aka the people that had her same dreams weren't rare. And she found herself on her own again.

[@mendwithmere]

That’s a really good point and I think you are right on!

[@RodAnOc]

I think it can be both at the same time

[@jkmacrunnel]

This is my favorite song on Midnights. Even after several listens, some of the other tracks I love more or less than the first listen, but this one is still my favorite. It hit me really hard, and I'm still trying to process why. It gave me huge body chills the first time (I actually thought I was getting sick it was so strong) and it still hits me every time, and I have had to have listened to it 30 times by now. I absolutely LOVE it, and I also think by the end its meant to be encouraging and hopeful. I loved your interpretation, thank you!

[@1214Jmf]

Blood soaked gown= backstabbing from her peers, Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta, Kanye West, the entire world post 1989 etc etc

[@1214Jmf]

Karlie Kloss 🥴🥹 forgot her

[@Indigofirephoenix]

I think so long daisy May refers to her throwing away her country/ sweetness & moving into her pop genre it was her “ great escape “ reinventing herself & when she had turned 21 she waited for Jake to show up to her party “ I waited ages to see you there” I think what happened with John & then Jake then spiraled into an eating disorder as she referenced at the same party waiting.. “ I searched the party of better bodies”

[@richardh776]

Did you react Bigger than the whole sky from the 3am edition of Taylor?

[@YanaBana79]

You are killing it with the content this week! Great job 😊.

[@mendwithmere]

Thank you!!❤

[@caitlinbrewer4843]

I see this song about the bittersweetness of self-resilience. About how even though it sucks have to learn to be strong for yourself and that other people don't always care for you the way you want them to, being independent strong is how you survive. Being alone can sad, but it's better to be alone and strong and happy than it is to be with others who hurt you.

[@mendwithmere]

Yes!! This is beautifully put!

[@luizasantiago566]

this song is just as good as mirrorball, so honest, so vulnerable, so raw, i love it so much and it speaks so much to me, even if its about growing up in the show biz.

[@emmasf824]

People think the chorus could be about her albums and her life. It sounds like she’s taking to herself. Through each album

[@mendwithmere]

Absolutely!❤

[@emmasf824]

Update within the swiftie community this has led to the era project for the concerts where people are making friendship bracelets to trade with one another

[@andreaschrfol]

This is my new comfort channel. Mere is so calm and relaxed and im def here for it

[@mendwithmere]

Wow!! Thank you!!

[@manoncorvin4007]

You are a joy to watch and listen to! I thoroughly relax hearing you talk and love how deeply you go into the lyrics. Taylor has seen me through 13, almost 14 years of life and I wouldn’t have made it this far without her. I wholeheartedly believe she’s magic. The emotional reactions her music pull out of me are so intense and specific I can’t understand how she can write like that. If my writing is ever 1/8th as good as hers, I’ll be a very happy woman.

[@mendwithmere]

You are so welcome and I totally feel the same about her lyrics. Do you write at all? It’s so good to be inspired and it’s a great release. Don’t know why I want to encourage you to write, lol. Thank you for your comment and support! So glad you like the channel❤

[@Max-ws4nl]

Thanks so much for reacting to this! One of my favourites from Midnights

[@mendwithmere]

You are very welcome!!

[@gopens89]

This may be my favorite Taylor Swift song yet. I have yet to listen to it without getting choked up.

[@ashleysmith7330]

Loved this reaction and this song! It's literally instant tears every time. The oxygen mask metaphor made me think of Two by Sleeping at Last. You should totally take a look at that one- brings me to tears!

[@mendwithmere]

Ooo I will! ❤

[@srt1544]

Also with "Blood Soaked-Gown", Carrie k!lled everyone at the prom because she was tired of people conspiring against her and she was just super angry and embarrased. (At least im pretty sure)

[@msdemeanor99]

Daisy Mae in the comic strip was always pining after a guy who didn’t really notice her, I believe

[@mendwithmere]

Oooo such a good insight!

[@nikik.8761]

listening to this song for the first time made me start writing songs. i've written poems since about a year ago, and it's such a good vessel for thoughts, especially since i'm not good at all with opening up about my feelings. listening to midnights, i thought, 'i want to write songs like her'. i've been nonstop writing since then and i never realized how many emotions have been hiding in my brain until a week ago. my songs are nowhere near as good as her, and neither is my voice, but she inspires me so much. i love that you're reacting to YOYK, it gets me in the feels just about every time. i love your channel and you're such a comfort to watch!

[@mendwithmere]

Wow! Thank you and yes, keep writing!!! It is so therapeutic. Don’t compare your writing to anyone, even Taylor, because yours is special bc it’s from you. Let it allll out. Writing has helped me so much too. When I comes pouring out, I call it a “creative download” lol. Sending you ❤

[@nikik.8761]

@@mendwithmere you responded! tysm for the encouragement

[@rosarioesteban4792]

YOYOK holds such a special place in my heart. "You can face this" gets me every single time I listen to this song. I really like your channel! Please let me know if you'd like to add Spanish subtitles to your content, I would absolutely love to do that! Love from an Argentinian Swiftie 💕

[@tiannemcgee646]

So i agree with most of what you said, just wanted to add some thoughts. First verse- i think is about Jake. It started with him towards the end of summer as being friendly then picked up and they dated from September to December. She talks about him smoking with his boys. She has made other mention about how he made her feel 2nd best to his friends. Sprinkler splashes to fire place ashes in this first course is literal from summer to winter. The “i waited ages to see you there. I searched the party for better bodies, just to learn you never cared” she had previously mentioned how they had “stopped talking” and then he had reached back out to her and she invited him for her 21st bday. So she felt like it was forever since the last time she saw him. In All Too Well 10 min version she talks about looking for him the whole night and her dad telling her turning 21 is supposed to be fun! So the search the party, of better bodies (better choices of men that she didn’t notice cause she only had eyes for him) just to learn that you never cared is the let down of him not showing up. Second verse- she realized she needed to get away and pursue what she wants for herself. She did more writing and felt her feelings coming out differently than her previous country style. “So long daisy Mae”- her nod to like Grease “so long to Sandra Dee”. Sprinkler to ashes in this seems like young and innocent to ‘damaged and burnt’. She left home in Nashville to Hollywood or whatever and realized there were people doing the same thing as her and she felt less than them. Like she wasn’t good enough. So she had to ‘improve’ herself to be good enough so she could get the life she wanted. The fame and love. More specifically love from a man. The jokes weren’t funny, i took the money- instead of blowing up and causing a scene I’m sure she was given hush money so that all the people talking about her love life could save face. The blood soaked gown- she’s comparing herself to Carrie. She finally thought she was making her way and had friends in the business and then she turned into the butt of the jokes and even the people she thought were her friends hurt her so again she was on her own to figure it out. Her friends from home don’t know what to say because they don’t know how the lifestyle of a famous person is. That you can’t just not see the girl who just cut you so deep because you are both to be at the same award show next week where you know you will be ridiculed but if you don’t go you’re giving up on the career you are working your a-s-s off for. This is when she realizes how amazing she is and that it all happened for a reason. All the times she felt she was “on her own” was just a lesson that she had to learn to be her best self. This is when she officially started speaking up for herself. So the ending- she recaps it all, everything you lose is a step you take. by referencing friendship bracelets and seizing the moment she’s saying no matter what age you are, little kids making bracelets or adults taking big risks, there’s nothing to be afraid of because you will overcome the bad things that happen and will heal from the hurt like you always have. Thanks for doing this video. It helped me really appreciate this song more than i already did as a true #5 track lover.

[@rainshadows17]

"I starved my body" also is a tribute to 1989 era, where she said she would just starve after looking at pictures of herself

[@mendwithmere]

That hurts to read but so glad she spoke about it

[@PaolaCardee]

God! This song is the closest to my heart in the Midnights album. It always gives me hope and makes me want to cry. I feel like it is a love letter to the little girl who didn’t understand why she was not accepted and telling her that it’s ok, it’s just so beautiful. Just watched two of your videos and subscribed, love the content your creating. ♥️♥️✨✨

[@nathanthomspon1412]

Could “blood soaked gown” possibly be talking abt the line in maroon “when you splashed your wine into me”. What I’m trying to say is maybe it was that she was wearing a gown at a party and then she got splashed with wine. I’m probably wrong but it just sounded related.

[@mendwithmere]

Ooo I can see that

[@nicoletabulai8764]

And in Clean too: „You're still all over me like a wine stained dress i can't wear anymore"

[@ily4377]

Your reactions and interpretations are so nice and helpful to listen from another perspective, btw it makes me be more aware of situations. Thank for your videos, really!! They help me with your lessons/advices too. Could you react to "The Archer"? Sending love 💞

[@mendwithmere]

Hi!! Thank you for your support and I’m very glad it’s making you more aware. I have already recorded the archer reaction, just need to get it up ❤

[@kristint9212]

WOW. So, I found your page tonight and I’ve been spending hours watching. I’m a huge Taylor fan. So many of her songs are up for personal interpretation (which is a huge part of her wide appeal), but I love hearing your take on them!!! I’d love to see you do an analysis and reaction video to Bigger Than The Whole Sky. There is a lot of speculation that it is a song about a miscarriage. I think it’s very open to interpretation, could be about any type of loss. It hits me as a loss of my former self after a toxic relationship. I was not only grieving that relationship, but coming to terms with the fact that I’m permanently changed from those experiences. I have a friend who recently ended an engagement and it hit home for her, too. I’d love to hear your thoughts! I liked the reaction video of your first time hearing Forever Winter because that song is SO emotionally raw and I experiencing the emotion it drew out of you right along with you felt so honest and real. Subscribed and immediately hooked! Cannot wait for more!

[@mendwithmere]

Wow!! Thank YOU!!! This means so much. I am going to do bigger than the whole sky from a miscarriage lens that my friend went through. I’m going through a divorce and I resonate with so much you shared about realizing you are permanently changed by a relationship and how that feels. It’s definitely grief. Thank you again for supporting me!! ❤

[@Mmcay]

“I took the money” might be a nod to the bleachers song “don’t take the money “ by jack antonoff (also) meaning we all chase money (or career aspirations) sometimes to the detriment of our relationships or well-being. We all have to tell ourselves what’s truly important to us, because we can forget momentarily in the pursuit of our “big” dreams.

[@Kimberfae]

she truly makes it difficult to choose your favorites! this one definitely in my top 5 🦋🙌🏻

[@mendwithmere]

Yes it is!!❤

[@Kiwi-rm5qf]

As a teenager, I’m so grateful that I have a childish way of looking at this song. This song accurately reflects her inner child. She grew up with not very many friends, and she in this song moved to Tennessee to pursue songwriting and being a singer. “You’re on your own kid, you always have been” ever since she was a kid. When she says “make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it!” It means she matured too fast and never got a chance to feel like a kid with a lot of friends in class. Make the friendship bracelets anyways, no matter your age. Take the moment and taste it. Be okay with where you are right now because you’re gonna be okay. “Yeah you can face this.” Is her reassuring her teenage audience that can relate and also talking to her inner child. This makes so much sense to me personally, but maybe I’m just a kid.

[@liviaahmad]

exactly!

[@ZATennisFan]

There is a very strong connection between this song and "The Lucky One"

[@piesause1376]

OMG, I love your explanation. I understand the song well now.

[@mendwithmere]

Thank you! So glad it helped❤

[@alexandrajustinejarvis7820]

in the daisy mae and the comic strip, daisy mae was actually unrequitedly in love with abner so it most likely means that she's saying goodbye to being that girl who was pouring all her love to this guy who doesn't feel the same aka the guy who could have made her stay

[@fgvm16]

This song, is her life.

[@mendwithmere]

Oh yes ❤

[@Andonapansonkey]

“The jokes weren’t funny” is a reference to Jake gyllendirt. She sings in Begin Again and all too well10min that he didn’t think her jokes were funny. “Took the money” is a reference to her Getaway song where she is explaining her breakup from Calsius and her rebound with Tom. The whloe song she is talking to her past self, explaining her hurdles. But it ends with a hopeful note, “you can face this”

[@hichamistrying]

i think "the jokes weren't funny" refers to how the media made jokes about her dating life and her personality but Taylor focused on her work/art and took her moneys worth

[@mendwithmere]

Ahhhh that all makes sense!!! Thank you for sharing, I can see it all now❤

[@Charles01343]

@@hichamistrying it was the lady reporter says that she gonna get a man

[@jepros]

The jokes line definitely is about how she was a punchline for a lot of people during 2012-2016.

[@suoutubez19]

I think she’s referencing a lot more than just her romantic relationships with men.

[@s_webs]

The way I relate is that it's always just been her. on. her. own. because somewhere along the line I have always been "miss indepedent" because not many have always been there for me.

[@ppsoup]

The part "I hosted parties and starved my body" made me think of her Eating Disorder (that she once talk about it in The Miss Americana Film on Netflix) & FAT scence in Anti-Hero MV. Maybe you should react to the Anti-Hero MV & Miss Americana Film too. :)

[@mendwithmere]

Ooo yes!❤

[@-chenlanying5818]

The name Daisy is derived from the Old English word 'daes', which means 'day's eye'. This name was given to the daisy flower because its petals open up in the morning as if to greet the day. The name Mae is of Latin origin and means 'bitter' or 'grief'

[@jordanneas5283]

Makes me think of my younger self and how I wish I could heal her, then she mentions starving herself and I used to do the same thing for days. I'm healing bit by bit thanks to Taylor

[@no.1garlicbreadenthusiast]

Better bodies in the later verse could also be about bodies of work like everyone else at these Nashville parties, regardless of wether they've quite "made it" yet or not, had better connections & at least had some important people already intrested in their music so she might have started worrying that the songs she wrote as a teenager weren't actually good enough for her to get noticed in this new place.

[@ellenmiano8978]

I always relate this back to “You Belong To Me”.

[@ciggytwiggy]

Nobody says that about john mayer, the weeknd, kanye etc when they write songs alll about the girls they dated

[@georginamoreira6723]

Taylor has this song, an unreleased one from way before she make it in the industry, it's called Who I've always been and she talks about a lot of thing that reflected on this lyrics. I feels like the two songs talk to each other, Young Taylor and grown Taylor. I love this channel , keep going ❤️

[@mendwithmere]

Thank you!! I will keep going with this support. I’m going to check out that song too❤

[@KyleOgilvie1]

I love this song. It’s my favourite off of Midnights.

[@mendwithmere]

❤❤❤