Taylor Swift Lyrical Analysis | Writer Reacts to Taylor Swift Learning From Lyrics |

WOW. Loved this one! #LearningFromLyrics is back by popular demand with another Taylor Swift lyrics analysis. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Folklore is coming...
Today we're looking at another song from Taylor Swift's Lover album, and I have to say...I was pleasantly surprised. Taylor Swift's writing style is solid and Taylor Swift's lyrics are such a joy to look at!!
So enjoy the Archer lyrics analysis in this installment of "Writer Reacts to Taylor Swift Lyrics" :)
~I've been the archer I've been the prey~
*Listen to the full song here*: • Taylor Swift - The Arc...
Find me on Patreon - / onwriting
*Literary device of the day* -
ALLUSION: an implied or indirect reference especially in literature (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
The great thing about using allusion is it does the heavy lifting for you. Because some sources (like Humpty Dumpty) are so well-known, all you have to do is hint at it, and your reader immediately understands what you're describing vs. you having to describe the entire experience (falling, shattering, etc.) over again. LOVE.
Want help with your next writing project? Get in touch at www.meganmaclaine.com/services
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#writerreacts | Taylor Swift lyrical analysis | how to write better songs | how to analyze song lyrics | The Archer lyrics | Eras Tour 2023 | Taylor Swift reaction
I claim no ownership of the music in this video.

[@OnWriting.]

What's your favorite line in this song? Also, other thoughts I had while editing: - "I never grew up, it's getting so old" - fun play on words (grow up/getting old) - "Cut off my nose just to spite my face" - I didn't know this was an expression! Meaning to do something you think will hurt someone else, but it really only hurts you. OH MAN.

[@MAY_sharma.]

My favourite lines are 1. Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts, give me back my girlhood it was mine first. 2. You drew the stars around my scars but now I'm bleeding.( Cardigan) 3. Show me the places where others gave you scars.( WILLOW)

[@allanaaron2281]

I think mine are "cut off my nose to spite my face, then hate myself for years and years" and "all of my heroes die all alone" Also, Id love to see you react and watch "Renegade" "The Alcott" and "Death by a Thousand Cuts" by Taylor...really all of her songs from Folklore Evermore and some from Lover and Midnights 3 a.m., you do such a thorough and clear breakdown

[@caleidoscopecara]

She is a total genius! Blonde Shakespeare! Hope you’ll keep making these videos 😻

[@gaylenwoof]

A nuance to the "cut off my nose" expression is the idea of a self-destructive action motivated by anger or desire for revenge. Self-destructive impulses rooted in desires for revenge are fairly common themes in Taylor's vulnerable, self-reflective lyrics. An interesting variation of this (that also serves as a contrast) is "My Tears Ricochet" (from folklore) in which she chastises an adversary for doing something (in this case motivated by greed/insensitivity) that hurts her, but also hurts himself in the process. I find it interesting that these two songs are the same idea from opposite sides - the her/him duality echoing the archer/prey. Also, of interest: "My Tears Ricochet" plays with a ghostly theme. "I didn't want to haunt you..." (Ha! Perhaps you should target "My Tears" and "Haunted" (from Speak Now) as we drift toward Halloween 😁)

[@vitnersantos]

If I want 20minute videos for every Taylor Swift song? YESSSSS

[@OnWriting.]

Hahaha 😅

[@A11S08H]

Same!!! I would love to hear her analysis of all of her songs. Especially the later albums like folklore to midnights

[@jacinthelamontagne5942]

Yes! "You're on Your Own Kid" from Midnights is peak Taylor, plenty for you to sink your teeth into.

[@Mariii_30111]

@@jacinthelamontagne5942definitely not peak but it is great

[@OnWriting.]

@@A11S08H thank you!!

[@emmabrilleslyper5448]

I also think the repetition of “combat, I’m ready for combat” at the end might have a slightly different meaning. At the beginning she means she’s ready for combat with her partner, but at the end, after “you could stay” I see it as she’s ready for combat with HERSELF to do what’s necessary to avoid her self-sabotaging behaviors

[@OnWriting.]

Ohhh YES. Love that!!

[@pnknhd13]

Oooh interesting! I took it as ready to combat as in ready to fight for the relationship.

[@Aldz__]

That's what I thought as well. It also reminds me of _tolerate it_ where the "I sit and watch you" in the beginning might have a different meaning to the one at the last part. Most people say the song is sad because the cycle repeats again. But few also believe she is already freed, sitting on her throne with eyebrows raised while looking at the reaction of the male lead.

[@mathies3598]

I dont think the archer should be necessarily seen in a romantic light. The people who could stay are also us. The fans

[@andresbecerra1183]

Yes! I also think it could be a play on the whole “us against the world” idea. Like the combat isn’t between them, but them against the rest of the world.

[@Mary-ks2kc]

The Archer is also a reference to her zodiac sign, Sagittarius and some of the traits synonymous with that. She zodiac references a few times through out her discography.

[@OnWriting.]

Stopppppp. I love that! So many ~layers~

[@jeannie779]

same December BD The Archer ❤

[@tofidoings]

Also something about the archer is that there isn’t a single beat drop, to reflect the anxiety she has about that

[@jacinthelamontagne5942]

This song plays at the end of her Netflix documentary, when she also says celebrities get frozen at the age they become famous, and that's what happened to her. Maybe she was always combative and is feeling the need to grow past her old habits.

[@OnWriting.]

Yesss I had a feeling the whole “I never grew up” connected to that somehow. And it seems that way!

[@madelinewise8692]

To "Cut off my nose just to spite my face" is a common saying that means to hurt yourself trying to hurt someone else, not caring that it will hurt you too. In the context of this song, in the past, she would lash out at the person she loved to hurt them but it hurt her too..."And hate my reflection for years and years".... she had behaved badly in the breakup of a relationship, then spent years regretting her behaviour

[@OnWriting.]

Yes see my pinned comment ☺️. I wouldn’t say it’s all that common (at least not where I’m from), but fun to learn about! Such a sad phrase 🥺

[@thebivocals3754]

@@OnWriting.just wanted to add that the saying is typically “cut off my nose DESPITE my face” so more of getting rid of a small thing despite how it ruins the whole, but Taylor twists the phrase a bit to be more self sabotaging

[@Ricky48888]

She made a whole album of her staying up during the night, keeping her up called Midnights. There is her first single on there called Anti Hero, where she said it is her most vulnerable. Another one on there is You are on your own, kid.

[@Azx12345]

It's me hi, I am the problem It's me defines this whole archer song pretty well

[@Ricky48888]

@@Azx12345 yes

[@OnWriting.]

OMG

[@OnWriting.]

SO TRUE. I love that connection!

[@folklore9062]

One of her worst albums

[@BellaLin27]

I never thought about the distance implicit in her being the archer, rather than the predator or the attacker. Makes me think maybe she’s referring to the fact that all of these songs she writes about her exes come out 1-2 years after the relationship is already over. So even though she’s writing in the moment, she’s striking at them long after the fact.

[@EveraWillard1326]

The “i cut off my nose just to spite my face” is basically showing how the relationship was perfect but she cut it off because she believed that it would go badly

[@jens4435]

cutting off your nose to spite your face is an old saying that essentially means you're willing to self-inflict a wound just to spite someone. so when she follows it up with "and i hate my reflection", to me, it's "i said/did something to this person to hurt them and now i can't look at myself". it's kind of a pre-cursor to me of a line from "this is me trying" off of folklore where she says "My words shoot to kill when i'm mad/i have a lot of regrets about that"

[@OnWriting.]

Yes I learned this as I was editing! Perfect phrase for that sentiment. And oooh that makes sense, the connection to This is Me Trying

[@booklib3719]

I personally think of "Who could ever leave me darling, but who could stay" as she's captivating and everyone wants to be in her presence, but who can stay by her side knowing her full self. I don't know. I was confused about the wording for a long time so I just forced myself to think of something that even remotely works since I didn't want to be confused and think about it anymore. As for the ghost pacing, I think that that's just an extension of her being haunted by regrets. One of the reasons why there are ghosts in many stories is because people die with regrets they can't let go of, and they stay and play back that thing. What they could have done differently, things like that.

[@MAY_sharma.]

Taylor is lyrical genius. Loved your explanation . Please keep this series on.

[@OnWriting.]

Thanks doll! I sure will. It's been super fun so far

[@MAY_sharma.]

@@OnWriting. Thankyou for saying that 🥺

[@bratndahwz]

Whenever Taylor is repetitive, it's usually to represent anxiety.

[@Imgab13]

You should react to the "folklore the long pond studio sessions" bc folklore is Taylor best album lyrically (in my opinion) and in the studio session you can understand how she wrote the songs and what she meant by it🥰

[@marinalozano1538]

I would love to see your reaction and thoughts of the love triangle cardigan/august/betty from her album folklore! They're three made up characters and each song is from a different perspective. "Betty" is from James' perspective, the boy who was dating Betty and had a summer fling with Augustine, "cardigan" is sang by Betty years after it happened and "august" is from Augustine's point of view. The way Taylor is able to create fictional characters and tell their stories is soooo good! Her mind is amazing

[@OnWriting.]

Thanks so much! I'm planning on doing these three together when I have time to sit down and do them all in one go haha ^.^ I'm looking forward to it!! It sounds super interesting, like a short story but through songs YES. Can't wait :)

[@MAY_sharma.]

@@OnWriting. Please add Willow to this love triangle too. It's continuation of Cardigan. Even the music videos for both the songs are in continuation.

[@nadasayed7351]

"I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost" for me is more about anxiety and intrusive thoughts, like how she's scared she's going to ruin this relationship. She always mentions things like waking up in the middle of the night because of her fears and her thoughts. She's like a ghost, unseen and wandering about at night and pacing implies the overthinking. "The room is on fire, invisible smoke" also reminds me of anxiety and how she feels a threat that's not really there it can also feel suffocating. "All my heroes die all alone" she is afraid she'll end up alone like them because she ends up pushing him away. This parallels a lot of her other lyrics that show how much she feared losing him and what they had because of who she is.

[@silverkyre]

Agreed with all of this. But also that ghost implies she's doing , what she always dies going over and over the same things over and over. Those exact same patterns of thought like a ghost just haunting a place not moving on all the over thinking never gets a resolution you just go over ND over the same thoughts. The way a ghost will haunting a house and "pace/walk" the same steps, over and over.

[@narbuka]

My favorite line from this song is, "Dark side, I search for your dark side / But what if I'm all right, right, right here?" I think it's important to note that it's spelled like "all right" and not "allright" because I don't think she's talking about being ok where she is. I think she's asking herself, "I'm searching for your dark side but what if *I am* the dark side? What if I am the thing that's all wrong about this relationship?" I think that's so sad and depressing which is why I love it so much lol. Also, I'm so glad you liked the Humpty Dumpty reference because people make fun of it all the time, saying it sticks out like a sore thumb but I've always thought it was very fitting and clever.

[@OnWriting.]

SHE'S THE DARK SIDE. Oh - I love this interpretation! Thanks for sharing ^.^ And haha yes I love allusions! :). I thought the lines fit well with the song given their meaning, though it does seem like an interesting choice for the fact that it's a nursery rhyme. I'm glad you found it clever, too! Allusions are hard to do well

[@silverkyre]

The humpty dumpty line is so brilliant here. She's saying she's broken, and irreparably broken. She'll always deal with these problems.

[@LWYMMD13]

Great analysis. I think the line "cut off my nose just to spite my face... " Is about always making the wrong decisions and doing the wrong that effect her so much, when she selfreflect she beats herself up for ruining all the good things. I think that's how ties in with the whole ARCHER & PREY idea. That sometimes she's the prey of her own mistakes and decisions

[@jessicafrancisco07]

Your analysis made me love this song even more. I already know that it's a vulnerable song but there is just something about your description of the lyrics that made me realize a lot of things about the topic of the song. ❤ Looking forward to the next one! 🎉

[@OnWriting.]

Oh thank you Jessica! I’m so glad ❤️🥰

[@Tayblink]

Same here. After watching this video, I have a better appreciation of this song. Thank you!

[@nva4687]

It's a great song, I also love that it can be interpreted as a song for her fans who she always says are her longest relationship. I see it with the 100 thrown out speeches line as she talks to her fans about her life during her concerts. A great song to do next that ties into thos theme would be Daylight which closes out the album

[@tyzuIaism]

i would love if you reacted to ‘you’re losing me’ keeping in mind this song! it’s the first break up song with her boyfriend of six years whom she’s talking about here! it really shows her insecurities

[@ffaenger19]

i love your analyses so much, thank you! “i cut off my nose just to spite my face” just breaks my heart

[@OnWriting.]

Thank YOU for watching ^.^ I'm so glad you've been enjoying them. And for real tho!

[@mathies3598]

"All of my enemies started out friends" during her 1989 Era she was hosting lots of parties, like 4th of july and such, and inviting people she considered friends. Then she kinda got canceled on the internet in 2016 by Kim, Kanye and the media and a lot of the famous people that she had put her trust in to come to her place, ended up taking Kanyes side or not defending her when the world hated her, even though she thought she had showed them her real character. That's why I think the Archer isn't just about a romantic partner she cant trust to stay but also fans, or new friends she makes

[@OnWriting.]

For sure! Don’t see why it couldn’t be both ☺️

[@loverhouse13]

you're so cool and chill! i love it :) i hope you react to some lyrics from folklore and evermore (maybe the love triangle "cardigan/august/betty" or "ivy" and "no body, no crime" which are two of the best songs she's EVER written, especially the second one because it makes you feel like you're watching a movie or reading a mystery book) keep this awesome content coming

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you! That's so kind! I've got a song from Evermore dropping next week ;);) and plan to do the love triangle when I can film them all together (suuuuper intrigued by those three songs). NBNC is on my list too, but I'll have to add Ivy. Thanks so much for watching and supporting

[@loverhouse13]

@@OnWriting. omg i'm so excited!! i hope you like them :) :D

[@todeluuee]

I always thought of ending the song with repeating "combat, I'm ready for combat" shows growth, or at least a willingness to grow. In the beginning, it feels more defensive and reactionary, like lashing out at perceived attacks. In the end, especially coming after the "you could stay" line, it feels more like she's willing to fight for the relationship. Which kinda ties in with a later song of hers called Long story short, where one line goes "But if someone comes at us, this time I'm ready".

[@Obliviouscanadian]

So glad you made another one!

[@OnWriting.]

How could I not? So many good suggestions came in! More is in the works ^.^

[@Talitha330]

Pace like a ghost makes me think of a spirit pacing the floor all night , haunted and haunting , unable to move forward to the next stage because of their past... another illustration of being the hunter and the prey and the product of past trauma/experiences

[@gabsiim8350]

I looooooooved this. Thank you for analizing this, loved your input, specially for the All the king's horses... verse, I'd never quite understood that part but I think you're absolutley right ❤ I recomend you listen to "ilicit affairs" from folklore álbum, I think you would have so much material with that one 😅😅😅

[@LP1029LP]

On the Sagittarius (archer) theme, she said this in Rolling Stone in 2019 when this album came out: "[talking about Katy Perry] She’s like, 'I’m a Scorpio. Scorpios just strike when they feel threatened.' And I was like, 'Well, I’m an archer. We literally stand back, assess the situation, process how we feel about it, raise a bow, pull it back, and fire.' So it’s completely different ways of processing pain, confusion, misconception. And oftentimes I’ve had this delay in feeling something that hurts me and then saying that it hurts me. Do you know what I mean? And so I can understand how people in my life would have been like, 'Whoa, I didn’t know that was how you felt.' Because it takes me a second." I love that when she performs this song on the Eras tour she's standing alone on stage and she mimes pulling back a bow and arrow and then letting it fly. It gives me chills! Thanks for this awesome analysis, I can't wait to see more!!

[@sal7777777]

That was a really comprehensive review of the lyrics, you are really good at interpreting the message in them. It funny to see your expression on the couple of lyrics that made you ponder, it was a great video. For your next video have a preselect number of songs than pick one at random, spin the wheel style but since is music it would be more like spin the record instead, just an idea.

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you! 🥺 It’s been so fun! And haha I love that idea! I wanted to figure out a way to do a spinning wheel, but a record would be awesome 😎

[@sal7777777]

@@OnWriting. I guess that if you have a record player you could shoot it from the top, write the names with a white dry marker on a dummy record, stop it and where the needle end that’s you song, add the footage as in in picture footage, or as B roll. That would be one way to do it.

[@ladybird3]

Love these so much, can't wait for the next one!

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you tons!! So glad you enjoy them. I filmed Champagne Problems last night (I think you're one of the people who requested that one?), so it'll be coming in a couple of weeks ;) Thanks again for watching ^.^

[@ladybird3]

@@OnWriting. I am!! Looking forward to it so much, hope you liked it 🥰

[@palomarissa]

THAT'S AMAAAAAAAZING!!! IM WAITING FOR THE WHOLE ALBUM, ALL ALBUM ❤❤

[@myphoneisblue]

Love these analyses!! More please!

[@OnWriting.]

Thank youuu!! 🥰🥹

[@sylsia1]

again, loved it. ready for more videos, no wrong way to go for analyzing her writing

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you tons! 🥺🥺

[@mariaeduardda3636]

love this!😊

[@OnWriting.]

thank you!

[@niltonlimajr4611]

Wow, so glad I found your channel. Taylor's lyrics are the best to be annalized. Could you do "My Tears Ricochet" next? I have a feeling that you'd love as much as you did with this one.

[@OnWriting.]

So glad you’re here! 😍 and oooh well I have a few more vids already filmed for the upcoming weeks but will add this one to my list! ^.^

[@khadijanedhal4735]

U should do more taylor's reaction. i love it

[@OnWriting.]

I'm so glad! More is on the way :)

[@VioletEmerald]

Amazing analysis!! Love every second of this. I took away even more things from this song after listening to your analysis and I wasn't even expecting to.

[@OnWriting.]

Aww thank you Violet!! ^.^ Honestly, this song has become one of my favs

[@mellinatre1149]

this was so interesting, feel like now I have a better understanding of this song..hope you can do more Taylow Swift songs

[@OnWriting.]

I love hearing this!! Yayy 🥰. And oh yes, more coming for sure. Keep you eye out on Thursdays ☺️

[@andresbecerra1183]

One of my favorite TS songs ever! Loved this! Please do Right Where You Left Me next 🫶🫶

[@DoubleBlack2.0]

Loving these videos so, so much! You have a new sub! 🫶🏼

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you! 🥲❤️

[@princebelials2780]

could "I cut off my nose just to spite my face" possibly be reminding you of "bite your face to spite your nose" from the song girls by the 1975? in any case, great vid! we all have so much to learn from taylor.

[@jonathaskaiky]

You’re gonna love to react TAYLOR SWIFT BEING A SONGWRITER GENIUS. Please, trust me!

[@jacykay6388]

This was so good and kinda helpful because I’ve heard so many people praise this song of Taylor’s and for me it’s always been one of the only songs that’s confused me by her since there’s so much immediate contrasting statements like “who could ever leave me darling, but who could stay?” always threw me off, like I would interpret it as her going through different emotions on different days because some days you feel invincible/confident for no reason and some days you feel insecure for no reason, but I always felt like in context of the song that’s not what she means because “who could ever leave me darling” I feel like is the only lyric in that song that has a positive connotation on how she views herself, because even her calling herself the archer isn’t really positive because it implies she’s cruel hunting weaker opponents. But you stating that it is confusing and that that’s the point just made it click for me that she could mean that it’s almost like nothing ever happens and she’s stuck in this feeling where everything is in extremities and hyperbole, using “who could” is an extreme statement and shows that on both sides of things she feels alone because she could be surrounded by people who could never leave her which could elicit feelings of loneliness and anxiousness because why can they never leave? What are they gaining from sticking around? Are they just using her? Do they truly want to be there? But then who could stay elicits the anxiety and feeling of doom from that as well because it’s saying that she feels as though she isn’t good enough or that she’s too cruel (“I’ve been the archer” “I’m ready for combat” “cruelty wins in the movies”) and that whoever is with her is bound to be hurt by her (“I’ve ben the archer”) in some way and leave her or to leave her because she isn’t enough (“I’ve been the prey” could be interpreted as she’s been hurt and hunted or could be interpreted as she’s weak and unable to defend herself or others, so it could be interpreted as her saying she can’t defend her lover or herself from all these attacks so who could stay through that?) anyways, long story short, I FINALLY understand the meaning of this song that I always skip because it used to frustrate me because I couldn’t understand her contradictions until you put it in perspective for me so thanks.

[@sam_sa09]

I love the way you interpretted Archer

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you tons!

[@dvkins6394]

I subscribed for the taylor swift content!!

[@OnWriting.]

Thanks doll!

[@sannlorias]

I’m a fiction writer but have been stuck for a while. I started to get into swift 6 months ago or so and the way she creates a world with her lyrics hooked me, despite most of my friends thinking she’s just a pop star. I’ve watched lots of reaction videos but they have nothing knew to teach me. Your channel is gold for me. I’m taking notes. I have a novel started and know the conflict, arc, etc. but really struggling with POV as in first person limited, third person omniscient. I’ve always started my stories with a character and watched where they lead me, so already knowing the plot may be what’s messing me up. Thanks for reminding me to follow the character. It’s been a while since MFA workshop. ❤

[@OnWriting.]

This makes me so happy to hear!! Yay! 🥰🥰🥰 I’m really glad it was helpful. And glad you’re here 😍

[@thichnuoicavatrongcay3900]

Great videos. Keep it up girl.

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you! 🥺🥺

[@itsmehum2631]

wow, the way you spell out every letter when you speak girlll🫀 and i can't wait to watch you become a swiftie😂 i see the spark there😂😽

[@OnWriting.]

Hahaha thank you!! And it's probably inevitable XD

[@ramaninawarathna2420]

This song is more about her anxiety and slef loathing. "I've been the archer I've been the prey" = Hurt people, hurt people. "I'm ready for combat" means she is ready to fight with her inner demons to protect her relationship. And when she says "they see right through me " she means no one actually sees her for her. And she asks Joe, "can you see right through me" are you also seeing right through me? And she knows he doesn't. But her overthinking tells her otherwise. Then at last "I see right through me" even she doesn't see the real her because everyone is trying to make her something she is not and that’s the only thing she sees. Her anxiety and inner demons convinces her to jump off from the train.They always did. But this time she doesn't want to. The train is their relationship. And not like other relationships she had, this one is not in her control. She is not the driver and she's scared. Yet she's comfortable. She doesn't want to get off. This time she wants to be in the train until it stops at the destination. She talks about this theme more in many songs. Eg: Willow, Labyrinth, Anti hero

[@laurenl6272]

I saw someone else comment this on your other video but you really should listen to her album Folklore next. The entire album is literal poetry ❤️

[@OnWriting.]

Folklore is on the way! ^.^

[@psychoswift2655]

Champagne Problemes Next please

[@OnWriting.]

It’s coming in the next couple of weeks! Already filmed 😉

[@elizabethjulia20]

After this song I think you would really appreciate "Cornelia Street" from the same album, or "The Great War" from Midnights (her latest album). I have a feeling both are about this same relationship, or a similar situation, and both really add to the archer in my opinion and are beautifully written. That feeling of wanting to bolt because she's so afraid something is going to go wrong due to past experience... and possibly being proven wrong?

[@marykatedoyle9574]

Also, PLEASE do Hozier. Anything from his new album is incredible, but really his whole discography is exceptional

[@shannongeary9267]

I could watch you do very single Taylor song. Please do Evermore/Folklore songs! :)

[@OnWriting.]

Aw you are too sweet! I have more Taylor coming next week w/ an Evermore song ;););)

[@shannongeary9267]

Yay! Can't wait.@@OnWriting.

[@jennameans6919]

"who could stay? you could stay..." "she really wants that and she's not sure its gonna happen" ......i need five minutes alone in a room with joe alwyn.....i just wanna talk

[@carolinamansur113]

I don't know if you have done Afterglow or not (for what I remember, you haven't), but it is exactly about what you picked on this song. I hadn't had the tine to think and understand The Archer, so it's the first time I come across this self sabotaging idea (which definitely fits, I just hadn't thought of it), and Afterglow is exactly about this. I love that song a lot (kinda relate, unfortunately), but I never see people talking about it

[@OnWriting.]

Ohhhh I've really been loving Afterglow lately. I can definitely see the parallels!

[@Idkwhat56]

Oh Megan thank you for this ❤️ You need to analyze some of the folklore songs, that album has her best writing, especially songs like the lakes, peace, my tears ricochet, the last great American dynasty, and hoax!!

[@OnWriting.]

Thank YOU for watching 🥺🥰. Folklore is on deck haha. I have invisible string/this is me trying in my editing queue. Thanks for the extra recommendations too! I’m looking forward to going through more of that album 🤩

[@zontzooit2415]

Some sad songs of Taylor I think would be great: (I have the album number featured as well) -Dear John (3) -Would’ve could’ve should’ve (10) -my tears ricochet (8) -tolerate it (9) -forever winter (Tw topics ab mental health and suicide 4) Some happier and more hopeful songs: -you are in love(my personal fave 5) -delicate (6) -enchanted(3) -clean(slightly sad but hopeful 5) -timeless(3)

[@zontzooit2415]

Btw you are in love inspired the music video to lover (the bridge)

[@SireneAtlis]

For “I pace like a ghost” in The Archer I think of it as like I cant sleep because Im haunted by my past relationships and I need to figure out how to keep this one before it’s gone.

[@NathanDinehart]

PLEASE do "You're Losing Me," the figurative language is painfully real

[@Mariam-hq6bj]

There's an underlying theme of mental illness in this song. This song SOUNDS like a panic attack. The thumping music in the back that sounds like a palpitating heart. Room being on fire but the smoke being invisible as if youre suffocating but theres nothing physically there. Loved this video.

[@camuhearme]

I think when she says “I pace like a ghost” she’s meaning she can’t really leave where she’s at. she can’t get over something. the song is all about anxiety, you feel her anxiety as the song progresses by the beat getting louder and more aggressive. when you think of ghosts, a lot of times in stories they can’t leave where they died or they’re tied to a specific item and unable to leave it behind. so what do they do if they can’t leave somewhere? they float around over and over and over again. I think of the lady in the lake from the haunting of bly manor. every night, she walks from the lake, to the bedroom, and back. she’s pacing and retracing her steps every night. with taylor’s anxiety, no matter how much she tells herself to get over something, it doesn’t matter. she’s stuck and can’t sleep so she paces. the room is on fire but no one can see it or the smoke but her bc the anxiety is all in her head.

[@OnWriting.]

Love this! You can definitely feel the anxiety throughout. Really nice observations

[@Cmyers16]

Her line “who could ever leave me darling? But who could stay?” Is really another internal struggle that we see in songs like “You’re losing Me” where she says “I’m the best thing at this part” followed immediately by “and I wouldn’t marry me either, a pathological people pleaser”. Where she has these moments of thinking she’s the best thing someone could have, and then also saying- but there’s also so much wrong with me, and I have so many flaws, who would put up with that. She’s the “anti-hero” (another song) in her mind sometimes. - at least this was my interpretation 😅

[@Cmyers16]

Also she has other songs about sabotaging good relationships: Afterglow which is also on Lover (it’s my favorite track on the album) Where she says: “I blew things out of proportion now you’re blue. I put you in jail for something you didn’t do”. “It’s on your face and I’m to blame” & so many more good lyrics on this topic. And I did something bad where she says “this is how the world works. You’ve got to leave before you get left” & “he says don’t throw away a good thing, but if he drops my name then he had it coming”.

[@keybugwill]

Cut off my nose just to spite my face is an old saying people used for people who did stuff with the intention to hurt someone else but ends up hurting themselves in the process.

[@OnWriting.]

Yessss I had never heard that before! Too cool (but also… eesh 🥴)

[@franziska2521]

i've have always thought that the "combat, i'm ready for combat" at the end has a different meaning. imo in the end she is ready to fight for the relationship instead of jumping off the train. she is like "you could stay" and i'm will fight for us. or maybe i just like a positive ending too much😂

[@OnWriting.]

OMG. Love that interpretation! Yes!!

[@yousef5953]

you're really really really pretty

[@josel7994]

the archer isn't about a relationship, is about her and her problems and anxiety, it's her talking to her on the mirror, at least she's her maximum support, she's the only who could stay and the one that's always ready for combat

[@josel7994]

"the room is on fire, invisible smoke" it's a reference to her anxiety "and i cut off my nose just to spite my face, then I hate my reflection for years and years" is talking about her eds "they see right through me, I see right through me" is her expressing how everyone hurts her, and she hurts herself too "combat, I'm ready for combat" it's her telling us that she's always in a battle with herself and finally we have the "who could ever leave me darling, but who could stay...? you could stay" nobody wants to stay, but al least she has herself (it's a reference to her ootw speech who is incredible). This is my POV about the song, and my interpretation being a swiftie since 2009 ❤

[@stephane1623]

Since Joe and Taylor broke up, it would be great for you for you to react to you’re losing me. The painful tribute she gave him.

[@OnWriting.]

Oh noooo 🥺

[@nickybull2361]

I would love you to react to tolerate it, another incredibly devastating song from Taylor 😢

[@mis9637]

I love when writers take time to analyze and appreciate lyrics! I highly recommend Twenty One Pilots for really beautiful and captivating lyricism

[@kdfrancisco]

Please react to All Too Well, Out of the Woods, Wildest Dreams, Call It What You Want, the 1, closure, and it's time to go please they're my fav ts songs

[@ezero3289]

maybe invisible smoke means everybody can see her

[@Aldz__]

This song is my favorite Taylor Swift song, like ever. This one helped me cope with a lot of things, so it has a special place in my heart. I believe she chose archer as a symbol because her zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Some say it's because she wrote and sang two songs for the hunger games. My favorite line is: _Dark side, I search for your dark side, but what if I'm all right, right, right, right here._ The meaning increases as the number of rights. She might refer to _I'm alright_ (fine), _I'm right_ (her assumptions were correct), or _I'm right here_ (she's the dark side herself). I have a similar perspective on the song before this video. But after watching your reaction, I obtained a newfound profound understanding for this song. I love to hear your thoughts on other of her ambiguous songs. Some say her song _seven_ has childlike innocence, but others say it's dark and has a creepy side to it. Her song _hoax_ has allusions, but the meaning is very vague and dark. On your last video, I recall you talking about perspectives. I wonder what the pov on her song _the last great American dynasty._ It starts on third person but the narrator breaks the 4th wall. Does that make it fourth person perspective? I also would like to hear your take on her fictional songs _champagne problems_ (the plot is cool, the two characters have opposite purposes), _tolerate it_ (this one is sad, but freeing on the latter part) and _illicit affairs_ (this one is sang from a different gender's perspective, but the gender of the narrator is ambiguous). Lastly, we really don't mind watching longform videos. Most swifties love to watch and rewatch lyrics analysis videos, especially if it was well done. Love your videos, keep it up!

[@OnWriting.]

Thanks for watching and for the support 🥹🥰. Champagne problems is coming! Love those different interpretations of “all right, right, right…” too! I’ll add your recs to my list 😍

[@Aldz__]

@@OnWriting. Thanks as well! We'll be looking forward for more ☺️😁

[@rosecabudoc4071]

More Track 5 songs, please! ❤️

[@marykatedoyle9574]

“I cut off my nose just to spite my face” is an old phrase, usually meaning they do something that they think will hurt someone, without realizing or caring that it will hurt themselves as well. The song you’re probably thinking of is Girls by the 1975, “bite your fave to spite your nose” The reason for this is because Taylor and karlie kloss were filmed kissing to that song at a 1975 concert years ago, and she’s still remained in the closet. It was theorizes that she was planning to come out with this album until her relationship with karlie fell apart and her masters got sold out from under her.

[@lenaalmansour4363]

You haveee to do the lakes

[@jvxdjc4749]

YOU HAVE TO REACT TO NOTHING NEW (ft. Phoebe Bridgers). It’s so underrated. The lyrics are so so so goooood. All too well (10 minute) outshined it that’s why no one talked about it when it came out.

[@warcatfurever101writeroffanfic]

Yay we get more of this! ❤❤❤❤

[@OnWriting.]

Haha how could we not?? It’s too fun 🥰 thanks for watching 🙏

[@warcatfurever101writeroffanfic]

@@OnWriting. ofc, thank you for making this!

[@rissaannster]

This song is anxiety in relationships personified. In my mind, ending with “I’m ready for combat” is her deciding she’s ready to fight for the relationship.

[@davidhampson1958]

I wonder if Taylor wakes at night not only to write lyrics but also wakes with panic attacks...This line could so relate to a panic attack “I wake in the night, I pace like ghost, the room is on fire, invisible smoke” Anyone else think it could relate?

[@mackenzie1845]

i have to say my fav line is "The room is on fire, invisible smoke" because its my bio on another site I can't name or else youtube will flag my comment lol.. 😂But I love seeing people dissect Taylor's lyrics in a more analytical way because so many people just dismiss her as having meaningless pop lyrics that are just supposed to be catchy, because they've only heard Shake It Off or something. Especially when you talked about repeating things for emphasis, she's shown shes very intentional about things like that and could come up with different words/phrases if she wanted to. So its clearly for a specific reason. and I LOVE when people start picking up her lyrical tendencies like allusions to other books/media, or her usage of common phrases and her ability to switch up the meaning of those phrases❤❤

[@Ricky48888]

Really, even Shake it off has an important message in it. But people don't realize it.

[@mackenzie1845]

@@Ricky48888true!

[@caroline1249]

do you're losing me!! it's from her latest album midnights

[@cheysi_desu]

Welp... this video validates The Archer as THE Track 5 in Lover.

[@sunoosvt]

tolerate it please!!!

[@celinelovell4725]

Folklore is her best album

[@OnWriting.]

I have only heard good things! ☺️

[@rayenofficial79]

please analys "you're losing me" by taylor swift

[@vp4744]

I was hoping you'd review this song. You read my mind. Thanks. At first hearing a couple of years ago, this song did not make an impression. On later listens it got worse and I couldn't tell why. I gave up in frustration, that is until I watched your reaction. It's the allusions. Nice device, but the payoff here is shallow. Whether it is Shakespeare or Humpty Dumpty, the allusions are mile wide and inch deep. They're painfully strained. Allusions are emotional shortcuts, but she turned them into long verbal detours. That's what bothered me. Now I know. Thanks.

[@OnWriting.]

I do love allusions, to be honest, but I feel they're pretty hard to do well (because so often it can come across like the writer is just stealing lines from other places instead of coming up with their own way of saying it). Buuuuut they do also feel like puzzle pieces to me, so I like them haha ^.^ In the old days, they were great ways to connect with readers who you could bet had read many of the same things (the classics, etc.). But I feel ya! I'm glad this helped at least, haha, and I appreciate you watching :)

[@vp4744]

@@OnWriting. I agree, allusions are hard to do well in prose or poetry.

[@1DMapler18]

before joe, a majority of her relationships have not been good to her so her feeling like she needs to be cruel in this current one is almost a self defense mechanism

[@OnWriting.]

Yes for sure ugh 😭

[@candlesandcloth]

If you say that someone is cutting off their nose to spite their face, you mean they do something that they think will hurt someone, without realizing or caring that it will hurt themselves as well. So basically, she's admitting that she lashes out at her partner, sometimes unnecessarily, despite the fact that doing so could cause her more misery (or to hate her reflection) in the end if her behaviors result in that partner leaving her.

[@OnWriting.]

Yesss I had never heard that phrase before! So sad 🫠

[@candlesandcloth]

Not sad at all! It's definitely a phrase that's not as commonly used these days and not super intuitive unless you're already familiar with it. I really enjoyed your overall analysis!

[@OnWriting.]

@@candlesandcloth ohhh yes haha I meant it’s a sad phrase 😆 but thank you all the same!! And I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🥰. It’s super fun to think through all of Taylor’s puzzle pieces in these songs

[@xmlsheldo]

Please please please react to “your loosing me”

[@galaxy_doggie2630]

you should defo do you're on your own kid!

[@mookykitten]

“Cutting off my nose in spite of my face” is an old expression meaning to have such an inappropriate reaction to something you end up doing yourself a disservice. She could be playing with that expression.

[@bobbyli5022]

Please react more reputation songs!!!

[@madelinewise8692]

She's comparing herself to the characteristics of her astrological sign, Sagittarius, also known as The Archer

[@OnWriting.]

Yes someone else commented about that. Love that tie-in! ☺️

[@Lan13_]

You look like Brie Larson

[@OnWriting.]

Thank you ☺️

[@markisagani1220]

You look like Dakota Johnson and Brie Larson ❤