Taylor Swift has always been known for her introspective and deeply personal lyrics, but her song ‘Anti-Hero’ takes it to a whole new level. In this song, she lays bare her struggles with depression, narcissism, and the constant feeling of being an outsider.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for what is to come – “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser, Midnights become my afternoons, When my depression works the graveyard shift”. It is a raw and honest portrayal of the darkness that can come with mental illness and the way it can take over one’s life.
Swift’s lyrics also touch on the theme of feeling like an outsider. “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, And I’m a monster on the hill, Too big to hang out, slowly lurching toward your favorite city, Pierced through the heart, but never killed.” These lines express the struggle of feeling like one doesn’t fit in with the rest of the world, and the pain of being left out and left behind.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, with Swift singing “It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero”. It is a commentary on the way we often glamorize those who are flawed and broken, those who are the underdogs or the outcasts. It is also a reflection on the pressure to constantly root for and support those who are struggling, and the toll that can take on a person.
The bridge of the song takes a more sinister turn, with Swift singing about her fear of being killed by her daughter-in-law for the money. It is a jarring contrast to the vulnerability of the rest of the song, but it adds to the overall feeling of unease and anxiety that permeates the lyrics.
In the end, ‘Anti-Hero’ is a powerful song that speaks to the human struggle in all of us. It is a reminder that we all have our demons, and that we are all just doing the best we can to get by. Swift’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities and struggles is what makes her such a powerful artist, and this song is a testament to that.
Watch: Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Listen now: Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
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