From “White Horse” to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” it’s no secret that Taylor Swift has written some of the greatest breakup songs of the 21st century. Since her last tour, Swift has released six albums, two of them being re-recordings of “Fearless” and “Red.” The night before embarking on The Eras Tour, Swift took to Instagram, announcing the release of a new song. The song, titled, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before,” is a previously unreleased love ballad that was meant to be a track on her 2019’s album, “Lover.” In it, she details how she feels about her past relationships and her current beau’s romantic history. But, classically switching the narrative once again, Taylor Swift is giving her fans a refreshing new perspective on what was once so bleak. “All Of The Girls You Loved Before” is not a breakup song, a reminiscent ballad or a diss track. Instead, Swift approaches the topic with an Ariana Grande-esque “thank u, next” outlook, but with a new twist.
By now, we have all heard why going through a breakup is good for you. You get to know yourself, you develop self-love, and you have some serious character growth. But one thing we forget is that somewhere out there, the person you’re meant to be with is getting their heart broken, too. They are becoming who they need to be in order to meet you. This is Swift’s message in her new song.
When you think of all the late nights / Lame fights over the phone / Wake up in the morning with someone / But feeling alone
Taylor Swift, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before”
At the start of the song, Taylor Swift opens with this line. Everyone has been there – seeking out the company of another just to cure the feeling of loneliness. Yet, somehow, still feeling all alone.
Your past and mine are parallel lines / Stars all aligned and they intertwined
Taylor Swift, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before”
Who else remembers singing along to “You Belong With Me” in the car as a kid? You couldn’t help but wonder when Swift would finally be writing love songs that were true to her own life. Little did she know, her future beau was out there experiencing heartbreak as well. This is a comforting thought for everyone to keep in mind. Heartbreak sucks, and everyone feels it at some point. Just think, though, that the person you are meant to be with is out there experiencing heartbreak as well. You aren’t going through it alone.
Crying in the bathroom for some dude / Whose name I cannot remember now
Taylor Swift, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before”
A creative callback to a previous song comes in the second verse. Everyone remembers the monumental song “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” which was released in late 2021. In the song, she details crying in a bathroom over a man who broke her heart and let her down. The message she is trying to convey is that it was something that was so painful at the time, but now that man doesn’t even matter to her anymore.
All of the girls you loved before / Made you the one I’ve fallen for
Taylor Swift, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before”
This is the opening line of the chorus, as well as Swift’s main message of the ballad. She argues that she can feel nothing but gratitude towards the women her soulmate dated before her. Without them, they wouldn’t have found each other and ended up together. This is perhaps the best line in the song, as it is a great philosophy to have throughout life. Every time you get your heart broken, you go through that character development. The fates are simply preparing you for your soulmate. You are becoming the person you need to be in order to be with them.
Maybe Taylor Swift is onto something here. She has offered us some wonderful counsel in all her infinite wisdom. If there’s anyone who is qualified to give out heartbreak advice, it’s her. So, when you’re on your next date, just remember this: if it ends in heartbreak and disappointment, it is a necessary evil. You are going through the growth you need to go through before you meet the person you will spend forever with. Somewhere out there, they are going through the same thing, just wishing they would meet someone like you.
What are your thoughts on Taylor Swift’s new song? Tag us @VALLEYmag and let us know!
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