The Meaning Behind The Song: Willow by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift dropped her ninth studio album, “evermore,” on December 11, 2020, just five months after releasing “folklore.” Her fans were taken by surprise, but they were even more surprised when they listened to the album and heard the song “willow.” In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the song “willow.”
About “willow”
“willow” is the second track on “evermore,” and it was released as a single on December 11, 2020. The song was written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner of the National, who produced the album. It is a love song that explores the depths of a relationship, and how it can survive anything, even the darkest of days.
Lyrics Analysis
The lyrics of “willow” are poetic and full of metaphors, but at the same time, they are easy to understand. Let’s take a closer look at the first verse:
“I’m like the water when your ship rolled in that night
Rough on the surface but you cut through like a knife
And if it was an open-shut case
I never would’ve known from that look on your face
Lost in your current like a priceless wine”
In these lines, Taylor compares herself to water and her lover’s ship to a knife. She implies that her life was tumultuous before her lover arrived, and their relationship cut through the roughness. She also mentions that if it was an “open-shut” case, meaning if their relationship was straightforward, she would never have known the depth of her lover’s emotions. She compares her state of being in love to a “priceless wine,” implying that it is something rare and valuable.
The Music Video
The music video for “willow” was directed by Taylor Swift herself, and it tells a story parallel to the lyrics of the song. In the video, Taylor is seen wandering in a forest, before finding a magic book that transports her to a different world. Here, she meets her lover (played by Taeok Lee), who is also wandering in the mystical world. They end up dancing together before Taylor returns to her reality, where she is singing in a cozy cabin.
The video is visually stunning, and it perfectly captures the dreamy, magical essence of the song.
The Meaning Behind The Song
“willow” is a love song, but it is not a typical love song. Taylor Swift describes a relationship that has been through a lot, but has managed to withstand the tests of time. They have been through rough waters, but they have cut through them like a knife, indicating the strength of their love.
The chorus of the song is where the main message lies:
“Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind
Head on the pillow, I could feel you sneaking in
As if you were a mythical thing
Like you were a trophy or a champion ring
There was one prize I’d cheat to win”
Taylor Swift compares life to a willow, a tree that is known for its adaptability. She implies that she is like the willow, and she has bent to her lover’s will. She also mentions that she could feel her lover sneaking in, implying that he has a powerful presence in her life. She compares him to a mythical thing, indicating that their love is something special and rare.
She also calls him a trophy or a champion ring, implying that he is a prize worth fighting for. And she ends the chorus by mentioning that there was one prize she would cheat to win, indicating that she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their love alive.
Conclusion
“willow” is a beautiful, dreamy love song that captures the essence of a relationship that has been through a lot. Taylor Swift’s poetic lyrics and Aaron Dessner’s hauntingly beautiful melodies create a song that transports the listener to a different world. The music video enhances the story, and it perfectly captures the magic of the song.
Overall, “willow” is a great addition to Taylor Swift’s discography and demonstrates her evolution as an artist. It is a song that will continue to be popular for years to come, and it has already become a fan favorite.
