"Call It What You Want" is the fourteenth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's sixth studio album, reputation, released on November 3, 2017, through Big Machine Records.
Background[]
Swift announced the release of the song through social media on November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017, is the thirteenth anniversary of Swift meeting Scott Borchetta.
The song is confirmed to be about Swift's then-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The line "I want to wear his initial on a chain 'round my neck" is a reference to Swift owning a necklace with Alwyn's initials on it.
Swift said of the song: "The way I feel the album is, as far as a storyline, is I feel like it starts with just getting out any kind of rebellion, or anger, or angst, or whatever. And then, like, falling in love, and realizing that you kind of settle into what your priorities are, and your life changes, but you welcome it because it’s something that matters to you. And this last part of the album feels like settling into where I am now. So it started with where I was when I started making the album, and ends with kind of my emotional state now. And this song, I think, really reflects that probably the best on the album, and it’s called 'Call It What You Want'."
On October 19, 2017, Swift announced she would be releasing a new song titled "Gorgeous". It became available the next day through digital retailers and streaming services as a promotional single from the album. On November 2, 2017. Swift announced she would be releasing the second promotional song from Reputation while posting teasers on her official Twitter and Instagram accounts. The track, titled "Call It What You Want" was released at midnight on November 3, 2017.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
My castle crumbled overnight
I brought a knife to a gunfight
They took the crown, but it's alright
All the liars are calling me one
Nobody's heard from me for months
I'm doing better than I ever was
'Cause
[Chorus]
My baby's fit like a daydream
Walking with his head down
I'm the one he's walking to
So, call it what you want, yeah
Call it what you want to
My baby's fly like a jet stream
High above the whole scene
Loves me like I'm brand new
So, call it what you want, yeah
Call it what you want to
[Verse 2]
All my flowers grew back as thorns
Windows boarded up after the storm
He built a fire just to keep me warm
All the drama queens taking swings
All the jokers dressing up as kings
They fade to nothing when I look at him
And I know I make the same mistakes every time
Bridges burn, I never learn
At least I did one thing right
I did one thing right
I'm laughing with my lover, making forts under covers
Trust him like a brother
Yeah, you know I did one thing right
Starry eyes sparking up my darkest night
[Chorus]
My baby's fit like a daydream
Walking with his head down
I'm the one he's walking to
So, call it what you want
Yeah, call it what you want to
My baby's fly like a jet stream
High above the whole scene
Loves me like I'm brand new
(Call it what you want)
(Call it what you want, call it)
So, call it what you want
Yeah, call it what you want to
[Bridge]
I want to wear his initial on a chain 'round my neck
Chain 'round my neck
Not because he owns me
But, 'cause he really knows me
Which is more than they can say, I
I recall late November
Holding my breath, slowly, I said
"You don't need to save me
"But would you run away with me?"
Yes (Would you run away?)
[Chorus]
My baby's fit like a daydream
Walking with his head down
I'm the one he's walking to
(Call it what you want)
(Call it what you want, call it)
So, call it what you want
Yeah, call it what you want to
My baby's fly like a jet stream
High above the whole scene
Loves me like I'm brand new
(Call it what you want)
(Call it what you want, call it)
So, call it what you want
Yeah, call it what you want to
[Outro]
(Call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
(Call it what you want, call it what you want, call it)
Call it what you want, yeah
Call it what you want… to
Taymoji pack[]
 Is this on?  Love can be a prickly thing.  Always find a way to shine through.  Look, we caused a chain reaction.  My baby’s fit like a daydream.  You’ve got my stamp of approval.  Loves me like I’m brand new.  Bridges burn, I never learn.  Box |
Live performances[]
Swift performed "Call It What You Want" from May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona, to November 21, 2018, in Tokyo, Japan, on The Reputation Stadium Tour, as the nineteenth song on the setlist.[1] It was also performed as a surprise song at the Eras Tour in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 1, 2023. It was performed a second time as a surprise song on March 4, 2024, in Singapore, as part of a mashup with "This Love".
References[]
| reputation | ||
|---|---|---|
| "...Ready For It?" • "End Game" • "I Did Something Bad" • "Don't Blame Me" • "Delicate" • "Look What You Made Me Do" • "So It Goes..." • "Gorgeous" • "Getaway Car" • "King of My Heart" • "Dancing With Our Hands Tied" • "Dress" • "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" • "Call It What You Want" • "New Year's Day" | ||
|