"Exile" (stylized as "exile") feat. Bon Iver is the fourth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, folklore, released on July 24, 2020, through Republic Records. The song became the second single from the album on August 3, 2020.
Background[]
Swift confirmed the existence of the song through social media on July 23, 2020.
In Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, it's revealed that the name William Bowery is a pseudonym that Swift's ex-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, used in order to be credited as a writer on the song anonymously. Alwyn wrote the piano portion of the song.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Justin Vernon]
I can see you standing, honey
With his arms around your body
Laughin', but the joke's not funny at all
And it took you five whole minutes
To pack us up and leave me with it
Holdin' all this love out here in the hall
[Chorus: Justin Vernon]
I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So, what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
Ooh, ooh, ooh
[Verse 2: Taylor Swift]
I can see you starin', honey
Like he's just your understudy
Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me
Second, third and hundredth chances
Balancin' on breaking branches
Those eyes add insult to injury
[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
I'm not your problem anymore
So, who am I offending now?
You were my crown, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
So, I'm leaving out the side door
[Bridge: Taylor Swift & Justin Vernon]
So, step right out, there is no amount
Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very, thin line
You didn't even hear me out (You didn't even hear me out)
You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
All this time
I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)
I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
So many signs, so many signs
You didn't even see the signs
[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Justin Vernon]
I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So, what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
So. I'm leavin' out the side door
[Outro: Justin Vernon & Taylor Swift]
So, step right out, there is no amount
Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very thin line
You didn't even hear me out (Didn't even hear me out)
You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
All this time
I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)
I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
You never gave a warning sign (All this time)
(So many signs) I never learned to read your mind
(So many signs) I couldn't turn things around (I couldn't turn things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (You never gave a warning sign)
You never gave a warning sign
Ah, ah
Awards and nominations[]
"exile" received one nomination.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | Nominated |
Live performance[]
Swift and Bon Iver performed "exile" for the first time in London, England, on October 26, 2022. "Exile" was performed as a surprise song four times on the Eras Tour, once on August 7, 2023, in Los Angeles, and twice as part of a mashup with "Haunted": on February 25, 2024, in Sydney, Australia, and on June 9, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was also performed as an Eras Tour surprise song as part of a mashup with "The Black Dog" on August 3, 2024, in Warsaw, Poland.
| folklore | ||
|---|---|---|
| "the 1" • "cardigan" • "the last great american dynasty" • "exile" • "my tears ricochet" • "mirrorball" • "seven" • "august" • "this is me trying" • "illicit affairs" • "invisible string" • "mad woman" • "epiphany" • "betty" • "peace" • "hoax" | ||
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