"Happiness" (stylized as "happiness") is the seventh track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's ninth studio album, evermore, released on December 11, 2020, through Republic Records.
Background[]
The song was written only a week before the album release, making this the last song she wrote for the album.[1]
| “ | "I think that line specifically was I haven't met the new me yet. In the context of the relationship song I was trying to channel sort of my friend's who got out of a very very long, impactful, life-altering relationship and saying "how do I pack this up, how do I put this in a box and put it in a car and drive away and what did I leave there?". So from that perspective it goes to I haven't met the new me yet, the person I'm gonna have to become to get over this, the person whose gonna have to have a new hobby and fill their time with new things than you. In the second verse it says I hope she'll be a beautiful fool who takes my spot next to you. [Here the phrase means] You haven't met the person to replace me yet, but I know you're going to. So then in the third verse it goes to I haven't met the new me yet but I think she'll give you that, meaning I think she's gonna forgive you and she's gonna give you that green light to move ahead with your life and to know that I'm okay. But there's another meaning to the phrase, which is that I have no idea what comes after this, and I truly, truly have no plan. And I'm okay with that, it does feel like this is it for a bit, but I don't know what that means. The phrase it exactly what I mean, I have no idea what happens next." |
” |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Honey, when I'm above the trees
I see this for what it is
But now I'm right down in it, all the years I've given
Is just shit we're dividin' up
Showed you all of my hiding spots
I was dancing when the music stopped
And in the disbelief, I can't face reinvention
I haven't met the new me yet
[Chorus]
There'll be happiness after you
But there was happiness because of you
Both of these things can be true
There is happiness
[Post-Chorus]
Past the blood and bruise
Past the curses and cries
Beyond the terror in the nightfall
Haunted by the look in my eyes
That would've loved you for a lifetime
Leave it all behind
And there is happiness
[Verse 2]
Tell me, when did your winning smile
Begin to look like a smirk?
When did all our lessons start to look like weapons
Pointed at my deepest hurt?
I hope she'll be your beautiful fool
Who takes my spot next to you
No, I didn't mean that
Sorry, I can't see facts through all of my fury
You haven't met the new me yet
[Chorus]
There'll be happiness after me
But there was happiness because of me
Both of these things, I believe
There is happiness
[Post-Chorus]
In our history, across our great divide
There is a glorious sunrise
Dappled with the flickers of light
From the dress I wore at midnight, leave it all behind
And there is happiness
[Bridge]
I can't make it go away by making you a villain
I guess it's the price I paid for seven years in Heaven
And I pulled your body into mine
Every goddamn night, now I get fake niceties
No one teaches you what to do
When a good man hurts you
And you know you hurt him, too
[Verse 3]
Honey, when I'm above the trees
I see it for what it is
But now my eyes leak acid rain on the pillow where you used to lay your head
After giving you the best I had
Tell me what to give after that
All you want from me now is the green light of forgiveness
You haven't met the new me yet
And I think she'll give you that
[Chorus]
There'll be happiness after you
But there was happiness because of you, too
Both of these things can be true
There is happiness
[Post-Chorus]
In our history, across our great divide
There is a glorious sunrise
Dappled with the flickers of light
From the dress I wore at midnight, leave it all behind
Oh, leave it all behind
Leave it all behind
And there is happiness
Live performances[]
A mashup of "We Were Happy" and "happiness" was performed as a surprise song on The Eras Tour on July 23, 2024.
References[]
- ↑ YouTube Q&A - willow premiere - Taylor Swift
| evermore | ||
|---|---|---|
| "willow" • "champagne problems" • "gold rush" • "'tis the damn season" • "tolerate it" • "no body, no crime" • "happiness" • "dorothea" • "coney island" • "ivy" • "cowboy like me" • "long story short" • "marjorie" • "closure" • "evermore" | ||
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