"The Lucky One" is the thirteenth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on October 22, 2012, through Big Machine Records. It is also the thirteenth track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.
Background[]
Swift wrote the song while in Australia. While Swift doesn't explicitly say who the song is about, it is rumored to be about Joni Mitchell and Kim Wilde. The main hook melody is sampled from Wilde's Four Letter Word. In Swift's lyric, "Chose the rose garden over Madison Square" possibly references how Wilde branched out her career to become landscape gardener.
Swift says that the song talks about some of her fears through telling the stories of other people that she was inspired by. She talks about how they have known when to disappear, to enjoy their life more. Then she talks about how she has become "The Lucky One".
The song is about a star who had it all- and who was also exposed to all, the tabloids, lights, and cameras. After her secrets were being leaked all over the world she was done. She moved away to a life of solitude and nobody knew where she had gone. As said in the song: "They say you bought a bunch of land somewhere/chose the rose garden over Madison Square." The song ends with Taylor understanding why the star chose that path.
Taylor Swift talks about The Lucky One
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Wouldn't you like to know.
This message may hint at the fact that there are only theories surrounding who this song was written about. This may be her way of telling us that she will never tell us, or talking about the mystery of the story of the person who the song was written about, as, in the way it is presented, they disappeared.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
New to town with a made up name
In the Angel City, chasing fortune and fame
And the camera flashes make it look like a dream
You had it figured out since you were in school
Everybody loves pretty, everybody loves cool
So, overnight, you look like a sixties’ queen
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Another name goes up in lights
Like diamonds in the sky
[Chorus]
And they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Yeah, they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
But can you tell me, now
You’re the lucky one
[Verse 2]
Now, it’s big black cars and Riviera views
And your lover in the foyer doesn’t even know you
And your secrets end up splashed on the news front page
And they tell you that you’re lucky, but you’re so confused
'Cause you don’t feel pretty, you just feel used
And all the young things line up to take your place
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Another name goes up in lights
You wonder if you’ll make it out alive
[Chorus]
And they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Yeah, they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Can you tell me, now? You’re the lucky one
Oh, oh, oh
[Verse 3]
It was a few years later, I showed up here
And they still tell the legend of how you disappeared
How you took the money and your dignity and got the Hell out
They say you bought a bunch of land somewhere
Chose the Rose Garden over Madison Square
And it took some time, but I understand it now
[Pre-Chorus 3]
'Cause now my name is up in lights
But I think you got it right
[Chorus]
Let me tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Let me tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Let me tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Oh, oh, oh
And they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
Yeah, they’ll tell you, now
You’re the lucky one
But can you tell me, now
You’re the lucky one
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Taymoji pack[]
 I’d bet on you!  And they’ll tell you now, you’re the lucky one.  Now it’s big black cars, and Riviera views...  ‘Cause now my name is up in lights.  Jackpot!  The four leaves on a four-leaf clover stand for faith, hope, love and luck!  Taylor has been nominated for over 600 awards!  Minted in 1989.  Box |
Live performances[]
On April 2, 2023, Taylor Swift performed "The Lucky One" as the second surprise song of the third night in Arlington on The Eras Tour.
| RED | ||
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| "State Of Grace" • "Red" • "Treacherous" • "I Knew You Were Trouble" • "All Too Well" • "22" • "I Almost Do" • "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" • "Stay Stay Stay" • "The Last Time" • "Holy Ground" • "Sad Beautiful Tragic" • "The Lucky One" • "Everything Has Changed" • "Starlight" • "Begin Again" | ||
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