"The Story Of Us" is the seventh track from the standard edition of American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's third studio album, Speak Now, released on October 25, 2010, through Big Machine Records. The song became the fourth single from the album on April 19, 2011. It is also the seventh track from Swift's third re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), released on July 7, 2023, through Republic Records.
Background[]
| ā | "The Story of Us" is a song that I wrote about an awkward situation where, wellā¦ Let me just preface by saying that I have happened to run into exes in strange places lately. This is about one of those situations where the strange place that I ran into him was an awards show.
I was seated a couple of seats away from him and there was so much that needed to be said, and neither one of us was willing to say it. We were both acting like we were engaged in conversations with people that we don't even know. It was just miserable. I was telling my Mom about it later, and I said I felt like I was standing alone in a crowded room. And then I was like, "Gotta go. Bye!" And my Mom is used to that at this point so, that's what this song is about. |
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Hidden message[]
Hidden message: CMT Awards.
This references her awkward encounter with her ex-boyfriend, John Mayer, whom she was seated by at the CMT Awards.
| ā | We're sitting six seats away from each other and just fighting this silent war of 'I don't care that you're here. I don't care that you're here.' It's so terribly, heartbreakingly awkward. | ā |
When Swift arrived home, she spoke to her mother about the encounter.
| ā | I felt like I was standing alone in a crowded room. | ā |
She then stood up and ran to her room to write a song about it.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I used to think one day we'd tell the story of us
How we met and the sparks flew instantly
And people would say, "They're the lucky ones"
I used to know my place was a spot next to you
Now, I'm searching the room for an empty seat
'Cause, lately, I don't even know what page you're on
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Oh, a simple complication
Miscommunications lead to fallout
So many things that I wish you knew
So many walls up, I can't break through
[Chorus]
Now I'm standing alone, in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me?
Yeah, I don't know what to say
Since the twist of fate when it all broke down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now
Next chapter
[Verse 2]
How'd we end up this way?
See me nervously pulling at my clothes and trying to look busy
And you're doing your best to avoid me
I'm starting to think one day, I'll tell the story of us
Of how I was losing my mind when I saw you here
But you held your pride like you should've held me
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Oh, I'm scared to see the ending
Why are we pretending this is nothing?
I'd tell you I miss you, but I don't know how
I've never heard silence quite this loud
[Chorus]
Now I'm standing alone, in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me?
Yeah, and I don't know what to say
Since the twist of fate, when it all broke down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now
[Bridge]
This is looking like a contest
Of who can act like they care less
But I liked it better when you were on my side
The battle's in your hands now
But I would lay my armor down
If you say you'd rather love than fight
So many things that you wish I knew
But the story of us might be ending soon
[Chorus]
Now I'm standing alone, in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me?
Yeah, and I don't know what to say
Since the twist of fate, when it all broke down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now, now, now
[Outro]
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me, yeah?
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
'Cause we're going down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now
The end
Lyric video[]
Taymoji pack[]
 Like an eraser, trust gets smaller with every mistake.  If you can shred on the guitar, it really doesn't matter what you wear.  Saved by the bell!  Hindsight is 20-20.  The Story of Us is set in the key of E major, if you're wondering.  S stands for super, stunning, smart and... Swift.  he Story of Us was the first Taylor video to have a sad ending.  The Story of Us is about Taylor sitting near one of her ex-boyfriends at an awards show.  Box |
Live performances[]
"The Story Of Us" was featured on the main setlist of the Speak Now World Tour. It was also performed as a surprise song on the Red Tour and Reputation Stadium Tour. It was performed as a surprise song on The Eras Tour on June 17, 2023, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was also performed as a surprise song on March 3, 2024, in Singapore, as part of a mashup with "long story short".
References[]
| Speak Now | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Mine" ā¢ "Sparks Fly" ā¢ "Back To December" ā¢ "Speak Now" ā¢ "Dear John" ā¢ "Mean" ā¢ "The Story Of Us" ā¢ "Never Grow Up" ā¢ "Enchanted" ā¢ "Better Than Revenge" ā¢ "Innocent" ā¢ "Haunted" ā¢ "Last Kiss" ā¢ "Long Live" | ||
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