"This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" is the thirteenth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's sixth studio album, reputation, released on November 10, 2017, through Big Machine Records.
Background[]
During the Reputation Secret Sessions, Taylor told fans that this song drew on her experiences with fame and the media. She stated that she’d throw extravagant parties and invite her friends on stage with her during the 1989 tour as a nice gesture, to share her success with those around her. However, the media eventually turned that against her, questioning and criticizing her need for a "squad" which led her to essentially move out of the public eye completely and go on a sabbatical for the next year.
Many have also speculated that this song specifically references her ongoing feud with rapper, Kanye West.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
It was so nice throwing big parties
Jump into the pool from the balcony
Everyone swimming in a champagne sea
And there are no rules when you show up here
Bass beat rattling the chandelier
Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year
[Pre-Chorus 1]
So, why'd you have to rain on my parade?
I'm shaking my head
And locking the gates
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darling
Because you break them
I had to take them away
This is why we can't have nice things, honey (Oh)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have nice things
[Verse 2]
It was so nice being friends again
There I was, giving you a second chance
But you stabbed me in the back while shakin’ my hand
And therein lies the issue
Friends don't try to trick you
Get you on the phone and mind-twist you
And so I took an axe to a mended fence
[Pre-Chorus 2]
But I'm not the only friend you've lost lately
If only you weren't so shady
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darling (Yeah)
Because you break them
I had to take them away
This is why we can't have nice (Nice things) things, (Baby), honey
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have
[Bridge]
Here's a toast to my real friends
They don't care about the he-said, she-said
And here's to my baby
He ain't reading what they call me lately
And here's to my momma
Had to listen to all this drama
And here's to you
‘Cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do
[Spoken]
Ha-ha-ha
I can't even say it with a straight face
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darling (Darling)
Because you break them
I had to take them away
This is why we can't have nice (Uh-uh) things (Oh, no), honey (Baby, oh)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have nice things, darling
(And here's to my real friends)
Because you break them
I had to take them
(And here's to my baby)
Nice things, honey
(They didn't care about that he-said, she-said)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have nice things
Taymoji pack[]
 A feather boa goes with EVERYTHING!  Swimming in a champagne sea...  Some classy wheels!  Party’s over!  This is why we can’t have nice things...  I’m locking the gates!  Show your love for art!  Box |
Live performances[]
Swift performed "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" from May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona, to November 21, 2018, in Tokyo, Japan, on The Reputation Stadium Tour, as the twentieth song on the setlist, paired with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together".[3] She performed the track acoustically on guitar as the first surprise song on July 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington for The Eras Tour and on June 18, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales in a mashup with "I Forgot That You Existed." And on November 14, 2024 in Toronto, Canada mashed-up with "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys".
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" |