We all stayed up to hear the new ICONIC 1989 (Taylorâs Version) album that dropped on October 27th. And whether you listened to the album in order or went straight to the vault tracks, this album did NOT miss. One specific song that truly resonated with me was “Say Donât Go”, which is the second vault track from the new Taylorâs Version album. Letâs just start out by saying that if this song came out while I was in high school, it would be so over for me.
Upon first listening to this song, I was punched in the gut remembering past situations I’ve had, deep friendships that ended abruptly, and talking phases with people who were incapable of making a serious commitment to me. During these situations, I did not know how to articulate how I felt, but upon hearing Taylorâs exquisite, mastermind lyricism and the fun pop beat she provided for this vault track, I knew that everything I thought and felt for myself was being said to me through her.
“Say Donât Go” takes the listener through a relationship that has been reaching its ending since the start. Taylor sings about being all in for a relationship where her wishes for commitment are not reciprocated. She wants to love this person and wants to give them a piece of her heart, but they are not reciprocating their feelings back to her. Taylor shows this through her chorus, in which she sings:
âWhy’d you have to lead me on? Why’d you have to twist the knife? Walk away and leave me bleeding, bleeding, Why’d you whisper in the dark. Just to leave me in the night? Now your silence has me screaming, screamingâ
Taylor Swift “Say Don’t Go”
Taylor uses these lyrics to show that the person she wanted had been stringing her along, and the pain that she felt is shown in these lyrics. When you are confused with your dating life, it is very easy to feel as though you are being led on. When communication is not clear and you want the other person more than they want you, IT DOES twist the knife. When I heard this song for the first time, I knew exactly who made me feel that way in my own life, and while it is upsetting that confusing situationships occur to so many people, itâs a nice reminder that you are not crazy for being upset over a break up with someone that you never dated. If the queen herself can move on from some of the hottest celebrities, then I can move on from some random person who didnât give me the time of day.
âSay Donât Goâ truly emphasizes the pain of wanting someone who is giving you back nothing in return. Taylor truly shows the audience the feeling of begging someone to love you by saying âAnd Iâm yours, but youâre not mineâ and âI said, ‘I love you,’ you say nothing back.â Within these lyrics, the audience can hear a plea for grasping at a relationship that you know will not work out because the person you want so badly is incapable of giving you what you want from them.
Begging someone to stay and love you has been such a common theme in the media recently, especially with the rise of âsituationshipsâ as a common form of relationship instead of a real commitment. Due to this, it is important to know that if you desire a loving and committed relationship, you need to communicate this with your partner. If you are monogamous and want your partner to only be committed to you, tell them what you want and see if it is something they can provide. Know that if commitment isnât something they can give you, itâs time to go. You deserve a relationship that doesnât leave you lying on the floor wishing that the person you want will respond accordingly to your needs.
Something that can be noted about this vault track is that it is from the vault. Taylor made this song years ago during the original 1989 era, so while we may relate to it now, we know that time can heal the pain that comes from begging someone to love you. Taylor’s listeners know that the same person who wrote “Say Don’t Go” has also written numerous love songs and songs about friendship without holding the same sadness that she did at this current time. You will be able to heal from the person this vault reminds you of, just as Taylor did.
This vault also can be related to by those who hear it and think of a friendship that is over or ending. You can slowly feel the person that you are spending so much time with start to drift away from you. The friendship ending is something that is unbelievably painful because friends are supposed to be the people you don’t break up with. Your friend stringing you along as you are trying to make them a long-term member of your life can be as painful as losing a romantic partner. The knife is being twisted as the person that left, left you there. Looking at this song and reflecting on a friend who has hurt you can make it hit even harder.
So, while Taylor always has our back in releasing songs that sum up our feelings in a perfect and understanding way, note that the partner you want who is willing to commit to you is out there. That guy who hasnât been able to make his intentions clear for months on end probably isnât the love of your life. While that is a tough pill to swallow, tell him exactly what you want, and save yourself from more heartbreak by avoiding being led on by someone who isnât fulfilling your needs. You deserve the commitment you desire, so choose the person who can provide it for you.