We all know Taylor Swift doesn’t play when it comes to her bridges. With The Tortured Poet Department having been released, our ears have been blessed with an anthology of more bridges, but despite the recent additions, I think my list is still holding strong. I’ll let you listen and decide.
- You’re Losing Me
-
How long could we be a sad song
‘Til we were too far gone to bring back to life?
I gave you all my best me’s, my endless empathy
And all I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier
Fighting in only your army, frontlines, don’t you ignore me
I’m the best thing at this party (You’re losin’ me)
And I wouldn’t marry me either
A pathological people pleaser
Who only wanted you to see her
And I’m fadin’, thinkin’
“Do something, babe, say something” (Say something)
“Lose something, babe, risk something” (You’re losin’ me)
“Choose something, babe, I got nothing” (I got nothing)
“To believe, unless you’re choosin’ me” - You’re On Your Own, Kid
-
From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this
I hosted parties and starved my body
Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss
The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money
My friends from home don’t know what to say
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
And I saw something they can’t take away
‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take
So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
You’ve got no reason to be afraid - my tears ricochet
-
And I can go anywhere I want
Anywhere I want, just not home
And you can aim for my heart, go for blood
But you would still miss me in your bones
And I still talk to you (When I’m screaming at the sky)
And when you can’t sleep at night (You hear my stolen lullabies) - Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
-
“God rest my soul
I miss who I used to be
The tomb won’t close
Stained glass windows in my mind
I regret you all the time
I can’t let this go
I fight with you in my sleep
The wound won’t close
I keep on waiting for a sign
I regret you all the time”This would be in competition for the number one spot if the next part of the song were part of the bridge and not a verse, but for the sake of fairness, I put it lower. Still, here are, in my opinion, the best lines of the song and some of the best lines I think Taylor Swift has ever written:
If clarity’s in death, then why won’t this die?
Years of tearing down our banners, you and I
Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts
Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first - The archer
-
‘Cause they see right through me
They see right through me
They see right through
Can you see right through me?
They see right through
They see right through me
I see right through me
I see right through meIt’s so simple but so raw, and it will always have me crying these lyrics.
- Long lIve
-
Hold on to spinning around
Confetti falls to the ground
May these memories break our fall
Will you take a moment? Promise me this
That you’ll stand by me forever
But if, God forbid, fate should step in
And force us into a goodbye
If you have children some day
When they point to the pictures
Please, tell ’em my name
Tell ’em how the crowds went wild
Tell ’em how I hope they shine
Long live the walls we crashed through
I had the time of my life with you - All TOo Well
-
And maybe we got lost in translation
Maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece
‘Til you tore it all up
Running scared, I was there
I remember it all too well
And you call me up again
Just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest
I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
‘Cause I remember it all, all, all
Too wellIt’s impossible to make a list of Taylor Swift bridges without including this one.
Making this list was torturous, and there are plenty of other bridges I love but didn’t include. However, I think this is an acceptable reflection of my music taste (absolutely devastating lines, it seems) and Taylor Swift’s masterful lyricism.