TikTok, chart-toppers, love ballads, heartbreak anthems, and everything in between – Taylor Swift’s discography is rich and varied. Yet, one track that has recently caught the attention and fascination of fans and music enthusiasts alike is ‘Cruel Summer’. Released in 2019 as part of her “Lover” album, it has now, after four years, surged to the top of the charts as a single. But what’s the story behind these catchy lyrics?
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What are Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer lyrics about?
“Cruel Summer” captures the essence of a summer romance, one layered with yearning, perhaps secrecy, and an undeniable attraction. Taylor, at the iHeartRadio Lover album release party, mentioned, “It deals with the idea of being in a relationship where there’s some element of desperation and pain in it.” It’s the classic story of wanting something that’s tantalizingly close, yet seemingly out of reach. Taylor’s favorite line? “I love you. Ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”
What is Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer about?
The million-dollar question – who inspired these lyrics? Though Taylor hasn’t confirmed any names, fans have their theories. Given the timeline and the passionate nature of the song, many speculate that it’s about British actor Tom Hiddleston, with whom Taylor had a whirlwind summer romance in 2016. However, with Taylor meeting her current beau, Joe Alwyn, also in 2016, there’s a possibility he could be the muse. After all, most tracks on “Lover” draw inspiration from her relationship with Joe.
The Lyrics Dive Deep
The song starts with a “Fever dream high,” painting the picture of a dizzying romance, where the allure is irresistible. The pre-chorus captures the essence of a love that’s dangerous yet tempting. The chorus then introduces the main theme of a “cruel summer,” a love that’s intense, fleeting, and perhaps forbidden. The bridge stands out, with Taylor’s raw emotion, confessing her love, juxtaposed with the playful “grinning like a devil” line.
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Taylor Swift – Cruel Summer LYRICS
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
You know that I caught it (oh, yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
You know that I bought it (oh, yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Killing me slow, out the window
I’m always waiting for you to be waiting below
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
What doesn’t kill me makes me want you more
And it’s new, the shape of your body
It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got
And it’s ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
with you
Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine
I’m not dying (oh, yeah, you’re right, I want it)
You say that we’ll just screw it up in these trying times
We’re not trying ( oh, yeah, you’re right, I want it)
So cut the headlights, summer’s a knife
I’m always waiting for you just to cut to the bone
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
And if I bleed, you’ll be the last to know
Oh, it’s new, the shape of your body
It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got
And it’s ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
with you
I’m drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
Said I’m fine, but it wasn’t true
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer, just to seal my fate (oh)
And I screamed for whatever it’s worth
I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?
He looks up, grinning like a devil
And it’s new, the shape of your body
It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got
And it’s ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
No rules in breakable heaven
But ooh, whoa oh
It’s a cruel summer
with you
I’m drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
Said I’m fine, but it wasn’t true
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer, just to seal my fate (oh)
And I screamed for whatever it’s worth
I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Conclusion
Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” is a testament to her songwriting genius. It’s a song that resonates, that makes you want to sing along, and that tugs at your heartstrings. Whether it’s about Tom Hiddleston, Joe Alwyn, or someone else entirely, one thing is clear: Taylor has, once again, captured the complexities of love and longing in a way only she can.
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FAQs About “Cruel Summer LYRICS”
- When was “Cruel Summer” released?
- “Cruel Summer” was released in 2019 as part of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” album.
- What is “Cruel Summer” mainly about?
- It’s about a passionate, perhaps doomed, summer romance.
- What might “Cruel Summer” be about?
- Fans speculate it could be about Tom Hiddleston or Joe Alwyn, though Taylor hasn’t confirmed any names.
- Why did “Cruel Summer” become popular in 2023?
- Four years after its release, “Cruel Summer” has now been released as a single, skyrocketing its popularity.
- What’s Taylor’s favorite line from the song?
- “I love you. Ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”
