10 Taylor Swift Songs as Books
As The Eras Tour comes to its end, I thought it would be fun to list Taylor Swift songs that remind me of books.
1. The Way I Loved You
“I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain”
It is the 1940s in South Carolina. Allie and Noah have started a forbidden love affair. Noah leaves for war and Allie moves on to find another man, Lon. Years later when Noah returns Allie must choose between the sensible man or the “roller coaster kinda rush.”
The song encompasses Allie’s lackluster comfortability with Lon and her “frustrating, intoxicating” love with Noah. Fans have speculated whether Taylor Swift took inspiration from The Notebook for this song.
2. Breathe
“But it’s killing me to see you go after all this time”
Emily has woken up to find her best friend Sloane has left with no explanation. All Emily receives from Sloane is a list of challenges to complete. Throughout the summer Emily attempts to check off each challenge, hoping it will lead her to Sloane.
“Breathe” was written about losing a close friendship. The lyrics resonate with both Emily and Sloane’s perspectives.
3. I Can See You
“They keep watchful eyes on us so it’s best if we move fast and keep quiet”
Alex, the son of the American president, and Prince Henry of Wales have a rocky relationship. After a public altercation, they must pretend to be friends. The friendship quickly turns into a secret romance.
While there are more serious scenes and undertones of discovering and learning to accept sexuality, the novel is comical and sultry. Swift’s “I Can See You” depicts Alex and Henry’s anticipation and longing.
4. Treacherous
“And I’d be smart to walk away but you’re quicksand”
In 1950s Britain, policeman Tom is dating schoolteacher Marion. While on duty, Tom meets Patrick, a museum curator. The friendship shortly becomes a passionate love affair.
The affair is treacherous as same-sex relationships are illegal. Patrick and Tom decide “that nothing safe is worth the drive,” and continue to risk their lives for love.
5. Clean
“gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean”
Eden is about to begin her freshman year of high school when she is sexually assaulted by her brother’s best friend. The novel follows Eden through the next four years of high school.
Get Sierra Pensyl’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
The story focuses on Eden’s acceptance and recovery. The incident washes away as Eden strives to feel clean.
6. False God
“But we can patch it up good, make confessions, and we’re begging for forgiveness”
America Singer is in a secret relationship with family friend Aspen. After a fight and miscommunication, America finds herself at the palace in a competition for Prince Maxon’s heart. She is still in love with Aspen but finds herself growing close with Maxon.
Throughout the novels, America tries to balance both unstable relationships. They are “crazy to think that this could work,” but they “might just get away with it.”
7. It’s Nice to Have a Friend
“Something gave you the nerve to touch my hand”
Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were children. Rosie is in love with Alex. Alex is in love with Rosie. Both are oblivious to each other’s feelings.
Alex and Rosie begin to fade in and out of each other’s lives, always missing the right time. While Alex and Rosie’s relationship is more complicated than the relationship in the song, Alex and Rosie agree that it’s nice to have a friend.
8. Sweet Nothing
“They said the end is coming; Everyone’s up to something; I find myself running home to your sweet nothings”
Patroclus has been exiled from his kingdom when he meets Achilles. Achilles is destined to be the greatest fighter. Patroclus and Achilles confide in each other and eventually develop a romantic relationship.
Patroclus will follow Achilles anywhere and Achilles will always protect Patroclus. “Sweet Nothing” mirrors Achilles perspective of his relationship with Patroclus as “the end is coming” (the Trojan War).
9. Guilty as Sin?
“What if he’s written ‘mine’ on my upper thigh only in my mind?”
Laurie met eyes with a man through a bus window and swears there was a spark. She spends months looking for the mystery man, until Laurie meets her best friend’s new boyfriend, Jack. He is the man she fell for that one day in December.
Jack and Laurie attempt to navigate being friends while being haunted by the “what if?” Laurie is still in love with Jack but tries “to keep these longings locked in lowercase, inside a vault” for her best friend’s sake.
10. imgonnagetyouback
“Pick your poison, babe; I’m poison either way”
Jude is a human living in Faerie after her parents’ murders. Jude strives to become a knight and work for the crown, but she is constantly feuding with Prince Cardan.
Jude and Prince Cardan continue to cross each other while testing their own feelings. Jude isn’t sure if she is going to curse Cardan out or take him back to her house, but she’s going to get him back.
Please comment below any other Taylor Swift songs that remind you of a book.
