The Meaning Behind The Song: My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift

The Heartbreaking Story Behind Taylor Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet”

The Introduction: A Comeback Album

When Taylor Swift released her eighth studio album “folklore” in July 2020, the world was startled. It was Swift’s first album completely produced during quarantine and the first album she dropped without any promotion, making it a surprise release. However, the biggest shocker about the album was its sound. Unlike her previous country-pop and pop records, “folklore” was a complete departure. The album marked a shift towards a more stripped-down, indie sound, but also lyrics that were more intricate, personal, and emotional. Among the standout songs on the album was “My Tears Ricochet.” In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the heartbreaking story behind the song.

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The Story Behind “My Tears Ricochet”

“My Tears Ricochet” is a song about a person who has passed away, likely from the perspective of the deceased’s lover. It tells the story of how the protagonist feels betrayed by the deceased’s actions and ultimately left with a broken heart and grieving soul. As the title suggests, the song speaks to how the protagonist’s tears ricochet like bullets during the funeral service, as they mourn the loss of someone they loved deeply.

The first verse of the song sets the mood for the rest of the story. It goes as follows,

“We gather here, we line up, weepin’ in a sunlit room
And if I’m on fire, you’ll be made of ashes, too
Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe
All the hell you gave me?
‘Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you
‘Til my dying day”

Here, Swift talks about the funeral or memorial service of the deceased. She talks about how people are lining up to pay their respects while she weeps. She also brings up the idea that the person has hurt her so much that she wouldn’t be surprised if they also hurt themselves in the same way too. The protagonist appears to be questioning whether or not she deserved the ill-treatment the deceased had given her as she had loved them and never gave up on their relationship.

The Chorus: An Anguished Cry

In the chorus of the song, Swift belts the anguished cry of the protagonist. She sings,

“So, go and haunt me, baby
I’ll send you all my love from the other side
I’ll tell you all the story, baby
You’ll see me in hindsight
Tangled up with you all night
Burnin’ it down
Someday, when you’re askin’ me who I loved the most
Oh, oh, you won’t be the one”

Here, Swift seems to put the deceased on notice, telling them to haunt her as much as they want. She states that she will continue to love them despite their betrayal and that she’ll be waiting for them on the other side. The protagonist seems to be using this moment to reminisce about the times when she was with the deceased and their love. She talks about the times they spent together, nights entangled, and how they burned things down. However, she ends the chorus with a warning that when the person looks back, they won’t see themselves as the ones she loved the most.

The Second Verse: A Story of Lies and Betrayal

The second verse of “My Tears Ricochet” is one of the most compelling. Swift goes harder at the deceased, telling a tale of lies and betrayal. She sings,

“You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same
Cursin’ my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet
We gather stones, never knowing what they’ll mean
Some to throw, some to make a diamond ring”

The protagonist talks about the deceased’s betrayal and how it killed them both emotionally. She brings out the power of words as she sings how the person cursed her name and wished that she stayed. The most compelling part of this verse is where Swift speaks about gathering stones, some to throw, some to make a diamond ring. This sentence holds a lot of meaning. Swift is trying to say that the person broke her heart, and she was hurt, but she can use that pain to make something better, like diamonds in a jewelry piece.

The Bridge: A Final Stand

The bridge to “My Tears Ricochet” is the part of the song where Swift takes a final stand. She sings,

“Time, mystical time
Cuttin’ me open, then healin’ me fine
Were it not for you, I would’ve never known
A door, wasn’t open, I would’ve stayed alone
True love died in ’96”

In this section, the protagonist talks about time and how it can cut someone and then heal them. She’s saying that she’s been through a lot, but if it weren’t for the deceased, she wouldn’t have learned about herself. This section is also crucial as Swift mentions the line “True love died in ’96.” This is the first easter egg in the song. Swift’s parents divorced in that year, and she’s using this line to talk about how love can evaporate over time.

The Outro: A Heartbreaking Goodbye

The outro to “My Tears Ricochet” is the part of the song where Swift sings her final goodbye to the deceased. She sings,

“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”

In this section, the protagonist talks about how she can go anywhere she wants after the deceased is gone. She mentions that she can’t go home, possibly implying that the place reminds her of the deceased too much, or that the deceased no longer exists in the world. She also talks about how the person can aim for her heart or blood but won’t be able to shake off the protagonist from their bones. Swift ends the song atmospherically, saying that she still talks to the deceased in her mind while screaming at the sky. The last line, “And when you can’t sleep at night, you hear my stolen lullabies,” is a haunting one implying the person will always think of her before falling asleep.

The Conclusion: An Insight Into Taylor Swift’s Mind

In conclusion, “My Tears Ricochet” is a song that delves into the mind of a person grieving and heartbroken. The song is one of the standout tracks on Swift’s album “folklore,” and it’s easy to see why. It’s gut-wrenchingly emotional, a masterclass in songwriting, and houses some of Swift’s most poignant lyrics ever. While we might never know who exactly the song is about, the pain and desperation in Swift’s voice while singing it show just how much meaning it holds for her. On “My Tears Ricochet,” we get a glimpse into Swift’s mind, and it’s an uncomfortable, beautiful, and haunting experience.

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