The Meaning Behind The Song: The Lakes by Taylor Swift

Exploring The Depths of Taylor Swift’s “The Lakes”

Table of Contents

Introduction

Taylor Swift has been one of the most recognizable and celebrated faces of the music industry for years. With 10 studio albums, numerous Grammys, and fans all over the world, she has cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with. Her latest album ‘Folklore’ released in 2020, has been critically acclaimed for its introspective nature, unique approach to songwriting, and stripped-down production style. “The Lakes” is the hidden track from the album, and although it’s a bonus track, it would be no exaggeration to say that it’s one of the most profound songs on the record.

The Song Overview

The song serves as a reflection of Taylor Swift’s life in the public eye. It’s a slow-paced, melancholic, and introspective piano ballad that takes its cues from the natural world, where she articulates finding solace in isolation, exploration, and appreciating the tranquility of nature.

The lyrics describe a recurring theme in Taylor Swift’s music, that of the longing to escape from the suffocating and relentless pace of fame and the desire to find peace away from the limelight. The lyrics also acknowledge the impact of her fame on her life and the heavy price she has paid to achieve success.

The Meaning Behind The Song

The song serves as a beautiful reflection of how much Taylor Swift has grown as a person and her priorities in life have shifted. She has always been a fan of nature and has often spoken about her love for staying away from the city life and being a recluse. ‘The Lakes’ is a reflection of her reclusive life, her mind, and her soul, shedding some light on the artist behind the music.

Taylor Swift sings: “Take me to the lakes, where all the poets went to die, I don’t belong, and my beloved, neither do you.” This line encapsulates her desire to break free from the crowd, to escape from the never-ending noise and find a place where she can be alone, uninterrupted, and be able to hear her own thoughts. The song is not just about escaping from fame, but about finding her identity and a place where she can be herself, which has become a universal human longing.

Taylor Swift has always been a storyteller, and in ‘The Lakes,’ she paints images of nature and beauty to convey her message of introspection and self-discovery. She sings about waterfalls, rose gardens, and moss-covered stones, all acting as metaphors to communicate something deeper about the world and about herself. Her lyrics, when paired with her hauntingly beautiful voice, create a deep and profound emotional impact on the listener.

The Symbolism In The Song

The song symbolically represents Taylor Swift’s growing self-esteem and her desire for self-realization. The metaphorical landscape she portrays in the song represents the beauty and the complexity of the human soul. The lakes are not just a physical escape from the city, but also a place where she can be one with herself and understand her inner voice.

Taylor Swift sings: “I’ve come too far to watch some name-dropping sleaze, tell me what are my words worth?” These lyrics illustrate Taylor Swift’s frustration with people who use her voice to further their own agenda. This frustration might have influenced her decision to include the song as a hidden track, so that only those who value her music appreciate it.

The Hidden Track Phenomenon

The practice of having hidden tracks on albums has been in existence for decades. This concept has been used in the past to offer something extra to fans who would buy physical copies of the album. However, with the shift towards digital streaming, hidden tracks have lost their novelty. Taylor Swift’s decision to include the song ‘The Lakes’ as a hidden track might have been a strategic move to preserve the purity of the song as well as creating a nostalgic feel of discovering something special. It also shows the fans who stay till the end of the album that she still values them.

Conclusion

‘The Lakes’ is a poetic reflection of the artist behind the music, Taylor Swift. She has grown immensely since her early days as a country singer and has become a woman who is aware of her own worth and her place in the world. The song offers a beautiful insight into her mind and her soul, reflecting her journey as an artist and as a person. Taylor Swift has always been a storyteller, and with this song, she has created a stunningly beautiful story that imparts wisdom, hope, and an appreciation for nature. It has struck a chord with fans and critics alike, and when listened to in a quiet place, one can almost feel the peace and tranquility that she talks about. Overall, ‘The Lakes’ stands as a testament to Taylor Swift’s poetic and profound songwriting abilities.

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