Writing It Down Was Red (Taylor's Version)

As a good and merciful queen, Taylor Swift is constantly trying to find ways to give us (her subjects) new music to cry to. Today she has released her version (meaning she owns the Master's and all control) of her seminal 2012 album Red. Red was my baby. I listened to Red basically nonstop for 2 years and then nearly constantly for the last 6. Red got me through a lot of really tough stuff, to this day I know in what part of "I Knew You Were Trouble" I'd be parking at my therapist's office when I started at school and began the album when I turned on the car. Then I would cry to All Too Well OBVIOUSLY before going in. So, you could say, All Too Well is the basis of my mental health journey.

Now I get to listen to this album as a person who has actually been in relationships. Not long ones because I'M WORKING ON IT OK but relationships nonetheless. Sometimes Taylor has those lines that just speak to the shidduchim experience. For example...

State of Grace

Love is a ruthless game

Me when I see a guy's profile online and we get imaginary married in my head and then he never responds to my messages

Red

Loving him was like trying to change your mind once you're already flying through the freefall

When you don't like a guy but the shadchan says you should go on 6 or 7 more dates just to be sure

Treacherous

Nothing safe is worth the drive

When your date first picks you up and is merging on to the West Side Highway and doesn't believe in yield signs. I forgot when yield signs became a hashkafic issue.

I Knew You Were Trouble

WHEN YOU'RE DATING JOHN MAYER AND HE IS WORTHLESS GARBAGE

But actually

But the saddest fear comes creeping in that you never loved me or her or anyone or anything

Realizing 92% of the people you've ever dated are emotionally stunted

All Too Well (Original)

Maybe I asked for too much

When you want him to have a job, have some observance of G-D, be self aware, and socially on.

22

It feels like the perfect night for breakfast at midnight

When you go on an 8 PM date for coffee

I Almost Do

And I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window looking out at the city

When you date a guy who owns his own place and you hate him but you want to see the apartment so bad.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

I used to say never say never

Looking back at the dates you went on when you were younger and were like "yes he's ten years my senior and from Azerbijan but I know someone who married a guy that was TOTALLY not her type it can't hurt to try!"

Stay Stay Stay

No one else is gonna love me when I [go] mad mad mad

The original lyric is "get mad mad mad" but I feel this one harder. Me, all the time.

The Last Time

Put my name at the top of your list

Me to every shadchan on Earth

Holy Ground

Never looking down

When he realizes your skirt doesn't cover your knees

Sad, Beautiful, Tragic

Good girls hopeful they'll be and long they will wait

The Shidduch crisis

The Lucky One

You've had it figured out since you were in school everybody loves pretty everybody loves cool

Jewish mothers making sure our dating priorities are straight

Everything Has Changed

All my walls stood tall painted blue

When a mechitza builder goes on a date

Starlight

I met Bobby on the Boardwalk summer of '45

DO NOT INTERACT WITH KENNEDYS THEY ARE CURSED BACK AWAY SLOWLY SO YOU DON'T TRAGICALLY DIE

Begin Again

He always said he didn't get this song

When someone clearly started listening to goyish music 3 days ago. Also, when a guy tries to mansplain despacito to you.

The Moment I Knew

Standing there in my party dress and red lipstick with no one to impress

Going alone to younger siblings' wedding

Come Back...Be Here

I told myself don't get attached

When you've seen one picture and you've already named your children

Girl At Home

Don't look at me you've got a girl at home and everybody knows that

Mixed Kiddushes

Ronan

I WOULD NEVER IT'S LITERALLY ABOUT CHILDHOOD CANCER

Better Man

I know I'm probably better off on my own

Rationalizing my sadness

Nothing New

Lord what will become of me once I've lost my novelty

Turning 23 in Shidduch land

Babe

I'm here on the kitchen floor

Breaking up and cleaning for Pesach. Multitasking.

Message in a Bottle

Workdays are endless

Adulting

I Bet You Think About Me

I don't have to be your shrink to know that you'll never be happy

When you are trying to diagnose your date using your handy pocket DSM

Forever Winter

He says it's not just a phase I'm in

When your guy gets into Chasidus.

Run

Go where no one else is

You got married! Yichud room time.

The Very First Night

My friends all say they know everything I'm going through

NO YOU DON'T I'M THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS EVER

All Too Well 10 Minute Version

They say all's well that ends well but I'm in a new hell every time

Life.