We were both young when I first saw you.
Okay, never understood why a nineteen year old Taylor swift would write this lyric, but I assume it’s from the perspective of an old lady?
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
Does anyone really refer to their memories as flashbacks? I had always assumed that when people reminisce they don’t go “wow, that photo gives me wonderful flashbacks”.
I’m standing there on a balcony in summer air.
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
And say, “Hello, ”
Little did I know…
Props to Taylor for the “hello” and “know” rhyme
That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, “Stay away from Juliet”
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you, “Please don’t go”
And I said…
Of course she picks Romeo and Juliet as the love story to base this song around. Romeo and Juliet is the worst love story ever. I mean, it lasted like three days and five people die. I guess I can understand the appeal of the whole forbidden love thing, but I don’t know if it’s healthy to aspire to mimic your relationships after one with a body count.
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I’ll be waiting; all that’s left to do is run.
You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess,
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”.
I’m assuming that the characters are aware of the tropes that they’re filling, because most people usually don’t say “OMG we’re in a love story, it’s so romantic!”, when they’re in a relationship. Way to break down that 4th wall, Taylor.
So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet ‘cause we’re dead if they knew
*hysterical laughter*
Wait, so that wasn’t meant to be a reference to actual Romeo and Juliet?
So close your eyes… escape this town for a little while.
Oh, oh.
'Cause you were Romeo - I was a scarlet letter,
This line really annoys me. Did Taylor Swift even read the Scarlet letter, or even sparknote it when she wrote this song? There is nothing in the song about Juliet having an illegitimate child with Romeo, then forcing her to adorn an A for adultery, or a husband that she thought was dead coming back to fuck with her. So, I guess she didn’t read it…
And my daddy said, “Stay away from Juliet”
She really named the characters in her song Romeo and Juliet? I wonder if they got any shit from other people in their town for that.
But you were everything to me,
I was begging you, “Please don’t go”
And I said…
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I’ll be waiting; all that’s left to do is run.
You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess.
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”.
The whole you be this and I’ll be that sort of sounds like children playing pretend. Only further convincing me that Juliet is really trying to drive this star crossed lovers trope home.
Romeo, save me, they’re trying to tell me how to feel.
That is the most quintessential teenage thing I have ever heard in a song. “Oh my god, Romeo, they’re like, trying to tell me how to feel! I hate my parents!”
This love is difficult but it’s real.
Our love is totally REAL, Dad, and you can’t make me have a curfew!
Don’t be afraid, we’ll make it out of this mess.
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”.
Oh, oh, oh.
Other than the fact that if you recited the lyrics to modern songs, it would sound like a really repetitive and trite poem, the “ohhhs, and yeahs”, probably wouldn’t help it sound less awkward.
I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
So he stood you up, or what? You expected him to stop by your house with a motorcycle and a duffle bag? Because if he literally just stopped seeing you, he may be trying to send a message…
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town.
And I said…
Romeo, save me, I’ve been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don’t know what to think.
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said…
How old are the people in this story? Because if they were actually the same age as Romeo and Juliet, late teems (16-18ish) Romeo would be marrying a thirteen year old.
Marry me, Juliet, you’ll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that’s all I really know.
I talked to your dad - go pick out a white dress
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”.
I’ve always wondered how Romeo managed to convince “stay away from Juliet” Dad that he was husband material. Especially considering he hasn’t seen Juliet in I don’t know how long. But I guess the Juliet in love story does like to play up the dramatics of the situations so he could have been gone for like a week, and she would be in despair. Yeah, I don’t know I guess it will be like the tootsie pop question “the world will never know: how love story Romeo got overprotective dad to agree to allow his daughter to be a child bride”.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you
So I guess this suggests that they didn’t die in the end?
