So Much Better: A Commentary on Taylor Swift’s Lyric Change
- defianceyenovkian
- Jul 14, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 16, 2023
Just a week ago, Taylor Swift released "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)," an album that takes listeners back to 2010 with its bonus features and new songs to enjoy. Among the original tracklist is the iconic song "Better Than Revenge," which transports us to 2009 and Taylor's tumultuous teenage love triangle. While initially presenting itself as an anthem of empowerment after feeling wronged, a closer examination reveals a conflicting message that borders on disguised misogyny. In this blog post, I will look into the captivating essence of the song, unravel its complex implications, and explore the significance of altering its controversial lyrics.
"Better Than Revenge" tells the story of a girl who feels deeply betrayed by someone who stole her boyfriend. Refusing to embrace victimhood, Taylor takes charge of the situation by exposing the truth. The lyrics are unapologetic and passionate, with Taylor boldly singing,
"She's not a saint, and she's not what you think, she's an actress. She's better known for the things that she does on the mattress."
While these lyrics are controversial and subject to interpretation, they perpetuate the notion that one woman can "steal" another woman's boyfriend, ultimately perpetuating slut-shaming.
To fully grasp the dynamics at play in "Better Than Revenge," it is crucial to delve into the backdrop of the relationship that Taylor Swift based the song on, as well as the pervasive double standards that exist between men and women in society. The relationship between Joe Jonas and Taylor Swift captivated fans and the media when they began dating in 2008.
However, their romance took a tumultuous turn, leading to a breakup later that same year. The aftermath of their split became public fodder, with both artists channeling their emotions into music. Taylor Swift released the scathing song "Forever & Always," alluding to the heartbreak and betrayal she experienced. In response, Joe Jonas and his band, the Jonas Brothers, released "Much Better," widely believed to be a direct reference to Taylor and the woman she was replaced by. These songs became iconic pieces of pop culture, exemplifying the power of music as a medium for personal expression and storytelling. In situations involving cheating or breakups, blame is often unfairly placed on one woman, perpetuating a harmful narrative that women are manipulative or responsible for destroying relationships, while absolving men of their responsibility to remain faithful.
A comparable scenario unfolds with Olivia Rodrigo's highly acclaimed 2021 album, "SOUR." The album features chart-topping hits like "driver's license," "good 4 u," and "traitor," delving deep into the heartache experienced by a teenage girl when a guy leaves her for someone else. Through her songwriting, Olivia, a breakout Disney star, finds solace while ultimately thrusting herself into the latest public chapter of a captivating teenage love triangle involving her "High School Musical: The Musical (the series)" co-star Joshua Bassett and Disney Channel alum and music sensation Sabrina Carpenter. Unfortunately, the resulting drama ended up vilifying Joshua and Sabrina in the court of public opinion, leading to harassment and threats towards Bassett and Carpenter from fans.
Rodrigo's hit album sparked rumors that it was about her breakup with Bassett and his alleged subsequent involvement with Carpenter, hinted at by a reference to an older blonde woman. In response to the intense backlash, Rodrigo eventually urged her fans to stop the cyberbullying, while Bassett later expressed understanding regarding the public's discontent. However, the intense anger directed towards the actor and musician in the days following the release of "Drivers License" had a severe impact on him. In fact, the stress caused a heart condition that affected him to such an extent that he had to seek medical attention at a hospital.
Similar to the situation involving Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, and Selena Gomez, this love triangle inspired incredible music but also caused emotional and public damage for those involved. To this day, Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber's Instagram comments are flooded with those rooting for a relationship that no longer exists, despite the two women involved having resolved their differences long ago. Unfortunately, Justin Bieber's behavior, likely involving stringing both ladies along before committing to Hailey, is often overlooked.
The love triangle surrounding Olivia Rodrigo's hit song "drivers license" and the comments sections of Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber echo some of the themes explored in "Better Than Revenge." In both cases, blame and focus are frequently directed at the women involved, overshadowing the responsibility of the person in the relationship who strayed. These instances shed light on the persistent existence of sexist blame and the importance of challenging such double standards.
In the months leading up to the re-release of "Speak Now," fans speculated whether Taylor would change the lyrics of "Better Than Revenge" to something less slut-shaming. It has been 13 years since Taylor originally wrote and recorded the song, providing her with a decade of additional experiences in romance and reflection on the endings of relationships.
Last week, when "Speak Now" was released, it was confirmed that Taylor had made changes to her lyrics. In Taylor's Version, the lyrics now sing,
"He was a moth to the flame; she was holding the matches."
The alteration has received both criticism and praise. Listeners argue that they
and authenticity of teenage Taylor's vulnerable madness, while others appreciate the poetic prose of the change, perceiving it as a reflection of Taylor's growth.
Personally, I appreciate Taylor's decision to modify the lyrics. While heartbreak and betrayal often give rise to anger, blame, and resentment, time and distance ultimately reveal that a significant other cannot be stolen. The narrative propagated by the original lyrics is harmful as it provides men (and sometimes women) with an excuse for their behavior and shifts blame away from themselves. While anyone can display manipulative and homewrecking tendencies, the ultimate responsibility lies with the partner to remain faithful, rather than placing the burden on the other partner to ensure their fidelity. The original narrative is sexist and unfair, which is why the lyric change holds validity.
Taylor Swift's lyric change in "Better Than Revenge" prompts a critical examination of the double standards and harmful narratives surrounding relationships and breakups. By challenging these norms, we move toward a more equitable and balanced understanding of responsibility and accountability in romantic partnerships.
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