Don't Blame Me

Album: Reputation (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Taylor Swift shocker: She's singing about drugs, a stark contrast to the pop princess' sensible lyrics of her past.

    Lord save me, my drug is my baby
    I'll be doing it the rest of my life


    But don't fret Swifties, Taylor is crooning about her head-over-heels love for a guy, presumably Joe Alwyn. So intense are her feelings for him, she compares it to the addictive nature of a drug, a common lyrical trope in pop music. Check out Roxy Music's "Love Is The Drug", Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love" and Alessia Cara's "Overdose."
  • The gospel-infused track starts of in the first verse with Taylor alluding to her previous relationships with older men such Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston (and maybe going further back, John Mayer)

    I've been breakin' hearts a long time, and toyin' with them older guys, just playthings.

    She is unapologetic for her public reputation of a heartbreaker. However, soon the song takes a turn for the better as Swift croons about how she's a changed woman due to her love for Joe.

    I'm insane, but I'm your baby (your baby)
    Echoes of your name inside my mind
    Halo, hiding my obsession
    I once was poison ivy, but now I'm your daisy


    The song incorporates the two topics that seep through the majority of Reputation's songs - "the media hates me" and "I'm in love with Joe Alwyn."

Comments: 1

  • Cami from UsaLOL imagine believing this song is about Joe Alwyn. "For you I would fall from grace?" "They say she's gone too far this time?" What on earth about JOE freakin ALWYN was gonna be so controversial people would lose their minds over it??

    Google "Taylor Swift Karlie Kloss daisy" if you dare.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.