Foolish One
Written By Taylor Swift
Produced By Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
About
From Genius, the ultimate source of music knowledge
Track 21 on "Speak Now".
"Foolish One (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)" is a poignant and introspective track that graces the re-imagined edition of Taylor Swift's iconic album, Speak Now. Originally recorded during the Speak Now era, this hidden gem has been lovingly revived and polished by Taylor Swift herself. The song showcases Taylor's ability to craft deeply personal lyrics that resonate with listeners, capturing the complex emotions of unrequited love and the inner battles that come with it.
Produced by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner, the song's production creates a melancholic atmosphere, perfectly complementing the raw vulnerability in Taylor's vocals. The stripped-down arrangement allows the introspective lyrics to take center stage, drawing listeners into the emotional journey of the protagonist.
In the verses, Taylor lays her emotions bare, describing the unbalanced dynamics of a relationship. She finds herself caught in a cycle of hope and disappointment, craving attention and longing for confessions of love that never seem to materialize. The chorus echoes the internal struggle, as Taylor grapples with the voices in her head, doubting her worth and fearing the pain of learning her lesson the hard way.
As the song progresses, Taylor's introspection deepens. She acknowledges her own vulnerability and the delicate nature of the situation. Despite her efforts to appear strong and unaffected, she can't help but imagine a future where they look back and laugh about their tumultuous connection. However, the voices persist, warning her that she is not the exception and that heartbreak is inevitable.
In the final verse, Taylor's vulnerability reaches its peak as she realizes the signs she had missed. The realization that he has chosen someone else while she remains in the shadows hits her hard. The song ends with a bittersweet resolution, as Taylor confronts her own foolishness and acknowledges that she will have to learn the hard way instead of waiting for confessions of love that will never come.
“Foolish One (Taylor's Version) [From The Vault]” is a testament to Taylor Swift's ability to craft emotionally charged narratives, inviting listeners to explore the depths of their own experiences with unrequited love and the lessons learned along the way. It serves as a reminder that vulnerability and heartbreak are universal, but ultimately, it is through these trials that we grow and find our strength.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand
Chances are, tonight, you've already got plans
And chances are I will talk myself to sleep again
You give me just enough attention to keep my hopes too high
Wishful thoughts forget to mention when something's really not right
And I will block out these voices of reason in my head
[Pre-Chorus]
And the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"
[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
[Verse 2]
You know how to keep me waitin'
I know how to act like I'm fine
Don't know what to call this situation
But I know I can't call you mine
And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof
'Cause when my head is on your shoulder
It starts thinkin' you'll come around
And maybe, someday, when we're older
This is something we'll laugh about
Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news
[Pre-Chorus]
But then the voices say, "You are not the exception
You will never learn your lesson"
[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out
[Bridge]
Now I'm slidin' down the wall with my head in my hands
Sayin', "How could I not see the signs?"
Oh, you haven't written me or called
But goodbye screamin' in the silence
And the voices in my head are tellin' me why
'Cause you got her on your arm and me in the wings
I'll get your longing glances, but she'll get your ring
And you will say you had the best of intentions
And maybe I will finally learn my lesson
[Chorus]
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will take the long way, you will take the long way down
Foolish one
Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love
That ain't never gonna come
You will learn the hard way instead of walkin' out, oh-oh, oh, oh
[Outro]
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, oh
La-la-la-la-la
Ain't never gonna come
Ooh, you will learn the hard way now
Foolish one
Sittin' 'round waiting for confessions of love
They ain't never gonna come
And thinkin' he's the one, you should've been walkin' out
Foolish one
The day is gonna come for your confessions of love
When all is said and done, he just wasn't the one
No, he just wasn't the one