Karma
Written By Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Jahaan Sweet, Keanu Beats & Sounwave
Produced By Taylor Swift, Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Keanu Beats & Jahaan Sweet
About
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Track 11 on "Midnights".
On "Karma," Taylor confronts people from her past, warning them about the consequences of their actions. Considering the way they acted towards her previously, Taylor is relieved that karma will do her justice and may not be so kind with them.
Karma, as a concept, has been a recurring theme throughout Taylor's life and discography, especially surrounding her feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in 2016. It was also referenced in several songs on several albums, including "my tears ricochet" from folklore, "Look What You Made Me Do" from reputation, "Bad Blood" from 1989, "All Too Well (Taylor's version)" and "I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's version)" from Red (Taylor's version).
On the importance of karma in her life, Taylor mentioned it being the most important life lesson be learned. One more interesting point to note is her reference to karma on her "The Man's" music video, with a note saying "If found, return to Taylor Swift," which sparked many rumors about a mystery album Taylor made called Karma. This secret album could be the reason she laughed when announcing the track's title (Among so many other rumors).
The song's mixture of drums, guitar and synth create a declaratory atmosphere, allowing Taylor to list all the ways fate will take its course. As a way of indicating its importance for her, she repeats the word karma throughout the chorus. She also repeatedly gives it different forms, showing the ways it can come back to serve fate.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You're talking shit for the hell of it
Addicted to betrayal, but you're relevant
You're terrified to look down
'Cause if you dare, you'll see the glare
Of everyone you burned just to get there
It's coming back around
[Pre-Chorus]
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn't know what I mean
[Chorus]
'Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma's a relaxing thought
Aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that
[Verse 2]
Spiderboy, king of thieves
Weave your little webs of opacity
My pennies made your crown
Trick me once, trick me twice
Don't you know that cash ain't the only price?
It's coming back around
[Pre-Chorus]
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn't know what I mean
[Chorus]
'Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma's a relaxing thought
Aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that
[Bridge]
Ask me what I learned from all those years
Ask me what I earned from all those tears
Ask me why so many fade, but I'm still here
(I'm still here, I'm still here)
[Breakdown]
'Cause karma is the thunder
Rattling your ground
Karma's on your scent like a bounty hunter
Karma's gonna track you down
Step by step, from town to town
Sweet like justice, karma is a queen
Karma takes all my friends to the summit
Karma is the guy on the screen
Coming straight home to me
[Chorus]
'Cause karma is my boyfriend (Karma is my boyfriend)
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend (Weekend)
Karma's a relaxing thought
Aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that
[Outro]
Karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god (Ah)
Uh-huh, mm
Karma's a relaxing thought