Tell Me Why
Written By Taylor Swift & Liz Rose
Produced By Taylor Swift & Christopher Rowe
About
From Genius, the ultimate source of music knowledge
Track 8 on "Fearless".
Taylor wrote this song with her frequent collaborator at the time, Liz Rose, when opening up about her frustration concerning someone she was developing feelings for, but who didn't know what they wanted. She talked about the song in a piece released on her old label's website in 2010:
I'd been talking to a guy I've never "officially" dated. Sometimes it's the hardest thing when you have all these dreams of dating them, and you're getting close, but it doesn't work out. He would say things that would make me go, "Did you just say that?" It bothered me so much because he would say one thing and do another, do one thing and say another. Because he didn't know what he wanted, he would just play all these mind games.
So I went over to write with Liz and was just ranting and raving about how this guy is such a flake and such a jerk sometimes, and so cool other times. I was like, "Liz, I don't know what's up with this guy!" So I just started playing the beginning, "I took a chance, I took a shot. And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not."
Taylor Swift co-wrote this with her frequent collaborator Liz Rose. She explained that the song was inspired by her frustration at a boy that she liked who kept acting up.
I walked into Liz's house, and I said, 'I can't believe what's going on right now, I've gotta tell you about this.' I told her all about it. She goes, 'If you could say everything you were thinking to him right now, what would you start with?' I would say to him, 'I'm sick and tired of your attitude, I feel like I don't even know you' … and I just started rambling, and she was writing down everything that I was saying, and so, we turned it into a song.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I took a chance, I took a shot
And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not
You took a swing, I took it hard
And down here from the ground, I see who you are
[Chorus]
I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you love me, then cut me down
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you're around
Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doin' to me
Tell me why
[Verse 2]
Well, you could write a book on
How to ruin someone's perfect day
Well, I get so confused and frustrated
Forget what I'm tryin' to say, oh
[Chorus]
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I got no one to believe in
You tell me that you want me, then push me around
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you're around
Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doin' to me
Tell me why
[Bridge]
Why do you have to make me feel small
So you can feel whole inside?
Why do you have to put down my dreams
So you're the only thing on my mind?
[Chorus]
Well, I'm sick and tired of your attitude
Feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you want me and cut me down
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I've got no one to believe in
You ask me for my love, then you push me around
Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doin' to me
Tell me why, why
Tell me why, oh
[Outro]
I take a step back, I let you go
I told you I'm not bulletproof
Now you know