The Random Bibliophile

by Renee Alexis

Renee Alexis
20-something Filipina, an introvert who loves young adult fiction, brush pens, Taylor Swift, and BTS. Coffee runs in my bloodstream.

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Lover 8.23 🦋 Step into the Daylight and Let It Go

Lover by Taylor Swift
This album is very much a celebration of love, in all its complexity, coziness, and chaos. It’s the first album of mine that I’ve ever owned, and I couldn’t be more proud. - Taylor Swift

So...the Lover album is out and I am in cotton candy heaven. All the feels, the butterflies, the blues, the chills, the heartbeats, the joy, the radiance, I mean everything this album screams - I felt it in my soul. And so, to properly address those feelings, I'm doing the one thing I know how to do to express all my inhibitions - writing a blog.

I woke up at 8:30 this morning - 30 minutes late for the release of this album. Even when my eyes were still half-closed, I was giddy with excitement to finally get to listen to Taylor's new songs. I powered my trusty laptop on and went directly to Spotify. I was so excited that even though I wanted to do a reaction video, I didn't because I just really wanted to dive into the album.

I'm presently sipping my hot coffee and listening to London Boy as I am typing this. Can I just say that this song is giving my heart all the good squeezes it needs? But let's talk about that later. Now, I'm going to go back to track one and just type away all my thoughts about each song in this album. Here goes...

I Forgot That You Existed

This first song blew me away. The beat, the lyrics, the melody, the message. I feel that this is the best way to transition from the reputation era to the Lover era. I mean, come on, just from the first stanza: "How many days did I spend thinking 'Bout how you did me wrong, wrong, wrong? Lived in the shade you were throwing 'Til all of my sunshine was gone, gone, gone". I felt that she was just reminiscing about the past and telling us that she's over everything that's in the past. That yes, it's okay to still feel hurt from it, but the important thing is that she grew and became stronger because of it. I cannot stop listening to this track but okay, on to track two! 😁

Favorite lyric: 🎶I forgot that you existed, And I thought that it would kill me but it didn't. It isn't love, it isn't hate, it's just indifference.🎶

Cruel Summer

Okay, this song title has been teased since the You Need To Calm Down video came out and I didn't know what to expect from it. The beat reminds me of Getaway Car but the overall feel of the song is a whole other universe. I mean, did you listen to her growl when she screamed, "He looks up grinning like a devil"? OUT OF THIS WORLD. I am so proud of you, queen. 💙

Favorite lyric: 🎶I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you🎶

Lover

Ahhhhh, Lover. The ever romantic, full-of-butterflies title track that I live for. When I first heard this one, I melted. Taylor has gone back to her country roots and made this heart-melting number. It reminded me of her old songs - Call It What You Want, New Year's Eve, Crazier, Enchanted, and Forever & Always balled up into one. It's a song with a mellow tune that left me feeling happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time. 😉

I stayed up late last night to catch the premiere of the Lover Music Video and it was amazing. I cried. I want to have that - a lover. Someone who will love me unconditionally and who will fight to be with me despite all the hardships that we'll encounter. Such a beautiful song, I get it now why the title of this Album is Lover. 💜

Favorite lyric: 🎶I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want them all... All's well that ends well to end up with you.🎶
Lover by Taylor Swift

The Man

This song is literally MIC DROP. Come on, "Every conquest I had made would make me more of a boss to you", "They say I hustled, put in the work. They wouldn't shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve", "If I was out flashing my dollars I'd be a bitch, not a baller. They pick me out to be bad. So, it's okay that I'm mad". 'CAUSE IF I WAS A MAN, THEN I'D BE THE MAN. periodt.

Favorite lyric: 🎶I'd be a fearless leader. I'd be an alpha type. 'Cause if I was a man, then I'd be the man.🎶

The Archer

Okay, now to track five. Honestly, when I first heard this song, I didn't dig the "Combat, I'm ready for combat" line. BUT, when Taylor sang "Easy they come, easy they go, I jump from the train, I ride off alone", "They see right through me, I see right through me" then "All the king's horses, all the king's men, Couldn't put me together again. 'Cause all of my enemies started out friends, Help me hold on to you.", I felt the vulnerability of this song. Not my favorite song on the album but The Archer has definitely left a mark.

Favorite lyric: 🎶'Cause all of my enemies started out friends Help me hold on to you...🎶

I Think He Knows

I love this track!!! Very BOP and it just got me dancing on my feet. 😁 It reminds me of her Stay, Stay, Stay - which is definitely not a SKIP, fight me! 💃 I feel Taylor's giddiness when she sings "I ain't gotta tell him, I think he knows" and I just can't help but smile when I listen to this song. Ahhhhh, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of goodness.

Favorite lyric: 🎶He got my heartbeat Skipping down sixteenth avenue... Like, I want you, bless my soul. I ain't gotta tell him, I think he knows🎶


Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince

The storyteller in Taylor Swift was unleashed in this song. It's very reminiscent of her Love Story, Mary's Song (Oh My My My), Dear John, The Story of Us, and You Belong With Me. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. That's what this song is about. ❤️

Favorite lyric: 🎶And I don't want you to (Go), I don't really wanna (Fight) 'Cause nobody's gonna (Win), I just think you should know And I'll never let you (Go), 'cause I know this is a (Fight) And someday we're gonna (Win)🎶

Paper Rings

This is one of my favorite tracks on this album! The pre-chorus is just the cutest! I felt like it's very Avril-Lavigne-like and it's just amazing. I'm running out of adjectives here so please bear with me. 😂 I want to memorize all the lyrics in this song even if it has so much. I can just imagine how fun this song would be at her concert! 🎤 I am soooo happy for her, her happiness with her beau shines in this song especially when she sings "I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings, Uh huh, that's right Darling, you're the one I want". MY HEART

Favorite lyric: 🎶I want to drive away with you, I want your complications too, I want your dreary Mondays, Wrap your arms around me, baby boy... I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this 🎶

Cornelia Street

This track made me so emotional because I can relate to it on so many levels. I felt every single lyric Taylor was singing because it felt like she was speaking out my thoughts a year ago when I was in a very dark place. But as hers was only speaking of fears, mine was a reality. I will never be the same way I was when I think of that place I left a year ago.
The production in this track reminds me of a moment in Wildest Dreams, the part where she sang "Say you'll remember me, Standing in a nice dress, Staring at the sunset, babe". Or I don't know, maybe that's just me...💁‍♀️

Favorite lyric: 🎶 I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends I'd never walk Cornelia Street again. That's the kinda heartbreak time could never mend 🎶

Death By A Thousand Cuts

I died by a thousand cuts when she sang "My heart, my hips, my body, my love, Tryna find a part of me that you didn't touch. Gave up on me like I was a bad drug". 😭 TAYLOR, ARE YOU READING MY THOUGHTS??? ARE YOU WATCHING MY LIFE?! 💔😭 But when I learned that this song was inspired by the movie Someone Great, I understood. I get the Someone Great references. Because I heavily related to that movie. 😭

Favorite lyric: 🎶 You said it was a great love, one for the ages. But if the story's over, why am I still writing pages? Saying goodbye is death by a thousand cuts 🎶

London Boy

BOY, I FANCY YOU! Ahhhhhhhh, so much kilig in this song! It's just so cute to hear how head over heels in love Taylor is with Joe. I ship them so hard now. 😭❤️ Wishing you both the best, lovers. ❤️🦋

Favorite lyric: 🎶 But something happened, I heard him laughing I saw the dimples first and then I heard the accent They say home is where the heart is, but that's not where mine lives 🎶

Soon You'll Get Better (feat. Dixie Chicks)

This is me while listening to the entire song - 😭😭😭 especially when she sang "What am I supposed to do If there's no you?" ... I will be praying for Mama Swift, too. 🙏 I cannot imagine seeing your mother fighting a bitch like cancer and just being strong for her when all you want is cry and be afraid, thinking about all the worst possible outcomes. But God is faithful, I know He will take care of Mama Swift. All the love, Taylor. Stay strong. 💛

Favorite lyric: 🎶 Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus too. And I say to you Ooh-ah You'll get better soon 'Cause you have to 🎶

False God

This is the song I would play when I just want to have a chill mood. Like when sitting, sipping a cocktail, and just having a conversation with someone you're really attracted to. I'd have it in a playlist with Dress and So It Goes. Cheers 🥂

Favorite lyric: 🎶 They all warned us about times like this They say the road gets hard and you get lost When you're led by blind faith, blind faith 🎶

You Need To Calm Down

A crowd favorite, YES. I always do my fancy dance when this song plays, and when I say fancy, I mean funny. 💃💃💃  'CAUSE SHADE NEVER MADE ANYBODY LESS GAY SO O-OH, O-OH, O-OH! I am not calm!

Favorite lyric: 🎶 And I ain't tryna mess with your self-expression But I've learned a lesson that stressin' and obsessin' 'bout somebody else is no fun 🎶

Afterglow

I felt how Taylor still overthinks in this song just like how she was in her song Delicate. She's still testing the waters even after all this time, she's still having second thoughts if her lover would still be there for her after finding out that she has a crazy side. "Why'd I have to break what I love so much? It's on your face, and I'm to blame". I understand Tay, I understand. 😔

Favorite lyric: 🎶 Tell me that you're still mine, Tell me that we'll be just fine. Even when I lose my mind, I need to say. Hey, it's on me, In my head, I'm the one that burned us. Damn, but it's not what I meant, sorry that I hurt you 🎶

Me! (feat. Brendon Urie)

The single that started all the commotion. Do I need to say more for this song? I don't think so. 🦋🐱💜💙💚💛❤️💖💋

Favorite lyric: 🎶 Baby doll when it comes to a lover, I promise that you'll never find another like Me! 🎶

It's Nice To Have A Friend

I thought I was going to be transported to be with Mulan in China when I heard the intro of this track. But on a serious note, this feathery, light song is just perfect to be the second last song of this album. After the emotional roller coaster that is Lover, Taylor is taking us to the finale softly and slowly...

Favorite lyric: 🎶 Church-bells ring, Carry me home, Rice on the ground, Looks like snow, Call my bluff, Call you babe 🎶

Daylight

The PERFECT song to end this magnificent album. When Taylor released the song titles a week ago, I was drawn to Daylight the most. And now that I have listened to it, IT WAS EVERYTHING I IMAGINED. After the darkness, she could finally see daylight. I just love the feeling that this song radiates. I am working out to make myself better to achieve this feeling, 'cause after the darkness, I also want to see the daylight, and I'm getting there. 💖 Taylor, you are the daylight. Thank you for making this album. Thank you for writing your music. Thank you for being you. 💛
"You are what you love."
Favorite lyric: 🎶 I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you. I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you...I once believed life would be (Burning red), but it's golden (Golden). Like daylight. 🎶

xoxo

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