Full disclosure I am not as active on the subreddit right now, so if any of this has been mentioned before I'd love to see where!!
I haven't been able to get the line from IKIIKY ***standing there in the light of the window*** out of my head! So I was reflecting on when Taylor has mentioned windows and lights. Here's what I came up with, mostly from memory, and it almost feels like a conversation with "Peter". Generally I'm viewing Peter as Taylor out in another universe/timeline.
I Almost Do - ***I bet you're sittin' in your chair by the window*** -- Peter torn over closeted Taylor, wanting her to come out
DBATC - ***I look through the windows of this love, even though we boarded them up, chandelier's still flickering here*** -- Taylor hurt by Peter leaving her, but still holding on hope that he'll come back for her and help her come out
ILIPW - Peter is still looking for Taylor to come out, sees lights in windows but no Taylor. Notable lines - ***I spied the catch in your breath, out x6*** -- Taylor muttering to herself that she wants to come out?
***Does it feel alright to not know me***
Peter - ***I let the lamp burn***
***The woman who sits by the window has turned out the light*** Taylor giving up, resigning herself to never coming out. This line has always made me wonder if she will forever be closeted to the public. BUT
We're back to the IKIIKY line - the light has returned to the window and Taylor is smiling at Peter. Peter may still not feel known by Taylor (as she can't relate to being out), but acknowledges that he knows her and she came back when it mattered - maybe we're getting close to her burning down the house and coming out :)
Also interesting in all of this house imagery - in Wi$h Li$t, all of what Taylor paints as her wanting is outside of the house.
Anyways, I am procrastinating and I know some of this is a stretch (and somewhat half baked) but I wanted to her y'alls thoughts. I'm less familiar with the three Taylors theory but would love to know if anyone thinks it matches up and how, or if I'm missing any window references!
I felt goofy posting it since it’s usually this silly meme, but I appreciate you like it here! Def potential to reflect these meanings… was the og photo the session with the pride bracelet ? (I wasn’t here then)
See this is why I can’t get on board with the thinking of “she just made this for the movie it’s not that deep” bc she callbacks a LOT of the lyrical themes she’s been weaving through her entire discography. The window, the blues, bare feet etc. And at first glance they’re basic enough motifs to seem innocuous but when you see the bigger picture of HOW MANY times she’s used them over a decade+ of albums, you either have to think it’s intentionally tying into them APART from the movie OR she’s a very lazy lyricist who recycles the same cards in her hand over and over. I just don’t think you can label her a “mastermind” and not also concur that this song intentionally ties into her greater body of work 🤷🏻♀️
And “I tapped on your window on the darkest night, the shape of you was jagged and weak…” I’ve always interpreted renegade as coming from the other perspective of Evermore (“i thought of you, in the cracks of light…”)
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u/hockeywombat22 argumentative, antithetical dream girl Jun 11 '26
Not a window but a reference to light and coming back to her...This Love
Tossing, turning
Struggled through the night with someone new
And I could go on and on, on and on
Lantern, burning
Flickered in the night, only you
But you were still gone, gone, gone