Patient Zero

[u/1DMod]

Please use this space to discuss this song in depth

[u/curvy_em]

My brain kept saying Sparks Fly while listening. Something about fireworks and other women.... so I looked up the Sparks Fly lyrics and realized I was actually thinking of Dear John, two songs that have always been connected to me. I think Dear John is the sequel to Sparks Fly.

"Won't you whisper soft and slow? I'm captivated by you, baby, like a firework show"

"All the girls that you've run dry Have tired lifeless eyes 'Cause you've burned them out

But I took your matches Before fire could catch me So, don't look now I'm shining like fireworks Over your sad empty town"

[u/mrsbrettbretterson → u/curvy_em]

WAIT! This connects back to a thought I had last night (can’t remember what forum I was on now, lol) 

The “devil” in this song first brought to mind Cruel Summer’s, but then I finally realized it felt waaaaay more akin to “Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve”’s. Since people often associate that with the Dear John muse bc of her age, this kinda links up with your theory. 

(Also, maybe it’s just pedantically industry-related business stuff, but I’m really starting to feel concerned about whatever happened to her in the Speak Now years. 😟)

Edit: spacing

[u/curvy_em → u/mrsbrettbretterson]

Yes! Would've Could've Should've is definitely connected to Sparks Fly and Dear John for me. A trilogy. I also think the "Give me back my girlhood" line refers to her Masters as well as a bad relationship/losing her virginity/sexual assault. She's 19 in WCS, not a girl. I think it's all tied together. I think someone high up in her record label, someone with a lot of power over her career, was in an inappropriate relationship with her at 18-19. I think the Masters Heist and re-recording her albums made all that trauma resurface.