Dancing With Our Hands Tied

Album: Reputation (2017)
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Songfacts®:

  • Like many of the tracks on Reputation, this seems to be about Taylor Swift's love for British actor/model Joe Alwyn. However, in a similar vein to other songs such as "Gorgeous" and "Delicate" Taylor worries that the huge media attention on her relationships could ruin everything.

    I loved you in spite of
    Deep fears that the world would divide us


    Taylor laments the handicaps that could constrict their relationship, but then reasons that their love is so intense they can overcome everything together.

    So, baby, can we dance?
    Oh, through an avalanche? And
    Say, say that we got it
  • 25 years old, I loved you in secret

    The song kicks off with a mention of someone who is 25 years old, which was Joe's age when Taylor first met him. Also, the line "I loved you in secret" is written on the wall in the music video for "...Ready For It?."
  • Swedish writer-producer Oscar Holter (who co-penned "Bon Appetit" for Taylor Swift's bête noire Katy Perry) co-wrote and co-produced the song along with Max Martin and Shellback.

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