Don't Blame Me

Album: Reputation (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Taylor Swift shocker: She's singing about drugs, a stark contrast to the pop princess' sensible lyrics of her past.

    Lord save me, my drug is my baby
    I'll be doing it the rest of my life


    But don't fret Swifties, Taylor is crooning about her head-over-heels love for a guy, presumably Joe Alwyn. So intense are her feelings for him, she compares it to the addictive nature of a drug, a common lyrical trope in pop music. Check out Roxy Music's "Love Is The Drug", Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love" and Alessia Cara's "Overdose."
  • The gospel-infused track starts of in the first verse with Taylor alluding to her previous relationships with older men such Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston (and maybe going further back, John Mayer)

    I've been breakin' hearts a long time, and toyin' with them older guys, just playthings.

    She is unapologetic for her public reputation of a heartbreaker. However, soon the song takes a turn for the better as Swift croons about how she's a changed woman due to her love for Joe.

    I'm insane, but I'm your baby (your baby)
    Echoes of your name inside my mind
    Halo, hiding my obsession
    I once was poison ivy, but now I'm your daisy


    The song incorporates the two topics that seep through the majority of Reputation's songs - "the media hates me" and "I'm in love with Joe Alwyn."

Comments: 1

  • Cami from UsaLOL imagine believing this song is about Joe Alwyn. "For you I would fall from grace?" "They say she's gone too far this time?" What on earth about JOE freakin ALWYN was gonna be so controversial people would lose their minds over it??

    Google "Taylor Swift Karlie Kloss daisy" if you dare.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.