I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

Album: The Tortured Poets Department (2024)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)" finds Taylor Swift in the classic role of the woman determined to turn her rogue boyfriend into a reliable chap, a kind of Mary Poppins for ne'er-do-wells. But beneath the playful facade, a sliver of doubt creeps in at the end. The chorus, initially a confident declaration of her taming abilities ("I can fix him, no really I can"), takes a hesitant turn at the end when she finally admits: "Whoa, maybe I can't." Perhaps, just perhaps, this particular stallion might be a bit too much to handle.
  • They shake their heads saying, 'God help her'
    When I tell 'em he's my man
    But your good Lord doesn't need to lift a finger
    I can fix him, no, really, I can


    Swift acknowledges the scandal of being with her bad boy but believes she can put him on the righteous path. The song contains similar religious imagery to another The Tortured Poets Department track, "But Daddy I Love Him," when she says:

    I'll tell you something right now
    You ain't gotta pray for me
  • Fans believe that this song is about Swift's brief fling in the summer of 2023 with Matty Healy, the British lead singer of The 1975. Healy has a bit of a reputation for making questionable choices. His past is littered with controversial behavior that left fans scratching their heads. But hey, love is blind, or at least wears rose-colored glasses, and apparently Swift believed she could be his redemption song.

    There are a couple of clues in the first verse.

    Clue One: The smoke cloud billows out his mouth
    Like a freight train through a small town


    Healy's a known smoker, puffing away even during performances.

    Clue Two: The jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud

    This seems like a thinly veiled reference to Healy's unfiltered sense of humor. His irreverent appearance on The Adam Friedland Show, for instance, convinced many Swifties that Healy wasn't exactly perfect boyfriend material.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.