cardigan

"Cardigan" by Taylor Swift is a profound narrative about first love and its lasting reverberations, woven with the lyrical richness characteristic of the album "folklore". Taylor shared on Instagram when announcing the surprise release of the album that it was inspired by vivid images that piqued her curiosity, such as stars drawn around scars and a cardigan that still holds the scent of loss twenty years later. These images not only introduce themes of memory and loss but also set the stage for an exploration of complex and deeply personal emotions, encapsulated within the experience of youthful love.

The song begins by evoking youth and first impressions: "Vintage tee, brand new phone / High heels on cobblestones," representing the optimism and novelty of youth. The line "When you are young, they assume you know nothing" recurs as a refrain, challenging the assumption that youth equates to ignorance. This underestimation contrasts with the depth of emotional knowledge that the narrator, Betty, has about love and pain, gained through her experiences.

The heart of the song lies in the chorus: "But I knew you / Dancing in your Levi's / Drunk under a streetlight, I." Here, Betty reflects on the intimacy and shared moments that marked their relationship. These memories are both sweet and painful, highlighting the duality of first love—intensely beautiful but often marked by impermanence.

The metaphor of "an old cardigan under someone's bed" is powerful, symbolizing something forgotten or discarded yet still full of personal significance. When she says, "You put me on and said I was your favorite," it reveals how she felt valued and loved, despite her insecurities and doubts. This feeling of being someone's 'favorite' and then being relegated to oblivion captures the essence of the emotional betrayal explored in the song.

The line "Peter losing Wendy" references the classic tale of "Peter Pan," where Peter is the boy who never wants to grow up, and Wendy is the figure who, although enchanted by the adventures of Neverland, eventually chooses to return to the real world. In the context of the song, the phrase suggests that James, like Peter, is unable to mature or commit genuinely. Betty, realizing this, understands that she cannot remain in the fantasy of a youthful love that does not evolve.

The unfolding love story is punctuated by Betty's painful but necessary acceptance of her situation: "I knew I'd curse you for the longest time / Chasing shadows in the grocery line." These lines speak about how the echoes of a lost love haunt her, even in mundane moments, and how she anticipates James's regret once the excitement of the new romance fades.

In summary, "cardigan" is not just a song about love and loss; it is an acknowledgment of the emotional maturation that comes with experiencing one's first heartbreak. Swift, by adopting Betty's perspective, pays homage to the authenticity of these youthful feelings and the lasting imprint they leave, even as the world expects you to grow and move on. Through her captivating narrative, Swift not only tells a story but also validates the depth and legitimacy of youthful pain, undoubtedly one of the most raw and formative pains we experience.