The Tug-of-War of Desire in Taylor Swift's 'Gorgeous'

Taylor Swift's 'Gorgeous' is a playful yet poignant exploration of unattainable attraction. The song delves into the complexities of feeling drawn to someone while being in a relationship with another person. Swift's lyrics often reflect personal experiences and emotions, and 'Gorgeous' is no exception, as it captures the internal conflict between desire and reality.

The song opens with a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of the singer's intoxication, which leads her to mock the object of her affection's speech. This sets the tone for a narrative that is both self-aware and self-deprecating. Swift's use of phrases like 'magnetic field being a little too strong' and 'you're so cool it makes me hate you so much' illustrates the magnetic pull she feels towards this person, despite her current relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and longing, as she grapples with feelings that are both irresistible and inconvenient.

The chorus of 'Gorgeous' is a candid admission of the singer's inability to express her feelings directly to the person she admires. The repeated lines 'You're so gorgeous' and 'I can't say anything to your face' underscore the theme of paralyzing attraction. Swift also touches on the bittersweet nature of such an infatuation, where happiness quickly turns to sadness because the object of desire is unattainable. The song concludes with a hint of hopefulness, as the singer invites the person to come along, suggesting a willingness to explore the possibility of this new connection, despite the complications it may bring.

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  1. Guilty as Sin?
  2. All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
  3. Daylight
  4. The Bolter
  5. tolerate it
  6. Enchanted
  7. ​this is me trying
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  9. How Did It End?
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