‘tis the damn season

Taylor Swift's song '‘tis the damn season' from her album 'evermore' is a poignant reflection on returning home for the holidays and rekindling an old flame. The song captures the complex emotions of nostalgia, temporary comfort, and the inevitable return to reality. Swift is known for her storytelling ability, and in this track, she weaves a tale of a fleeting romantic encounter during the holiday season, which serves as a temporary escape from the protagonist's current life.

The lyrics suggest a protagonist who has left their small hometown for a life in the city, only to return for the holidays. The cold weather, foggy windshields, and familiar landmarks like the Methodist church and the old school ground the song in a sense of place that is both comforting and suffocating. The 'road not taken' is a metaphor for the life and love left behind, which seems appealing in the moment. The term '‘tis the damn season' implies a resignation to the holiday spirit, where old habits and relationships are temporarily revived in the name of tradition and familiarity.

Swift's character in the song grapples with the duality of her life—the allure of her past and the reality of her present. The temporary nature of the holiday visit and the reconnection with a past love is underscored by the understanding that it will end when the season is over. The song speaks to the universal experience of revisiting one's roots and the bittersweet realization that while you can temporarily step back into your old life, you have changed and so has the world you left behind. Swift's emotive storytelling and melodic composition make '‘tis the damn season' a relatable and reflective ballad for listeners who have ever felt torn between two worlds.