My Tears Ricochet: Analysis of Taylor Swift’s folklore (from larger post)

This is a more digestible portion of my album analysis:

 

Here, I have tried to analyze what and who each track of Folklore is about.  Which is complex because it’s not in a linear order.  Names are obscured.  Facts may be reality or story.  The narrator is unreliable.  And this whole thing is going to be from a Kaylor perspective, because that’s how the songs, and Taylor Swifts catalog as a whole makes the best sense to me.  I’ll show you what I mean.

 

5.  My Tears Ricochet.

Not every song on Folklore describes a romantic relationship.  I think this song is about Taylor leaving the music label (BMR) that initially signed her.  She sings, “I could have gone anywhere. Just not home.” which is how she initially thought of her label.  Scott B. had been a paternal figure, but also controlling.  He made many decisions about her music that Taylor disagreed with.  And when she left, it wasn’t on good terms.  She was angry and he was mean.  “Wishing I’d stayed.” is a lyric that shows Scott B. liked making money off of Taylor, but refused to have a more collaborative partnership with her, wanting to control her every move.  “Stolen lullabies” is of course, mentioning the masters Scott B. sold to Taylor’s nemesis, Scooter Braun.  And remember how at the time Taylor said there were tears (“Tears Ricochet?!) in her eyes every time Scooter’s name came up.  “Cursing my name, wishing I’d stayed.” reiterates how Scott wasn’t ready to let go of Taylor, the cash cow, and he’s holding her music catalog hostage.