The following editorial was written by Mia (@safeandsoundxx), a writing contributor for Taylorswift13.org. If you would like to be a site contributor and write an editorial for publication on Taylorswift13.org, email Diane at diane@taylorswift13.org.
Taylor has released this week’s single from Red, and it’s none other than the title track, “Red”! It’s a really catchy song and sounds kind of country/rock/pop. But of course, whenever a new Taylor song comes out, the same question is asked. Who is it about?
The song’s main story of “Red” is about trying to forget somebody you once loved. Taylor said she wrote the song about “the fact that some things are just hard to forget. The emotions involved with them are so intense, and to me, intense emotion is red.”
I discovered an old tweet by Adam Young, aka Owl City, or the person “Enchanted” is about, which was very very similar to a lyric in the chorus. He tweeted: “Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never knew” (Click here to view tweet). In the chorus of “Red,” Taylor sings: “Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met.” Taylor met Adam at the Grammys in 2009, and then went on to write the song “Enchanted.” They never dated, so it’s unlikely that a song about missing your ex would be about someone who isn’t your ex.
But who do we know has broken Taylor’s heart, and has gotten pretty beat down by the two songs now released? Jake Gyllenhaal, who is Taylor’s last ex, and who dated her from October to December last year. Judging by “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which is highly likely to be written about Jake, “Red” is probably not set in the same time as WANEGBT. The song is probably set when Taylor actually had feelings for him, before she never ever wanted to get back together. Of course, no one really knows who any of her songs are about, so we may be completely right or terribly wrong. “Regretting him was like wishing you never found out love could be that strong.” That lyric from “Red” sounds like Taylor wished she hadn’t broken up with him. Is this why they got back together?
Anyhow, the song is super Swiftastic, it’s number #1 on iTunes and it’s a great sneak peek of what’s to come from the album. You should go buy it on iTunes if you haven’t already!