Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’: read all the lyrics

[Verse 1]
I heard you calling on the megaphone
You wanna see me all alone
As legend has it you are quite the pyro
You light the match to watch it blow

[Pre-Chorus]
And if you'd never come for me
I might've drowned in the melancholy
I swore my loyalty to me, myself, and I
Right before you lit my sky up

[Chorus]
All that time, I sat alone in my tower
You were just honing your powers
Now I can see it all (See it all)
Late one night, you dug me out of my grave and
Saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia (Ophelia)
Keep it one hundrеd on the land, the sea, thе sky
Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes
Don't care where the hell you been, 'cause now you're mine
It's 'bout to be the sleepless night you've been dreaming of
The fate of Ophelia

[Verse 2]
The eldest daughter of a nobleman
Ophelia lived in fantasy
But love was a cold bed full of scorpions
The venom stole her sanity

[Pre-Chorus]
And if you'd never come for me (Come for me)
I might've lingered in purgatory
You wrap around me like a chain (Chain), a crown (A crown), a vine (A vine)
Pulling me into the fire

[Chorus]
All that time, I sat alone in my tower
You were just honing your powers
Now I can see it all (See it all)
Late one night, you dug me out of my grave and
Saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia (Ophelia)
Keep it one hundred on the land, the sea, the sky
Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes
Don't care where the hell you been, 'cause now you're mine
It's 'bout to be the sleepless night you've been dreaming of
The fate of Ophelia

[Bridge]
'Tis locked inside my memory
And only you possess the key
No longer drowning and deceived
All because you came for me
Locked inside my memory
And only you possess the key
No longer drowning and deceived
All because you came for me

 
 
 
[Chorus]
All that time, I sat alone in my tower
You were just honing your powers
Now I can see it all (I can see it all)
Late one night, you dug me out of my grave and
Saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia (Ophelia)
Keep it one hundred on the land, the sea, the sky
Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes
Don't care where the hell you been, 'cause now you're mine
It's 'bout to be the sleepless night you've been dreaming of
The fate of Ophelia

[Outro]
You saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia

[Intro]
Elizabeth Taylor
Do you think it's forever?

[Verse 1]
That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée
Ooh, oftentimes it doesn't feel so glamorous to be me
All the right guys promised they'd stay
Under bright lights, they withered away, but you bloom
Portofino was on my mind (And I think you know why)
And if your letters ever said, "Goodbye"

[Chorus]
I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor
Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?
Been number one, but I never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have (Uh)
Be my NY whеn Hollywood hates me
You're only as hot as your last hit, baby
Been numbеr one, but I never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have you

[Verse 2]
Hey, what could you possibly get for the girl who has everything and nothing all at once?
Babe, I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust (Just kidding)
We hit the best booth at Musso and Frank's
They say I'm bad news, I just say, "Thanks"
And you look at me like you're hypnotized
And I think you know why
And if you ever leave me high and dry

[Chorus]
I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor
Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?
Been number one, but I never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have (Uh)
Be my NY when Hollywood hates me
You're only as hot as your last hit, baby
Been number one, but I never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have you (Uh)

[Post-Chorus]
Elizabeth Taylor (Oh)
Do you think it's forever? (Oh)
If I can't have you
All my white diamonds and lovers are forever
In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds
All my white diamonds and lovers are forever
Don't you ever end up anything but mine

[Chorus]
I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor
Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?
Been number one, but I never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have (If I can't have you)
Be my NY when Hollywood hates me
You're only as hot as your last hit, baby
Been number one, but l never had two
And I can't have fun if I can't have (If I can't have you)

 
[Post-Chorus]
All my white diamonds and lovers are forever (Elizabeth Taylor, do you think it's forever?)
In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds
All my white diamonds and lovers are forever
Don't you ever end up anything but mine

[Outro]
Oh, oh, oh

[Verse 1]
I had a bad habit
Of missing lovers past
My brother used to call it
"Eating out of the trash"
It's never gonna last
I thought my house was haunted
I used to live with ghosts
And all the perfect couples
Said, "When you know, you know"
And, "When you don't, you don't"

[Pre-Chorus]
And all of the foes, and all of the friends (Ha, ha)
They've seen it before, they'll see it again (Ha, ha)
Life is a song, it ends when it ends
I was wrong
But my mama told me

[Chorus]
It's alright
You were dancing through the lightning strikes
Sleepless in the onyx night
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh my Lord
Never met no one likе you before
You had to make your own sunshinе
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

[Verse 2]
You couldn't understand it
Why you felt alone
You were in it for real
She was in her phone
And you were just a pose
And don't we try to love love? (Love love?)
We give it all we've got (Give it all we've got)
You finally left the table (Uh, uh)
And what a simple thought
You're starving 'til you're not

[Pre-Chorus]
And all of the foes and all of the friends (Ha, ha)
Have messed up before, they'll mess up again (Ha, ha)
Life is a song, it ends when it ends
You move on
And that's when I told you

[Chorus]
It's alright
You were dancing through the lightning strikes
Sleepless in the onyx night
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh my Lord
Never met no one like you before
You had to make your own sunshine
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

 
 
 

[Bridge]
This is just a storm inside a teacup
But shelter here with me, my love
Thunder like a drum
This life will beat you up, up, up, up
This is just a temporary speed bump
But failure brings you freedom
And I can bring you love, love, love, love, love
Don't you sweat it, baby

[Chorus]
It's alright
You were dancing through the lightning strikes
Oh, so sleepless in the onyx night
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh my Lord
Never met no one like you before (No)
You had to make your own sunshine
But now the sky is opalite
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

[Verse 1]
When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold
Pulled up to you in the Jag', turned your rags into gold
The winding road leads to the chateau
"You remind me of a younger me"
I saw potential

[Chorus]
I'll be your father figure
I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my dick's bigger
This love is pure profit
Just step into my office
I dry your tears with my sleeve

[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
I protect the family

[Verse 2]
I pay the check before it kisses the mahogany grain
Said, "They want to see you rise, they don't want you to reign"
I showed you all the tricks of the trade
All I ask is for your loyalty
My dear protégé

[Chorus]
I'll be your father figure
I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my dick's bigger
This love is pure profit
Just step into my office
They'll know your name in the streets

[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
I protect the family

[Bridge]
My dear boy, they don't make loyalty like they used to
Your thoughtless ambition sparked the ignition
On foolish decisions which lead to misguided visions
That to fulfill your dreams
You had to get rid of me
I protect the family

[Chorus]
I was your father figure
We drank that brown liquor
You made a deal with this devil, turns out my dick's bigger
You want a fight, you found it
I got the place surrounded
You'll be sleeping with the fishes before you know you're drowning
Whose portrait's on the mantle?
Who covered up your scandals?
Mistake my kindness for weakness and find your card cancelled
I was your father figure
You pulled the wrong trigger
This empire belongs to me

[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me

[Outro]
You know, you remind me of a younger me
I saw potential

[Verse 1]
Everybody's so punk on the internet
Everyone's unbothered 'til they're not
Every joke's just trolling and memes
Sad as it seems, apathy is hot
Everybody's cutthroat in the comments
Every single hot take is cold as ice
When you found me, I said I was busy, that was a lie

[Pre-Chorus]
I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness
I've been dying just from trying to seem cool

[Chorus]
But I'm not a bad bitch, and this isn't savage
But I'm never gonna let you down
I'm never gonna leave you out
So many traitors, smooth operators
But I'm never gonna break that vow
I'm nеver gonna leave you now
Now, now

[Verse 2]
You know, thе last time I laughed this hard was
On the trampoline in somebody's backyard
I must've been about eight or nine
That was the night
I fell off and broke my arm
Pretty soon, I learned cautious discretion
When your first crush crushes something kind
When I said I don't believe in marriage, that was a lie

[Pre-Chorus]
Every eldest daughter
Was the first lamb to the slaughter
So we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire

[Chorus]
But I'm not a bad bitch, and this isn't savage
But I'm never gonna let you down
I'm never gonna leave you out
So many traitors, smooth operators
But I'm never gonna break that vow
I'm never gonna leave you now
Now, now

[Bridge]
We lie back
A beautiful, beautiful time-lapse
Ferris wheels, kisses, and lilacs
And things I said were dumb
'Cause I thought that I'd never find that beautiful, beautiful life that (Ah)
Shimmers that innocent light back
Like when we were young
Every youngest child felt
They were raised up in the wild
But now you're home

[Chorus]
'Cause I'm not a bad bitch
And this isn't savage
And I'm never gonna let you down
I'm never gonna leave you out
So many traitors, smooth operators (Ah, ah)
But I'm never gonna break that vow (Never gonna break that vow)
I'm never gonna leave you now
Now, now

[Outro]
Never gonna break that vow (Ooh)
Never gonna leave you now, now
I'm never gonna leave you now

 
 

[Verse 1]
Glistening grass from September rain
Gray overpass full of neon names
You drive (Mm-mm), 85 (Mm-mm)
Gallatin Road and the Lakeside Beach
Watching the game from your brother's Jeep
Your smile (Mm-mm), miles wide

[Chorus]
And it was not an invitation
Should've kissed you anyway
Should've kissed you anyway
And it was not convenient, no
But your girlfriend was away
Should've kissed you anyway, hey

[Verse 2]
Shiny wood floors underneath my feet
Disco ball makes everything look cheap
Have fun (Mm-mm), it's prom (Mm-mm)
Wilted corsage dangles from my wrist
Over his shoulder, I catch a glimpse
And see (Mm-mm)
You looking at me

[Chorus]
And it was not an invitation
But as thе 50 Cent song played (Song played)
Should'vе kissed you anyway (Anyway)
And it was not convenient, no (It was not, convenient)
Would've been the best mistake
Should've kissed you anyway, hey

[Refrain]
Don't make it awkward in second period
Might piss your ex off, lately we've been good
Staying friends is safe, doesn't mean you should
Don't make it awkward in second period
Might piss your ex off, lately we've been good
Staying friends is safe, doesn't mean you should

[Bridge]
When I left school, I lost track of you
Abigail called me with the bad news
Goodbye, and we'll never know why
It was not an invitation
But I flew home anyway
With so much left to say
It was not convenient, no
But I whispered at the grave
"Should've kissed you anyway"

[Chorus]
Oh, and it was not an invitation (It was not, an invitation)
Should've kissed you anyway (Anyway)
Should've kissed you anyway, anyway (Anyway)

[Post-Chorus]
And it was not—
My advice is always ruin the friendship
Better that than regret it for all time
Should've kissed you anyway
And my advice is always answer the question
Better that than to ask it all your life
Should've kissed you anyway
Should've kissed you anyway
 

[Verse 1]
I heard you call me "Boring Barbie" when the coke's got you brave
High-fived my ex and then you said you're glad he ghosted me
Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face
Some people might be offended

[Chorus]
But it's actually sweet
All the time you've spent on me
It's honestly wild
All the effort you've put in
It's actually romantic
I really gotta hand it to you, ooh
No man has ever loved me like you do

[Verse 2]
Hadn't thought of you in a long time
But you keep sending me funny valentines
And I know you think it comes off vicious
But it's precious, adorable
Like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse
That's how much it hurts
How many times has your boyfriend said
"Why are we always talking 'bout her?"

[Chorus]
It's actually sweet
All the time you've spent on me
It's honestly wild
All the effort you've put in
It's actually romantic
I really gotta hand it to you, ooh
No man has ever loved me like you do

[Bridge]
You think I'm tacky, baby
Stop talking dirty to me
It sounded nasty, but it
Feels like you're flirting with me
I mind my business, God's my witness that I don't provoke it
It's kind of making me wet (Oh)

[Chorus]
'Cause it's actually sweet
All the time you've spent on me
It's honestly lovely
All the effort you've put in
It's actually romantic
Really got to hand it to you, to you
No man has ever loved me like you do

[Outro]
It's actually romantic (You've just given me so much attention; la-la-la-la)
It's actually romantic
(It's so) Romantic

[Verse 1]
They want that yacht life, under chopper blades
They want those bright lights and Balenci' shades
And a fat ass with a baby face
They want it all
They want that complex female character
They want that critical smash Palme d'Or
And an Oscar on their bathroom floor
They want it all

[Pre-Chorus]
And they should have what they want
They deserve what they want
Hope they get what they want

[Chorus]
I just want you, huh
Have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you
We tell the world to leave us thе fuck alone, and they do, wow
Got me drеaming about a driveway with a basketball hoop
Boss up, settle down, got a wish list (Wish list)
I just want you

[Verse 2]
They want that freedom, living off the grid
They want those three dogs that they call their kids
And that good surf, no hypocrites
They want it all
They want a contract with Real Madrid
They want that spring break that was fuckin' lit
And then that video taken off the internet
They want it all

[Pre-Chorus]
And they should have what they want
They deserve what they want
I hope they get what they want

[Chorus]
I just want you, huh (You, you, yeah)
Have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you
We tell the world to leave us the fuck alone, and they do (Oh), wow
Got me dreaming about a driveway with a basketball hoop (Hoop)
Boss up, settle down, got a wish list (Wish list)

[Bridge]
I made wishes on all of the stars
Please, God, bring me a best friend who I think is hot
I thought I had it right, once, twice, but I did not
You caught me off my guard
I hope get what I want (Get what I want)
'Cause I know what I want

[Chorus]
I just want you (Baby)
Have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you (Got 'em looking like you)
We tell the world to leave us the fuck alone, and they do, wow
Got me dreaming about a driveway with a basketball hoop
Boss up, settle down, got a wish list (Wish list)
I just want you (Ooh)
And we can have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you (You)
We tell the world to leave us the fuck alone, and they do (Yeah), wow
And now you got me dreaming about a driveway with a basketball hoop
Boss up, settle down, got a wish list (Wish list)
I just want you
 
 

[Verse 1]
Daisy's bare naked, I was distraught
He loves me not, he loves me not
Penny's unlucky, I took him back
And then stepped on a crack
And the black cat laughed

[Pre-Chorus]
And baby, I'll admit I've been a little superstitious (Superstitious)
Fingers crossed until you put your hand on mine (Hand on mine)
Seems to be that you and me, we make our own luck
A bad sign is all good
I ain't gotta knock on wood

[Chorus]
All of that bitchin', wishing on a falling star
Never did me any good
I ain't got to knock on wood
It's you and me forever dancing in the dark (Ah)
All over me, it's understood
I ain't got to knock on wood

[Post-Chorus]
Forgive me, it sounds cocky
He ah-matized me and openеd my eyes
Redwood tree, it ain't hard to see
His lovе was the key that opened my thighs

[Verse 2]
Girls, I don't need to catch the bouquet, mm
To know a hard rock is on the way

[Pre-Chorus]
And baby, I'll admit I've been a little superstitious (Superstitious)
The curse on me was broken by your magic wand (Ah)
Seems to be that you and me, we make our own luck
New Heights (New Heights) of manhood (Manhood)
I ain't gotta knock on wood

[Chorus]
(Ah) All of that bitchin', wishing on a falling star
Never did me any good
I ain't got to knock on wood
(Ah) It's you and me forever dancing in the dark (Ah)
All over me, it's understood
I ain't got to knock on wood

[Post-Chorus]
Forgive me, it sounds cocky
He ah-matized me and opened my eyes
Redwood tree, it ain't hard to see
His love was the key that opened my thighs
Forgive me, it sounds cocky
He ah-matized me and opened my eyes
Redwood tree, it ain't hard to see
His love was the key that opened my thighs

[Verse 1]
You thought that it would be okay, at first
The situation could be saved, of course
But they'd already picked out your grave and hearse
Beware the wrath of masked crusaders

[Pre-Chorus]
Did you girl-boss too close to the sun?
Did they catch you having far too much fun?
Come with me, when they see us, they'll run
Something wicked this way comes

[Chorus]
Good thing I like my friends cancelled
I like 'em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal
Like my whiskey sour
And poison thorny flowers
Welcome to my underworld
Where it gets quite dark
At least you know exactly who your friends are
They're the ones with matching scars

[Verse 2]
It's easy to love you when you're popular
The optics click, everyone prospers
But one single drop, you're off the roster
"Tone-deaf and hot, let's fuckin' off her"

[Pre-Chorus]
Did you make a joke only a man could?
Were you just too smug for your own good?
Or bring a tiny violin to a knife fight?
Baby, that all ends tonight

[Chorus]
Good thing I like my friends cancelled (Cancelled)
I like 'em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal
Like my whiskey sour
And poison thorny flowers
(Honey) Welcome to my underworld
It'll break your heart
At least you know exactly who your friends are
They're the ones with matching scars

[Bridge]
They stood by me
Before my exoneration
They believed I was innocent
So I'm not here for judgment, no, ooh

[Verse 3]
But if you can't be good, then just be better at it
Everyone's got bodies in the attic
Or took somebody's man, we'll take you by the hand
And soon you'll learn the art of never getting caught

[Chorus]
It's a good thing I like my friends cancelled
You know that I like 'em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal
I like my whiskey sour
And poison thorny flowers (Ooh)
Yeah, it's a good thing I like my friends cancelled (Cancelled)
I salute you if you're much too much to handle
Like my whiskey sour (I like it)
And poison thorny flowers (I love it)
Can't you see my infamy loves company?
Now they've broken you like they've broken me
But a shattered glass is a lot more sharp
And now you know exactly who your friends are

[Outro]
You know who we are
We're the ones with matching scars

[Refrain]
You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
Mm-mm

[Chorus]
When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the bitch was tellin' me to back off
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong
If anyone called me "Honey"
It was standin' in the bathroom, white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home

[Post-Chorus]
But you touched my face
Redefined all of those blues
When you say "Honey"

[Verse 1]
Summertime spritz, pink skies
You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
Wintergreen kiss, on my
Gave it a different meaning 'cause you mean it when you talk
Honey, I'm home, we could play house
We can bed down down, pick me up
Who's the baddest in the land? What's the plan? (What's the plan?)
You could be my forever night stand
Honey

[Chorus]
When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the bitch was tellin' me to back off (Back off)
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong
If anyone called me "Honey"
It was standin' in the bathroom, white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home

[Post-Chorus]
But you touched my face
Redefined all of those blues
When you say

[Verse 2]
You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
I'm the one you want
You give it different meaning, 'cause you mean it when you talk
Sweetie, it's yours, kicking in doors
Take it to the floor, give me more
Buy the paint in the color of your eyes (Of your eyes)
And graffiti my whole damn life
Honey

[Bridge]
When anyone called me late night
He was screwin' around with my mind
Askin', "What are you wearin'?"
Too hard to remember in the morning
And when anyone called me "Lovely"
They were findin' ways not to praise me
But you say it like you're in awe of me
And you stay until the morning
Honey

[Chorus]
When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the bitch was tellin' me to back off (Back off)
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong (He looked at me wrong)
If anyone called me "Honey" (Ooh)
It was standin' in the bathroom (Yeah), white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home (Cried the whole way home)

[Outro]
But you can call me "Honey" if you want

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
Her name was Kitty
Made her money being pretty and witty
They gave her the keys to this city
Then they said she didn't do it legitly, uh
I bought a ticket
She's dancing in her garters and fishnets
Fifty in the cast, zero missteps
Looking back, I guess it was kismet

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift]
I waited by the stage door
Packed in with the autograph
Hounds barking her name
Then glowing like the end of a cigarette
Wow, she came out
I said, "You're living my drеam"
Then she said to me

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
"Hеy, thank you for the lovely bouquet
You're sweeter than a peach
But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe
And you're never, ever gonna
Wait, the more you play, the more that you pay
You're softer than a kitten, so
You don't know the life of a showgirl, babe
And you're never gonna wanna"

[Verse 2: Sabrina Carpenter]
She was a menace
The baby of the family in Lenox
Her father whored around like all men did
Her mother took pills and played tennis

[Pre-Chorus: Sabrina Carpenter & Taylor Swift]
So she waited by the stage door
Asked the club for more to arrive
She said, "I'd sell my soul to have a taste of a magnificent life"
It's all mine
But that's not what showgirls get
They leave us for dead

[Chorus: Sabrina Carpenter, Sabrina Carpenter & Taylor Swift]
Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet
You're sweeter than a peach
But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe
And you're never, ever gonna
Wait, the more you play, the more that you pay
You're softer than a kitten, so
You don't know the life of a showgirl, babe
And you're never gonna wanna

[Bridge: Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter]
I took her pearls of wisdom
Hung them from my neck
I paid my dues with every bruise
I knew what to expect
Do you wanna take a skate on the ice inside my veins?
They ripped me off like false lashes
And then threw me away
And all the headshots on the walls
Of the dance hall are of the bitches
Who wish I'd hurry up and die
But, I'm immortal now, baby dolls
I couldn't if I tried, so I say

[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Both]
"Thank you for the lovely bouquet
I'm married to the hustle
And now I know the life of a showgirl, babe
And I'll never know another
Pain hidden by the lipstick and lace (Lipstick and lace)
Sequins are forever and now I know the life of a showgirl, babe
Wouldn't have it any other way (Thank you for the lovely bouquet)
Wouldn't have it any other way (Thank you for lovely bouquet)
Hey, Kitty (Thank you for lovely bouquet)
Now I'm making money being pretty and witty
Thank you for the lovely bouquet"

[Outro: Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter]
Thank you for an unforgettable night
We will see you next time
Give it up for the band
And the dancers
And of course, Sabrina
I love you, Taylor
That's our show
We love you so much
Goodnight