Taylor Swift has been making a lot of news politically as well as with Eras Tour. She’s faced some praise as well as some criticisms. Some of those relates a couple of her song lyrics from her latest album The Tortured Poets Department. With this in mind, I thought I would analyze and discuss two of Taylor Swift’s songs that “seem” to critique the religion just a little bit. These are the songs “Guilty As Sin” and “But Daddy I Love Him.” To help me out with this I asked my live-in “Swiftie” about these songs for some ideas.
Let’s start with “Guilty as Sin”
In the song “Guilty As Sin” Swift uses a line that talks about rolling the stone away and being crucified. Is that really a Christian reference? What does that really mean?
To me, it’s just an alliteration in the song lyrics. In reality, and according to my partner, this is a song about having a fantasy of a physical relationship and that unrequited love one feels when one wishes someone was physically there but cannot be.
Seriously, haven’t we all been there? Haven’t we all had that “dirty fantasy” and then felt kind of guilty about it afterward? Have you ever felt ashamed of having that deep dark fantasy about a really nice guy?
As far as the “rolling the stone away” reference this can actually be interpreted as showing the real and true self. It doesn’t really have a Biblical reference unless you want it to be that way. It’s the equivalent of wearing mask for so long and then feeling the need to take it off and be free. That one line can also be interpreted as hiding from being in past relationships that have hurt us and failed us only to finally find someone who can free us from that hurt and bondage.
Now, let’s turn our attention to “But Daddy I Love Him.”
In “But Daddy I Love Him” Taylor Swift calls Christians the most judgmental creeps.
This one has a lot of teeth and angles to it. When talking about this song with my partner, it evoked a lot of emotions as well because of their past experience with Christianity. What they learned from distancing and pretty much leaving the faith is that you can speak and be the light, but only if you walk away from everything you are. And that sounds like what Taylor Swift too. But she’s still Christian.
What would probably offend most Christians is the fact that she is more progressive in her thinking, and has expressed her political views in ways that would make conservatives cringe. This is why the song in and of itself is said to be about self-empowerment and calling out the truth of what one sees. That’s pretty much what Taylor Swift’s album, The Tortured Poets Department is all about.
For me personally, and in summary, as a creator and writer, I feel that the words you see and the sounds you hear are meant to evoke emotion. While the artist might plan out and have one intention, the audience can take it to a whole different direction: both good and bad. And that’s the beauty the art and music in all its forms. As long as it evokes some kind of emotional trigger, the creator has done their job.
So, when thinking about both “But Daddy I Love Him” and “Guilty as Sin”, the question I’d like to ask is this: What emotions do the songs evoke in you? What are you triggered by with these emotions? Are those one lines or the stories offensive to you, and if so, how? Let’s have that conversation.
About Susan:
Susan is a fan of music and culture and kind of considers herself that way. To get to know a little more about her, as well as future updates, you can find her at the links below:
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