☝️ Key Points
- Swift sees herself as an 'anti-heroine', aware but unable to fight against her flaws.
- The song lyrics reveal her struggles with maturity and depression, highlighted by lines like 'I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser' and 'When my depression works the graveyard shift'.
- Taylor's fears and insecurities in relationships are shown through confessions of 'ghosting' and her difficulties in looking at herself in the mirror.
- She often feels isolated and different, as depicted in the line 'Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby And I'm a monster on the hill'.
- The song ends with a dark fantasy that highlights her fears and insecurities about family and trust.
Interpretation
In 'Anti-Hero',
Taylor Swift critically examines herself and reflects on her mistakes, fears, and depressions. She confesses that she is often the cause of her own problems and is aware of her flaws but struggles to do something about it.
The lines 'I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser' and 'When my depression works the graveyard shift' reveal her struggles with maturity and depression. The song's lyrics suggest that she sees herself as an 'anti-heroine', a flawed figure for whom it must be exhausting to constantly receive support.
Swift also speaks about her fears and insecurities regarding interpersonal relationships, where she has caused harm through 'ghosting' or abruptly ending contacts. She confesses that she is often the problem in these situations and finds it difficult to look at herself in the mirror.
The verse 'Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby And I'm a monster on the hill' shows her feelings of isolation and otherness, where she sees herself as a 'monster' compared to others.
The song ends with a dark fantasy where her daughter-in-law kills her for money, highlighting her fears and insecurities about family and trust.
Overall, 'Anti-Hero' is an introspective song that showcases Taylor Swift's struggles and fears and clarifies her self-perception as an 'anti-heroine'.