“Paris” is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released as part of her 2022 album Midnights. The track explores themes of escapism, romance, and the desire for privacy in a relationship.
The lyrics describe Swift’s fantasy of retreating from the outside world with her lover to Paris, a city synonymous with love.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Paris” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
“Your ex-friend’s sister
Met someone at a club and he kissed her
Turns out, it was that guy you hooked up with ages ago
Some wannabe Z-lister
And all the outfits were terrible
2003 unbearable
Did you see the photos?”
No, I didn’t, but thanks, though
In the opening verse, Swift references gossip about a past relationship, highlighting the superficiality of social interactions. The mention of an “ex-friend’s sister” and a “wannabe Z-lister” sets a tone of dismissiveness towards trivial matters.
The nostalgia for a less complicated time is evident with the line about “2003 unbearable” outfits, suggesting a longing to move beyond past mistakes and the noise of social media.
Swift’s response, “No, I didn’t, but thanks, though,” indicates her disinterest in rehashing old relationships, emphasizing her focus on the present love.
[Pre-Chorus]
I’m so in love that I might stop breathing
Drew a map on your bedroom ceiling
No, I didn’t see the news
‘Cause we were somewhere else
Stumbled down pretend alleyways
Cheap wine, make believe it’s champagne
I was taken by the view
The pre-chorus expresses deep infatuation, with Swift stating, “I’m so in love that I might stop breathing.” This line captures the overwhelming nature of her feelings.
The imagery of drawing a map on the bedroom ceiling symbolizes the intimate and imaginative world she shares with her partner, where they can escape the outside world.
The phrase “stumbled down pretend alleyways” suggests a playful, dreamlike quality to their romance, where mundane moments are transformed into something magical.
[Chorus]
Like we were in Paris
Like we were somewhere else
Like we were in Paris, oh
We were somewhere else
The chorus reinforces the theme of escapism, comparing their love to being in Paris—a city synonymous with romance.
The repetition of “like we were in Paris” conveys a sense of longing for that idealized experience, underscoring the idea that their love creates a world apart from reality.
[Verse 2]
Privacy sign on the door
And on my page and on the whole world
Romance is not dead if you keep it just yours
Levitate above all the messes made
Sit quiet by my side in the shade
And not the kind that’s thrown
I mean, the kind under where a tree has grown
In the second verse, Swift emphasizes privacy as crucial to their romance. The “privacy sign on the door” signifies a desire to keep their relationship shielded from public scrutiny.
The line “Romance is not dead if you keep it just yours” suggests that true love thrives in secrecy and intimacy.
The imagery of sitting quietly in the shade evokes comfort and tranquility, contrasting the chaos of the outside world.
[Bridge]
I wanna brainwash you
Into loving me forever
I wanna transport you
To somewhere the culture’s clever
Confess my truth
In swooping, sloping, cursive letters
Let the only flashing lights be the tower at midnight
In my mind
The bridge introduces a more whimsical and slightly possessive tone, with Swift expressing a desire to “brainwash” her partner into loving her forever. This metaphor reflects the intensity of her feelings and the wish to create a lasting bond.
The mention of “somewhere the culture’s clever” contrasts with the earlier gossip, indicating a yearning for depth and substance in their relationship.
The line about letting “the only flashing lights be the tower at midnight” symbolizes a desire to escape media attention and focus solely on their love.
[Breakdown]
We drew a map on your bedroom ceiling
No, I didn’t see the news
‘Cause we were somewhere else
In an alleyway, drinking champagne
The breakdown revisits the imagery of drawing maps and emphasizes their shared fantasy of being together, drinking champagne in an alleyway.
This moment reinforces the idea that their love is a refuge from the outside world.
[Chorus]
‘Cause we were in Paris
Yes, we were somewhere else
My love, we were in Paris
Yes, we were somewhere else
In the final chorus, the fantasy of Paris becomes a reality, encapsulating the joy and fulfillment found in their love. The repetition of “we were somewhere else” shows that their bond transcends the mundane, creating a personal paradise that exists in their minds and hearts.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Paris”
The song “Paris” by Taylor Swift, featured on her album Midnights, encapsulates the euphoric and escapist feelings of being deeply in love.
The city of Paris, often referred to as the “city of love,” serves as a central metaphor representing the intoxicating early stages of a romantic relationship, where the couple retreats into their own world, free from external distractions and societal pressures.
“Paris” is characterized by its playful and romantic tone, depicting a fantasy-like scenario where Swift and her lover create a private sanctuary. The lyrics convey a sense of infatuation, as she expresses feelings so intense that they might stop her breathing.
This hyperbolic expression illustrates the overwhelming nature of love, emphasizing how it can transport people into a blissful state, akin to being in a dreamlike version of Paris itself.
The song also touches on the theme of privacy in relationships. Swift sings about wanting to keep her romance under wraps, suggesting that true love flourishes when it is shielded from public scrutiny. Lines such as “Privacy sign on the door” and “Romance is not dead if you keep it just yours” highlight the importance of maintaining a personal space away from gossip and media attention.
The use of “Paris” as a symbol goes beyond just a physical location; it represents an idealized version of love where mundane realities fade away. Swift’s references to “drawing a map on your bedroom ceiling” and enjoying simple moments like “drinking champagne” in an alleyway evoke a sense of adventure and intimacy, reinforcing the idea that love can transform ordinary experiences into something magical.
While Swift has not explicitly stated who the song is about, many speculate it may refer to her relationship with Joe Alwyn, especially considering their past visits to Paris together.
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