Swift is known for her intricately crafted lyrics: “Did the twin flame paint you blue?”, illuminating her emotional nuance. It is this emotional elegance that drew me to her music, which allows listeners to dive into the layered meanings or simply enjoy the rhythm.
‘Actually Romantic’ feels like a departure from this. In contrast to her developed lyrics, lines such as “like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse” appear blunt and simplistic. ‘Actually Romantic’ seems like a cathartic outburst, a public expression of her frustration, not a lyrical experience.
It is rumoured to be based on Charli XCX, “when the coke has got you brave.” This song captures the irony of a girl who is captivated by her hatred; it can only be described as romantic, mirroring themes in Reputation.
Whilst the lyrics do not appear the most compelling, I enjoy the rhythm and musicality. The gradual buildup captures Swift’s optimism and stage energy.
‘Actually Romantic’ stands out for its upbeat musicality and catchy delivery, but it lacks the emotional intricacy and lyricism, which I believe makes her music so compelling, so I can’t give the song higher than 3.
“Abita Stage Purse Chihuahua” by Ray Devlin is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
