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foxes-that-run · 10 months ago

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Wonderland

Wonderland is a song about a love that feels so enticing it draws her in against her judgment. Taylor uses Lewis Carroll's Wonderland as a metaphor for love with a famous person and they try to hold on the chaos that ensues from going public. Get a cup of tea, this is long. I feel the lyrics, meaning and context of this song are overlooked because Taylor had a friend who likes the classic novel.

22 March 2011 - Taylor visited an Alice and Wonderland themed store on Portobello Road, London. (2011 timeline)

25 October 2012 - Taylors Rolling Stone Article is titled "Taylor in Wonderland" and talks about her apartment.

Over 18 months of remodeling, Swift gave the condo a heavy dose of well-funded OCD whimsy. The ceiling is arranged in multiple motifs – billowing curtains here, a painted indigo night sky there. In one corner, under hanging crystalline stars, sits a giant bunny made of moss. He’s wearing a hat. “It’s a whole Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland structure here,” she says, welcoming me the next morning. “It’s what the inside of my brain looks like, essentially.”

5 November 2012 - One Direction is on the cover of Wonderland Magazine holding puppies. The article talks about a book deal from a fanfic about Harry, death threats to girlfriends, abuse of their mothers, relationships breaking down due to abuse by fans and absolute ferver about them at that time. It includes the quotes:

"Anyone is welcome to stare into the eyes of Madness" and "The boys show a similar stubbornness when I suggest, perhaps, if they were a little less public about their girlfriends (boybands like Take That, for example, were always encouraged by management to be perennially single in public), then maybe their partners would not have to endure so much attention. “That’s shit,” says Louis. “That means you don’t lead a life that’s real. You wouldn’t be able to go out anywhere publicly with your girlfriend.”

2 December 2012 - a month after the article Harry and Taylor walked in Central Park. They had been on/off in private for months at that point and seemingly together for the last 4 months.

17 November 2014 - Taylor is on the cover of Wonderland Magazine, she talks about 1989 and Twitter Trolls.

In 2015 Taylor indicated that all the songs of romance songs on 1989 were about on person. While Taylor has never said who that person is songs like Style hint. Thank you @cntfightmydemonsthyknowhowtoswim for the shopping photo and timeline help! In her March 15 2013 vanity fair article (the one that said harry chased her for a year before they dated and also pointed mentions she was born in 1989) Taylor said:

Lyric Video

References the book, Harry's eye's and the 1D Wonderland article:

"Anyone is welcome to stare into the eyes of the madness."

Live Performances

Taylor has only performed it 6 times, each has a reason. When 1989 was release Harry’s IG went black and white and stayed that way for nearly 2 years. He posted a colour photo within a week of each Time this song was played.

May 15, 2015, Las Vegas Rock in Rio, first played. After performing Tenerife Sea with Ed Sheeran. This first performance was 2 days before the 2015 BBMAs when Taylor knew she would be seeing Harry. (Harry colour IG post)

May 20, 2015, Bossier City Louisiana (1989 Tour), on Harry and Taylors anniversary. It was followed by the Clean Speech she referred to the 2015 BBMAs 3 days earlier and 'where you should be' which Harry later referenced in Woman. (Harry colour IG post)

June 6, 2015, Pittsburgh (1989 Tour) - the day after the One Direction Hiatus story first broke. (Harry colour IG post).

June 20, 2015, Cologne, Germany (1989 Tour). Day of Taylors letter to Apple and 1989 not to be on Apple music. (Harry colour IG post)

September 29, 2018, Houston (Reputation Tour) - day after Haylor anniversary of Begin Again Paris weekend

April 21, 2023, Houston on (Eras Tour) Taylor introduced it and said it has a"twisted kind of Alice and Wonderland vibe" day before Peace Ring Anniversary

Original Lyrics

Along with 1989 TV Taylor released the original Wonderland Lyrics 27 October 2023. They are undated. I think it may have been started in 2011 when Taylor was in London and finished for 1989. The original Lyrics further indicate this song is about Harry:

"We danced down hallways, too in love to think straight" rather than" became "So, we went on our way / Too in love to think straight" Hallway's being common theme in Harry and Taylors songs about each other.

"Screaming you're the king and I'm the queen," rather than "All alone, or so it seemed." King/Queen is a common reference Taylor has used to indicate the muse is British. This is also on 1989 in Blank Space: "Stolen kisses, pretty lies, you’re the king, baby, I’m your queen"

"Colors I'd never seen twisting around me" became "I felt your arms twistin' around me." Colours are also a Haylor theme, on 1989 with OOTW: "The rest of the world was black and white / But we were in screaming color.”

"Didn't I tell you don't listen to them?" to "Didn't they tell us don't rush into things?" this reminds me of Slut! "I said it might blow up in your pretty face / I'm not saying do it anyway / But you're going to" because they went public and it did blow up.

"I turned around to find you and you were nowhere to be found / There was screaming and lightning / And I haven't been back since I had to leave you there..." became "I reached for you, but you were gone / I knew I had to go back home / You searched the world for somethin' else." this is similar to I Knew You Were Trouble: "And he’s long gone when he’s next to me", This Love: "And you were just gone and gone, gone and gone" and Blank Space: "Screaming, crying, perfect storms, I can make all the tables turn".

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Flashing lights And we took a wrong turn And we fell down a rabbit hole You held on tight to me 'Cause nothing's as it seems And spinning out of control

The first verse sets the scene of a relationship that is in the public eye and two people trying to hold onto their love in chaos. Specifically not a hidden relationship.

Flashing lights - It's easy to overlook how very out of control the fans and paparazzi were about Haylor and One Direction in 2011 - 2013. Having dated in secret for sometime when they did go public the focus was intense. When they dated again it was hidden, which is evident in both of their discographies.

I Know Places: Lights flash and we’ll run for the fences

Is It Over Now?: Flashing lights, oh Lord, let’s fast forward to three hundred takeout coffees later

Paris: Let the only flashing lights be the tower at midnight in my mind

One Directions Perfect "And if you like cameras flashing every time we go out oh yeah"

Fell down a Rabbit Hole is similar to IWYW "We're a crooked love in a straight line down"

Trying to hold onto each other in chaos is also in:

Run: "Say you’ll never let them tear us apart and I’ll hold onto you while we run"

New Years Day "You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi"

Dancing with our hands tied "Oh, and you held me close Oh, how was I to know?"

The Archer: Help me hold on to you

Harry for One Direction Story of my Life "The way that I been holdin' on too tight"

Harry for One Direction Olivia "Don't let me go"

[Pre-Chorus] Didn't they tell us "Don't rush into things"? Didn't you flash your green eyes at me? Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds? Ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twistin' around me I should have slept with one eye open at night

The Pre-Chorus tells of a decision to go public with a previously private relationship. At the time Harry and One Direction were incessantly asked invasive questions about dating, which Harry was increasingly uncomfortable answering. Shortly before 1D provided a list of banned questions which was not well received.

Slut! implies that Harry had wanted to go public and Taylor cautioned against it " Taking your chance / It's a big mistake / I said it might blow up in your pretty face / I'm not saying do it anyway / But you're going to / And if they call me a slut / You know it might be worth it for once"

Harry's green eyes are mentioned in many songs.

[Chorus] We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it And we pretended it could last forever (Eh, eh) We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it And life was never worse, but never better (Eh, eh)

The Chorus encapsulates this relationship, one they are drawn to, see the peril in and proceed anyway because they love it. Taylor has other lyrics that refer to forever not coming true:

Wildest Dreams: Nothing lasts forever, but this is getting good now

Cowboy Like Me: Forever is the sweetest con

False God: We were crazy to think / Crazy to think that this could work / Remember how I said I'd die for you?

Pretending is also a theme, I think this about suspending judgement to stay in a Lavender Haze, or set aside concerns about the potential reputational damage or bullying caused by fans:

I Knew You Were Trouble: "Pretend he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why your drowning"

Wildest Dreams: "Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just pretend"

Delicate: "Sometimes when I look into your eyes, I pretend you’re mine all the damn time"

Death By A Thousand Cuts: "Chandelier’s still flickering here ‘cause I can’t pretend it’s okay when it’s not"

Paris: "Stumble down pretend alleyways, cheap wine, make believe it’s champagne"

[Post-Chorus] (Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh) In Wonderland x3

The post chorus Eh's sound so similar to Rihanna's "Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh" which is actually similar in theme, Umbrella is about a famous couple being there for each other, Wonderland is feeling like that didn't happen.

In the period One Direction was incessantly asked for a celebrity crush (while he was actually dating an exceptional famous dream girl) Harry often said Rihanna, if he answered. Rihanna was a safe choice, she wasn't single, she has spoken highly of Harry. Also she sat in front of him at the infamous 2013 VMAs.

[Verse 2] So, we went on our way Too in love to think straight All alone, or so it seemed But there were strangers watchin' And whispers turned to talkin' And talking turned to screams, oh

Fame and focus of people outside the relationship is a theme. I can't repeat enough how much this song is about a public relationship:

Dancing with our hands tied "People started talkin', puttin' us through our paces" and

I know places - "Somethin' happens when everybody finds out / See the vultures circling, dark clouds / Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out / It could burn out" and "I can hear them whisper as we pass by, It's a bad sign, bad sign"

…Ready For It?: Touch me and you’ll never be alone

So It Goes…: But when you get me alone, it’s so simple

Harry for One Direction Where do Broken Hearts Go: "Mind is runnin' in circles of you and me / Anyone in-between is the enemy"

[Pre-Chorus] Didn't they tell us "Don't rush into things"? Didn't you flash your green eyes at me? Didn't you calm my fears with a Cheshire cat smile? Ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twistin' around me It's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind But darling

The reference of a Cheshire Cat smile is a double meaning, both referring to Harry's smile and where he grew up, Cheshire, England. Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, was also born in Cheshire. Calm my fears similar to the line in NYD “squeeze my hand”

[Bridge] I reached for you, but you were gone I knew I had to go back home You searched the world for somethin' else To make you feel like what we had And in the end, in Wonderland, we both went mad Oh

The song ends on a sad note, Taylor realises the relationship is too much for her so she gives it up. Her muse can't replace her and they never get over it. From Slut! and Say Don't Go in the 1989 Vault Taylor wanted more assurance in the chaotic storm of them going public. From Harry's TBSL and Little Freak we can infer that he wasn't ready for it, 19 and too famous too quickly.

Reached for you but you were gone

Message In A Bottle: I’m reaching for you, terrified

I Knew You Were Trouble: And he’s long gone when he’s next to me

I Know Places: Just grab my hand and don’t ever drop it

New Romantics: Please take my hand and please take me dancing

Willow: I’m begging for you to take my hand, wreck my plans, that’s my man

Harry's As it was: I want you to hold out the palm of your hand / Why don't we leave it at that?

You searched the world for something else

Is it over now? "You search in every model's bed for somethin' greater, baby"

Harry's As it was: When everything gets in the way / Seems you cannot be replaced / And I'm the one who will stay, oh

We both went mad: the song ends on 'we both went mad' which is a double meaning of having lost themselves in this relationship and the Cheshire Cat saying "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." in Alice in Wonderland. Madness is a theme in Harry and Taylors songs about each other:

Blank Space "Magic, madness, heaven, sin" and "They'll tell you I'm insane"

Say Don’t Go: "The waiting is a sadness fading into madness"

IDWLF "Baby, baby, I feel crazy Up all night, all night and every day"

Hit's Different "Or have they come to take me away? To take me away"

Harry for One Direction If I could Fly "I've been going out of my mind (I feel it I feel it) Know that I'm just wasting time"

Harry's Kiwi "She's driving me crazy, but I'm into it (Oh)

Wonderland also has a taymoji pack which refers to king of my heart, the rose/thorn Haylor theme.

#taylor swift #1989 taylor's version #wonderland #haylor #Youtube #1989 #king of my heart #song analysis #Lyric analysis

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