The Archer:
it’s in the all-important track 5 slot that is so important to Taylor.
…I’ve got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you
Coming out speeches to her fans?
…Help me hold onto you
…I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost
https://kit10phish.wordpress.com/2024/01/03/swiftionary-every-song-with-a-ghost-part-1/
https://kit10phish.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/swiftionary-part-3/
She’s worried about what would happen if she came out
She’s a ghost because she’s caught in-between and because she feels her true self is invisible. Nobody can see she’s queer.
The room is on fire, invisible smoke
She imagines the worst outcome, and is anxious, but it’s in her mind so far.
And all of my heroes die all alone
Help me hold onto you/…Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling?/But who could stay?
“The Archer.” In that one it goes, “Combat, I’m ready for combat” like she’s ready for a fight. This will not be easy. She continues, “I say I don’t want that, but what if I do?” This speaks of hesitation. Taylor fears this announcement. But also, she wants it. She’s preparing.
Taylor wants to keep her fans, and place as a legend in music. She wouldn’t want coming out to ruin that.
The next line is, “Cause cruelty wins in the movies.” And I think that is telling how every gay movie ends badly. The queers don’t get that happy ending, just sadness and tragedy.
(I see right through me, I see right through me)/’Cause they see right through me/They see right through me/They see right through/Can you see right through me?/They see right through/They see right through me/I see right through me/I see right through me
Can fans see Taylor’s intentions? Can they sense her fears? Taylor has been signaling she’s queer-have fans picked up on that?
Who could ever leave me, darling?/But who could stay?/(I see right through me, I see right through me)/Who could stay?/Who could stay?/Who could stay?/You could stay/You could stay/You…
The last line in this verse: “I’ve got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you.” And she means the fans. The public. Taylor Swift is afraid, but wants to come out. She had many false starts, but she continues to head in the direction. Think about the Archer’s line, “Help me hold onto you.” and when Taylor sings this song at concerts and says who could leave me, who could stay, you could stay.” And she points at the crowd on the YOU could stay. This confirms The Archer is addressing the fans.
Taylor is inviting fans to stay with her even if she comes out.
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