This song is Swift's response to the negative reputation the media has given her.
"I can make the bad guys good for a weekend" - the bad guys are the paparazzi to Swift, but are good to the "player" since association with Swift immediately gives publicity. Any publicity is good publicity and Swift knows this.
"You can tell me when it's over" - the tabloids rumor relationships are over before the couple announces it officially.
With this song Swift is portraying the way she is portrayed by the media.
It is a sarcastic jab at how she views herself and how her "ex-lovers" only wanted to be with her to increase their fame.
I applaud the brilliance in writing about how you always write about relationships.
It is expected so Swift is giving the media what they want and profiting off the attention.
A shadow in the moonlight, here she comes to me,
We sit and talk about it all,
And out in the distance, a dream is over,
All I've been working for;
This is not how I want you to see me,
I have done the best I can,
Now the only thing I believe in,
Is a woman and a man;
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight,
When I can't take it anymore,
You are the reason I wake in the night,
And say that I was only dreaming of it all;
And now in the dawn light, she talks with me again,
Remember all the things we've done,
Been through the bad times, and we've seen through the sad times,
We're stronger than before;
And you picked me up when I was falling,
And you gave me back my pride,
And you listen when I am calling,
And hear the man inside;
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight,
When I can't take it anymore,
You are the reason I wake in the night,
And say that I was only dreaming of it all,
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight.
We sit and talk about it all,
And out in the distance, a dream is over,
All I've been working for;
This is not how I want you to see me,
I have done the best I can,
Now the only thing I believe in,
Is a woman and a man;
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight,
When I can't take it anymore,
You are the reason I wake in the night,
And say that I was only dreaming of it all;
And now in the dawn light, she talks with me again,
Remember all the things we've done,
Been through the bad times, and we've seen through the sad times,
We're stronger than before;
And you picked me up when I was falling,
And you gave me back my pride,
And you listen when I am calling,
And hear the man inside;
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight,
When I can't take it anymore,
You are the reason I wake in the night,
And say that I was only dreaming of it all,
You are the reason I'll stay in the fight.
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