the metaphor of a mirrorball being something that's beautiful and reflects light because it's broken is so powerful. often times those with trauma are the best at helping other people, and it's interesting to consider how similar that is to a mirrorball (hence the fact that it makes everything around it shine). this song is so deep and I legitimately love it so much.
I relate so much to mirrorball, and i think taylor could do a whole album with this indie/dreamy rock vibe (i hope Midnights has a bit of it cuz it also fits the vibe of this new album).
I really enjoyed your analysis!The only lyric I interpreted differently was “on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels.” To me, that implies that she’s willing to be uncomfortable and off-balanced in order to be viewed favorably by others. Most people don’t wear heels because it’s enjoyable - we put up with the pain because we like how it makes us look when we’re trying to impress others. And being in heels on TIPTOES is amplifying both the discomfort and the (presumed) ability to impress.
As a neurodivergent person, I feel like the song can be interpreted as if she’s talking about masking. Especially with “I can change every part of me to fit in”.
I mask heavily as a non neurodiverse person. It might be my people pleaser personality? Or trauma related. I couldn’t find a group in high school and felt I didn’t fit in, simply because I fit in with everyone and was everyone’s friend. groups of people like to dislike other people sometimes and that is/was hard for me and had to be silent or fake along with it then deal with the guilt that comes with that. “Being 2 faced” no I’m a mirror ball and I have 100s of faces haha maybe we can use songs and music as a way to relate to each other closer. Thank you Taylor. ❤
@@imjustagirl_1234-q8b its kinda hard to define. Put it simply, its anyone that doesn’t have a “typical” brain type, and is really an umbrella term for a variety of conditions such as autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, and way more
I started loving lyrics analysis videos since Taylor dropped folklore and evermore. I mean it's such a big help for those who can't understand metaphors and such.
@@Ruby-fc5hoSAMEE, I ACTUALLY USED TO SKIP THE WHOLE EVERMORE ALBUM THEN LOOK AT ME NOW WITH A NUMBER 1 MOST STREAMED TAYLOR SWIFT SONG FROM EVERMORE HAHAHAHA
I’ll be honest, I don’t listen to Folklore all that much (mostly because of the genre and I tend to go for the upbeat 1989/Rep) but Mirrorball is definitely one of my favorites on the album! I was surprised when you said that people don’t like it as much! I thought it was just so beautiful and classic. It’s one of those quietly unassuming songs. Huh! Thanks for sharing, Nena!
I love this style of video, Taylor really is a songwriting genius. Also, there’s so much more to the mirrorball metaphor that I hadn’t even thought of until you mentioned it
when you see it in that way, it is so deep and i think everyone in one moment of their life probably related to this song. love the way taylor captures this feeling.
This song stuck with me since Folklore came out (I'm annoyed people consider this a skip). I relate to it for many reasons-being on the spectrum and having to mask, having an anxious attachment style, being a burnt out gifted kid, etc.
To me, it's falling in love with your (her authentic self.) Mirrorball at a dance, romantic dance, standing tall and being true to yourself when alone, but then actually doing it with the world watching. I love that masquerade line - You are not like the regulars, the masquerade revelers - the phoney people love watching others fail, or people pleasing (like you said) and partying all the time - distracted by noise and not finding out who they really are deep down. Love your breakdown, Nena. Love this song!
Burnt out, formally gifted kid always vying for perfection that has since been diagnosed as neurodivergent, came out as queer in sexuality and gender and had to do a lot of code switching growing up as a brown person in a predominantly white town here, this song calls me out on my feelings in all sorts of situations and relationships. When I first listened to folklore, this was the song I immediately gravitated towards and listened on repeat. For me the you in the chorus shifts often, but ultimately it’s my inner child/self. I want to be able to spin in my highest heels, aka my highest level of confidence and self-actualization, and shine just for me/ my younger self. At the end of the night when no one else is around, I’m not alone because I still carry me and all my past selves, and those are the million pieces I am made of as a mirrorball.
I too have found a new appreciation for "Mirrorball" thanks for breaking it down lyrically. Also would love to hear your interpretation of "Message In A Bottle"
Thanks Nena. You picked a good one to break down. Metaphorical dream. I think you were spot on. It's musically upbeat, but lyrically not so much so. So sad the narrator doesn't accept herself as she truly is, but instead needs outside validation of her worth to herself and to others who surround her. You also had the cutest outro ever! 😂
I love how you said she needs the love but she doesn't need it... She deserves it. And so do u for making these videos and helping us understand the meanings better. Also, i don't understand why people think it's a skip because the first (and only) time i ever listened to it was on the folklore long pond studio session and I LOVED it. I really need to listen to it more often because it is so good just from listening to it once. I also do think this is the one song on folklore kind of referring to Taylor.
This was one of my favourite songs of folklore, I felt it the very first time I listened to the album. I love the 80s disco sound and I hope we can have more of this in the Midnights album 🤞
Ive always thought that the tallest tiptoes line was about how when shes finally alone she can be her true self, and shes talking to a special person about how shes only herself when nobodies around
honestly mirrorball was a big skip for me at the beginning. but a friend of mine said i look like the mirroball girl! like i'm the mirrorball girl that Taylor's singin about. and oh my god the moment i listened to that song i cried sooo much!! instant fav out of all taylor's songs
This was immediately one of my favourite Taylor Swift songs. It was interesting to learn that it didn’t really hit with other people. For some reason I’ve always felt it had Matthew Sweet vibes, in particular his song from the Girlfriend album called Nothing Lasts.
Hey I am your big fan from India and a big swiftie as well. I love your videos. I first felt very confused about the folklore love triangle but you explained it in such a nice way that I started to watch all your videos from then. Can you please make a video dedicated to all the male swifties. To tell people that it is okay to be a boy and a swiftie.
mirrorball is my favorite song from her entire discography. i dunno ever since she released this song, it just gripped me and never let go haha. it's like the synthesis of all her ballad songs.
Mirrorball is one of my favorites from folklore. I always feel like she's talking to the fans in the part where she says "I'll show you every version of yourself tonight" - like when you go to her shows you can be anyone you want & you don't have to fit in. Also the last part where it says "I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me"- she will always find new ways to entretain us. I don't know it this makes sense, it's just my opinion 😅 As always, great video Nena ❤
The Evermore equivalent for me was Ivy. I listen to it a couple of times but it became a skip track. Recently I was listening to it and suddenly the story, imagery and metaphor just clicked in head. So clearly that I now have a full music video play out whenever I listen to it. Such an incredible piece of poetry and really mature content. A thought about Mirror ball could her relationship with fans. As in the “you” in parts of it could quit literally be the listen. I’m expecting ever version of myself to be reflected in Midnights.
I think mirrorball and this is me trying go hand in hand bc they both have that same dreamy production and they're also tryna tell people that they're trying to please them (in this is me trying, although it's about how you're still trying to enjoy life even in suicidal thoughts, I still think it works well with mirrorball)
the fact she says not only "looking at me" but "*laughing* at me" means she's so desperate for attention that it doesn't matter if people are watching, or making fun, she's just hopeless for attention
“I wanted you to know ….. I am a mirrorball. Hush, when no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes Spinnin' in my highest heels, love Shinin' just for you” Later: And I wouldn’t mary me either, a pathological people pleaser…. who only wanted you to see her. 😢
I am in love with your clipboard!! Where is ir from? Also I sit there and analyse Taylors lyrics too. Normally to the other half but he doesn't understand 😆 🤣
Hiii Nena can you pls do a guitar tutorial of miss Americana and the heartbreak prince i learn all of the ts songs from you and I think this song would be so cool to play on guitar
