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Taylor uses the image of criminals in a speeding car as the central metaphor for a doomed romance. She likens her rebound relationship with Tom Hiddleston to a “getaway car” ride used to get away from a crime scene, or her failed relationship with Calvin Harris.
Like on her 2014 track “Wonderland,” she includes a pop-culture reference to connect her experiences to something that listeners are familiar with, adding another layer of livelihood to the story.
Lyrics
[Intro]
No, nothing good starts in a getaway car
[Verse 1]
It was the best of times, the worst of crimes I struck a match and blew your mind But I didn't mean it And you didn’t see it The ties were black, the lies were white In shades of gray in candlelight I wanted to leave him I needed a reason
[Pre-Chorus]
"X" marks the spot where we fell apart He poisoned the well, I was lyin' to myself I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed We never had a shotgun shot in the dark (Oh!)
[Chorus]
You were drivin' the getaway car We were flyin’, but we'd never get far Don't pretend it's such a mystery Think about the place where you first met me Ridin' in a getaway car There were sirens in the beat of your heart Should've known I'd be the first to leave Think about the place where you first met me In a getaway car, oh-oh-oh No, they never get far, oh-oh-ahh No, nothing good starts in a getaway car
[Verse 2]
It was the great escape, the prison break The light of freedom on my face But you weren't thinkin’ And I was just drinkin’ Well, he was runnin' after us, I was screamin’, "Go, go, go!" But with three of us, honey, it's a sideshow And a circus ain't a love story And now we're both sorry (We’re both sorry)
[Pre-Chorus]
"X" marks the spot where we fell apart He poisoned the well, every man for himself I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed It hit you like a shotgun shot to the heart (Oh!)
[Chorus]
You were drivin' the getaway car We were flyin', but we'd never get far Don't pretend it's such a mystery Think about the place where you first met me Ridin' in a getaway car There were sirens in the beat of your heart Should've known I'd be the first to leave Think about the place where you first met me In a getaway car, oh-oh-oh No, they never get far, oh-oh-ahh No, nothing good starts in a getaway car
[Bridge]
We were jet-set, Bonnie and Clyde (Oh-oh) Until I switched to the other side To the other si-i-i-i-ide It's no surprise I turned you in (Oh-oh) 'Cause us traitors never win I'm in a getaway car I left you in a motel bar Put the money in a bag and I stole the keys That was the last time you ever saw me (Oh!)
[Chorus]
Drivin' the getaway car We were flyin', but we'd never get far (Don't pretend) Don't pretend it's such a mystery Think about the place where you first met me Ridin' in a getaway car There were sirens in the beat of your heart (Should've known) Should've known I'd be the first to leave Think about the place where you first met me In a getaway car, oh-oh-oh No, they never get far, oh-oh-ahh No, nothing good starts in a getaway car
[Outro]
I was ridin' in a getaway car I was cryin' in a getaway car I was dyin' in a getaway car Said goodbye in a getaway car Ridin' in a getaway car I was cryin' in a getaway car I was dyin' in a getaway car Said goodbye in a getaway car
