Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The title track of Tay’s 2012 albumcompares the emotions she felt in a relationship to colors. It was originally released as a promotional single, but was re-released as the album’s fifth official single a year later.
This song is presumably about Taylor’s ex John Mayer. Mayer has sound-color synesthesia, which is a neurological condition in which one sees colors based off of the intensity of various sounds. However, it is generally believed that the song is about actor Jake Gyllenhaal, since the hidden message of the song, “SAG,” could be interpreted as Swift and Gyllenhaal or Sagittarius, the zodiac sign of the two. It’s also possible that the song drew inspiration from both relationships.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Loving him is like driving a new Maserati Down a dead-end street Faster than the wind, passionate as sin Ending so suddenly Loving him is like trying to change your mind Once you're already flying through the free fall Like the colors in autumn, so bright Just before they lose it all
[Chorus]
Losing him was blue like I'd never known Missing him was dark grey, all alone Forgetting him was like Trying to know somebody you never met But loving him was red Loving him was red
[Verse 2]
Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted Was right there in front of you Memorizing him was as easy as knowing All the words to your old favorite song Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword And realizing there's no right answer Regretting him was like wishing you never found out That love could be that strong
[Chorus]
Losing him was blue like I'd never known Missing him was dark grey, all alone Forgetting him was like Trying to know somebody you never met But loving him was red Oh, red Burning red
[Bridge]
Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes Tell myself it's time now, gotta let go But moving on from him is impossible When I still see it all in my head In burning red Loving him was red
[Chorus]
Oh, losing him was blue like I'd never known Missing him was dark grey, all alone Forgetting him was like Trying to know somebody you never met 'Cause loving him was red Yeah, yeah, red We're burning red
[Breakdown]
And that's why he's spinning 'round in my head Comes back to me, burning red Yeah, yeah
[Outro]
His love was like driving a new Maserati Down a dead-end street
