But Daddy I Love Him Lyrics – Taylor Swift | Song Meaning & Facts

The captivating song “But Daddy I Love Him Lyrics” from Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album The Tortured Poets Department is a musical masterpiece that has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Featuring Taylor Swift’s signature storytelling prowess, this pop-electronic track was expertly penned by Swift herself and brought to life by her distinctive vocal delivery. Released on April 19, 2024, via Republic Records, the album showcases Swift’s evolution as both a songwriter and artist. This emotionally charged anthem about defying judgment and fighting for love has become a fan favorite, generating significant discussion across social media platforms and streaming services globally. The song was added to The Eras Tour setlist starting on May 9, 2024, as the first song in the The Tortured Poets Department set.

Enjoy the Lyrics and Feel Free to Sing Along!

But Daddy I Love Him Lyrics Meaning

I forget how the west was won
I don’t remember how we used to win or succeed anymore.

I forget if this was ever fun
I’m not sure if this was ever actually enjoyable.

I just learned these people only raise you to cage you
The people who raise you actually try to control your life.

Sarahs and hannahs in their sunday best
Perfect-looking girls dressed neatly, like on Sunday for church.

Clutching their pearls, sighing, ‘what a mess’
They act shocked and judge me like I’ve done something terrible.

I just learned these people try and save you
’cause they hate you.
They say they want to help you, but they actually don’t like you.

Too high a horse
For a simple girl to rise above it
Their rules and standards are too high for someone like me.

They slammed the door on my whole world
The one thing I wanted.
They took away the one thing I truly loved.

Now I’m running with my dress unbuttoned
Screaming, ‘but daddy, I love him!
I’m having his baby’
I ran away shouting I love him and even joked I’m having his child.

No, I’m not, but you should see your faces
It’s not true — I just said it to shock everyone.

I’m telling him to floor it through the fences
No, I’m not coming to my senses
I know he’s crazy but he’s the one I want.
I told him to drive fast and break the rules. He may be wild, but I still love him.

Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid
Tendrils tucked into a woven braid
I was a good, obedient girl with a planned life and perfect appearance.

Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all
Being too mature too early can mean you miss out on real growing up.

He was chaos, he was revelry
Bedroom eyes like a remedy
He was wild and exciting. His looks made me feel better.

Soon enough the elders had convened
Down at the city hall.
The older people met to decide what to do about us.

‘Stay away from her’
The saboteurs protested too much
They tried too hard to keep us apart, which made them look guilty or scared.

Lord knows the words we never heard
Just screeching tires and true love.
We didn’t listen to them — we just ran away in love.

And I’m running with my dress unbuttoned
Screaming, ‘but daddy, I love him!
I’m having his baby’
I repeated my rebellious shout while escaping.

No, I’m not, but you should see your faces
I’m telling him to floor it through the fences
No, I’m not coming to my senses
I know he’s crazy but he’s the one I want.
I kept saying shocking things — but in truth, I just wanted freedom and him.

I’ll tell you something right now
I’d rather burn my whole life down
Than listen to one more second of all this bitching and moaning
I’d rather ruin everything than listen to people complain about my choices.

I’ll tell you something about my good name
It’s mine alone to disgrace
My reputation is mine, and only I get to mess it up.

I don’t cater to all these vipers dressed in empath’s clothing.
I don’t care about people pretending to care while being mean inside.

God save the most judgmental creeps
Who say they want what’s best for me
Some people act like they care, but they’re just judging me.

Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I’ll never see
They give fake, dramatic speeches that I’ll never listen to.

Thinking it can change the beat
Of my heart when he touches me
And counteract the chemistry
And undo the destiny
They think their words can stop how I feel about him — but they can’t.

You ain’t gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy and all this wild joy
No need to pray or worry for me — I’m happy with my wild love.

If all you want is gray for me
Then it’s just white noise
And it’s just my choice.
If you want a boring life for me, I don’t care. This is my decision.

There’s a lot of people in town that I
Bestow upon my fakest smiles
I fake smiles at many people in this town.

Scandal does funny things to pride
But brings lovers closer
Shame can hurt you, but it can also bring love even closer.

We came back when the heat died down
Went to my parents and they came around
We returned after things cooled off. Even my parents accepted him later.

All the wine moms are still holding out
But fuck ’em, it’s over.
Some people still judge me — but I don’t care anymore.

Now I’m dancing in my dress in the sun, and
Even my daddy just loves him
I’m his lady
Now I’m happy and free. Even my dad loves him now. I’m his girl.

And oh my god, you should see your faces
Time, doesn’t it give some perspective?
And no, you can’t come to the wedding
I wish you could see how shocked you all look. Time changes things — but you’re still not invited.

I know he’s crazy, but he’s the one I want.
Yes, he’s wild — but he’s the one I love.

I’ll tell you something right now, you ain’t gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy
He was chaos, he was revelry
I’m repeating again — don’t worry about me. He was wild and exciting.

If all you want is gray for me
Then it’s just white noise, and it’s my choice.
If you want me to be boring and safe, I won’t listen. This life is mine to choose.

Screaming, ‘but daddy, I love him!
I’m having his baby’
No, I’m not, but you
Should see your faces
But oh my god, you should see your faces
It was a joke — but I loved seeing the shocked looks on everyone’s faces.

He was chaos, he was revelry.
He was crazy, he was fun — and I loved it.

Song Credits

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Lover Song Lyrics – Taylor Swift

Song Background and Meaning

“But Daddy I Love Him” serves as a powerful anthem about standing up against judgment and criticism when it comes to matters of the heart. The title references a 2008 interview where Swift mentioned telling her father “but daddy, I love him” during an argument over a boy she dated. The song explores themes of defiance, young love, and the frustration of dealing with external opinions about personal relationships.

The most popular interpretation suggests the song title was inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where Ariel exclaims this phrase to her father. This connection adds a layer of fairy tale rebellion to the narrative, reinforcing the theme of fighting for love against parental or societal opposition.

Chart Performance & Commercial Success

“But Daddy I Love Him” achieved impressive commercial success, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Global 200 and reaching the top 10 on charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. The track has earned certifications in multiple countries including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Technical and Musical Analysis

“But Daddy I Love Him” features a diverse blend of genres, merging electronic and acoustic elements. The chorus is underscored by dramatic, crashing electronic drums and highlighted with light synth accents. The song’s production creates a dynamic contrast between subdued verses and powerful, anthemic choruses.

Musical specifications:

• Key: E major
• Tempo: 79 beats per minute
• Time Signature: 4 beats per bar
• Energy Level: High energy
• Danceability: Not very danceable

Cultural Impact and Fan Reception

The song has sparked considerable discussion among Swift’s fanbase and music critics alike. Many interpret the track as Swift’s response to criticism she received regarding certain relationships, particularly addressing her fanbase who heavily protested some of her romantic choices. This meta-commentary on fan culture and celebrity relationships adds depth to the song’s meaning.

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