Fortnight - Taylor Swift Lyrics
Fortnight
I was supposed to be sent away
But they forgot to come and get me
I was a functioning alcoholic
'Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic
All of this to say I hope you're okay
But you're the reason
And no one here's to blame
But what about your quiet treason?
And for a fortnight there, we were forever
Run into you sometimes, ask about the weather
Now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors
Your wife waters flowers, I wanna kill her
[Verse 2: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Post Malone, Post Malone]
All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February
I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary
And I love you, it's ruining my life
I love you, it's ruining my life
I touched you for only a fortnight
I touched you, but I touched you
[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Post Malone]
And for a fortnight there, we were forever
Run into you sometimes, ask about the weather
Now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors
Your wife waters flowers, I wanna kill her
And for a fortnight there, we were together
Run into you sometimes, comment on my sweater
Now you're at the mailbox, turned into good neighbors
My husband is cheating, I wanna kill him
[Bridge: Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Taylor Swift & Post Malone]
I love you, it's ruining my life
I love you, it's ruining my life
I touched you for only a fortnight
I touched you, I touched you
I love you, it's ruining my life
I love you, it's ruining my life
I touched you for only a fortnight
I touched you, I touched you
[Outro: Post Malone, Post Malone & Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift]
Thought of callin' ya, but you won't pick up
'Nother fortnight lost in America
Move to Florida, buy the car you want
But it won't start up 'til you touch, touch, touch me
Thought of calling ya, but you won't pick up
'Nother fortnight lost in America
Move to Florida, buy the car you want
But it won't start up 'til I touch, touch, touch you
Annotations:
Swift's 2022 track "Hits Different" references lines from the last track of her album, "Dear Reader," which are similar to lyrics from Matty Healy's song "The 1975." These lines have been interpreted as a manifestation of Swift's inner turmoil at the time.
Swift's use of the word "aesthetic" could be seen as romanticizing these habits, as it is now consuming her to the point where it is what her presence gives off and her overall style. She wishes her former partner well but believes they are the reason for her hidden alcoholism and heartbreak. The burning question of their quiet treason links to themes in "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived," track fourteen from the album, where Swift states her irate feelings that her ex-lover "deserve[s] prison, but [they] won't get time," presumably because their treason was silent and unnoticed.
Thematic questions proposed by this line expand wider to full subject matter consistent in individual tracks, with these lines posing as foreshadowers for new themes that will reveal themselves across following tracks. "Fortnight" is a British term for a period of two weeks, and Swift's last two ex-relationships were with British men: actor Joe Alwyn from 2016 until 2023, and singer Matty Healy during some months of 2023.
Swift and her ex, Matty Healy, both record at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, which means Swift sometimes runs into him there, right in her "backyard." Healy has worked with and is friends with Jack Antonoff, Swift's friend and collaborator, and they also have several mutual friends, including Phoebe Bridgers, who also collaborated with Swift on "Nothing New" and opened for her on The Eras Tour.
In summary, Swift's 2022 album "Hits Different" references lines from her album, "Dear Reader," and her past relationships with British men. The themes of quiet treason and the relationship between Swift and Healy are explored in these tracks, highlighting the complexity of their relationship and the challenges they face.
In "Back To December," Taylor Swift discusses her relationship with ex-wife Taylor Lautner, who has become a functioning alcoholic. The line "I want to kill her" may be a reference to Champagne Problems, where the interlocutor's love interest makes a proposal to another woman who is not mad. February has the least days in a year compared to other months, creating an effective contrast when Swift describes this month as "endless." February is also the final month of the season in the US.
Swift's 6-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn is rumored to have been ended in February 2023. Swift has compared love to drugs in songs like "Don't Blame Me" and "illicit affairs," which offer short-term highs offset by long-term suffering. The specific drug in this song is a rebound relationship, possibly referencing her fling with British singer Matty Healy.
Both artists describe the feeling of loss and almost grief for loves like these, which are just a flicker and then lost forever. The line is so throw away that it seems as if the fact that the relationship only lasted a fortnight was to be expected. America's hedonistic and capitalistic way of thinking has impacted the fabric of intimate relationships, which only last but a fortnight.
In "Florida!!!," Swift sings about wanting to get the car she wants, possibly alluded to royalties Joe Alwyn receives from Taylor's music. He can now buy any car he wants to drive away in, but he cannot escape his relationship with her, and it won't start up until he makes a withdrawal from both the physical funds and platform she gave him.
Introduction
"Fortnight" is the opening track on Taylor Swift's 2024 album *The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology*. The song, featuring Post Malone, delves into themes of lost love, regret, and the disillusionment of the American Dream. Swift crafts a melancholic narrative of missed opportunities and the emotional turmoil that follows, exploring how fleeting moments can have long-lasting consequences. The collaboration with Post Malone adds a layered dynamic, blending both artists' styles into a haunting reflection on failed relationships and suburban dissatisfaction.
Song Info
- Featuring: Post Malone
- Producers: Jack Antonoff & Taylor Swift
- Release Date: April 19, 2024
- Genre: Pop, Alternative Pop, Downtempo
- Album: *The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology*
Exploring the Lyrics of "Fortnight" by Taylor Swift
"Fortnight" captures Swift reminiscing about a lost love and the suburban life that failed to fulfill her expectations. The term "fortnight" refers to a period of two weeks, representing the brevity of an intense romantic connection that left a deep emotional scar. The song is a poignant meditation on both personal and societal disillusionment.
Verse 1
In the opening verse, Swift reveals her vulnerability, stating she was "supposed to be sent away," perhaps alluding to a metaphorical or literal escape from her life. The line about being a "functioning alcoholic" conveys the coping mechanisms she adopted to navigate her emotional struggles. She shifts the blame for her unhappiness, questioning quiet betrayals ("your quiet treason") while lamenting the unresolved tensions.
Chorus
The chorus captures the painful irony of once being inseparable for a short time ("for a fortnight there, we were forever"), only for their relationship to disintegrate into mundane encounters about the weather. Swift introduces a darker undercurrent of jealousy and anger, particularly with the line "your wife waters flowers, I wanna kill her," illustrating the bitterness that lingers from unfulfilled desires.
Verse 2
In the second verse, Swift and Post Malone explore the numbing nature of routine ("All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February"), indicating the emotional stagnation they feel. The "miracle move-on drug" that only offers temporary relief symbolizes attempts to heal that ultimately fall short. The repetition of "I love you, it's ruining my life" underscores the torment that love can cause when it’s unreciprocated or misaligned.
Bridge
The bridge intensifies the emotional weight of the song, with both Swift and Post Malone expressing how their fleeting connection has left a lasting impact. The repeated line "I touched you for only a fortnight" serves as a poignant reminder of how short-lived yet profound their relationship was.
Outro
Post Malone takes over the outro, reflecting on the futility of trying to move on. The imagery of buying a car that "won’t start up 'til you touch me" serves as a metaphor for emotional paralysis, reinforcing the idea that without the connection they once had, life feels incomplete.
Song Theme
At its core, "Fortnight" explores themes of unfulfilled dreams, lost love, and the passage of time. The song portrays the contrast between idealized expectations of the American Dream and the harsh reality of suburban life. Taylor Swift uses the term "fortnight" to symbolize both the briefness and intensity of a romantic relationship that leaves a lingering emotional void. The song also touches on jealousy, regret, and the quiet despair of everyday life, especially when set against the backdrop of the American suburb.
Technical an*lysis
"Fortnight" showcases the signature production style of Jack Antonoff, combining atmospheric synths and a downtempo beat to complement the song’s melancholic mood. The use of acoustic and electric guitars creates a haunting soundscape, while the subtle layering of Swift’s and Post Malone's vocals adds emotional depth. The song follows a traditional verse-chorus structure, but the repetition of key phrases in the bridge and outro heightens the emotional intensity, making the song feel cyclical, as if the characters are trapped in their own unresolved feelings.
Impact and Reception
Given the massive success of Taylor Swift's previous collaborations and albums, "Fortnight" is poised to resonate with both her fanbase and Post Malone's audience. The song's introspective lyrics and atmospheric production are likely to generate strong emotional reactions, further solidifying Swift’s reputation for crafting deeply personal, relatable narratives.
Comparisons to Previous Work
"Fortnight" shares thematic elements with earlier tracks like "Daylight" from *Lover*, where Swift reflects on love and personal growth. However, where "Daylight" ends on an optimistic note, "Fortnight" takes a darker, more fatalistic approach, examining the aftermath of a love that could never be. The collaboration with Post Malone also adds a unique edge, contrasting with Swift’s typical solo work and expanding her sound into new sonic territories.
Artist
Taylor Swift has been known for her ability to evolve musically, often shifting genres while maintaining her storytelling prowess. This song marks her continued exploration of darker, more introspective themes that challenge her earlier, more optimistic portrayals of love and life.