The Archer

Cupid, the ancient god of love, is frequently shown in paintings and sculptures shooting his bow to inspire romantic love. During this delicate, mournful retro ballad Taylor Swift incorporates the romantic archery imagery as she offers a lush, hushed confessional about her relationship insecurities. Combat, I'm ready for combat I say I don't want that But what if I do?

Cupid carried two different types of arrows: one causing uncontrollable desire and the other triggering whomever was struck to flee. Here, Swift reflects on her role as both the aggressor and victim in her romances. I've been the archer, I've been the prey Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling But who could stay? Failed relationships is familiar thematic territory for Swift; the songstress has written about instances when she's the one who inflicted the emotional pain in tracks like "Back To December," when she messed up her romance with Taylor Lautner. Other times, she's recounted her own heartache, like in "White Horse" when she recalls how her boyfriend "went and let me down."

During the pre-chorus, Swift interpolates the classic fairy tale Humpty Dumpty. All the king's horses, all the king's men Couldn't put me together again 'Cause all of my enemies started out friends Help me hold on to you Swift's heart has been devastated in the past, which has her feeling vulnerable in relationships. The emotional walls she's erected have left her insecure and caused problems in her romances. Here, she beseeches her lover to help her "hold on" to him.