If you know anything about me — at all — you know that I’m a diehard Swiftie. In the future, bypassers will suddenly hear Taylor’s revenge anthem “Look What You Made Me Do” blasting from my grave and wonder if the old Kelsey is actually dead.
While I absolutely love this work of art, there are some moments that slap harder than others. To keep it simple, I’ve ranked the top ten bridges from Taylor Swift’s Lover.
10. “London Boy” (starts at 1:50)
This song makes me happy while also reminding me that I didn’t find a European man myself when I lived in Ireland last spring. But that’s fine. At least Taylor is happy with her lad from London. Also, the historical and geographical references of this bridge work spectacularly. I especially appreciate the rhyme scheme of each line’s end, like “Louis V” and “Bond Street.”
9. “You Need to Calm Down” (starts at 2:10)
This sassy and brilliant clapback will go down in history, as Taylor addresses the hate that she regularly receives. So if you do hate Taylor and the message behind this song, then you need to check your wrong opinion. While the iconic line “shade never made anybody less gay” is not technically part of the bridge, it deserves to be here.
8. “I Think He Knows” (starts at 1:55)
I’d like to think you already know why this one made the list. But I’ll tell you: it’s partly because of the line “we can follow the sparks, I’ll drive.” I suspect that Taylor is referencing her song “Sparks Fly” here, which is basically about falling madly in love all at once. But instead of her love interest leading her up the staircase, this time Taylor knows what to do — and this language shift speaks to her progression as both an artist and confident woman.
7. “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” (starts at 2:25)
Taylor shouts the words “GO,” “FIGHT” and “WIN” in the backing vocals of this bridge, like cheerleaders in a judgmental high school. She repeats this same phrase a few times during this, about not wanting to fight or breakup with her lover, then ends with saying that she’ll never let him go. They’ll win this battle together. This build-up wires me more than an americano ever could.
6. “Cornelia Street” (starts at 3:05)
This bridge is a short and sweet connection between verses describing her initial interactions with her lover, and all the bliss and worries that come with the feeling of brand newness. “Years ago we were just inside / barefoot in the kitchen / sacred new beginnings / that became my religion, listen.” Taylor takes a breath of relief in sharing this soft and sentimental spot in her heart amidst the song’s intensifying passion. Whenever I listen to this, I hope it never ends.
5. “Daylight” (starts at 2:07)
As the last song on the album, I admittedly hadn’t listened to this song as much in the beginning; but then I realized that this bridge is probably what the gates of Heaven sound like. Taylor also answers an existential question: which color is love? It’s not pink like Valentine’s Day suggests. Neither is it black and white nor burning red. It’s “golden” (like her vocals).
4. “The Man” (starts at 1:43)
Taylor is turning 30 years old this year, yet I’m still shocked when she swears. But I love it. Especially when she does it while making a statement. “What’s it like to brag about raking in dollars / and getting b*tches and models?” Taylor knows her worth, as she SHOULD. She IS a leader, she HAS hustled and she IS one of the defining voices of our generation. In conclusion, Taylor calling out sexism and haters will always be a favorite of mine. Catch me dropping it to this verse on tour.
3. “Lover” (2:13)
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please give this bridge the respect that she deserves? With every pen ink scar on my hand from making this list, I take this bridge to my top three. Taylor has found that special someone who she can be both delicate and overdramatic with. All’s well that ends well whenever I listen to this bridge. The way that Taylor says “Lover” each time deserves a Grammy on its own. And at every table, I’ll defend this title track, even after death do us part.
2. “Cruel Summer” (1:39)
The backing “oh-OHs”? The transition between low to loud lines? “I don’t want to keep secrets just to keep you?” This bridge speaks for itself more than I ever could. My mind gets drunk off of this bridge — in the back of the car or during a brisk walk to class. That growl that Taylor does during “he looks up grinning like a devil” to slap back into the chorus? Yeah, that legit slingshots me into a different dimension that I never want to leave.
1. “Death by a Thousand Cuts” (1:47)
This bridge doesn’t skate around the sensation of heartbreak. It slams itself into an iceberg and breaks and entrances me. My heart, hips and soul are all filled by this raw and powerful verse. “My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust / Tryna find a part of me you didn’t take up.” Taylor illustrates the beauty of the glistening and dangerous shards of glass left behind a broken relationship — with a reference to her wine, of course.
