Superman by Taylor Swift Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Metaphors of Love and Heroism
Lyrics
He puts papers in his briefcase and drives away
To save the world or go to work
It’s the same thing to me
He’s got his mothers eyes, his father’s ambition
I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him
I hang on every word that you say
And you smile and say, “How are you?”
I’ll say, “Just fine”
I always forget to tell you
I love you, I love you forever
I watch superman fly away
You’ve got a busy day today
Go save the world, I’ll be around
And I watch superman fly away
Come back, I’ll be with you someday
I’ll be right here on the ground
When you come back down
Tall, dark and beautiful
He’s complicated, he’s irrational
But I hope someday you take me away and save the day, yeah
Something in his deep brown eyes has me singing
He’s not all bad like his reputation
And I can’t hear one single word they said
And you leave, got places to be and I’ll be okay
I always forget to tell you I love you
I loved you from the very first day
I watch superman fly away
You’ve got a busy day today
Go save the world I’ll be around
And I watch superman fly away
Come back, I’ll be with you someday
I’ll be right here on the ground
When you come back down
And I watch you fly around the world
And I hope you don’t save some other girl
Don’t forget, don’t forget about me
I’m far away but I’ll never let you go
I’m lovestruck and looking out the window
Don’t forget, don’t forget where I’ll be
Right here, wishing the flowers were from you
Wishing the card was from you
Wishing the call was from you
‘Cause I’ve loved you from the very first day
I watch superman fly away
You’ve got a busy day today
Go save the world, I’ll be around
Forever and ever here
I watch superman fly away
I swear, I’ll be with you someday
I’ll be right here on the ground
When you come back down
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
When you come back down
In the pantheon of Taylor Swift’s discography lies ‘Superman,’ a lesser-known yet emotionally charged track from her Deluxe Edition album ‘Speak Now.’ Through the seemingly simple lyrics of ‘Superman,’ Swift constructs an intricate tapestry of love, longing, and admiration, all the while using the iconic figure of a superhero to mirror the complexities of her personal feelings.
At first glance, ‘Superman’ appears to be a love song dedicated to an extraordinary man, idolized and placed upon a pedestal. Yet, as we delve deeper, the lyrics reveal a nuanced portrait of vulnerability, the balance of independence and desire, and the unspoken words that often linger in the shadow of profound affection.
The Metaphorical Cape: Beyond the Symbolism of the Superman Archetype
The allure of Superman as an archetype extends beyond his physical strength and capability; the character has always embodied the quintessence of dependability and moral righteousness. Swift taps into this symbolic resonance, drawing a parallel between the superhero and the object of her affections. The lyrics are a delicate interplay between admiration for this person’s strength and the very human acknowledgment of his inheritances—’his mother’s eyes, his father’s ambition.’
As she watches ‘Superman fly away,’ there’s a recognition of her lover’s commitments to the world, to his duties, whether they may be saving lives in a literal or figurative sense. This is not only about pining for someone grand; it’s about understanding and accepting their larger-than-life path, while yearning for a personal piece of their universe.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Song’s Overlooked Vulnerabilities
The subtle admissions of ‘I always forget to tell you, I love you, I love you forever’ reveal the oft-overshadowed vulnerability within ‘Superman.’ These confessions of love are not grandstanding announcements but rather quiet, almost missed, truths that resonate with anyone who has felt the ache of unspoken words in love’s presence.
In ‘Superman,’ Swift exposes the deep-seated fears and insecurities that love encompasses. ‘And I hope you don’t save some other girl’ Swift sings, a line that uncovers the fear of being forgotten, of being secondary even to someone held in such high regard. The interplay between strength and vulnerability—between the superhuman and the all-too-human—paints a profound picture of emotional duality.
Grace in the Unrequited: Embracing Emotional Truths
There’s an emotional grace in Swift’s acceptance of her role on the periphery of ‘Superman’s’ world. She acknowledges her distance, ‘I’m far away but I’ll never let you go,’ as an act of both self-preservation and undying hope. It isn’t about winning the heart of the hero; it’s about loving him from wherever she stands, whether he’s aware of it or not.
This message of unconditional love, independent of reciprocity, elevates the song to a narrative of self-aware adoration. Swift doesn’t position herself as a victim within the narrative; instead, she owns her feelings with a maturity that acknowledges that real love doesn’t always line up with fairy tale endings.
A Melody of Longing: The Song’s Most Memorable Lines
‘Superman’ is peppered with lines that etch themselves into the memory, none more so than ‘I’ll be right here on the ground, when you come back down.’ This moment in the song encapsulates the amalgam of trust, devotion, and patience that permeates the track.
Repetition of this line throughout the song isn’t merely a lyrical choice but a thematic anchor, stressing resilience and stability in the face of uncertainty. The ground—a metaphor for constancy and reality—becomes the sacred space on which the singer waits, a powerful contrast to the skies that Superman so frequently occupies.
The Leap of Faith: Tying the Narrative Threads Together
As ‘Superman’ draws to a close, there is a palpable blend of hope and solemnity. The repeated ‘la, la, la’ outro might be seen as a wistful lullaby, a soothing acceptance of what is and what might never be. But within those gentle notes is a quiet strength—a leap of faith that love, like Superman, might just circle back.
Taylor Swift artfully uses ‘Superman’ to remind us that even heroes are human, and that to love them is to understand both the flight and the eventual return. The song, a complex narrative of adoration, serves as an ode to the heroes in our lives who ignite such fierce love and as a solace to the lovers who bravely wait for them, grounded in their own strength.
