Cruel Summer

Lyrics Meaning of Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift, and what it is about

The song's lyrics describe a passionate, agonising summertime relationship. Called "Cruel Summer" by Swift, it's a song about a "summer romance" in which she describes an ambiguous romantic relationship that has elements of anguish and desperation. It illustrates the difficulties pop stars encounter when in the public eye.

Swift explained that: This song is one that I wrote about the feeling of a summer romance, and how often times a summer romance can be layered with all these feelings of pining away and sometimes even secrecy. It deals with the idea of being in a relationship where there's some element of desperation and pain in it, where you're yearning for something that you don't quite have yet, it's just right there, and you just can't reach it.

Music critics gave "Cruel Summer" favourable reviews, praising its catchy melody, energetic production. It was listed as one of the top songs of 2019 in Rolling Stone and Billboard year-end lists. Critics considered it to be one of Swift's best tracks and a highlight from the album.

The song was number one in the USA and across many other countries.

Cruel Summer lyrics by Taylor Swift

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Fever dream high in the quiet of the night

You know that I caught it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price

You know that I bought it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

Killing me slow, out the window

I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below

Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

What doesn't kill me makes me want you more

And it's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine

I'm not dying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

We say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times

We're not trying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

So cut the headlights, summer's a knife

I'm always waiting for you just to cut to the bone

Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know

Oh, it's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

I'm drunk in the back of the car

And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh)

Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true

I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you

And I snuck in through the garden gate

Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)

And I scream, "For whatever it's worth

I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"

He looks up, grinning like a devil

It's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

I'm drunk in the back of the car

And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh)

Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true

I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you

And I snuck in through the garden gate

Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)

And I scream, "For whatever it's worth

I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)