Taylor Swift’s Fountain pen songs
If Quill Pen writes letters and address them to the fire, Fountain Pen addresses them to our drawers, beneath the pillowcases, to the front porch of now an empty residence. Keeping them with every ounce of regret, because we had all the means to send it, but never did. But of course every time we don’t, we almost do.
Welcome to the second installment of this mini article series! This list joins the other trinary categories Taylor Swift affectionately names as; Quill Pen, and Glitter Gel Pen.
The Writer, The Mastermind
“For me, tonight feels brimming with a genuine camaraderie between a bunch of people who just love making stuff. Who love the craft. Who live for that rare, pure moment when a magical cloud floats down right in front of you in the form of an idea for a song, and all you have to do is grab it. Then shape it like clay. Prune it like a garden. And then wish on every lucky star or pray to whatever power you believe in that it might find its way out into the world and make someone feel seen, feel understood, feel joined in their grief or heartbreak or joy for just a moment.”
An excerpt from Swift’s acceptance speech from Nashville Songwriter Awards on September 2022
While she metaphorically regards the song writing process like so, there is always a mastermind orchestrating the words into the right place, mandating the pen that wrote it. The ones given with the gift to harness that cloud, among them is Taylor herself.
As uninterrupted as the flowing fountain pen, Swift’s songs under this category can bleed long and excruciatingly as the 10-minute version of the anthem All Too Well, and as freshly poetic as ‘champagne problems’ to mention a few.
Fountain Pens came around in the late 1800, and amassed in this era are classic tales of lovers. In Tay’s command this very pen writes what she regards as the songs “that sound like confessions scribbled in sealed in an envelope, but too brutally honest to ever send.”
Here are a few of my favorites from the playlist.
State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)
Swift’s Red era converted me into becoming a fan, and the percussive opening of this very record swept me off my feet like a hero, showing me the city as we hover above the skylines in spite of her Achilles heel. State of Grace possess that power as a modern poetry for me.
“You come around and the armor falls
(State of Grace, 1:50)
Pierce the room like a cannonball
Now all we know is don’t let go.”
“So you were never a saint
(State of Grace, 2:21)
And I’ve loved in shades of wrong
We learn to live with the pain
Mosaic-broken hearts
But this love is brave and wild.”
The eclectic references bejewelling the song made me fall in love with it over and over again as I commenced listening to the record back in my high school years. Its tone forgiving and willing to embrace all the screaming red of a lover.
In Taylor’s version, nothing much has changed, the sensations I grew up with remains packaged in Taylor’s voice which aged like a fine wine.
Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)
“Two headlights shine through thee sleepless night
(Treacherous, 2:07)
and I will get you, get you alone
Your name has echoed through my mind
And I just think you should, think you should know
That nothing safe is worth the drive
and I will follow you, follow you home.”
The song about braving the uncertainty, for nothing safe is worth the drive. Sang in a sweet and yearning tone.
Cruel Summer
Swift is known for crafting among the best cathartic and freeing bridges ever. With the likes of; “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise. So casually cruel in the name of being honest!” I know you never just read that very line, I know you sang it too, fellow Swiftie. And how fitting it is to sing the very sentiment that way.
Cruel Summer bears the same attitude. Icy and hot as its album’s hue, reminiscent of the Pantone 2011 Color Of The Year Rose Quartz and Serenity. It sits among the roster of Taylor’s powerful anthems.
“And I screamed for whatever it’s worth
(Cruel Summer, 1:56)
‘I love you,’ ain’t that the worst thing you’ve ever heard?
He looks up grinning like a devil!”
I know you sang these lines again. Mhmm. Don’t worry, me too.
mirrorball
To liken yourself as a mirrorball is unconventional and new. And Taylor referenced this object exceptionally. A melancholic story of an earnest love under its scintillating facade. A lovely ballad for us hopeless romantics.
“I’ll get you out on the floor
(mirrorball, 0:29)
Shimmering beautiful
And when I break, it’s in a million pieces
Hush, when no one is around my dear
You’ll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you.”
The track did not make it to the official listing. However, I believe it can join the playlist’s extended version (if there will be) due to its traits. It surely deserves the honorable mention.
Sweet Nothing
With an easy going tune, to me it shines like a love letter whispered affectionately. Nothing sweeter than sweet nothings uttered by your lover as you come home after a long day, or after a long past life without them.
“Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors
(Sweet Nothing, 1:43)
And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other
And the voices that implore, ‘You should be doing more’
To you, I can admit that I’m just too soft for all of it.
“They say the end is coming
(Sweet Nothing, 2:18)
Everyone’s up to something
I find myself running home to your sweet nothings.”
Labyrinth
Browsing through Tiktok, I saw many Swifties point out how the repetitive lines “I’m falling in love” are stressed in three different degrees, almost an orderly stage of accepting that yes, you are indeed in love. The first step; a worry, then as you go deeper, you worry a bit more, and finally letting loose of all of the fear as you decided that it is a wonderful feeling to be.
“Uh oh, I’m falling in love
(Labyrinth, 1:12)
Oh no, I’m falling in love again
Oh, I’m falling in love
I thought the plane was going down
How’d you turn it right around?”
This simple yet subtle lines shows Swift’s writing prowess. Placing them in a chorus for everyone to relate to.
Which of these fountain pen songs are your favourites? And if you have the chance to add more to the playlist, which other songs will you add? You can tell us in the comments! You may also check out other songs under the Fountain pen category here.
