Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album, Midnights, on Friday, October 21, sending fans into a frenzy. The album poetically described 13 sleepless nights in the singer’s life. Here’s the breakdown of all 13 tracks…

Lavender Haze

The first track, “Lavender Haze,” opens with the line,

Meet me at midnight

(Taylor Swift Lavender Haze)

It uses the phrase “lavender haze” to describe the feeling of being in love, blocking out all else and focusing on the one you love:

I find it dizzying

They’re bringing up my history

But you aren’t even listening

I feel that lavender haze creeping up on me

Surreal

I’m d***** if I do give a d*** what people say

No deal

The 1950s’ sh** they want from me

I just wanna stay in that lavender haze.

(Taylor Swift Lavender Haze)

But it wouldn’t be a Taylor Swift song without tackling a societal issue. She addresses the constant rumors of an engagement that plague her relationship, saying society puts too much pressure on women to get married…

All they keep asking me

Is if I’m gonna be your bride

The only kinda girl they see

Is a one-night or a wife

(Taylor Swift Lavender Haze)

Maroon

Track two, “Maroon,” tells the story of a romance falling into ruin. The first and second verses describe precious moments with lyrics like,

And I chose you

The one I was dancing with in New York

No shoes

Looked up at the sky and it was

The burgundy on my t-shirt when you splashed your wine into me

And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was

The mark they saw on my collarbone

The rust that grew between telephones

The lips I used to call home

So scarlet, it was maroon

(Taylor Swift Maroon)

But all good things must come to an end. In the third and fourth verses, the relationship falls apart…

When the silence came, we

Were shaking blind and hazy

How the hell did we lose sight of us again?

Sobbing with your head in your hands

Ain’t that the way s*** always ends

You were standing hollow-eyed in the hallway

Carnations you had thought were roses

That’s us

I feel you, no matter what

The rubies that I gave up

(Taylor Swift Maroon)

Anti-Hero

In track three, “Anti-Hero,” Swift dives into her realm of insecurities. She says she often struggles with the idea of not feeling like a person due to her celebrity status, which is reflected in the lyrics,

Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby

And I’m a monster on the hill

Too big to hang out

Slowly lurching toward your favorite city

Pierced through the heart but never killed.

(Taylor Swift Anti-Hero)

But not all of Swift’s insecurities stem from fame; everyone, even celebrities like Swift, faces an internal battle to accept flaws. “We all hate things about ourselves. And it’s all of those aspects of the things we dislike and like about ourselves that we have to come to terms with…” she explains. This struggle to embrace the negative parts of yourself is exemplified by the lyrics,

It’s me

Hi

I’m the problem, it’s me

At teatime

Everybody agrees

I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror

It much be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero

(Taylor Swift Anti-Hero)

Finally, Swift confesses her fear of abandonment. In the past, Swift has said being a celebrity has put a strain on her personal life. For example, she’s constantly worried her loved ones will leave due to pressure from her celebrity spotlight. These fears were further established in the lyrics,

I wake up screaming from dreaming

One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving

‘Cause you got tired of my scheming

(Taylor Swift Anti-Hero)

 Snow On The Beach

Track four, “Snow On The Beach,” compares mutual love to snow on the beach, something miraculous and extraordinary.

And it’s like snow at the beach

Weird, but f***in’ beautiful

Flying in a dream

Stars by the pocketful

You wanting me tonight, feels impossible

But it’s comin’ down, no sound, it’s all around

Like snow on the beach

(Taylor Swift Snow On The Beach)

You’re On Your Own, Kid

Track five, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” is an all too familiar tale about falling in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way, a complete juxtaposition of “Snow On The Beach.” The first and second verses of the song have an aura of hopefulness with lyrics like,

Still the yearning stays

I play it cool with the best of them

I wait patiently

He’s gonna notice me

It’s okay, we’re the best of friends

Anyway

(Taylor Swift You’re On Your Own, Kid)

In the first chorus, the narrator goes to a party, excited in anticipation of seeing her crush. However, she starts to experience doubt when he is nowhere to be found:

I search the party of better bodies

Just to learn that you never cared

You’re on your own, kid

You always have been

(Taylor Swift You’re On Own, Kid)

 The doubt the narrator experienced in the first chorus escalates throughout the next two verses with the lyrics,

I search the party of better bodies

Just to learn that my dreams aren’t rare

You’re on your own, kid

You always have been

(Taylor Swift You’re On Your Own, Kid)

 The music then crescendos into the last chorus, where the narrator expresses the anguish of her rejection. She describes how she lost herself in her efforts to get her crush’s attention…

I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this

I hosted parties and starved my body

Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss

The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money

My friends from home don’t know what to say

(Taylor Swift You’re On Your Own, Kid)

The song ends with the narrator coming to the realization that she is “on her own.” An inspiring melody accompanies the narrator’s process of rediscovering herself in the lyrics,

Everything you lose is a step you take

So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it

You’ve got no reason to be afraid

You’re on your own kid

Yeah, you can face this

You’re on your own, kid

You always have been

(Taylor Swift You’re On Your Own, Kid)

Midnight Rain

Track six, “Midnight Rain,” is about a romance destined to fail from the start. Differences in interest created tension in this relationship…

He was sunshine

I was midnight rain

He wanted it comfortable

I wanted that pain

He wanted a bride

I was making my own name

Chasing that fame

He stayed the same

All of me changed

Like midnight

(Taylor Swift Midnight Rain)

Question…?

Track seven, “Question…?”, tells a story of heartbreak using questions. A conspiracy theory claims the song may be about Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, who is one of Swift’s best friends. Bieber and Gomez’s breakup was very public, and the events described in the song sound too familiar to be coincidence…

Can I ask you a question?

Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room

And every single one of your friends was making fun of you

But fifteen seconds later they were clapping too?

Then what did you do?

Did you leave her house in the middle of the night?

Did you wish you’d put up more of a fight?

When she said it was too much

Do you wish you could still touch her?

It’s just a question

(Taylor Swift Question…?)

She continues to call out Bieber’s current relationship with Hailey Bieber, whom he supposedly cheated on Gomez with.

Does it feel like everything’s just like second best after that meteor strike?

And what’s that that I heard, that you’re still with her?

That’s nice, I’m sure that’s what’s suitable.

(Taylor Swift Question…?)

Vigilante Shit

It’s obvious from the very first verse that track eight, “Vigilante Shit” is a revenge anthem.

Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man

You did some bad things, but I’m the worst of them

Sometimes I wonder which one’ll be your last lie

They say looks can kill and I might try

I don’t dress for women

I don’t dress for men

Lately, I’ve been dressing for revenge

(Taylor Swift Vigilante Shit)

The song later reveals the narrator to be a mistress, seeking the ultimate revenge on her ex-lover by telling the wife the truth…

She needed the cold, hard proof, so I gave her some

She had the envelope, where you think she got it from?

Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride

Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife

(Taylor Swift Vigilante Shit)

Bejeweled

Track nine, “Bejeweled,” is about being unappreciated in a relationship.

Baby love, I think I’ve been a little too kind

Didn’t you notice you walking all over my peace of mind

In the shoes I gave you as a present

Puttin’ someone first only works when you’re in their top five

And by the way, I’m goin’ out tonight

(Taylor Swift Bejeweled)

But instead of responding to this situation with several bouts of tears, Ben and Jerry’s, and a comfort show, the narrator remembers her self-worth, plants a smile on her face, and goes out for a night on the town…

Best believe I’m still bejeweled

When I walk in a room

I can still make the whole place shimmer

And when I meet the band

They ask, “Do you have a man?”

I could still say, “I don’t remember”

Familiarity breeds contempt

Don’t put me in the basement

When I want the penthouse of your heart

Diamonds in my eyes

I polish up real nice

(Taylor Swift Bejeweled)

 Labyrinth

Track 10, “Labyrinth,” is about falling in love after heartbreak, someone who can finally rid you of your pain.

Uh-oh, I’m falling in love

Oh-no, I’m falling in love again

Oh, I’m falling in love

I thought the plane was goin’ down

How’d you turn it right around?

(Taylor Swift Labyrinth)

Karma

It’s no secret Taylor has been involved in multiple celebrity feuds over the years, from Kayne West to Scooter Braun. On track 11, “Karma,” Taylor sings about karma.

‘Cause karma is my boyfriend

Karma is a god

Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend

Karma’s a relaxing thought

Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?

Sweet like honey, karma is a cat

Purring on my lap ‘cause it loves me

Flexing like a godd*** acrobat

Me and karma vibe like that

(Taylor Swift Karma)

While she was rewarded with good karma, she warns her enemies that their punishment is coming…

‘Cause karma is the thunder

Rattling your ground

Karma’s on your sent like a bounty hunter

Karma’s gonna hunt you down

Step by step, from town to town

Sweet like justice, karma is a queen

(Taylor Swift Karma)

Sweet Nothing

In track 12, “Sweet Nothing,” Taylor softly serenades her current boyfriend, describing their relationship as peaceful, quiet, and content, compared to the outside world.

They said the end is comin’

Everyone’s up to something

I find myself runnin’ home to your sweet nothings

Outside they’re push and shovin’

You’re in the kitchen hummin’

All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothin’

(Taylor Swift Sweet Nothing)

Mastermind

Track 13, “Mastermind,” is also about Taylor’s current boyfriend. She admits that from the moment she met him, she was willing to do anything and everything to make sure they ended up together, including carefully planning interactions between the two.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Strategy sets the scene for the tale

I’m the wind in our free-flowing sails

And the liquor in our cocktails

(Taylor Swift Mastermind)

But the most touching part of this song isn’t Taylor’s dedication to a relationship with her partner; it’s his reaction after she admits her scheming:

So I told you none of it was accidental

And the first night that you saw me

Nothing was gonna stop me

I laid the groundwork, and then

Saw a wide smerk on your face

You knew the entire time

You knew that I’m a mastermind

And now you’re mine

Yeah, all you did was smile