Breaking Down the Lyrics: Opalite

Taylor Swift’s “Opalite” —

*** “I had a bad habit of missing lovers past. My used to call it ‘eating out of the trash.’ It’s never gonna last.” ***

So, we’ve all been there. Thinking about the one that got away… or that we let go of and regret. Wondering if we made the right decision, and longing for that potential life back.

But, a lot of times, a loved one has to bring us back to the present. Has to wake us up. There was probably a reason it didn’t work out with that person. And, even if it was the wrong decision at the time, neither of you are the same person now.

Also, interesting that in this case “the trash” can mean both that it’s something that should stay disposed of … AND that the person is now trash for you.

*** “I thought my house was haunted… I used to live with ghosts. And all the perfect couples said ‘when you know you know.’ And ‘when you don’t you don’t.’” ***

Obviously, she’s referring to metaphorical ghosts… not literal. The ghosts of past loves. Though clever to use the word “haunted,” which normally refers only to the (literal) supernatural.

So, the advice she was given would be good advice coming from anyone. Most wise people know this… whether single, in a relationship, or married. Granted it’s never what you want to hear when searching for love. But she refers specifically to the “perfect couples,” almost as if they represent an unattainable standard.

*** “But my mama told me ‘It’s alright, you were dancing through the lightning strikes.’ Sleepless in the Onyx night… but now the sky is Opalite! Oh oh oh oh oh…”

Once again, family steps in to guide her. What a powerful image of dancing through lightning strikes! The meaning could be two-fold once more.

It could be an act of dodging them, dodging danger, and pushing through. Or, it could show a different emotional state. The state of dancing… letting loose, letting go… in the face of chaos. Taking joyful control of the situation.

It should go without saying that both Onyx and Opal are stones. Onyx representing the clear black of nighttime… and Opal representing a patchwork of cloudy colors. I didn’t know this before, but the word “Opalite” refers to this very thing. Some could say it also means murky.

So, whatever you think of her personally, superstar Taylor Swift brings back concepts that have been lost in postmodern culture.

Next, I’ll be breaking down “The Fate of Ophelia.” It’s not lost on me that both of these lesser-known concepts start with the letter O.