Song Dissection: 22 Part 1

Dear Friend,

Here's a song dissection for you. It'll be split into three parts, so brace yourself :)

22- Taylor Swift

It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters 
And make fun of our exes, uh uh uh uh 

This song begins with a group of people "dressing up like hipsters." This phrase really means that they are wannabe pirates. These people are taking on the characteristics of a pirate by dressing up like one. The "exes" obviously refer to "X"- like X marks the spot. These so called pirates are laughing at where they thought their treasure was hidden. In this case, treasure really means true happiness and self actualization. So,  these people believe that their treasure was in the wrong place (most likely in things like alcohol or friends who betrayed them). Thus, this song is about pirates on a treausrse hunt to find their true selves and happiness.

It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
To fall in love with strangers uh uh uh uh 
Yeaaaah

Now, the pirates are defying the normal standards of society- such as meal times. They are eating breakfast at midnight, which isn't what most people do. They believe they do not need to confor to the norm. The next part about falling in love with strangers is basically them befriending people they normally wouldn't. However, they are taking a chance because these new friends can be either good or bad. But since they are being spontaneous about making new friends, they don't really care about whether they are good or not.

We're happy free confused and lonely at the same time 
It's miserable and magical oh yeah 

These two lines refer to the treasure hunt. "Happy" and "free" refer to their personalities as pirates, "confused" refers to their disguise as pirates, and "lonely" refers to them feeling lonely on this quest for happiness. The "It's miserable and magical" phrase is basically saying that although their journey is tough, it is also rewarding because in the end, it should transform them into a person with good moral values.

Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines, it's time uh uh
Before, they were putting deadlines to their dreams and hopes, making them annoying little goals that they had to rush to achieve all the time. so they are feeling pressure by the concept of time and space, but now "it's time" to forget about time and be that new, happier person they'd be hoping to be their whole life.


I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you

When the narrator says "I'm feeling 22," he/she really means that they are feeling strong and confident. The number 22 refers to the element titanium on the periodic table. Titanium is known for being strong and resistant to corrosion. Therefore, this narrator is feeling quite confident on finding the "treasure" of happiness. The "you" in the second line refers to a higher source of power/God. Everything will be alright as long as the narrator is guided by an almighty force.

You don't know about me but I bet you want to
Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we're 22, 22

Again, the narrator is speaking to "God." He/she believes that He has the power to transform their life into something better and once again, everything will be alright, especially since they feel like they're 22.

Find out about the rest of the pirate's journey in part 2! 

Yours truly,
Kylie and Catherine