Exile

Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver

I can see you standin’, honey

With his arms around your body

Laughin’ but the joke’s not funny at all

And it took you five whole minutes

To pack us up and leave me with it

Holdin’ all this love out here in the hall

I think I’ve seen this film before

And I didn’t like the ending

You’re not my homeland anymore

So what am I defendin’ now?

You were my town

Now I’m in exile seein’ you out

I think I’ve seen this film before

Hoo, hoo-ooh

Hoo, hoo-ooh

Hoo, hoo-ooh

I can see you starin’, honey

Like he’s just your understudy

Like you’d get your knuckles bloody for me

Second, third, and hundredth chances

Balancin’ on breaking branches

Those eyes add insult to injury

I think I’ve seen this film before

And I didn’t like the ending

I’m not your problem anymore

So who am I offending now?

You were my crown

Now I’m in exile seein’ you out

I think I’ve seen this film before

So I’m leavin’ out the side door

So step right out

There is no amount

Of cryin’ I can do for you

All this time

We always walked a very thin line

You didn’t even hear me out (You didn’t even hear me out)

You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

All this time

I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)

I couldn’t turn things around (You never turned things around)

’Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

So many signs

So many signs (You didn’t even see the signs)

I think I’ve seen this film before

And I didn’t like the ending

You’re not my homeland anymore

So what am I defending now?

You were my town

Now I’m in exile seein’ you out

I think I’ve seen this film before

So I’m leaving out the side door

So step right out

There is no amount

Of cryin’ I can do for you

...

Review

On “Exile,” Swift has teamed up with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon for a delicate ballad that paints a failing relationship as a territorial war. Vernon describes the two ex-lovers seeing each other following a breakup, while Swift explores the warning signs that convinced her the relationship wasn’t working anymore. The stripped back sonic layering highlights the sweet vocals of both the singer-songwriters. It’s subdued, whimsical and nostalgic.