my interpretation of why mirrorball by taylor swift is one of her saddest songs (a thread)

just a general point this is obviously my own interpretation.

this first verse just shows how the character who’s perspective we’re seeing believes they don’t just bring out the best in people, but the worst too. showing someone every aspect that makes them way they are, just like a mirrorball.

the rest of the song just seems completely hopeless, nothing about what this character thinks is rational & it’s all completely dependent on someone else. maybe seeking someone to do the impossible work of picking up “a million pieces” that they cannot.

The lyric “I can change everything about me to fit in” either suggests that the character has no sense of self, or that they have no hope or faith that they’re good enough for either this person or any person which is why they feel as if they have to constantly change

everything about the bridge, but particularly the last three lines is probably the most tragic part of the story. it’s clear all the effort and pressure they’ve put into this person has been for nothing, maybe because of their ability to bring out the worst.-

“I’m still trying everything to keep you looking at me” even though the situation is almost definitely hopeless, they’re still trying to get this person(s) back. It’s very clear this person’s self worth is completely reliant on a toxic & unhealthy source which is so tragic

this song correlates a lot to tolerate it, which is interpreted to be one of her saddest. mirrorball is just more discreet and nuanced. the correlation is putting so much time and effort it effects your health (metaphorically standing on a tightrope forever) only to be betrayed.

one lyric in tolerate it, “I know my love should be celebrated” shows that the character’s situation isn’t as sad. they still believe they have self worth. everything in mirrorball reflects upon this person’s self worth being completely dependent on others &

the lengths they go to achieve it (shining “just for you”, changing “everything about me to fit in”), how it’s dependent on others and how it feels when they fail to get it (standing “on that tightrope”) & how hopeless it makes them. The chatacter believes they are at fault

this isn’t even really braking into the who the “they” could possibly be, who called of this “circus metaphorically. literally it’s most likely who this person blames for being the way that they are. anyway I’m tired if this thread is shit I’ll check in the morning and delete it