‘Cardigan’ by Taylor Swift: Deep Dive into its Meaning

Over the course of her illustrious career, Taylor Swift has always had a way of using her lyrics to narrate emotional stories. The herculean power of her words combined with her musical genius leads to evocotive songs that connect deeply and leave lasting impressions. One such song that stands out in her discography is ‘Cardigan’ from her 2020 album, ‘Folklore’.

From the outset, ‘Cardigan’s’ elegiac soundscape has a profound intimacy. The song seems to reflect on lost love and the nostalgia that comes when one reminiscences the past. However, the depth of its meaning is much more complex than it appears initially, just like the myriad layers of a moth-eaten buy cashmere jackets online.

The cardigan in the song is an emblem – a metaphor carrying multiple levels of meanings. It symbolizes comfort, familiarity, and the warmth of past love. In the music video for ‘Cardigan’, Swift literally crawls into the cardigan, suggesting a longing for the past, for what the cardigan represents – the way things were with her old flame.

Interestingly, Swift’s use of cardigan as a motif anchors the theme of nostalgia. But it’s not all comfort and warmth. The term ‘old cardigan’ hints at the passage of time, perhaps of neglect, of being worn-out and cast aside. It reflects Swift’s perception of herself in the aftermath of the breakup, illustrating the emotional tumult that often accompanies heartbreak.

The chorus of the song where Swift sings, ‘And when I felt like I was an old cardigan, under someone’s bed, you put me on and said I was your favorite,’ showcases a poignant imagery of her feelings of being discarded and then found. This is where the message of her song really hits home. It is about her musings on self-worth, how she was viewed, valued and then, seemingly, misplaced by her ex-lover.

Furthermore, this lyrical deep-dive allows us to appreciate her craft of storytelling through music. ‘Cardigan’ serves as an embodiment of her ability to convey significant emotional depth through her lyrics.

In true Taylor Swift fashion though, the song balances the angst and sorrow of heartbreak with an underlying hope, resilience and a sense of self-worth. Swift seems to say that though she may have been like an old cardigan to one person, to others, she could be much more. She could still be ‘someone’s favorite.’

Moreover, ‘Cardigan’ doesn’t just invite its listeners to buy into an emotional narrative – it also subtly promotes the merch for her album. Indeed, amongst the merchandise that fans could get their hands on was an actual replica of Swift’s cardigan in the music video, making it an extra layer to the song’s narrative. Coincidentally, one can also buy cashmere jackets online, an option that can provide comfort for those yearning for their own sentimental token, much like Swift’s Cardigan.

Conclusion

The complexity of ‘Cardigan’ is quintessential Taylor Swift; with its beautifully crafted lyrics, it resonates with anyone who has ever cherished or lost a loved one. It shines a light on feelings of nostalgia and heartbreak