Call It What You Want

"Call It What You Want" is a deeply personal song that explores the theme of finding true love and solace amidst a period of intense public scrutiny and personal turmoil. The lyrics narrate Taylor Swift's experience of having her public reputation torn down, only to discover a private, resilient, and transformative love with her then-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The core message is one of defiance against public opinion and the media's narrative. Swift essentially states that whatever people label her or her relationship, it doesn't matter because the love she has found is real and has brought her more happiness than her previous public success ever did. The song contrasts the chaos of her public life with the serene and grounding nature of her private relationship, portraying love as a sanctuary. It’s a story of redemption, not through public vindication, but through the profound acceptance and love of another person who sees her for who she truly is, allowing her to be "brand new". It also marks a significant maturation in Swift's perspective on love, moving away from fairytale ideals to a more grounded, egalitarian partnership where she doesn't need saving but wants a partner to run with.

The narrative begins with a reflection on a sudden and dramatic fall from grace. The protagonist describes her world, once a fortress, crumbling overnight. She found herself ill-equipped for the ensuing battles, like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Her status and public adoration were stripped away, but she declares her acceptance of this loss. She acknowledges that those who are dishonest are now labeling her as such. In the wake of this turmoil, she withdrew from the public eye for months, a period during which, contrary to expectations, she has been doing better than ever before.

The reason for this newfound peace is a new love interest. He is described as being as perfect as a daydream, yet humble, walking with his head down. Crucially, he is walking towards her. She throws down a gauntlet to the world, stating defiantly that they can label their relationship however they see fit. This man is soaring high above the drama and gossip, and he loves her in a way that makes her feel completely new and untarnished by her past. Again, she challenges anyone to 'call it what you want'.

The story continues by illustrating the healing power of this relationship. After a period of public storms and attacks, where her metaphorical flowers of success and image grew back as protective thorns, and she had to board up her windows, he provided warmth and comfort, building a fire just for her. The constant attacks from 'drama queens' and the posturing of 'jokers pretending to be kings' all fade into insignificance when she looks at him. She admits to a pattern of making the same mistakes in the past, burning bridges and not learning from them. However, she asserts with confidence that choosing this relationship was the one thing she finally did right. This realization brings her joy, and she describes intimate moments of laughing with her lover, building forts under the covers, and trusting him with the unconditional loyalty of a brother.

The bridge delves deeper into the intimacy and commitment of the relationship. She wears his initial on a necklace, not as a sign of ownership, but as a symbol of how deeply he knows and understands her. It’s a connection that transcends words. She recalls a specific moment in late November when she asked him to run away with her, and his affirmative response solidified their bond. This section highlights a shift from her past fairy-tale narratives; she is no longer a damsel in distress asking to be saved, but a partner seeking an equal to escape with. The song concludes by reiterating the chorus, reinforcing the central theme of finding a genuine, unshakeable love that makes her impervious to outside judgment. The repetition of 'Call it what you want' serves as a final, confident dismissal of public opinion, emphasizing that their private reality is all that matters.

"Call It What You Want" was written and produced by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff for her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). The song was recorded at Antonoff's home studio, Rough Customer Studio in Brooklyn Heights. It was created during a period when Swift had largely retreated from the public eye following significant media scrutiny and public feuds in 2016, notably with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. This period of seclusion was a response to the damage her public image had sustained. Swift has stated that the album Reputation follows a narrative arc, starting with anger and rebellion and ending with finding love and peace, with "Call It What You Want" representing that concluding state of mind. The song details her falling in love with British actor Joe Alwyn, which began during this tumultuous time. Their relationship provided a safe haven from the public storm. The song was released on November 3, 2017, as the fourth promotional single from the album, following "Look What You Made Me Do", "...Ready for It?", and "Gorgeous".

"Call It What You Want" employs a relatively consistent rhyme scheme within its verses and choruses, contributing to its melodic and memorable quality. The verses often follow an AABCCB pattern (e.g., overnight/gunfight, one/months, alright/was). The chorus uses a more straightforward structure, with rhymes like 'daydream' and 'jet stream', and the repeated title phrase creating a strong lyrical hook. The rhymes are mostly perfect, providing a sense of stability and simplicity that mirrors the song's theme of finding peace.

The song's rhythm is a defining feature of its mellow and calming atmosphere. It's a mid-tempo track with a steady, laid-back beat driven by a programmed drum machine and gentle synths. This creates a soothing, almost hypnotic quality, contrasting with the more aggressive, trap-influenced beats on other parts of the Reputation album. The vocal rhythm is conversational and flows naturally, with Swift delivering the lyrics in a soft, almost-spoken manner at times, enhancing the song's intimacy. The interplay between the gentle musical rhythm and the sincere lyrical delivery creates the song's overall feeling of serene contentment and quiet defiance.

Musically, "Call It What You Want" is a mid-tempo electropop and synth-pop ballad with a sparse, airy production. The arrangement, crafted by Jack Antonoff, features a gentle, steady rhythm, pulsating synthesizers, and manipulated vocal samples, including a looped, robotic voice in the intro and outro that creates a slightly melancholic yet dreamy atmosphere. The production has been described as having elements of R&B, trap, and dream-pop. Swift's vocal delivery is intimate and soft, conveying vulnerability and contentment, a stark contrast to the aggressive tone of other tracks on Reputation. The male backing vocals, provided by Antonoff, add a layer of warmth and support.

Lyrically, the song employs a narrative, diaristic style, a hallmark of Swift's songwriting. She uses direct, conversational language alongside potent metaphors. A key literary device is irony, as seen in the line, "All the liars are calling me one," which highlights the hypocrisy of her detractors. The song's structure builds from verses detailing hardship to a chorus that acts as a defiant, joyful refrain. The repetition of the title phrase, "Call it what you want," serves as a powerful hook and the song's central thesis, emphasizing her indifference to external labels. The song also features self-referential nods to her previous work, re-contextualizing familiar imagery like castles and daydreams to reflect her new perspective.

"Call It What You Want" was released as a promotional single from Taylor Swift's highly anticipated album Reputation and received critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers praising its vulnerability, intimacy, and sophisticated songwriting in contrast to the album's more aggressive lead singles. Rolling Stone ranked it as the 20th best song of 2017. Commercially, it performed well, debuting at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the Digital Song Sales chart, marking Swift's 15th number-one on that chart. The song has been certified Platinum in Australia and New Zealand, and Gold in the US and Brazil.

For Swift's fanbase, the song was a significant and beloved moment. It offered the first truly intimate glimpse into her mindset and her relationship with Joe Alwyn after a prolonged public absence. The track was seen as a return to the heartfelt, narrative-driven songwriting that her fans cherish. Swift performed the song live on Saturday Night Live in 2017 and it was a regular part of the setlist for her record-breaking Reputation Stadium Tour (2018). It has since been performed as a surprise song on her Eras Tour, always eliciting a strong positive reaction from audiences. While not a chart-topping single in the vein of "Look What You Made Me Do," its cultural impact lies in its significance within Swift's personal and artistic narrative, marking a pivotal moment of turning from public battle to private peace.

"Call It What You Want" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate Taylor Swift's journey from public downfall to private contentment.

• Castle and Crown: The opening lines, "My castle crumbled overnight / ... They took the crown but it's alright," use royal imagery to symbolize her once-impeccable public image and status in the pop world, which she felt was destroyed by scandals. This is a recurring motif in her work, but here it's used to signify a loss that ultimately leads to liberation.
• Knife to a Gunfight: This metaphor represents her feeling unprepared and outmatched in her public feuds, particularly the one with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
• Storms, Thorns, and Fire: The lines "All my flowers grew back as thorns / Windows boarded up after the storm / He built a fire just to keep me warm" use natural imagery to describe her defensive hardening after being attacked ("the storm"). The fire her lover builds symbolizes the warmth, safety, and comfort he provided during this dark time, contrasting with the destructive fire metaphors in other songs.
• Jet Stream: Describing her baby as "fly like a jet stream / High above the whole scene" is a metaphor for her partner being above the petty drama and public feuds that consumed her life.
• Chain Necklace: Wearing her lover's initial on a chain is a powerful symbol of their bond. She clarifies it's "Not because he owns me / but 'cause he really knows me," subverting a potential symbol of ownership into one of deep, mutual understanding and a chosen, proud commitment.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is its title, "Call it what you want." This line, repeated at the end of the chorus's main sections, functions as the song's central thesis and a defiant hook. It's a direct challenge to the media, critics, and the public, dismissing their labels and judgments about her life and relationship. Its repetition drills home the core message: external opinions are irrelevant in the face of her private happiness and the genuine connection she has found.

Another recurring motif is the imagery of royalty and downfall, specifically the "castle" and "crown." Swift has used fairytale and royal imagery throughout her career, often to depict idealized romance. In "Call It What You Want," these motifs are revisited to represent her tarnished public persona and the loss of her 'queen of pop' status. However, unlike in past songs, she declares this loss is "alright," reframing the crumbling of her public kingdom as a necessary step toward finding something more real and valuable.

The idea of being "brand new" is also a key motif, signifying renewal and redemption through love. It suggests that her partner sees her without the baggage of her public "reputation," allowing her to feel reborn and unblemished.