End Game

"End Game" is a declaration of wanting a lasting, committed relationship in the face of public scrutiny and past heartbreaks. The song explores the complexities of finding true love when one's life is constantly under a microscope. The title itself, "End Game," is a colloquial term for the ultimate goal, signifying a desire for a love that is final and permanent. Swift and her collaborators, Ed Sheeran and Future, each navigate the theme of reputation and its impact on their personal lives, expressing a shared yearning for a partner who sees beyond the public persona. The lyrics convey a sense of hope mixed with anxiety about the potential pitfalls of a high-profile romance.

The narrative of the song, delivered by Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Future, revolves around the desire for a committed, long-term relationship amidst the chaos of public life and scrutinised reputations. Each artist offers a unique perspective on finding genuine love while being in the spotlight.

Swift opens by expressing a clear and direct wish: she wants to be her partner's ultimate goal, his "end game," "first string," and "A-Team." These sports metaphors signify her desire for a primary and permanent role in his life. She acknowledges her "big reputation," a recurring theme, suggesting it's something she and her love interest have in common, creating a bond over their shared experience of public perception. She is assertive, yet vulnerable, admitting she doesn't want to be just another temporary lover or a source of regret. She desires a deep connection, one that transcends the superficial drama the media often associates with her.

Future's verse introduces a classic hip-hop narrative of luxury and loyalty. He portrays a lavish lifestyle with references to high-end cars and watches but underscores this with a promise of protection and dedication to his partner. He acknowledges his own "bad boy" reputation but suggests it's a part of his appeal. His lyrics add a layer of protective masculinity to the song's theme, offering a safe harbor from the storms of fame.

Ed Sheeran's contribution provides a more grounded and romantic viewpoint. He tells a story of a love that feels predestined, referencing a relationship that began on the Fourth of July. He admits his own flaws, insecurities, and past mistakes, highlighting the unconditional acceptance he's found with his partner. His verse contrasts his personal imperfections with the beauty and ease of his lover, creating a sense of a perfectly balanced partnership where both individuals are understood and accepted for who they are. His mention of “four words on the tip of my tongue” hints at a deeper commitment he is not yet ready to voice.

Swift’s own verse delves deeper into her feelings about her reputation and its effect on her relationships. She describes herself as someone who enters relationships intensely and leaves an indelible mark. She owns up to her tendency to hold grudges, symbolized by keeping “maps of where I put the hatchets,” but also cheekily claims that she doesn't love drama, but it loves her. She delivers a final, heartfelt plea for the relationship to be her last, reinforcing the central theme of wanting a love that is both her final destination and her greatest victory.

"End Game" was written by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback, Ed Sheeran, and Future (Nayvadius Wilburn). The production was handled by Martin and Shellback. The song was recorded for Swift's sixth studio album, Reputation, released in 2017, and is the only track on the album to feature guest artists. Ed Sheeran has revealed that his inspiration for his verse came from his relationship with his now-wife, Cherry Seaborn. Their relationship began at one of Swift's famous Fourth of July parties at her home in Rhode Island. This personal anecdote is referenced in his lyric, "After the storm, something was born on the Fourth of July". The song was released as the third single from the album on November 14, 2017. The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was filmed in three international locations: Miami with Future, Tokyo with Ed Sheeran, and London.

The rhyme scheme and rhythm of "End Game" are integral to its catchy and dynamic feel. The song employs a mix of perfect rhymes and slant rhymes, which is a common characteristic of Swift's songwriting, allowing for more lyrical flexibility and sincerity. The rhythm is upbeat and steady, driven by the prominent trap beats and hip-hop influenced drums. This rhythmic foundation provides a contemporary and energetic backdrop for the vocals. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is particularly noteworthy. The artists' vocal cadences are often loose and syncopated, playing against the steady beat to create a conversational and modern feel. The chorus features a strong, repetitive rhythm that makes it memorable and anthemic. The song's structure allows for rhythmic variation between the verses and chorus, with each featured artist bringing their own unique flow to their section.

"End Game" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its distinctive sound and lyrical depth. Musically, the song fuses pop-rap and R&B, incorporating trap beats and hip-hop influenced drums, which was a notable trend in 2017. The vocal delivery is characterized by loose cadences. The song's structure accommodates three distinct artistic styles, with Swift's pop sensibilities, Future's rap verse, and Sheeran's singer-songwriter perspective. Lyrically, Swift employs several literary devices. The use of repetition, particularly in the chorus with the phrase "I wanna be your end game," emphasizes the central theme of longing for commitment. Irony is present in the line, "I swear I don't love the drama, it loves me," which is a witty, self-aware comment on her public image. The song also features vivid imagery, such as "drinking on a beach with you all over me," which creates a sense of intimacy and escapism. Swift is also known for her use of enjambment, which creates a more natural, conversational flow in her lyrics.

"End Game" was released as the third single from Taylor Swift's commercially successful album Reputation and achieved notable chart performance, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and receiving platinum certifications in several countries, including the US, Australia, and Canada. The song was a significant part of Swift's setlist during her highly successful Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. Critical reception was mixed, with some critics praising its catchy production and Swift's willingness to experiment with hip-hop and R&B, while others found the collaboration, particularly Sheeran's verse, uninspired. The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, garnered significant media attention for its high production value, international locations, and numerous hidden messages or "Easter eggs," a hallmark of Swift's visual work. The song's title and themes have seen a resurgence in popular culture, particularly in relation to Swift's later public relationships, demonstrating its enduring place in her discography and in the broader cultural conversation surrounding her life and music.

The lyrics of "End Game" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its meaning.

• Game and Sports Metaphors: The most prominent metaphor is the idea of love as a game to be won. Phrases like "end game," "first string," and "A-Team" are all drawn from the world of sports, symbolizing the desire to be the most important and final romantic partner. This metaphor also cleverly plays on Ed Sheeran's own hit "The A Team."
• Reputation: The concept of "reputation" is a central symbol throughout the song and the entire album. It's portrayed as a tangible, almost burdensome entity that precedes the artists and affects their relationships.
• Burying the Hatchet: Swift's line, "I bury hatchets, but I keep maps of where I put 'em," is a powerful metaphor for forgiveness with a hint of lingering caution. It suggests that while she may move on from conflicts, she doesn't forget the lessons learned.
• Ghosts and Phantoms: The lyric "But if he's a ghost, then I can be a phantom" uses ghostly imagery to suggest a compatibility in elusiveness or perhaps a shared past that haunts them, allowing them to understand each other on a deeper level.
• Red Lips: The line, "Here's the truth from my red lips," typically symbolizes bold and honest statements. However, in the music video, Swift's lips are nude during this line, which director Joseph Kahn explained was a deliberate choice to signify the lips that sang the 'Red' album, suggesting a more raw and vulnerable truth.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's theme and structure. The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "End Game," which appears in the chorus and at the end of Swift's verse. Its repetition reinforces the central message of wanting a definitive and lasting love. The motif of "reputation" is also central, with both Swift and Future referencing their "big" and "bad" reputations, creating a shared understanding between them and the object of their affection. The sports-related terms "first string" and "A-Team" also recur, emphasizing the desire for a position of importance and priority in a relationship. The music video further establishes recurring visual motifs, such as the snake imagery, which Swift reclaimed as a symbol of her resilience and defiance during the Reputation era. The video also contains numerous "Easter eggs," a common practice for Swift, including her favorite number 13 and references to her cats, which serve as recurring motifs for her dedicated fanbase.