Tolerate It Explained
Title: Analyzing Taylor Swift’s ‘Tolerate It’ Lyrics from the Album ‘Evermore’
Introduction:
‘Tolerate It’ is a track from Taylor Swift’s highly acclaimed album ‘Evermore,’ released in 2020. The song explores themes of unrequited love, emotional exhaustion, and the act of settling for less in a relationship. As with many of her songs, ‘Tolerate It’ offers a deeply personal insight into Taylor Swift’s own experiences at the time of its composition.
Lyric Analysis:
1. “I sit and watch you / Like I’m on a foreign shore”
In these opening lines, Taylor Swift establishes herself as an outsider in her relationship, feeling disconnected and alienated, similar to being in an unfamiliar place.
2. “It’s been a long time / Since I noticed anything”
This lyric suggests a sense of neglect and indifference within the relationship. It indicates that Swift has been overlooking her own needs and desires for an extended period.
3. “I wait by the door like I’m just a kid”
Here, Swift depicts herself eagerly waiting for attention or validation, akin to a child seeking parental approval. This imagery implies the lack of reciprocation in her relationship.
4. “I made you my temple, my mural, my sky / Now I’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life”
This poignant lyric showcases the intense devotion Swift had invested in her partner, likening them to her whole world. However, she finds herself undesired and reduced to a mere footnote, seeking acknowledgment and significance.
5. “And I let you in / Just for you to go again / And disregard / All that I’m worth”
Swift conveys the cycle of being continuously let down and taken for granted. She allowed her partner into her life, only to be left feeling disregarded and undervalued.
6. “I know my love should be celebrated / But you tolerate it”
This line serves as the song’s chorus, expressing the pain of realizing that love alone is insufficient in a relationship. Swift acknowledges that she deserves to be celebrated for her love, yet finds herself being merely tolerated instead.
Deep Meaning and Personal Connections:
‘Tolerate It’ exudes emotional vulnerability and reflects Taylor Swift’s personal experiences with love and relationships. During the time of the album’s release, she was in a committed relationship with actor Joe Alwyn. Although it is speculative to assume the song is directly about their relationship, certain lines indicate potential reflections on their dynamics.
The lyrics suggest elements of emotional distress and dissatisfaction, which may relate to some of the struggles she faced in her past highly publicized relationships. ‘Tolerate It’ could be a reflection on how Swift had tolerated mistreatment, emotional unavailability, or a lack of reciprocation from past partners.
Fan Reaction:
Fans were deeply moved by ‘Tolerate It,’ relating to its themes of unrequited love, emotional exhaustion, and feeling undervalued in relationships. Many praised the emotional depth of the song and applauded Swift’s ability to beautifully articulate their own experiences through her lyrics.
Continuation of Narrative:
‘Tolerate It’ is notably part of a narrative thread within the ‘Evermore’ album, linking it to another track titled ‘Dorothea.’ While ‘Tolerate It’ explores the anguish of unrequited love, ‘Dorothea’ tells the story of a friend from the narrator’s past. While critics regard ‘Dorothea’ as a separate story, some fans theorize that it may represent an alternate perspective on the same relationship depicted in ‘Tolerate It.’
Other Related Songs:
1. ‘All Too Well’ (from ‘Red’) – ‘Tolerate It’ shares parallels with ‘All Too Well,’ another widely loved song by Taylor Swift. Both explore the pain and grief surrounding past relationships and showcase the vulnerability of experiencing love that is not adequately reciprocated or appreciated.
2. ‘Dear John’ (from ‘Speak Now’) – This song delves into the emotions associated with a toxic relationship, offering insight into Swift’s experiences with emotional manipulation and betrayal. The themes in ‘Dear John’ align with those explored in ‘Tolerate It,’ as both highlight the consequences of settling for less and enduring mistreatment.
Interested in learning more about Taylor Swift lyrics? View our analysis on other Taylor Swift song lyrics, like:
Taylor Swift’s ‘No Body, No Crime’ From ‘Evermore’ Full Lyric Analysis, Taylor Swift’s ‘Happiness’ From ‘Evermore’ Full Lyric Analysis, Taylor Swift’s ‘Dorothea’ From ‘Evermore’ Full Lyric Analysis
