The Which means Behind Taylor Swift’s “Better Than Revenge” Lyrics, and Why She Modified Them

Getty/ Kevin Mazur

It is a Taylor Swift summer season. Aside from taking on the world along with her Eras Tour and newest single “Cruel Summer,” Swift has now returned with one other rerecorded album: “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).” The document dropped on July 7 — 13 years after Swift launched the unique model of “Speak Now” in 2010.

In a Could 5 Instagram submit, the star described “Speak Now” as a challenge filled with “brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions, and wild wistfulness.” Notably, it is rumored to incorporate lyrics referencing a few of Swift’s most well-known exes.

“Better Than Revenge,” which is purported to be about Joe Jonas, is taken into account to be one in all her most unfiltered tracks because it’s believed to not solely allude to the pair’s messy breakup but additionally Jonas’s previous flame Camilla Belle. So, what is the story behind the track? Let’s unpack the rumored which means behind “Better Than Revenge.”

What is the Which means Behind “Better Than Revenge”?

In “Better Than Revenge,” Swift recollects an ex-boyfriend who instantly broke up along with her after which bought into a brand new relationship proper afterward. Swift says she “never” noticed the breakup coming and did not “suspect” her lover was growing emotions for somebody new behind her again.

Within the lyrics, she partially blames their cut up on her ex’s new girlfriend. “She came along, got him alone, and let’s hear the applause,” Swift sings on the monitor. “She took him faster than you can say ‘sabotage.'” As a type of “revenge,” Swift shades the lady all through her track with brutal lyrics like, “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think. She’s an actress, whoa. She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress, whoa.”

Who Is “Better Than Revenge” About?

Whereas Swift by no means names her ex-boyfriend or his new girlfriend in her track, “Better Than Revenge” is believed to be about Jonas and Belle. After Swift and Jonas briefly dated from July to October 2008, the “Not Alone” singer moved on with Belle later that 12 months.

In “Better Than Revenge,” Swift mentions her ex moved on with an actress who as soon as attended a prep college, so as a result of Belle match each descriptions, followers naturally assumed she was speaking in regards to the “Carter” star.

So as to add to the idea, Belle starred within the Jonas Brothers’ “Lovebug” music video, which was launched across the time of Swift and Jonas’s breakup in October 2008.

Did Joe Jonas and Camilla Belle Reply to the “Better Than Revenge” Rumors?

In accordance with Folks, Jonas alluded to the rumors he blindsided Swift in a November 2008 MySpace submit. “Several things I will state with all my heart. I never cheated on a girlfriend. It might make someone feel better to assume or imply I have been unfaithful but it is simply not true,” he wrote. “Maybe there were reasons for a breakup. Maybe the heart moved on. Perhaps feelings changed. I am truly saddened that anything would potentially cause you to think less of me.”

Years after Jonas and Belle broke up, Belle seemingly responded to “Better Than Revenge” by shading Swift in 2016. Within the midst of Swift and Kanye West’s notorious feud that 12 months, Belle posted a cryptic quote on her Instagram and Twitter that reportedly learn, “No need for revenge. Just sit back & wait. Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves & if you’re lucky, God will let you watch.”

Why Did Taylor Swift Change Her “Better Than Revenge” Lyrics?

“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” options an up to date model of “Better Than Revenge” with new lyrics within the track’s refrain.

Within the authentic track, Swift sings, “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think. She’s an actress, whoa. She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress, whoa.” Nonetheless, within the new model, Swift swaps the ultimate line for “She’s an actress, whoa. He was a moth to the flame. She was holding the matches, whoa.”

Whereas Swift hasn’t defined the which means behind the change, it may very well be attributable to the truth that the unique lyrics had been criticized for being misogynistic.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Swift expressed remorse over centering “Better Than Revenge” round her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend reasonably than the man himself. “I was 18 when I wrote that,” she instructed the publication. “That’s the age you are when you think someone can actually take your boyfriend. Then you grow up and realise no one [can] take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.”

The place Is Camilla Belle Now?

Belle has just lately starred within the Tubi authentic movie “10 Truths About Love,” in addition to the Netflix film “Carter.” She’s additionally appeared in TV sequence like “Dollface” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”