New Romantics

Single | Bonus Track | 1989 (2014)

“New Romantics” is a satirical song discussing how “new romantics” view love and life. It addresses the nonchalant and whimsical nature of the way young adults approach love. Originally a bonus track, it was released as the seventh and last single from Taylor’s fifth studio album, “1989” (2014).

The song was written by Taylor, Max Martin, & Shellback. Its name references the New Romanticism movement. Taylor adopted a more mature mindset and approach towards love as she moved from the fairy tale romanticism of her first four albums to a more carefree outlook on matters of the heart, such as this song. At the time, Taylor explained her attitude towards dating and relationships during an interview with Cosmopolitan:

“People will say, let me set you up with someone, and I’m just sitting there saying, ‘That’s not what I’m doing. I’m not lonely; I’m not looking.’ They just don’t get it. I’ve learned that just because someone is cute and wants to date you, that’s not a reason to sacrifice your independence and allow everyone to say whatever they want about you. I’m not doing that anymore. It’d take someone really special for me to undergo the circumstances I have to go through to experience a date. I don’t know how I would ever have another person in my world trying to have a relationship with me, or a family.” — Taylor Swift

On February 23, 2016, “New Romantics” was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States through Big Machine Records and Republic Records as the seventh and final single from “1989”. It eventually peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
We’re all bored, we’re all so tired of everything
We wait for trains that just aren’t coming
We show off our different scarlet letters
Trust me, mine is better

We’re so young but we’re on the road to ruin
We play dumb but we know exactly what we’re doing
We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom

[Chorus]
‘Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

Baby, we’re the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heart break is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing
To get knocked off our feet
Baby, we’re the new romantics
The best people in life are free

[Verse 2]
We’re all here, the lights and noise are blinding
We hang back, it’s all in the timing
It’s poker, he can’t see it in my face
But I’m about to play my Ace

We need love, but all we want is danger
We team up then switch sides like a record changer
The rumors are terrible and cruel
But, honey, most of them are true

[Chorus]
‘Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

[Bridge]
So come on, come along with me
The best people in life are free

Please take my hand and
Please take me dancing and
Please leave me stranded
It’s so romantic

[Chorus]
‘Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

‘Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream