dorothea

evermore (2020)

“dorothea” is the eighth song on Taylor’s ninth alum, “evermore” (2020) , as well as the first song that she wrote for the album. Taylor referred to the titular character as a “girl who left her small town to chase down Hollywood dreams.” “’tis the damn season” is likely the story of her return back home for the holidays.

“dorothea” itself seems to be told from the point of view of an old hometown lover. Taylor has clarified the Dorothea narrative is “not a direct continuation of the Betty/James/Augustine storyline, but in [her] mind Dorothea went to the same school as Betty, James, and Inez.”

Due to another track on the album being titled “marjorie,” this song may be about Dorothea West, the sister of Marjorie West, who disappeared when she was five years old. Both girls grew up in Pennsylvania, just as Taylor did.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hey, Dorothea, do you ever stop and think about me?
When we were younger down in the park
Honey, making a lark of the misery
You got shiny friends since you left town
A tiny screen’s the only place I see you now
And I got nothing but well-wishes for ya

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, this place is the same as it ever was
Ooh, but you don’t like it that way

[Chorus]
It’s never too late to come back to my side
The stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo
And if you’re ever tired of bеing known for who you know
You know, you’ll always know me, Dorothea (Uh-uh)
Dorothea (Ah-ah)

[Post-Chorus]
Ooh, you’rе a queen sellin’ dreams, sellin’ makeup and magazines
Ooh, from you I’d buy anything

[Verse 2]
Hey, Dorothea, do you ever stop and think about me?
When it was calmer, skipping the prom just to piss off your mom and her pageant schemes
And damn, Dorothea, they all wanna be ya
But are you still the same soul I met under the bleachers? Well…

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, I guess I’ll never know
Ooh, and you’ll go on with the show

[Chorus]
But it’s never too late to come back to my side
The stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo
And if you’re ever tired of being known for who you know
You know, you’ll always know me, Dorothea (Uh-uh)
Dorothea (Ah-ah)

[Outro]
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-woo-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-woo-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Dorothea (Ah-ah-ah)
Ah-ah
Ooh

Album	evermore
Released	December 11, 2020
Recorded	2020
Genre	Alternative Country
Length	3:46
Label	Repulic Records
Songwriters	Taylor Swift Aaron Dessner
Producers	Aaron Dessner Taylor Swift