Hey Stephen

Fearless (2008) | Fearless (Taylor's Version) [2021]

“Hey Stephen” is a song on Taylor’s second studio album , “Fearless” (2008). It is a song Taylor wrote for her then-crush Stephen Barker Liles from the country music duo Love And Theft, who were an opening act for her in 2008. The re-recording of the song, “Hey Stephen (Taylor’s Version)”, was released on April 9, 2021 on the album “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).”

The song’s hidden message in the album booklet for “Fearless” was “Love and Theft,” confirming the mysterious Stephen’s identity. Taylor explained its meaning to Philadelphia Magazine:

“This is a guy I had a crush on. I wrote about all these reasons he should be with me instead of other girls. ‘Hey Stephen/I could give you 50 reasons/Why I should be the one you choose/All those other girls are beautiful/But would they write a song for you?’ This guy has absolutely no idea I had a crush on him. It’s gonna be kind of interesting when he finds out.” — Taylor Swift

Little did Taylor know, Stephen returned her feelings. She sent him a text message when the album came out, saying “Hey, Track 4.” He then sent her a long e-mail saying “Oh, my God!” He even wrote a song for her called “Try To Make It Anyway.”

Country singer Martina McBride’s children lend finger snaps at the end of this upright-bass-propelled groove. Taylor explained to That’s Country how she got the kids involved:

“We were recording at John McBride’s (Martina McBride’s husband’s) studio and he was like, ‘My kids are dying to meet you. Do you think that you could say hi to them?’ I said, ‘Sure, have them come and hang out while we’re recording.’ So his daughters and their friends from school — there were about ten of them there — they all came into the studio when we were recording ‘Hey Stephen’ and they loved it. They were singing along with it by the end of it.” — Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceiving but I know I saw a light in you
As we walked we were talking and I didn’t say half the things I wanted to
Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window
I’ll be the one waiting there even when it’s cold
Hey Stephen, boy you might have me believing I don’t always have to be alone

[Chorus]
‘Cause I can’t help it if you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
I can’t help myself

[Verse 2]
Hey Stephen, I’ve been holding back this feeling
So I’ve got some things to say to you
I seen it all so I thought but I never seen nobody shine the way you do
The way you walk, way you talk, way you say my name
It’s beautiful, wonderful, don’t you ever change
Hey Stephen, why are people always leaving
I think you and I should stay the same

[Chorus]
‘Cause I can’t help it if you look like an angel
Can’t help I if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
I can’t help myself

[Bridge]
They’re dimming the street lights
You’re perfect for me, why aren’t you here tonight?
I’m waiting alone now so come on and come out and pull me near
Shine, shine, shine

Hey Stephen I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose
All those other girls, well they’re beautiful but would they write a song for you?

If you look like an angel
Can’t help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I’ve been feeling since I met you
Can’t help it if there’s no one else
I can’t help myself

[Outro]
Myself, can’t help myself
I can’t help myself