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Tell Me Why

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

“Tell Me Why” is track eight on Taylor’s second studio album, Fearless (2008). It was inspired by her frustration with a boy that she liked. The re-recording of the song, “Tell Me Why (Taylor’s Version)”, was released on April 9, 2021, on Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

Background and Lyrical Theme

Taylor wrote “Tell Me Why” with her frequent colaborator at the time, Liz Rose, when opening up about her frustration concerning someone she was developing feelings for, but who didn’t know what they wanted. She talked about the song in a piece released on her old label’s website in 2010:

«I’d been talking to a guy I’ve never 'officially' dated. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing when you have all these dreams of dating them, and you’re getting close, but it doesn’t work out. He would say things that would make me go, 'Did you just say that?' It bothered me so much because he would say one thing and do another, do one thing and say another. Because he didn’t know what he wanted, he would just play all these mind games.»

Taylor Swift

At some point, Taylor went over to Liz’s house to rant: “I walked into Liz’s house and I was just ranting and raving about how this guy is such a flake and such a jerk sometimes, and so cool other times. I was like, ‘Liz, I don’t know what’s up with this guy!’ So I just started playing the beginning, ‘I took a chance, I took a shot. And you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not.'”

Live Performances

“Tell Me Why” received its first live performance on February 28, 2008, months before Taylor announced the Fearless album. The song was part of the regular setlist for her first ever concert tour, the “Fearless Tour”, which ran from 2009-2010. She also performed it several times during the promotional run for the album. Later on, it was a suprise song on her “The RED Tour” (2013-2014) stop in St. Paul on September 7, 2013. Taylor didn’t perform the song again for ten years, until she picked it as the first surprise song for her “The Eras Tour” show in Mexico City on August 25, 2023. Introducing “Tell Me Why”, she said:

«On 'The Eras Tour', I’ve been really challenging myself to play songs that I haven’t played live in a long time, or songs that I haven’t done on this tour, and this one is both of those things. So, this is one that I loved performing when we played it on the 'Fearless Tour'.»

Taylor Swift

Commercial Performance

The re-recording of the song, “Tell Me Why (Taylor’s Version)”, debuted at No. 41 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on the week ending April 15, 2021.

Taylor's Version

The re-recording of the song, “Tell Me Why (Taylor’s Version)” was released on April 9, 2021. In an interview during the promotional run for Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Taylor mentioned that “Tell Me Why” was among the songs she was most excited to re-record:

«I think having a bit of a more grown up voice really lent itself to songs like 'The Way I Loved You' and 'Tell Me Why.' Just songs that maybe I kind of struggled to master live back when I was eighteen. They were so much easier to sing now and they kind of felt more like they fit.»

Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I took a chance, I took a shot
And you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not
You took a swing, I took it hard
And down here from the ground I see who you are

[Chorus 1]
I’m sick and tired of your attitude
I’m feeling like I don’t know you
You tell me that you love me, then cut me down
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you’re around
Here’s to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you’re doing to me
Tell me why

[Verse 2]
Well, you could write a book on how to ruin someone’s perfеct day
Well, I get so confused and frustratеd
Forget what I’m tryin’ to say, oh

[Chorus 2]
I’m sick and tired of your reasons
I got no one to believe in
You tell me that you want me, then push me around
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you’re around
Here’s to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you’re doing to me
Tell me why

[Bridge]
Why…do you have to make me feel small?
So you can feel whole inside
Why…do you have to put down my dreams?
So you’re the only thing on my mind?

[Final Chorus]
I’m sick and tired of your attitude
Feeling like I don’t know you
You tell me that you want me, then cut me down
I’m sick and tired of your reasons
I’ve got no one to believe in
You ask me for my love, then you push me around
Here’s to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you’re doing to me
Tell me why
Why, tell me why, oh

[Outro]
I take a step back, let you go
I told you I’m not bulletproof
Now you know