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The Other Side Of The Door

Fearless [Platinum Edition] (2009) | Fearless (Taylor's Version) [2021]

“The Other Side Of The Door” is track six on the Platinum Edition of Taylor’s second studio album, Fearless (2008). It describes the aftermath of a fight of two people in a relationship. The re-recording of the song, “The Other Side Of The Door (Taylor’s Version)”, was released on April 9, 2021, on Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

Background

“The Other Side Of The Door” was written in early 2007. It is speculated that it is about Taylor’s high school relationship with Sam Armstrong. The other songs presumed to be about Sam are “Should’ve Said No,” “White Horse,” “You’re Not Sorry,” and “Come In With The Rain.”

Lyrical Theme

“The Other Side Of The Door” tells the story of a relationship Taylor has inadvertently ruined and one that she wants back. During their argument Taylor said things she now regrets and wishes she could take back. She’s not quite brave enough to really do it, though (apart from in a song), and so she hopes her ex will just see how badly she wants him back. In an interview with iTunes in 2009, Taylor said:

«'The Other Side Of The Door' is one of my favorites listening to because it talks about when you’re in a fight with someone you’re in a relationship with and you slam the door and you’re like [acts dramatic], 'Leave me alone, I never wanna talk to you again, I hate you!' But what you really mean is, 'Please go buy me flowers and beg that I forgive you and stand at the door and don’t leave for three days.' It’s all about the dramatics of relationships where you’re like [acts dramatic], 'I hate you so much, I never wanna talk to you again', and you mean the opposite. So that’s a fun one that I’m really excited about getting out there.»

Taylor Swift

Live Performances

Taylor first performed “The Other Side Of The Door” during her sixth headlining concert tour, “The Eras Tour” (2023-2024), 14 years after its release. It was the first surprise song during her show on April 28, 2023, in Atlanta. She introduced it by saying:

«I remember when I wrote this and I was sooo obsessed with this sort of rant that I put at the end of this song. I don't think I ever got to perform it live. And even if I did, it was not enough times. So, I'd really love to play this song! It's called 'The Other Side Of The Door'.»

Taylor Swift

She performed “The Other Side Of the Door” again on February 17, 2024, during her second “Eras Tour” show in Melbourne. It was part of the tour’s first triple-mashup, together with “Getaway Car” (2018) and “august” (2020). During her show on May 24, 2024, in Lisbon, Taylor played the song as a mashup with “The Way I Loved You” (2008) and “Come Back…Be Here” (2012).

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
In the heat of the fight, I walked away
Ignoring words that you were saying
Trying to make me stay
I said, “This time, I’ve had enough”
And you’ve called a hundred times But I’m not picking up
Cause I’m so mad, I might tell you that it’s over
But if you look a little closer

[Chorus]
I said leave, but all I really want is you
To stand outside my window throwing pebbles
Screaming, “I’m in love with you”
Wait there in the pouring rain coming back for more
And don’t you leave ’cause I know all I need
Is on the other side of the door

[Verse 2]
Me and my stupid pride are sitting here alone
Going through the photographs, staring at the phone
I keep going back over things we both said
And I remember the slamming door
And all the things that I misread
So babe, if you know everything
Tell me why you couldn’t see
When I left I wanted you to chase after me, yeah

[Bridge]
And I’ll scream out the window,
“I can’t even look at you”
I don’t need you but I do, I do, I do
I’ll say, “There’s nothing you can say To make this right again”
I mean it…I mean it
What I mean is

[Final Chorus]
I said leave, but baby all I want is you
To stand outside my window throwing pebbles
Screaming, “I’m in love with you”
Wait there in the pouring rain coming back for more
And don’t you leave ’cause I know all I need
Is on the other side of the door

[Outro]
With your face and the beautiful eyes
And the conversation with the little white lies
And the faded picture of a beautiful night, you
Carried me from your car up the stairs
And I broke down crying, was she worth this mess
After everything and that little black dress
After everything I must confess
I need you