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Welcome Distraction

Unreleased | 2004

“Welcome Distraction” is one of Taylor’s numerous unreleased songs. She co-wrote it with the Warren Brothers in 2004. In the song, Taylor sings about not wanting to get involved in a serious relationship but falling for a guy that she can’t stay away from anyway. It was track seven on her 2004-2005 Demo CD.
Table of Contents

Background and Lyrical Theme

“Welcome Distraction” was likely written when Taylor was working for Sony as a professional songwriter and trying to get a record deal. After school, she would work under the tutelage of legendary country songwriters like Troy Verges, Brett James, and the Warren Brothers. A Billboard article from May 2005 read:

«Following the publishing tradition of developing new talent, Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing in Nashville has snagged 15-year-old songwriter/artist Taylor Swift. Arthur Buenahora, senior director of creative services and production, tells Billboard that developing a teenager presents a special challenge as he seeks other songwriters to work with her in finding a distinctive sound. Buenahora has teamed Swift with a variety of writers, not only "the usual suspects", he says. "When someone gets a record deal, publishers call up the hottest writers in town, who often blow in, write a song and blow out without commitment." Instead, Buenahora is approaching songwriters whom he believes will listen to Swift as much as mentor her. [...] Buenahora knew he wanted to sign Swift after seeing her perform at a BMI showcase. "It was a no-brainer for me. She's a real songwriter." Swift had the option to stick with RCA, but she and Sony/ATV Tree agreed it was smarter for the publisher to develop her and then approach many labels. Swift has been writing with Brett Beavers, Scooter Carusoe and the Warren Brothers. For now, they are stockpiling songs so they can cherry-pick the ones they like to record. They plan to have lots of different people cutting tracks with different producers to see what Swift falls in love with.»

Taylor worked on “Welcome Distraction” with the Warren Brothers. Brad and Brett are two Music Row veterans. They also wrote “That’s When” with Taylor, which she released as a “From The Vault” song for Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in 2021. Brad and Brett also penned “Highway Don’t Care” for Tim McGraw, which Taylor features on.

Lyrically, the song was written about a guy Taylor really liked at the time, even though she didn’t want to admit it initially. The lyrics were probably inspired by her first boyfriend, Drew.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I got a little thing I call self control
‘Cause I get a little crazy when I let too much go
Love’s a little messy and you are too
Right now I’m scared of both of you
I laugh and I play and I wasn’t gonna stray
Swore I’d never let a man in my way
You’re the last thing I needed today

[Chorus]
And I don’t know where I lost control
And couldn’t take it any longer
Must have been somewhere between
Your smile and the way you say my name
I can’t win, so I give in
The more I fight it just get’s stronger
You’re an inconvenient kind of satisfaction
Welcome distraction, welcome distraction

[Verse 2]
Gone and spilled my coffee, tryna get to the phone
‘Cause it might be you, you just never know
Can’t talk to my friends without you coming up
It’s even kind of cute, the way you cuss
I wrote your name down a hundred thousand times
‘Cause it looks so good right next to mine
You’re the last thing I needed tonight

[Chorus]
And I don’t know where I lost control
And couldn’t take it any longer
Must have been somewhere between
Your smile and the way you say my name
I can’t win, so I give in
The more I fight it just get’s stronger
You’re an inconvenient kind of satisfaction
Welcome distraction, welcome distraction

[Bridge]
I’m acting like a girl
With nothing to lose
When did I stop caring
About anything but you

[Chorus]
And I don’t know where I lost control
And couldn’t take it any longer
Must have been somewhere between
Your smile and the way you say my name
I can’t win, so I give in
The more I fight it just get’s stronger
You’re an inconvenient kind of satisfaction
Welcome distraction, welcome distraction

General Information
StatusUnreleased
Leaked2004
Written2004
GenreCountry
Length3:27
SongwritersTaylor Swift
Brad Warren
Brett Warren
Demo Audio
Taylor Swift Switzerland Logo (2022)
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