Better Than Revenge
Speak Now (2010)
Background and Lyrical Theme
Now I’m done with superstars
And all the teardrops on her guitar
I’m not bitter
Now I see everything I need
Is the girl in front of me
She’s much better
Live Performances
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
Taylor's Thoughts on the Song Now
«I was 18 when I wrote ['Better Than Revenge']. That’s the age you are when you think someone can actually take your boyfriend. Then you grow up and realize no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.»
Lyrics
[Spoken Intro]
Now go stand in the corner and think about what you did
Time for a little revenge
[Verse 1]
The story starts when it was hot and it was summer
And I had it all, I had him right there where I wanted him
She came along, got him alone and let’s hear the applause
She took him faster than you could say “sabotage”
I never saw it coming, wouldn’t have suspected it
I underestimated just who I was dealing with
She had to know the pain was beating on me like a drum
She underestimated just who she was stealing from
[Chorus]
She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think
She’s an actress (Whoa)
She’s better known for the things
That she does on the mattress (Whoa)
Soon she’s gonna find stealing other people’s toys
On the playground won’t make you many friends
She should keep in mind, she should keep in mind
There is nothing I do better than revenge (Ha!)
[Verse 2]
She looks at life like it’s a party, and she’s on the list
She looks at me like I’m a trend and she’s so over it
I think her ever-present frown is a little troubling
She thinks I’m psycho ’cause I like to rhyme her name with things
But sophistication isn’t what you wear or who you know
Or pushing people down to get you where you wanna go
They wouldn’t teach you that in prep school, so it’s up to me
But no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity
[Chorus]
She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think
She’s an actress (Whoa)
She’s better known for the things
That she does on the mattress (Whoa)
Soon she’s gonna find stealing other people’s toys
On the playground won’t make you many friends
She should keep in mind, she should keep in mind
There is nothing I do better than revenge
[Bridge]
I’m just another thing for you to roll your eyes at, honey
You might have him, but haven’t you heard?
I’m just another thing for you to roll your eyes at, honey
You might have him but I always get the last word (Oh, whoa)
[Chorus Variation]
She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think
She’s an actress (Whoa) (She deserves it)
She’s better known for the things
That she does on the mattress (Whoa)
Soon she’s gonna find stealing other people’s toys
On the playground won’t make you many friends
She should keep in mind, she should keep in mind
There is nothing I do better than revenge
[Outro]
Do you still feel like you know what you’re doing?
‘Cause I don’t think you do (No)
Do you still feel like you know what you’re doing?
I don’t think you do, I don’t think you do
Let’s hear the applause
Come on, show me how much better you are (So much better, yeah?)
So you deserve some applause?
‘Cause you’re so much better
She took him faster than you could say “sabotage”