The 1 Lyrics – Taylor Swift

Q: Who is the music producer of "The 1" Song?

"The 1" song music compose & produce by Aaron Dessner.

English 37K July 24, 2020

The lyrics of "The 1" by Taylor Swift reflects on a past romantic relationship and explores the what-ifs and the bittersweet nostalgia associated with it. The lyrics delve into the idea of missed opportunities, the passage of time, and the acceptance that certain connections were fleeting. Taylor Swift navigates through the emotions of longing, regret, and the acknowledgment that some things are simply not meant to be. ...Read More

The 1 Lyrics

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
I'm doing good, I'm on some new sh!t
Been saying "yes" instead of "no"
I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though
I hit the ground running each night
I hit the Sunday matinée
You know the greatest films of all time were never made

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift]
I guess you never know, never know
And if you wanted me, you really should've showed
And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow
And it's alright now

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
But we were something, don't you think so?
Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you
In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one (Oh)

[Verse 2: Taylor Swift]
I have this dream you're doing cool sh!t
Having adventures on your own
You meet some woman on the internet and take her home
We never painted by the numbers, baby
But we were making it count
You know the greatest loves of all time are over now

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift]
I guess you never know, never know
And it's another day waking up alone

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
But we were something, don't you think so?
Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you
In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one

[Bridge: Taylor Swift]
I, I, I persist and resist the temptation to ask you
If one thing had been different
Would everything be different today?

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
We were something, don't you think so?
Rosé flowing with your chosen family
And it would've been sweet
If it could've been me
In my defense, I have none
For digging up the grave another time
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one (Oh)

Submitted by Rollteam

Last Update: March 3, 2024

The 1 Lyrics Meaning

The lyrics of "The 1" by Taylor Swift reflects on a past romantic relationship and explores the what-ifs and the bittersweet nostalgia associated with it. The lyrics delve into the idea of missed opportunities, the passage of time, and the acceptance that certain connections were fleeting. Taylor Swift navigates through the emotions of longing, regret, and the acknowledgment that some things are simply not meant to be.

[Verse 1]
In this opening verse, Taylor Swift reflects on her current state and mindset. She mentions that she's trying new things and being more open to opportunities ("I'm doing good, I'm on some new shit"). She's making a conscious effort to embrace positivity by saying "yes" more often instead of rejecting things ("Been saying 'yes' instead of 'no'"). The mention of seeing someone at a bus stop but realizing it wasn't them highlights the idea of mistaking strangers for someone familiar, emphasizing the theme of missed connections and uncertainty. The lines "I hit the ground running each night" and "I hit the Sunday matinée" suggest that she's keeping herself busy and engaged in activities. The reference to "the greatest films of all time were never made" implies that the best moments in life often go unfulfilled or unrealized.

[Pre-Chorus]
In the pre-chorus, Taylor Swift expresses a sense of frustration or disappointment. She suggests that if the other person had truly wanted her, they should have shown it more clearly ("And if you wanted me, you really should've showed"). The line "And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow" indicates that growth and learning come from facing challenges and difficulties.

[Chorus]
The chorus is a reflection on the past relationship. Taylor Swift reminisces about the good times they had, symbolized by the imagery of the "roaring twenties" and carefree moments like "tossing pennies in the pool." She then expresses a wish that things had turned out differently, suggesting that if her desires had come true, the person she's singing to would have been a significant part of her life ("It would've been you"). She admits that she has no defense for her tendency to revisit the past and not let it rest ("For never leaving well enough alone"). Despite the lack of defense, she acknowledges that it would have been enjoyable if this person had been the one she ended up with.

[Verse 2]
In the second verse, Taylor Swift continues to imagine the other person's life after their breakup. She envisions them living exciting and adventurous experiences ("I have this dream you're doing cool shit / Having adventures on your own"). The mention of meeting someone on the internet and taking them home hints at the idea of moving on and forming new connections. The line "We never painted by the numbers, baby / But we were making it count" underscores the uniqueness of their relationship and how they didn't conform to societal norms.

[Pre-Chorus]
This pre-chorus echoes the sentiment from the earlier one, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and relationships ("I guess you never know, never know"). It hints at the feeling of waking up alone and confronting the reality of a changed relationship.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the idea of nostalgia and longing for what could have been. Taylor Swift imagines a scenario where they're together in a happy moment, symbolized by "Rosé flowing with your chosen family." She acknowledges that it would have been sweet if they had ended up together ("And it would've been sweet / If it could've been me"). The lack of defense for revisiting the past and the acknowledgment of the fun that could have been had with this person are repeated here.

[Bridge]
The bridge reflects on the concept of fate and the idea of a single event changing the course of an entire relationship. Taylor Swift considers the possibility that if just one thing had been different, their lives could have taken an entirely new direction ("I persist and resist the temptation to ask you / If one thing had been different / Would everything be different today?").

[Chorus]
The final chorus reinforces the central themes of the song. Taylor Swift revisits the past once more, acknowledging the shared moments and experiences they had ("We were something, don't you think so?"). She imagines an alternate scenario where they could have been each other's companions ("And it would've been fun / If you would've been the one").

This is the end of "The 1 Song Lyrics" by Taylor Swift. If you discover any mistake in the song text, please send the correct lyrics by using the Contact Us form.