The Meaning Behind The Song: This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has famously used her music as a way to reveal intimate details of her personal life and share her thoughts and emotions in an open and unfiltered way. And her 2017 album “Reputation” is no exception. One of the standout tracks on the album is “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” which seems to address her very public feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

The song is an anthem for Swift, addressing the hurt and betrayal she felt at the hands of West and Kardashian and the way they shattered their friendship and trust. In the lyrics, Swift sings about how she tried to be friends with West, how he betrayed her trust and friendship by releasing the song “Famous” where he refers to her in a derogatory way, and how Kardashian then went on a smear campaign against her, exposing her private phone call with West on social media.

The lyrics of the song are a clear expression of Swift’s anger and frustration, as she takes them to task for their behavior and paints them as villains who ruined a good thing. But even as she stands up for herself, she also acknowledges that this kind of behavior and negativity is what keeps us from having nice things in life – whether it be a friendship, a relationship, or just general happiness.

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In an interview with Rolling Stone, Swift said that the song was meant to be a “kinetic” moment of release, and that it allowed her to “laugh about” the situation and “shake it off” rather than dwelling on the hurt.

FAQs:

1. What prompted Taylor Swift to write “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things?”

The song came out of the very public feud between Swift, West, and Kardashian. It seemed to have been sparked by West’s song “Famous,” where he refers to Swift in a derogatory way. Swift responded by calling him out for it, and he and Kardashian then released a recording of a phone call where West tells Swift about the song, which on the surface seemed to support his claim that he had her consent. But Swift went on to say that he didn’t fully inform her of the content of the song and she didn’t approve Kardashian releasing the recorded phone call.

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2. What’s the background of the feud between Taylor Swift and Kanye West?

The feud between Swift and West goes back to his infamous interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards where he declared that Beyoncé deserved the award instead. They seemed to have reconciled in 2015 and even performed together at the same awards show. However, the release of his song “Famous” in 2016 reignited the feud between the two artists. He refers to her in a derogatory way in the song, which she publicly called him out on in her Grammy acceptance speech.

3. Who is the song about?

While Swift has never specifically named West and Kardashian as the direct subject of the song, the lyrics make it pretty clear that she is referring to them. She sings about how she tried to be friends with someone who then betrayed her trust and exposed her private conversations for the world to see, which is very reminiscent of her situation with West and Kardashian.

4. What’s the significance of the title “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”?

The title of the song is a reference to the idea that if people can’t behave themselves and treat others with respect and kindness, we can’t have nice things in life. It’s a commentary on the way that negativity and bad behavior can ruin friendships, relationships, and even moments of happiness.

5. What was the response to the song when it was released?

The song received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Some praised Swift for her candid lyricism and sharp wit, while others criticized her for airing out her grievances in public. Some accused her of being petty and immature, while others saw it as a bold and empowering move. However, regardless of the criticism, it was a commercial success, debuting at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has remained a popular song among her fans.

6. What is the overall message of “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things?”

At the heart of the song is a message about the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, and the consequences when we don’t. Swift is calling out West and Kardashian for their bad behavior and the way they ruined a good thing, but she’s also acknowledging that this kind of negativity and bad behavior is why we can’t have nice things in life – whether it be in our personal relationships, our work, or just in general society.

7. What did Taylor Swift want to achieve with the song?

In interviews, Swift has said that the song was meant to be a moment of release for her, a chance to express her anger and frustration over the situation while also being able to laugh about it and “shake it off.” She wanted to show that she’s not going to let the negativity of others hold her back, and that she’s strong enough to stand up for herself.

8. Is “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” a diss track?

While the song is definitely a response to the feud between Swift and West/Kardashian, it’s not a traditional diss track in the sense that it’s not just a string of insults and put-downs. Swift is using her clever lyricism and sharp wit to make her point, but she’s also addressing a larger issue – the way that bad behavior and negativity can hold us back as individuals and as a society.

9. Does Taylor Swift regret writing “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things?”

Swift has never publicly commented on whether or not she regrets writing the song, but it’s unlikely that she does. She’s always been a fearless artist who uses her music to express her emotions and her thoughts on the world around her. While some may criticize her for being petty or immature, it’s clear that the song was a release for her and helped her move on from the hurt and betrayal she experienced.

10. What are some key lyrics from “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things?”

Some of the most notable lyrics from the song include: “It was so nice being friends again / There I was, giving you a second chance / But you stabbed me in the back while shaking my hand” and “Here’s a toast to my real friends / They don’t care about the he said, she said / And here’s to my baby / He ain’t reading what they call me lately”

11. How does “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” fit into the overall theme of Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” album?

The song is a fitting addition to the overall theme of the “Reputation” album, which is about Swift’s public image and the way that she’s been perceived and portrayed by the media and her detractors. “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” is a commentary on the way that public feuds and negativity can hold us back and tarnish our reputations, and it’s a message to Swift’s fans that she’s not going to let the haters get her down.

12. Did Taylor Swift ever reconcile with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian after the feud?

It’s unclear whether Swift and West and Kardashian have ever fully reconciled, as they have had a rocky relationship for years with public feuds and subsequent apologies. However, Swift has expressed that time and distance have helped her move past the pain and anger she felt during that time.