Lyrically, “The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)” finds Swift singing about being in relationship with someone who’s apparently perfect for her, but missing the passion she had with her ex, even if the ex-affair was unstable, complicated and frustrating.

On 2010, Swift explained the track:

I got this idea for a song about being in a relationship with a nice guy who is punctual and opens up the door for you and brings you flowers… but you feel nothing. The whole time you’re with him, you’re thinking about the guy who was complicated and messy and frustrating.