Taylor Swift - The Story of Us (Taylor's Version)

“The Story Of Us (Taylor’s Version)” was originally written, solely by Swift herself after an awkward encounter with ex John Mayer at the 2010 CMT Music Awards, where both parties tried to ignore each other’s presence. She told USA Today that she came up with the song concept after returning home from the event, after telling her mom she felt like she was “standing alone in a crowded room” throughout the evening.

On the track, Swift recalls that experience and wonders why he wouldn’t acknowledge her, and feels that their love has finally ended.

Initially, the track was the final one made for the 2010 Speak Now album, and was released as the first post-release single from the album in April, 2011.

Written By: Taylor Swift

Produced By: Christopher Rowe & Taylor Swift

[Verse 1]

I used to think one day we'd tell the story of us

How we met and the sparks flew instantly

And people would say, "They’re the lucky ones"

I used to know my place was the spot next to you

Now I'm searchin' the room for an empty seat

’Cause lately I don't even know what page you're on

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, a simple complication

Miscommunications lead to fallout

So many things that I wish you knew

So many walls up, I can't break through

[Chorus]

Now I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I’m dyin’ to know, is it killin' you

Like it’s killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since thе twist of fate

When it all broke down

And thе story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Post-Chorus]

Next chapter

[Verse 2]

How'd we end up this way?

See me nervously pulling at my clothes and tryin’ to look busy

And you're doin' your best to avoid me

I'm starting to think one day I'll tell the story of us

How I was losin' my mind when I saw you here

But you held your pride like you should've held me

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, I'm scared to see the ending

Why are we pretending this is nothin'?

I'd tell you I miss you, but I don't know how

I've never heard silence quite this loud

[Chorus]

Now I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know, is it killin' you

Like it's killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

When it all broke down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Bridge]

This is looking like a contest

Of who can act like they care less

But I liked it better when you were on my side

The battle's in your hands now

But I would lay my armor down

If you said you'd rather love than fight

[Pre-Chorus]

So many things that you wish I knew

But the story of us might be ending soon

[Chorus]

Now I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know, is it killin' you

Like it's killin' me? Yeah

And I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

When it all broke down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now, now, now

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know, is it killin' you

Like it's killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

'Cause we're goin' down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Outro]

The end

Written By: Taylor Swift

Produced By: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift

[Verse 1]

I used to think, one day, we'd tell the story of us

How we met and the sparks flew instantly

And people would say, "They're the lucky ones"

I used to know my place was the spot next to you

Now, I'm searching the room for an empty seat

'Cause lately, I don't even know what page you're on

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, a simple complication

Miscommunications lead to fallout

So many things that I wish you knew

So many walls up, I can't break through

[Chorus]

Now, I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know

Is it killin' you like it's killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

When it all broke down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Post-Chorus]

Next chapter

[Verse 2]

How'd we end up this way?

See me nervously pulling at my clothes and trying to look busy

And you're doin' your best to avoid me

I'm starting to think, one day, I'll tell the story of us

How I was losing my mind when I saw you here

But you held your pride like you should've held me

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, I'm scared to see the ending

Why are we pretending this is nothin'?

I'd tell you I miss you, but I don't know how

I've never heard silence quite this loud

[Chorus]

Now, I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know

Is it killin' you like it's killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

When it all broke down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Bridge]

This is lookin' like a contest

Of who can act like they care less

But I liked it better when you were on my side

The battle's in your hands now

But I would lay my armor down

If you said you'd rather love than fight

[Pre-Chorus]

So many things that you wish I knew

But the story of us might be ending soon

[Chorus]

Now, I'm standin' alone in a crowded room

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know

Is it killin' you like it's killin' me? Yeah

And I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

When it all broke down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now, now, now

And we're not speakin'

And I'm dyin' to know

Is it killin' you like it's killin' me? Yeah

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate

'Cause we're going down

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

[Outro]

The end

Meaning of Taylor Swift’s “The Story of Us” — The Socratic MethodThe captivating song "The Story of Us" from Taylor Swift's album "Speak Now, Taylor's Version" is a touching narrative that explores the dynamics of a love gone sour. To the casual listener, it's an outpouring of emotional honesty that weaves a tale of missed connections and misu

The Story of Us by Taylor Swift - SongfactsThe Story of Us by Taylor Swift song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position

Swift told MTV News:

"I was at an awards show, and there was a guy there, obviously — it all starts there, doesn’t it? It was a guy I had been in a relationship with, falling out, then we end up at the same awards show, both trying to act like we don’t care, both like, you know, chatting up the people next to us. Afterward, I just felt so empty, like we were both fighting this silent war of pretending we didn’t care that the other was there. And I went home, and I wrote this song about it. And at that point, I had this gut feeling, and I knew the album was finished."

Swift also told USA Today, Swift explained:

"‘The Story of Us’ is about running into someone I had been in a relationship with at an awards show, and we were seated a few seats away from each other. I just wanted to say to him, ‘Is this killing you? Because it’s killing me.’ But I didn’t. But I couldn’t. Because we both had these silent shields up. I went home and I sat there at the kitchen table and I said to my mom, ‘I felt like I was standing alone in a crowded room.’ Then I got up and ran into my bedroom, as she’s seen me do many times. And she probably assumed I had come up with a line in the song."