Analysis of Taylor Swift’s “tolerate it”

When asked to name a Taylor Swift song, most people think of “Shake it Off,” “Cruel Summer,” or another pop hit. While these songs are valid in their own respects, they are associated with  silly romances and a stereotypical pop-music beat, causing Swift to be characterized by this one niche. This general view disregards the complex pieces she produces, which show another side of artistry that one normally does not think of when hearing the name “Taylor Swift.” Plenty of her songs delve beyond surface-level topics through her utilization of piercing lyrics and strategic musical moves, with a stunning example being “tolerate it,” from the evermore album. “tolerate it” diverges from typical upbeat pop to discuss topics such as loneliness, age gaps, and pain in romantic relationships, illustrating how musicians shape music to convey emotion and spark needed conversation surrounding topics, regardless of their widely acknowledged “style.” 

The first verse of “tolerate it” tip-toes into the song through its quaint piano tune, representing a sense of fragility in a relationship. The song is set in the first person, most likely a young woman from context clues given in interviews by Swift. The utilization of first-person pronouns until the last line of the first verse indicates a one-sidedness to the relationship between a young woman and their older partner. While the narrator takes care to observe their partner, their partner is largely unresponsive, wrapped up in their own world. This verse paints a realistic picture of relationships, where individuals sometimes feel forced to respect their partner’s emotions even when the dynamics of the relationship are unevenly divided.

 

The chorus of “tolerate it” commences with a faster-paced beat, reminiscent of a heartbeat. This sound likely represents fear and nervousness, indicating that the narrator typically does not express their emotions, and is further seen with Swift’s shaky breaths. The line “and watch you tolerate it” lies in the middle of the chorus and conveys a sense of irony, as one may assume that the more tolerant person in this case is the narrator dealing with their partner's apathy. Using irony, Swift highlights the unfairness of the situation that the narrator has found themself in, while also commenting on the oblivion of the narrator. She also touches on how power imbalances within relationships lead to over-dependence. The chorus opens with the lyrics “I wait by the door like I’m just a kid/Use my best colors for your portrait.” The metaphor of being a child indicates that the narrator’s innocence about their relationship leads to a dependence on their partner, as a child is dependent on a parent. The second line is the effect of this over-dependence, where the narrator pours all of their energy and trust into this person. We then can see how, after living in dependence, it can be hard to gain self-confidence. In the lines “In my head, tell me now/Tell me I’ve got it wrong somehow,” the narrator has a begging tone, which reveals that they want to remain in this sort of childish naivety; however, these lines are not necessarily a critique of the narrator. Instead, they illustrate a larger issue in which those who are repeatedly sized down in romantic relationships doubt their own abilities. 

The second verse peels back into a similar format as the first verse, with the same melody and instruments. The stylistic choice of repeating the verse structure, popular in many songs, takes on a new meaning as it can be used to show the cycle of emotional abuse in relationships. By repeating the verse, which chronicles the narrator’s day-to-day, this represents how, in certain situations, the days may feel like a loop, as though there is no change in sight. The bridge is arguably the most heart-wrenching section of the ballad, where the narrator faces their partner in a seething, passion-filled confession of her pent-up emotions. She begins the bridge by asking him,“Where's that man who'd throw blankets over [her] barbed wire?” From this, it may be gained that she had experienced some form of adversity in the past, and her partner has shown her a twisted version of themself, manipulating her to the state in which she is currently. This line shows the value of connecting with those who are suffering, for they are most vulnerable to outside attacks. The narrator then attacks her partner's opinion of her existence with a mocking tone, singing “always takin' up too much space or time.” The tone expresses the impossibility of leading a fulfilling existence under the oppression of an overbearing partner. The bridge then ends with an accusation; “You assume I'm fine, but what would you do if I,” raising the possibility of breaking away in such a relationship, with sufficient support. 

The song leaves us with a variation on the chorus, which sparks hope in listeners, including the line “Believe me, I could do it,” after listing all the actions she could do to release herself from the pressure of the relationship. The chorus, while it does not suggest a happy ending, does indicate that there can be hope for those who are struggling. 

While “tolerate it” is beautiful on its own, it is also on the Era’s Tour setlist and has a lovely performance number between Swift and dancer Raphael Thomas to accompany the ballad.

 

All songs have some sort of value, as their very release will create some change in the world, whether in the creator or their audience. “tolerate it” brings value to the music industry by raising awareness of topics that are apparent yet ignored in our society. It is important to look past the stereotypes of artists and respect every one of their creations, especially considering the gems one may find.