What did you think I’d say to that?
Does a scorpion sting when fighting back? (1)
They strike to kill, and you know I will
You know I will
What do you sing on your drive home?
Do you see my face in the neighbor’s lawn?
Does she smile?
Or does she mouth, “Fuck you forever”? (2)

Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy
What about that?
And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry (3)

And there’s nothing like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that (4)
And you’ll poke that bear ‘til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there’s nothing like a mad woman

Now I breathe flames each time I talk
My cannons all firin’ at your yacht1
They say, “move on”, but you know I won’t
And women like hunting witches too (5)
Doing your dirtiest work for you (6)
It’s obvious that wanting me dad has really brought you two together

Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy
What about that?
And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry

And there's nothing like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you’ll poke that bear ‘til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there’s nothing like a mad woman

I’m taking my time, taking my time
‘Cause you took everything from me
Watching you climb, watching you climb
Over people like me
The master of spin has a couple side flings (7)
Good wives always know
She should be mad, should be scathing like me, but

No one likes a mad woman (8)
What a shame she went mad
You made her like that

***

1. This line potentially refers to Scooter Braun who Swift entered into a battle with after he purchased Big Machine Records (her previous label) along with the rights to her first six albums. In late 2020, it broke that Braun had sold the rights to her masters to Shamrock Holdings (a private investment firm notorious for aggressive takeovers). Swift later revealed that Braun had initially tried to manipulate her into a deal with him.

2. This lyric is the first time Swift has released a song that includes the word "fuck" (only the 10 minute version, released with the re-recorded album, includes "fuck the patriarchy") which is a significant for an artist who had been continuously labeled as "America's Sweetheart." The lyric, within the context of "mad woman," is especially compelling as it emphasizes Swift's underlying theme. Despite being portrayed as a "mad woman" during her previous eras (see how Hollywood media portrays Swift during 1989 or reputation), she restrained herself from using foul language which is often associated with women who don't abide by societal norms (or “mad women”).

3. This line probably references how Swift's songwriting has often been criticized for being too breakup and relationship centric. In "Blank Space" Swift intentionally portrays herself as a crazy person to mirror the public's idea of her similarly to how the woman in this song is portrayed as crazy. In a 2014 interview with Billboard, Swift explains her personal response to the critics saying "You know what? If you’re upset and irritated that I’m just being myself, I’m going to be myself more, and I’m having more fun than you so it doesn’t matter" (Graff 2014). Additionally in a 2019 interview with CBS Swift states,

   Well, when they stop coming for me, I will stop singing to them. You know, people go on and on about, like, you have to forgive and forget to move past something. No, you don’t. You don’t have to forgive and you don’t have to forget to move on. You can move on without any of those things happening. You just become indifferent, and then you move on (2019). 

4. Swift has often made several references to societal double standards throughout her songwriting, especially with how women are too easily considered crazy and hysterical by society. In reality, it is often because of societal standards that women are perceived to be hysterical. In a 2019 interview where Swift describes the double-standards prevalent in the music industry, she notably states, "A man is allowed to “react”; a woman can only “overreact” (Smith 2019). Swift uses this societal mindset to construct a fictional female character that is ostracized from society for appearing too vengeful and overemotional. This line references not only "The Man" but also "the last great american dynasty." In both songs it's important to note that the word "mad" carries more than one meaning. Its definition is related to "insane," but through societal connotations, it can also mean "angry." Swift uses both definitions interchangeably in her writing.

5. This line highlights society’s internalized misogyny and how women are often pitted against each other. Swift addresses these ideas at the end of her “The Man” music video.

6. When analyzed with the line above, Swift highlights women close to Scooter Braun who called out Swift after she publicly disapproved of Scooter Braun purchasing her masters and then selling them. Braun remained noticeably silent and used the women as a buffer to do "his dirtiest work for him." Braun’s wife Yael posted a message that claimed Swift was "throwing a temper tantrum because she didn't get her way" while Demi Lovato defended Braun as a "good man." It is plausible that because of the close connection Braun has with both women that he assisted in crafting their defense of his character while also being able to hide from the backlash.

7. This line implies that Scooter Braun was the inspiration for the lyric. Specifically, "spin" can take on a double meaning in context with other lyrics. “Spin” can refer to both the spinning of lies and the spinning of records which acts as a metaphor for Taylor's stolen records. “The spinning of lies" is defined in context with the  rest of the lyrics. "Side flings" implies that the individual Swift refers to in this lyric is cheating on his wife. It’s ironic that one of the women who stood up for Braun, is also someone who he has, in another way, also betrayed.

8. This lyric, when analyzed with the preceding lines, could refer to Scooter Braun's wife. Swift implies that Yael is not a good woman because she does the "dirty work" for Scooter. Swift states that she should be mad at Braun for what he did to Taylor, but she can’t be "mad" because no one likes a "mad woman." Interestingly, "Goodwife" was also often used as a term of respect in the 17th century during the period of the Salem witch trials which Swift references in previous lines.