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 back to Scooter Braun as Swift entered into a battle with him 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 and was later revealed by Swift that Braun had 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" (though “All Too Well” was included on the original RED album, only the 10 minute version, released after folklore includes "fuck the patriarchy") which is a significant landmark for someone who had been continuously labeled as "America's Sweetheart." The lyric's inclusion within the context of "mad woman" is especially potent as it emphasizes Swift's underlying theme. Despite having been 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 (something that is often associated with women who don't abide by societal norms, or “mad women”.

3. This line probably refers to how Swift's songwriting has often been criticized for being too breakup and relationship centric (see "Blank Space" where Swift intentionally portrays herself as a crazy person to mirror the public's idea of her) just as 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 when, in reality, most times it is because of society that women are perceived this way. In an interview where Swift describes the double-standards prevalent in the music industry, notably stating in her 2019 interview, "A man is allowed to “react”; a woman can only “overreact” (Smith 2019). Swift uses this specific societal mindset in this lyric to construct a fictional female character that is ostracized from society for appearing too vengeful and overemotional.This specific line is a call back to not only "The Man" but also "the last great American dynasty." In these examples it's important to note that the word "mad" has more than one meaning. Its definition is closely related to "insane," but through societal connotation it can also mean "angry," Swift uses both definitions interchangeably.

5. This line specifically highlights internalized misogyny and the way women are often pitted against each other which Swift addresses 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 announced her disapproval of Scooter Braun purchasing her masters and then selling them while 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 highly plausible due to the close connection Braun has with both women that he had a hand in crafting their defense of his character while also being able to hide from the backlash behind the two women.

7. This line could be a direct reference to Scooter Braun being the inspiration for the lyrics as the word "spin" can take on a double meaning alongside the rest of the lyrics. One such definition is the spinning of lies and the spinning of records which refer to Taylor's stolen records. The other meaning "the spinning of lies" is defined with the rest of the lyric "side flings" which insinuates that the person Swift refers to in this comment is cheating on his wife. How ironic that one of the women who stood up for Braun, is also someone who he has, in a sense, also betrayed.

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