Right where she left me: Taylor Swift stuns again with 'evermore' bonus track

A bonus track was not right where Taylor Swift should have left this song. Swift’s single, right where you left me from the deluxe version of her latest album, evermore, proves Swift’s storytelling genius yet again.

The single, which was released in conjunction with the rest of the album’s extended edition in January 2021, opens with the acknowledgment of something we all know: the passing of time.

As life goes on, Swift says things change, such as seeing “friends break up” and “friends get married” and “strangers get born” and “strangers get buried.” But even when trends change and rumors are spread, as Swift says, the main character of this story remains in the same place.

With no context of the song’s story, Swift hooks her audience with this opening verse as it is a universally applicable tale – time tends to pass us by before we can catch up to or come to terms with it.  

By the second verse, the listener has been painted a more specific scene. Swift positions the song’s main character in the corner of a restaurant, with passersby feeling sympathy for an emotional situation she finds herself in. This is told through the lyrics “they say, ‘what a sad sight.’” Then, using the saying “you could hear a hair pin drop,” Swift creatively depicts the intensity of the setting, indicating a quiet and secluded environment with a tense protagonist.

With the conclusion of this verse, we learn the character is “expected to find somewhere, some perspective.” This line holds a particular poignancy because in life, there is a societal expectation that those things which challenge us must change us. With this line, and Swift’s sentiment that the protagonist did not find perspective from this situation, she is challenging this norm. This is just one example of Swift’s eloquence.

Eventually we learn the situation which the character is facing is a breakup when Swift says, “Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion? Breakups happen every day, you don't have to lose it. She’s still 23 inside her fantasy.”

The listener learns that the main character is sitting in the restaurant where she was broken up with, and even when time and life moves on, part of her is still left in that restaurant.

“You left me no choice but to stay here forever,” Swift repeats throughout the song’s chorus. This line is particularly emotional, as anyone who has ever been through a breakup can attest, it is incredibly painful. Even beyond breakups, there are some experiences, moments, places or people in life that take part of you with them. This song encapsulates that feeling through both the words and the sound.

The musical choice for this song matches its message – calm but emotional. The rhythm matches the overall cool pop/alternative/indie vibe of evermore but is also catchy enough that you find yourself humming the beat. The guitar instrumental pairs well with Swift’s indulgent vocals throughout the track because they are both soft while also telling a passionate story.

This track only disappoints in the fact that Swift did not include it on the original version of the album. Poignantly written with an emotional story and elegant vocals, this song is worth the mainstage. Looking at the rest of the album, the overall storytelling is Swift’s best work yet. The way she can fit a whole story, with an overarching message and great music along with it into only a few minutes is particularly impressive throughout evermore. With right where you left me, fans are given a prime example of Swift’s talent.