Taylor Swift‘s “Better Than Revenge” is not one of her most popular or strongest songs she’s ever written but it’s now going viral following the release of her re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). So, who is it about, and what is going on with the lyric changes?
Taylor Swift has just released Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). What is the album and why does it have the Taylor’s Version? Speak Now is Taylor’s third studio album and it’s also the third re-recorded album. Since she was not offered the opportunity to buy her music catalogue five years ago when Scott Borchetta sold her music to Scooter Braun, Taylor has decided to take matters into her own hands. So, the re-recordings begun.
She first started with Fearless, the second released studio album, followed by Red, the fourth studio album, and now Speak Now. Which also comes with six new From the Vault tracks.
Who Is Taylor Swift’s “Better Than Revenge” About?
Before we focus on the newly added songs, let’s talk about the OG ones. As we’ve covered who “Dear John” is about, let’s see who Taylor Swift’s “Better Than Revenge” is about.
You might know that Taylor will never confirm who the songs are about. But, like everything she does, there are signs and Easter Eggs.
And “Better Than Revenge” seems to be about actress Camilla Belle. Let’s see why.
In 2008, Taylor briefly dated Jonas Brothers‘ Joe Jonas. Following their breakup (that he did on the phone, mind you) in 2008, he started dating actress Camilla Belle. Which lead people to think that Taylor’s song was inspired by his new relationship.
Camilla, 36, is an actress and some of her notable film credits include The Ballad of Jack and Rose, When a Stranger Calls, 10,000 BC and Push. Belle has also appeared in music videos for artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5, and Jonas Brothers’ “Lovebug.”
Taylor has never addressed the song nor talk about Camilla Belle. But now she and Joe Jonas are cool and have been hanging out together, as Taylor seems to be close to Joe’s wife, actress Sophie Turner.
What About the Lyric Changes?
In the original version, Swift sang, “She’s an actress, but she’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress.”
But, although people were hoping Taylor will keep the original controversial lyrics, as un-feminist as they were, she did change them. The re-recorded version has a lyric change that says, “She’s an actress, he was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches.”
Given how much Taylor has grown as a feminist, it’s no surprise she didn’t want to sing that controversial lyric. And history was made. Now, she owns it, the way she wants to sing it.
