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Track 4 On
folklore
View Tracklist
exile
Taylor Swift
“exile” describes two ex-lovers seeing each other following a break-up. Justin
Vernon describes feelings of confusion about how quickly a lover moved on, while
Swift offers a… Read More
Featuring

Bon Iver
Produced by

Aaron Dessner
Release Date

July 24, 2020

View All Credits
129
1.2M
111
47
[Verse 1: Justin Vernon]
I can see you standing, honey
With his arms around your body
Laughin', but the joke's not funny at all
And it took you five whole minutes
To pack us up and leave me with it
Holdin' all this love out here in the hall

[Chorus: Justin Vernon]

I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before

[Post-Chorus: Justin Vernon]

Ooh, ooh, ooh

[Verse 2: Taylor Swift]

I can see you starin', honey
Like he's just your understudy
Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me
Second, third, and hundredth chances
Balancin' on breaking branches
Those eyes add insult to injury

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]

I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
I'm not your problem anymore
So who am I offending now?
You were my crown, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
So I'm leaving out the side door

[Bridge: Justin Vernon, Taylor Swift & Both]

So step right out, there is no amount
Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very thin line
You didn't even hear me out (You didn't even hear me out)
You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
All this time
I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)
I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
So many signs, so many signs
You didn't even see the signs

[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Justin Vernon, Taylor Swift]

I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
So I'm leavin' out the side door
[Outro: Justin Vernon & Taylor Swift]
So step right out, there is no amount
Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very thin line
You didn't even hear me out (Didn't even hear me out)
You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
All this time
I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)
I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
You never gave a warning sign (All this time)
(So many times) I never learned to read your mind
(So many signs) I couldn't turn things around (I couldn't turn things around)
'Cause you never gave a warning sign (You never gave a warning sign)
You never gave a warning sign
Ah, ah
About
5 Contributors
“exile” describes two ex-lovers seeing each other following a break-up. Justin
Vernon describes feelings of confusion about how quickly a lover moved on, while
Swift offers a perspective about repeated warning signs that the relationship was
no longer working. It’s also worth noting the contrast between Vernon’s rougher
voice and Swift’s smoother one, which mirrors the contrast between their views of
the relationship.

The song prompted many comparisons to Swift’s 2012 track “The Last Time,” another
song that discusses the downfall of a relationship. Much like “exile,” Swift and
featured artist Gary Lightbody’s voices contrast in tone, highlighting their
differences.

“exile” is one of many folklore songs to contain a movie motif — other songs to do
so include “the 1,” “this is me trying,” and “hoax.” It’s also her first
collaboration with Bon Iver, who she called one of her “musical heroes” in an
Instagram post announcing folklore.

Expand ⬎
folklore (2020)
Taylor Swift
1.
the 1
2.
cardigan
3.
the last great american dynasty
4.
exile
5.
my tears ricochet
6.
mirrorball
7.
seven
8.
august
9.
this is me trying
10.
illicit affairs
11.
invisible string
12.
mad woman
13.
epiphany
14.
betty
15.
peace
16.
hoax
Credits
Written By
Justin Vernon, William Bowery & Taylor Swift
Orchestration
Bryce Dessner
Vocals
Taylor Swift & Justin Vernon
Drum Programmer
Aaron Dessner
Mastering Engineer
Randy Merrill
Vocal Engineer
Justin Vernon & Laura Sisk
Recording Engineer
Jonathan Low & Aaron Dessner
Studio Personnel
Randy Merrill, Justin Vernon, Laura Sisk, Jonathan Low & Aaron Dessner
Viola
Rob Moose
Violin
Rob Moose
Percussion
Aaron Dessner
Synthesizer
Aaron Dessner
Electric Guitar
Aaron Dessner
Piano
Aaron Dessner
Release Date
July 24, 2020
Expand ⬎

Comments
Add a comment
BlameItOnCharles
Contributor
13 days ago
what a sad breakup song 😢 they know their relationship would end from the very
start but at least they have tried…. Taylor whyyyy you making me cry with this
album? 😢

+169
Josiah Botting
Editor
13 days ago
this is beautiful, the contrast of their vocals fits perfectly. I am in love!!!

+134
Ssaa10dec
Moderator
13 days ago
THIS IS EVERYTHING I IMAGINED IT TO BE AND BETTER

+100
CorrieBar
13 days ago
this has huge “The Last Time” vibes, gave me chills 🥺

+93
frailstateofmind
Contributor
13 days ago
BRIDGE YES SOUNDS I LOVE IT

+83
marianaleal
13 days ago
This is pure poetry, and his voice mixed with Taylor’s it’s just magical

+51
BenjaminWilson
13 days ago
“I’m not your problem anymore. So who am I offending now?” in taylor’s chorus.

+44
JJKYN
Contributor
13 days ago
Love this song.

+37
KenjiLaderasDagdag
Contributor
13 days ago
The last time part 2 🔥🔥🔥

+33
geeorgie
13 days ago
I’m so dead now.

+32
Expand ⬎

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