A song we’ve been obsessed with lately is “Exile” – a collaboration between Taylor Swift and Bon Iver.
This is one of those collaborations where two incredibly talented artists come together to create something that is better than the sum of the parts. The song – about two former lovers sharing their perspective after their break up – is equal parts haunting and breathtaking. I could listen to the frustration in Iver’s voice as he sings “So what am I defending now?” again and again.
There’s a powerful moment in the song when the two of them share opposing takes.
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 no warning sign (I gave so many signs)
So many signs, so many signs
You didn’t even see the signs
The line “I gave so many signs” in response to the other saying “you never gave no warning sign” is so powerful.
It is emblematic of every broken relationship I’ve been in or seen – one unable to read the signs the other thinks they’re giving.
