The Meaning and Significance of The Archer - Taylor Swift, About Reflection in Relationships

Kapanlagi.com - Taylor Swift always manages to captivate fans with her honest and heartfelt lyrics. One of her most introspective works is the song The Archer, which was released as a promotional single in July 2019.

This song is part of her seventh studio album, Lover, which was launched in the same year. The meaning of The Archer invites listeners to reflect on vulnerability, anxiety, fragility, and self-introspection. Here is the meaning of the song The Archer.

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1. Lyrics of The Archer - Taylor Swift

Lyrics of The Archer - Taylor Swift (credit: Instagram.com/taylorswift/)

Combat, I'm ready for combat
Bertempur, aku siap bertempur

I say I don't want that, but what if I do?
Kubilang aku tidak menginginkannya, tapi bagaimana jika aku melakukannya?

'Cause cruelty wins in the movies
Kekejaman memang selalu menang di dalam film

I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you
Aku punya ratusan pidato yang hampir kukatakan padamu

Easy they come, easy they go
Mereka mudah datang, mudah pula mereka pergi

I jump from the train, I ride off alone
Aku turun dari kereta sendirian

I never grew up, it's getting so old
Aku tidak pernah tumbuh dewasa karena sudah terlalu tua

Help me hold onto you
Bantu aku bertahan untukmu

I've been the archer
Aku telah menjadi pemanah

I've been the prey
Aku telah menjadi mangsa

Who could ever leave me, darling?
Siapa yang bisa meninggalkan ku, sayang?

But who could stay?
Namun juga, siapa yang bisa bertahan?

Dark side, I search for your dark side
Sisi gelap, aku mencari sisi gelap mu

But what if I'm alright, right, right, right here?
Tapi bagaimana jika aku baik-baik saja di sini?

And I cut off my nose just to spite my face
Dan aku memotong hidung ku hanya untuk melukai wajah ku

Then I hate my reflection for years and years
Kemudian aku benci melihat bayangan ku selama bertahun-tahun

I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost
Aku terbangun di malam hari dan berjalan seperti hantu

The room is on fire, invisible smoke
Ruangan itu terbakar dengan asap yang tak terlihat

And all of my heroes die all alone
Dan semua pahlawan ku mati sendirian

Help me hold onto you
Bantu aku bertahan untukmu

I've been the archer,
Aku telah menjadi pemanah

I've been the prey
Aku telah menjadi mangsa

Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling?
Berteriak, yang bisa meninggalkan ku, sayang?

But who could stay?
Namun juga, siapa yang bisa bertahan?

(I see right through me, I see right through me)
(Aku memahami diriku sendiri)

'Cause they see right through me
Karena mereka memahami diriku

They see right through me
Mereka memahami ku

They see right through
Mereka memahami ku

Can you see right through me?
Bisakah mereka memahami ku?

They see right through
Mereka memahami ku

They see right through me
Mereka memahami ku

I see right through me
Aku memahami diriku sendiri

I see right through me
Aku memahami diriku sendiri

All the king's horses, all the king's men
Semua kuda dan pasukan raja

Couldn't put me together again
Tidak bisa menyatukan ku lagi

'Cause all of my enemies started out friends
Karena semua musuh ku mulai bersekutu

Help me hold onto you
Bantu aku bertahan untukmu

I've been the archer
Aku telah menjadi pemanah

I've been the prey
Aku telah menjadi mangsa

Who could ever leave me, darling?
Siapa yang bisa meninggalkan ku, sayang?

But who could stay?
Namun juga, siapa yang bisa bertahan?

(I see right through me, I see right through me)
(Aku memahami diriku sendiri)

Who could stay?
Siapa yang bisa bertahan?

Who could stay?
Siapa yang bisa bertahan?

Who could stay?
Siapa yang bisa bertahan?

You could stay
Kau bisa bertahan

You could stay
Kau bisa bertahan

You
Kau

Combat, I'm ready for combat
Bertempur, aku siap bertempur

2. Meaning of The Archer: Deep Introspection

Meaning of The Archer (credit: Instagram.com/taylorswift/)

The song The Archer is an introspective journey of Taylor Swift into herself. This song serves as a vessel for the star to reflect on her insecurities and struggles with identity.

The Archer tells about two conflicting situations one must face in life, depicting the struggle between the desire to survive and the unwillingness to fight anymore. The opening lyrics Combat, I'm ready for combat. I say I don't want that, but what if I do? show strength and readiness to face emotional challenges or conflicts in relationships.

3. When the Heart Becomes the Target: Vulnerability and Insecurity

This song boldly explores themes of vulnerability and insecurity that are often hidden. It expresses feelings of confusion and anxiety when forming relationships. Where one desires stable love yet, on the other hand, fears losing the loved one.

Through The Archer, Taylor Swift seems to remind us that as much as we care for someone, we shouldn't place our hopes for happiness on that person. True happiness must come from within ourselves, not depend on others.

4. The Archer and the Prey: Dual Roles in Relationships

The message in the song The Archer (credit: Instagram.com/TAS Rights Management)

The title The Archer seems to explore two complex roles. The lyrics of this song depict Swift as both the "archer" and the "prey," showcasing the dynamics of the relationship she feels. This is reflected in the lyrics, I've been the archer/I've been the prey/Who could ever leave me, darling?/But who could stay?

5. The Arrow of Regret: Past Mistakes and Betrayal

Arrow of Regret: Mistakes of the Past and Betrayal (credit: Instagram.com/TAS Rights Management)

The song The Archer also contains a message about regret for past mistakes and experiences of betrayal. It laments the destruction of its past relationships, both platonic and romantic, with lyrics like Cause cruelty wins in the movies / I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you. This reflects moments when it feels unable to express its feelings honestly.

There is also a sense of regret for unspoken words and missed opportunities. It also talks about how easily people come and go in its life. Meanwhile, the lyrics All the king's horses, all the king's men / Couldn't put me together again / 'Cause all of my enemies started out friends imply the difficulty of fully recovering after betrayal.

6. QnA Meaning of the Song The Archer - Taylor Swift

1. When was the song The Archer released?

The song The Archer was released as a promotional single on July 24, 2019, before the album Lover was launched.

2. What is the main meaning of the song The Archer?

The main meaning of this song is Taylor Swift's introspective reflection on vulnerability, past mistakes, struggles with identity, and dual roles in relationships, where she feels both strong and weak.

3. What does the lyric I've been the archer, I've been the prey mean?

This lyric describes Taylor Swift's dual role in relationships, where she can be the strong archer as well as the "prey" who is vulnerable and easily hurt.

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7. "Combat": Readiness to Face Emotional Conflict

Despite being full of vulnerability, "The Archer" also shows Taylor Swift's resilience. The song concludes that she is ready to fight and battle, even with doubts.

The opening lyrics "Combat, I'm ready for combat. I say I don't want that, but what if I do?" display ambivalence and readiness to face emotional challenges or conflicts in relationships. This is an acknowledgment that she might want the fight.

This message flows as strength and support to remain strong amidst difficulties. Swift conveys that despite fears, she will stand firm and face whatever comes her way.

8. Enemies Within: Betrayal and Pain

This song also touches on the bitter experience of betrayal by those closest to her. Swift expresses deep pain from being betrayed by those who were once friends.

The lyrics "All the king's horses, all the king's men / Couldn't put me together again / 'Cause all of my enemies started out friends" reference the children's rhyme Humpty Dumpty. This implies the difficulty of fully recovering after betrayal.

"Everyone becomes an enemy, whether it's people she used to date, those who betrayed her, or those who dislike her new relationship," is an analysis from LirikTerjemahan.id. This illustrates how "when oneself becomes the enemy" can occur when trust is betrayed.

9. Self-Reflection: Finding Strength in the Midst of the Storm

In the end, "The Archer" is a song about deep self-reflection. Swift uses this song to understand who she is amidst her various life experiences.

She questions her identity, her relationships with others, and how she faces challenges. Lyrics like "I jump from the train, I ride off alone / I never grew up, it's getting so old" describe feelings of insecurity and loneliness.

However, behind all that vulnerability, there is a message about the search for strength and self-acceptance. "The Archer" is a reminder that the process of self-reflection, although painful, is the key to growth and finding inner peace.

(kpl/nlw)