i am a mirrorball essay

Song Meanings and Facts

Taylor Swift

“mirrorball” by taylor swift.

by Amanda London · Published August 18, 2020 · Updated April 20, 2023

Taylor Swift uses “Mirrorball” to portray herself as a mirror ball, a mirror-like object which is often hung atop a dance floor at discos to reflect light and create a mood of excitement. Like this object, the singer admits that instead of being herself, she tries to understand and do things to please people.

Using the mirror ball metaphor, the singer could also be alluding to the fact that her music causes people to reveal different versions of themselves. As she mentions getting a person on the dance floor, she is likely making a reference to her upbeat music which gets even the quietest people excited and ready to let loose on the dance floor.

She however points out that though she has a habit of keeping people entertained, she is emotionally fragile and almost impossible to mend when she gets heartbroken.

The subsequent lyrics maintain the concept of the singer adjusting herself to be relevant to all kinds of people. Like a circus worker, she continues trying to impress people with her every move despite the criticism.

In verse 2, she tells the subject of the song that he is different and caring unlike everyone else who enjoys seeing her perform but rejoices when she is in pain. She however, concludes that somehow, she has lost a sense of her natural self and is stuck at being a people pleaser.

Taylor’s “Mirrorball” centers on a number of things. The most notable is her self-imposed obligation to change or act in order to please people that come her way. Secondly, as a mirrorball, she is telling us that she can help unveil the multiple versions of ourselves.

“Mirrorball” Particulars

Writing and Production : Taylor together with Jack Antonoff Album : Swift’s number 1 album “Folklore” Release : July 24th, 2020

Did “Mirrorball” chart?

Yes. It made its debut within the top-40 of Billboard’s “Hot 100”. It actually debuted on this chart at the 26th position.

Your Thoughts on “Mirrorball”

“I believe Taylor had me in mind when she recorded ‘Mirrorball’. I am someone whose emotions have always been disregarded and overlooked by people close to me. I have often been made to feel worthless despite all my accomplishments. Sometimes I feel like I bear the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I easily get affected by the emotions of people around me. I’m grateful to her for this tribute!”

– A Grateful Fan

“‘Mirrorball’ brings me to tears because it feels like it puts into words exactly who I am as a person. It captures my emotional and empathetic nature, as well as my tendency to overthink and prioritize the needs of others. Though it can get really tough sometimes, I don’t intend to change who I am.”

– Dave

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Song Meanings & Facts

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The Real Meaning Behind Taylor Swift's 'Mirrorball'

Taylor Swift shocked fans everywhere when she dropped a surprise album titled Folklore in July 2020 . The album became an instant hit and shattered multiple records, including garnering more than 80 million streams in a single day on Spotify, which is the highest ever for a female artist, according to BBC . Quite simply, Folklore proved why the singer is one of the best in the biz and why her incredible songwriting skills sets her apart from the rest.

At the time, Swift said that the album was the result of her imagination running wild in isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic and she shared how the songs and stories "flowed like a stream of consciousness." She explained via Instagram , "Picking up a pen was my way of escaping into fantasy, history, and memory. I've told these stories to the best of my ability with all the love, wonder, and whimsy they deserve. Now it's up to you to pass them down." Among the 16 songs on Folklore , the track "Mirrorball" quickly became a fan favorite as some believed it showed Swift's "ability to craft subtle lyrics that tell a deeper story than meets the eye."

Keep scrolling to find out the real meaning behind Swift's "Mirrorball" and which lyrics may have been inspired by Dashboard Confessional.

Some think 'Mirrorball's lyrics have a connection to Dashboard Confessional

It's no secret Taylor Swift has used her past boyfriends and feuds as inspiration for her songs . In fact, she's become known for it. However, on Folklore , she revealed the "lines between fantasy and reality blur and the boundaries between truth and fiction become almost indiscernible."

In other words, she created tales and characters based on real people and her real-life experiences. With "Mirrorball," she did just that by comparing herself — or in this case, the story's character — to the fragile, mirror-like object that is multifaceted. One Medium writer described the song as being "a perfect metaphor for a relationship that is at times shiny and beautiful and at other times delicate and fragile."

It turns out, Swift's "Mirrorball" may also have a connection to Dashboard Confessional. Per Mashable , the pop star sings , "You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes/ Spinning in my highest heels, love/ Shining just for you" and in the band's 2006 track "Stolen," frontman Chris Carrabba sings , "I watch you spin around in your highest heels." Sounds like an obvious connection, especially since Swift is a huge fan of Dashboard Confessional and is friends with Carrabba .

COMMENTS

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