The Real Meaning Behind Taylor Swift’s ‘Cardigan’ Lyrics

Released on 24 July 2020, as part of Taylor Swift’s Folklore, “Cardigan” is a song that takes you on a journey through longing, youthful mistakes, and the bittersweet aftermath of first love.

Co-written with Aaron Dessner, the track marks Swift’s shift towards a more stripped-down, indie sound, with its folk, soft rock, and indie rock influences resonating through a piano-driven melody.

What Is the Meaning Behind the “Cardigan” Lyrics?

“Cardigan” unravels the bittersweet tangle of memory and love—those moments that linger long after a relationship ends, like a favourite sweater you can’t quite part with.

It captures the sense of being set aside, only to be picked up again when the chill sets in.

As Swift sings, “And when I felt like I was an old cardigan / Under someone’s bed / You put me on and said I was your favourite,” she paints a vivid picture of being cherished and then forgotten, much like a relationship that has lost its spark but is remembered fondly later.

“Cardigan” Lyrics Explained: The Story of Betty and Her Longing

Those looking for a deeper explanation of the ‘Cardigan’ lyrics will find that the track fits into a trilogy of songs on Folklore—alongside “August” and “Betty“—that explores a teenage love triangle.

“Cardigan” tells the story from Betty’s viewpoint, reflecting on a romance that lingers in her memory.

With lines like “I knew you’d haunt all of my what-ifs,” Swift touches on the lingering impact of lost love, making “Cardigan” a masterclass in introspective songwriting.

A Visual Wonderland: The Cardigan Music Video

The music video for “Cardigan” is a visual delight, written and directed by Swift herself.

Shot during the pandemic, the video is a whimsical journey through different worlds that unfold from a seemingly ordinary piano.

One moment, Swift is in a candlelit cabin; the next, she’s in a moss-covered forest, followed by a tumultuous sea.

These shifts in scenery symbolise the emotional phases of a relationship—its warmth, chaos, and eventual return to a place of comfort.

Swift shared on social media that strict precautions were taken during filming, saying, “The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling.”

Editor Chancler Haynes, special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller and set designer Ethan Tobman. The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 23, 2020

This insight gives fans a glimpse into the challenges of creating such a dreamy, otherworldly video in the midst of the pandemic.

The video’s aesthetic—laden with cottagecore vibes—matched perfectly with the dreamy sound of the song.

It’s no surprise that the video and its imagery spurred a wave of fan theories, ranging from nods to past relationships to interpretations of her artistic influences.

Easter Eggs Hidden in the Cardigan Music Video

True to Taylor Swift’s style, the “Cardigan” music video is packed with Easter eggs that keep fans speculating.

The video features various symbolic elements, like the photograph of Swift’s grandfather, a nod to her family roots and past.

Additionally, the settings in the video—from the cosy cabin to the moss-covered forest and the turbulent sea—each represent different phases of a relationship, hinting at the emotional rollercoaster of love.

One of the standout references is to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, with the line, “Tried to change the ending / Peter losing Wendy.”

This allusion to the classic story captures the theme of wanting to rewrite an inevitable separation, much like the characters who try to hold onto youth and innocence but ultimately grow apart.

Fans have also noted that the clock pointing to 1:13 in the video is a subtle nod to Swift’s lucky number, 13, which has been a recurring motif throughout her career.

These hidden clues make “Cardigan” more than just a music video—they turn it into a treasure hunt for fans, allowing them to decode the layered meanings behind each scene.

Chart Success and Cultural Impact

“Cardigan” made an impressive debut, landing at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Swift’s sixth chart-topping single in the United States.

Simultaneously, Folklore debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Swift the first artist to achieve this feat in the same week.

The track’s success was echoed globally, reaching the top ten in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Beyond the charts, “Cardigan” resonated with listeners as a song that encapsulated the isolation and introspection of the lockdown era.

It was more than just a love song; it was a reminder that even when we feel like we’ve been left behind, there’s always a part of us worth rediscovering.

Why “Cardigan” Still Matters

“Cardigan” remains a fan favourite, not just for its poetic lyrics and intimate production, but for the way it captures the essence of growing up and looking back.

It’s a song about the scars we carry and the stories we tell ourselves about what could have been.

As Swift once said, “I knew you’d linger like a tattoo kiss, I knew you’d haunt all of my what-ifs”—a line that perfectly encapsulates the lingering nature of young love and the ghosts of our past that we never quite shake off.

Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or a casual listener, “Cardigan” offers a beautifully crafted glimpse into the complexities of love and memory.

It’s the kind of song that wraps around you like—well, like an old, beloved cardigan.

Taylor Swift cardigan Lyrics

Verse 1
Vintage tee, brand new phone
High heels on cobblestones
When you are young, they assume you know nothing
Sequin smile, black lipstick
Sensual politics
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Chorus
But I knew you
Dancin’ in your Levi’s
Drunk under a streetlight, I
I knew you
Hand under my sweatshirt
Baby, kiss it better, I

Refrain
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan
Under someone’s bed
You put me on and said I was your favorite

Verse 2
A friend to all is a friend to none
Chase two girls, lose the one
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Chorus
But I knew you
Playing hide-and-seek and
Giving me your weekends, I
I knew you
Your heartbeat on the High Line
Once in twenty lifetimes, I

Refrain
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan
Under someone’s bed
You put me on and said I was your favorite

Bridge
To kiss in cars and downtown bars
Was all we needed
You drew stars around my scars
But now I’m bleedin’

Chorus
‘Cause I knew you
Steppin’ on the last train
Marked me like a bloodstain, I
I knew you
Tried to change the ending
Peter losing Wendy, I
I knew you
Leavin’ like a father
Running like water, I
And when you are young, they assume you know nothing

Verse 3
But I knew you’d linger like a tattoo kiss
I knew you’d haunt all of my what-ifs
The smell of smoke would hang around this long
‘Cause I knew everything when I was young
I knew I’d curse you for the longest time
Chasin’ shadows in the grocery line
I knew you’d miss me once the thrill expired
And you’d be standin’ in my front porch light
And I knew you’d come back to me
You’d come back to me
And you’d come back to me
And you’d come back

Refrain
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan
Under someone’s bed
You put me on and said I was your favorite