John Mayer's "Paper Doll" Lyrics

Paper doll, come try it on
Step out of that black chiffon
Here’s a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you

This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
My love didn’t cost a thing

You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll

Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should’ve kept my undershirt

You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll

Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don’t fly
Someone’s gonna paint you another sky

‘Cause you’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?

Sources: 1

I Knew You Were Trouble (Red)

Hidden Message: When You Saw Me Dancing

One of Taylor's favorites off her latest album Red, the track I Knew You Were Trouble features Swift's first ever dubstep inspired breakdown. There has been a lot of speculation over which of Swift's ex's is the subject of the latest breakup anthem but the majority seem to have settled on John Mayer. The lyrics  do seem to allude to those of Swift's other song about Mayer, Dear John. (And I'll look back and regret how I ignored when they said run as fast as you can.) Swift explained the song is about "kind of being frustrated with yourself because you have your heart broken and you knew when you first saw that person you saw all these red flags and you just went for it anyway." Sounds a lot like her controversial relationship with Mayer. The lyrics,  A new notch in your belt is all I'll ever be/ And now I see, now I see, now I see/ He was long gone when he met me/ And I realize the joke is on me, also seem to allude to the musician who has a notorious playboy rep. 

* We also consider Joe Jonas a potential subject due to the opening line, Once upon a time, a phrase which Swift also used in Forever and Always. She also states that the perpetrator was "a few mistakes ago" which could open up the time frame to include a relationship even as far back as Joe.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

John Mayer

Mid 2009 and Early 2010 (Dear John, The Story of Us, Superman, I Knew You Were Trouble)

Mayer tweeted about wanting to record a song with Swift in March 2009. The single Half of My Heart appeared on Mayer’s 2009 album Battle Studies. After the end of their twisted and secret relationship, Taylor wrote Dear John, which Mayer told Rolling Stone "really humiliated" him. In response, Taylor said it was presumptuous that he assumed the song had been meant for him. The Story of Us is about an encounter the two had at the 2010 CMA's. Superman was presumably written near the beginning of their relationship, and the lyric "I loved you from the very first day" is the hidden message for Dear John. Some would argue that Haunted is also about Mayer...but we may never know. The saga continues on Red with I Knew You Were Trouble - the tragic tale of Taylor's venture into "places she's never been" with the man she knew was trouble as soon as he walked in.Mayer has returned the favor penning at least two songs of his own about the relationship Paper Doll and Shadow Days.

Dear John (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: Loved You From The Very First Day

Dear John is Swift’s only track off Speak Now to directly address someone by name. Although many originally speculated that the song would refer to the traditional Dear John letter, she later confirmed that one of the songs on the album used, in typical Swift fashion, the guy’s real name. Her victim is singer-songwriter John Mayer who has known Swift for several years. The two have been linked many times over the last few years in addition to releasing a song together (Half Of My Heart). Swift has admitted that Dear John and The Story of Us share a suitor. The hidden message in the lyric booklet also hints to one of the album’s bonus tracks , reading, “loved you from the very first day.” This leads to the conclusion that Mr. Mayer inspired not one – not two – but at least three songs on Speak Now (though we have a feeling that Haunted is about him too).

Sources: 1, 2, 3

The Story Of Us (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: CMT Awards

Taylor Swift shares the background of The Story of Us in an interview saying, “It was at an awards show and there had been this falling-out between me and this guy. I think both of us had so much that we wanted to say, but we’re sitting six seats away from each other, just fighting this silent war of ‘I don’t care that you’re here.’ I remember getting home and sitting at the kitchen table and saying to my mom, ‘It was like I was standing alone in a crowded room.’ That’s when my eyes glazed over and I got distracted and walked away to write. My mom is used to me doing that.” It has been confirmed that the song refers to the 2010 CMT Awards where John Mayer performed with Keith Urban. Swift confessed in an interview with USA Today’s Brian Mansfield that Dear John and The Story of Us were both inspired by the same guy.

Sources: 1

Superman (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: n/a

The bonus track Superman from Swift's third studio album Speak Now may be about Swift's relationship with John Mayer. The line, I loved you from the very first day, is also the hidden message from the song Dear John, and just to erase any lingering doubts later croons, he's not all bad like his reputation.