"Sad Beautiful Tragic" is the twelfth track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on October 22, 2012, through Big Machine Records. It is also the twelfth track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.
Background[]
It is unclear who this song is about due to the vague messaging of the song. However, it seems to be about a love that ended painfully despite the good times that were once shared.
Taylor has said this song means a lot to her.[1]
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: While you were on a train.
The song describes the love interest as waiting for a train at the station.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Long, handwritten note, deep in your pocket
Words, how little they mean
When you're a little too late
I stood right by the tracks
Your face in a locket
Good girls, hopeful they'll be and long they will wait
[Chorus]
We had a beautiful magic love there
What a sad, beautiful tragic love affair
[Verse 2]
In dreams, I meet you in warm conversation
We both wake in lonely beds in different cities
And time is taking its sweet time erasing you
And you've got your demons
And darlin', they all look like me
[Chorus]
'Cause we had a beautiful magic love there
What a sad, beautiful tragic love affair
[Bridge]
Distance, timing, breakdown, fighting
Silence, the train runs off its tracks
Kiss me, try to fix it
Could you just try to listen?
Hang up, give up
For the life of us we can't get back
[Chorus]
A beautiful magic love there
What a sad, beautiful tragic
Beautiful tragic, beautiful
What we had a beautiful magic love there (Uh-uh)
What a sad, beautiful tragic love affair
We had a beautiful magic love there
What a sad, beautiful tragic love affair
Live performances[]
Swift performed "Sad Beautiful Tragic" for the first time in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 21, 2013, on the Red Tour. Swift performed the song for the second time as the first surprise song in Arlington, Texas, on March 31, 2023, on The Eras Tour.
Official audio[]
References[]
| RED | ||
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| "State of Grace" • "Red" • "Treacherous" • "I Knew You Were Trouble" • "All Too Well" • "22" • "I Almost Do" • "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" • "Stay Stay Stay" • "The Last Time" • "Holy Ground" • "Sad Beautiful Tragic" • "The Lucky One" • "Everything Has Changed" • "Starlight" • "Begin Again" | ||
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