Peak
7
Weeks
8
Score
1,077
Chart Year
2024
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On "But Daddy I Love Him," Taylor Swift lashes out at the crush of scrutiny she's been subject to from the start. Imagine living in a goldfish bowl – a very, very large and very public goldfish bowl. Every date, every misstep, every romantic entanglement dissected with the focus of a brain surgeon. That's Taylor's world, and on this particular track, she's done. Done with the expectations, done with the judgment. "But Daddy I Love Him" is a middle finger, albeit a glitter-dusted one, to the peanut gallery. It's a full-throated embrace of passion, of taking a chance on a "wild boy" who brings a touch of "chaos and revelry" – a stark contrast to the beige predictability some seem to crave for her. There's a hint of defiance in the line, "Scandal does funny things to pride, but brings lovers closer," suggesting the disapproval only fueled the fire of the romance. This wild boy, this bringer of chaos, is believed to be Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975. Their brief dalliance in 2023 seems to be the muse for much of The Tortured Poets Department, and it certainly caused a stir amongst the Swifties. Disappointment rippled through the fandom, whispers of a less-than-ideal partner (Healy has faced accusations of misogyny and racism, which he denies) swirling like autumn leaves. "But Daddy I Love Him" is the pop-infused, synth-laden big sister to "Love Story" from way back in 2009, when a young Taylor grappled with her father's disapproval. This time, the disapproving chorus is a motley crew of naysayers and disappointed fans. "But Daddy I Love Him" also shares thematic territory with "Don't Blame Me" from Swift's Reputation album. Both grapple with the media's disapproval of her love life, but with contrasting tones. "Daddy" is playful and defiant, a celebration of personal choice in love. In contrast, "Don't Blame Me" is dark and seductive, reveling in the secrecy and thrill of the romance. The title "But Daddy I Love Him" directly references the Disney 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid. It's a quote from the rebellious mermaid Ariel, who pleads with her disapproving father, King Triton, when she falls for the human Prince Eric. Taylor Swift co-wrote the song with The National multi-instrumentalist Aaron Dessner. They co-produced the track alongside Jack Antonoff. The verses are instrumented by fingerpicked guitars, reminiscent of Swift's Dessner-produced Folklore track "Invisible String." "But Daddy I Love Him" runs 5:40, making it the longest of the 31 tracks on The Tortured Poets Department.
I forget how the West was won I forget if this was ever fun I just learned these people only raise you to cage you Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best Clutching their pearls, sighing, "What a mess" I just learned these people try and save you 'Cause they hate you Too high a horse for a simple girl To rise above it They slammed the door on my whole world The one thing I wanted Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned Screaming, "But, daddy, I love him I'm having his baby" No, I'm not, but you should see your faces I'm telling him to floor it through the fences No, I'm not coming to my senses I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid Tendrils tucked into a woven braid Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all He was chaos, he was revelry Bedroom eyes like a remedy Soon enough the elders had convened Down at the city hall "Stay away from her" The saboteurs protested too much Lord knows the words we never heard Just screeching tires and true love And I'm running with my dress unbuttoned Screaming, "But, daddy, I love him I'm having his baby" No, I'm not, but you should see your faces I'm telling him to floor it through the fences No, I'm not coming to my senses I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want I'll tell you something right now I'd rather burn my whole life down Than listen to one more second of all this griping and moaning I'll tell you something 'bout my good name It's mine alone to disgrace I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing God save the most judgmental creeps Who say they want what's best for me Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I'll never see Thinking it can change the beat Of my heart when he touches me And counteract the chemistry And undo the destiny You ain't gotta pray for me Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy If all you want is gray for me Then it's just white noise, and it's just my choice There's a lot of people in town that I Bestow upon my fakest smiles Scandal does funny things to pride, but brings lovers closer We came back when the heat died down Went to my parents and they came around All the wine moms are still holding out, but, it's over Now I'm dancing in my dress in the sun and Even my daddy just loves him I'm his lady And, oh my God, you should see your faces Time, doesn't it give some perspective? And no, you can't come to the wedding I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want I'll tell you something right now You ain't gotta pray for me Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy (He was chaos, he was revelry) If all you want is gray for me Then it's just white noise, and it's my choice Screaming, "But, daddy I love him" I'm having his baby" No, I'm not But you should see your faces But, oh my God, you should see your faces (He was chaos, he was revelry)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 4, 2024 | 7 | 119 |
| 2 | May 11, 2024 | 18 | 108 |
| 3 | May 18, 2024 | 30 | 96 |
| 4 | May 25, 2024 | 30 | 96 |
| 5 | Jun 1, 2024 | 54 | 72 |
| 6 | Jun 8, 2024 | 65 | 61 |
| 7 | Jun 15, 2024 | 66 | 60 |
| 8 | Jun 22, 2024 | 85 | 41 |