Behind the Overnight Sensation: “Midnights”
October 21 will go down as a golden date in the calendar of Swifties worldwide. Why? Taylor Swift, the queen of cryptic lyrics and heart-tugging tunes, released her latest album “Midnights,” and it’s taken over airwaves, playlists, and heartstrings. From professional critics to the fans who’ve tattooed her lyrics on their souls, the consensus is clear: “Midnights” is a smash hit.
“Midnights has earned widespread acclaim from professional critics and casual fans alike, with many praising its first single, ‘Anti-Hero,’ as one of Swift’s best songs to date.”
“Anti-Hero” – A Microcosm of Melodies and Mysteries
Speaking of the album, one track seems to be garnering special attention: “Anti-Hero.” Serving as a narrative pulse to Swift’s insecurities and anxieties, this song flawlessly mixes personal reflections and hypothetical ponderings.
“The song is mostly about Taylor Swift’s insecurities and anxieties in life on both a personal level (‘I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror’) and a hypothetical one (‘I have this dream my daughter-in-law kills me for the money’).”
Yet, in classic Swiftian fashion, “Anti-Hero” has left listeners dissecting a particularly puzzling lyric: “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby.”
The Enigmatic “Sexy Baby” Lyric Unpacked
Younger fans and even some long-time followers were a bit thrown off by the term “sexy baby,” but here’s where things get interesting. As complex as Swift’s lyrics can be, they often come with layered meanings that require a detective’s eye.
The phrase “sexy baby” has roots in an episode of the Tina Fey-created sitcom “30 Rock,” specifically Season 5, Episode 16 titled “TGS Hates Women.”
“In the episode, the Saturday Night Live-style TGS with Tracy Jordan hires a new female writer who protagonist Liz Lemon accuses of acting like a ‘sexy baby’ to seduce men. She purposefully acts dumb and talks in a high-pitched, childish voice.”
Considering this, Swift may very well be criticizing society’s tendency to put on facades or act in certain ways to be more appealing to others.
Did “Sexy Baby” Stir Old Feuds?
For those pop-culture aficionados among us, the “sexy baby” lyric could be more than just a reflection of societal norms; it could also be an Easter egg or even a nod to a past feud with Tina Fey. Some fans will remember that there was a bit of tension between Taylor Swift and the “30 Rock” creator.
“Swift said to Vanity Fair, ‘There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.'”
However, Taylor Swift and Amy Poehler, Fey’s comedic partner, seemed to have buried the hatchet when they presented together at the 2020 Golden Globes. Whether the line is a dig at Fey or merely an Easter egg for fans to dissect remains unclear.
The Swift Enigma Continues
In true Taylor Swift style, “Anti-Hero” and the broader “Midnights” album are works of art that keep us guessing, talking, and most importantly, feeling. Whether dissecting a mysterious lyric or identifying with her raw vulnerability, Taylor Swift has once again proven why she remains a resonating force in the music industry. Will she offer more insights into the enigmatic lyrics of “Anti-Hero”? Only time will tell, but until then, we’ll keep analyzing and, of course, singing along.
So, whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard Swiftie, one thing is for certain: “Midnights” is an album that will keep you up past yours.
