On “Come Back…Be Here”, Swift croons about a lover lost to time over a simple production reminiscent of her Speak Now days. On the deluxe version of Red, it appears as the 18th track.
Although Swift has not confirmed it, this song is speculated to be about Harry Styles, one of the singers from One Direction. They apparently broke it off after a couple months.
It’s interesting to note the reference to New York in the chorus. Although the production in this song is much more simple than some of the poppier songs on Red, the production on her next album.1989 was much more poppy than this, and its sound was apparently influenced by her living in New York.
Clearly, New York became happier for her when she moved in, while before that it was a place where her lovers went after leaving her.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You said it in a simple way
4AM, the second day
How strange that I don't know you at all
Stumbled through the long goodbye
One last kiss, then catch your flight
Right when I was just about to fall
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I told myself, don't get attached
But in my mind, I play it back
Spinning faster than the plane that took you
[Chorus]
And this is when the feeling sinks in
I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back, be here, come back, be here
I guess you're in New York today
I don't wanna need you this way
Come back, be here, come back, be here
[Verse 2]
The delicate beginning rush
The feeling you can know so much
Without knowing anything at all
And now that I can put this down
If I had known what I know now
I never would've played so nonchalant
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Taxi cabs and busy streets
That never bring you back to me
I can't help but wish you took me with you
[Chorus 2]
And this is when the feeling sinks in
I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back, be here, come back, be here
I guess you're in London today
And I don't wanna need you this way
Come back, be here, come back, be here
[Bridge]
This is falling in love in the cruelest way
This is falling for you when you are worlds away
In New York, be here
But you're in London, and I break down
'Cause it's not fair that you're not around
[Chorus]
This is when the feeling sinks in
I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back, be here, come back, be here
I guess you're in New York today
And I don't wanna need you this way
Come back, be here, come back, be here
[Outro]
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I don't wanna miss you like this
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Come back, be here
Come back, be here