"New Romantics" is a satirical song discussing how "new romantics" view love and life. It addresses the nonchalant and whimsical nature of the way young adults approach love. Notably, Taylor doesn't segregate herself from these young adults. Her constant use of personal pronouns such as "we" and "I"indicate that she has also embraced this mindset.
In past albums, Taylor approached love from very extreme stances namely:
Extremely idealistically i.e. "Love Story"
A bitter or angry reponse to breakups i.e "Picture to Burn"
An extremely heartbroken, torn apart stance i.e. "Dear John"
However, this album introduces Taylor's new mindset and approach towards love. We see her transition through a breakup and making the discovery that love is not a fairytale, and the chances of a happy ending is very unlikely - so it's better to live life freely and not take relationships too seriously. Notably, the album begins with "Welcome to New York," which marks the beginning of her transition, and this song, as the last track on the deluxe edition, indicates how she will be heading into the future - free falling.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
We're all bored, we're all so tired of everything
We wait for trains that just aren't coming
We show off our different scarlet letters
Trust me, mine is better
We're so young, but we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb, but we know exactly what we're doing
We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom
(Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)
[Chorus]
'Cause baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream
Baby, we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heartbreak is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing to get knocked off our feet
Baby, we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free
[Verse 2]
We're all here, the lights and boys are blinding
We hang back, it's all in the timing
It's poker
You can't see it in my face
But I'm about to play my Ace (ahh)
We need love, but all we want is danger
We team up, then switch sides like a record changer
The rumors are terrible and cruel
But honey, most of them are true
(Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)
[Chorus]
'Cause baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream
Baby, we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heartbreak is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing (yeah) to get knocked off our feet
Baby, we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free
[Post-Chorus]
(Oh, oh, oh-oh, oh)
Oh-oh
(Oh, oh, oh-oh, oh)
So, come on, come along with me
(Oh, oh, oh-oh, oh)
The best people in life are free
(Oh, oh, oh-oh, oh)
[Bridge]
Please take my hand and
Please take me dancing, and
Please leave me stranded
It's so romantic (it's so romantic)
(Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)
[Breakdown]
Oh, 'cause baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle, oh-oh
But every night with us is like a dream
[Chorus]
'Cause baby, I could build a castle (castle)
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream
Baby, we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heartbreak is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing to get knocked off our feet
Baby, we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free