Why you gotta be so mean?

I love Taylor Swift.  I know not everyone does, especially those die-hard country fans who think cross-over artists are posers.  But I love the catchy beats and the unforgettable lyrics--I've lived through Britney Spears and Mandy Moore.  Nothing's too sugary for me.

Taylor's newest album "Speak Now" hit stores last week, and she didn't disappoint.  There are some who may not like what she has to say (coughJohnMayercoughCamillaBelle cough), but I think people everywhere can relate to one song or another.

One song on the album in particular is becoming a favorite of mine.  It's called "Mean".  Taylor says every song on her album is written about a specific person or event, but I think many people can relate to this one.  I know I can.  Bullying causes a lot of pain and no one likes to be knocked down.

I think this song is an anthem of sorts for all of us who've ever been knocked down, and have wanted to rub our accomplishments in the faces of those bullies.  Thanks, Taylor!

You, with your words like knives, and swords and weapons that you use against me,
You, have knocked me off my feet again, got me feeling like nothing,
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard calling me out when I'm wounded,
You, picking on the weaker man.
Well you can take me down with just one single blow, 
But you don't know what you don't know.

Someday, I'll be living in a big ole city,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation,
You, have pointed out my flaws again, as if I don't already see them,
I walk with my head down trying to block you out cuz I'll never impress you,
I just wanna feel okay again.

I'll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold,
But the cycle ends right now cuz you can't lead me down that road.
But you don't know what you don't know.

Someday, I'll be living in a big ole city,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar talking over a football game,
With that same big loud opinion but nobody's listening,
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things,
Drunk and rumbling on about how I can't sing,
But all you are is mean.
All you are is mean, and a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life and mean.
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean.

But someday, I'll be living in a big ole city,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Yeah, yeah.
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday, I'll be living in a big ole city,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me,
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Why you gotta be so mean?