Loving Him Was Red: Why Taylor Swift’s Red is the Perfect Album for Fall
Fall is represented in many ways for different people. For some, it’s the changing of the leaves, ranging from fiery red to bronze orange. For others, it’s the aroma of a pumpkin spice latte, or the return of the Halloween movies on Disney Channel. For those who live in alternate climates, fall means nothing to them. But for me, for the past six years of my life, fall has meant one thing: Red.
I’m not talking about the color or even the song. I’m talking about Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album, 2012’s Red. Considered by numerous critics and fans alike to be her best album, Red sounds--and feels--like autumn to your ears. Even though I listen to the album practically every single day of the year, it feels particularly special in the fall. I live in Dubai, where fall doesn’t exist unless you count Halloween shops in the mall, but every time I turn on Red, it feels like I’ve stepped into a New England postcard. Here are a few reasons why:
Colors
‘Losing him was blue like I’d never known, missing him was dark gray all alone. Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met, but loving him was red.’ - “Red”
“I see all of these moments in bright, burning red.”
You can’t talk about the colors of Red without mentioning the titular track. “Red” is nothing short of lyrical poetry, with Taylor relying on numerous metaphors to convey her heartbreak. Furthermore, in her album prologue Taylor herself explains that she sees the color red as a symbol for passion, heartbreak, and love that consumes you.
Fall Weather
‘Like the colors in autumn, so bright just before they lose it all.’ - “Red”
‘Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place.’ - “All Too Well”
‘Wind in my hair, I was there, I remember it all too well.’ - “All Too Well”
Do I even have to explain this one? Taylor sums up the atmosphere of fall so well with these lines, making you feel like you’re right there beside her.
Coffee
‘I was reminiscing just the other day while having coffee all alone.’ - “Holy Ground”
‘But on a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again.’ - “Begin Again”
Even though most people drink coffee year-round, for some reason the drink always reminds me of fall. The image of sitting in a Starbucks wrapped up in a warm sweater with a pumpkin spice latte, listening to Red, has always been a fall mood to me.
Fall Clothes
‘I left my scarf there at your sister’s house, and you’ve still got it in your drawer even now.’ - “All Too Well”
‘After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own.’ - “All Too Well”
‘You keep my old scarf from that very first week, cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me.’ - “All Too Well”
Who doesn’t love fall fashion? The images of scarves and cozy sweaters just scream fall to me, especially when you think about Taylor’s style back in the Red era. Every time she was photographed out and about, she was always wearing warm coats, baggy sweaters, and--you guessed it--scarves.
These are only some of the reasons why Red is the perfect album for fall. Her fans have unanimously agreed that the record perfectly captures the mood of the season, but if you don’t believe them, I highly recommend checking the album out today, even if you’re not currently experiencing fall where you live. Red is available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and just about anywhere you can find music. Happy fall, or, as I like to call it, happy Taylor season!