Cassandra
Producers
Cassandra Lyrics
I was in my new house placing daydreams
Patching up the crack along the wall
I pass it and lose track of what I'm saying
'Cause that's where I was when I got the call
[Pre-Chorus]
When the first stone's thrown, there's screamin'
In the streets, there's a raging riot
When it's "Burn the bitch," they're shrieking
When the truth comes out, it's quiet
[Chorus]
So, they killed Cassandra first 'cause she feared the worst
And tried to tell the town
So they filled my cell with snakes, I regret to say
Do you believe me now?
[Verse 2]
I was in my tower weaving nightmares
Twisting all my smiles into snarls
They say, "What doesn't kill you makes you aware"
What happens if it becomes who you are?
[Chorus]
So, they killed Cassandra first 'cause she feared the worst
And tried to tell the town
So they set my life in flames, I regret to say
Do you believe me now?
They knew, they knew, they knew the whole time
That I was onto somethin'
The family, the pure greed, the Christian chorus line
They all said nothin'
Blood's thick, but nothin' like a payroll
Bet they never spared a prayer for my soul
You can mark my words that I said it first
In a mourning warning, no one heard
[Verse 3]
I patched up the crack along the wall
I pass it and lose track of what I'm saying
'Cause that's where I was when I lost it all
[Chorus]
So, they killed Cassandra first 'cause she feared the worst
And tried to tell the town
So they filled my cell with snakes, I regret to say
Do you believe me now?
[Post-Chorus]
Ah, ah, ah
I was onto somethin'
Ah, ah
They all said nothin'
Blood's thick but nothin' like a payroll
Bet they never spared a prayer for my soul
You can mark my words that I said it first
In a mourning warning, no one heard
No one heard, not a single word was heard
When the first stone's thrown, there's screamin'
In the streets, there's a raging riot
When it's "Burn the bitch," they're shrieking
When the truth comes out, it's quiet
It's so quiet
About
In ‘Cassandra,’ Taylor Swift explores themes of betrayal, disbelief, and isolation, using the story of Cassandra of Troy, a princess and prophetess cursed by her ex-lover Apollo, to always deliver true prophecy but never be believed. Cassandra told of the imminent ruin of the city of Troy but, due to Apollo’s curse, she was not believed – in the same way nobody heeded Taylor’s true warnings. She recounts being in her new house, filled with daydreams, but everything changes when she receives a call, recalling, ‘That’s where I was when I got the call.’ Swift portrays the chaos of being ignored and silenced, singing, ‘When the first stone’s thrown, they’re screaming, in the streets, there’s a raging riot.’ Despite her warnings and fears, she’s met with disbelief and hostility, lamenting, ‘So, they killed Cassandra first 'cause she feared the worst and tried to tell the town.’ Swift reflects on the toll of being unheard, wondering, ‘So, they set my life in flames, I regret to say, do you believe me now?’ She delves into the pain of betrayal, realizing, ‘Blood’s thick but nothing like a paywall, but they never spared a prayer for my soul.’ The song concludes with a haunting reminder of the silence that follows truth, singing, ‘When the truth comes out, it’s quiet, it’s so quiet.’ Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Swift captures the struggle of speaking out against injustice and the loneliness of being disregarded, in the same way that Cassandra was disbelieved when she spoke out about the imminent ruin of the city.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
“Cassandra” debuted at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week ending of May 4, 2024.
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