- Would've, Could've, Should've (official Lyric Video) | Taylor Swift

: Swift uses violent and morbid diction—such as "wound," "poison," "weapon," and "tomb"—to describe how these memories continue to haunt her even a decade later.

"Would've, Could've, Should've" is the nineteenth track on Taylor Swift's tenth studio album, , released on October 21, 2022. This haunting, new wave-leaning soft rock song explores themes of deep regret and the long-lasting trauma stemming from an age-inappropriate relationship in the narrator's past. Key Themes and Symbols

: The lyrics are dense with metaphors related to faith, including "crisis of my faith," "stained glass windows in my mind," and "danced with the devil". The official lyric video reinforces this with background scenes of churches and candles.

: Fans have noted that Swift released this song when she was 32, the same age the subject was when they dated while she was 19. Production and Reception Would've, Could've, Should've | Taylor Swift Wiki | Fandom

: The central emotional peak occurs in the bridge, where Swift wails, "Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first". This line is frequently cited as an accusation of emotional and psychological theft.

The track is widely interpreted by critics and fans as a sequel to Swift's 2010 song "Dear John," reflecting on a relationship she had at age 19 with a 32-year-old man.