It’s pretty obvious if you pay attention.
Cause she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Swift is mocking the ruling class and presenting herself as the average, relatable worker left behind.
And you’ve got a smile that could light up this whole town
I haven’t seen it in a while since she brought you down
You say you’re fine I know you better than that
Hey what you doing with a girl like that
She masterfully illustrates how much good the means of production could do for the world and how the very machinery itself is being over-exploited to the point of breaking down. Not only does she comment on how the people of the town are being deprived of the light, but that the light itself is being diminished by the bourgeoisie.
Can’t you see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see
You belong with me
Standing by waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know baby
You belong with me
You belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me
Another well-placed jab at the owning class, Swift points out that the bourgeoisie usually doesn’t even understand the things they own and are relying on the workers to actually operate machinery and produce value. Despite this, they are being left at the proverbial backdoor while the owners take front and center, hoarding wealth and media attention for things they didn’t earn.
I fully support her message that the means of production do absolutely belong with the working class.