Exile

I recently revisited exile by Taylor Swift and Bon Iver, thanks to a conversation with my English teacher, who just got into Taylor. She mentioned how hauntingly beautiful the song is, and it got me thinking—I hadn’t properly listened to it in a while. So, I gave it another spin, headphones on, and let myself sink into it.

The song opens with Bon Iver’s deep, rough voice, which immediately sets this haunting, melancholic tone. He sounds weary, like he’s weighed down by regret, and when Taylor’s voice comes in, it’s softer but equally emotional, carrying this quiet strength. The whole duet feels like two people revisiting a painful conversation, with each line circling back to unresolved hurt. It’s not a loud argument; instead, it’s that low-key, aching kind of exchange where neither person can quite find the words to say goodbye.

Lyrics like “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending” hit especially hard—they capture that feeling of being trapped in a cycle, like they’re reliving the same heartbreak again and again. The bridge, with both of them singing over each other, is where it all spills out, like they’re finally facing what they’ve been avoiding. It’s raw and beautifully restrained, balancing between pride and vulnerability in a way that feels incredibly real.

Revisiting exile reminded me why it’s one of Taylor’s standout tracks. It’s not just another love song; it’s about the difficult, messy side of relationships, where lingering regrets and stubbornness can keep people apart. Bon Iver’s grounded voice brings out Taylor’s storytelling in a new way, making this song resonate even more. Listening to it again made me appreciate her evolution as an artist—and maybe now my English teacher gets why Swift’s music runs so deep.

TAYLOR SWIFT & BON IVER - EXILE

RATING - 8.9/10

GENRE - Folk, Indie, Haunt