Welcome to Music Friday when we bring awesome new tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Taylor Swift reminds her inattentive boyfriend that he'd better mend his ways because when she walks into a room she "can still make the whole place shimmer" in her 2022 hit, "Bejeweled."
The nine-time Grammy winner embodies the characteristics of a diamond as she takes us on a journey of self empowerment.
She sings, "Don't put me in the basement / When I want the penthouse of your heart / Diamonds in my eyes / I polish up real / I polish up real nice / Nice."
Later in the song, she admits to her boyfriend that she went to the club and danced with a guy who said her aura's moonstone (a nod to her femininity).
"And we're dancing all night / And you can try / To change my mind / But you might have to wait in line / What's a girl gonna do? / A diamond's gotta shine"
Written by Swift and Jack Antonoff, "Bejeweled" appeared on the singer's 10th studio album, Midnights. The song charted in 21 countries, including a #6 position on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Swift performed "Bejeweled" for the first time on her current Eras Tour, which started in March and runs through August.
Swift recently explained the inspiration behind the tune to the listeners of iHeart radio: "'Bejeweled' is a song that I think it’s really about finding confidence when you feel that it’s been taken away, for whatever reason. You know, you’re feeling insecure, you’re feeling taken for granted… One of the things we love to do at night, ‘cause we love to go dancing, we love to put on an outfit that makes us feel good, and we love to feel like we’re still bejeweled.”
Born in Wyomissing, PA, Swift wasn't your average schoolgirl. By the time she was 11, Swift was already performing regularly at karaoke contests, festivals and fairs near her home in Berks County. When she was 14, her parents moved the family to Nashville, where Swift would be better positioned to pursue a career in country music. At the age of 17, Swift was topping the country charts.
Now 33 years old, Swift is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. She has sold more than 200 million records, nabbed 12 Grammy Awards (including three Albums of the Year) and topped the Billboard Hot 100 nine times.
Please check out the lyric video of Swift performing "Bejeweled." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…
"Bejeweled"
Written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff. Performed by Taylor Swift.
Baby love, I think I've been a little too kind
Didn't notice you walking all over my peace of mind
In the shoes I gave you as a present
Putting someone first only works when you're in their top five
And by the way
I'm going out tonight
Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer
And when I meet the band
They ask, "Do you have a man?"
I could still say, "I don't remember"
Familiarity breeds contempt
Don't put me in the basement
When I want the penthouse of your heart
Diamonds in my eyes
I polish up real
I polish up real nice
Nice
Baby boy, I think I've been too good of a girl
Too good of a girl
Did all the extra credit then got graded on a curve
I think it's time to teach some lessons
I made you my world
Have you heard?
I can reclaim the land
And I miss you
But I miss sparkling
(Nice) Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer
And when I meet the band
They ask, "Do you have a man?"
I could still say, "I don't remember"
Familiarity breeds contempt
Don't put me in the basement
When I want the penthouse of your heart
Diamonds in my eyes
I polish up real
I polish up real nice
Nice
Sapphire tears on my face
Sadness became my whole sky
But some guy said my aura's moonstone
Just 'cause he was high
And we're dancing all night
And you can try
To change my mind
But you might have to wait in line
What's a girl gonna do?
A diamond's gotta shine
Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer
And when I meet the band
They ask, "Do you have a man?"
I could still say, "I don't remember"
Familiarity breeds contempt
Don't put me in the basement
When I want the penthouse of your heart
Diamonds in my eyes
I polish up real (Nice)
I polish up real nice
And we're dancing all night
And you can try
To change my mind
But you might have to wait in line
What's a girl gonna do?
What's a girl gonna do?
I polish up nice
Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer
Credit: Photo by makaiyla willis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
