The True Meaning of "Mastermind" by Taylor Swift

A lyrical analysis of "Mastermind" by Taylor Swift

Crafted in a manner that artfully nods to the song's underlying message, “Mastermind” by Taylor Swift exhibits a sly double meaning— one that can go over the listener's head. A true homage to the imaginative and determined mind of Taylor Swift, this analysis could offer some astonishing clarity, enhancing the perception you may have of the cunning song. 

“Once upon a time, the planets and the fates

And all the stars aligned.

You and I ended up in the same room

At the same time.”

In classic Swift style, she sets the scene of the tale in the first stanza. By using fairytale phrases like once up a time and whimsical elements of celestial bodies like the planets and the fates and the stars, she creates a distinct energy that is felt throughout the Midnights album. It is somewhat dreamlike, yet remains vigilant and perceptive. This is a sensible interpretation of the record’s spirit, as every song was born from Taylor asking herself, “What keeps me up at night?” In this case, it seems to be a reflection of the first time she met a Lover. 

This stanza implies that their meeting was unconventional and serendipitous, akin to the unpredictable movements of planets and stars. Their encounter unfolded in a manner beyond their control— organic and destined. 

“And the touch of a hand lit the fuse

Of a chain reaction of countermoves

To assess the equation of you.

Checkmate, I couldn't lose.”

The story continues. The pair are said to have touched hands, perhaps “in a darkened room,” (Gorgeous, 2017) causing a fuse to be lit. This very fuse unleashes the so-called ‘countermoves’ of the speaker, an interesting word to describe what follows an amorous first meeting. It is the first change of tone, and suddenly, it seems that our protagonist is operative and adamant in assessing the equation of this person who has left an electrifying impression. In contrast to the serendipity that brought them together, she now intends to seize control of the situation, determined not to be on the losing end of the game. There is an undeniable sense of certainty here, almost as though she knows that she is going to be with them, so she’ll take her time (…Ready For It?, 2017).

“What if I told you none of it was accidental?

And the first night that you saw me,

Nothing was gonna stop me.

I laid the groundwork, and then,

Just like clockwork,

The dominoes cascaded in a line.

What if I told you I'm a mastermind?

And now you're mine.

It was all by dеsign,

'Cause I'm a mastermind.”

The synth pulses just before the chorus, and suddenly, Taylor unveils a glimpse into her psyche, a side of her she had never shared with listeners (at least as blatantly) prior to the release of Midnights. The rhythm behind her words shifts alongside the narrative, signaling that something is being revealed. What exactly? Well, according to Taylor, absolutely nothing that followed the serendipitous first encounter of her and her lover was accidental. 

In reality, after seeing them for the first time, the cogs in her mind were already turning to desperately devise a way to see them again. Nothing was going to stop her from aiming to keep this person around.

But, what exactly does this imply? How precisely did Taylor wield the progression of an intimate relationship by her own hand? Surely something as Delicate as love can only course organically, with no additional influences. I mean, if there were to be any exercise of control over the love’s development, surely that would mean it was malicious, conniving, and calculated, right?

“You see, all the wisеst women

Had to do it this way

'Cause we were born to be the pawn

In every lover's game.”

Well, she reminds us that it isn't always so black and white. The idea that marriage should be based on love rather than economic interests only gained traction in the 18th century. Before that, women had no say in their choice of spouses, and many had to strategize within the confines of a rigid social hierarchy. However, even as expectations shifted in the 18th century to encourage young people to marry for love, it wasn't until 1839 that states began allowing women more control over their property and finances. Consequently, many women still needed to employ strategic thinking when deciding whom to marry in order to secure a stable living situation and support their families (it’s giving Amy March). While they had legal rights, they lacked true autonomy, making scheming a natural way to navigate a society that systemically oppressed them.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Strategy sets the scene for the tale.

I'm the wind in our free-flowing sails

And the liquor in our cocktails.”

How exactly did these women plan if they held no societal power? Well, one could imagine that it would have been in an inconspicuous manner, driven by a mix of determination and desperation. Perhaps they put themselves in a room where they knew their objective would be. Perhaps they would spend time around them, become familiar with their demeanor, and base their approach on this very knowledge. Perhaps they would spur on a friendship first and establish an amicable rapport, one that is fueled by closeness and trust. Perhaps they would encourage cocktails, concoctions that notoriously lead to unabashed conversations and bold movements. Perhaps these very measures, although unassuming, would be the groundwork for the dominoes cascading in a line.

These women resemble the wind and the liquor. It appears as if fate is guiding their path, as if external forces are propelling them onwards. However, in reality, they are the wind that is determining their ship's direction, and they are the liquor that is thrusting the situation forward. Their journey is not dictated by chance, but by their own actions and choices.

Taylor confesses that she, too, engaged in such tactics. In this generation, although women enjoy more freedom, there remains a society that thrives on their struggles. From the moment they are born, women receive a silent, insidious message that shadows them throughout their lives. This message subtly encourages them to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of a man who will be waiting for them at the end of the aisle. It disguises itself as harmless and promises no harm, yet it often leads women into relationships marked by abuse, heartbreak, and an unsettling disconnection from their true selves. In light of this, it is wise for women to take matters into their own hands because, despite the fairytale narratives featuring princesses who resemble them, these stories often prove hollow, and no one is coming to rescue them.

So, indeed, Taylor might not have faced the same societal constraints as these wise women of the past, but she, too, employed similar tactics. Why? Is it merely a reflection of society's state, or did it stem from the deterioration of her past relationships? Or, is there something deeper that propels the need to control and scheme, the yearning to get it right, and the persistent drive to make someone truly love her?

“No one wanted to play with me as a little kid

So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

To make them love me and make it seem effortless.

This is the first time I've felt the need to confess

And I swear

I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian

'Cause I care.”

Here, Taylor peels back a two-decade-old wound to try and help us understand her better. A pivotal element shaping her psyche is the fact that, during her childhood, she was far from favored among her peers. Taylor's upbringing was marked by solitude, a result of her unwavering determination to take center stage. It's a familiar narrative; often, those who eventually shine as stars don't experience kindness from insecure peers who are still finding their own way. A child who radiates self-assuredness in a sea of uncertainty is a natural target for bullying. This narrative, that Taylor did not find a single true friend until the age of 15, has remained consistent throughout her career, which testifies to its authenticity.

As she compares herself to a criminal, it can be assumed that traces of self-loathing have found their way into yet another Midnights song (it is an album about what keeps you up at night, after all). Up to this point, Taylor has playfully referenced her Mastermind prowess with cheekiness and nerve. Now, however, it seems that she is dismayed by her devices. As she looks back at what she has done, there is a sense of disillusionment, and she contemplates what it all reveals about her character. She's gone to great lengths to make not only him, but them (as in her fans) love her as well. There's a tremor in her voice as she "confesses" this.

She seems to be aware that such a revelation might not be easy for fans to hear, but she presses on, passionately swearing that her machiavellian stems from a profound sense of care. Growing up with a sense of unwantedness, she has become the way she is in ways she scarcely understands. Her handling of stardom might seem effortless, but it's anything but that, which is why she occupies such a unique space within the industry, entirely separate from anyone else.

After all this time, 16 years and 10 albums later, this is the first time she feels the need to confess this.

After the many hidden messages within her vinyls, the countless Easter eggs thoughtfully placed in her music videos, her heartfelt acceptances of fan-voted awards, the song “Long Live,” the warm welcome she has extended to fans in her home, offering them homemade cookies and personally wrapped Christmas presents, she candidly admits that while a part of her drive yearns for deep affection in return, it is all rooted in her profound and sincere care for them. She wants an ineffable deepness between her and her fans that most “celebrities” simply do not care about. She wants them to be the ultimate impetus of her career rather than the general media or the public. “It’s you and me, that’s my whole world.”

It is this sort of treatment that led albums like Reputation to be as successful as they were. Although the general public did not initially care or understand the album, her fans did, and because of that, it was one of the biggest albums of 2017 and became one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. 

“So I told you none of it was accidental

And the first night that you saw me

Nothing was gonna stop me.

I laid the groundwork, and then

Saw a wide smirk on your face

You knew the entire time

You knew that I'm a mastermind

And now you're mine

Yeah, all you did was smile

'Cause I'm a mastermind.”

The last verse comes and goes with a beautiful deep blue bow wrapped around it. Here, the double meaning of Mastermind intertwines like a ribbon, and she talks to both the fans and her lover. They seem to share wide smirks in response to Taylor’s confession, though, because they seem to already know everything. Not only do they both know about her tactical tendencies, but it is likely a reason why they love her back so fiercely. Dissimilar to a narrative where one might use cunning to ensnare another in a web of deceit, Taylor’s acts of strategy are rooted in a kind of care that is palpable and easy to sense. There is an unparalleled comfort that she radiates, one that is undoubtedly fueled by the very level of attention and earnestness that shapes the veins of this song. 

While Mastermind does contain moments of self-reflection tinged with dismay, these concerns dissipate once it's clear that she is loved back despite her calculated actions. When someone puts in so much effort to earn love, only to receive even more love in return, it proves harmless. It's a recurring theme throughout the Midnights album, where Taylor delves deep into her psyche and dissects even the most self-loathed facets of her personality that drive her to question if she even is a good person. In Mastermind, the closing track of the album, she brings it full circle with the realization that this tendency she has can't be that bad, given the elated and unfathomable response she receives from those who love her.

I find Mastermind to be one of the most ingenious tracks Taylor has pulled from the pool of greatness that is her brain. Not only does it untangle the knottiness of navigating one’s insecurities, but it touches on love, women, the invincible collaboration between her and her fans, and ultimately, her trailblazing mind that has carefully created entire worlds with only her words, melodies, and enigmatic imagination.