Background

The world should ask forgiveness from “Peter”, the lost fearless leader of The Tortured Poets Department. It is a song by Taylor Swift, featured on the her eleventh studio album, released in April 2024. It was written and produced by Taylor and Aaron Dessner. For me, Aaron is the best Swift collaborator when it comes to bringing out her inner storyteller.

Speaking of storyteller…

Taylor Swift is the master. Previously, she’s dropped knowledge about Greek goddesses, Shakespearean characters… and now, Peter Pan! She’s got a whole library in her head, and she’s educating illiterates like myself!

And yes, Peter Pan is the ultimate symbol of emotional unavailability. Who hasn’t been there? She’s tapped into the universal feeling of being stuck in a Neverland of emotions, where the timing’s just off. And the best part? She’s made it so relatable, even if I’ve never read the book or seen the movie.

Taylor’s discography is oceans deep, for us to keep

I’ve come to realize that I used to miss out on great music by only listening to singles. It wasn’t until I discovered Taylor Swift’s work that I understood the value of exploring an artist’s entire discography. And if I needed further proof, which I don’t but maybe you do, “Peter” would be it.

The beauty of Taylor’s discography is that none of the tunes needs to be a chart-topper to be a masterpiece. “Peter” hasn’t been a regular part of her live setlist, and it hasn’t received the same level of promotion as some of her other songs. But this is arguably the best of the 33 tracks in the album and is slowly building a cult following, similar to “All Too Well” or “Enchanted”.

Love’s never lost when perspective is earned

People need to chill on Taylor. She’s allowed to write from her perspective. And refreshingly, she’s not just throwing shade at Peter, she’s owning her part in the story. There’s an acknowledgement of her own growth and choices, and that’s brave and unusual.

That line about love’s never lost when perspective is earned… 100! She’s reflecting on the experience and finding the silver lining. It’s a whole vibe, and it’s similar to “Happiness” – she’s learning to find peace with the past.

You are gonna come find Easter Eggs on this one 

There’s a ton to unpack in “Peter”. So, the Lost Boys reference had me thinking Peter Pan vibes, but then I read it could be a nod to The 1975’s old days as Drive Like I Do. Who knows? That’s what makes her references so addicting – the mystery!

At this point, Peter’s a Taylor Swift discography veteran! He’s been mentioned before in “Cardigan”, and now he’s back, but this time, he’s just ghosting Wendy. It’s like, he’s not interested anymore, and I don’t know how I feel about it.

The easter eggs in this song are everywhere. I’m not even going to try to catch them all, but some are just too obvious (and fun) to ignore.

Conclusion

Taylor and I live under the same room. But our talents are in different galaxies. I write criticisms while she writes art. I will gladly sit by my window, with my lights turned on, waiting for her next!