Salt In The Wound

Jim Adams, aka Newepicauthor, the creator of A Unique Title For Me, is hosting SONG-LYRIC-SUNDAY and this week he has chosen the theme: CINNAMON/MINT/PARSLEY/PEPPER.ROSEMARY/SAGE/SALT/THYME

Well…at work there is a song played far too often. At first I didn’t like it at all, but gradually it has grown on me. But when I googled the lyrics, I was surprised that a song that sounded so peppy was actually so melodramatic. The song is called “Bad Blood” (which of course is the obvious choice for NHS radio – we sometimes wonder who on earth picks the tracks to broadcast) and is from Taylor Swift who you may have heard of.

I have picked a live performance of this track, essentially because the video is bizarrely weirdly terrifying. But in real life this artist is nowhere near as scary as a couple of her videos were. I try to put them out of my mind, because they left me very confused – but I am a very gentle soul. I think they are from an era where she was being attacked left right and center (according to my friend who calls herself a Swiftie) but she still turned around the stress and made something creative out of it – good on her!

My friend also tried to explain to me in detail all the drama which this song is apparently ascribed to. But my eyes glazed over at hearing about something that basically went into one ear and out of the other without registering in my memory (thank goodness). Apparently, whatever sparked the creative flow of emotion that went into this song has all calmed down now.

I have never had “bad blood” (I only learnt what that expression meant a few months ago!) with anyone except Jack. Look what happened with Jack and me! But I do understand the expression “salt in the wound”. When something really hurts and someone keeps provoking that same hurt over and over, it is hard to heal and move on.

Life is so wonderful. I have no time to let anything spoil the joy. No bad blood between me or anyone else. Instead, lots of kindness! Lots of love. Lots of empathy. When I walk around London, I have no idea who may have suffered most during the recent crisis sparked by the …you know. Who may have suffered loss of loved ones, loss of jobs and income, or many other losses. There may be some very fragile people out there with painful wounds. So, I am going to make sure the words that come out of my mouth are seasoned with salt, gracious and kindly to everyone I come across.

‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you’ve done
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted
Did you have to ruin what was shiny? Now it’s all rusted
Did you have to hit me, where I’m weak? Baby, I couldn’t breathe
And rub it in so deep, salt in the wound like you’re laughing right at me

Oh, it’s so sad to think about the good times, you and I

‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you’ve done
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Did you think we’d be fine? Still got scars on my back from your knife
So don’t think it’s in the past, these kinda wounds they last and they last.
Now did you think it all through? All these things will catch up to you
And time can heal but this won’t, so if you’re coming my way, just don’t

Oh, it’s so sad to think about the good times, you and I

‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you’ve done
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes
You say sorry just for show
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (ghosts)
Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes (hey)
You say sorry just for show (hey)
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (hey)
Mhmmm
If you love like that blood runs cold

‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love (mad love)
So take a look what you’ve done
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them (think we can solve them)
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
(Hey)

‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you’ve done (look what you’ve done)
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Written by: Max Martin, Shellback and Taylor Swift