Taylor Swift started as a curly-haired teenage country singer from Pennsylvania who wrote songs about her high school crushes in her bedroom and transformed into one of the most influential artists of our time.

Known for turning her personal heartbreaks and triumphs into chart-topping hits, she’s just as likely to be spotted baking cookies with fans or curled up with her cats as she is breaking Billboard records.

About the Song 

“Illicit Affairs” is a poignant folk ballad from Taylor Swift’s discography that explores themes of secrecy and forbidden romance.

The song tells the story of a clandestine relationship and its emotional toll, using detailed metaphors and vivid storytelling techniques.

The track is notable for its stripped-down acoustic production that gradually builds, complementing the emotional weight of its narrative.

Illicit Affairs Song Lyrics by Taylor Swift

Verse 1

Make sure nobody sees you leave
Hood over your head, keep your eyes down
Tell your friends you’re out for a run
You’ll be flushed when you return
Take the road less traveled by
Tell yourself you can always stop
What started in beautiful rooms
Ends with meetings in parking lots

Chorus

And that’s the thing about illicit affairs
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
It’s born from just one single glance
But it dies and it dies and it dies
A million little times

Verse 2

Leave the perfume on the shelf
That you picked out just for him
So you leave no trace behind
Like you don’t even exist
Take the words for what they are
A dwindling, mercurial high
A drug that only worked
The first few hundred times
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Chorus

And that’s the thing about illicit affairs
And clandestine meetings and stolen stares
They show their truth one single time
But they lie and they lie and they lie
A million little times

Bridge

And you wanna scream
Don’t call me “kid,” don’t call me “baby”
Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else
Don’t call me “kid,” don’t call me “baby”
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
You taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else

Outro

And you know damn well
For you, I would ruin myself
A million little times

 Similar Songs Like Illicit Affairs Song by Taylor Swift

• Cruel Summer – A synth-pop song about a secret summer romance and the intensity of keeping a relationship hidden, sharing the themes of secrecy and forbidden love, though with a more upbeat production.
• Gorgeous – While more upbeat than “illicit affairs,” this song explores the complicated feelings of being attracted to someone when you’re with someone else, touching on similar themes of forbidden attraction.
• Cardigan – Another folk song from “folklore” that shares similar acoustic elements and storytelling techniques, exploring themes of lost love and memory with a similar stripped-down production style.
• Gold Rush – Features similar delicate vocal layering and explores themes of yearning and complicated feelings, though from a different perspective of wanting someone who everyone else wants too.
• Dancing with Our Hands Tied – Shares themes of a doomed relationship and keeping things hidden, though with more electronic production elements than “illicit affairs.”
• Call It What You Want – While more optimistic in tone, it shares similar acoustic elements and intimate storytelling about a relationship developed away from public scrutiny.
• Hoax – Another track from “folklore” that shares the same stripped-down musical style and emotional vulnerability, though focusing more on betrayal than secrecy.
• ivy – From “evermore,” this song shares similar folk elements and tells a story of forbidden love, specifically about a married woman falling in love with someone else, making it perhaps the closest thematic match to “illicit affairs.”

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is the Main Theme of “illicit affairs”?

The song primarily explores themes of secret relationships, forbidden love, and the emotional toll of maintaining clandestine romances. It delves into the complexities and eventual pain of hiding a relationship.

How Did Taylor Swift Write This Song?

Swift wrote “illicit affairs” during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, collaborating remotely with Jack Antonoff. The song was part of the surprise “folklore” album, which was written and recorded in isolation.

What Makes the Production Style Unique?

The song features a minimalist production approach, starting with gentle acoustic guitar and gradually building with subtle instrumental layers. This stripped-down style emphasizes the raw emotional narrative of the lyrics.

Does “illicit affairs” Connect to Other Songs on “folklore”?

Yes, it’s part of the album’s overall narrative approach, connecting thematically to other songs about complicated relationships like “cardigan” and “august.” These songs form part of the teenage love triangle storyline on the album.

What Instruments Are Used in the Song?

The song primarily features acoustic guitar, light percussion, and subtle keyboard elements. The instrumentation is intentionally sparse to highlight Swift’s vocals and the song’s emotional storytelling.