This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things Lyrics
It was so nice throwin' big parties
Jump into the pool from the balcony
Everyone swimmin' in a champagne sea
And there are no rules when you show up here
Bass beat rattling the chandelier
Feelin' so Gatsby for that whole year
[Pre-Chorus]
So why'd you have to rain on my parade?
I'm shaking my head and locking the gates
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darlin'
Because you break them, I had to take them away
This is why we can't have nice things, honey (Oh)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have nice things
[Verse 2]
It was so nice being friends again
There I was, giving you a second chance
But you stabbed me in the back while shakin' my hand
And therein lies the issue, friends don't try to trick you
Get you on the phone and mind-twist you
And so I took an axe to a mended fence
But I'm not the only friend you've lost lately (Mm-mm)
If only you weren't so shady
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darlin' (Yeah)
Because you break them, I had to take them away
This is why we can't have nice (Nice things) things (Baby), honey
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have
[Bridge]
Here's a toast to my real friends
They don't care about the he-said, she-said
And here's to my baby
He ain't readin' what they call me lately
And here's to my mama
Had to listen to all this drama
And here's to you
'Cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do
Haha, I can't even say it with a straight face (This is why we can't have)
[Chorus]
This is why we can't have nice things, darlin' (Darlin')
Because you break them, I had to take them away (Away)
This is why we can't have nice (Uh, uh) things (Oh, no), honey (Baby, oh)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have (Oh) nice (Oh, no) things, darlin'
(And here's to my real friends; Oh)
Because you break them, I had to take them (Away)
(And here's to my baby; Oh)
Nice things (Oh, no), honey
(They didn't care about that he-said, she-said)
Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?
This is why we can't have nice things
About
On this lighthearted, anthemic, and almost comical track Taylor Swift throws some major shade at all the haters.
During the Secret Sessions held before the release of reputation, Taylor told fans that this song drew on her experiences with fame and the media. She stated that she’d throw extravagant parties and invite her friends on stage with her during the 1989 tour as a nice gesture, to share her success with those around her. However, the media eventually turned that against her, questioning and criticizing her need for a “squad” which led her to essentially move out of the public eye completely and go on a sabbatical for the next year.
Many have also speculated that this song specifically references her ongoing feud with rapper, Kanye West.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
It’s about when people take nice things for granted. Like friendship or trusting people or being open or whatever. Letting people in on your life, trusting people, respect. Those are all really nice things and so this is a song called “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.”
- 2.End Game
- 5.Delicate
- 8.Gorgeous
- 9.Getaway Car
- 10.King of My Heart
- 12.Dress
- 13.This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
- 15.New Year’s Day
