Taylor Swift's Surprise Song ‘The Bolter’ Inside The Meaning And Lyrics

19 April 2024, 17:54 | Updated: 29 August 2024, 16:15

Taylor Swift's exclusive bonus track called ‘The Bolter’ from 'The Tortured Poets Department' is out now. We're taking a look at its meaning and the lyrics.

Taylor Swift gave the people what they wanted in the run up to her 2024 album release of 'Tortured Poets Department'. She announced an exclusive bonus track titled ‘The Bolter’, which she unveiled while performing on The Eras Tour in Melbourne, Australia, to thousands of screaming Swifties.

'The Bolter' is one of four bonus tracks, along with ‘The Manuscript’ and 'The Black Dog'. However, the 'So Long, London' singer surprisingly did a double album drop on April 19, releasing 'Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology' which has an extra 15 songs, including the four bonus tracks.

There are so many clues to the album being about her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn but there are also references to her time with Matty Healy and Travis Kelce.

• Read more: When Is Taylor Swift's Eras Tour In The UK?
• Read more: How Much Is Taylor Swift Worth?

But what is ‘The Bolter’ by Taylor Swift about, what does it mean and what are the lyrics?

What is the meaning of ‘The Bolter’, Taylor Swift’s song?

In the song 'The Bolter' bolter is given as a "nickname" to a girl who runs away from relationships. The meaning of the word is 'a person or animal that bolts or runs away' but it's likely Taylor also used this term for it's multiple meanings.

For example, a bolter is a type of gun, a powerful weapon. It’s also a term used in aviation when a pilot fails to land an aircraft carrier. When it comes to Taylor’s lyricism and coded meanings, it's likely she took inspiration from these definitions as well.

The use of the British slang "mates" in the song also leads people to believe it's about her 'bolting' from the relationships she had with British men like Joe Alwyn, Harry Styles and Matty Healy.

Taylor Swift goes to the club with her parents and Travis Kelce

What are the lyrics to ‘The Bolter’?

[Verse 1]

By all accounts, she almost drowned

When she was six in frigid water

And I can confirm she made

A curious child, ever reviled

By everyone except her own father

With a quite bewitching face

Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless

Excellent fun 'til you get to know her

Then she runs like it's a race

Behind her back, her best mates laughed

And they nicknamed her "The Bolter"

[Chorus]

Started with a kiss

"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"

But it always ends up with a town car speeding

Out the drive one evening

Ended with the slam of a door

Then he'll call her a wh*re

Wish he wouldn't be sore

But as she was leaving

It felt like breathing

[Post-Chorus]

All her f*ckin' lives

Flashed before her eyes

It feels like the time

She fell through the ice

Then came out alive

[Verse 2]

He was a cad, wanted her bad

Just like any good trophy hunter

And she liked the way he tastes

Taming a bear, making him care

Watching him jump then pulling him under

And at first blush, this is fate

When it's all roses, portrait poses

Central Park Lake in tiny rowboats

What a charming Saturday

That's when she sees the littlest leaks

Down in the floorboards

And she just knows she must bolt

[Chorus]

Started with a kiss

"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"

But it always ends up with a town car speeding

Out the drive one evening

Ended with the slam of a door

Then he'll call her a w*ore

Wish he wouldn't be sore

But as she was leaving

It felt like breathing

[Post-Chorus]

All her f*ckin' lives

Flashed before her eyes (Ah-ah-ah)

It feels like the time

She fell through the ice

Then came out alive