ATW

I hear you. That and “Sarah” by Kate Miller-Heidke are the best-written songs of the past decade, easily. I almost wish Swift had never composed “All Too Well” because of how shoddy it makes other songs look by comparison.

What’s particularly notable about the song is how she was able to universalize the feelings she’s discussing while not making the references cliché enough to by cloying or on the other hand too specific to be meaningful to anyone — now that is genius and is absurdly difficult to do. What’s even more amazing about the work is that not only is Swift citing specific incidents that sound like they really happened to her (Did they really? Who cares.) while also calling out archetypal memories and cultural touchstones — Jesus Christ, when I think about it I am in awe of her achievement.