FUCHS: Being the 'Anti-Hero' is more complicated than you think
Column: Questioning Jules
Taylor Swift has recently sent the world into shock once again with the release of her 10th album "Midnights." The entire album had a lot of great songs, as proven by the fact that 10 of her songs made it to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. TikTok has taken some of her songs and made them into popular audios, which are still constantly showing up on my “For You" page, even two weeks after the release of the album.
Arguably her most popular song on the album, "Anti-Hero" has blown up all over the internet. “It’s me, hi / I’m the problem, it’s me” has become a very popular line for TikToks and self-deprecating jokes.
All jokes aside, I have never related more to a song than "Anti-Hero." I feel like this song relates to how society views women and the pressures of living up to norms and expectations. Although it is funny to make jokes about the song's lyrics and generally use it as a way to clown yourself, feeling like an "anti-hero" is very complex and often brings a lot of struggles and feelings of sadness.
Let us unpack this: To begin with, the first line is "I have this thing where I get older, but just never wiser." I resonate with this one, as I feel that even though I age yearly, I have trouble learning from how others impact me. Like Swift, and many others, I have issues with getting played by others, and I have trouble getting myself out of those situations that I get myself into.
The next line I relate to (maybe "all too well") is “When my depression works the graveyard shift, all of the people / I've ghosted stand there in the room.” When I hear this line, I think of the very relatable 3 a.m. feeling in which you contemplate all of your life choices.
I especially think of all the failed friendships and relationships that I have experienced in my life, and I wonder how things could have been different. It is easy to fall into this negative and distressed state of mind, especially when you are feeling sad at night.
Once again, the next lyric, "I should not be left to my own devices / They come with prices and vices," is all too relatable. I often get myself into difficult situations that I end up regretting when I am left to my own devices. This is also reflected in bad habits that I pick up when I am in stressful situations (such as my caffeine addiction).
Of course, the most popular line, "It’s me, hi / I’m the problem, it’s me" ties this entire feeling together. Being the anti-hero is recognizing the fact that you are often the cause of your own problems, and the decisions you make can ultimately end up hurting yourself more than anyone else.
It can be hard to admit when you are in the wrong and the “problem.” This song is great in that it in many ways empowers people to recognize that they are often the cause of their own issues. I know that in many cases, I am my own worst enemy and end up making poor decisions that hurt me more than anyone else.
Unfortunately, the most powerful and relatable line for me is "Sometimes, I feel like everybody is a sexy baby / and I’m a monster on the hill." In Swift's case, she is referring to growing older in the music industry and the ageism that she is faced with. This line can be related to a lot of things that people, specifically women, face. In my case, sometimes I feel like a "monster on the hill" compared to other young women my age because I have an introverted nature and difficulties speaking to new people.
I have a lot of trouble putting myself out there which in turn makes me seem standoffish and scares people away. It can be easy to feel like an outsider and let your insecurities eat you alive. Sometimes, being the anti-hero means feeling like everyone else is better than you and has their life together, while yours is in shambles.
Overall, I am very glad that Swift released this song. It is catchy, very relatable and in some ways empowering. Hearing these feelings and thoughts I have had all my life being validated by Swift makes me feel better about my feelings. Although it can be fun to use this song to make fun of yourself, it is also important to recognize how powerful this song is. At some point, everyone is an "anti-hero."
Julia Fuchs is a graduate student in the art history department studying Cultural Heritage and Preservation. Her column, "Questioning Jules," runs on alternate Thursdays.
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