So I think I may have cracked the code. Listening to Clara Bow w this context in mind from the 4th, 9th, and 10th 🎃 messages makes the lyrics cut even deeper and explains the purpose of the anthology.
What Taylor is essentially saying is that above all else she is proud of her humanity. “Human. Human. Human.” “Flesh and blood.” Unlike some ppl in Hollywood like greedy big suits (cough SB^2 cough Big Machine cough) she’s managed to keep her humanity intact and didn’t let these negative experiences corrupt her or turn her bitter. She was able to find peace and courage in spite of it. And she’s saying I am abt to come out of the closet and while I am hopeful I’m also a little fearful. But isn’t that an amazing thing? Because being fearful, sad, furious, insecure, hopeful—these experiences are unique to humans! “Your heart beats red and hot and furious in your chest.”
“And most importantly, they will know about the human heart.” THIS is the purpose of the anthology. This is why she released 31 (13 backwards) songs for her fans to dissect and decode. Bc she wants them to understand that she’s not a god. She’s a flawed human just like the rest of us.
I think there’s a very good chance that THIS is what her movie is going to be about. Her journey out of the closet and all the hardship that came along w it and helping other ppl to understand the human heart. And I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a memoir that was released w it—“the professor said to write what you know.” And it makes sense too why the manuscript lyrics match perfectly w the all too well short film. Bc they’re talking abt the exact same thing!! She has a relationship w a much older man, experiences heartbreak, heals, and then writes abt it in a book—the story of us AKA the manuscript.
And this is why 🎃 kept referencing the story of us. I couldn't make sense of it a few months ago but now in hindsight it all makes perfect sense. Message in a bottle was probably a red tv vault track for this reason too. Bc the message in a bottle is the manuscript. The puzzle pieces really do all fall right into place.
the fact that most of the fandom hated on “hey kids! spelling is fun!!” in ME!, so she took it out of the song. then people continued to make fun of the song so much that it’s not even apart of the eras tour setlist. when it was the first single of lover!! and now it maybe won’t even be a surprise song. but i’m just thinking about the video where taylor was making the song and how much fun she had and saying how much she loves the song. and how it sends a good message not only to us but to kids. and then swifties start making fun of it and now it’s not like it even exists anymore? i understand some of why people don’t like it because of brendon urie, but it went too far imo. it’s such a fun song and it’s kind of like shake it off and it breaks my heart that it went as far as to make taylor never perform or talk abt it.
Choices one makes reflect hope and fear
Be brave, endure the pain
Then one might just gain
The strength one sought
Which may be hearts and souls of life
Meanings all of us search for