I do giggle when I listen to Invisible String, and then Mastermind back to back – because – they tell opposite stories [lol] but there IS some overlap with the discussion of fate. There are a LOT of overlap of lines to past songs, however, that link to this one… which I am super interested in.
The leaks of All of the Girls and Need show the Lover album in a different light- but the IDEA of All of the Girls feels very invisible string plus Mastermind. Like she had taken this song she didn’t place on an album and made two songs from the same concept.
Lyrical Interpretation
Once upon a time, the planets and the fates
And all the stars aligned
You and I ended up in the same room
At the same time
This IS the relatability of Invisible String and this song. Everything aligning out of the control of two people – being connected by a series of events – all which are unexpected.
And the touch of a hand lit the fuse
And you should think about the consequence
Of you touching my hand in the darkened room (dark room, dark room)
-Gorgeous
Of a chain reaction of countermoves
To assess the equation of you
Checkmate, I couldn’t lose
When I read this set of lines I couldn’t help but think of this scenario of a touch of the hand changing the course of history – like the Butterfly effect. My brain went very sci-fi on this. But sometimes when you meet someone, friend or romantic relationship, and you can typically tell if they are someone you want to get to know more. Just the way they talk, the things they say, the comfortability they make you feel. We can assume this song is about Joe since that is her current relationship, but maybe he just made her feel very normal? And she liked that?
I do love how this album begins with Lavender Haze, which is set up in the same way the Folklore album is set up. It sets the stage of the current position and then dives into the story by the use of the album, and then ends in the story of how the first song took place. Genius, really.
What if I told you none of it was accidental
I struck a match and blew your mind
-Getaway Car
And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me?
I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork
The dominoes cascaded in a line
I don’t think Gold Rush is about Joe per say but… girl does like the use of the word dominoes
With your hair falling into place like dominoes
What if I told you I’m a mastermind?
And now you’re mine
It was all by design
The design being the things that pained her past
A string that pulled me
Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar
Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire
Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons
One single thread of gold tied me to you
-Invisible String
‘Cause I’m a mastermind
I knew this song was going to be about her when she announced the tracks
You see, all the wisest women
Had to do it this way
Women are strategic and calculated you know [sarcasm]… but sometimes we do have to be in this society.
‘Cause we were born to be the pawn
In every lover’s game
Pawns; things to be played with, toyed with. So many art pieces on this.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
I like this line because of her “is it too much to plan things three years in advance?” So as an OCD bitch, I stan.
Strategy sets the scene for the tale
I’ve stared at this line for some time – and it feels very folklore. That only moments in time are strategically thought out for the storyline to continue and exist.
I’m the wind in our free-flowing sails
UGH. I love this line – free-flowing sails that are being controlled by Taylor. Being the person in charge of the journey while the other person is riding along.
And the liquor in our cocktails
The element causing the chaos – but also a metaphor for maybe love drunk.
What if I told you none of it was accidental
And the first night that you saw me, I knew I wanted your body?
I think he knows his hands around
A cold glass
Make me wanna know that body
Like it’s mine
– I Think He Knows
I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork
The dominoes cascaded in a line
No one wanted to play with me as a little kid
So I’ve been scheming like a criminal ever since
To make them love me and make it seem effortless
This this the first time I’ve felt the need to confess
And I swear
I’m only cryptic and Machiavellian ’cause I care
This bridge to me is the key component to her entire existence and songwriting to be honest. I think about Miss Americana, her documentary a lot in general, but specifically about how she wanted to get into the industry because she loves writing music and the affirmation that came with it but how it is exhausting.
I do wonder why this is the first time she had to confess it in a song, however… it’s not new information to the old fans.
So I told you none of it was accidental
And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me
I laid the groundwork and then saw a wide smirk
On your face, you knew the entire time
“I love you, ” ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?
He looks up grinning like a devil
– Cruel Summer
You knew that I’m a mastermind
Met you in a bar
All eyes on me, your illusionist
– So It Goes
And now you’re mine
Yeah, all you did was smile
‘Cause I’m a mastermind
Ok but this is cute. It’s just a pretty cute visual and all I can think of is this photo.
Visual Representation
I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork
The dominoes cascaded in a line
Got them paper rings.
Paige Young 