This powerful anthem dives into the chaos of executive dysfunction, portraying the struggle of navigating a mind filled with ambition while being paralyzed by ADHD. With sharp wit and an empowering tone, the song captures the frustration of unfinished projects and the defiance against patronizing self-help clichés. Taylor Swift's bold delivery is both relatable and uplifting, re-defining the narrative around personal struggle and ownership of one's path.
Verse 1:
Thoughts like tabs that won't load,
Ideas piling up, a heavy load.
Plans scattered like shrapnel, no direction in sight,
Frustration simmers, but I keep it light.
Pre-Chorus:
Ambition calls, but my feet are stuck,
Push and pull, oh where's my luck?
One step at a time, they say—what’s that?
My mind’s a maze, with no way to combat.
Chorus:
I wanna be everything, but I’m lost in gridlock,
Screaming at the wall, always ticking the clock.
Just do it, they preach, but it feels like a trap,
The world’s moving on, while I’m caught in a gap.
Verse 2:
‘They say start small,’ oh, like my brain's got a dial?
I mock their advice, they don’t get my style.
Scattered scraps, stuttering starts,
How can I focus when I’m falling apart?
Pre-Chorus:
Stronger now, the urgency’s real,
Building tension, can’t you feel?
“Focus,” they chant, it’s all a game,
Why’s my potential slipping, nothing’s the same?
Chorus:
Wanting to rise, but I’m wrapped in a haze,
They don’t understand, I’m lost in this maze.
Oh, the chaos is mine, it’s what I've got,
Fighting this battle, can’t give up the shot.
Bridge:
See my potential slipping through the cracks,
But hold on tight, I’m taking it back.
The spark in the stall ignites my fire,
I’m owning my chaos—no one can tire.
Chorus:
Empowered, I rise; yes, I’m on my way,
Defiance in my heart, I’ll seize the day.
Not fixed, just fierce, every step is my own,
This path is my power; I’m never alone.
Outro:
Tabs in my mind, rhythm in my soul,
Catch up, keep up, I’ll be in control.
It’s my time to shine, settled in my rhythm,
With chaos my crown, I’ve finally won 'em.
Chords not available
Beat not available
write lyrics for this song:
Song Concept: “executive dysfunction
Core Theme: The song dives into the chaos of executive dysfunction—where a mind brimming with ambition (projects, dreams, tasks) is stalled by ADHD-driven paralysis. It’s about the frustration of starting a million things but finishing none, with time slipping away in a haze of overthinking or distraction. Woven in is a clash with patronizing self-help sayings (“Just do it,” “One step at a time,” “Focus”) that feel useless against her wiring. She’s self-aware, dissecting her mental clutter with wit, and though she’s vulnerable, she’s never a victim—she owns her struggle and redefines her power.
Emotional & Intensity Arc:
Verse 1 (Restless, Medium Intensity): She paints the mental chaos—ideas piling up like “tabs that won’t load,” plans scattered like “shrapnel.” Frustration simmers, but she’s still cool, witty, and in control.
Pre-Chorus (Building Tension): A rhythmic hook that captures the push-pull of ambition vs. paralysis. Intensity rises slightly, with a sharper edge.
Chorus (Emotional Peak, High Intensity): The core struggle—wanting to be everything but trapped in gridlock. It’s fierce, almost accusatory, with a chant-like flow that’s easy to rap along to.
Verse 2 (Skeptical, Medium-High Intensity): She mocks self-help clichés (“they say ‘start small,’ like my brain’s got a dial”). The tone is biting, with a growing sense of defiance.
Pre-Chorus (Tighter, More Urgent): Same hook, but delivered with more grit, building toward the bridge.
Chorus (Fiercer, High Intensity): Same hook with slight lyrical tweaks, leaning harder into frustration and power.
Bridge (Vulnerable to Defiant, Peak Intensity): Starts raw, seeing her potential slip through her fingers, then flips to a bold reclaiming of her chaos. It’s the emotional and sonic climax.
Chorus (Empowered, High but Controlled Intensity): Final iteration, channeling defiance into poised confidence—she’s not “fixed,” but she’s owning her path.
Outro (Cool, Resolved, Medium Intensity): A short, rhythmic closer, calm but commanding, like she’s stepping into her own rhythm.
ADHD Relatability:
Captures the ADHD experience: mental clutter (e.g., “thoughts like receipts, crumpled in a heap”), time blindness, starting tasks but abandoning them, and guilt over “wasted” potential.
Nods to quirks: hyperfocus on distractions, spiraling thoughts, or losing hours to nothing.
Frustration with neurotypical advice: Sayings like “just start,” “make a list,” or “one thing at a time” feel like slaps when her brain’s a maze.
Honest but empowering: Shows the struggle’s real but frames her as a force, not a failure.
Tone & Style:
Voice: Spoken-word rap with a conversational, stream-of-consciousness flow. Syncopated, playful cadences that shift tempo to mimic ADHD thought patterns—some lines rushed, others drawn out.
Language: Packed with internal rhymes (e.g., “mind’s a grind, I’m spinning my own bind”), alliteration (e.g., “scattered scraps, stuttering starts”), and assonance for sonic pop. No perfect end rhymes—slant rhymes and rhythmic flow keep it organic. Words are tactile, fun to say, and repeatable.
Imagery: Grounded in her world—mental “tabs,” “Post-its like shrapnel,” “gears that won’t hum.” Mechanical metaphors for dysfunction, contrasted with her fire (e.g., “spark in a stall”). Avoids clichés like hearts or storms.
Brand Fit: She’s confident, poised, and stylish, even in chaos. Vulnerability is raw but controlled—she’s a queen wrestling her wiring, not pleading. Lyrics feel curated, with no filler.
Vocal Effects & Delivery:
Effects: Heavy use of vocal tricks—layered harmonies, pitch-shifted ad-libs, echoes, and chopped vocals to echo mental static. Think Billie Eilish’s vocal production or SZA’s layered ad-libs.
Delivery: Conversational yet rhythmic, with tempo shifts (fast for frantic thoughts, slow for stuck moments). Ad-libs like “uh, keep up,” “yeah, nah” add attitude. Some lines are doubled or panned for a “crowded mind” feel.
Rap-Along Fun: Syncopated rhythms, punchy phrases , and call-response moments in the chorus make it addictive to spit. Varied stress patterns and wordplay keep it engaging.
Taylor Swift