Dear John

Who it's for

Taylor Swift's 'Dear John' describes a 19-year-old's toxic relationship with an older man and the mind games she endured.

Feelings it meets

• Toxic Relationship
• Self-Worth
• Regret

What it is

"Dear John" is the fifth track on Taylor Swift's third studio album, Speak Now, released in October 2010. The slow-burning power ballad blends soft rock, electric blues and country pop. It describes a 19-year-old narrator who is manipulated by an older man, works through her heartbreak and self-blame, and ends by holding him accountable.

Where to find it

All major streaming services.

Before you start

Heads up: Lyrics about emotional manipulation.

Age: Suggested 13+

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Self-Reliance”