Illicit Affairs is a song by Taylor Swift that delves into the emotional complexities and consequences of a secret affair. Co-written with Jack Antonoff, it was released as part of the album folklore in 2020. The song is noted for its intimate, detailed storytelling, as well as an emotional bridge that discusses the rationalization process and the impact of such a relationship.
Key: A
Introduction:
A
F#m
D
E
A
F#m
Make sure nobody sees you leave
D
Hood over your head, keep your eyes down
C#m
Tell your friends you're out for a run
E
You’ll be flushed when you return
A
F#m
Take the road less traveled by
D
Tell yourself you can always stop
C#m
What started in beautiful rooms
E
Ends with meetings in parking lots
C#m
D
And that's the thing about illicit affairs
E4
E
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
C#m
D
It's born from just one single glance
E4
E
But it dies and it dies and it dies
A
A million little times
A
F#m
Leave the perfume on the shelf
D
That you picked out just for him
C#m
So you leave no trace behind
E
Like you don’t even exist
A
F#m
Take the words for what they are
D
A dwindling, mercurial high
C#m
A drug that only worked
E
The first few hundred times
C#m
D
And that's the thing about illicit affairs
E4
E
And clandestine meetings and stolen stares
C#m
D
They show their truth one single time
E4
E
But they lie and they lie and they lie
A
A million little times
A
And you wanna scream
A
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
F#m
Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
D
C#m
E
You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else
A
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
F#m
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
D
C#m
E
You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else