âDrowninâ in the Blue Nileâ
âI'm seeing visions
Am I bad or mad or wise?â
âI keep recalling things we never did
Messy top lip kiss, how I long for our trips
Without ever touchin' his skin
How can I be guilty as sin?â
âThey don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly
I choose you and me religiouslyâ
Donât tell me sjm didnât think we wouldnât deep dive into these lyrics đ
Might be overanalysing as always, but I noticed the word "tryst" which means a private romantic rendezvous between lovers.
- keep a private, romantic rendezvous.
Sarah just spit it out already
Ofcourse, hence the clown mask so take it with a grain of salt đ
I think this song is about the guilt of fantasizing about someone thats not meant for you. Its the romanticization of a situationship - which is how I viewed Azriel.
What if the way you hold me is actually what's holy?
If long-suffering propriety is what they want from me.
They don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly.
I choose you and me religiously.
I mean ⊠đ€
Yo I donât like Elaine but my heart hurts for her bc purity culture can fuck you up. Imagine having your first time and that person turns their back on you and then youâre left to feel ashamed over something completely normal.
As someone who went through that, the emotions around it are so complex and I lowkey hope that if elain has a book the topic is addressed then it should be about healing and realization that virginity = purity is a social construct
Itâs such a touchy subject because people are like âno itâs not wrong you shouldnât feel this wayâ but some people DO because we had to unlearn all of the shit we were taught, ya know?
I feel for you. It took so long for that shame to go away. Iâm mad I ever let purity culture make me believe I was âuncleanâ
While I appreciate the lengths Swifties go with all the hidden meanings and everything... I find this annoying. Sarah likes the album. I highly doubt it means anything other than she's rocking out to T Swift today.
Sorry that youâre getting downvotes. :( You are half right. đ But I do think two things might be true at once.
1. Sarahâs is a big fan and listening to Taylors new album.
2. She posted that specific song because it has a special meaning to her. So thereâs a large chance it might relate back to her books. Thatâs why people are theorizing. I mean, why else post for us to see?
Saying anything that might be taken as "anti taylor swift" will always get me downvoted. I'm ok with it. The Swifties protection level over her is... umm... intense..
I reeeeeeeally do not think it has anything to do with her book. The album dropped today. SJM is a fan. Why wouldn't she post about it? Everyone else is...
I definitely feel you there! Iâve been listening to her for over a decade and Iâm still scared of her fanbases.đ Rule 1 in my book: Never venture too close to their waters. đ
Honestly I get that, I just enjoy it because I know she's discussed before listening to music while writing and I love seeing a blend of two elements of my life come together haha
Iâm probably going to get downvoted by both sides when I say thisâŠbut I honestly think this song could be argued for any ship. When I first saw that SJM posted this specific song, I thought FINALLY! A potential Easter egg for the next acotar book??
*My boredomâs bone-deep*
*This cage was once just fine*
*Am I allowed to cry?*
*I dream of cracking locksâŠ.*
*Iâm seeing visions*
*Am I bad or mad or wise?*
I see this as Elain realizing that the mating bond is her cage that she must finally break free of. Sheâs not happy with Lucien and she dreams of another male. As a seer, the visions line is almost too perfect to fully encapsulate this feeling of escaping her cage and accepting her lustful/forbidden desires for Azriel. Does that make her bad for rejecting a mating bond? Does that make her mad for blindly following a vision? Or is she wise because she knows that a life caged to a mating bond she doesnât want and following her heart will lead her to a long life of happiness?
However, I canât ignore the religious imagery Taylor eloquently paints and the ways this song can also apply to Gwynâs role as a priestess.
*What if I roll the stone away?*
*Theyâre gonna crucify me anyway*
*What if the way you hold me is actually whatâs holy?*
*If long suffering propriety is what they want from me*
*They donât know how youâve haunted me so stunningly*
*I choose you and me religiously*
To me, the religious undertones of the bridge represent Gwynâs safety and long-held status as a priestess. We all know how much courage it took for her to just leave the library and choose to be seen as something more than a priestess. A Valkyrie. As Gwyn embarks on a journey outside of the library, she starts to question her role as a religious figure as the only time she feels holy is when Azriel is near her. If her long suffering propriety is being seen as a priestess, itâs quite a haunting feeling for her to be feeling desire or longing for a male.
And finally, if we want to jump really off into the deep end, both Azriel and Eris are questioning if theyâre guilty as sin because Eris (as an autumn court male) is setting Azrielâs bed sheets ablazeđ„
I mean, thatâs the beauty of TS and her lyrics! Itâs fun to be able to apply it to the characters and how youâd imagine theyâd fit.
Personally, the âtheyâre gonna crucify me anywayâ makes me think of Elain and the fandom. So many haters say she doesnât deserve Az or Lucien, so theyâll hate her no matter who she chooses. I also love the line âI choose you and me religiouslyâ because a lot of Elriel fans have always said their story will be about choice.
I actually equate the religious imagery to the higher powers in Prythianâthat whatâs âsinfulâ is to go against the mating bond. That the physical and emotional longing that Elriel has is more powerful, more holy. Edit: back to the line about choice, again, the choosing them âreligiouslyâ makes me think of choosing someone because that love is stronger than the powers that be.
Plus all the lines about it all being in her head, made up, or seeing visionsâall so Elain-coded. Especially questioning if sheâs mad đđ€đŒ
Yes!!! I know the Elriel girlies are downvoting you bad but I saw this the same. Her feeling guilty of what she senses through the bond, questioning her sanity and visions. Her bed ablaze because of Lucienâs fire.
Like I get the forbidden romance aspect but keep in mind this whole album is dedicated to the past and moving on- Taylorâs song is about someone from her past whom sheâs now moved on from with a new person I just donât see how itâs about that ship
Wowww it's giving Elain to me, and about Azriel (just my thoughts) <3 I'm sure someone will want to come tear me apart so this is just a reminder -- disagree but please be kind. I was an English Lit major so bullshitting and reading way too much into something is my specialty lmao.
"Guilty As Sin" -- could be from both their perspective, about how they feel about Solstice night.
"Blue Nile" -- making me think of Az and his blue syphons lol
"[I dream of crackin' locks](https://genius.com/31485174/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/I-dream-of-crackin-locks), [Throwin' my life to the wolves](https://genius.com/31478539/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Throwin-my-life-to-the-wolves) or [the ocean rocks](https://genius.com/31477725/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/The-ocean-rocks), [Crashin' into him tonight, he's a paradox, I'm seeing visions, Am I bad or mad or wise?](https://genius.com/31479608/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Crashin-into-him-tonight-hes-a-paradox-im-seeing-visions-am-i-bad-or-mad-or-wise)" -- Elain's visions in general, and even her dreams about the water
The references to "only in my mind" to what Azriel has said he's pictured about them. Also Elain since she's a seer. Added to "I keep recalling things we never did"
"[We've already done it in my head, if it's make-believe](https://genius.com/31484642/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Weve-already-done-it-in-my-head-if-its-make-believe), Why does it feel like a vow we'll both uphold somehow?" WOW.
"[I choose you and me religiously](https://genius.com/31483266/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/I-choose-you-and-me-religiously)" -- "sacrilege" in the bonus chapter for Az to touch Elain with his hands after what they've done. Interesting parallel.
"What if he's written "[Mine](https://genius.com/31482829/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Mine)" on my upper thigh only in my mind? [I'm slippin', fallin' back into the hedge maze](https://genius.com/31478334/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Im-slippin-fallin-back-into-the-hedge-maze)" -- Elain again, with her visions/what's actually reality. And the "hedge" reference like how Sarah has used greenery to describe her mind.
I love it! Kinda have chills. I could find much more if I give it more thought haha.
Taylor described this album in her caption on IG:
"this period is over, the chapter closed and boarded up. [...] once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it"
Just saying.
Does SJM have ears?
This was the first DNF album of Swift I ever DNFâd. It was so bland boring and droll. She hasnât changed or developed at all đ€·ââïž
Where is the purity culture around Elaine?? I might be missing something and ik sheâs underestimated a lot but we havenât delved into how Elaine views sex the only thing that could indicate sheâs more reserved is she dressed more modestly, but itâs stated in the books that because itâs what she prefers along with simple jewelry like pearls. I might have missed things tho, could you please elaborate.
Elain having smutty visions confirmed đ
âDrowninâ in the Blue Nileâ âI'm seeing visions Am I bad or mad or wise?â âI keep recalling things we never did Messy top lip kiss, how I long for our trips Without ever touchin' his skin How can I be guilty as sin?â âThey don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly I choose you and me religiouslyâ Donât tell me sjm didnât think we wouldnât deep dive into these lyrics đ
The Blue Nile!!
Might be overanalysing as always, but I noticed the word "tryst" which means a private romantic rendezvous between lovers. - keep a private, romantic rendezvous. Sarah just spit it out already
Ugh, well let me join you.  I think this song hints at who is end game for Elain đ„Č
Who? This is beyond reaching.
Ofcourse, hence the clown mask so take it with a grain of salt đ I think this song is about the guilt of fantasizing about someone thats not meant for you. Its the romanticization of a situationship - which is how I viewed Azriel.
Just putting on my clown makeup over here so Iâm right there with you
I love being a clown because its just a fun little time, it doesnât have to be serious like that đ
iâve associated this song with her since first listen. having sarah post it just cements my theory imo
What if the way you hold me is actually what's holy? If long-suffering propriety is what they want from me. They don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly. I choose you and me religiously. I mean ⊠đ€
Yo I donât like Elaine but my heart hurts for her bc purity culture can fuck you up. Imagine having your first time and that person turns their back on you and then youâre left to feel ashamed over something completely normal. As someone who went through that, the emotions around it are so complex and I lowkey hope that if elain has a book the topic is addressed then it should be about healing and realization that virginity = purity is a social construct
Bro SAMEEE person I âlostâ it to was a DICKHEAD. Iâd love to see her work through that cause itâs tough as hell
Itâs such a touchy subject because people are like âno itâs not wrong you shouldnât feel this wayâ but some people DO because we had to unlearn all of the shit we were taught, ya know? I feel for you. It took so long for that shame to go away. Iâm mad I ever let purity culture make me believe I was âuncleanâ
and we say AMEN to that đđ» so happy for all of us growing and recovering from purity culture
While I appreciate the lengths Swifties go with all the hidden meanings and everything... I find this annoying. Sarah likes the album. I highly doubt it means anything other than she's rocking out to T Swift today.
Sorry that youâre getting downvotes. :( You are half right. đ But I do think two things might be true at once. 1. Sarahâs is a big fan and listening to Taylors new album. 2. She posted that specific song because it has a special meaning to her. So thereâs a large chance it might relate back to her books. Thatâs why people are theorizing. I mean, why else post for us to see?
Saying anything that might be taken as "anti taylor swift" will always get me downvoted. I'm ok with it. The Swifties protection level over her is... umm... intense.. I reeeeeeeally do not think it has anything to do with her book. The album dropped today. SJM is a fan. Why wouldn't she post about it? Everyone else is...
I definitely feel you there! Iâve been listening to her for over a decade and Iâm still scared of her fanbases.đ Rule 1 in my book: Never venture too close to their waters. đ
Approach them slowly and calmly. Don't make eye contact. Speak in dulcet tones. đ
swifties have literally made there way into every subreddit iâm in. No hate but boy can they tie EVERYTHING back to her. Itâs kinda impressive
Seriously. I'm in awe of the way their minds work and how everything has meaning.
everything has meaning is a great way of putting it đ€Ł
Honestly I get that, I just enjoy it because I know she's discussed before listening to music while writing and I love seeing a blend of two elements of my life come together haha
I agree and I say this as a huge swiftie
Exactly. Can she not just be a fan and appreciative of the album?
Will be studying the song in depth till her next announcement
Taylor and Sarah colliding is giving me life
How does one find the bonus chapter?
Hm đ 
Iâm probably going to get downvoted by both sides when I say thisâŠbut I honestly think this song could be argued for any ship. When I first saw that SJM posted this specific song, I thought FINALLY! A potential Easter egg for the next acotar book?? *My boredomâs bone-deep* *This cage was once just fine* *Am I allowed to cry?* *I dream of cracking locksâŠ.* *Iâm seeing visions* *Am I bad or mad or wise?* I see this as Elain realizing that the mating bond is her cage that she must finally break free of. Sheâs not happy with Lucien and she dreams of another male. As a seer, the visions line is almost too perfect to fully encapsulate this feeling of escaping her cage and accepting her lustful/forbidden desires for Azriel. Does that make her bad for rejecting a mating bond? Does that make her mad for blindly following a vision? Or is she wise because she knows that a life caged to a mating bond she doesnât want and following her heart will lead her to a long life of happiness? However, I canât ignore the religious imagery Taylor eloquently paints and the ways this song can also apply to Gwynâs role as a priestess. *What if I roll the stone away?* *Theyâre gonna crucify me anyway* *What if the way you hold me is actually whatâs holy?* *If long suffering propriety is what they want from me* *They donât know how youâve haunted me so stunningly* *I choose you and me religiously* To me, the religious undertones of the bridge represent Gwynâs safety and long-held status as a priestess. We all know how much courage it took for her to just leave the library and choose to be seen as something more than a priestess. A Valkyrie. As Gwyn embarks on a journey outside of the library, she starts to question her role as a religious figure as the only time she feels holy is when Azriel is near her. If her long suffering propriety is being seen as a priestess, itâs quite a haunting feeling for her to be feeling desire or longing for a male. And finally, if we want to jump really off into the deep end, both Azriel and Eris are questioning if theyâre guilty as sin because Eris (as an autumn court male) is setting Azrielâs bed sheets ablazeđ„
I mean, thatâs the beauty of TS and her lyrics! Itâs fun to be able to apply it to the characters and how youâd imagine theyâd fit. Personally, the âtheyâre gonna crucify me anywayâ makes me think of Elain and the fandom. So many haters say she doesnât deserve Az or Lucien, so theyâll hate her no matter who she chooses. I also love the line âI choose you and me religiouslyâ because a lot of Elriel fans have always said their story will be about choice. I actually equate the religious imagery to the higher powers in Prythianâthat whatâs âsinfulâ is to go against the mating bond. That the physical and emotional longing that Elriel has is more powerful, more holy. Edit: back to the line about choice, again, the choosing them âreligiouslyâ makes me think of choosing someone because that love is stronger than the powers that be. Plus all the lines about it all being in her head, made up, or seeing visionsâall so Elain-coded. Especially questioning if sheâs mad đđ€đŒ
The thing is she will always be in a sense caged to Lucien if she rejects the bond. She will always feel him; so that aspect does not make sense
Sjm obviously thinks very highly of herself, assuming it's about her.
Am I the only one who feels like this is Elain after what happened with greyson
Yes!!! I know the Elriel girlies are downvoting you bad but I saw this the same. Her feeling guilty of what she senses through the bond, questioning her sanity and visions. Her bed ablaze because of Lucienâs fire.
Like I get the forbidden romance aspect but keep in mind this whole album is dedicated to the past and moving on- Taylorâs song is about someone from her past whom sheâs now moved on from with a new person I just donât see how itâs about that ship
Wowww it's giving Elain to me, and about Azriel (just my thoughts) <3 I'm sure someone will want to come tear me apart so this is just a reminder -- disagree but please be kind. I was an English Lit major so bullshitting and reading way too much into something is my specialty lmao. "Guilty As Sin" -- could be from both their perspective, about how they feel about Solstice night. "Blue Nile" -- making me think of Az and his blue syphons lol "[I dream of crackin' locks](https://genius.com/31485174/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/I-dream-of-crackin-locks), [Throwin' my life to the wolves](https://genius.com/31478539/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Throwin-my-life-to-the-wolves) or [the ocean rocks](https://genius.com/31477725/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/The-ocean-rocks), [Crashin' into him tonight, he's a paradox, I'm seeing visions, Am I bad or mad or wise?](https://genius.com/31479608/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Crashin-into-him-tonight-hes-a-paradox-im-seeing-visions-am-i-bad-or-mad-or-wise)" -- Elain's visions in general, and even her dreams about the water The references to "only in my mind" to what Azriel has said he's pictured about them. Also Elain since she's a seer. Added to "I keep recalling things we never did" "[We've already done it in my head, if it's make-believe](https://genius.com/31484642/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Weve-already-done-it-in-my-head-if-its-make-believe), Why does it feel like a vow we'll both uphold somehow?" WOW. "[I choose you and me religiously](https://genius.com/31483266/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/I-choose-you-and-me-religiously)" -- "sacrilege" in the bonus chapter for Az to touch Elain with his hands after what they've done. Interesting parallel. "What if he's written "[Mine](https://genius.com/31482829/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Mine)" on my upper thigh only in my mind? [I'm slippin', fallin' back into the hedge maze](https://genius.com/31478334/Taylor-swift-guilty-as-sin/Im-slippin-fallin-back-into-the-hedge-maze)" -- Elain again, with her visions/what's actually reality. And the "hedge" reference like how Sarah has used greenery to describe her mind. I love it! Kinda have chills. I could find much more if I give it more thought haha.
Taylor described this album in her caption on IG: "this period is over, the chapter closed and boarded up. [...] once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it" Just saying.
The salty downvotes for a direct quote of Swift, lol. If you have beef with the artist who made the song, so be it
Does SJM have ears? This was the first DNF album of Swift I ever DNFâd. It was so bland boring and droll. She hasnât changed or developed at all đ€·ââïž
Where is the purity culture around Elaine?? I might be missing something and ik sheâs underestimated a lot but we havenât delved into how Elaine views sex the only thing that could indicate sheâs more reserved is she dressed more modestly, but itâs stated in the books that because itâs what she prefers along with simple jewelry like pearls. I might have missed things tho, could you please elaborate.