Unravel the layered intrigue of “Wood,” the enigmatic ninth track from Taylor Swift‘s twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl, which dazzled fans upon its October 3, 2025, drop via Republic Records—her most focused pop opus since Reputation, clocking in at a taut 12 songs.
Co-written and produced by Swift alongside Max Martin and Shellback (the hitmaking trio behind “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space”), this cut pulses with Swift’s signature confessional wit, blending shimmering synths and driving beats into a sonic riddle that nods to her 1989-era escape anthem “Out of the Woods.” “Wood” marks a bold and intimate exploration of love, fate, and personal empowerment. Known for her storytelling prowess and genre versatility, Taylor dives into themes of superstition and self-confidence with a fresh, sultry twist in this track. The lyrics blend playful imagery of old superstitions—like crossing fingers and knocking on wood—with a raw declaration of a love so powerful it breaks curses and shifts luck entirely.
The song’s narrative captures the tension between skepticism and belief, portraying a relationship that defies traditional fears and embraces its own unique magic. Taylor’s poetic voice guides listeners through moments of vulnerability and strength, mixing cheeky bravado with tender intimacy. The recurring motif of the “redwood tree” symbolizes stability and natural power, reinforcing the deep trust and passion that define the connection in the song. “Wood” stands out in The Life of a Showgirl as a confident anthem of forging one’s own path in love and life, rejecting superstition while celebrating the transformative power of the romantic bond.
Fans familiar with Taylor’s lyricism will appreciate the clever wordplay and emotional layers wrapped in this evocative, rhythmically compelling track. Dive into the Wood lyrics below and decode Swift’s wooded whispers. Don’t miss other The Life of a Showgirl tracks like “The Fate of Ophelia” or Father Figure for more of her spotlight-shattering sparkle.
| Lead Vocals | Taylor Swift |
| Songwriter | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Music Producer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Composer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Mastering Engineer | Randy Merrill & Ryan Smith |
| Mixing Engineer | Șerban Ghenea |
| Produced At | MXM Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) & Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
| Distributor | Universal Music Group |
| Label | Republic Records |
| Release Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Taylor Swift |
| Recorded At | Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
Lyrics of Wood by Taylor Swift
[Verse 1]
Daisy’s Bare Naked, I Was Distraught
He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me Not
Penny’s Unlucky, I Took Him Back
And Then Stepped On A Crack
And The Black Cat Laughed
[Pre-Chorus]
And Baby, I’ll Admit I’ve Been A Little Superstitious (Superstitious)
Fingers Crossed Until You Put Your Hand On Mine (Hand On Mine)
Seems To Be That You And Me, We Make Our Own Luck
A Bad Sign Is All Good
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
[Chorus]
All Of That Bitching, Wishing On A Falling Star
Never Did Me Any Good
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
It’s You And Me Forever Dancing In The Dark (Ah)
All Over Me, It’s Understood
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
[Post-Chorus]
Forgive Me, It Sounds Cocky
He Ah-matized Me And Opened My Eyes
Redwood Tree, It Ain’t Hard To See
His Love Was The Key That Opened My Thighs
[Verse 2]
Girls, I Don’t Need To Catch The Bouquet, Mm
To Know A Hard Rock Is On The Way
[Pre-Chorus]
And Baby, I’ll Admit I’ve Been A Little Superstitious (Superstitious)
The Curse On Me Was Broken By Your Magic Wand (Ah)
Seems To Be That You And Me, We Make Our Own Luck
New Heights (New Heights), Manhood (Manhood)
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
[Chorus]
(Ah) All Of That Bitching, Wishing On A Falling Star
Never Did Me Any Good
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
(Ah) It’s You And Me Forever Dancing In The Dark (Ah)
All Over Me, It’s Understood
I Ain’t Got To Knock On Wood
[Post-Chorus]
Forgive Me, It Sounds Cocky
He Ah-matized Me And Opened My Eyes
Redwood Tree, It Ain’t Hard To See
His Love Was The Key That Opened My Thighs
Forgive Me, It Sounds Cocky
He Ah-matized Me And Opened My Eyes
Redwood Tree, It Ain’t Hard To See
His Love Was The Key That Opened My Thighs
Wood Lyrics Taylor Swift Meaning
[Verse 1]
Taylor starts by painting a picture of past heartbreaks and unlucky moments—daisy petals symbolizing the classic “he loves me, he loves me not” uncertainty, taking back a lover named Penny despite bad luck, and the playful image of stepping on a crack while a black cat laughs at her misfortune. It shows her vulnerability and those superstitions she’s used to worrying about in love.
[Pre-Chorus]
She admits to having been superstitious, crossing fingers for good luck until the moment she feels her partner’s hand in hers. But now, she sees that the two of them actually make their own luck together. What once seemed like bad omens don’t matter anymore, so she doesn’t need to “knock on wood” to avoid disaster.
[Chorus]
The chorus throws out all the anxious “bitching” and wishing upon falling stars that never actually brought good results. Instead, she embraces their unique bond, feeling secure and understood as they metaphorically dance forever in the dark. Their connection is solid and reassuring, so no more superstition is needed.
[Post-Chorus]
Taylor playfully asks for forgiveness if she sounds cocky, but the love she’s found—described with cheeky double entendres like “He ah-matized me” and “His love was the key that opened my thighs”—has truly opened her eyes and changed her. The “redwood tree” is a strong symbol of that love’s power and permanence.
[Verse 2]
Here she tells the girls that she doesn’t need to catch the bouquet to know something strong and lasting is coming her way—referring to her partner as a “hard rock,” a symbol of stability and strength in contrast to her past relationship struggles.
[Pre-Chorus]
She repeats her admission of past superstitions but now shows that any curse or bad luck was broken by her partner’s “magic wand,” metaphorically referring to the transformative power of his love and presence. Together, they create new luck and reach new heights (a nod to Travis Kelce’s podcast “New Heights”), further affirming her security and confidence.
[Chorus and Post-Chorus Repeat]
The song returns to the chorus and post-chorus to reinforce that she no longer needs old rituals or worries—her relationship gives her confidence, joy, and passion, replacing superstition with certainty.
