“End Game” is the second song of the ‘Reputation’ album by Taylor Swift and features vocals by Ed Sheeran and Future. This is also the only track on the album with a collaborating artist.
This song has a bit of flavor with Ed Sheeran and Future joining in on the verses. The words “Eddie” and “Future” were seen on the background paintings in the “…Ready For It?” music video, hinting to this.
“End Game” has a classic Pop track aura and the post-chorus is very attractive.
Watch “End Game” Music Video
Read the Lyrics to “End Game” by Taylor Swift
Buy ‘Reputation’ Album on iTunes and Amazon
Lyrics Review and Song Meaning of “End Game”
At a glance “End Game” is a song about love and how the singer wants to be the last person to own his heart strings. She is looking at the end game, rather than the short game. Being the ‘first string’ in sports is a reference to being the first choice players. So the metaphor is pretty clear.
“A Team” is the best of the best squad, usually in warfare. But the term A Team is commonly used to recognize the best group out there. Taylor Swift is saying she will be his best company. Also “A Team” is a not-so-subtle reference to Ed Sheeran’s massive hit single by the same name.
Future and Ed Sheeran both play the role of the ‘desired’ in this song and they have two different approaches. Future jumps in with flamboyant promises of his reputation and G5 (private jets), while Ed Sheeran talks about emotional connection.
And you understand the good and bad end up in the song
For all your beautiful traits and the way you do it with ease
For all my flaws, paranoia, and insecurities
I’ve made mistakes and made some choices, that’s hard to deny
Ed Sheeran also talks about 4th of July which is the day of Independence in USA and Taylor Swift is known to be a big celebrator of this holiday.
Verse three of “End Game” speaks about Taylor’s competition. She talks about the rivalry with Kanye West, that they tried to bury the hatchet but it failed. She puts this nicely in the song;
And I bury hatchets, but I keep maps of where I put ’em
Let go, but never forget what they did to you, is the clear meaning behind these lyrics by Taylor Swift.
Reputation precedes me, they told you I’m crazy
I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me
Taylor Swift experienced a year full of drama in 2016 and 2017, and she has been in seclusion for the most part of 2017 as a reason. People call her crazy because she can’t keep one lover and she is weird in her own way. But Taylor says she considers these as ‘drama’ and she is not a fan of that.
Anyway, “End Game” is a very attractive and catchy song from ‘Reputation’ album and it served the collaboration purpose.
We see some of the old-Taylor traits in “End Game” but towards the end of the track, the new Taylor pops up. In a nutshell, this is a song you can put on repeat and shake your body to.
What do you think about this song? Let us know in the comments below and share this article with other Swifties.
Check out more lyrics reviews of ‘Reputation’ album below
1. …Ready For It?
2. End Game (featuring Ed Sheeran and Future)
3. I Did Something Bad
4. Dont Blame Me
5. Delicate
6. Look What You Made Me Do
7. So It Goes…
8. Gorgeous
9. Getaway Car
10. King of My Heart
11. Dancing With Our Hands Tied
12. Dress
13. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
14. Call It What You Want
15. New Year’s Day