Better Than Revenge

“Better Than Revenge” is the tenth song on Taylor Swift’s third album “Speak Now”, which was released in 2010 via Big Machine Records.

The pop-punk song sees Swift threaten revenge on a woman who has stolen her lover. The song is rumoured to be about Joe Jonas, and Camilla Belle whom Jonas broke up with Swift for. Belle is an actress, which Swift references in her lyrics: “She’s an actress, woah (She deserved it) / She’s better known for the things that she does / On the mattress, woah”. This particular lyric in the chorus sparked outrage among some listeners, stating that the line was slut-shaming and misogynistic.

4 years after the song had released, Swift spoke to newspaper The Guardian about the song’s content:

“I was 18 when I wrote [“Better Than Revenge”]. hat’s the age you are when you think someone can actually take your boyfriend. Then you grow up and realize no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.” 

The “Better Than Revenge” audio was uploaded to YouTube on the 24th July 2018. As of the 20th June 2023, the video had 7.3 million views.

“Better Than Revenge” is certified Gold in Australia and the US.

Read the lyrics to “Better Than Revenge” here.

*All information accurate at the time of publishing (20th June 2023).