Sophia Michaels
When Taylor Swift released “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” back in the spring of 2021, the album contained six “From the Vault” tracks — songs she wrote during the original creation of the the 2008 album that didn’t make the cut. One of those songs, “Mr. Perfectly Fine,” quickly became a fan favorite thank to its catchy lyrics and tune. And lots of Swifties theorized that the song was about Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas. Here’s what to know about the track and why it points to Jonas.
Who Is “Mr. Perfectly Fine” About?
In “Mr. Perfectly Fine,” Swift sings about an ex who fed her false promises that he would never go away and would be with her forever. But then he had a “change of heart” and left her all alone. But now, she realizes he was never Mr. Right, or the one — he’s just “Mr. Perfectly Fine.” She also sings that he’s already moved on, saying, “‘Cause I hear he’s got his arm ’round a brand-new girl / I’ve been picking up my heart, he’s been picking up her.”
Swift and Jonas dated until just before the original “Fearless” album came out in 2008, and Swift previously confirmed “Forever and Always,” which is on the original album, is about Jonas. “Mr. Perfectly Fine” picks up with the same themes of being abandoned by a partner and feeling deep pain. “Mr. Perfectly Fine” also references another song about Jonas: “Better Than Revenge,” off of “Speak Now.” In that song, she accused Jonas of breaking up with her for another girl.
Plus, we got one more seeming confirmation that the track is about Jonas. When it came out, Sophie Turner (who married Jonas in 2019; the couple have since split) reacted to the song on her Instagram story. “It’s not NOT a bop,” she wrote alongside the track. Swift reposted it and wrote, “Forever bending the knee to the [queen] of the north,” a reference to Turner’s role of “Game of Thrones.” Fans took it as a clear confirmation that the track is about Jonas and the heartbreak he left in his wake.
“Mr. Perfectly Fine” Lyrics
VERSE 1
Mr. “Perfect face”
Mr. “Here to stay”
Mr. “Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away”
Everything was right
Mr. “I’ve been waitin’ for you all my life”
Mr. “Every single day until the end, I will be by your side”
PRE-CHORUS
But that was when I got to know Mr. “Change of heart”
Mr. “Leaves me all alone,” I fall apart
It takes everything in me just to get up each day
But it’s wonderful to see that you’re okay
CHORUS
Hello, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Hello, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery since your goodbye
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
VERSE 2
Mr. “Never told me why”
Mr. “Never had to see me cry”
Mr. “Insincere apology so he doesn’t look like the bad guy”
He goes about his day
Forgets he ever even heard my name
Well, I thought you might be different than the rest, I guess you’re all the same
PRE-CHORUS
‘Cause I hear he’s got his arm ’round a brand-new girl
I’ve been pickin’ up my heart, he’s been pickin’ up her
And I never got past what you put me through
But it’s wonderful to see that it never phased you
CHORUS
Hello, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Hello, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery since your goodbye
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
VERSE 3
So dignified in your well-pressed suit
So strategized, all the eyes on you
Sashay your way to your seat
It’s the best seat, in the best room
Oh, he’s so smug, Mr. “Always wins”
So far above me in every sense
So far above feeling anything
BRIDGE
And it’s really such a shame
It’s such a shame
‘Cause I was Miss “Here to stay”
Now I’m Miss “Gonna be alright someday”
And someday maybe you’ll miss me
But by then, you’ll be Mr. “Too late”
CHORUS
Goodbye, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Goodbye, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery for the last time
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
OUTRO
You’re perfectly fine
Mr. “Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away”
You said you’d never go away
