It’s a weirdly specific kind of magic. Most people don’t realize that one of the most ethereal, "classic Taylor" songs in her entire discography isn't actually a Taylor Swift original. If you’ve spent any time dissecting untouchable lyrics taylor swift, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The song feels like it was plucked directly from the same starlit sky as Enchanted or Starlight, yet it started its life as a mid-tempo rock track by a band called Luna Halo.
Taylor didn't just cover it. She rebuilt it.
She took a song about desperate, grounding longing and turned it into a lullaby for the unattainable. Honestly, the way she shifted the arrangement—slowing it down to a glacial, shimmering pace—changed the entire DNA of the message. When you look at the untouchable lyrics taylor swift used for the Fearless Platinum Edition (and later Fearless (Taylor’s Version)), you’re seeing a masterclass in how a singer-songwriter can "adopt" a song so thoroughly that the original feels like a distant memory.
The Luna Halo Connection and the Art of the "Taylor Rewrite"
Let’s be real for a second. Most covers are just carbon copies with a different voice. Taylor doesn't do that. When she heard "Untouchable," she reportedly went to the band—specifically lead singer Nathan Barlowe—and asked for permission to change the arrangement. It wasn't just a "can I sing this?" moment. It was a "can I fundamentally alter the vibe?" moment.
The original version by Luna Halo is crunchy. It’s got that 2000s alternative rock grit. It’s frantic. But Taylor saw something else in it. By stripping away the distorted guitars and replacing them with a delicate, acoustic-driven atmosphere, she highlighted the vulnerability in the lyrics. She actually received a co-writing credit on her version because she tweaked the melody and structure so significantly.
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Think about the opening lines. Untouchable like a distant diamond sky. In the original, it’s an observation. In Taylor’s hands, it’s a prayer. She’s obsessed with the "celestial" imagery. Throughout her career, she’s used the sky, the stars, and the moon to represent things she can’t quite touch—think "Love you to the moon and to Saturn." This was the blueprint.
Why the "Fearless" Era Was the Perfect Home for This Song
You have to remember where Taylor was in 2009. She was becoming the biggest star on the planet. Everything was happening at once. The Fearless album was already a juggernaut, winning Album of the Year at the Grammys. Adding "Untouchable" to the Platinum Edition felt like a bridge between the country-pop of her debut and the more cinematic, "big-budget" feelings of Speak Now.
The untouchable lyrics taylor swift fans obsess over are usually the ones that emphasize the distance. In the middle of the night, when I'm in this dream... It’s escapism. Pure and simple. At that point in her life, Taylor was living a life that was increasingly "untouchable" to the average person, yet she was writing about a love that felt the same way to her. It’s that relatability paradox she’s so good at.
Breaking Down the Lyrics: What’s Actually Happening?
If you look closely at the chorus, it’s almost hypnotic. The repetition of "Wait, wait, wait" and "Stay, stay, stay" creates a rhythmic pulse that feels like a heartbeat. It’s not complex poetry, but it’s effective.
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- The Metaphor of the "Diamond Sky": This is classic Swiftian imagery. It sets the subject on a pedestal. They aren't just far away; they are fundamentally out of reach.
- The Concept of "Tangled Up": Caught up in you, and I'm out of my mind. This is the quintessential teenage feeling of being overwhelmed by an emotion you can't control.
- The Whispered Vocals: In the Taylor’s Version recording, you can hear the maturity in her voice, but she keeps that breathy, ethereal quality. It’s meant to sound like a secret.
Interestingly, many fans didn't even know this was a cover for years. That’s because the untouchable lyrics taylor swift uses fit her narrative arc so perfectly. It’s the "stolen" feeling—the idea that you’re looking at someone through a window or a screen, and they don't even know you exist.
The Technical Shift: From Rock to Lullaby
Musically, the song is a trip. The original is in 4/4 time, but it feels driving. Taylor’s version feels like it’s floating in 6/8 time (even though it stays in 4/4), mostly because of the way the guitars arpeggiate. It’s a trick she uses often to create a "dream" state.
I remember reading an interview with Nathan Barlowe where he mentioned how surprised he was by her version. He didn't expect a country artist to turn his rock song into something that sounded like it belonged in a cathedral. But that’s the "Taylor Effect." She finds the emotional core of a lyric and strips everything else away until that’s all you can hear.
The Difference in "Taylor’s Version" (2021)
When Taylor re-recorded the song for Fearless (Taylor’s Version), the production got a massive glow-up. The "untouchable lyrics taylor swift" stayed the same, obviously, but the layering of the backing vocals became much more intricate.
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- Christopher Rowe’s Production: He helped her recreate the magic of the 2009 version while making it crisp for modern headphones.
- The "Little T" Nuance: Fans often point out that her younger voice had a slight twang that is gone now, replaced by a rich, controlled tone that makes the "Wait, wait, wait" section feel more desperate and less like a girl daydreaming.
- The Bass Line: It’s subtle, but the bass in the re-recording is much warmer. It grounds the song so it doesn't just float away into the atmosphere.
Is it One of Her Best Covers?
Honestly, yeah. Maybe the best.
Usually, when Taylor does a cover—like "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire or "Riptide" by Vance Joy—she keeps the spirit of the original but adds her signature "sad girl" flare. With "Untouchable," she did more than that. She redefined the song's legacy. If you search for the song today, the Luna Halo version is almost an afterthought. That might be sad for the band, but they’ve been very vocal about how the royalties from Taylor’s version basically changed their lives. It’s a win-win.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this track or if you're a musician trying to learn from her technique, here’s how to approach it:
- Analyze the Tempo Shift: Take a fast song you love and try to play it at 60-70 BPM. You’ll be surprised how much more weight the lyrics carry when they have room to breathe. This is exactly what Taylor did.
- Study the "Atmospheric" Guitar: The "Untouchable" sound is created through heavy reverb and delay. If you're a guitar player, focus on those clean, ringing notes rather than heavy strumming.
- Check Out the Original: Seriously. Go listen to Luna Halo’s "Untouchable" on YouTube or Spotify. It will give you a massive appreciation for how much creative work Taylor put into her "cover." It’s a completely different experience.
- The "Fearless" Context: Listen to "Untouchable" immediately followed by "Come In With The Rain." You’ll notice they share a sonic palette—that rainy, late-night, looking-out-the-window vibe that defined the Platinum Edition.
The untouchable lyrics taylor swift fans love are a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere. Sometimes, a song just needs a different perspective to find its true soul. Taylor found the soul of "Untouchable" in the stars, and she’s kept it there for over a decade.
If you're making a "Late Night Taylor" playlist, this track is the mandatory opener. It sets the mood perfectly: distant, beautiful, and just a little bit lonely.
Next Steps:
To fully appreciate the evolution of Taylor's reimagining, listen to the Luna Halo original version first, then follow it immediately with Untouchable (Taylor’s Version). Pay close attention to the lyric "Millions of little stars spelling out your name"—in the rock version, it feels like an energetic shout; in Taylor’s, it feels like a secret being whispered in the dark. This contrast is the key to understanding her entire approach to songcraft during the Fearless era.