The song is about a breakup between Taylor Swift and a boy. The lyrics describe their on-again, off-again relationship where they would break up and get back together frequently. They would say hurtful things to each other like "I hate you" but then later call each other to say "I love you." The chorus emphasizes that they are "never ever getting back together." The repetition of the catchy chorus conveys the message that Swift does not want to reunite with this boy.