Swifties… How Did You Survive This Song? 💔 | Taylor Swift "Ronan" (Taylor's Version) Reaction
Today’s episode is… a heavy one 💔
This is our reaction to Ronan (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift — and before we even pressed play, we knew this was going to be different. This video was requested by one of our biggest supporters, Ashley Elliott, who has been asking for this song since some of our very first videos… and now we finally understand why this one matters so much.
💔 THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG
For those who may not know, “Ronan” was written in 2011 after Taylor came across a blog called Rockstar Ronan, written by Maya Thompson about her young son, Ronan Thompson, who passed away from cancer at just four years old.
Taylor was deeply moved by Maya’s words and created this song from a mother’s perspective — even crediting Maya as a co-writer so that she would share in the royalties. The song was later released as part of Red (Taylor's Version) as a vault track, and has only been performed live a handful of times — including at a cancer benefit and during the The 1989 World Tour, with Maya in attendance.
🎥 ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We kept this one simple and intentional. Just the lyric video… one listen… no overproduction. Because honestly — we didn’t think we could handle more than that.
Before starting, we talk through the background of the song, Taylor’s inspiration, and the weight behind what we’re about to hear. And even then… we still weren’t prepared. We pause once early on to gather our thoughts — but after that, we let the song play all the way through. And it hit us… hard.
💭 WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
• The emotional weight of telling a story like this
• How incredibly mature this writing is from Taylor
• The reality of parenthood — and how fragile it really is
• Gratitude for our own children and their health
• The unimaginable pain so many families face
• And the compassion behind Taylor’s decision to share this story the way she did
Rick even needed to step away before we started the song… and if you watch through to the end, you’ll understand why.
💜 WHY THIS SONG MATTERS
This isn’t just music.
This is storytelling.
This is empathy.
This is honoring a life.
And it’s a reminder of the kind of artist Taylor is — someone who doesn’t just write songs, but creates space for real stories and real people to be seen and remembered.
⚠️ UP NEXT ON HAZED REACTIONS
We shift gears in our next episode as we continue the Kendrick vs Drake series with
👉 Kendrick Lamar – “Euphoria”
And later this week:
🎤 Robert reacts to “Life of a Showgirl”
🔥 Patreon Exclusive: “I Did Something Bad” (Live Reaction)
💬 If you’re watching this… thank you. This one isn’t easy. And sharing it with you means a lot. Take care of yourselves.
Hug your people a little tighter tonight 💜 ______________________________________________________________
CHAPTERS:
NOT SPONSORED, JUST OLD - 0:00
S/O ASHLEY ELLIOTT - 02:40
PLEASE BEAR WITH ME - 03:25
ON THE AGENDA TODAY - 04:50
ROCKSTAR RONAN - 06:30
TAYLOR'S PHILANTHROPY - 09:55
REMEBERING RONAN - 12:25
OPENING THOUGHTS - 14:05
CONTINUING RONAN'S TRIBUTE - 15:50
ASHLEY HOW DARE YOU!! - 18:40
CLOSING THOUGHTS - 20:20
WHAT MAKES TAYLOR DIFFERENT - 23:00
ANYONE FEELING EUPHORIC....? - 28:00 _____________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW HAZED REACTIONS:
INSTAGRAM: / HAZEDREACTIONS
YOUTUBE: / @HAZEDREACTIONS
PATREON: / HAZEDREACTIONS
Comments (13)
Today would have been Ronan’s 19th birthday 🥺
damn this will get the parents out there. still gets to me. late to the reaction been busy at wotk.
2 lines into the song and burst into tears. 😭
The first time I heard this, my first thought was "when did Taylor have a child and when did she lose him"? It broke my heart and is a very hard listen. I have to be alone when this one comes on. I'm a crier anyway, but this one just breaks my heart. Hits hard for me more now since my daughter was dying from kidney disease until she got a kidney. I also love how Maya will not put up with anyone disrespecting Taylor for this and her giving back.
Taylor taking that breath gets me every time 😭😢
F this song. No its amazing just hard to listen to. One of the few things that always gets me and the lyric video is just harder. On a similar but happier note yes the way Taylor gives back to her fans is just amazing especially before all the issues that happened between 1989 and Rep. There are alot of Tay's videos you will see at some point that show them but the big ones for me are like the video where she went to a elderly mans house to play a few songs for him cause he couldn't come to a concert I mean come on who does that. The one where she showed up un annouced to a fans I believe bridal shower. The crazy deal where she invited fans to her houses all across the country to hear 1989 before it was released and was hiding there to suprise them and had baked cookies for everyone. She use to stalk fans on social media and suprise them with gifts even personally delivering them to there house. We did make the right person famous with her.
Heyyy who isn't a little fucked up nowadays? Lmao Anyways thanks again for reacting to this, I find it to be a good one time listen through at least, just to honour Ronan. Keep his memory alive. I myself listen to it once every now and then, just as like a silent prayer to him and his family. It's very triggering to some people so I know it is a very tough listen, but I definitely appreciate you guys <3 Corina, like I said in the live chat, you nailed all the info I know of at least, about his story, so good job on filling Rick in <3 I will definitely be here for the live version reaction, whichever live you choose, and I will bring the tissues then too <3
We survive by not listening to it, unfortunately. Glad you guys took a listen but I’ll wait for your next reaction to tune in 😊
This song always makes me sob and that all proceeds go to his foundation
How did we survived? We didn't, we died dead.
Bold of you to assume I survived this song.
Why not? I needed a good cry this morning as I take a break from snow shoveling.
Who told you we survived this song??? Never heard of it.