The song tells the story of the murder of a woman named Este. Este confronted her husband about cheating and was killed by him as a result. Her friend then kills Este's husband, and people think the husband's mistress did it because she took out a life insurance. The song is written from the perspective of Este's friend.
The meaning of the chorus changes every time. In the first chorus, Este refers to her husband cheating when she says "I think he did it but I just can't prove it". The second chorus refers to Taylor suspecting the husband having murdered her friend. The third chorus changes the lyrics to "They think she did it, but they just can't prove it" and refers to people thinking that the mistress killed Este's husband. The third line of this chorus changes to "She thinks I did it, but she just can't prove it", referring to the mistress thinking Taylor killed the husband.
Taylor wrote the song by herself and was inspired by her obsession with true crime podcasts and documentaries.[1]
Este is the name of one of the Haim sisters, Taylor chose her to be in the song because she knew Este would love to be in a song like this. Before Este knew that her name would be used in one of Taylor's songs, Taylor texted her to ask what her favorite restaurant was and wrote this into the song. After finishing the song, she asked the Haim sisters if they wanted to be on it.[2]
Trivia[]
Taylor and the Haim sisters have been best friends for years.[1]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
He did it
He did it
[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
Este's a friend of mine
We meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine
Este's been losin' sleep
Her husband's actin' different, and it smells like infidelity
She says, "That ain't my merlot on his mouth
That ain't my jewelry on our joint account"
No, there ain't no doubt
I think I'm gonna call him out
[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
She says, "I think he did it, but I just can't prove it"
I think he did it, but I just can't prove it
I think he did it, but I just can't prove it
No, no body, no crime
But I ain't lettin' up until the day I die
[Post-Chorus]
No, no
I think he did it
No, no
He did it
[Verse 2]
Este wasn't there Tuesday night at Olive Gardеn
At her job or anywhere
Hе reports his missing wife
And I noticed when I passed his house
His truck has got some brand new tires
And his mistress moved in
Sleeps in Este's bed and everything
No, there ain't no doubt
Somebody's gotta catch him out, 'cause
[Chorus]
I think he did it, but I just can't prove it (He did it)
I think he did it, but I just can't prove it (He did it)
I think he did it, but I just can't prove it
No, no body, no crime
But I ain't lettin' up until the day I die
[Post-Chorus]
No, no
I think he did it
No, no
He did it
[Verse 3: Taylor Swift & Haim]
Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen
And I've cleaned enough houses
To know how to cover up a scene
Good thing Este's sister's gonna swear she was with me
"She was with me, dude"
Good thing his mistress took out a big life insurance policy
[Chorus]
They think she did it, but they just can't prove it
They think she did it, but they just can't prove it
She thinks I did it, but she just can't prove it
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't lettin' up until the day he
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't lettin' up until the day he
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't lettin' up until the day he died
Videos[]
Taylor Swift - no body, no crime (Official Lyric Video) ft. HAIM
↑ 1.01.1YouTube Q&A - willow premiere - Taylor Swift
↑EW - Taylor Swift explains the story behind 'murder mystery song' No Body, No Crime - www.ew.com/music/taylor-swift-explains-story-behind-no-body-no-crime/
