Episodes
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"I'm so in love that I acted insane." This week we dive into “The Way I Loved You.” One guy’s screaming and fighting, the other is sensible and incredible. We go line-by-line to identify who’s involved in this love triangle, the emotions behind the narrator’s dilemma, and why the narrator doesn’t seem to want the sensible, incredible, comfortable partner. Is this a lyrical analysis or a relationship analysis? Listen and find out!
Mentioned in this episode:
E52: Psychoanalytic Theory
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
E25: Pride and Prejudice
Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Brontë
Matchmaker Maria
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
E5: Toxic Relationships
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:53] Rhetorical triangle reminder
[02:18] Who are the characters in the song?
[08:38] The role of the love triangle
[13:29] Who’s acting insane?
[19:12] “I’m perfectly fine” “I’m comfortable”
[26:28] “He can’t see the smile I’m faking”
[31:38] “You were frustrating, intoxicating”
[38:14] The purpose of the song
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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"I have this dream where I get older but just never wiser." In this episode, we use Psychoanalytic Theory to unpack the deeper meanings behind three of Taylor's songs: "That's The Way I Loved You," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "Anti-Hero." From our personal experiences to Freud’s writings, we explore how Taylor’s lyrics tap into the subconscious. Get ready to dive into the psyche of Taylor Swift's music!
Mentioned in this episode:
Sigmund Freud Reader
Civilization and Its Discontents
Carl Jung
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Miss Americana
Lizzie McGuire
Switched on Pop: Beyonce’s Country
E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare
Victorian man meme
Anti-Hero Music Video (featuring Mary Elizabeth Ellis a.k.a. “The Waitress” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Joseph Campbell: Hero With A Thousand Faces
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:57] Intro to Psychoanalytic Theory
[09:28] “The Way I Loved You” from Fearless
[24:04] “Look What You Made Me Do” from reputation
[44:29] “Anti-Hero” from Midnights
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
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Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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Episodes manquant?
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It was rare, I was there, I remember it. To kick off our second year (sophomore year?) of AP Taylor Swift, we’re tackling a song we have wanted to tackle since the very beginning: “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” And to stay consistent with our Show & Tell format, we’re each bringing you a different lens through which we analyzed this song! Join us as we introduce you to narratology, revisit ecocriticism, and look for poetic repetition in this song to understand what makes it the epic favorite that we all know and love.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Last Five Years
E7: Ecocriticism
E9: Fall Songs
E27: Poetic Repetition
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:40] Our topic for the day: ATWTMV 3-ways
[1:27] A new lens: narratology
[13:03] A literary theory: Ecocriticism
[30:35] A literary device: Poetic Repetition
[44:40] Bringing all the theories together
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“So Long London.” In our final Summer School episode, we say so long to summer as we revisit Episode 39: Cities within “The Tortured Poets Department.” London, Destin, Manhattan, Los Angeles–we explore these cities' role in the album and why Taylor Swift may have chosen these specific cities to tell her stories.
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 39: Show and Tell - Cities (Spotify | Apple)
A Very Potter Musical
Fry’s English Delight: Metaphors
“Florida,” Lauren Groff
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Alison Bechdel
Fun Home: The Musical
Suffs
Affiliate Codes:
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Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:41] Introduction to Cities
[02:48] “So Long London”
[12:56] “Florida!!!”
[22:57] “Clara Bow”
[32:42] Summer School Extra Credit: “The Manuscript”
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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"You look like..." We’re throwing it back to Episode 27: Poetic Repetition, but this time we’re doing it Summer School style and looking at poetic repetition in “The Tortured Poets Department.” We cover AP English favorites like anaphora, epimone, alliteration, and assonance. And, we explore how poetic repetition can emphasize something important, create feelings of dwelling, evoke religious or holy imagery, or taunt someone.
Subscribe to Substack to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 27: Poetic Repetition
Ted Lasso “Semantic Satiation” Episode
Episode 18: Death By A Thousand Cuts Deep Dive
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:51] What is Poetic Repetition?
[02:15] “The Tortured Poets Department”
[11:08] “So Long London”
[19:21] “Florida!!!!”
[27:18] "Clara Bow”
[30:11] “Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus”
[37:39] “The Prophecy”
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroAffiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“I was supposed to be sent away.” Today’s Summer School episode has us revisiting Episode 23: Mad Women (Spotify | Apple). We’ve discussed examples of mad women in Taylor’s Discography, but there hath been no woman scorned like the one in The Tortured Poet’s Department. After all, Taylor herself called it Female Rage: The Musical. But what about the other definitions of “madness” too? From the manic feeling of “Florida!!!” to the rage in “thanK you aIMee,” we get into it all in this week's episode!
Subscribe to our Substack to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 23 - Mad Women
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Harry Potter
Mad Men
Florence + the Machine
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Crime and Punishment by Dsotevyskey
Donald Glover stand up about crazy exes
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:50] Introducing Mad Women
[02:20] Fortnight
[10:28] Florida!!!
[17:00] ThanK You aIMee
[29:03] I Look In People’s Windows
[37:28] The Prophecy
[42:50] Honorable Mentions
Follow us on social!
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Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“Come one, come all, it’s happening again.” This week we’re going back to Episode 25 “Pride and Prejudice” to find parallels between the novel and “The Tortured Poets Department.” We analyze lyrics from some of our favorite TTPD songs and draw parallels to the story’s plot points, characters, and key relationships in Jane Austen’s novel.
Subscribe to our Substack to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
***
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 25 “Pride and Prejudice”
Pride and Prejudice
***
Episode Highlights:
[02:29] “But Daddy I Love Him”
[10:59] “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”
[16:56] “The Alchemy”
[25:58] “How Did It End?”
[32:57] “I Hate It Here”
***
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroAffiliate Codes:
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Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“Lights, Camera, B*tch, Smile!” This week we’re covering a podcast-favorite topic: MUSICALS! Other than calling “The Tortured Poets Department” Eras tour set “female rage the musical,” we compare songs to “Hamilton,” “Les Miserable,” “A Chorus Line,” “Waitress,” “Six,” and “Wicked!” Can you guess which songs map to which musicals?
Mentioned in this episode:
“Waitress”
Girls5Eva
“Six”
“The Other Boleyn Girl,” Phillipa Greggory
Alison Weir
“Wicked”
“A Chorus Line”
“Hamilton”
“Les Miserables”
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[02:30] “Guilty as Sin”
[08:53] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”
[16:17] “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”
[24:47] “The Black Dog”
[31:18] “How Did It End?”
[32:54] “Cassandra”
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“She fell through the ice and came out alive.” Today’s Summer School episode has us revisiting Episode 19: Satire (Spotify | Apple). We explore how Taylor uses different types of Satire on the album as a way of adding exaggeration, emphasis, and impact to her storytelling.
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 19: Satire
Oxford Dictionary definition of Satire
SNL
1984, by George Orwell
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift
Love Story, Taylor Swift
Gilmore Girls
Mastermind, Taylor Swift
Blank Space, Taylor Swift
Forrest Gump
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:11] Introducing Satire
[03:37] But Daddy I love him
[12:06] I Can Do It With a Broken Heart
[17:54] The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
[24:31] imgonnagetyouback
[31:40] The Bolter
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroAffiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“Did you have to beam me up?” Today’s Summer School episode has us revisiting Episode 13: Metaphors (Spotify | Apple). There’s no shortage of metaphors across "The Tortured Poets Department," from alien abduction and a city to prison and high school. We unpack some of the metaphors woven through the lyrics to better understand the songs and the album as a whole.
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 13: Metaphors (Spotify | Apple)
Episode 14: Deep Dive - Getaway Car (Spotify | Apple)
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Mean Girls
Catcher in the Rye
The Aeneid, Virgil
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:56] Introducing Metaphors
[01:55] Down Bad “Did you have to beam me up”
[09:10] So Long, London “So long, London, You'll find someone”
[15:01] Fresh Out The Slammer “Handcuffed to the spell I was under”
[20:08] The Albatross “I’m the Albatross”
[24:28] So High School “Bittersweet sixteen suddenly”
[33:33] Cassandra “I was in my tower weaving nightmares”
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroAffiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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"The sickest army doll purchased at the mall." In this Summer School episode, we delve into Marxist Theory (Episode 11) and its application to “The Tortured Poets Department”. We explore themes of power dynamics, ownership, control, and escape. We’ll introduce topics like Marxist Feminism, repressive state apparatus, ideological state apparatus…just a super light topic for summer!
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 11: Marxist Theory (Apple | Spotify)
Louis Althusser
Office Space
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:30] Introduction to Marxist Theory
[04:07] “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys”
[10:40] “Fresh Out the Slammer”
[15:25] “Florida!!!”
[20:25] “Guilty as Sin?”
[29:25] “I Hate It Here”
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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"I had a marvelous time." In honor of the 4th of July, we're re-releasing our deep dive on “The Last Great American Dynasty,” from folklore. Initially released in November 2023, in this episode our hosts expand on what we learned in our Marxist Criticism episode to take an even closer look at Rebekah Harkness, who she was, and why Taylor Swift wrote a song about her. What do Taylor and Rebekah Harkness have in common, besides owning the same home? Is Rebekah Harkness really “middle class”? How does Taylor build empathy for someone called “mad” and “shameless”? We had a marvelous time diving into this one!
Mentioned in this episode:
“Blue Blood,” Craig Unger
“Atlas Shrugged,” Ayn Rand
Rebekah Harkness NYT Obituary, June 1982
"Is There a Chic Way To Go?" Blue Bloods NYT Book Review, May 1988
The Humble Beginnings Of an Elegant Mansion, NYT July 1971
“Hamilton”
***
Episode Highlights:
[02:11] Who is Rebekah Harkness?
[06:24] How Taylor’s country storytelling roots enrich the story
[11:14] What is an “American Dynasty”?
[16:13] Who’s mad, Rebekah or the townspeople?
[25:45] What's the purpose of the song?
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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“A hurricane with my name when it came.” On today’s Summer School episode, we’re going back to Episode 7: Ecocriticism. We’ll cover how Taylor Swift uses nature language, imagery, and metaphors to capture the feelings and emotions she’s trying to convey in her songs on “The Tortured Poets Department.” From exploring nature vs cities, the idea of the civilized vs uncivilized, and ecofeminism, “The Tortured Poets Department” has a lot for us to work with!
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 7: Ecocriticism
Outlander
Witches, Midwives and Nurses
Peter Pan
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[02:20] Florida!!! “You can beat the heat”
[07:58] Clara Bow “Picked like a rose”
[12:43] I Hate It Here “I will go to secret gardens in my mind”
[16:23] The Prophecy “So I look to the sky and said”
[22:22] Peter “Promises ocean deep”
[27:49] Robin “Dragonflys above your bed”
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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"Mr. Steal Your Girl, then make her cry." This summer, we’re bringing you Summer School! Each week, we’ll revisit a topic from this past season within the context of songs from Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” This week we’re covering the topic of toxic relationships from Episode 5.
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 5: Toxic Relationships (Apple | Spotify)
Mary Shelley and Percey Shelley’s Relationship tl;dr
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
The Lottery, Shirley Jackson
Frozen
Wicked
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Episode 25: Pride and Prejudice (Apple | Spotify)
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:19] Welcome to Summer School
[02:45] “The Tortured Poets Department”
[08:46] “But Daddy I Love Him”
[13:52] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”
[20:14] “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”
[23:45] “loml”
[26:46] “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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Like we were in Paris. This week we’re over-analyzing Taylor Swift's song “Paris” from the album Midnights. We explore the imagery and metaphors used in the lyrics, like “stumbled down pretend alleyways” and how that relates to what it’s like to be early on in a relationship. Are they really in Paris? What does it mean to be “in Paris”? Why does she choose “Paris” and not another city? What makes “Paris” different? We try and unpack it all!
Mentioned in this episode:
Midnight in Paris
Peter Pan, JM Barrie
Practical Magic
Isn’t It Romantic?
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:40] How we do a deep dive
[5:00] “Drew a map on your bedroom ceiling”
[8:53] “Like we were in Paris”
[12:48] “Levitate above all the messes made”
[19:47] “I want to brainwash you into loving me forever”
[27:17] “My love, we were in Paris”
[30:04] The purpose of the song
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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The lights are so bright, but they never blind me. This week we’re taking a tour of Taylor Swift’s favorite cities to sing about. We explore the personification of different cities, and how Taylor uses these cities to tell her stories. In this episode, we’re covering “Welcome to New York” from 1989, “London Boy” from Lover, and “Paris” from Midnights.
Mentioned in this episode:
The City, Langston Hughes
The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe
Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf
Mrs. Dalloway’s Map of London
Jodi's London Boy Map of London
***
Episode Highlights:
[1:03] Introduction to Cities
[2:38] “Welcome to New York” 1989
[27:54] “London Boy” Lover
[46:16] “Paris” Midnights
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay? Love or hate The Archer (Lover 2019), we all agree that we have no idea what this song is about. Such an obscure song calls for a proper, literary style close reading. Join us as we go line by line to understand what Taylor is trying to say with the obscure lyrics of this incredibly poetic song.
Mentioned in this episode:
Tom Cruise moviesSmart Bitches, Trashy Books Marvel’s Avengers: End GameBlack Widow The Odyssey, by Homer Iron manFull House (1987)Michael Scott, The Office (2005)Peter Pan, by JM BarrieNietzsche“Anti-hero,” Midnights (2022)Jane EyreInto the WoodsSelenaMean Girls the Musical BarbieAffiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:43] Baseline: How we all feel about The Archer[03:17] Combat, I'm ready for combat: What’s it mean[11:28] I jump from the train, I ride off alone[21:42] Backtrack: Who left? Who should stay?[28:00] Unpacking the phrase “cut off my nose”[32:18] Invisible smoke & all of my heroes[40:24] I, They, You - who’s seeing through her?[48:50] Pulling together the bridge[56:26] Our final thoughtsSubscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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I don't need your closure. In this week’s episode, we discuss the art style of surrealism and explore how it relates to Taylor Swift. Abby Aleksinas, of @arthistoryabby on TikTok, joins us to help us understand how visual arts can connect to music. We dive into “The Archer” from Lover, then we look at “closure” from evermore, and wrap it up with “Lavender Haze” from Midnights. Join us as we dive into the unconventional pairings, unexpected imagery, and use of surrealism to convey emotions and create a dreamlike atmosphere!
Mentioned in this episode:
@arthistoryabbyThe Surrealist Manifesto Duma Key by Stephen King To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf The Infernal Desire Machines of Dr. Hoffman by Angela CarterWuthering Heights by Emily BronteJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteAffiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
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Episode Highlights:
[00:29] Introduction to Surrealism
[01:15] Art History with Abby
[20:15] “The Archer”
[32:17] “closure”
[43:20] “Lavender Haze”
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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Salute to me I’m your American Queen. In this episode, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “King of My Heart” from reputation. Join us as we discuss the power dynamics and military references in the song, as well as themes of wealth, luxury, and the British Royal Family. We even attempt to dissect how the music changes to reflect the song’s themes and lyrics. We’re left wondering: is this just a schoolgirl crush? Infatuation? Or the love of the speaker’s life, the end of all the endings? Tune in and find out!
Mentioned in this episode:
King Arthur
"You’re Losing Me"
Marxist Theory Episode
Switched on Pop (Book)
Switched on Pop (Podcast)
Satire Episode
“Satisfied,” Hamilton
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Episode Highlights:
[1:50] How we do a deep dive
[4:06] “Salute to me I’m your American Queen”
[9:23] “All the boys and their expensive cars”
[11:00] How the music changes to reflect the song’s lyrics
[13:47] “Now you try on calling me baby…”
[20:37] “Is this the end of all the endings?”
[29:23] What is the purpose of the song?
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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Try and come for my job. We’ve got a special episode to discuss “The Tortured Poets Department” songs that Taylor Swift added to The Eras Tour setlist this weekend. We share our reactions and observations about the changes like the visuals in “But Daddy I Love Him,” the levitating platform in 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?' and how “So High School” feels like “Fearless”- era Taylor. We cover the UFO effects in “Down Bad” and how “Fortnight” mirrors the music video. Finally, we have to talk about the epic marching band in “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” and the Clara Bow and “A Chorus Line” references in “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.” The TTPD section of the Eras tour is an emotional, fun, and powerful journey in The Eras Tour!
Episode Highlights:
[03:20] First reactions to the changes
[06:32] “But Daddy I Love Him”
[10:25] “So High School”
[11:43] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”
[16:10] “Down Bad”
[20:18] “Fortnight”
[24:51] “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
[27:47] “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro
***
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
Follow us on social!
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroThis podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
- Montre plus
