AP Taylor Swift

“Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me” This week, we're resisting our episode on Greek Mythology, where we dive into the timeless influence of Greek mythology in Taylor Swift's music by exploring connections between Taylor's songs and classic Greek myths. Jodi finds links between Demeter and Persephone's sorrow in The Hymn to Demeter and the Folklore song "My Tears Ricochet.” Maansi shows us how  "Long Story Short” sounds like Odysseus recounting his epic journey as he returns home. And Jenn gets into the ancient story of the Labyrinth and how it reflects themes of self-discovery and transformation in "Labyrinth." Is Taylor Swift a modern-day Homer? Listen and find out!    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date: www.aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Mythology, Edith Hamilton The Iliad, Homer The Odyssey, Homer Metamorphoses, Ovid Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan E44: Metaphors + “The Tortured Poets Department” E22: Mastermind  Homeric Hymns  The Hymn to Demeter Hadestown (musical) Hercules (Disney animated film) E54: One Year Anniversary of AP Taylor Swift Circe, Madeline Miller Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Stephen Fry's Mythos, Heroes, and Troy  Episode Highlights:  [02:15] Introduction to Greek Mythology [09:01] "my tears ricochet" folklore [15:22] "long story short" evermore [32:52]  "labrynth" Midnights Follow us!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro   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   ***   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.

“The best things that have ever been mine… finally actually are.” It's Taylor Independence Day! In this special bonus episode, we, your hosts of AP Taylor Swift, discuss the (surprisingly emotional) breaking news of Taylor Swift's acquisition of her original masters. We share our first reactions and the significance of this moment in Taylor's career, and then (in true AP Taylor Swift style) dive into the rhetoric of Taylor's letter announcing the news, analyzing her personal style and the deeper meanings behind her words. We take a second to touch on Taylor's humor and then get to the big news about the Reputation album and speculate on the future of Taylor's re-recordings and music. Finally, we touch on the reactions of the Taylor Swift fan community to close out the show. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Great Gatsby E77: Historical Criticism E27: Poetic Repetition E11: Marxist Theory   [00:17] Breaking News: Taylor Swift's Masters Acquisition [02:00] Emotional Reactions and Reflections [04:52] Analyzing Taylor's Letter: A Personal Touch [09:42] The Memories. The Magic. The Madness.  [15:30] What About Rep TV? [24:07] Starting a Conversation Around Owning Your Masters [26:22] Fan Reactions to the Announcement [29:17] Closing Thoughts and Future Insights Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

“You've got no reason to be afraid.” This week, we're going line by line through a fan favorite, “You're On Your Own Kid” (Midnights 2023). Join us as we explore the title's significance and the evolution of the speaker's perspective throughout the song, touching on themes of agency, personal growth, and the role of seasons and senses in the narrative. From feeling alone to embracing one's strength and support system, this week's detailed analysis will take you on the transformative journey that is this incredible song.   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Game of Thrones Kingdom of Heaven Mean Girls Cinderella, Brothers Grimm Miss Americana Little Women   Episode Highlights:  [01:08] Who is the “you” in the title? [03:09] “Summer went away,” the season of the youth [07:26] Agency and growing up [22:30] Comparing choruses [29:14] ”Something they can't take away,” a turning point [37:45] The purpose   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“Once the flight had flown…” Taylor Swift is a master storyteller, but how does she tell those stories? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we're talking all about Narratology. We break down the structure behind the storytelling, unpacking flashbacks, fast forwards, stream of consciousness, and first-person limited narration through three brilliant Swift tracks. From fairy tale distortion in “Is It Over Now?”, a murder mystery arc in “No Body, No Crime,” to the heart-tugging Bildungsroman of “You're On Your Own, Kid,” this episode explores the how behind the heartbreaks, twists, and self-discoveries. Whether you're into literary theory, folklore, or just love a well-crafted bridge, you'll leave this episode with a deeper appreciation for Taylor's evolving narrative toolkit—and maybe a few English class flashbacks of your own. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  White Lotus E51: All Too Well (10 Minute Version) Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf Dracula, Bram Stoker The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien Beauty and the Beast Sleeping Beauty Alice and Wonderland Snow White Doctor Who E78: Tim McGraw Deep Dive Harry Potter Great Expectations, Charles Dickens Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:13] Intro to narratology [05:25] “Is It Over Now?” 1989 (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault) [19:34] “No body, no crime” evermore [32:20] “You're on You're Own, Kid” Midnights   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

“You can beat the heat, if you beat the charges too.” Is Florida!!! the wildest track on The Tortured Poets Department? In this chaotic, heartfelt, and unfiltered episode, we break down Taylor Swift's "Florida!!!" line by line—from the millennial whiplash of “my friends all smell like weed or little babies” to hurricane metaphors, fugitive fantasies, and haunted mansions.   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Florida by Lauren Groff The Haunted Mansion (Disney) The Good Place (NBC) Sweet Home Alabama Mean Girls Pocahontas Rippling corporate espionage case *** Episode Highlights:  [03:00] Let's start with the title [06:45] “My friends all smell like weed or little babies” [10:03] “Your home's only a town you're just a guest in” [16:33] “Hurricane with my name when it came” [21:15] “Yes I'm haunted but I'm feeling just fine” [29:58] The bridge - remember, there are two speakers! [39:26] The purpose   **   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“He was sunshine, I was midnight rain.” Dive into how Taylor Swift masterfully uses weather imagery - from romantic rain in 'Fearless' to metaphorical storms in 'Midnight Rain' and destructive hurricanes in 'Florida!!!' (feat. Florence Welch). Join us for an exploration of meteorological metaphors in Swift's songwriting across different eras.   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  King Lear The Great Gatsby Wuthering Heights E13: Metaphors (“Clean”) E10: Deep Dive - Red Florida   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:15] Intro to rain songs and weather [07:34] “Fearless,” Fearless [18:18] “Midnight Rain,” Midnights [30:35] “Florida!!!” The Tortured Poets Department  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I said I love you, you say nothing back.” This week, we're deep diving into "Say Don't Go," from 1989 (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault). Picking up from last week's circus-themed episode, we unravel how Taylor crafts a lyrical nightmare of helplessness, packed tight with metaphors and rhetorical questions that leave listeners suspended in emotional free fall. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Six The Musical The Break-Up (2006 film) Mad Men The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center   ***   Episode Highlights:  [03:09] “Oh no, oh no, I'm unarmed” [07:36] “I'm standing on a tightrope, alone” [14:56] “Why'd you have to lead me on?” [21:44] “And I'm yours but you're not mine” [32:10] “Why'd you have to make me want you” [42:42] “But you won't…”   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I was tame, I was gentle til the circus life made me mean.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we delve into the recurring motif of the circus in Taylor Swift's discography. From the tightropes of emotional vulnerability to the grand illusions of public persona, we analyze how Taylor employs circus imagery to convey themes of performance, control, and otherness. This episode includes discussions on the historical exploitation within circus culture, including forced labor, racism, and animal cruelty. For more information, we recommend the article from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the podcast Circus Stories for firsthand accounts. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Circus Stories Podcast Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen The Night Circus The Phantom of the Opera The Prestige (2006 film) Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Disney's Dumbo and Bambi 60 - Witches 61- Deep Dive “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me” The Second Sex Great Expectations Episode Highlights: [00:45] Introduction to the circus metaphor in literature and music [10:50] “Say Don't Go” 1989 (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault) [24:53]  “…So It Goes” reputation [33:26] “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?” The Tortured Poets Department  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

“Me and Karma vibe like that.”  This week on AP Taylor Swift Podcast we dive deep into “Karma” from Midnights and its surprising literary connections. Continuing from last week's exploration of Emily Dickinson, we unravel how Taylor Swift plays with themes of fate, justice, and reincarnation in this song. We analyze the song's vivid metaphors, from keeping your side of the street clean to flexing like a goddamn acrobat—wait, but who's flexing? Plus, we debate whether Taylor herself becomes karma by the song's end and what that means for her storytelling.  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:    Emily Dickinson  “Kingdom of Heaven”  Spiderman  Aladdin  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets  My Lady Jane  Bridgerton Mean Girls  John Tucker Must Die    ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:46] What is Karma? [07:08] “You're talking shit for the hell of it” [10:21] “I keep my side of the street clean” [18:01] “Karma is my boyfriend, Karma is a god” [22:51] “Spider boy, king of thieves”  [30:20] “Ask me why so many fade but I'm still here” [35:50] “Karma's gonna track you down” [44:44] The purpose of “Karma”

“And I was catching my breath, barefoot in the wildest winter…” What happens when a 21st-century American poet meets a 19th-century one? In this Show & Tell episode, we explore the literary lineage between Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson—two iconic writers whose work spans centuries but shares unmistakable DNA (literally—did you know they might be distant cousins?!). From slant rhymes and stylized punctuation to themes of isolation, longing, and hope, we unpack the poetic parallels between Dickinson's timeless verses and Taylor's lyrics. In true Show & Tell fashion, each of us brings a favorite Dickinson poem paired with a Swift song that touch on shared motifs such as separation, isolation, and hope. Tune in to find out which modern-day Taylor tracks sound like 19th-century poetry—and why we think Emily might vibe with Evermore. Take our listener survey: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/survey/2658723 Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Letters of Emily Dickinson The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson's Hope is the Thing with Feathers They Put Us Far Apart (Poem 474) It Was Not Death, for I Stood Up (Poem 355) Message in a Bottle – Taylor Swift Evermore – Taylor Swift Karma – Taylor Swift Beauty and the Beast (live-action & Broadway versions) Hamilton Taylor Swift by the Book Ancestry.com – Taylor & Emily's distant cousin connection Emily Dickinson Museum Tikvah (Hebrew word for hope)   ***   Episode Highlights:  [06:26] “Message in a Bottle” + they put us far apart [16:03] “Evermore” + It was not death, for I stood up  [29:31] “Karma” + Hope is a thing with feathers Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

“It's a thug story tell me can you handle that”  In honor of April Fool's Day, we're diving into Taylor Swift's funniest, most unexpected performances — from self-parody and satire to flat-out absurdity. This week, we explore Thug Story (2008), her 2009 SNL monologue, “Monologue Song (La La La)”, and the 2021 SNL Three Sad Virgins sketch to understand how Swift uses humor to subvert expectations, reclaim her narrative, and show off her impeccable comedic timing. Plus: why baking cookies is the running gag that won't quit, what a “benign violation” is, and whether “Cats” was actually meant to be a comedy. Take our listener survey: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/survey/2658723 Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  “Thug Story” feat. T-Pain (CMT Awards, 2009) Taylor Swift's 2009 SNL Monologue Song (la la la) Please Don't Destroy - Three Sad Virgins (ft. Taylor Swift) - SNL 2021 Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) What's So Funny? The Science of Why We Laugh by Giovanni Sabato Anatomy of the Gag by Václav Havel Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture by Jesse David Fox Nanette by Hannah Gadsby (Netflix) APTS E19: Satire ***   Episode Highlights:  [04:03] “Thug Story”  [11:04] “Monologue Song (La La La)” [23:29] “Three Sad Virgins” Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

  “What if he's written “mine” on my upper thigh” This week we dive into “Guilty as Sin?” from The Tortured Poets Department. We explore how Taylor Swift uses religious metaphors, what the imagery of cages and wolves might mean, the complexities of fantasies, desires, and moral dilemmas, particularly in the context of relationships and societal expectations. Just another light episode from your unofficial Professors of Taylor Swift! Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Downtown Lights by The Blue Nile (1989) Beauty and the Beast (Disney) The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Song of Solomon (Hebrew Bible) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:18] "Guilty as sin?"  [05:50] "Am I allowed to cry?" [10:34] "Crashing into him tonight, he's a paradox."  [18:33] "What if he's written 'mine' on my upper thigh — only in my mind?" [28:30] "I keep these longings locked" [40:00] "What if I rolled the stone away? They're gonna crucify me anyway." [45:00] “I choose you and me — religiously.” [50:41] The purpose of the song Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.  

  “You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me” What happens when we view Taylor Swift's music through the lens of female artists? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore the work of three iconic women in art—Mary Cassatt, Remedios Varo, and Hildegard von Bingen—and connect their paintings to Taylor Swift's songs. From the intimacy of motherhood to the surreal exhaustion of creating something greater than yourself, to the struggle of questioning authority, we discuss how these themes appear in both art and Taylor's songwriting. Since this is a visual episode, check out the full video episode on YouTube or Spotify! Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Mary Cassatt, Wikipedia De Young Museum, “5 Things to Know About Impressionist Mary Cassatt” Mary Cassatt – Bathing the Young Heir (1890-1891) The Dutch House, Ann Patchett  Surrealism and the Art of Remedios Varo Starmaker, Remedios Varo (1958) Hildegard von Bingen Hildegard von Bingen's Physica   ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:19] This week's topic: Female Artists [01:09] Mary Cassatt and “The Best Day” [13:40] Remedios Varo and “This Is Me Trying” [26:58] Hildegard von Bingen and “Guilty as Sin” Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I'll show you every version of yourself tonight” In this episode, we delve into Taylor Swift's song 'mirrorball' from Folklore, exploring its themes of identity, reflection, and the performance of femininity. We discuss the significance of the mirror ball as an object that always shows a reflection. We also touch on the song's structure, the emotional nature of the lyrics, and the implications of the 'hush' in the chorus. It's a loaded episode that takes us to the societal pressures on women to perform and ultimately leads us to ask the question, “are we all mirrorballs?”   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:15] How we do a deep dive [01:33] What is a mirrorball? [08:41] “You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes” [15:01] “I can change everything about me to fit in”  [23:10] “Hush” [27:38] The bridge [39:38] The purpose   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

"Girls go out and have your fun, then they hunt and slay the ones who actually do it." What does it mean to view Taylor Swift's music through a feminist lens? On this week's show and tell episode, we look at three songs from the lens of Feminist Theory—"Mean," "Nothing New," and "Mirrorball"—to examine how they critique patriarchal expectations, the limitations placed on women, and the struggle for self-definition. From the societal obsession with youth and likability to the emotional labor of constantly adjusting to fit in, this discussion unpacks the deeper layers of feminist literary criticism embedded in Swift's songwriting. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  E70: Harry Potter Holidays Special Episode Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Middlemarch, George Elliot Mean Girls Unlikable Female Characters by Anna Bogutskaya The Handmaids Tale, Margaret Atwood Hamlet Romeo and Juliet Grease It's a Man's (Celluloid) World: Portrayals of Female Characters in the Top Grossing U.S. Films of 2022, Dr. Martha M. Lauzen San Diego State University Britney Spears, Circus ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:36] Introduction to Feminist Theory [04:12] “Mean” [17:17] “Nothing New”  [30:35] “Mirrorball”  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think of me” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're going line by line through “Tim McGraw”—the debut single that introduced Taylor Swift to the world. From the country music storytelling structure to the nostalgic time loop embedded in the lyrics, we explore every lyrical shift, hidden meaning, and emotional evolution in the song. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Last Song  Dirty Dancing The Summer I Turned Pretty Grease  To All the Boys I've Loved Before  The Good Place  Anita de Monte Laughs Last – Xochitl Gonzalez ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:55]  How we do a deep dive [02:07] “He said the way my blue eyes shined…” [05:32] “And I was right there beside him all summer long” [07:55] “When you think Tim McGraw” [12:40] “September saw a month of tears” [18:34] “And there's a letter left on your doorstep / And the first thing that you'll read” [21:40] “... I said, that's a lie” [27:12] The purpose of the song Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

You need to calm down, but we know it'll be hard because in this episode, we are diving into historical criticism! We explore the context in which Taylor's songs were created, starting with “Tim McGraw,” the first Taylor Swift single of all time. We then transition into the world of Lover with “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” and “You Need to Calm Down.” Join us as we explore how looking at the historical context of these songs helps deepen our understanding and appreciation of Taylor's music!    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Tim McGraw - She's My Kind of Rain  Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying  E11: Show and Tell - Marxist Theory Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Grease the film Barbie the film  Mean Girls the film ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:40] Introduction to Historical Criticism  [4:58] “Tim McGraw” from Debut [16:37] “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” from Lover  [29:47] “You Need to Calm Down” from Lover Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“You can hear it in the silence.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we deep dive into “You Are In Love”  from Taylor Swift's album 1989. We break down how Taylor captures the essence of love—not through grand gestures but instead through small, intimate moments: a look across a room, coffee at midnight, and the silence that says it all. We explore the significance of mundane details throughout the song and discuss its lyrical structure, poetic devices (like spondees!), and why the most profound emotions often have no proof, just feelings.  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  TIME Magazine, 2023 Person of the Year Stars Around My Scars Troilus and Cressida West Side Story Hamilton Pride and Prejudice Mad Men E5: Toxic Relationships So It Goes Slaughterhouse-Five Love Actually   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:38] “One look, dark room” [10:00] “Coffee at midnight” [18:49] “You can hear it in the silence” [20:18] “You keep his shirt, he keeps his word” [24:50] “He is in love”  [30:39] “And so it goes”  [39:40] The purpose of the song Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“One single thread of gold tied me to you” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we are kicking off Valentine's season with a show and tell on Romantic Love. ❤️ We explore how Taylor writes about romantic love—from the grand, sweeping gestures to the small, intimate moments that define a true connection. We break down three iconic songs— “You Are in Love”, “Lover”, and “Invisible String”—examining how each Taylor Swift song captures different facets of romantic relationships.   This week's episode is sponsored by the new book “Stars Around My Scars: The Annotated Poetry of Taylor Swift” written by Dr. Elly McCausland, out now wherever books are sold.  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Stars Around My Scars Romeo and Juliet E35: Royalty  Jane Eyre E73: Color  E5: Toxic Relationships Harry Potter E70: Harry Potter Holiday Special   ***   Episode Highlights:  [07:16] “You Are In Love” 1989 [13:40] “Lover” Lover [25:18] “Invisible String” folklore  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com    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.  

“So scarlet it was, maroon.” What's the true meaning behind Taylor Swift's “Maroon”? This week on AP Taylor Swift podcast, we dive into the shades of red, love, and memory that define this “Midnights” favorite. We explore how Taylor uses colors to capture the complexity of relationships—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the legacy they leave behind. Listen as we unpack the layers of this fan-favorite track.   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  E73: Show and Tell - Color The Big Lebowski E66: Deep Dive - Holy Ground  The Wizard of Oz Van Gogh's faded colors Harry Potter Every color referenced in Maroon Eats, Shoots, and Leaves   ***   Episode Highlights:  [02:00] “When the morning came” [08:30] “your roommate's cheapass screwtop rosé”  [12:53] “The burgundy on my cheeks” [23:56] “When the silence came”   [25:06] Our “ah ha” moment [30:39] “the rubies that I gave up” [38:07] The purpose of the song Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I once believed love would be black and white, but it's golden.” In this week's episode of AP Taylor Swift, we dive into the rich, poetic use of color in Taylor Swift's lyrics with a show and tell on…color! From "Red" to "Daylight" to "Maroon," we discuss how Taylor's use of color evolves to reflect different stages of love and life.    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Wizard of Oz Wicked The Great Gatsby The Scarlet Letter E32: Deep Dive - Love Story E9: Fall Songs The Color Purple Les Miserable, “Red and Black” E10: Deep Dive - Red Pop Sugar Article, 2019 The Outsiders Every color referenced in Maroon   ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:59] Adding color to today's topic…color! [05:04] “Red” [12:47] “Daylight” [22:46] “Maroon”  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  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 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.

“When you are young they assume you know nothing.” This week on AP Taylor Swift we deep dive into “cardigan” from folklore. We discuss the song's nostalgia for teenage love and explore what it means to feel like an old cardigan–is that a good thing? We connect the song to last week's Peter Pan discussion and the “teenage love trilogy” with august and betty. Is "Cardigan" simply a story of love lost and regained, or is it a meditation on self-discovery and growth? Find out when you listen to this week's episode   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Harry Potter Lord of the Rings Peter Pan Hits Different The Hills Virginia Woolf e.e. cummings “My Cousin Vinny”  ***   Episode Highlights:  [02:43] The “teenage love triangle” trilogy [05:51] “Vintage tee, brand new phone” [13:00] “And when I felt like I was an old cardigan” [18:49] “Heartbeat on The Highline”  [23:52] “Once in twenty lifetimes”  [31:23] “I knew you…” [36:25] “Cause I knew everything when I was young”  [45:00] The purpose of the song Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 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 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.

“Tried to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy.” This week on AP Taylor Swift podcast, we have a show-and-tell episode exploring “Peter Pan” and its influence on Taylor Swift's music. We analyze three songs—“Innocent,” “Cardigan,” and “Peter”—uncovering connections between Taylor's lyrics and Peter Pan's themes of childhood, growing up, lost innocence, and the allure of staying young forever. From exploring Wendy's perspective as the “mother” figure to dissecting the complexities of Peter Pan syndrome, we delve into the literary and psychological depths of J.M. Barrie's classic tale and its resonance in Taylor Swift's lyrics. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Peter Pan, JM Barrie Peter Pan (Play), JM Barrie Finding Neverland (Film) Finding Neverland (Musical) Peter Pan (1953)  Disney adaptation Peter Pan (2003) Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) Peter & the Starcatcher Hook Hymn to Demeter Lord of the Flies ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:07] Intro to Peter Pan [08:31] “Innocent” Speak Now [22:34] “Cardigan” folklore [31:09] “Peter” The Tortured Poets Department Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I'll be picking up bottles with you on New Year's Day.” In honor of New Year's Day we're revisiting our 2023 Holidays episode. But…did we actually pick holiday songs? We start by defining what the “holiday season” even means in an attempt to answer the question. Jodi discusses “New Year's Day,” with the thesis that it's a song about the everyday, not necessarily the holidays. Jenn brings on the holiday melancholy with “champagne problems,” sparking a hot conversation about holiday engagements and the challenges of family gatherings during the holidays. And Maansi, naturally, shares “tis the damn season,” prompting a conversation about how we really feel about the holiday season and whether they “linger like bad perfume” for us. Are Taylor Swift holidays actually happy holidays? Listen and find out!    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  “Under the Tuscan Sun”  “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”  “Book Lovers,” Emily Henry  “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,” JK Rowling “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,” film “Inside Out” ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:13] How do we define the holiday season? [05:52] “New Years Day” I'll be picking up bottles with you  [22:20] “champagne problems” Your mom's ring in your pocket [36:40] “‘tis the damn season” We could call it even   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com  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.

“We can leave the Christmas lights up til January.”  Tis the damn season, so we're bringing you a Harry Potter Holiday Special episode! This week we do a special Show and Tell episode bringing together two of our favorite topics: Harry Potter and Taylor Swift's lyrics. Jenn imagines “Look What You Made Me Do” as Snape's song to Voldermort. Jodi makes the case that “Lover” perfectly captures Lavender Brown's feelings toward Ron. And Maansi envisions “You're On Your Own Kid” as an anthem about Harry Potter's arc throughout the entire series. Whether you're a fan of the books, the movies, or both, we fully dork out on this episode. Join us! Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Harry Potter Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma  TikTok creator who does “Harry Potter Characters as Taylor Swift Songs” Jake L @Jakobcl1989   *** Episode Highlights:  [01:30] Introduction to Harry Potter and Christmas [05:25] “Look What You Made Me Do” [13:30] “Lover”  [24:08] “You're On Your Own, Kid”   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“I can go anywhere I want, just not home” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we take on “my tears ricochet,” the gut-wrenching Track 5 from “Folklore”. From its funeral imagery to what it means for a tear to “ricochet,” we explore themes of grief, regret, and power dynamics. Whether this song is about romantic heartbreak, a friendship gone sour, or even a toxic job, we explore why this song resonates so deeply with so many, and what it means for each of us.   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date: www.aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  E67: Greek Mythology E54: Anniversary Episode E32: Love Story Deep Dive  The Little Book of Shakespeare's Insults: The Bard's Best Barbs Reputation album letter Jane Eyre   The Phantom of the Opera The Little Mermaid Harry Potter E56: Guest Episode - DJ Louie XIV  ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:35] Introducing “my tears ricochet” and our initial thoughts  [06:51] “I didn't have it in myself to go with grace” [10:48] “Look at how my tears ricochet”  [17:31] “You know I didn't want to have to haunt you” [24:49] “When I'd fight you used to tell me I was brave” [29:11] “And I can go anywhere I want, just not home” [36:41] “You had to kill me but it killed you just the same” [41:10] What might it mean for tears to ricochet? [44:50] The purpose of the song   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com  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   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.

“Don't read the last page” This week we're joined by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau, authors of the new release Taylor Swift By the Book. In their incredible new release, Rachel and Tiffany go song by song through Taylor's discography and discover the literature behind the lyrics, from fairy tales to tortured poets. They join us to share what inspired them to write this book, the themes and narratives that came up most often in Taylor's music, and so much more!   Mentioned in this episode:  Taylor Swift by the Book by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Florida by Lauren Groff Shakespeare's works, including Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Lady of Shalott, Alfred Tennyson The Odyssey by Homer Mary Wollstonecraft Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Works of Plato Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber   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:  [00:58] Introduction to Taylor Swift by the Book [9:36] The process of deciding what went into the book [22:10] Taylor Swift and the poetess tradition  [37:08] Taylor Swift's literary eras [45:48] The songs that made Tiffany and Rachel swifties    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com 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.

“Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me” This week, we're diving into the timeless influence of Greek mythology in Taylor Swift's music by exploring connections between Taylor's songs and classic Greek myths. Jodi finds links between Demeter and Persephone's sorrow in The Hymn to Demeter and the Folklore song "My Tears Ricochet.” Maansi shows us how  "Long Story Short” sounds like Odysseus recounting his epic journey as he returns home. And Jenn gets into the ancient story of the Labyrinth and how it reflects themes of self-discovery and transformation in "Labyrinth." Is Taylor Swift a modern-day Homer? Listen and find out!    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date: www.aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Mythology, Edith Hamilton The Iliad, Homer The Odyssey, Homer Metamorphoses, Ovid Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan E44: Metaphors + “The Tortured Poets Department” E22: Mastermind  Homeric Hymns  The Hymn to Demeter Hadestown (musical) Hercules (Disney animated film) E54: One Year Anniversary of AP Taylor Swift Circe, Madeline Miller Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Stephen Fry's Mythos, Heroes, and Troy  Episode Highlights:  [01:40] Introduction to Greek Mythology [08:25] "my tears ricochet" folklore [19:49] "long story short" evermore [32:11]  "Labyrinth" Midnights Follow us!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro   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   ***   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.

“Back when you fit my poems like a perfect rhyme.” This week, we deep dive into Holy Ground from Taylor Swift's album Red. We unpack the song's themes of time, memory, and the contrast between New York City's hustle and those still, reflective moments where we realize what truly matters. Is Holy Ground a nostalgic ode to a past relationship, a metaphor for personal growth, or both? Listen to find out!   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads on Instagram Hamilton Scott Pilgrim vs The World  Let Go, Avril Lavigne Album  Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory Fantasyland, Kurt Anderson Tribeca's Holy Ground in the 1700s   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:27] Reminiscing on our romance novels episode [02:50] “I was reminiscing just the other day” [08:40] “Back when you fit in my poems like a perfect rhyme” [14:41] “Right there where we stood was holy ground” [22:25] “And for the first time I had something to lose” [32:22] “And I see your face in every crowd” [34:48] “tonight I'm gonna dance for all that we've been through” [44:15] The purpose of the song   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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. 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

“I see Sparks Fly whenever you smile.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're thrilled to welcome book content creator and Bookish Bestie Lauren Rowe (@rowe.reads) as we explore the romance novel-worthy worlds of Taylor Swift's songs. We learn how Lauren reviews books and the connections between Taylor's songs and romance novels. Then we break down the romantic themes and tropes in Sparks Fly, Holy Ground, Starlight, and Dress, drawing connections between Taylor's storytelling and beloved romance novel tropes like forbidden love, second chances, and enemies to lovers. We explore why Taylor's songs resonate so powerfully with romance readers, how she creates vivid narratives through her lyrics, and why Swifties and romance lovers alike connect so deeply with stories of love, loss, and longing.  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads on Instagram A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt  E32: Love Story  A Cinderella Story The Notebook Always Be My Maybe The Prince & Me The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Sunday Morning by Jewel E. Ann From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout You've Got Mail Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen  ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:41] Introducing Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads [07:29] How Lauren reviews books [12:55] Parallels between Taylor's marketing and book series marketing [17:00] The song that made Lauren a Swiftie [19:16] “Sparks Fly” Speak Now [24:44] “Holy Ground” Red [32:00] “Starlight” Red [38:40] “Dress”  Reputation  Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro   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   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.

“I've got some tricks up my sleeve, takes one to know one.” This week, we're deep diving a fan request, “Cowboy like me” (evermore 2020). We go line by line, exploring the use of stylistic choices like starting with the word 'and.' Join us as we delve into the narrative structure of the song and attempt to understand the characters in the song, debate the fun factor of airport bars, and try to figure out exactly what exactly Taylor means when she says “cowboy like me.”   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  E19: Show & Tell - Satire  Robin Hood  The Life and Adventures of Joquin Murieta by John Rollin (TW: violence, violence against women)  The Lone Ranger  White Collar    ***   Episode Highlights:  [1:20] Introduction to “cowboy like me” [3:30] “tennis court covered up with a tent-like thing” [9:18] “sitting in an airport bar” [13:45] Digging into the cowboy imagery [22:33] The repeated stanzas [30:25] “forever is the sweetest con” [34:55] Getting into the purpose Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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. 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

“We can plant a memory garden.” This week we have a show and tell episode on garden songs, exploring the theme of gardens and flowers across Taylor Swift's lyrics. From the haunting imagery in Ivy to the rich symbolism of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Cowboy Like Me, and the many different flowers in The Great War, we dig (get it?) into how Taylor uses garden and flower metaphors to evoke ideas of romance, loyalty, and loss.    Mentioned in this episode:  E7: S&T-Ecocriticism The Bible  Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence  The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett  The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde  E32: DD-Love Story Gardens of Babylon Photo 1  Gardens of Babylon Photo 2  Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf  Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence  Crimson Clover Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll  In Flanders Fields by John McCrae The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum  The New Look on Apple TV+   ***   Episode Highlights:  [03:56] “ivy” evermore [16:42] “cowboy like me” evermore [28:00] “The Great War” Midnights (3am Edition)   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.   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

Surprise! We have another exciting guest episode for you this week where we chat with Laura Bankers, who is a swiftie, book-lover, and an incredible artist who makes the cutest swiftie and bookish-themed stickers. Tune in to hear us talk about her business, inspiration, and community, and stick around for a special spin-the-wheel game at the end!   You can find Laura on Instagram with the handle @little.owlet.art, through her monthly newsletter, and on Etsy through her store LittleOwletArt. Mentioned in this episode:  @Little.owlet.art on Instagram Harry Potter series by JK Rowling August Days on Etsy Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Cinderella Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Princess Diaries 2 Happy Place by Emily Henry  Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab Funny Story by Emily Henry Duma Key by Stephen King Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory Six The Musical Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen A Cinderella Story The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver The OC Atonement by Ian McEwan Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 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:  [00:15] Meet Laura Bankers of LittleOwletArt [5:13] Inspiration process  [7:30] TS Collab Wishlist  [11:45] Changed by the fandom [13:22] Creating a community [18:52] Books & Taylor Swift [21:16] Game time! Spin the Wheel [40:17] The song that made Laura a Swiftie   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.

"You don't get to tell me about sad.” This week, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me” from The Tortured Poets Department. For this TTPD and Eras Tour favorite, we unpack the song's references to fame, power dynamics, and female identity. We explore how this song brings up our experiences of passive-aggressive workplaces, and being asked to change our behavior to fit other's expectations. It's a meaty episode–listen and let us know what you think!   Mentioned in this episode:  Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Edward Albee Apex Predator, Mean Girls   E23: Mad Women The Great Gatsby Pirates of the Caribbean  Les Misérables Wicked  Episode Highlights:  [01:52] How we do a deep dive [03:19] Unpacking references in the song's title [07:49] “The who's who of who's that” [13:01] “If you wanted me dead, you should have just said” [18:56] “So I leap from the gallows” [21:20] “At all costs, keep your good name” [32:25] “So tell me everything is not about me” [37:57] "That's why you're still singing along" [42:39] The purpose of the song [52:00] Listener homework!   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.   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

“They're burning all the witches even if you aren't one.” Happy spooky season! This week, we dive into the topic of witches. From historical midwives to fantasy heroines, Taylor's music has a little bit for everyone. In this episode, we look at the fiery witch imagery in “I Did Something Bad,” explore the visual choice of witchiness in “willow,” and discuss the fantasy of owning your power in “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me.” With plenty of Harry Potter references for all, this episode is perfect for the inner Hermione in us all. Because at the end of the day, aren't we all just powerful witches who are also kind of giant nerds?    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  E7: Ecocriticism  E23: Mad Women  E19: Satire  Pride and Prejudice Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English Harry Potter Willow Music Video Outlander Buffy the Vampire Slayer E9: Fall Songs Les Miserables The Crucible  The Power, Naomi Alderman Shit Cassandra Saw, Gwen E. Kirby Jennifer's Body  Great Expectations Invisible Women, Caroline Criado-Perez *** Episode Highlights:  [01:15] Introduction to Witches [07:34] I Did Something Bad - “They're burning all the witches even if you aren't one” [19:36] Willow - “Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dark” [34:30] Who's Afraid of Little Old Me - “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street”   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.   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

“Lately I've been dressing for revenge.” This week we deep dive Eras tour favorite Vigilante Shit from Taylor Swift's album “Midnights.” We discuss the meaning of “vigilante,” how the song challenges traditional gender roles, and the many potential pop culture references and parallels that make the song fit into the broader cultural narrative of women reclaiming their power. Is "Vigilante Shit" a feminist anthem or just a really fun revenge fantasy? Listen and find out! Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Mentioned in this episode:  E58: Show and Tell - Style The Little Rascals The Lion King  Circe by Madeline Miller  The Incredibles Mean Girls  John Tucker Must Die Pretty Little Liars  Chicago White Collar  Hamilton  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:20] “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man” [06:45] “They say looks can kill and I might try” [12:24] “Don't get sad, get even” [21:36] “Ladies always rise above…” [30:10] “I don't dress for villains” [38:20] The purpose of the song    Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro   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   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.

“We never go out of style.” This week we have a very special guest joining us to talk about Style. Yes, we're interviewing Queen of Taylor Swift Style herself Sarah Chapelle! Sarah joins us to talk about her new book Taylor Swift Style, how her blog and commentary have evolved over the years, and how Taylor's fashion and music work in tandem to communicate a message. Then we dive into a show and tell featuring three songs that address the idea of style in one way or another: “Style”, “Dress”, and “Vigilante Shit”.  Mentioned in this episode:  TaylorSwiftStyle.com Taylor Swift Style Book @TaylorSwiftStyled on Instagram  @taylorswiftstyle.com on TikTok Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Selkie Dress “Call It What You Want” Necklace Gucci Scarf  Taylor Swift Style Book Tour Dame Mary Quant  Dressed to Kill Etymology Elizabeth Holmes “So Many Thoughts” Blog The Man Repeller  Invisible Women  History of the Cat Eye Liner  *** Episode Highlights:  [01:12] Interview with Sarah Chapelle of Taylor Swift Style [31:50] “Style” 1989 (Taylor's Version) [44:00] “Dress” Reputation  [55:59] “Vigilante Shit” Midnights    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

“It's just a question!” In this week's episode, we do a deep dive into the ultimate rhetorical question song from Taylor Swift - “Question…?” from Midnights. We get into our own questions, such as who is the “I,” the “you,” and the “her” in the story? What were the miscommunications? Was this a one-night stand or a longer situationship? While we never get any answers to the questions asked within the song, you'll have to tune in to see whether we answer our own questions about “Question…?”    Mentioned in this episode:  “Don't Stop Believing” by Journey A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens  The Ugly Truth (film)  Ted Lasso (tv show)  Notting Hill (film) “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne  Bridgerton Season Two Daisy Jones and the Six (book)  Daisy Jones and the Six (tv show)  Episode Highlights:  [00:30] Introduction to “Question…?” [02:13] The characters in the song [04:30] Starting with “I remember” [09:17] Moving into the present tense  [16:20] The chorus of “Question…?” [29:37] “Half moon eyes” and verse 2  [39:28] Politics and gender roles [44:52] Who is “her” in this song [56:06] The purpose of the song  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro   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   *** 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.

In our first guest episode this season, we welcome DJ Louie XIV of Pop Pantheon to talk all things pop and Taylor Swift. DJ Louie discusses how he analyzes pop music in his podcast, Pop Pantheon, and delves into Taylor Swift's unique role within the pop music landscape. We discuss Taylor's cultural impact, her mastery of storytelling, and the influence of Jack Antonoff on her music.    Mentioned in this episode:  Pop Pantheon Podcast Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Twitter Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram E31: Shakespeare E32: Love Story ***   Episode Highlights:  [4:04] Why is pop music so fun to overanalyze? [6:11] How Taylor Swift fits into the pop music Landscape [15:25] Taylor Swift as “basic savant” [27:30] Folklore Evermore Reset  [30:00] Taylor's artistic evolutions through her albums  [34:28] The Jack Antonoff Partnerships [36:44] Tortured Poets and Lyrical Editing [41:07] The pop music formula Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.   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  

“…Are you ready for it?” No but really, are you? Today we're talking rhetorical questions. Why does Taylor use them? Does she use them expecting an answer? Are those a rhetorical question? (We'll stop now…)  We're covering “Is It Over Now?” from 1989 (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault),  “...Ready for it” from Reputation, and “Question…?” from Midnights. Tune in to see if we get any answers!    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  Types of Rhetorical Questions The Office Parks and Recreation Law and Order Legally Blonde   What is a Rhetorical Question? A rhetorical question is an inquiry that ends in a question mark but is asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer. It's often used in persuasive writing but is also common in everyday conversation.    Types of Rhetorical Questions:  Anthypophora (hypophora): Involves asking a question in order to answer it immediately. In our animal studies episode, Jenn asked, “Did I make this song about something that personally interests me? Sure did” Epiplexis: A rhetorical device in which one asks a question in order to admonish rather than receive an answer. Think Michael Scott, “why are you the way that you are?” Erotesis: Positions the question in a way that elicits a strong reaction, either in agreement or rejection. However, this type of rhetorical question typically anticipates a negative response. it's usually impossible to contradict.”How can segregation exist in the true Body of Christ?” - MLK   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:20] What are rhetorical questions? [06:57] “Is It Over Now?” 1989 (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)  [26:39] “...Ready for it” Reputation [44:48] “Question…?” Midnights    Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

Can we always be this close? We're celebrating our first anniversary! This week we're reminiscing about our first year of this podcast by talking about some of our favorite podcast moments in Year 1, and the songs we surprisingly haven't covered yet. And we're responding to listener requests, diving into specific lyrics requested by our dear listeners.  Mentioned in this episode:  Sisyphean task  Bookshop.org/shop/APTS The Daily, “The Year of Taylor Swift”  E42: Ecocriticism + TTPD  Animal Theory Substack E9: Fall Songs (aka Cornelia Street Moment) E24: Deep Dive - Right Where You Left Me E51: All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Three Ways All Too Well (10 Minute Version) Short Film  “Reformed Rake” trope E33: Animal Theory You Know How to Ball, I Know Aristotle on TikTok Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:38] Songs we surprisingly haven't covered yet [08:46] “My Tears Ricochet” Bridge  [19:20] “Robin”  [22:51] “Right Where You Left Me” pre-chorus [26:45] “When your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones” All Too Well 10 Minute Version [32:36] “Do you miss the rogue who coaxed you into paradise and left you there” Coney Island  [38:28] “We can't make any promises now can we babe?” Delicate [44:28] Season 2 sneak peek   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

"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!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

"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   Follow us on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.

“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:  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:  [01:41] 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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.

"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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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 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.

“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!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.  

“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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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 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.

“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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  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.

“She fell through the ice and came out alive.” Today's Summer School episode has us revisiting Episode 19: Satire (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 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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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   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.

“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/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro 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 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.