Shows
AP Taylor SwiftE107: State of Grace Deep Dive: Taylor Swift's Transition from Fantasy to Reality on Red"I'm walking fast through the traffic lights, busy streets and busy lives." This week, we're deep diving "State of Grace" from Red (2012), exploring how this opening track marks a turning point in Taylor's approach to love songs. We unpack the religious meaning of "state of grace" and what it reveals about forgiveness and fresh starts, discuss how the gritty reality of New York City replaces the fairy tale imagery of earlier albums, and examine what it means to navigate love as a 22-year-old trying to prove you're an adult. From Catholic theology to the "freshman year of the real...
2025-11-0448 min
AP Taylor SwiftOne Month with Taylor Swift's “The Life of a Showgirl”: Our Honest Reactions (After School Paid Preview)“Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes.” In this preview of our After School episode, we're reflecting on our first month with Taylor's latest album. We dive into why certain Taylor albums create earworms while others don't, how her genre-hopping creates completely different fan bases, and whether we just accidentally invented a personality test based on your top two Taylor albums (spoiler: it's better than Myers-Briggs). Plus, we debate whether "an album full of bops" can stand the test of time, or if that's exactly what we needed right now.
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2025-11-0313 minAP Taylor SwiftE106: Stumble On Home to My Cats: Taylor Swift’s Cat Songs - State of Grace, Gorgeous, and Beautiful Ghosts"I'll dance with these beautiful ghosts and I'll choose to be wild and free." What happens when we view Taylor Swift's music through the lens of our feline friends? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore three songs that connect to the world of cats in different ways. From the mysterious cat distribution system to reclaiming the "cat lady" trope, we discuss how cats represent independence, mystery, and the feminine in both literature and Taylor's music. Plus, we dive into why men who hate cats might be revealing more about themselves than they think.
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2025-10-2939 minAP Taylor SwiftCelebrating Our Favorite Childless Cat Lady: Dissecting Cats the Movie and Taylor Swift’s Role in It (After School Paid Preview)"How high was Andrew Lloyd Webber when he wrote this and on what exactly?"
This month on After School, we're discussing Cats, the 2019 movie musical featuring Taylor Swift as Bombalurina. For this bonus episode for paid subscribers, we watched and dissected Tom Hooper's infamous film adaptation. From the uncanny CGI to Taylor's scene-stealing performance to the existential question of cat proportions, we explore what went wrong (and occasionally right) in translating Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1981 stage musical to the big screen.
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2025-10-2908 minAP Taylor SwiftE105: I guess I'll never, ever know… “Now That We Don’t Talk” Deep Dive“You part the crowd like the Red Sea, don't even get me started.” This week, we're deep diving "Now That We Don't Talk" from 1989 (Taylor's Version). This vault track is lyrically dense, structurally complex, and emotionally devastating in its exploration of uncertainty, insecurity, and the relationships that leave us wanting more. We analyze biblical references, rhetorical questions, enjambment, and why this song was ultimately too insecure to make the original 1989 album. Join us as we unpack how Taylor uses poetic devices to create a haiku-like meditation on the aftermath of an intimate relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or something in betwee...
2025-10-2258 minAP Taylor SwiftE104: Just a Girl on a Mission: Connecting Wicked to Taylor Swift’s “A Place In This World,” “Treacherous,” and “Now That We Don’t Talk”This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're doing something special, a Wicked-themed show and tell! With Wicked: For Good coming out soon, we're embracing our inner theater kids and connecting Taylor Swift's music to this beloved story. From the 1995 Gregory Maguire book to the 2003 Broadway musical to the upcoming film adaptation, we explore how “A Place in This World,” “Treacherous,” and “Now That We Don’t Talk” all perfectly capture the complex relationships and emotional journeys in the Land of Oz.
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2025-10-1540 minAP Taylor SwiftE103: Invisible String Deep Dive - How Taylor Swift Turned Fate into Folklore"Isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?" This week, we're deep diving "invisible string" (folklore 2020). We go line by line through this deceptively whimsical love song, exploring everything from Greek mythology to Jane Eyre references, the evolution of time from "curious" to "mystical" to "wondrous," and why Taylor chooses to believe in fate. Join us as we unpack the colors, the contrasts, and the surprising darkness hidden beneath this seemingly romantic fairy tale about finding your person against all odds.
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2025-10-0850 minAP Taylor SwiftE102: Taylor Swift Parallels: Connecting the Dots Between Unexpected Song Pairings"What if I told you none of it was accidental?" This week, you’re getting six show-and-tell songs instead of three! In this episode, we explore the concept of parallel songs in Taylor Swift's discography, focusing on thematic and lyrical connections between pairs of songs. We discuss the similarities between the carefree hangout vibes of “22” and the more mature perspective of letting loose in “Bejeweled”; the contrasting views of fate in “Invisible String” and agency in “Mastermind”. And, we take a technical lens to the songs “Labyrinth” and “You're Losing Me”, highlighting how they embody experiences of love and loss.
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2025-10-0132 minAP Taylor SwiftE101: Magic, Madness, Heaven, Sin: A Line-by-Line Analysis of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space”"Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things..." In this deep dive episode, we dissect one of Taylor Swift's most iconic satirical masterpieces. From the enchanted references that bookend her career to the Shakespeare allusions hidden in plain sight, we explore how "Blank Space" operates as both brilliant satire and surprisingly authentic commentary on complex womanhood. Join us as we unpack the magic, madness, heaven, and sin of a song that dared to ask: what if we owned the narrative instead of fighting it?
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2025-09-2447 minAP Taylor SwiftE100: Taylor Swift Songs That Transcend Time - Blank Space, New Romantics, The ManFrom medieval England to modern pop music, some things never change - women fighting for agency, authority, and the right to write their own stories. In this milestone 100th episode, we go full literary nerd and explore the surprising connections between Geoffrey Chaucer's iconic Wife of Bath from The Canterbury Tales and Taylor Swift's empowering anthems. By looking at Blank Space, New Romantics, and The Man, we examine how both the 14th-century literary character and the 21st-century pop star challenge societal expectations, manipulate narratives to their advantage, and advocate for women's autonomy in love and life.
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2025-09-1736 minAP Taylor SwiftMedieval Reality TV aka "The Canterbury Tales" for Taylor Swift Fans (After School Paid Preview)In this preview of our paid subscriber bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into The Canterbury Tales. Imagine Love Island but it's 1390, everyone's going on a religious road trip, and instead of coupling up, they're having a storytelling competition. That's The Canterbury Tales. Join us as we go a little deeper into Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, exploring how this 14th-century masterpiece was the original "common people's literature" and why these 600-year-old stories feel surprisingly modern. Spoiler alert: there's a lot more butt-kissing and fart jokes than you'd expect from "classic literature” or Taylor Swift songs.
If you e...
2025-09-1712 minAP Taylor SwiftE99: “But Daddy I Love Him”: Sarahs, Hannahs, Taylor's Tale of Rebellious Love"All the wine moms are still holding out…" This week, we're deep diving into "But Daddy I Love Him" from The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Join us as we unpack the unreliable narrator, explore the Southern Gothic imagery, and analyze how Taylor uses biblical references and small-town dynamics to tell a story about agency, choice, and breaking free from societal expectations. From the Sarahs and Hannahs clutching their pearls to the elders convening at city hall, this song creates a vivid world where love becomes an act of rebellion.
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2025-09-1058 minAP Taylor SwiftE98: Taylor Swift's Unreliable Narrators: When You Can't Trust the Story - You Belong With Me, Mr. Perfectly Fine, But Daddy I Love Him"You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset..." Welcome to Season 3 of AP Taylor Swift! What happens when we can't trust the person telling the story? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore the concept of unreliable narrators through three Taylor Swift songs that demonstrate how perspective shapes truth. From teenage crush confessions to post-breakup rants to defiant love declarations, we examine how Taylor uses narrative techniques that make us question what's really happening beneath the surface of these seemingly straightforward stories.
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2025-09-0337 minAP Taylor SwiftTim McGraw: Deep Diving the Single That Launched Taylor Swift"That's a lie." In this deep dive episode, we dissect "Tim McGraw" line by line, exploring how a teenage Taylor Swift crafted a deceptively complex narrative about young love, heartbreak, and the bittersweet nature of memory. From Chevy trucks and Georgia stars to little black dresses and faded blue jeans, we unpack the country iconography and examine how the meaning of key phrases shifts dramatically when we understand that the full timeline. Join us as we discover how Taylor's debut single established her as a master storyteller from day one, using nostalgic imagery and circular narrative structure to create...
2025-08-2040 minAP Taylor SwiftTS12 'The Life of a Showgirl' Album Breakdown: Taylor Swift Podcast Appearance, Album Track Analysis & Literary Connections“And baby, that’s show business for you!❤️🔥” Taylor Swift just announced TS12, "The Life of a Showgirl," on the New Heights Podcast, releasing October 3rd! Join us for an emergency bonus episode as we break down the album announcement, analyze the track list through our literary lens, and discuss what this new era means for Taylor's artistic evolution. From Shakespearean references in "The Fate of Ophelia" to the millennial energy of releasing on October 3rd (it's Mean Girls day!), we dive deep into the themes, collaborators, and visual storytelling of this highly anticipated album.
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2025-08-1452 minAP Taylor SwiftE97: Cruel Summer: Line-by-line through Taylor Swift’s summer anthem"I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?" This week, we're diving deep into Taylor's ultimate summer anthem and Eras Tour favorite: "Cruel Summer" (Lover 2019). We unpack whether this song is about a problematic love interest or the speaker's own internal struggle with anxious attachment and self-imposed drama. The track brilliantly captures the gap between our cool, collected external personas and the chaotic thoughts running through our heads when we're falling for someone but trying to play it casual. Join us as we go line-by-line through one of Taylor's most iconic bridges and explore why "HE...
2025-08-1344 minAP Taylor SwiftE96: Cruel Summer, August, hits different: Taylor Swift Summer Songs Breakdown"Freedom felt like summer then on the coast." What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's music through the lens of summer? In this episode, we explore how summer functions both as a setting and a symbol in Taylor's songwriting. From the cruel intensity of forbidden love to nostalgic August romances and the catastrophic blues of heartbreak, we explore how Taylor uses summer to capture everything from youthful freedom to emotional devastation. Join us as we discuss "Cruel Summer," "august," and "Hits Different" to uncover why summer hits different in Taylor's discography.
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2025-08-0640 minAP Taylor SwiftHappee Birthdae Harry: Swiftie Potterheads UniteJuly 31st is Harry Potter’s birthday, so why not celebrate with a repeat of our favorite Harry Potter Holiday Special episode!? This week, let your inner Swifties and Potterhead unite as we discuss the crossovers between 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...
2025-07-3045 minAP Taylor SwiftMastermind in the Museum: Taylor Swift & Women Who Paint“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 other female artists, particularly painters? In this Summer favorite repeat, we explore the work of three iconic women in art and connect their paintings to Taylor Swift’s songs. From the intimacy of motherhood in Mary Cassatt’s work, to the surrealism of Remedios Varo, to the medieval renderings of Hildegard von Bingen, we discuss how these themes appear in both art and Taylor’s songwriting. Listen to hear how artist reframes famil...
2025-07-2342 minAP Taylor SwiftE95: Is "Don't Blame Me" Taylor's Most Unhinged Love Song? (Deep Dive)"Don't blame me, love made me crazy. If it doesn't, you ain't doing it right." This week, we're deep diving into "Don't Blame Me" from the reputation album. We explore the song's gospel influences, religious imagery, and transformation themes as we analyze Taylor's most unhinged declaration of love. From poison ivy to daisies, from halos to falling from grace, join us as we unpack this intoxicating Taylor Swift tale of desire, addiction, and spiritual transcendence.
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2025-07-1653 minAP Taylor SwiftE94: Frankenstein - When Taylor Swift Meets Gothic Literature and Scientific Ambition“I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me.” In this episode, we're diving into one of literature's most enduring classics: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. From Victor's scientific ambition to the creature's desperate search for companionship, we explore how Taylor's lyrics illuminate the Gothic themes of isolation, creation, and the consequences of playing God. Join us as we examine "Don't Blame Me," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "False God" through the lens of literature's first science fiction novel—and discover why this 1818 masterpiece feels more relevant than ever in our age of artificial intelligence.
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2025-07-0939 minAP Taylor SwiftAll Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Three Literary Lenses on Taylor's Epic Masterpiece"It was rare, I was there, I remember it." As part of our summer vacation series, we're re-airing one of our most requested episodes! This was the song we'd wanted to analyze since day one: "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)." This isn't just any song analysis—it's a literary deep dive worthy of Taylor's most devastating masterpiece. We're each bringing you a different academic lens to understand what makes this 10-minute epic the storytelling tour de force that has Swifties screaming every word. From narrative structure to nature imagery to the hypnotic power of repetition, discover why this song is...
2025-07-0256 minAP Taylor SwiftE93: I Forgot That You Existed“It isn’t love, it isn’t hate, it’s just indifference.” A little petty, a little philosophical, and exactly the right kind of opener for Lover. In this Deep Dive, we look at “I Forgot That You Existed,” a deceptively breezy track that becomes more interesting the longer you sit with it. We unpack the tonal misreadings this song often gets, the power of the shrug as both emotional and poetic posture, and why this opening song may be one of Taylor’s most sophisticated declarations of agency.
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2025-06-2546 minAP Taylor SwiftE92: Revenge Narratives in Taylor Swift's Songwriting"I haven't decided yet, but I'mgonnagetyouback." From ancient Greek epics to Mean Girls, revenge has evolved dramatically in literature, and Taylor Swift's discography is no exception. This week on AP Taylor Swift, we explore how Taylor serves revenge with a smile, examining the sweet saccharine fantasy of "Speak Now," the cutting indifference of "I Forgot That You Existed," and the delicious ambiguity of "I'm Gonna Get You Back." Whether it's ruining a wedding or simply moving on, we dive into how revenge fantasies reveal character, power dynamics, and the satisfying evolution from teenage retaliation to adult agency. Because sometimes...
2025-06-1841 minAP Taylor SwiftGreek Mythology and Taylor Swift: Exploring connections between Greek Mythology and Taylor's Lyrics“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-dis...
2025-06-0447 minAP Taylor SwiftBonus: And Then It Was Bought By Her: Taylor Swift Owns Her Masters“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 ne...
2025-05-3133 minAP Taylor SwiftE91: Everything You Lose Is a Step You Take: A Deep Dive into “You’re On Your Own, Kid”“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.
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2025-05-2845 minAP Taylor SwiftE90: The Art of Taylor Swift’s Storytelling: Narratology Explained“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 jus...
2025-05-2144 minAP Taylor SwiftE89: Deep Dive - Florida!!! From “The Tortured Poets Department”“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Florida by Lauren Groff
The Haunted Mans...
2025-05-1450 minAP Taylor SwiftE88: Dance in a storm: From 'Fearless' Rain to ‘Florida!!!’ Hurricanes, Weather as a Literary Device in Taylor Swift’s music“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
King Lear
The Great Gatsby
Wuthering Heights
E13: Metaphors (“Clean”)
2025-05-0740 minAP Taylor SwiftE87: Deep Dive - “Say Don’t Go”“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Six The Musical
The Break-Up (2006 film)
Mad Men
The...
2025-04-3050 minAP Taylor SwiftE86: Under the Big Top — Taylor Swift and the Circus Metaphor“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 po...
2025-04-2348 minAP Taylor SwiftE84: Is Emily Dickinson Taylor Swift’s Literary Twin? Comparing Emily Dickinson with Karma, Evermore & More“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 s...
2025-04-0942 minAP Taylor SwiftE83: Taylor Swift Is Funnier Than You Think | "Thug Story," SNL, and Her Best Joke Songs“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...
2025-04-0235 minAP Taylor SwiftE82: Deep Dive - Guilty as Sin?
“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!
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2025-03-261h 00AP Taylor SwiftE81: Show and Tell - Paintings by Female Artists
“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.
2025-03-1942 minAP Taylor SwiftE80: Deep Dive - Mirrorball“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?”
S...
2025-03-1250 minAP Taylor SwiftE79: Show and Tell - Feminist Theory"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 critic...
2025-03-0544 minAP Taylor SwiftE78: Deep Dive - Tim McGraw“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Last Song
Dirty Dancing
2025-02-2636 minAP Taylor SwiftE77: Show and Tell - Historical CriticismYou 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!
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2025-02-1948 minAP Taylor SwiftE76: Deep Dive - “You Are In Love”“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.
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2025-02-1248 minAP Taylor SwiftE75: Show and Tell - Romantic Love“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 b...
2025-02-0540 minAP Taylor SwiftE74: Deep Dive - Maroon“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
E73...
2025-01-2951 minAP Taylor SwiftE73: "Maroon", "Red," "Daylight" - Show and Tell - Color“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Wizard of Oz
...
2025-01-2234 minAP Taylor SwiftE72: Deep Dive - cardigan“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
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2025-01-1557 minAP Taylor SwiftE71: Show and Tell - Peter Pan“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.
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2025-01-0846 minAP Taylor SwiftHolidays Show and Tell - New Year's Day Re-Release“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,”...
2025-01-0156 minAP Taylor SwiftE70: Show and Tell - Harry Potter Holiday Special“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 movi...
2024-12-2545 minAP Taylor SwiftE69: Deep Dive - my tears ricochet“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.
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2024-12-1856 minAP Taylor SwiftE67: Show and Tell - Greek Mythology“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 mod...
2024-12-1146 minAP Taylor SwiftE55: Show and Tell - Rhetorical Questions“…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!
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Mentioned in this episode:
Types of Rhetorical Questions
The Office
Parks and Recreati...
2024-10-021h 02AP Taylor SwiftE54: One-Year Anniversary of AP Taylor SwiftCan 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 So...
2024-09-2548 minAP Taylor SwiftE53: Deep Dive - The Way I Loved You"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 Preju...
2024-09-1847 minAP Taylor SwiftE52: "Anti-Hero" "Look What You Made Me Do" "That's The Way I Loved You" - Show and Tell - Psychoanalytic Theory"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 Char...
2024-09-111h 02AP Taylor SwiftE51: All Too Well (10 Min Version) - 3 WaysIt 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...
2024-09-0456 minAP Taylor SwiftE50: Cities + “The Tortured Poets Department”“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...
2024-08-2843 minAP Taylor SwiftE49: Poetic Repetition + "The Tortured Poets Department""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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 27: Poetic Repetition
Ted Lasso “Semantic Satiation” Epi...
2024-08-2146 minAP Taylor SwiftE48: Mad Women + “The Tortured Poets Department”“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!
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2024-08-1444 minAP Taylor SwiftE47: Pride and Prejudice + "The Tortured Poets Department"“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 25 “Pride and Prejudice”
Pride and Prejudice
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Episode Highlights...
2024-08-0740 minAP Taylor SwiftE46: Musicals + "The Tortured Poets Department"“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 - krownedkrysta...
2024-07-3138 minAP Taylor SwiftE45: Satire + The Tortured Poets Department“She fell through the ice and came out alive.” Today’s Summer School episode has us revisiting Episode 19: Satire (Spotify | Apple). We explore how Taylor uses different types of Satire on the album as a way of adding exaggeration, emphasis, and impact to her storytelling.
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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
Lo...
2024-07-2440 minAP Taylor SwiftE44: Metaphors + “The Tortured Poets Department”“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.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 13: Metaphors (Spotify | Apple)
Episode 14: Deep Dive - Getaway Car (Spotify | Apple)
Samuel Taylor Cole...
2024-07-1741 minAP Taylor SwiftE43: Marxist Theory + “The Tortured Poets Department”"The sickest army doll purchased at the mall." In this Summer School episode, we delve into Marxist Theory (Episode 11) and its application to “The Tortured Poets Department”. We explore themes of power dynamics, ownership, control, and escape. We’ll introduce topics like Marxist Feminism, repressive state apparatus, ideological state apparatus…just a super light topic for summer!
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 11: Marxist Theory (Apple | Spotify)
Louis Althusser
Office Space
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
...
2024-07-1040 minAP Taylor Swift"The Last Great American Dynasty" Deep Dive - 4th of July Re-Release"I had a marvelous time." In honor of the 4th of July, we're re-releasing our deep dive on “The Last Great American Dynasty,” from folklore. Initially released in November 2023, in this episode our hosts expand on what we learned in our Marxist Criticism episode to take an even closer look at Rebekah Harkness, who she was, and why Taylor Swift wrote a song about her. What do Taylor and Rebekah Harkness have in common, besides owning the same home? Is Rebekah Harkness really “middle class”? How does Taylor build empathy for someone called “mad” and “shameless”? We had a marvelous time di...
2024-07-0330 minAP Taylor SwiftE42: Ecocriticism and "The Tortured Poets Department"“A hurricane with my name when it came.” On today’s Summer School episode, we’re going back to Episode 7: Ecocriticism. We’ll cover how Taylor Swift uses nature language, imagery, and metaphors to capture the feelings and emotions she’s trying to convey in her songs on “The Tortured Poets Department.” From exploring nature vs cities, the idea of the civilized vs uncivilized, and ecofeminism, “The Tortured Poets Department” has a lot for us to work with!
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 7: Ecocriticism
Outlander
Witches, Midwives and Nurses
Peter Pan
...
2024-06-2635 minAP Taylor SwiftE41: Toxic Relationships + “The Tortured Poets Department”"Mr. Steal Your Girl, then make her cry." This summer, we’re bringing you Summer School! Each week, we’ll revisit a topic from this past season within the context of songs from Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” This week we’re covering the topic of toxic relationships from Episode 5.
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 5: Toxic Relationships (Apple | Spotify)
Mary Shelley and Percey Shelley’s Relationship tl;dr
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
The Lottery, Shirley Jackson
Frozen
Wicked
The Good, The Bad...
2024-06-1933 minAP Taylor SwiftE40: Deep Dive - ParisLike we were in Paris. This week we’re over-analyzing Taylor Swift's song “Paris” from the album Midnights. We explore the imagery and metaphors used in the lyrics, like “stumbled down pretend alleyways” and how that relates to what it’s like to be early on in a relationship. Are they really in Paris? What does it mean to be “in Paris”? Why does she choose “Paris” and not another city? What makes “Paris” different? We try and unpack it all!
Mentioned in this episode:
Midnight in Paris
Peter Pan, JM Barrie
Practical Mag...
2024-06-1237 minAP Taylor SwiftE39: Show and Tell - CitiesThe lights are so bright, but they never blind me. This week we’re taking a tour of Taylor Swift’s favorite cities to sing about. We explore the personification of different cities, and how Taylor uses these cities to tell her stories. In this episode, we’re covering “Welcome to New York” from 1989, “London Boy” from Lover, and “Paris” from Midnights.
Mentioned in this episode:
The City, Langston Hughes
The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe
Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf
Mrs. Dalloway’s Map of London
Jodi's London Boy Map of...
2024-06-0559 minAP Taylor SwiftE38: Deep Dive - The ArcherWho could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay? Love or hate The Archer (Lover 2019), we all agree that we have no idea what this song is about. Such an obscure song calls for a proper, literary style close reading. Join us as we go line by line to understand what Taylor is trying to say with the obscure lyrics of this incredibly poetic song.
Mentioned in this episode:
Tom Cruise movies
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Marvel’s Avengers: End Game
Black Widow
The Odyssey, by Homer
Iron man
Full House (1987)
Michael Scott, The Office (2005)
Peter...
2024-05-291h 05AP Taylor SwiftE37: Show and Tell - SurrealismI don't need your closure. In this week’s episode, we discuss the art style of surrealism and explore how it relates to Taylor Swift. Abby Aleksinas, of @arthistoryabby on TikTok, joins us to help us understand how visual arts can connect to music. We dive into “The Archer” from Lover, then we look at “closure” from evermore, and wrap it up with “Lavender Haze” from Midnights. Join us as we dive into the unconventional pairings, unexpected imagery, and use of surrealism to convey emotions and create a dreamlike atmosphere!
Mentioned in this episode:
@arthistoryabby
The Surrealist Mani...
2024-05-2253 minAP Taylor SwiftE36: Deep Dive - King of My HeartSalute to me I’m your American Queen. In this episode, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “King of My Heart” from reputation. Join us as we discuss the power dynamics and military references in the song, as well as themes of wealth, luxury, and the British Royal Family. We even attempt to dissect how the music changes to reflect the song’s themes and lyrics. We’re left wondering: is this just a schoolgirl crush? Infatuation? Or the love of the speaker’s life, the end of all the endings? Tune in and find out!
Mentione...
2024-05-1536 minAP Taylor SwiftBonus: "The Tortured Poets Department" at The Eras Tour ReactionTry and come for my job. We’ve got a special episode to discuss “The Tortured Poets Department” songs that Taylor Swift added to The Eras Tour setlist this weekend. We share our reactions and observations about the changes like the visuals in “But Daddy I Love Him,” the levitating platform in 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?' and how “So High School” feels like “Fearless”- era Taylor. We cover the UFO effects in “Down Bad” and how “Fortnight” mirrors the music video. Finally, we have to talk about the epic marching band in “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” and the Cla...
2024-05-1340 minAP Taylor SwiftE35: Show and Tell - RoyaltyHow the kingdom lights shined just for me and you. Hear ye! Hear ye! This week’s show and tell topic is “Royalty!” We explore the historical and religious roots of royalty, and its portrayal in fantasy literature, and high school. Maansi discusses “Long Live” from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). Jodi brings in “Castle's Crumbling” Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault). And finally, Jenn shares “King of My Heart” from Reputation.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Lord of the Rings
N...
2024-05-081h 05AP Taylor SwiftE34: Deep Dive - I Know PlacesThey are the hunters we are the foxes, and we run. This week we’re covering “I Know Places” from 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Who’s running? Why are they running? What are the places they’re trying to get to? Does she actually know a place to hide? This is a dark and anxious song and we have questions! We explore how Taylor Swift uses metaphors to help make the relationship she’s singing about relatable. Then we examine how the music changes between the verses and the choruses, from anxious and scared to romantic and beautiful. And we’re left trying to...
2024-05-0134 minAP Taylor SwiftBonus: "The Tortured Poets Department" Album Release RecapAll’s fair in love and poetry. The long-awaited album The Tortured Poets Department is officially out, and of course, we have thoughts! This bonus episode strays from our usual format to bring you as comprehensive of an overview as we can provide in one (rather long) episode. Be warned: you won’t find speculation about Taylor’s love life here. True to our usual content, we focus on the lyrics, the themes, and the literary choices Taylor makes to better understand what this album is all about. Join us as we give our first reactions, talk about Taylor’s “In Su...
2024-04-221h 52AP Taylor SwiftE32: Deep Dive - Love StoryYou were Romeo, I was a Scarlet Letter. This week we’re covering an oldie but goodie–Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”, from Fearless (Taylor’s Version). In this very narrative-driven song, we get a chance to explore who the protagonists are and what they’re trying to say about their love “story. We explore why Taylor Swift references high school favorites “Romeo and Juliet” and “Scarlet Letter,” and what those metaphors may mean. The “Scarlet Letter” reference makes us look at this song from a whole new lens, forcing us to look at pronouns, verb tenses, and points of view–we promise you’ll nev...
2024-04-1749 minAP Taylor SwiftE30: Deep Dive - gold rushWhat must it be like to grow up that beautiful? In this episode, we deep dive into the beautiful “gold rush.” We dive into the historical context of the real-life gold rush and how the gold rush was presented to us as kids versus today as adults. Then, we dive into how the reality of history affects how we interpret this song. We also explore how fame or popularity connects to this song. Finally, we examine the siren call motif and the speaker's ultimate decision to resist the temptation of the gold rush. Ultimately, our takeaway is the importance of a...
2024-04-0352 minAP Taylor SwiftE29: Show and Tell - AestheticismEvery bait and switch was a work of art. It’s time to get theoretical! In this week’s episode, we cover Aesthetic Theory–the experience of beauty, for the sake of beauty. Jodi starts us off quite literally with “Gorgeous” from reputation (2017). This prompts a discussion of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, and the similarities between the song’s obsession with the subject’s beauty, and the book’s fixation on the beauty and youth of Dorian Gray. Naturally, we talk about gender roles and the negative sides of focusing exclusively on a person’s beauty. Then, Jenn bri...
2024-03-2753 minAP Taylor SwiftE28: Deep Dive - Shake It OffThat’s What People Say (ooh ooh). In this deep dive episode, we get into the groove of Taylor Swift's “Shake It Off” from her album 1989 (Taylor’s Version). We start by discussing how the song acts as a strategic move by Swift to rebrand herself as a pop artist and connect with a larger audience. We look at how Taylor addresses the haters and criticisms she’s received over the years through her lyrics. And we make the case that this is not a simple song–it’s a therapeutic anthem of resilience, empowerment, and growth. Jodi and Jenn get flash...
2024-03-2047 minAP Taylor SwiftE26: Deep Dive - Haunted"It’s coming over you like it was all a big mistake." In this week’s episode, we dive into the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) classic “Haunted.” We discuss how Taylor Swift’s song captures the haunting and fragile nature of relationships, the devastation of loss, and the immediate aftermath of a breakup. In true form, we also tie the idea of a haunting break up back to our careers, and what it can feel like when you are constantly wondering “what if” about your past decisions. Whether you want some strong emotions or a bit of verb tense analysis...
2024-03-0647 minAP Taylor SwiftE25: Show and Tell - "Pride and Prejudice"All they keep asking me, is if I’m gonna be your bride. We’re a literary-focused Taylor Swift podcast, so it was only a matter of time before we brought Jane Austen into the mix. In this episode, we explore three songs in relation to Pride and Prejudice. Jenn focuses on the sisterly relationship between Elizabeth and Jane with “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.” Maansi zooms into the moment Darcy confesses his love to Elizabeth, only to be brutally rebuffed, with the song “Haunted.” And Jodi explores the connections between the societal pressure to get married in P...
2024-02-2856 minAP Taylor SwiftE24: Deep Dive - right where you left meDid you ever hear about the girl who got frozen? In this week’s deep dive episode, we discuss the evermore bonus track, “right where you left me.” We explore themes of feeling stuck, the haunting presence of the narrator, the plea for help, and how we see attitudes in the song mirrored in society. This beautiful and ultimately sad song also inspired a wide range of references from Elle Woods to Charles Dickens to Foucault. This song definitely has some layers, so join us as we unpack their meaning and ultimately try to get to the purpose of “right wh...
2024-02-2151 minAP Taylor SwiftE23: Show and Tell - Mad WomenThere’s nothing like a mad woman, what a shame she went mad. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with some songs about women scorned? In this episode, we bring to you three songs that represent mad women. Maansi kicks off the discussion with the scornful, vengeful mad woman in “Better Than Revenge,” Jodi walks us through the woman who’s driven to insanity in “mad woman,” and Jenn wraps up the discussion with an example of the mad woman who is stuck in bonus track “right where you left me.” We close out the discussion by acknowledging ho...
2024-02-141h 15AP Taylor SwiftE22: Deep Dive - The OutsideWe’ve all been in a lot of lonely places. In this week’s deep dive, your hosts take you back to one of the original sad songs from Taylor’s debut album, “The Outside.” Perhaps more of a deep cut, this song cuts straight to the heart of what it feels like to be left out. Join us to discover what this song meant to us in our high school years vs today. We’ll explore how Taylor’s writing and musical styles may have changed, but she’s always known how to capture some of the most universal experi...
2024-02-0734 minAP Taylor SwiftBonus - Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" Announcement AnalysisAnd so I enter into evidence…In this very special BONUS episode, your Unofficial Professors of Taylor Swift go deep into the artifacts that Taylor has released for her upcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” From the album art, the title, and the poem, to the track titles, we discuss it all! Is this album going to be more intellectual or emotional? Is Taylor on defense or offense? How wrong will all of our predictions be when the album is actually released? Well, we give you our hypotheses for the first two questions, but we will all have to wait u...
2024-02-061h 03AP Taylor SwiftE21: Show and Tell - MusicalsIf I was a [rich] man, I’d be the man. Curtain up! Light the lights! Today we are finally devoting an entire episode to one of our favorite topics: MUSICALS. Jenn identifies “The Outside,” from Taylor Swift, as the perfect song for the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. (Never seen it? No worries, Jenn gives a full synopsis!). Then, Jodi finds parallels between “The Man” and “If I Were a Rich Man,” from Fiddler on the Roof. And finally, we can’t talk about musicals without Hamilton! Maansi brings it home by comparing “Midnight Rain” to “Satisfied,” and we wonder if (and wh...
2024-01-3148 minAP Taylor SwiftE19: Show and Tell - SatireI’m dying to see how this one ends. We talk about satire - what it is, how it’s different from parody or hyperbole, how Taylor uses it and why. Jodi starts with the quintessential satirical example from Taylor’s catalog - “Blank Space,” Jenn argues that Reputation is actually a satirical album, and Maansi makes a case for satire in “Mastermind.” Find out what witch hunts and chess have to do with it all. We acknowledge that satire is an intellectual form of comedy, which requires us to examine what Taylor is saying in a more nuanced way. Hear our...
2024-01-1747 minAP Taylor SwiftE18: Deep Dive - Death By a Thousand CutsMy, my, my, my. We get deep into our feelings on this deep dive today with “Death By a Thousand Cuts,” from Lover. With a title referencing an imperial form of torture, what is this Taylor Swift song really about? As always, our hosts look at the lyrics from very different perspectives based on our own personal experiences, from moving out of a childhood home (“chandelier still flickering here”) to a breakup (“You said it was a great love”) to Spiderman (“I see you everywhere”). We talk about idioms, loss, grief, the emotional burden of pain, and how asking the traffic ligh...
2024-01-1039 minAP Taylor SwiftE17: Show and Tell - The Great GatsbyFeeling so Gatsby for that whole year. Taylor Swift loves to make direct and indirect references to the classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. So we decided to dive into those connections and see what all the fuss is about. In this week’s episode, we each picked a song that we wanted to relate to The Great Gatsby. Join us as Maansi brings the party with “This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” Jenn explores Gatsby’s motivations with “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” and Jodi brings it all together by digging into the chara...
2024-01-0355 minAP Taylor SwiftRe-Release: Deep Dive - EnchantedEnchanted to (re)meet you. Revisit one of our favorite early episodes with us! As a holiday treat, we are giving our Deep Dive into “Enchanted” its own time to shine. In our first deep dive episode, we did a deep reading of Taylor Swift’s song “Enchanted” from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). We’re wonderstruck as we learn how to analyze a text using the rhetorical triangle to better understand who is speaking, who they are speaking to, and the purpose of the text. We find connections to “Pride and Prejudice,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” Barbie, Cinderella, college, and Greek mytho...
2023-12-2727 minAP Taylor SwiftE15: Show and Tell - Holidays - New Years Day, tis the damn season, champagne problemsSoon they’ll have the nerve to deck the halls. On this week’s episode we attempted to lean right into the festivities of the season with a Holidays themed 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 Maan...
2023-12-1357 minAP Taylor SwiftE14: Deep Dive - Getaway Car“It was the best of times, the worst of crimes.” In this episode, we do a deep dive into “Getaway Car” to explore why this particular metaphor is so powerful. We first explore the historical context by discussing the true story of Bonnie and Clyde, and then we dive into the lyrics to discuss the themes of agency, deception, and the shifting dynamics of relationships. Come along for the ride as we figure out what Don Draper has to do with this song, the layered meaning of “poisoning the well,” and why this song is cemented as one of the greats. ...
2023-12-0646 minAP Taylor SwiftE13: Show and Tell - Metaphors"Some things you just can’t speak about." Taylor Swift’s superpower is being able to convey very specific emotions to millions who may or may not have ever experienced those emotions before. The way she uses metaphors is one of the ways she makes these songs universally relatable. But not only does she use metaphors in her lyrics, sometimes the songs are metaphors. In this show & tell episode, we each bring a song in which the whole song seems to be a metaphor for something else. Tune in to hear us discuss “Clean,” “Getaway Car,” and “epiphany,” and join us as we tr...
2023-11-2944 minAP Taylor SwiftE12: Deep Dive - the last great american dynasty"I had a marvelous time..." Take a step back in time with us as we deep dive into “The Last Great American Dynasty,” from folklore. Our hosts expand on what we learned in our Marxist Criticism episode to take an even closer look at Rebekah Harkness, who she was, and why Taylor Swift wrote a song about her. What do Taylor and Rebekah Harkness have in common, besides owning the same home?Is Rebekah Harkness really “middle class”? How does Taylor build empathy for someone called “mad” and “shameless”? We had a marvelous time diving into this one!
Mentioned in th...
2023-11-2230 minAP Taylor SwiftE11: Show and Tell - Marxist TheoryWhat does a 19th century philosopher and economist have to do with Taylor Swift? In this week’s episode we put on our Marxist Theory glasses to consider how the ideas of ownership, value, and class differences help us understand Taylor’s music in a whole new way. Maansi teaches us what it means to belong to someone in “Mine.” Jenn digs into the political metaphors in “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.” And Jodi teaches us about social class differences with the incredible true story behind “the last great american dynasty.” Tune in to learn all of this and see how much...
2023-11-1554 minAP Taylor SwiftE10: Deep Dive - RedLoving him was like…what? You may know all the words to this old favorite song, but do you know what they mean? In today’s deep dive, we’re unpacking “Red” from Red (Taylor’s Version). After our previous episode on Fall where we talked about why this is an autumn-coded song, our hosts spend more time trying to understand the many (many) metaphors (or is it similes? Analogies?) Taylor Swift uses to describe this relationship. We’ll get a High School English lesson, references to some Millennial-favorite TV shows, and a chance to explore Red as an analogy for Ta...
2023-11-0834 minAP Taylor SwiftE9: Show and Tell - Fall SongsIt’s fall, y’all! From chai cookies to a whole new color palette, we have officially entered into the season of fall, and we want to celebrate it with some of our favorite Taylor songs! Join us as Jenn talks about why “You Belong With Me” is forever a fall song in her midwestern mind; Jodi gives us an overview of the fall-themed marketing that came with the release of Red; and Maansi shocks us all by proving that “Cornelia Street” is 100% a Fall song even though it’s on a summer album. Make sure to listen all the way to the...
2023-11-0139 minAP Taylor SwiftE8: Deep Dive - the lakes"Take me on vacation, take me to anywhere, take me to the lakes!" After our Show & Tell on Ecocriticism, we’re ready to Deep Dive head-first into “the lakes,” bonus track 17 on “folklore (deluxe version).” Join us as we walk through Taylor Swift’s nature imagery and consider the lyrics in some historical context. We'll also unpack the speaker’s relationship with nature as we consider what the speaker is escaping from, where she is going, and why she is running away. And, we introduce a word of the day (“P-A-L-I-M-P-S-E-S-T”) and pull in references from the dictionary, textbooks, classic novels, an...
2023-10-2533 minAP Taylor SwiftE7: Show and Tell - Ecocriticism“But the monsters turned out to be just trees.” Are trees good? Are trees bad? Why the tree imagery? In this episode of AP Taylor Swift, your hosts dive into the world of ecocriticism to explore and analyze how Taylor uses nature in her lyrics to create powerful metaphors that resonate with her listeners. Join us as Jodi discusses the dichotomy of the domestic vs the wild in “Out of the Woods,” Jenn shares some surprising history about William Wordsworth that may change the way you listen to “the lakes” forever, and Maansi teaches us about the sublime with “Snow on the Be...
2023-10-1851 minAP Taylor SwiftSpecial Episode: Our Eras Tour ReactionsIt’s been a long time coming! To celebrate the release of the Eras Tour Movie, we’re releasing our first special episode: our Eras Tour Reactions! Back in July, our hosts sat down to relive the magic of our own Eras Tour concert experiences. Learn who went in blind, and who had a playlist of the entire set before they went to the show. Hear from Maansi as she reflects on hearing “Long Live” and “All of the Girls You Loved Before” at the Santa Clara show less than 24 hours after seeing Taylor Swift live; Try to hold back jealous...
2023-10-1342 min