AP Taylor Swift

“I’ll be your father figure.” This week, we’re diving deep into one of Taylor Swift’s most underrated literary tools: alliteration. From the phonetic cadence of a teenage Taylor on Debut to the silky-smooth flow of reputation’s Call It What You Want, to the hard-hitting, power-packed punch of Father Figure from The Life of a Showgirl, we trace how Taylor uses the repetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm, evoke emotion, and tell a story. Whether she’s channeling JFK-level emphasis or crafting an earworm you can hit the notes on without music, alliteration is a tool Taylor reaches for selectively and with purpose. Join Maansi, Jennifer, and Jodi as they break down soft sounds, staccato slams, and everything in between.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in this episode: “Our Song” – Taylor Swift (Debut, 2006) “Call It What You Want” – Taylor Swift (Reputation, 2017) “Father Figure” – Taylor Swift ft. George Michael interpolation (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) “Pied Beauty” – Gerard Manley Hopkins “The Raven” – Edgar Allan Poe JFK Inaugural Address – John F. Kennedy (1961) Grammarly: What Is Alliteration?   Episode Highlights: [01:32] Defining alliteration: Initial rhymes, brand names, and types (symmetrical, unvoiced) [07:04] “Our Song” (Debut, 2006): Slamming screen doors and the phonetic cadence of baby Taylor [14:43] “Call It What You Want” (Reputation, 2017): Soft sounds, effortless love, and the R&B-adjacent flow [22:19] “Father Figure” (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025): Hard consonants, hard power, and the father figure persona   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 [email protected]   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 could you possibly get for the girl who has everything and nothing all at once?" What happens when you reach a level of fame so singular that there's almost no one left who can truly understand your life? That's the question at the heart of "Elizabeth Taylor" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025), and it's why Taylor Swift had to go all the way back to Hollywood's golden age to find her patron saint. This week, we go line by line through one of the standout tracks from “The Life of a Showgirl”, unpacking the Portofino references, the white diamonds, and why the bridge answers the song's central question in the most unexpected way. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Elizabeth Taylor, Wikipedia "Elizabeth Taylor," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) Portofino, Italy Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume How I Write podcast, Ward Farnsworth interview Episode Highlights: [00:00] Intro to "Elizabeth Taylor" [03:00] Who was Elizabeth Taylor? The Vince Canby quote that sets up everything [04:30] "Do you think it's forever?"  [13:00] "All the right guys promised they'd stay"  [17:00] "Been number one, but I never had two" [30:00] "Be my NY when Hollywood hates me"  [36:45]  "The girl who has everything and nothing all at once" [40:00] “I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust (just kidding)" [45:00] “Yhey say I'm bad news, I just say thanks" [52:00] The bridge: White Diamonds, lovers, and what's actually forever [57:45] Purpose round: Elizabeth Taylor as patron saint, mentor, and mirror 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 [email protected] 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.

“Best believe I’m still bejeweled” and diving into an incredibly rich discussion this week! In this week's show and tell episode, we’re examining the age-old literary theme of luxury in Taylor Swift's music, through the songs “Bet You Think About Me” (Red Taylor’s Version, 2021), “Bejeweled” (Midnights, 2022), and “Elizabeth Taylor” (Life of a Showgirl, 2025). Join us as we dive into how the meaning and significance of luxury changes through each of these songs that span across Taylor’s discography, and how luxury can be used to comment on social status, identity, and emotional depth. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Jane Austen The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wild   *** Episode Highlights [00:00] Introduction to luxury as a theme in literature and music [03:00] “Bet You Think About Me” - the contrast in social classes [10:50] “Bejeweled”- precious jewels and self-worth [20:36] The luxurious, lonely life of “Elizabeth Taylor” [34:31] Conclusion: The Multifaceted Nature of Luxury in Taylor's Music 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 [email protected]  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.  

This week, we are continuing our full album deep dive series for our paid subscribers, and finishing up our analysis of Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this preview, we dig into the second half of this album where we start to really get a sense of who Taylor Swift was and the budding talent of the Taylor Swift we know today!  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   🔒 Subscribe on Substack to hear the full episode, including: Track 8: “Stay Beautiful” (Written by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 9: “Should've Said No” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 10: “Mary's Song (Oh My My My)” (Written by Taylor Swift, Liz Rose, and Brian Maher; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 11: “Our Song” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Unreleased Vault Song: “I’d Lie” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Album Purpose: All three of us hosts go around to discuss what we think the overall purpose of Taylor Swift’s debut album was, how she accomplished it, and how this album gives us a peak into the mind of the pop superstar to come.   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 [email protected] 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 had to make your own sunshine, but now the sky is opalite." This week we’re deep diving the second single from “The Life of a Showgirl,”  Opalite! We’ll explore why Taylor chose “opalite” over “opal,” what it means to create your own luck instead of waiting for it, and the song’s shift from being stuck in a cycle to finding resilience. Along the way, we debate who’s really speaking—is Mama Swift talking the whole time?—trace the song’s self-referential connections to “Daylight,” “Fearless,” “right where you left me,” and more, and unpack how this bubblegum pop track is actually a deeply philosophical song about agency, community, and paying it forward. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Right Where You Left Me - Deep Dive The Fate of Ophelia - Deep Dive Metaphors Show & Tell  Hamlet, William Shakespeare Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson   Episode Highlights:  [01:57] What is “Opalite”? [08:06] “I had a bad habit…” [16:14] “Life is a song, it ends when it ends” [20:59] “Dancing through the lightning strikes” [28:38] “Sleepless in the onyx night” [33:23] “You finally left the table” [46:51] “All of the foes, and all of the friends” [50:21] “This is just a temporary speed bump” [59:48] “Oh my lord never met no one like you before” [01:01:11] The Purpose: “But now the sky is Opalite” 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 [email protected] 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.

"Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die." What's an AP class without a not-so-brief discussion about touching grass? In honor of Earth Day, we're exploring Transcendentalism — the 19th-century movement that said the divine lives in nature, not in dusty pews — and finding it everywhere in Taylor Swift's music. Jenn returns to "the lakes" (folklore, 2020) and pairs it with Ralph Waldo Emerson's foundational essay Nature to explore how Taylor's retreat from society mirrors the transcendentalist search for truth in the natural world. Maansi takes on "Bigger Than the Whole Sky" (Midnights, 2022), tracing its imagery and cosmic grief through themes of universal divinity and interconnectedness. And Jodi brings "Opalite" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) to pose a question: is this song an acceptance of transcendentalism — or a rejection of it? Dust off your Emerson, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to go touch grass with us. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Discover all our book recs and episode guides: https://swift-recs-explorer.lovable.app/ Mentioned in this episode: Nature, Ralph Waldo Emerson Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson Walden, Henry David Thoreau E7: Ecocriticism — our original nature episode E8: Deep Dive - the lakes Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Walt Whitman Margaret Fuller *** Episode Highlights: [00:30] Introduction to Transcendentalism  [08:29] "the lakes,” folklore [18:28] "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," Midnights [30:16] "Opalite” The Life of a Showgirl 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 [email protected] 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.  

"Take a deep breath and you walk through the doors. It's the morning of your very first day." This week, we're going line by line through "Fifteen.” From the significance of 15 as an age that rarely gets its pop culture moment, to Abigail and the quiet power of female friendship, to the devastating simplicity of "and we both cried," we unpack why this deceptively simple song keeps hitting harder with every passing year. We dig into who the "I" and the "you" really are, debate whether that night ends on a high or a heartbreak, and explore what it means to pay it forward to a generation of girls who are still walking through their very first doors.  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in This Episode: Fearless, Taylor Swift (2008 album) "Beautiful Ghosts" — Taylor Swift (from Cats, 2019) "You're On Your Own, Kid" — Taylor Swift (Midnights) "All Too Well" — Taylor Swift "Seven" — Taylor Swift (folklore) "22" — Taylor Swift (Red) Inside Out (2015 film) — Pixar / core memories concept Episode Highlights: [02:42] The title: Why Taylor chose “Fifteen”  [16:23] "Feeling like there's nothing to figure out," and the count-to-10 anxiety hack [23:07] Abigail, in-groups and out-groups, and the adolescent psychology of finding your people [33:22] Second chorus debate: Does the night end on a high or a heartbreak?  [43:00] The flower metaphor, purity culture, and what "everything she had" really means in context [54:55] Getting to the purpose of “Fifteen”    Follow AP Taylor Swift Podcast on Social! tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift instagram.com/APTaylorSwift youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift linktr.ee/aptaylorswift bookshop.org/shop/apts tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at [email protected]   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

“Time won’t fly, it’s like I’m paralyzed by it.” What happens when you try to pin down something as slippery as time itself? This week’s episode gets philosophical as we explore how Taylor Swift uses time as a literary device—as narrative structure, as metaphor, as a way to measure how much we’ve changed. From flashbacks and tense shifts to nostalgia and the ache of looking back, we unpack how time shapes Taylor’s storytelling. Maansi traces the dramatic irony of “15” (Fearless, 2008), Jenn explores how “Timeless” (Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), 2023) removes time to reveal the purest form of love, and Jodi breaks down the stream-of-consciousness time travel of “All Too Well” (Red, 2012). Grab your clocks, calendars, and time-turners—class is in session. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Discover all our book recs & episodes: https://swift-recs-explorer.lovable.app/ Mentioned in this episode: Memento (2000 film) The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel Inside Out (2015 film) The Merge, [Author] StoryGraph Atonement, Ian McEwan The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley Outlander, Diana Gabaldon The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young The Good Place (Jeremy Bearimy)   ***   Episode Highlights: [01:12] Time as a literary device: structure, theme, and symbolism [08:52] “Fifteen,” Fearless [20:23] “Timeless,” Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)   [31:39] “All Too Well,” (Red)   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 [email protected] 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 cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art.” This week, we’re doing a deep dive on “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024, Track 13), written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff. A continuation of our Strong Women series, this episode goes line by line through one of Taylor’s most devastatingly relatable songs. We explore the rhetorical triangle of the I, the you, and the they; the “performative perkiness” of the chorus; why the poetry meter literally snaps to the beat of a performance; the crucial evidence hiding in drawers; and how dark humor becomes a coping mechanism. Whether you’re a Type A eldest daughter, a new mom, or anyone who has ever had to show up for work when their heart was broken, this one hits. Try and come for our job.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in This Episode The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift (2024) The Eras Tour Concert Film / Documentary Moulin Rouge! (2001 film) Harley Quinn / Birds of Prey (2020 film) Barbie (2023 film) Episode Highlights [02:17] Verse one: “She’s having the time of her life” — glittering prime, sequined stars, and the opening twist [08:23] Pre-chorus: “I’m a real tough kid” — internalizing what we’re told as little girls [20:23] The chorus: “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday every day” — dark humor as coping [39:24] “Try and come for my job” — who is she talking to? [50:54] Why this is a twofer song: the sad version and the celebration version   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 [email protected]   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.

"Never be so kind, you forget to be clever; Never be so clever, you forget to be kind." We're celebrating Women's History Month the only way we know how: looking at strong women in Taylor Swift’s music. Jenn traces the wisdom and boldness Taylor inherited from her grandmother in "Marjorie" (evermore, 2020), Jodi unpacks the resilience hiding in plain sight throughout "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024), and Maansi makes the case that "Eldest Daughter" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) is basically the anthem of every firstborn girl who had to figure it out before anyone else did. Plus: why the Iceland women's strike of 1975 worked, and why Taylor Swift might be the only person capable of organizing a global one. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!  Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Unlikable Female Characters, Anna Bogutskaya Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Little Women, Louisa May Alcott The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins Play the Patriarchy, Reductress "The End of an Era" Documentary "Marjorie," evermore (2020) "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart," The Tortured Poets Department (2024) "Eldest Daughter," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) Iceland Women's Strike, 1975   Episode Highlights: [00:34] Introduction to strong women  [05:59] "Marjorie," evermore (2020)  [16:03] "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart," The Tortured Poets Department (2024)  [23:42] "Eldest Daughter," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) 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 [email protected] 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.

This week, we're going line by line through "Down Bad" from Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Jenn, Maansi, and Jodi unpack one of the album's most emotionally raw — and unexpectedly hilarious — songs, diving deep into its extended alien abduction metaphor, what it really means to be "down bad," and how Taylor uses sci-fi imagery to explore love bombing, power dynamics, and the messiest stages of heartbreak. We also discuss how this song connects to last week's Hero's Journey episode, why crying at the gym might be the most relatable lyric Taylor has ever written, and what the repetitive, fading outro says about the cycle of emotional abuse. Plus: cow mutilation, Kate McKinnon's SNL alien sketches, Thor and Natalie Portman, and The Other Boleyn Girl. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Episode Highlights: [01:12] What does "down bad" actually mean? From Google's AI overview to Usher to Grease [05:50] Verse one line by line: Being beamed up, cosmic love, and the alien abduction metaphor [13:08] The chorus: Down bad, crying at the gym — from the cosmic to the devastatingly mundane [31:52] The chorus again: "Like I lost my twin" — Plato's soulmate theory and twin flames in Taylor's discography [34:18] The bridge: hostile takeovers, indecent exposures, and Close Encounters — loving all the red flags [36:20] "I'll build you a fort on some planet" — savior complex, desperation, and what fort-building actually means [43:35] The stages of grief in one song: is this processing, or just a very messy beginning of processing? [46:03] Getting to 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 [email protected]   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

This week, we're giving you a taste of something brand new: our full album deep dive series, starting at the very beginning with Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this preview, we dig into the cover art, the context, and what it meant to introduce yourself to the world as a 16-year-old girl in a genre that had never really made room for one. Want the full track-by-track breakdown — from Tim McGraw through Tied Together with a Smile — and everything we unpack about ambition, identity, and the thesis statement Taylor locked in before she could legally drive.  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   🔒 Subscribe on Substack to hear the full episode, including: Album Cover Art and Cultural Context Track 1: Tim McGraw — the strategy behind Taylor's very first single Track 2: Picture to Burn — Taylor's first revenge song and a hard pivot from track one Track 3: Teardrops on My Guitar — unrequited love and everyone's origin story Track 4: A Place in This World — the career song that closed the Eras Tour Track 5: Cold as You — track five energy arrives right on schedule Track 6: The Outside — what "outsider" really meant for a girl from Pennsylvania in Nashville Track 7: Tied Together with a Smile — and why it still hits at any age   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 [email protected]   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

"She had a marvelous time ruining everything" This week, we're doing a Show and Tell episode on one of literature's most enduring narrative structures: the Hero's Journey. We explore three songs through the Hero's Journey lens: Maansi unpacks the cross-generational dual hero's story in "The Last Great American Dynasty" (Folklore, 2020), Jenn applies the framework to "Down Bad" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024),and Jodi walks us through how "The Life of a Showgirl" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) follows every classic beat, from the call to adventure to the triumphant (and pithy) return. Plus: the Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Hindu goddess Kali, The Traitors, and why Jodi thinks the bridge of "The Life of a Showgirl" might be Taylor's greatest bridge of all time.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in This Episode: The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins The Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien Star Wars (original trilogy) The Last Great American Dynasty (Folklore, 2020) — Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner Down Bad (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024) — Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff The Life of a Showgirl (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) — Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback & Mathias Bielandt   Episode Highlights 00:36 Welcome and intro — what is the Hero's Journey (the Monomyth)? 17:43 The Last Great American Dynasty: Multiple hero's journeys in one song 31:57 Down Bad: The Hero's Journey when you're sent home against your will 43:56 The Life of a Showgirl: A textbook Hero's Journey   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   Email us at [email protected]   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.

"Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in." This week, we're deep diving "hoax" from folklore (2020), written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner. As a continuation of last week's Wuthering Heights episode, we go line by line through one of Taylor's most quietly devastating songs. We unpack the definition of "hoax" itself—humorous or malicious?—and find that the answer might be both. Along the way, we debate who's holding the twisted knife, trace religious undertones from the Lord's Prayer through "faithless love," connect Robert Burns and Of Mice and Men to Taylor's "best laid plan," and sit with the devastating wordplay of "my broken drum, you have beaten my heart." This is a song about betrayal by someone who knew exactly where it would hurt most—and the confusing, adult reality of choosing to stay anyway. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  Mentioned in this episode: Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck "To a Mouse," Robert Burns (1785) The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord's Prayer Episode Highlights: [00:25] Introduction to "hoax" and the definition of a hoax [02:11] "My only one, my smoking gun, my eclipsed sun" [08:48] "Stood on the cliffside screaming, give me a reason" [13:36] "Don't want no other shade of blue but you" [18:14] "My barren land, I am ash from your fire" [22:32] "You knew the hero died, so what's the movie for?" [29:23] "My kingdom come undone" [34:24] Purpose: vulnerability weaponized, betrayal by someone who knew you best [39:10] The Wuthering Heights of it all 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 [email protected] 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.  

"Trust me, I can handle me a dangerous man" Can obsessive love survive across social classes, death, and generations? This week, we're diving into Emily Brontë's 1847 Gothic masterpiece, “Wuthering Heights,” to explore themes of revenge, class struggle, and the illusion of choice in a society that offered women precious few options. We connect three Taylor Swift songs to this brutal, beautiful tale of Catherine and Heathcliff's destructive passion and its ripple effects on the next generation. From unrequited longing to toxic attempts at redemption to the devastating reality of betrayal, we unpack why this novel feels both deeply romantic and disturbingly amoral. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Brontë Great Expectations, Charles Dickens Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen E23: Mad Women   Episode Highlights [01:14] “Wuthering Heights” Intro [10:52] “Foolish One,” Fearless (Taylor’s Version) [21:36] “Hoax,” Evermore [29:14] “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can),” The Tortured Poet’s 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 [email protected]  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.

"Only bought this dress so you could take it off." This week, we're deep diving "Dress" (reputation, 2017). We go line by line through this intimate friends-to-lovers anthem, exploring the transition from public persona to private moments, the dress as both armor and vulnerability, and why this song perfectly captures the spark that ignites a shift from friendship to something more. Join us as we unpack intentionality, agency, emotional nakedness, and discover why this song is the perfect soundtrack for choosing your person. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Hamlet, William Shakespeare Summer I Turned Pretty (TV series) Bridgerton (Episode 65 reference)   Episode Highlights: [02:52] The title: What does the dress symbolize and represent? [21:49] Taylor embracing more sensual lyrics  [46:44] Friends to lovers: The journey condensed in one song [52:37] The dress as transition: From friends to lovers, the spark that initiates change   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 [email protected] 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 had to make your own sunshine, but now the sky is opalite." In honor of the “Opalite” music video, we’re giving our After School Paid Subscribers early access to our “Opalite” deep dive! We explore why Taylor chose “opalite” over “opal,” what it means to create your own luck instead of waiting for it, and the song’s shift from being stuck in a cycle to finding resilience. Along the way, we debate who’s really speaking—is Mama Swift talking the whole time?—trace the song’s self-referential connections to “Daylight,” “Fearless,” “right where you left me,” and more, and unpack how this bubblegum pop track is actually a deeply philosophical song about agency, community, and paying it forward. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    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 [email protected] 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 don't want you like a best friend." What happens when we view Taylor Swift's music through the lens of Regency era romance? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore Taylor Swift’s songs through Shonda Rhimes's Netflix adaptation of Julia Quinn’s “Bridgerton” novels to uncover how Taylor's songs capture the tension, longing, and swoony moments that define the series. From secret romances in crowded rooms to enemies-to-lovers slow burns, we connect three iconic Bridgerton couples to Taylor Swift songs that perfectly capture their love stories. Whether you're Team Daphne and Simon, obsessed with Kate and Anthony, or rooting for Colin and Penelope, this episode has something for every Bridgerton fan. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  Mentioned in this episode: Bridgerton Series, Julia Quinn The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1), Julia Quinn The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2), Julia Quinn Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton #4), Julia Quinn Bridgerton Netflix Series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Marie Antoinette (2006), Sofia Coppola Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann Moulin Rouge (2001), Baz Luhrmann Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen E31: Shakespeare    Episode Highlights:  [00:26] Bridgerton Overview [13:05] “I Wish You Would,” 1989 [24:08] “Wildest Dreams,” 1989 [34:18] “Dress,” Reputation  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 [email protected]  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'd say I love you even at your darkest, and please don't go." This week, we continue our winter songs conversation with a deep dive into "Forever Winter" from Red (Taylor's Version). Content warning: This episode discusses mental health struggles, suicide, and grief. We explore the song line by line, examining themes of helplessness, survivor's guilt, the weight of supporting someone through mental illness, and how Taylor captures the raw emotions of loving someone at their darkest. Join us as we unpack what it means to promise "I won't go away" and why this vault track remains one of Taylor's most emotionally devastating songs. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Episode Highlights: [00:01] Introduction and content warning - mental health and grief discussion [02:53] Why Taylor has never performed this song live - the pattern of deeply personal songs [16:44] Red era context: Mental health conversations in 2010 vs. today [32:52] "I'll be summer sun for you forever" - The impossibility of being someone's savior [34:06] Bridge analysis: "If I was standing there in your apartment" [45:04] "Believe in one thing, I won't go away" - Poetry of immortalization [59:32] The toll of supporting someone: When care requires its own support system 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 [email protected] 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

"But then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind" What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's coldest, most melancholic songs? In this week's Show and Tell episode, we examine three winter songs—"Back to December," "The Moment I Knew," and "Forever Winter"—to uncover how Taylor uses winter as a literary device to explore themes of regret, loss, and missed opportunities. From the isolation of snowy landscapes to the clarity that comes with reflection, we discuss how winter symbolizes both endings and the quiet before renewal. Spoiler alert: these songs all appear on Spotify's "Saddest Taylor Swift Songs" playlist, so bring tissues. [And we have a content warning for our last song for themes and discussions of depression and self-harm] Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:    The Shining, Stephen King Frozen (2013) "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," Robert Frost The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis Fall Episode Summer Episode Holiday Episode Greek Mythology Episode “Right where you left me” deep dive All Too Well 10 Minute Version Episode Episode Highlights [00:42] Winter as a literary device  [07:16] "Back to December"  [18:02] "The Moment I Knew"  [26:52] "Forever Winter" (content warning, themes of self-harm)   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 [email protected]  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.  

"All that time I sat alone in my tower, you were just honing your powers. Now I can see it all, see it all." This week, we're deep diving "The Fate of Ophelia" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025). We go line by line through the lead single from Taylor's latest album, exploring everything from Hamlet references to fairy tale imagery, the contrast between "high brow" poetic language and colloquial modern speak, and why this song is actually packed with green flags about healthy relationships. Join us as we unpack the land, the sea, the sky, and discover why keeping it 100 might just be the antidote to drowning in melancholy. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Hamlet, William Shakespeare Becoming, Michelle Obama 10 Things I Hate About You (1999 film) Greek Mythology - Persephone and the Underworld Winter's Tale, William Shakespeare Cleopatra, William Shakespeare Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra Episode Highlights: [02:42] The title and opening verse: Megaphones, pyros, and public declarations [05:50] Drowning in melancholy: The Tortured Poets Department connection [13:20] Pre-chorus analysis: Towers, graves, and lighting up the sky [29:00] "Keep it 100 on the land, the sea, the sky" - Jenn's breakthrough moment [36:33] Pledge allegiance vs. swore my loyalty: Communal vs. individualistic language [43:44] Verse two: Fantasy, scorpions, and Cleopatra references [56:32] "Wrap around me like a chain, a crown of vines" - Self-referential Taylor [01:02:17] The bridge: "'Tis locked inside my memory" and the Laertes connection [01:09:32] The purpose: Rewriting endings and finding people who show up   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 [email protected] 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

"Pretend he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why you’re drowning." This week we're exploring Shakespeare's "Hamlet" through Taylor Swift's lens, diving into the psychological depths of revenge, agency, and the fate of being a silenced woman. From the “Real Housewives of Shakespeare” (yes, really) to the drowning weight of societal expectations, we unpack how Taylor uses one of literature's most tragic figures to explore modern questions about independence, relationships, and female agency.    Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:    Hamlet, William Shakespeare Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppard The Lion King The Traitors Real Housewives E92: Revenge Narratives The Sound of Music Sister Act The Female Malady, Elaine Showalter E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare E23: Mad Woman ***   Episode Highlights [01:03] Hamlet 101 [11:02] “I Knew You Were Trouble,” RED [23:50] “Anti-Hero,” Midnights [34:56] “The Fate of Ophelia,” The Life of a Showgirl 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 [email protected]  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.  

"Ophelia lived in tragedy." In this preview of our paid subscriber bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into Hamlet. We all study it, and love it or hate it, there’s something about this particular play that keeps people talking about it. What about Shakespeare’s Hamlet, remains so relevant almost 500 years later? We talk briefly about its history, how it’s taught, why it’s culturally so important, the role of tragedy in theater and in Taylor Swfit's music, amongst other topics related to this incredible play. If you enjoyed this sneak peek and want to hear the full episode plus additional monthly episodes of AP Taylor Swift After School, subscribe at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.  Stay up to date with all episodes at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: The Lion King Thor Thomas Kidd's The Spanish Tragedy Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta De Norum Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Tom Stoppard Something Rotten Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  ***   Episode Highlights:  [02:00] Introduction to Hamlet and Its Influence [3:10] Hamlet's Influence on Modern Films [4:06] Revenge and Psychological Themes [5:50] Adaptations and Comedic Perspectives [9:04] Literary Connections and References 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 [email protected]  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 I told you none of it was accidental?" On this special NYE edition, we're revisiting our Parallel Songs episode, which means 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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics. Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com and thank you for listening. Can't wait to continue to overanalyze and deep dive more Taylor Swift music in 2026!   Mentioned in this episode:  Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashup TikToks Love Story Deep Dive  ***   Episode Highlights:  [02:00] Introduction to Parallel Songs [05:07] Exploring “22” (Red)  and “Bejeweled” (Midnights) [13:20] Contrasting “Invisible String”(folklore) and “Mastermind” (Midnights) [21:23] Analyzing “Labyrinth” (Midnights) and “You're Losing Me” (Midnights (from the vault)) 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 [email protected]  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 the holidays, 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 for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! 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 [email protected]    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 think of these bad things happening to me, or to us. If you flip it around correctly, and you react in a certain way, those things can be happening for you." Ever since we saw the cameras backstage at the Eras Tour, we’ve been waiting for a documentary to arrive, and this week we got to enjoy episodes one and two of this long-awaited glimpse behind the scenes. Check out this week’s episode where we dive into our reactions, the lessons we learned, and chat a bit about what else we hope to see in the next few episodes!    Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  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 [email protected]  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.

As we prepare for the release of the Eras Tour documentary series, we wanted to pause and revisit our experiences at the Eras Tour and the excitement we felt when The Tortured Poets Department was added to the set list. Take a moment and revisit this older episode of ours to get yourself in the mindset for the docuseries!    Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  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 [email protected]  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 the blink of a crinkling eye, I'm sinking, our fingers entwined." This week, we're deep diving one of The Tortured Poets Department's most nostalgic and playful tracks: "So High School." We explore how this Aaron Dessner collaboration captures the giddiness of adult romance that feels refreshingly simple and unguarded—like being transported back to those butterflies-in-your-stomach moments of teenage crushes. From twinkling lights to truth or dare, we unpack how Taylor Swift uses high school imagery not to describe where she is, but how love makes her feel. Spoiler: we giggle our way through this episode like the high schoolers we once were. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: High School Musical American Pie A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle The Hills Clueless "So Yesterday" by Hilary Duff Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast appearance with Taylor Swift *** Episode Highlights [00:01] Introduction and continuation from the High School vs. High School Musical debate [04:16] Breaking down the title: "So High School" [16:03] "Tell me about the first time you saw me" [25:08] "I'm watching American Pie with you on a Saturday night" [39:02] "You know how to ball, I know Aristotle" [48:46] No bridge? The structure of "So High School" [50:18] Purpose discussion: Evoking feelings vs. lived experience 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 [email protected] 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 not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale." What happens when we look at Taylor Swift's music through the lens of high school—specifically, the cultural phenomenon that is “High School Musical”? This week, we explore how adolescence shapes storytelling in literature, film, and music. From the fairy tale expectations in "White Horse" to the transformative power of "Change" to the nostalgia of "So High School," we discuss how Taylor's perspective on high school has evolved over time, and why these coming-of-age narratives continue to resonate across generations. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  High School Musical (2006) The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger A Separate Peace, John Knowles The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky The Breakfast Club ***   Episode Highlights [01:08] Why High School Musical? [02:42] Adolescence as a theme in literature [07:22] "White Horse" and Gabriella's fairy tale [20:09] "Change" and high school transformation [29:20]  "So High School" and looking at teenage love as an adult 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 [email protected]  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.

"How did a made-for-TV Disney Channel movie become the defining musical of a generation?" This month on After School, we're discussing High School Musical, the 2006 Disney Channel original movie that launched a thousand basketball-playing singers and made "Get Your Head in the Game" an iconic song. For this bonus episode for paid subscribers, we dive deep into why this cheesy, swoopy-haired phenomenon resonated so strongly with millennials and continues to trend with Gen Z today. From the cultural timing of musicals' renaissance to the universal themes of fitting in while staying true to yourself, we explore what made High School Musical iconic. We discuss the movie's connection to the broader musical theater landscape of the early 2000s, the genius of making a musical about musicals, and why Zac Efron's portrayal of Troy Bolton became the heartthrob template for a generation. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com 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 [email protected] 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.

"Please picture me in the trees... before I learned civility." This week, we're deep diving one of folklore's most haunting and emotionally complex tracks: "seven." By popular request from our listeners, we explore this fan-favorite song that captures childhood innocence, the weight of adult responsibilities placed on young shoulders, and the bittersweet process of looking back at formative moments that shaped who we've become. From cross-your-heart promises to haunted houses, we unpack how Taylor Swift captures the complexity of childhood experiences that are simultaneously innocent and deeply serious. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Peter Pan  Aaron Dessner interview with Vulture folklore: the long pond studio sessions  Unreliable narrators Substack Ring Around the Rosie and the Black Plague ***   Episode Highlights [00:40] Introduction and After School program announcement [08:55] "Please picture me in the trees" [12:10] “Feet in the swing” [23:15] The bridge: "And I've been meaning to tell you" [35:00] "Before I learned civility, I used to scream ferociously" [50:10] Purpose discussion: What is this song really about? 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 [email protected]  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.

"That's a Real Legacy to Leave." This week, we're diving deep into the art of double meanings in Taylor Swift's songwriting! Join us as we explore how Taylor crafts lyrics that can be interpreted in multiple ways simultaneously, and how she uses this technique to add layers of depth to her storytelling. We analyze three songs where the titles themselves contain double meanings: "seven" from folklore, "Maroon" from Midnights, and "loml" from The Tortured Poets Department. From the ambiguity of hitting your peak at seven (feet? years old?) to the devastating transformation from "love of my life" to "loss of my life," we uncover Taylor's intentional wordplay and what it reveals about her meticulous craft. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Hamilton Homer's The Odyssey Lord of the Rings: Return of the King The Summer I Turned Pretty Episode Highlights: [00:00] Introduction and After School content announcement [01:37] What is double meaning? (Plus the difference from double entendre) [04:53] "Seven" - Peak at seven feet or age seven? [15:58] "Maroon" - The color and being marooned [24:06] "LOML" - From love to loss of my life [36:40] Pattern discovery: Why titles matter 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 [email protected]  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 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 world," this episode explores how Taylor transitions from fantasy romance to the messy, complicated truth of real relationships. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Definition of “State of Grace”  Enchanted The Summer I Turned Pretty Plato’s Symposium and Twin Flames The Odyssey E102: Parallel Taylor Songs    ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:25] “State of Grace” title and meaning [04:36] “I’m walking fast through the traffic lights” [10:25] “We are alone with our changing minds” [12:56] “I never saw you coming, and I’ll never be the same” [13:53] “You come around and the armor falls” [19:37] “You were never a saint and I loved in shades of wrong” [26:27] “This is the worthwhile fight”  [35:30] 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 [email protected]  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.  

“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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com 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 Contact us at [email protected] 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 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.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode: Cat Distribution System - internet phenomenon Cats Musical - Andrew Lloyd Webber TS Elliot Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats Marx for Cats Beautiful Ghost - Taylor Swift & Andrew Lloyd Webber, 2019 Cats (2019 film) The Cheshire Cat - Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland Professor McGonagall - J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe   ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:37] All about cats! [09:22] "State of Grace" and the cat distribution system [17:18] "Gorgeous" and reclaiming the cat lady trope [27:08] "Beautiful Ghost" and choosing wild freedom   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 [email protected]  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.

"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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939) Cats (2019 film) directed by Tom Hooper Taylor Swift's "Beautiful Ghosts" (written for the film) E3: Alice in Wonderland 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 [email protected]  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 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 between.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Wicked, the book, movie, and musical E102: Wicked  E3: Alice in Wonderland E98: Unreliable Narrators E55: Rhetorical Questions   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:53] “Now That We Don’t Talk”  [05:06] “You went to a party/I heard from everybody” [10:25] “And from the outside/ It looks like you're tryin' lives on” [15:38] “I call my mom, she said that it was for the best” [25:47] “Truth is I can't pretend it's platonic, it's just ended” [37:00] “I don't have to pretend I like acid rock” [42:48] “And the only way back to my dignity” [49:02] The purpose of “Now That We Don’t Talk” 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 [email protected]  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.  

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.  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995 book by Gregory Maguire) Wicked movie adaptation (2024-2025 film) The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (the original book that inspired Wicked) Bridgerton  Alice in Wonderland   ***   Episode Highlights:  00:00:35 Intro to the topic of Wicked  00:07:05 “A Place In This World”  00:15:20 “Treacherous”  00:28:34 “Now That We Don’t Talk” 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 [email protected]  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.

"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.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë Greek Mythology - The Fates Ancient Chinese proverb - Red thread of fate Hercules (1997 Disney film) *** Episode Highlights:  [01:27] The title: Invisible strings, fates, and marionettes [3:33] Green and teal: Same but different colors [11:13] “Bad was the blood of the song in the cab” [18:16] "Time, mystical time"  [24:30] “Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire” [36:22] "Time, wondrous time" - Blues to purple pink skies [39:13] 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 [email protected]  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.  

"But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe." Join us for our immediate reactions to Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album! We break down our first impressions track by track, exploring the sophisticated lyricism hidden beneath high-energy pop production, the album's theatrical motifs, and how Taylor uses the showgirl concept as both performance and vulnerability. From the literary references in "Fate of Ophelia" to the musical callbacks throughout, we discuss how this album ties together themes from across Taylor's discography while introducing bold new perspectives on fame, relationships, and growing up in the spotlight. Mentioned in this episode: Hamlet  Macbeth Dante’s Inferno Rapunzel fairy tale Elizabeth Taylor Jackson 5  George Michael The Godfather  Scandal (TV show) Episode Highlights:  [00:30] Our initial reactions to “The Life of a Showgirl” [07:39] Fate of Ophelia - Shakespeare references and literary vibes [12:28] Elizabeth Taylor - Loneliness of fame and purple eyes [14:34] Opalite - ABBA vibes and haunted houses [17:42] Father Figure - Industry power dynamics and masculinity [21:42] Eldest Daughter - Track 5 emotions and millennial core [27:06] Ruin the Friendship - High school storytelling and Abigail callback [30:55] Actually Romantic - Diss track energy but supportive message [34:39] Wi$h Li$t - Evolving desires and life phases [40:02] Wood - Adult themes with childhood superstitions [45:03] Canceled! - Something wicked this way comes [47:54] Honey - Terms of endearment and passive aggression [52:00] The Life of a Showgirl - Behind the scenes vs performance   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 [email protected]  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 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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashup TikToks Love Story Deep Dive  ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:22] Introduction to Parallel Songs [04:00] Exploring “22” (Red)  and “Bejeweled” (Midnights) [12:09] Contrasting “Invisible String”(folklore) and “Mastermind” (Midnights) [19:57] Analyzing “Labyrinth” (Midnights) and “You're Losing Me” (Midnights (from the vault)) 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 [email protected]  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.

"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? Subscribe for episode updates and After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare Pretty Little Liars (TV series) The Office (TV series) Wife of Bath from The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer Episode Highlights: [02:29] Diving into “Blank Space”  [08:15] “New money, suit and tie” - character analysis  [15:27] Analyzing the chorus [22:31] Shakespearean references  [28:50] “Cherry lips, crystal skies” vs. “stolen kisses, pretty lies”  [35:25] "I get drunk on jealousy" [38:44] Bridge analysis: "Boys only want love if it's torture"  [44:59] Getting into the purpose of “Blank Space”  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 [email protected] 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.

From 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.  Subscribe for episode updates and After School premium content at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.  After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger Episode Highlights: [1:10] Introduction to paid subscriber content announcement  [2:55] Connecting Taylor Swift to The Canterbury Tales [6:42] "Blank Space"  [15:50] "New Romantics" [25:00] "The Man" 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 [email protected] 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 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 enjoyed this sneak peek and want to hear the full episode plus additional monthly episodes of AP Taylor Swift After School, subscribe at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.  Stay up to date with all episodes at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer The Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma, Claire Dederer Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros Beowulf Netflix's The Decameron (2024) 1972 Italian film adaptation of The Canterbury Tales The Waiting Game, Nicola Clark J. K. Rowling, Chaucer’s Pardoner, and the Ethics of Reading Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    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 [email protected]  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.

"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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  Mentioned in this episode: Beauty and the Beast The Notebook Gilmore Girls Robert Burns Hamlet E2: Enchanted Deep Dive E32: “Love Story” Deep Dive   ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:54] How we do a deep dive [01:38] “I forget how the west was won” [07:21] “Sarah’s and Hannahs’ in their Sunday best” [11:30] “Too high a horse for a simple girl to rise above it” [15:25] “Now I’m running with my dress unbuttoned” [21:40] “Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid” [27:44] “The elders had convened down at the city hall” [33:22] “I’ll tell you something right now, I’d rather burn my whole life down” [44:40] “Scandal does funny things to pride” [51:19] 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 [email protected]  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'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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon Atonement, Ian McEwan Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen After Party (Apple TV+ series) The Residence (Netflix)  How I Met Your Mother (TV series) E32: Love Story Deep Dive Episode Highlights: [01:22] Introduction to Unreliable Narrators [08:47] "You Belong With Me" (Fearless, 2008) [19:55] "Mr. Perfectly Fine" (Fearless Taylor's Version, 2021) [26:15] "But Daddy I Love Him" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024)   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 [email protected]  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.

"Are you ready for it?" In this episode, we dive into how Taylor masterfully uses questions not to seek answers, but to create dramatic effect, elicit emotional responses, and tell compelling stories. From the vulnerable yet cutting interrogation of "Is It Over Now?" to the confident invitation of "...Ready For It?" to the courtroom-style cross-examination of "Question...?", we explore three distinct types of rhetorical questions and their power in songwriting. Join us as we discuss anthypophora, epiplexis, and erotesis to uncover why sometimes the most powerful answers are the ones left unspoken.  .............................. 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  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.

"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 a song that hits different every time you hear it. 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 [email protected]  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.  

“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. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: William Shakespeare's Hamlet Elizabeth Taylor Biography Mean Girls (2004) New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce Max Martin and Shellback Collaborations Playlist Britney Spears, Circus Album Cindy Sherman Photography & Juliet Musical (Max Martin songs) E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare E81: Show and Tell - Female Artists E55: Rhetorical Questions Episode (Are You Ready For It)   *** Episode Highlights: [00:27] Emergency bonus episode announcement [03:30] First reaction to album cover reveal [16:30] "The Fate of Ophelia" Shakespeare discussion [26:00] How long has she be writing this album? [33:00] Taylor's View of the Eras Tour [46:00] Clowning for a hot second [50:00] See you October 3rd!   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 [email protected]  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 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 LOOKS UP GRINNING LIKE A DEVIL" resonates so deeply with fans. Whether you've screamed along at the Eras Tour or you're just discovering this track, this episode offers fresh insights into Taylor's masterfully crafted exploration of facades, vulnerability, and the relief that comes with finally being honest about your feelings. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  “Cruel Summer” Bananarama The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Romeo and Juliet A Midsummer Night's Dream  Attached   ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:03] How we do a deep dive  [03:51] “Fever dream high in the quiet of the night” [08:27] “Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes” [10:03] The chorus [16:13] “Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine” [22:03] “Cut the headlights, summer’s a knife” [26:33] “I’m drunk in the back of the car”  [31:05] “He looks up grinning like a devil” [37:20] 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 [email protected]  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.