AP Taylor Swift

Latest Episodes:

E76: Deep Dive - “You Are In Love” Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

“You can hear it in the silence.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we deep dive into “You Are In Love” from Taylor Swift’s album 1989. We break down how Taylor captures the essence of love—not through grand gestures but instead through small, intimate moments: a look across a room, coffee at midnight, and the silence that says it all. We explore the significance of mundane details throughout the song and discuss its lyrical structure, poetic devices (like spondees!), and why the most profound emotions often have no proof, just feelings.

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Mentioned in this episode:

TIME Magazine, 2023 Person of the Year

Stars Around My Scars

Troilus and Cressida

West Side Story

Hamilton

Pride and Prejudice

Mad Men

E5: Toxic Relationships

So It Goes

Slaughterhouse-Five

Love Actually

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:38] “One look, dark room”

[10:00] “Coffee at midnight”

[18:49] “You can hear it in the silence”

[20:18] “You keep his shirt, he keeps his word”

[24:50] “He is in love”

[30:39] “And so it goes”

[39:40] The purpose of the song

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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.

E75: Show and Tell - Romantic Love Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

“One single thread of gold tied me to you” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we are kicking off Valentine’s season with a show and tell on Romantic Love. ❤️ We explore how Taylor writes about romantic love—from the grand, sweeping gestures to the small, intimate moments that define a true connection. We break down three iconic songs— “You Are in Love”, “Lover”, and “Invisible String”—examining how each Taylor Swift song captures different facets of romantic relationships.

This week’s episode is sponsored by the new book “Stars Around My Scars: The Annotated Poetry of Taylor Swift” written by Dr. Elly McCausland, out now wherever books are sold.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Stars Around My Scars

E5: Toxic Relationships

Harry Potter

E70: Harry Potter Holiday Special

***

Episode Highlights:

[07:16] “You Are In Love” 1989

[13:40] “Lover” Lover

[25:18] “Invisible String” folklore

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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

E74: Deep Dive - Maroon Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

“So scarlet it was, maroon.” What’s the true meaning behind Taylor Swift’s “Maroon”? This week on AP Taylor Swift podcast, we dive into the shades of red, love, and memory that define this “Midnights” favorite. We explore how Taylor uses colors to capture the complexity of relationships—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the legacy they leave behind. Listen as we unpack the layers of this fan-favorite track.

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Mentioned in this episode:

E73: Show and Tell - Color

The Big Lebowski

E66: Deep Dive - Holy Ground

The Wizard of Oz

Van Gogh’s faded colors

Harry Potter

Every color referenced in Maroon

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves

***

Episode Highlights:

[02:00] “When the morning came”

[08:30] “your roommate’s cheapass screwtop rosé”

[12:53] “The burgundy on my cheeks”

[23:56] “When the silence came”

[25:06] Our “ah ha” moment

[30:39] “the rubies that I gave up”

[38:07] The purpose of the song

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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.

E73: "Maroon", "Red," "Daylight" - Show and Tell - Color Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

“I once believed love would be black and white, but it’s golden.” In this week’s episode of AP Taylor Swift, we dive into the rich, poetic use of color in Taylor Swift's lyrics with a show and tell on…color! From "Red" to "Daylight" to "Maroon," we discuss how Taylor’s use of color evolves to reflect different stages of love and life.

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Mentioned in this episode:

E32: Deep Dive - Love Story

E9: Fall Songs

The Color Purple

Les Miserable, “Red and Black”

E10: Deep Dive - Red

Pop Sugar Article, 2019

The Outsiders

Every color referenced in Maroon

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:59] Adding color to today’s topic…color!

[05:04] “Red”

[12:47] “Daylight”

[22:46] “Maroon”

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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.

E72: Deep Dive - cardigan Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

“When you are young they assume you know nothing.” This week on AP Taylor Swift we deep dive into “cardigan” from folklore. We discuss the song’s nostalgia for teenage love and explore what it means to feel like an old cardigan–is that a good thing? We connect the song to last week’s Peter Pan discussion and the “teenage love trilogy” with august and betty. Is "Cardigan" simply a story of love lost and regained, or is it a meditation on self-discovery and growth? Find out when you listen to this week’s episode

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Mentioned in this episode:

***

Episode Highlights:

[02:43] The “teenage love triangle” trilogy

[05:51] “Vintage tee, brand new phone”

[13:00] “And when I felt like I was an old cardigan”

[18:49] “Heartbeat on The Highline”

[23:52] “Once in twenty lifetimes”

[31:23] “I knew you…”

[36:25] “Cause I knew everything when I was young”

[45:00] The purpose of the song

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E71: Show and Tell - Peter Pan Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

“Tried to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy.” This week on AP Taylor Swift podcast, we have a show-and-tell episode exploring “Peter Pan” and its influence on Taylor Swift’s music. We analyze three songs—“Innocent,” “Cardigan,” and “Peter”—uncovering connections between Taylor’s lyrics and Peter Pan’s themes of childhood, growing up, lost innocence, and the allure of staying young forever. From exploring Wendy's perspective as the “mother” figure to dissecting the complexities of Peter Pan syndrome, we delve into the literary and psychological depths of J.M. Barrie's classic tale and its resonance in Taylor Swift's lyrics.

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Mentioned in this episode:

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:07] Intro to Peter Pan
[08:31] “Innocent” Speak Now
[22:34] “Cardigan” folklore
[31:09] “Peter” The Tortured Poets Department

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

Holidays Show and Tell - New Year's Day Re-Release Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

“I’ll be picking up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.” In honor of New Year’s Day we’re revisiting our 2023 Holidays episode. But…did we actually pick holiday songs? We start by defining what the “holiday season” even means in an attempt to answer the question. Jodi discusses “New Year’s Day,” with the thesis that it’s a song about the everyday, not necessarily the holidays. Jenn brings on the holiday melancholy with “champagne problems,” sparking a hot conversation about holiday engagements and the challenges of family gatherings during the holidays. And Maansi, naturally, shares “tis the damn season,” prompting a conversation about how we really feel about the holiday season and whether they “linger like bad perfume” for us. Are Taylor Swift holidays actually happy holidays? Listen and find out!

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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

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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

E70: Show and Tell - Harry Potter Holiday Special Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

“We can leave the Christmas lights up til January.” Tis the damn season, so we’re bringing you a Harry Potter Holiday Special episode! This week we do a special Show and Tell episode bringing together two of our favorite topics: Harry Potter and Taylor Swift’s lyrics. Jenn imagines “Look What You Made Me Do” as Snape’s song to Voldermort. Jodi makes the case that “Lover” perfectly captures Lavender Brown’s feelings toward Ron. And Maansi envisions “You’re On Your Own Kid” as an anthem about Harry Potter’s arc throughout the entire series. Whether you’re a fan of the books, the movies, or both, we fully dork out on this episode. Join us!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Harry Potter

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma

TikTok creator who does “Harry Potter Characters as Taylor Swift Songs” Jake L @Jakobcl1989

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:30] Introduction to Harry Potter and Christmas

[05:25] “Look What You Made Me Do”

[13:30] “Lover”

[24:08] “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E69: Deep Dive - my tears ricochet Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

“I can go anywhere I want, just not home” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we take on “my tears ricochet,” the gut-wrenching Track 5 from “Folklore”. From its funeral imagery to what it means for a tear to “ricochet,” we explore themes of grief, regret, and power dynamics. Whether this song is about romantic heartbreak, a friendship gone sour, or even a toxic job, we explore why this song resonates so deeply with so many, and what it means for each of us.

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Mentioned in this episode:

E67: Greek Mythology

E54: Anniversary Episode

E32: Love Story Deep Dive

The Little Book of Shakespeare's Insults: The Bard's Best Barbs

Reputation album letter

Jane Eyre

The Phantom of the Opera

The Little Mermaid

Harry Potter

E56: Guest Episode - DJ Louie XIV

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:35] Introducing “my tears ricochet” and our initial thoughts

[06:51] “I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace”

[10:48] “Look at how my tears ricochet”

[17:31] “You know I didn’t want to have to haunt you”

[24:49] “When I’d fight you used to tell me I was brave”

[29:11] “And I can go anywhere I want, just not home”

[36:41] “You had to kill me but it killed you just the same”

[41:10] What might it mean for tears to ricochet?

[44:50] The purpose of the song

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E68: Bonus Episode - Taylor Swift by the Book with Tiffany Tatreau and Rachel Feder Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

“Don’t read the last page” This week we’re joined by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau, authors of the new release Taylor Swift By the Book. In their incredible new release, Rachel and Tiffany go song by song through Taylor’s discography and discover the literature behind the lyrics, from fairy tales to tortured poets. They join us to share what inspired them to write this book, the themes and narratives that came up most often in Taylor’s music, and so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Taylor Swift by the Book by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Florida by Lauren Groff

Shakespeare’s works, including Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Lady of Shalott, Alfred Tennyson

The Odyssey by Homer

Mary Wollstonecraft

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Works of Plato

Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim

The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:58] Introduction to Taylor Swift by the Book

[9:36] The process of deciding what went into the book

[22:10] Taylor Swift and the poetess tradition

[37:08] Taylor Swift’s literary eras

[45:48] The songs that made Tiffany and Rachel swifties

Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

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