AP Taylor Swift

Latest Episodes:

E38: Deep Dive - The Archer May 29, 2024

Show notes

Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay? Love or hate The Archer (Lover 2019), we all agree that we have no idea what this song is about. Such an obscure song calls for a proper, literary style close reading. Join us as we go line by line to understand what Taylor is trying to say with the obscure lyrics of this incredibly poetic song.

Mentioned in this episode:

Affiliate Codes:

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

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***

Episode Highlights:

[01:43] Baseline: How we all feel about The Archer
[03:17] Combat, I'm ready for combat: What’s it mean
[11:28] I jump from the train, I ride off alone
[21:42] Backtrack: Who left? Who should stay?
[28:00] Unpacking the phrase “cut off my nose”
[32:18] Invisible smoke & all of my heroes
[40:24] I, They, You - who’s seeing through her?
[48:50] Pulling together the bridge
[56:26] Our final thoughts

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.

E37: Show and Tell - Surrealism May 22, 2024

Show notes

I don't need your closure. In this week’s episode, we discuss the art style of surrealism and explore how it relates to Taylor Swift. Abby Aleksinas, of @arthistoryabby on TikTok, joins us to help us understand how visual arts can connect to music. We dive into “The Archer” from Lover, then we look at “closure” from evermore, and wrap it up with “Lavender Haze” from Midnights. Join us as we dive into the unconventional pairings, unexpected imagery, and use of surrealism to convey emotions and create a dreamlike atmosphere!

Mentioned in this episode:

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:

[00:29] Introduction to Surrealism

[01:15] Art History with Abby

[20:15] “The Archer”

[32:17] “closure”

[43:20] “Lavender Haze”

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

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.

E36: Deep Dive - King of My Heart May 15, 2024

Show notes

Salute to me I’m your American Queen. In this episode, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “King of My Heart” from reputation. Join us as we discuss the power dynamics and military references in the song, as well as themes of wealth, luxury, and the British Royal Family. We even attempt to dissect how the music changes to reflect the song’s themes and lyrics. We’re left wondering: is this just a schoolgirl crush? Infatuation? Or the love of the speaker’s life, the end of all the endings? Tune in and find out!

Mentioned in this episode:

King Arthur

"You’re Losing Me"

Marxist Theory Episode

Switched on Pop (Book)

Switched on Pop (Podcast)

Satire Episode

“Satisfied,” Hamilton

Affiliate Codes:

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

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

***

Episode Highlights:

[1:50] How we do a deep dive

[4:06] “Salute to me I’m your American Queen”

[9:23] “All the boys and their expensive cars”

[11:00] How the music changes to reflect the song’s lyrics

[13:47] “Now you try on calling me baby…”

[20:37] “Is this the end of all the endings?”

[29:23] What is the purpose of the song?

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

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.

Bonus: "The Tortured Poets Department" at The Eras Tour Reaction May 13, 2024

Show notes

Try and come for my job. We’ve got a special episode to discuss “The Tortured Poets Department” songs that Taylor Swift added to The Eras Tour setlist this weekend. We share our reactions and observations about the changes like the visuals in “But Daddy I Love Him,” the levitating platform in 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?' and how “So High School” feels like “Fearless”- era Taylor. We cover the UFO effects in “Down Bad” and how “Fortnight” mirrors the music video. Finally, we have to talk about the epic marching band in “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” and the Clara Bow and “A Chorus Line” references in “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.” The TTPD section of the Eras tour is an emotional, fun, and powerful journey in The Eras Tour!

Episode Highlights:

[03:20] First reactions to the changes

[06:32] “But Daddy I Love Him”

[10:25] “So High School”

[11:43] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”

[16:10] “Down Bad”

[20:18] “Fortnight”

[24:51] “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”

[27:47] “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”

Affiliate Codes:

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

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

***

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

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.

E35: Show and Tell - Royalty May 08, 2024

Show notes

How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you. Hear ye! Hear ye! This week’s show and tell topic is “Royalty!” We explore the historical and religious roots of royalty, and its portrayal in fantasy literature, and high school. Maansi discusses “Long Live” from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). Jodi brings in “Castle's Crumbling” Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault). And finally, Jenn shares “King of My Heart” from Reputation.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

The Lord of the Rings

Newsies

The Plantagenets by Dan Jones

Le Morte D’Artur by Thomas Malory

The Last Kingdom on Netflix

Beowulf

Robin Hood

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Throne of Glass series

Frozen (Disney film)

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:

[00:01:00] Introduction to Royalty

[00:04:58] “Long Live” Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

[00:26:32] “Castle's Crumbling” Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)

[00:48:22] “King of My Heart” Reputation

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.

E34: Deep Dive - I Know Places May 01, 2024

Show notes

They are the hunters we are the foxes, and we run. This week we’re covering “I Know Places” from 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Who’s running? Why are they running? What are the places they’re trying to get to? Does she actually know a place to hide? This is a dark and anxious song and we have questions! We explore how Taylor Swift uses metaphors to help make the relationship she’s singing about relatable. Then we examine how the music changes between the verses and the choruses, from anxious and scared to romantic and beautiful. And we’re left trying to answer the question: is this a reliable narrator? Tune in to find out!

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall episode

Metaphors episode

Pirates of the Caribbean

Friends

“Wonderland” episode

Zootopia

The Diary of Anne Frank

Star Wars: Rogue One

AIDA, Original Broadway Cast Recording

The Audacity of Hope

Marxist episode

Affiliate Codes:

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

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

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:15] How we do a deep dive

[04:30] “It’s a scene and we’re out here in plain sight”

[09:01] “Baby…I know places we won’t be found”

[16:30] “Just grab my hand and don’t ever drop it”

[21:52] Is there a bridge?

[28:48] What’s the purpose of the song?

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.

E33: Show and Tell - Animal Studies Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Now it’s too late for you and your white horse. What do white horses, foxes, vultures, and wolves all have in common? They all show up in our favorite Taylor Swift songs! This week, we’re looking to understand how Taylor Swift uses animals in her lyrics, through the lens of animal studies! Jenn takes us back to medieval times to help us understand the origins of the white horse and what that means for “White Horse” (Fearless, 2008). Then Jodi talks to us about the many connotations associated with foxes and vultures, which are referenced in “I know places,”(1989, 2014). And finally, Maansi talks us through the song “Daylight” (Lover, 2014) where there are implications of the animalistic concept of hibernation, and also references to wolves.

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for an audio book? Check out our Libro.fm playlist https://tidd.ly/47uhRVI

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:12] Introduction to Animal Studies

[03:36] White horses in “White Horse,” Fearless, 2008

[23:05] Foxes & vultures in “I know places,” 1989, 2014

[38:19] Wolves in “Daylight,” Lover, 2019

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.

Bonus: "The Tortured Poets Department" Album Release Recap Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

All’s fair in love and poetry. The long-awaited album The Tortured Poets Department is officially out, and of course, we have thoughts! This bonus episode strays from our usual format to bring you as comprehensive of an overview as we can provide in one (rather long) episode. Be warned: you won’t find speculation about Taylor’s love life here. True to our usual content, we focus on the lyrics, the themes, and the literary choices Taylor makes to better understand what this album is all about. Join us as we give our first reactions, talk about Taylor’s “In Summation poem,” and briefly dissect a handful of songs that stood out to each of us.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out our “The Tortured Poets Department” Booklist on Bookshop.org/APTS

E29: Show and Tell - Aestheticism

E27: Show and Tell - Poetic Repetition

E23: Show and Tell - Mad Women

E7: Show and Tell - Ecocriticism

Bonus: "The Tortured Poets Department" Announcement

E32: Deep Dive - Love Story

Episode Highlights:

[02:48] Our initial album reactions

[17:22] “In Summation” Poem overview

[29:53] Is this what we expected TTPD to be?

[38:16] loml

[44:39] I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

[53:24] So High School

[56:34] Florida!!!

[59:20] Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?

[01:05:04] Down Bad

[01:13:28] So Long, London

[01:18:27] But Daddy I Love Him

[01:27:00] How Did It End?

[01:37:49] The Manuscript

[01:46:08] What do we think the album is about?

Affiliate Codes:

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

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

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

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.

E32: Deep Dive - Love Story Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

You were Romeo, I was a Scarlet Letter. This week we’re covering an oldie but goodie–Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”, from Fearless (Taylor’s Version). In this very narrative-driven song, we get a chance to explore who the protagonists are and what they’re trying to say about their love “story. We explore why Taylor Swift references high school favorites “Romeo and Juliet” and “Scarlet Letter,” and what those metaphors may mean. The “Scarlet Letter” reference makes us look at this song from a whole new lens, forcing us to look at pronouns, verb tenses, and points of view–we promise you’ll never hear this song the same way again.

Mentioned in this episode:

Love Story, Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

Pride and Prejudice

Cinderella

How I Met Your Mother

Scarlet Letter

Easy A

I Did Something Bad

Jane Eyre

Emma

& Juliet

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Don’t Matter, Akon

Affiliate Codes:

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

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

***

Episode Highlights:

[1:30] How we do a deep dive

[08:19] “You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess” The fairytale references

[14:50] “I was a Scarlet Letter” What this reference may mean

[20:32] “All that’s left to do is run” Where it all takes a turn

[28:42] “When I met you on the outside of town” We approach the bridge

[41:11] What we think the purpose of “Love Story” really is

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.

E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Fever dream high in the quiet of the night. What’s an AP class without a not-so-brief discussion about Shakespeare? Join us as we compare Taylor Swift to William Shakespeare, and find out why we think Shakespeare may have been the original pop star of his day. Shakespeare’s plays remain so relevant even today, so it’s only natural that Taylor Swift would find ways to allude to his works in her music. In this Show & Tell, we each pick one Shakespeare play and a Taylor Swift song that we feel best references and represents that play. Maansi ties Romeo & Juliet to “Love Story” (Fearless 2008), Jenn talks us through Julius Caesar references in “Bad Blood” (Reputation 2017), and Jodi draws parallels between Midsummer Night’s Dream and “Cruel Summer” (Lover 2019). We really put the AP in APTS with this discussion so push up your reading glasses, dust off your old Shakespeare text books, and get ready to get nerdy with us!

Mentioned in this episode:

William Shakespeare

The Tempest, William Shakespeare

The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer

Come Clean, Hilary Duff

Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

Love Story, Fearless 2008

William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, 1996 film version

Romeo and Juliet, 1968 film version

Jenn’s Zac Efron version of 1960 Romeo and Juliet

West Side Story

Bad Blood, Reputation 2017

Shakespeare Birth Trust TL;DR

Folger Shakespeare Library

Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar, Performed at the Globe Theater, 2015

Bridgerton

Shakespeare in a Divided America, by James Shapiro

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night’s Dream1999 film version

Cruel Summer, Lover 2019

Affiliate Codes:

Bookshop.org - Use code APTS at checkout for 10% off. Limited time offer. Expires April 10, 2024!

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

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

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:00] Shakespeare: The original pop artist

[09:38] Romeo & Juliet’s Love Story

[30:34] Julius Caesar’s Bad Blood

[51:06] Cruel Midsummer Night’s Dream

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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