Stay ConnectedStudying the impact of Taylor Swift through 1-hour-ish seminars with Hannah (@sippingaugust) and Exquisite (@exquisitewill). The two discuss “The Tortured Poets Department” through a conduct track-by-track analysis of the album. They are currently on “The Anthology” tracks.
Art Credit: Alef Vernon @alefvernon. Find him on Patreon!
Copyright: © The Taylor Seminars
On this episode, Hannah and Exquisite visit one of Taylor Swift's signature Track Fives: "You're On Your Own, Kid." Listen in as they trace how the song follows Taylor's growth from a young (precocious) child to her life in NYC to finally realizing that she's got something that no one can take away.
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There's something so magical about Track 4 of Midnights, "Snow on the Beach." It harkens back to so many of Taylor Swift's beautiful love songs such as "Call It What You Want" and "You are in Love." With beautiful detail and ethereal vocals, she truly captures a moment in which the speaker is not in control--rather they are caught completely unaware and now they are falling like snow on the beach.
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Join us as we dive into one of Taylor Swift's most vulnerable tracks--and it was a single? Yes, "Anti-Hero" was one of Taylor Swift's most successful singles, going #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks. And despite its synth beat and earworm chorus, it contains some of her most sad lyrics that are filled with self-loathing.
Join Exquisite and Hannah as they talk about how Taylor internalizes the criticisms that she herself is the problem (whether in her personal life or in the public eye) and creates a banger that's actually sick with sadness. (And can you guess what other lead single carries a similar theme that also makes you want to dance?)
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We dive into the next sleepless night, and we are transported into the Red era. But everything has changed as Taylor reexamines that "passionate as sin" relationship from new angles in Track 2 of Midnights, "Maroon."
This tumultuous love affair was chronicled throughout Taylor's fourth studio album, Red, especially in songs like "Red" and "All Too Well," which we definitely reference in this week's episode. Hannah and Exquisite discuss how Taylor dissects the "burning red" color and exposes its many different shades, before she eventually (and perhaps inevitably) identifies a richer, darker, more complex color: maroon.
The two also discuss how this song demonstrates how Taylor is a master storyteller and wordsmith. She crafts parallel stories in each verse that have radically different conclusions. We also see how Taylor revisits themes of the power of memory and legacy in the chorus and bridge that she has in so many of her songs.
And Hannah and Exquisite discuss how, at midnight, we can finally have an epiphany about the changes we need to make--because we see the connections between our past selves and our present--and so we need to run.
BONUS: We also read some "Maroon" analysis from the new book Stars Around My Scars by friend of the podcast, Dr. Elly McCausland. Check out her book here, You can also follow her on Instagram!
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Taylor Seminars Hannah ExquisiteCover Art by Alef Vernon
Instagram PatreonWe met Taylor at midnight, and we were in for an album filled with questions, regrets, self-loathing, hope, fear, anger, and everything in between. Exquisite & Hannah dive into the Midnight's prologue, searching for clues to why she wrote the album--and how it even impacted The Tortured Poets Department.
We also delve into the first track, "Lavender Haze," where they talk about analyzing the song as it was written AND how hindsight can change the way we look at songs--but BOTH are valid and important.
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What if we told you we're going back to the Midnights era? For this season of The Taylor Seminars, we're going to examine the tracks of the 2024 Album of the Year Midnights by Taylor Swift.
But before we dive into the album, we need to do some context. That's why for this pre-Midnights episode, Exquisite and Hannah discuss two songs that have not been released on a Taylor Swift album: "Renegade," in which Taylor collaborates with Big Red Machine and "You're Losing Me," which was released during the Eras tour, was written in 2021 (!!!), and released as a separate Midnights vault track (but not on any of the deluxe albums).
Listen in so you can see why these two songs are crucial for understanding Midnights--and why they're both amazing songs and standouts in Taylor's discography.
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@alefvernonart on Instagram @alefvernon on Twitter Follow Alef on PatreonIt's been an amazing 9-month journey we've been on with The Tortured Poets Department. We're off to one more trip to those shores with our recap episode, "The Aftermath." Listen in as Hannah and Exquisite share their final thoughts on the album (yes we include extra time on "So Long, London"), including what we would consider the "thesis statement" of the album.
We'll be back next week... meet us at midnight?
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We can't believe it either but we've reached the last track of The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology. That means we've reached "The Manuscript," a self-written closing track that truly helps wrap up this double album.
They talk about the song's connection to "All Too Well (10 Minute Version" and its connection to one of the grand themes of TTPD of loss of innocence and yet we see such growth. And we'll be back in the next episode with a wrap-up/reflection of the entire album!
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As we near the end of The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology, Exquisite and Hannah analyze the beautiful and melancholy "Robin," in which Taylor sings to Robin (herself?) and how she wishes to help keep their innocence forever.
They talk about the song's connection to the theme of innocence and innocence lost, which is found throughout Taylor Swift's discography in songs such as "Never Grow Up," "Would've Could've Should've", and "The Best Day."
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This week, Exquisite and Hannah talk about the fairytale-esque "The Bolter" from The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology. This fantastical song follows the story of a girl who runs--but for good reason.
They talk about the song's connection to other Taylor Swift works, such as "Blank Space," "Right Where You Left Me," "It's Time To Go" and others!
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Join Exquisite and Hannah as they discuss the melancholy and haunting "Peter" from The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology. They talk about yes, Peter from Peter Pan and Wendy, but also the implications of cedar, lamplight, and the important phrase "cause love's never lost when perspective is earned." And, of course, lots and lots of references to more Taylor Swift songs.
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Join fellow Cassandras Exquisite and Hannah as they discuss how the protagonist of the song was 100% correct. They explain how her prophecies were used against her and isolated her, giving her trauma that revisits her again and again.
Join Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss "Cassandra" from The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology.
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We have a special guest for this special song! Rob Sheffield is an author and music critic at Rolling Stone magazine. He's written many of your favorite Taylor Swift album reviews (Folklore, Red (Taylor's Version),The Tortured Poets Department, but you might know him best from his ranking of TS songs.
Rob also has a book coming out called Heartbreak is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music, which is coming out in November 2024 (and you can pre-order it now!).
We invited him onto "The Taylor Seminars" to talk about his new book as well as go in-depth into "The Prophecy," which is a track on The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology. This is one of Rob's favorite tracks (ours too!) and so we get deep into the song as we analyze the lyrics and performance.
We also talk about:
And be sure stay until the end when Rob shares what he considers to be "the most Taylor album."
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In this haunting song, the protagonist shivers in the cold as she stares into the warm living rooms of strangers. What is she doing out there? How did she get to be stranded outside? What will actually happen when she meets his eyes one last time?
Join Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss "I Look in People's Windows" track 25 from The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology and see if you too are addicted to the "if only"
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There's something special about "thanK you aIMee," and it's not just the unique spelling of the track from The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology. Join Exquisite & Hannah as they analyze this lighthearted and yet serious song that plays with the album's themes of violence, obstacles, and, of course, survival. Join us for lots of laughs in what is probably one of our most fun episodes.
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We're back in darkness for the track "I Hate It Here." Join Exquisite & Hannah as they analyze this often-misunderstood song and reveal how Taylor Swift writes powerfully and candidly about her inner turmoil, loneliness, and unhealthy escapism.
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We're giggling and kicking our feet as we go back to "So High School," track 22 of The Tortured Poets Department within the Anthology. Listen in to our analysis of this beautifully sweet and romantic song by Taylor Swift.
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We hereby conduct this post-mortem of a post-mortem. Join us as Hannah and Exquisite explore this painfully tragic song that examines the death of a relationship while also pointing at those who gather just to gawk. Listen in to our analysis of "How Did It End" by Taylor Swift. from The Tortured Poets Department Anthology
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We have a special guest for this episode! Elly McCausland is a professor of English Literature at Ghent University, Belgium where she teaches the course "English Literature (Taylor’s Version)."
Elly has a book coming out called "Stars Around My Scars," which annotates 46 of Swift's songs. When we heard about this project, we knew we had to have her on to discuss one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs on The Tortured Poets Department, "Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus."
Listen in as they discuss Elly's upcoming book and go through the song, line by line, analyzing the lyrics and poetic devices Taylor uses throughout this masterpiece.
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Hannah and Exquisite explore this beautifully evocative song that references poems like "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "The Albatross," Taylor's own "Blank Space" and "peace," and more.
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Hannah and Exquisite explore this extremely sexy, extremely chaotic song that's the second of the The Anthology tracks!
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We're finally on The Anthology tracks! Join Exquisite and Hannah as they discuss "The Black Dog" and how it's a perfect breakup song, with connections to "Sad Beautiful Tragic," "All Too Well," and an evermore song that made Exquisite almost cry. Oh, and stick around to the very end of the episode for a final connection to a Speak Now song!
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Can you believe we made it to the end of TTPD standard? In this episode, Exquisite and Hannah analyze the speakers (yes, speakers) in this song, and revisit the omnipresent theme of fame.
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Taylor Swift writes the perfect love story/sports anthem in "The Alchemy." Listen as Exquisite and Hannah talk through the sports metaphors and how the song shows healing and growth and, of course, love.
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Let's get scathing and angry as we talk Track 14 of The Tortured Poets Department. We talk about not only the devastating lyrics, but also the performance of the song in the Eras tour. Also--do you think there's a double muse?!?
Also, our comment section is now open! Feel free to leave feedback for this or any other episode!
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We're so depressed we act like there's a TTPD seminar every day! Tune in as we talk Track 13 (!!!) "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart." Hannah & Exquisite talk about how Taylor used her tour to push through and find herself again. And listen for all the references they found in the song.
Also, our comment section is now open! Feel free to leave feedback for this or any other episode!
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You thought we were done talking about loml? Turns out there's more support for the double muse theory for the song. See Exquisite and Hannah fasten "loml" to "Glitch" with an embroidered stitch in this short bonus episode. We hope you enjoy.
Also, our comment section is now open! Feel free to leave feedback for this or any other episode!
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Let's breakdown loml lyrics while having a breakdown! Exquisite and Hannah take on this devastating song line by line as we Taylor writing the blended muses as her songwriting skill is at its highest level. See her vulnerability, sadness, and anger as she hits rock bottom. explore the anger of this wild and spooky track in the latest episode of "The Taylor Seminars. Join the co-hosts as they discuss track 12 of The Tortured Poets Department, "loml," and how they interpret what it means. Press play and join the discussion on Twitter with #ttpdseminars.
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The shortest song on The Tortured Poets Department still packs a mean wallop. Exquisite and Hannah explore the relationship between the singer and her "dangerous man" and how she has "I Can Fix Him" syndrome. And would you be surprised to hear this is a mixed muse song? Press play and join the discussion on Twitter with #ttpdseminars.
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What happens to the caged beast after it's been tormented long enough? Exquisite and Hannah explore the anger of this wild and spooky track in the latest episode of "The Taylor Seminars. Join as they discuss track 10 of The Tortured Poets Department, "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" Press play and join the discussion on Twitter with #ttpdseminars.
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Safe to say Exquisite and Hannah love this sexy, sensuous track. Join them as they discuss Track 9 of The Tortured Poets Department, "Guilty as Sin?" From violent imagery to Biblical allusions, this episode has it all. Press play and join the discussion on Twitter with #ttpdseminars.
NOTE: We will not be releasing an episode on July 5 as we take a quick break!
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Our trip through Americana continues with a stop in the Sunshine State. Join Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss Track 8 of The Tortured Poets Department, "Florida!!!" Learn about how the history and culture of the state adds to the atmosphere of the track, and hear about the how the interplay of the two singer-songwriters heightens the storytelling. (Also, they're both huge Dance Fever by Florence + the Machine fans, and you should totally check out that album!) Press play for one hell of an episode and join the discussion on Twitter with #ttpdseminars.
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Join Exquisite and Hannah as they swoon over the crooning voice of Taylor Swift in Trach 7 of The Tortured Poets Department, "Fresh Out The Slammer."
See how they analyze how Taylor goes out of the slammer and is about to enter the microwave, the tidal wave, the horror story -- and she has no idea.
From the rhymes in the verses to the production of the outro -- this is an episode you don't want to miss. Don't forget to interact with us on Twitter/X with #ttpdseminars!
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Journey to the West with Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss Track 6 of The Tortured Poets Department, "But Daddy I Love Him." Enjoy this wild romp through fences and running through fields as they analyze the lyricism, Americana and religious imagery, and theme of autonomy.
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Buckle up as Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss Track 5 of The Tortured Poets Department, "So Long, London." And there is a lot to talk about. They go through it line by line (and sometimes go over it again) as they dig into the deep, dark emotions conveyed in the song. And yes, Exquisite cries.
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Join Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss Track 4 of The Tortured Poets Department, "Down Bad." Listen as they dissect (pun intended) the lyrics and share their analysis.
And for the second half of the podcast, the two talk about how they feel TTPD shows Taylor's attempt to reclaim her humanity and autonomy and how these have been themes she has been grappling with since the drop of Fearless.
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Hannah and Exquisite discuss Track 3 of The Tortured Poets Department, "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys." Listen as they go through each stanza, and stay tuned for their analysis of how the song fits in with previous Taylor works, especially those in "Reputation."
P.S. This episode has been reuploaded to fix audio issues. A big thank you to everyone who alerted us about it!
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Join Exquisite & Hannah as they discuss the title track, "The Tortured Poets Department," and hear in real-time the epiphany they had about verse 1 (No smoking or bars of chocolate needed).
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Exquisite & Hannah analyze the first track "Fortnight." We talk about the context of the song, go through it stanza by stanza, and even leave room for interpretation--just how Taylor does throughout the album.
NOTE: Hannah thought there was a misprint in her lyrics and tried to correct them, but her corrected lyrics were wrong, so please ignore that part. We do not have the resources to edit it. Just... pretend it didn't happen.
SECOND NOTE: Sorry about all the gardening noise in the background. We tried to record at a different time... and this happened.
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Hannah & Exquisite dive into "The Tortured Poets Department" and its accompanying "Anthology." They start by reading and analyzing the "In Summation" poem by Taylor Swift and how it unlocks the album for careful readers and listeners.
Then they talk broad themes about the album, from the red herrings and mixing of muses to the sex, innocence, and threads of predation.
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We’re just days away from the release of “The Tortured Poets Department.” Join Hannah and Exquisite as they trace the evidence Taylor has presented so far about the sound and substance of the album. From her Eras tour speeches and Time “Person of the Year” Interview to the teased lyrics and variant names, Taylor has left plenty for them to talk about. Whether you’ve been keeping up with every hint or you need someone to catch you up, this episode is for you. The two end this week’s seminar with final predictions about what the songs will sound like, aided by their analysis and the track lengths.
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Album art by @alefvernon
Music by @eastlovemusic
Taylor Swift dropped The Five Stages of Heartbreak playlists on Apple Music today, and so we obviously scrapped our original script so we could talk about it. So listen in as Hannah and Exquisite share their thoughts about the playlists and how they connect them to TTPD.
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Hannah @sippingaugust
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An introduction to the podcast. This quick preview features Hannah (@sippingaugust) and Exquisite (@exquisitewill) as they discuss the creation and format of the podcast going forward. And yes, they talk a bit about the upcoming The Tortured Poets Department album coming up. Subscribe for our first real episode coming out next week!
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Art credit: Alef Vernon (@alefvernon). Subscribe to his Patreon!
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