Stay ConnectedStudying the impact of Taylor Swift through 1-hour-ish seminars with Hannah (@sippingaugust) and Exquisite (@exquisitewill). The two discuss track-by-track analysis of each track on Taylor Swift’s albums. They are currently discussing “The Life of a Showgirl” and have already completed episodes on TTPD and Midnights.
Art Credit: Alef Vernon @alefvernon. Find him on Patreon!
Copyright: © The Taylor Seminars
We come to "Dorothea," track 8 of Taylor Swift's evermore. This highly underrated song is connected to so many others in Swift's discography--and it's not just "'tis the damn season," which shares the same two characters. We see the motifs of waiting and hometowns and past loves in songs such as "Peter," "the 1," "Midnight Rain," and .... "Ruin the Friendship"?! Be sure to tune in as Exquisite and Hannah explore this beautifully wistful song and how it fits perfectly into Taylor Swift's discography. Also tune in for Hannah's hot take on how to listen to evermore (Exquisite isn't so sure...).
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #EvermoreSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust (Hannah)
- @exquisitewill (Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonart on Instagram
- @alefvernon on Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
We're so happy to talk about "Happiness," the 7th track of Taylor Swift's Evermore? This song is filled with beautiful imagery and incredible diction choices that put you in the mind of the protagonist who is grieving the loss of a relationship that she thought would never see a sunset. There are attempts to be "above the trees" but when she thinks back at the painful times, she expresses "fury." Taylor shows us that this version of the protagonist is slowly deteriorating, but one day, she will rise like a phoenix from the ashes and see a "glorious sunrise."
A song that Taylor said was written as she saw the dissolution of her friends' relationships, "Happiness" also shows new nuggets in hindsight. Perhaps Taylor felt some "weapons" were being "pointed at her deepest hurt?" Perhaps there were glimmers of recognition in her friends stories.
Only Taylor knows the conscious and subconscious muses of the song, but one thing is for sure: There is epic lyric analysis because of "Happiness."
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #EvermoreSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust (Hannah)
- @exquisitewill (Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonart on Instagram
- @alefvernon on Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
We are back to talking Evermore (again) with one of the more fun songs on the album, "No Body, No Crime." Taylor goes back to her country roots for this song in which women get revenge after being wronged--as they should! Join Exquisite and Hannah as they breeze through this song.
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #EvermoreSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust (Hannah)
- @exquisitewill (Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonart on Instagram
- @alefvernon on Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
Let's talk about the music video for "Opalite," track 3 on The Life of a Showgirl. Exquisite and Hannah discuss how Taylor Swift brilliantly captured the essence of the song and flexed her prowess as a director. We see a beautiful three-act structure with tons of symbolism and beautiful imagery. Join us for this Showgirl bonus episode!
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #ShowgirlSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
We are back to talking Evermore (finally), and we're back with one of Taylor's most devastating songs: "Tolerate It." And you better sit down for this one. This song follows a woman who is completely overlooked by her (much older) partner, a story that has been told and retold both in literature and in Taylor's own discography. We travel to songs from "All Too Well" to "Dear John" to "Better Man" to "Bejeweled" to "High Infidelity" to "So Long London" and even "Opalite" and "Honey." Draw hearts in the byline of this episode as Exquisite and Hannah unpack a masterpiece.
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #EvermoreSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust (Hannah)
- @exquisitewill (Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonart on Instagram
- @alefvernon on Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
Taylor Swift has been named as part of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, entering in her first year of eligibility! The Taylor Seminars wanted to congratulate her by going through the list of five songs she submitted for consideration:
Our hosts Exquisite & Hannah go through each song in chronological order, discussing why each song deserved its place on the list and why we think it was chosen. We loved the episode as we got to celebrate Taylor's depth and breath in songwriting & success.
**Quick note: Hannah said Taylor is the youngest person to be inducted into the Songwriters HOF, but she's actually the youngest female person to be inducted. We apologize for the error!
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #EvermoreSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
We've reached the last track on Taylor Swift's, The Life of a Showgirl, the title track "The Life of a Showgirl". This closer features Sabrina Carpenter as "Kitty", and Exquisite and Hannah unpack Kitty's relationship with the song's protagonist. We hope you've enjoyed our journey through this album!
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #ShowgirlSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
It's time for the sweetest song on Taylor Swift's, The Life of a Showgirl, "Honey". This underrated gem is full of beautiful sentiment, growth, and a lot of sensuality. Exquisite and Hannah also connect this song to many other Taylor Swift songs, including "Call It What You Want."
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #ShowgirlSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
It's 2026, and for our first episode of the year, we're doing a special recap of "The End of an Era" docuseries on Disney+. Exquisite & Hannah condensed their thoughts into one hour-long episode, where they discuss what stood out, moments that were inspiration, and what made them cry.
We're so grateful for this little community here. We'll be back next week to continue our The Life of a Showgirl song analyses!
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #ShowgirlSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
It's time for "CANCELLED!" Track 10 on Taylor Swift's, The Life of a Showgirl. This song fully embraces theatricality as its protagonist revels in her perceived wickedness and embrace of those rejected by the public for "one single drop." While Hannah and Exquisite may not have the same opinion when it comes to how much they like the song, they both agree with how infectiously fun the performance is.
Want to support Exquisite on her journey to becoming a professor? Donate here: https://gofund.me/ceaf3b27d
Enjoy the episode? Support The TaylorSeminars on Ko-fi! ❤️
And don’t forget to join the conversation with #ShowgirlSeminars on X/Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
- @taylorseminars
- @sippingaugust(Hannah)
- @exquisitewill(Exquisite)
Cover Art by Alef Vernon:
- @alefvernonarton Instagram
- @alefvernonon Twitter Follow Alef on Patreon
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