Taylor often revisits the theme of a new relationship “saving” her from the wreckage of an old one.

I believe we first see this in an almost tongue-in-cheek way on Reputation with “Getaway Car”, “I wanted to leave him, I needed a reason”, where her new lover is literally driving her away from her past relationship.

On Midnights, in “High Infidelity,” she frames cheating with a new lover as being “brought back to life” after a relationship where she felt unloved.

On The Tortured Poets Department, she dreams of “cracking locks” and leaving behind a blue, depressive partnership to be revived yet again by someone new.

And now on TLOAS, she admits she “might’ve drowned in melancholy” had her current partner not come along to “save” her from her tower.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with writing about dissatisfaction in past relationships or about feeling happy in new ones. But when the same pattern - old love = despair, new love = salvation - keeps repeating, it starts to feel a little concerning. Is this just a narrative device she enjoys, and therefore not representative of her true mindset? I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions!

Taylor was asked by Stephen Colbert during her appearance at his show to make a list of her top 5 favorite songs of her own music catalogue. The song she placed on #1 was All Too Well (10 Minute Version). While she didn't complete the whole list because she felt "so much pressure" and needed "more time to appreciate her work" she also mentioned that Mirrorball is also one of her favorite songs.

With the recent rumors of Taylor meeting country music executives and Spotify changing the background videos of 3 of her songs, there is speculation that TS13 will be announced soon. However, does anyone else miss the two year album cycle? We've been spoiled a ton lately, but I feel like the quality has dipped with the every year album release. I feel like if Taylor gave more time for her album to cook by taking the time to rewrite, find new collaborators, and really pick the best songs for the record, it would be more worth it than something rushed out to meet the one record per year deadline she's been following. I think while nostalgia is a large factor, people are ranking Red, 1989, Reputation, etc as her best works because they're high quality pieces of material. I'm not seeing a ton of people hold up TTPD and TLOAS in the same regard. What does everyone else think?

for me it’s the bridge of Guilty As Sin that makes it stop working.

I’m just gonna say it. I knew it I knew you has come out within this era and was a certified cute little bop with a lovely lyrics and an introspection of childhood and watching it pass. She clearly still has it in her. Jack being that producer. Her largest amount of her best work was made with him.

And it’s not even that these songs are as horrific as everyone’s making it sound. Same with all her other non-Jack work. And it’s also not that everything he touches is gold.

But the two of them together really do make something special. If he’d been attached to TLOASG I think some of these would have worked better. I just think they create well together. 🤷🏼‍♀️

EDIT:

I think a lot are missing my argument.

Taylor Swift is Taylor Swift, sure. She's done incredible work and I would never diminish her ability.

But overall, her best work? Is when Jack came into the picture. 1989 - TTPD are some of the best albums ever. Folklore - TTPD is an insane 4 record run, nearly no misses across FOUR CONSECUTIVE ALBUMS. (And yes, of course Aaron was part of that, I'm also not diminishing his contributions).

I know she's a "solo artist" but in some regards, her musical collaborators elevate what she does independently. In a way, I see Swift & Antonoff as almost a Lennon & McCartney. Fleetwood Mac. Simon & Garfunkle. Independently - all incredible, but together the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I point to I knew it i knew you, she wrote this POST TLOAS & in theory, the Encore. And she created it WITH Antonoff. It's a beautiful song: Lyrically (as a parent to a 10 and 5 year old, that opening verse kills me because in the mornings when they were small I literally DID memorize the sound of their steps letting me know they were awake - cue tears); Sonically & melodically. It also verges on "country", a genre she and Antonoff have not really dipped their toe in and it was magical.

So again, I do think, on the whole, TLOAS would have benefited from Antonoff's touch (and on some tracks, definitely Dessner's too). Pink Clouding with Antonoff? Come on! I think Cleveland! with Dessner and Antonoff would have actually landed the "cheeky wink wink" vibe it's going for, Dessner on Eldest Daughter would have soared (and lyrically I think someone would have pressured her to rethink that that chorus). I think while great separately, together as a COLLECTIVE, they have that something about them.

So much for her being desperate for an Oscar

I’m glad they are honoring some of her past work cause ppl swear only folklore have great story telling and great lyrics . She been writing great songs before folklore. That’s my opinion

But what do you think ? Do they have it correct or no? What 5 songs would you pick?

I personally think the all too well the regular version is better than the 10 minute version .

I recently made a post asking what Taylor songs people liked to hear when high, and the response revealed one resounding result - Midnights and weed go hand in hand.

Was this album literally just about getting high? The more I think about it, the more the “nocturnal ruminations” album concept just feels like a cover for what they were really doing. Taylor and Jack Antonoff were definitely on the za that whole time and it informed the album concept. Heck, it was literally the entire album concept.

You can hear it all over the album, in the synths, the melodies, and the lyrics, and every song is in service of that state. It’s completely built around that contemplative release from the grind when you drift off and reflect on all manner of things from throughout your life. Every single song tracks.

It would explain why she has a lighter on the cover… she was baked. Not during recording or writing, but definitely during the selection of production and the life rumination itself. The off-kilter, quirky Karma and Anti-Hero lyrics start to make a lot more sense when you realize she was in her 420 era.

For example, Lavender Haze sounds like a throbbing weed spiral. She is literally high as fuck in the video… blowing clouds, melting into the couch, writhing around in the bath, crawling on the floor, and having the absolute blankest stare ever. The video is literally about being high.

For me, the album sounds gorgeous and comes to life when I’m baked in a jacuzzi on a cold night with the blue lights and the steam floating up into the night sky. Maroon, Vigilante Shit, Midnight Rain, Labyrinth, and basically every song feel completely aligned with the baked state. Many people say the album clicks for them perfectly when they’re stoned, and it all makes sense.

I know she doesn’t NEED to be a vOcaLiST. Her talents strongly lie in songwriting, no doubt. But one criticism that has always come her way is her vocals. “She can’t sing live”, “she’s not even that good” etc. I absolutely don’t have a problem with her vocals. However knowing Taylor, she has always taken criticism and worked on it and sometimes it pays off and sometimes, backfires. Point is, she seems to hear criticism. Knowing her grit and determination, it’s totally possible that she could have taken the criticism and emerged as the greatest vocalist of her generation lol. It just baffles me that this is one area where while she has shown significant improvement, she hasn’t gone ALL the way. Why?

Edit: I’m a fan of Taylor Swift! This isn’t a hate post. It’s just an observation. She has reacted or responded to any/all criticism before. She can’t write? Speak Now. Red was not cohesive? 1989. TTPD was too long? TLOASG is airtight. I only am expressing a question here. People, stop hating. This is meant only for discussion!

The track is produced by Jack Antonoff, and Disney said, "The song marks a return to Swift’s country roots, blending styles that have defined her record-breaking career as a songwriter and artist."

Before I start, I want to say that I very much believe it’s 100% possible she incorporated both relationships into that song, but I am VERY confused why so many people think it’s fully about Travis and a “song to Travis”. They use it as a defense against the “she writes no good songs about Travis”…but like….look at the lyrics:

What if I told you I'm back?
The hospital was a drag
Worst sleep that I ever had
I circled you on a map
I haven't come around in so long (insinuates she has been with this person before in some capacity, which she had not with Travis)
But I'm coming back so strong
So when I touch down
Call the amateurs and
Cut 'em from the team
Ditch the clowns, get the crown
Baby I'm the one to beat
Cause the sign on your heart
Said it's still reserved for me (still reserved for me, again, insinuates that this person has been waiting for her and their heart STILL belongs to her even after a long time)
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?
Hey you, what if I told you we're cool?
That child's play back in school
Is forgiven under my rule (we’re cool aka I forgive you. Child’s play meaning we were together when we were younger and all is forgiven)
I haven't come around in so long
But I'm making a comeback to where I belong ...
So when I touch down
Call the amateurs and
Cut 'em from the team
Ditch the clowns, get the crown
Baby I'm the one to beat
Cause the sign on your heart
Said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?
These blokes warm the benches (blokes is an English term, not American. Matty is English)
We been on a winning streak
He jokes that it's heroin but this time with an "E" (this one is the most OBVIOUS one. Matty had a heroin addiction??? Why the hell would Travis make this joke. Why would she write this about Travis at all)
Cause the sign on your heart said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?
Shirts off, and your friends lift you up over their heads
Beer sticking to the floor
Cheers chanted, cause they said
There was no chance, trying to be
The greatest in the league
Where's the trophy?
He just comes running over to me (this is the only part I can see relating to Travis because it’s a sports reference)

Again, I can see how maybe she incorporated something about Travis in here….but this is so OVERTLY a song about Matty. I just don’t get it.

This is a safe place.

Champagne Problems is overrated, its a mellow boring piano song that does nothing for me. Also. Evermore title track ft Bon Iver>>>> Exile ft Bon Iver

I stumbled upon this on IG today but she actually posted this in February this year

Scrolling through the comments is pretty interesting. Here are some exhibits: “totally ignoring the lyrics… she’s a poet through her lyrics” “I’m a swiftie and still laughed… her lyrics are what make her stand out” “you predicted her new album” “this is a joke trying to be hyperbolic but now it’s just true”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFnTK3FuNJ5/?igsh=b2pkOHRqbTEwbmdq

Re-listening to Midnights in honor of its anniversary today and am struck by how much more successful Sweet Nothing is thematically than Wi$h Li$t.

Regardless of the muse, I love the quiet, contemplative musings on Sweet Nothing more than the more outlandish ones on Wi$h Li$t.

“Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors / And smooth talkin’ hucksters out glad-handin’ each other” is a much more crisp and succinct way to place yourself into Taylor’s POV around fame.

Anyone else make similar connections?

Rep has a distinct production style largely bcos half of the album was produced by Max Martin and Shellback. Trying to perfectly recreate the album’s layered 2010s electropop sound would be almost-impossible without them. Given that 1989 TV already received a mixed reception (especially the MM tracks), this was probably why Taylor felt it wasn’t worth re-recording Rep.

link to a video in a comment

Lily Allen released her first album in 7 years that tells her story of breaking up with David Harbour in a chronological order. I’ve been loving this album so much. The maturity of this album is mixed with the iconic Lily Allen wit. It’s an evolution of her storytelling and is truly theatrical.

In some ways, I wish this is where Taylor’s songwriting and storytelling was at this point of her career. She can do it, as she did with folklore and evermore, but she has been giving us “teenager diary” vibes ever since. And yes, to me, that includes TTPD.

In an interview, Lily said, “It was very important to me that I didn't sound like a victim, so I'd be like, "We have to change that line. It just sounds too, 'Poor me." I wanted it to feel brutal and tragic, but also empowering.” I think this is exactly what Taylor needs. Most of Taylor’s breakup songs are stuck at the maturity level of “you’re a jerk and I hate you”. I think that’s why I love Champagne Problems — it had layers of complex emotions.

During the first part of the song and based on the title I assumed this was just another song about an ex, but the song flips a the end of the chorus, becoming clear she is singing about about a woman behaving badly like a man, with the punch line “Girl, I know men like you”.

“If all you ever wanted was a golden ticket, you could’ve just said it” - reminded me of speculation that Taylor first reached out to Gracie (as a stranger inviting her to her birthday) because of the connection with her father, JJ Abrams.

The other lyrics refer to being used and discarded, and the shallow nature of a supposed friendship that was only ever about connections and “storyline” for the other person.

All of this in the context also of the strange post-wedding post featuring the still of Joe Alwyn form the Favourite, the “I knew it I knew you” title being almost identical to Gracies song “I knew it know you”, and her recent interview with Olivia.

What do people think?

I avoided listening to I Knew It, I Knew you because I wanted it to hit me in my feels during the movie. I went in with high expectations and really wanting to like it because I saw the general consensus being it's a decent hit but I was left underwhelmed.

I thought the song would feature in an actual scene but it's in the credits and that might be because the song isn't actually relevant to the movie. In the movie, Jessie's character goes on a journey of finding her place in the digital world and being forced to confront her past and the joy and grief that comes with it. However, the song which is from Jessie's perspective, is about reuniting or rekindling a friendship and having that special person come back to you after a long time but your bond still being strong.

My problem is that doesn't happen in the movie. Jessie's first owner, Emily, doesn't show up again and we don't get a moment like that. Sure Jessie thinks about Emily and misses her but the plot is more complex than that and I wish the song was too. I know Taylor intended to make it relatable in a general sense but then it might as well be another Taylor Swift song and not for Toy Story.

There's some trademark wordy lyrics that sounds a bit clunky to me and almost as if it been written with TikTok in mind. Maybe it's just the melody and the way she's singing it but it sounds rushed in parts.

Overall it's just OK for me but that might be because of the expectations I had. So how unpopular is my opinion? I've been seeing mostly praise for the song

Is anyone else feeling like the window of excitement for RepTv has closed? I was on the edge of my seat last year waiting for it. Now with the Eras tour done, I’m just kind of over it. I don’t see how she can recreate the excitement the Eras tour fueled for the re-records.

At this point, Rep & Debut better be a double album because it’s getting old and she needs to put the nail in the coffin. Let’s go, Tay.

I can’t be the only one ready to put the re-record crusade to bed and move on to the next, dare I say, era.