Taylor Swift is the Shakespeare of our time. And we can prove it.
AP Taylor Swift is a weekly literary analysis podcast for Swifties who crave smart, funny, and approachable conversations about Taylor's lyrics. Hosts Maansi Dommeti, Jenn Holcomb, and Jodi Innerfield are three longtime Swifties whose different lives mean they never hear a song the same way. Our Show & Tell episodes connect a theme or rhetorical device to songs across her catalog (think Ecocriticism to Hilary Duff); and our Deep Dive episodes go line-by-line through one song to discover what it's really about. Whether you've got the Eras Tour setlist memorized, or you just know 'Shake It Off,’ class is in session.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe for updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
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E52: "Anti-Hero" "Look What You Made Me Do" "That's The Way I Loved You" - Show and Tell - Psychoanalytic Theory
Season 2 · Episode 52
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 • Duration 01:02:29
"I have this dream where I get older but just never wiser." In this episode, we use Psychoanalytic Theory to unpack the deeper meanings behind three of Taylor's songs: "That's The Way I Loved You," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "Anti-Hero." From our personal experiences to Freud’s writings, we explore how Taylor’s lyrics tap into the subconscious. Get ready to dive into the psyche of Taylor Swift's music!
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.
E51: All Too Well (10 Min Version) - 3 Ways
Episode 51
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 • Duration 56:03
It was rare, I was there, I remember it. To kick off our second year (sophomore year?) of AP Taylor Swift, we’re tackling a song we have wanted to tackle since the very beginning: “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” And to stay consistent with our Show & Tell format, we’re each bringing you a different lens through which we analyzed this song! Join us as we introduce you to narratology, revisit ecocriticism, and look for poetic repetition in this song to understand what makes it the epic favorite that we all know and love.
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:
"The Last Great American Dynasty" Deep Dive - 4th of July Re-Release
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 • Duration 30:35
"I had a marvelous time." In honor of the 4th of July, we're re-releasing our deep dive on “The Last Great American Dynasty,” from folklore. Initially released in November 2023, in this episode our hosts expand on what we learned in our Marxist Criticism episode to take an even closer look at Rebekah Harkness, who she was, and why Taylor Swift wrote a song about her. What do Taylor and Rebekah Harkness have in common, besides owning the same home? Is Rebekah Harkness really “middle class”? How does Taylor build empathy for someone called “mad” and “shameless”? We had a marvelous time diving into this one!
[06:24] How Taylor’s country storytelling roots enrich the story
[11:14] What is an “American Dynasty”?
E42: Ecocriticism and "The Tortured Poets Department"
Episode 42
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 • Duration 35:20
“A hurricane with my name when it came.” On today’s Summer School episode, we’re going back to Episode 7: Ecocriticism. We’ll cover how Taylor Swift uses nature language, imagery, and metaphors to capture the feelings and emotions she’s trying to convey in her songs on “The Tortured Poets Department.” From exploring nature vs cities, the idea of the civilized vs uncivilized, and ecofeminism, “The Tortured Poets Department” has a lot for us to work with!
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:
[02:20] Florida!!! “You can beat the heat”
[07:58] Clara Bow “Picked like a rose”
E41: Toxic Relationships + “The Tortured Poets Department”
Episode 41
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 • Duration 33:39
"Mr. Steal Your Girl, then make her cry." This summer, we’re bringing you Summer School! Each week, we’ll revisit a topic from this past season within the context of songs from Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” This week we’re covering the topic of toxic relationships from Episode 5.
Like we were in Paris. This week we’re over-analyzing Taylor Swift's song “Paris” from the album Midnights. We explore the imagery and metaphors used in the lyrics, like “stumbled down pretend alleyways” and how that relates to what it’s like to be early on in a relationship. Are they really in Paris? What does it mean to be “in Paris”? Why does she choose “Paris” and not another city? What makes “Paris” different? We try and unpack it all!
[19:47] “I want to brainwash you into loving me forever”
[27:17] “My love, we were in Paris”
[30:04] The purpose of the song
Affiliate Codes:
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
- Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here
E39: Show and Tell - Cities
Episode 39
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 • Duration 59:29
The lights are so bright, but they never blind me. This week we’re taking a tour of Taylor Swift’s favorite cities to sing about. We explore the personification of different cities, and how Taylor uses these cities to tell her stories. In this episode, we’re covering “Welcome to New York” from 1989, “London Boy” from Lover, and “Paris” from Midnights.
Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!
- Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here
E38: Deep Dive - The Archer
Season 1 · Episode 38
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 • Duration 01:05:48
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.
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!
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:
E36: Deep Dive - King of My Heart
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • Duration 36:16
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!
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.
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.
[12:43] I Hate It Here “I will go to secret gardens in my mind”
[16:23] The Prophecy “So I look to the sky and said”
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.
***
Episode Highlights:
[00:19] Welcome to Summer School
[02:45] “The Tortured Poets Department”
[08:46] “But Daddy I Love Him”
[13:52] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”
[20:14] “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”
[23:45] “loml”
[26:46] “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
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.
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.
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.
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:
[01:43] Baseline: How we all feel about The Archer
[03:17] Combat, I'm ready for combat: What’s it mean
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.
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.
***
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
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.
Apple Podcasts
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Spotify
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