"You don’t get to tell me about sad.” This week, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me” from The Tortured Poets Department. For this TTPD and Eras Tour favorite, we unpack the song’s references to fame, power dynamics, and female identity. We explore how this song brings up our experiences of passive-aggressive workplaces, and being asked to change our behavior to fit other’s expectations. It’s a meaty episode–listen and let us know what you think!

Mentioned in this episode:

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Edward Albee

Apex Predator, Mean Girls

E23: Mad Women

The Great Gatsby

Pirates of the Caribbean

Les Misérables

Wicked

Episode Highlights:

[01:52] How we do a deep dive

[03:19] Unpacking references in the song’s title

[07:49] “The who’s who of who’s that”

[13:01] “If you wanted me dead, you should have just said”

[18:56] “So I leap from the gallows”

[21:20] “At all costs, keep your good name”

[32:25] “So tell me everything is not about me”

[37:57] "That's why you're still singing along"

[42:39] The purpose of the song

[52:00] Listener homework!

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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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“They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one.” Happy spooky season! This week, we dive into the topic of witches. From historical midwives to fantasy heroines, Taylor’s music has a little bit for everyone. In this episode, we look at the fiery witch imagery in “I Did Something Bad,” explore the visual choice of witchiness in “willow,” and discuss the fantasy of owning your power in “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me.” With plenty of Harry Potter references for all, this episode is perfect for the inner Hermione in us all. Because at the end of the day, aren’t we all just powerful witches who are also kind of giant nerds?

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Mentioned in this episode:

E7: Ecocriticism

E23: Mad Women

E19: Satire

Pride and Prejudice

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English

Harry Potter

Willow Music Video

Outlander

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

E9: Fall Songs

Les Miserables

The Crucible

The Power, Naomi Alderman

Shit Cassandra Saw, Gwen E. Kirby

Jennifer’s Body

Great Expectations

Invisible Women, Caroline Criado-Perez

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:15] Introduction to Witches

[07:34] I Did Something Bad - “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one”

[19:36] Willow - “Wait for the signal and I’ll meet you after dark”

[34:30] Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me - “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street”

Follow us on social!

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• Libro.fm → 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.

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

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“Lately I’ve been dressing for revenge.” This week we deep dive Eras tour favorite Vigilante Shit from Taylor Swift’s album “Midnights.” We discuss the meaning of “vigilante,” how the song challenges traditional gender roles, and the many potential pop culture references and parallels that make the song fit into the broader cultural narrative of women reclaiming their power. Is "Vigilante Shit" a feminist anthem or just a really fun revenge fantasy? Listen and find out!

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Mentioned in this episode:

E58: Show and Tell - Style

The Little Rascals

The Lion King

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Incredibles

Mean Girls

John Tucker Must Die

Pretty Little Liars

Chicago

White Collar

Hamilton

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:20] “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man”

[06:45] “They say looks can kill and I might try”

[12:24] “Don’t get sad, get even”

[21:36] “Ladies always rise above…”

[30:10] “I don’t dress for villains”

[38:20] The purpose of the song

Follow us on social!

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• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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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.

“We never go out of style.” This week we have a very special guest joining us to talk about Style. Yes, we’re interviewing Queen of Taylor Swift Style herself Sarah Chapelle! Sarah joins us to talk about her new book Taylor Swift Style, how her blog and commentary have evolved over the years, and how Taylor’s fashion and music work in tandem to communicate a message. Then we dive into a show and tell featuring three songs that address the idea of style in one way or another: “Style”, “Dress”, and “Vigilante Shit”.

Mentioned in this episode:

TaylorSwiftStyle.com

Taylor Swift Style Book

@TaylorSwiftStyled on Instagram

@taylorswiftstyle.com on TikTok

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Selkie Dress

“Call It What You Want” Necklace

Gucci Scarf

Taylor Swift Style Book Tour

Dame Mary Quant

Dressed to Kill Etymology

Elizabeth Holmes “So Many Thoughts” Blog

The Man Repeller

Invisible Women

History of the Cat Eye Liner

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:12] Interview with Sarah Chapelle of Taylor Swift Style

[31:50] “Style” 1989 (Taylor’s Version)

[44:00] “Dress” Reputation

[55:59] “Vigilante Shit” Midnights

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

Follow us on social!

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• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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.

“It’s just a question!” In this week’s episode, we do a deep dive into the ultimate rhetorical question song from Taylor Swift - “Question…?” from Midnights. We get into our own questions, such as who is the “I,” the “you,” and the “her” in the story? What were the miscommunications? Was this a one-night stand or a longer situationship? While we never get any answers to the questions asked within the song, you'll have to tune in to see whether we answer our own questions about “Question…?”

Mentioned in this episode:

“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

The Ugly Truth (film)

Ted Lasso (tv show)

Notting Hill (film)

“Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne

Bridgerton Season Two

Daisy Jones and the Six (book)

Daisy Jones and the Six (tv show)

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] Introduction to “Question…?”

[02:13] The characters in the song

[04:30] Starting with “I remember”

[09:17] Moving into the present tense

[16:20] The chorus of “Question…?”

[29:37] “Half moon eyes” and verse 2

[39:28] Politics and gender roles

[44:52] Who is “her” in this song

[56:06] The purpose of the song

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

Follow us on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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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.

In our first guest episode this season, we welcome DJ Louie XIV of Pop Pantheon to talk all things pop and Taylor Swift. DJ Louie discusses how he analyzes pop music in his podcast, Pop Pantheon, and delves into Taylor Swift’s unique role within the pop music landscape. We discuss Taylor’s cultural impact, her mastery of storytelling, and the influence of Jack Antonoff on her music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pop Pantheon Podcast

Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram

Follow DJ Louie XIV on Twitter

Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram

E31: Shakespeare

E32: Love Story

***

Episode Highlights:

[4:04] Why is pop music so fun to overanalyze?

[6:11] How Taylor Swift fits into the pop music Landscape

[15:25] Taylor Swift as “basic savant”

[27:30] Folklore Evermore Reset

[30:00] Taylor’s artistic evolutions through her albums

[34:28] The Jack Antonoff Partnerships

[36:44] Tortured Poets and Lyrical Editing

[41:07] The pop music formula

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

Follow us on social!

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• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → 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.

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

“…Are you ready for it?” No but really, are you? Today we’re talking rhetorical questions. Why does Taylor use them? Does she use them expecting an answer? Are those a rhetorical question? (We’ll stop now…) We’re covering “Is It Over Now?” from 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault), “...Ready for it” from Reputation, and “Question…?” from Midnights. Tune in to see if we get any answers!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Types of Rhetorical Questions

The Office

Parks and Recreation

Law and Order

Legally Blonde

What is a Rhetorical Question? A rhetorical question is an inquiry that ends in a question mark but is asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer. It’s often used in persuasive writing but is also common in everyday conversation.

Types of Rhetorical Questions:

• Anthypophora (hypophora): Involves asking a question in order to answer it immediately. In our animal studies episode, Jenn asked, “Did I make this song about something that personally interests me? Sure did”
• Epiplexis: A rhetorical device in which one asks a question in order to admonish rather than receive an answer. Think Michael Scott, “why are you the way that you are?”
• Erotesis: Positions the question in a way that elicits a strong reaction, either in agreement or rejection. However, this type of rhetorical question typically anticipates a negative response. it’s usually impossible to contradict.”How can segregation exist in the true Body of Christ?” - MLK

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:20] What are rhetorical questions?

[06:57] “Is It Over Now?” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

[26:39] “...Ready for it” Reputation

[44:48] “Question…?” Midnights

Follow us on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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.