AP Taylor Swift

TS12 'The Life of a Showgirl' Album Breakdown: Taylor Swift Podcast Appearance, Album Track Analysis & Literary Connections

“And baby, that’s show business for you!❤️‍🔥” Taylor Swift just announced TS12, "The Life of a Showgirl," on the New Heights Podcast, releasing October 3rd! Join us for an emergency bonus episode as we break down the album announcement, analyze the track list through our literary lens, and discuss what this new era means for Taylor's artistic evolution. From Shakespearean references in "The Fate of Ophelia" to the millennial energy of releasing on October 3rd (it's Mean Girls day!), we dive deep into the themes, collaborators, and visual storytelling of this highly anticipated album.
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Mentioned in this episode:
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Elizabeth Taylor Biography
Mean Girls (2004)
New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce
Max Martin and Shellback Collaborations Playlist
Britney Spears, Circus Album
Cindy Sherman Photography
& Juliet Musical (Max Martin songs)
E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare
E81: Show and Tell - Female Artists
E55: Rhetorical Questions Episode (Are You Ready For It)
 
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Episode Highlights:
[00:27] Emergency bonus episode announcement
[03:30] First reaction to album cover reveal
[16:30] "The Fate of Ophelia" Shakespeare discussion
[26:00] How long has she be writing this album?
[33:00] Taylor's View of the Eras Tour
[46:00] Clowning for a hot second
[50:00] See you October 3rd!
 
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Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.

E97: Cruel Summer: Line-by-line through Taylor Swift’s summer anthem

"I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?" This week, we're diving deep into Taylor's ultimate summer anthem and Eras Tour favorite: "Cruel Summer" (Lover 2019). We unpack whether this song is about a problematic love interest or the speaker's own internal struggle with anxious attachment and self-imposed drama. The track brilliantly captures the gap between our cool, collected external personas and the chaotic thoughts running through our heads when we're falling for someone but trying to play it casual. Join us as we go line-by-line through one of Taylor's most iconic bridges and explore why "HE LOOKS UP GRINNING LIKE A DEVIL" resonates so deeply with fans. Whether you've screamed along at the Eras Tour or you're just discovering this track, this episode offers fresh insights into Taylor's masterfully crafted exploration of facades, vulnerability, and the relief that comes with finally being honest about your feelings.
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Mentioned in this episode: 
“Cruel Summer” Bananarama
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Romeo and Juliet
A Midsummer Night's Dream 
Attached
 
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Episode Highlights: 
[01:03] How we do a deep dive 
[03:51] “Fever dream high in the quiet of the night”
[08:27] “Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes”
[10:03] The chorus
[16:13] “Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine”
[22:03] “Cut the headlights, summer’s a knife”
[26:33] “I’m drunk in the back of the car” 
[31:05] “He looks up grinning like a devil”
[37:20] Purpose of the song 
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Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.

E96: Cruel Summer, August, hits different: Taylor Swift Summer Songs Breakdown

"Freedom felt like summer then on the coast." What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's music through the lens of summer? In this episode, we explore how summer functions both as a setting and a symbol in Taylor's songwriting. From the cruel intensity of forbidden love to nostalgic August romances and the catastrophic blues of heartbreak, we explore how Taylor uses summer to capture everything from youthful freedom to emotional devastation. Join us as we discuss "Cruel Summer," "august," and "Hits Different" to uncover why summer hits different in Taylor's discography.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Room with a View, E.M. Forster
Harry Potter
A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare
My Antonia, Willa Cather
EXX: Fall Songs 
E31: Shakespeare 
Grease
The Summer I Turned Pretty
White Houses, Vanessa Carlton
What Happened to Goodbye, Sarah Dessen
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
Episode Highlights:
[01:12] Introduction to Summer in Literature[08:11] "Cruel Summer" Lover[17:03] "august" folklore[30:11] "Hits Different" Midnights
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
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Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.
 

Happee Birthdae Harry: Swiftie Potterheads Unite

July 31st is Harry Potter’s birthday, so why not celebrate with a repeat of our favorite Harry Potter Holiday Special episode!? This week, let your inner Swifties and Potterhead unite as we discuss the crossovers between Harry Potter and Taylor Swift’s lyrics. Jenn imagines “Look What You Made Me Do” as Snape’s song to Voldermort. Jodi makes the case that “Lover” perfectly captures Lavender Brown’s feelings toward Ron. And Maansi envisions “You’re On Your Own Kid” as an anthem about Harry Potter’s arc throughout the entire series. Whether you’re a fan of the books, the movies, or both, we fully dork out on this episode. Join us! 
 
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Mentioned in this episode: 
Harry Potter
Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma 
TikTok creator who does “Harry Potter Characters as Taylor Swift Songs” Jake L @Jakobcl1989
***
 
Episode Highlights: 
[01:30] Introduction to Harry Potter
[05:25] “Look What You Made Me Do”
[13:30] “Lover” 
[24:08] “You’re On Your Own, Kid”
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
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YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptyalorswift@gmail.com 
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.

Mastermind in the Museum: Taylor Swift & Women Who Paint

“You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you’re talking to me” What happens when we view Taylor Swift’s music through the lens of other female artists, particularly painters? In this Summer favorite repeat, we explore the work of three iconic women in art and connect their paintings to Taylor Swift’s songs. From the intimacy of motherhood in Mary Cassatt’s work, to the surrealism of Remedios Varo, to the medieval renderings of Hildegard von Bingen, we discuss how these themes appear in both art and Taylor’s songwriting. Listen to hear how artist reframes familiar Swiftian themes like mother‑daughter bonds, dream‑logic escapism, and spiritual longing through paint, not lyrics.
Since this is a visual episode, check out the full video episode on YouTube or Spotify!
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Mentioned in this episode: 
Mary Cassatt, Wikipedia
De Young Museum, “5 Things to Know About Impressionist Mary Cassatt”
Mary Cassatt – Bathing the Young Heir (1890-1891)
The Dutch House, Ann Patchett 
Surrealism and the Art of Remedios Varo
Starmaker, Remedios Varo (1958)
Hildegard von Bingen
Hildegard von Bingen's Physica
 
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Episode Highlights: 
[00:19] This week’s topic: Famous female painters 
[01:09] Mary Cassatt and “The Best Day”
[13:40] Remedios Varo and “This Is Me Trying”
[26:58] Hildegard von Bingen and “Guilty as Sin”
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
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YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.

E95: Is "Don't Blame Me" Taylor's Most Unhinged Love Song? (Deep Dive)

"Don't blame me, love made me crazy. If it doesn't, you ain't doing it right." This week, we're deep diving into "Don't Blame Me" from the reputation album. We explore the song's gospel influences, religious imagery, and transformation themes as we analyze Taylor's most unhinged declaration of love. From poison ivy to daisies, from halos to falling from grace, join us as we unpack this intoxicating Taylor Swift tale of desire, addiction, and spiritual transcendence.
 
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Mentioned in this episode: 
E94: Show and Tell - Frankenstein
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Paradise Lost, John Milton
Ellie Goulding - "Love Me Like You Do"
50 Shades of Grey
Rocky Horror Picture Show
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Episode Highlights: 
[02:02] - “Don’t blame me, love made me crazy”
[09:00] - “I’ve been breaking hearts a long time”
[13:07] - “For you I would cross the line”
[22:40] - “My name is whatever you decide”
[33:08] - “I get so high, everytime you’re touching me” 
[41:25] - Purpose of the song
 
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.

E94: Frankenstein - When Taylor Swift Meets Gothic Literature and Scientific Ambition

“I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me.”  In this episode, we're diving into one of literature's most enduring classics: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. From Victor's scientific ambition to the creature's desperate search for companionship, we explore how Taylor's lyrics illuminate the Gothic themes of isolation, creation, and the consequences of playing God. Join us as we examine "Don't Blame Me," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "False God" through the lens of literature's first science fiction novel—and discover why this 1818 masterpiece feels more relevant than ever in our age of artificial intelligence.
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Mentioned in this episode
 
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Young Frankenstein (Mel Brooks film)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
E7: Ecocriticism
The Handmaid's Tale
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Episode Highlights: 
[1:45] Quick overview of Frankenstein
[8:00] “Don’t Blame Me” reputation 
[15:56] “Look What You Made Me Do” reputation
[30:24] “False God” Lover
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.
 

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Three Literary Lenses on Taylor's Epic Masterpiece

"It was rare, I was there, I remember it." As part of our summer vacation series, we're re-airing one of our most requested episodes! This was the song we'd wanted to analyze since day one: "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)." This isn't just any song analysis—it's a literary deep dive worthy of Taylor's most devastating masterpiece. We're each bringing you a different academic lens to understand what makes this 10-minute epic the storytelling tour de force that has Swifties screaming every word. From narrative structure to nature imagery to the hypnotic power of repetition, discover why this song isn't just a breakup anthem—it's a work of art that rivals the greatest literary achievements.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Last Five Years
E7: Ecocriticism
E9: Fall Songs
E27: Poetic Repetition
Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway
Begin Again
Episode Highlights: 
[00:40] Our topic for the day: ATWTMV 3-ways 
[1:27] A new lens: narratology
[13:03] A literary theory: Ecocriticism
[30:35] A literary device: Poetic Repetition
[44:40] Bringing all the theories together
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Follow us on social! 
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
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Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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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.

E93: I Forgot That You Existed

“It isn’t love, it isn’t hate, it’s just indifference.” A little petty, a little philosophical, and exactly the right kind of opener for Lover. In this Deep Dive, we look at “I Forgot That You Existed,” a deceptively breezy track that becomes more interesting the longer you sit with it. We unpack the tonal misreadings this song often gets, the power of the shrug as both emotional and poetic posture, and why this opening song may be one of Taylor’s most sophisticated declarations of agency. 
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Episode Highlights: 
[02:30] “I Forgot That You Existed” as a glitter gel pen song
[09:17] “In my feelings more than Drake, so, yeah”
[16:03] “Free rent living in my mind”
[22:02] “Laughed on the school yard as soon as I tripped up and hit the ground”
[27:50] “Sent me a clear message”
[32:52] Purpose of the song
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.

E92: Revenge Narratives in Taylor Swift's Songwriting

"I haven't decided yet, but I'mgonnagetyouback." From ancient Greek epics to Mean Girls, revenge has evolved dramatically in literature, and Taylor Swift's discography is no exception. This week on AP Taylor Swift, we explore how Taylor serves revenge with a smile, examining the sweet saccharine fantasy of "Speak Now," the cutting indifference of "I Forgot That You Existed," and the delicious ambiguity of "I'm Gonna Get You Back." Whether it's ruining a wedding or simply moving on, we dive into how revenge fantasies reveal character, power dynamics, and the satisfying evolution from teenage retaliation to adult agency. Because sometimes the best revenge is living well; and sometimes it's writing a song about forgetting someone exists.
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Mentioned in this episode: 
The Iliad, Homer
The Princess Bride
The Odyssey, Homer
Hamlet, Shakespeare
Count of Monte Cristo
Wuthering Heights
Mean Girls
Mad Men
John Tucker Must Die
 
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Episode Highlights: 
[00:46] All about revenge
[07:48] “Speak Now,” Speak Now 
[20:34] “I Forgot That You Existed,” Lover
[29:44] “imgonnagetyouback,” The Tortured Poets Department
 
Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 
TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro
Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com 
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.
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