E4: Deep Dive - “Wonderland” from 1989

Going Down the Rabbit Hole. Today we’re doing a deep dive on Taylor Swift’s song, “Wonderland,” from the album 1989. This episode builds on Episode 3 focused on Taylor Swift’s lyrical influences from the book “Alice in Wonderland.” In this episode, we explore whether the Cheshire Cat is calming or creepy; if New York City really is “Wonderland”; How Taylor Swift’s music, lyrics, and album branding are often at odds with one another; and how this song seems to reference “A Tale of Two Cities” and “The Great Gatsby” all at the same time. 

 

Mentioned in the episode: 

“Wonderland,” written by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback

1989 (Taylor’s Version)

Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland, 1951 Disney Film

Alice in Wonderland, 2010 Tim Burton Film

“A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens

“The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

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Episode Highlights: 

[01:42] We fell down a rabbit hole: How we do a deep dive 

[04:13] Didn’t you calm my fears with a Cheshire Cat smile: Je suis calme! 

[06:50] I should have slept with one eye open at night: A false sense of security 

[15:06] Nothing’s as it seems: How Taylor's lyrics, music, and imagery inform the story

[19:03] Too in love to think straight: This love is not what it seems 

[21:04] In Wonderland, we both went mad: When it all shifts in the bridge

[29:27] We found wonderland: How she used this literary reference 

 

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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.