AP Taylor Swift

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
***
 
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
 
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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.

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
***
 
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! 
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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.
 

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! 
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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.

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! 
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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.

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
 
***
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.
***
 

“I Can Go Anywhere I Want, Just Not Home” — Taylor Swift & the Pain of “my tears ricochet”

“I can go anywhere I want, just not home” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we take on “my tears ricochet,” the gut-wrenching Track 5 from “Folklore”. From its funeral imagery to what it means for a tear to “ricochet,” we explore themes of grief, regret, and power dynamics. Whether this song is about romantic heartbreak, a friendship gone sour, or even a toxic job, we explore why this song resonates so deeply with so many, and what it means for each of us.
 
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Mentioned in this episode: 
E67: Greek Mythology
E54: Anniversary Episode
E32: Love Story Deep Dive 
The Little Book of Shakespeare's Insults: The Bard's Best Barbs
Reputation album letter
Jane Eyre  
The Phantom of the Opera
The Little Mermaid
Harry Potter
E56: Guest Episode - DJ Louie XIV 
***
 
Episode Highlights: 
[01:09] Introducing “my tears ricochet” and our initial thoughts
[07:25] “I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace”
[11:22] “Look at how my tears ricochet”
[18:05] “You know I didn’t want to have to haunt you”
[25:23] “When I’d fight you used to tell me I was brave”
[29:45] “And I can go anywhere I want, just not home”
[37:15] “You had to kill me but it killed you just the same”
[41:44] What might it mean for tears to ricochet?
[45:24] The purpose of the song
 
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.
 

Greek Mythology and Taylor Swift: Exploring connections between Greek Mythology and Taylor's Lyrics

“Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me” This week, we're resisting our episode on Greek Mythology, where we dive into the timeless influence of Greek mythology in Taylor Swift's music by exploring connections between Taylor's songs and classic Greek myths. Jodi finds links between Demeter and Persephone’s sorrow in The Hymn to Demeter and the Folklore song "My Tears Ricochet.” Maansi shows us how  "Long Story Short” sounds like Odysseus recounting his epic journey as he returns home. And Jenn gets into the ancient story of the Labyrinth and how it reflects themes of self-discovery and transformation in "Labyrinth." Is Taylor Swift a modern-day Homer? Listen and find out! 
 
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Mentioned in this episode: 
Mythology, Edith Hamilton
The Iliad, Homer
The Odyssey, Homer
Metamorphoses, Ovid
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
E44: Metaphors + “The Tortured Poets Department”
E22: Mastermind 
Homeric Hymns 
The Hymn to Demeter
Hadestown (musical)
Hercules (Disney animated film)
E54: One Year Anniversary of AP Taylor Swift
Circe, Madeline Miller
Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Stephen Fry’s Mythos, Heroes, and Troy 
Episode Highlights: 
[02:15] Introduction to Greek Mythology
[09:01] "my tears ricochet" folklore
[15:22] "long story short" evermore
[32:52]  "labrynth" Midnights
Follow us! 
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
 
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.

Bonus: And Then It Was Bought By Her: Taylor Swift Owns Her Masters

“The best things that have ever been mine… finally actually are.” It’s Taylor Independence Day! In this special bonus episode, we, your hosts of AP Taylor Swift, discuss the (surprisingly emotional) breaking news of Taylor Swift's acquisition of her original masters. We share our first reactions and the significance of this moment in Taylor's career, and then (in true AP Taylor Swift style) dive into the rhetoric of Taylor's letter announcing the news, analyzing her personal style and the deeper meanings behind her words. We take a second to touch on Taylor’s humor and then get to the big news about the Reputation album and speculate on the future of Taylor's re-recordings and music. Finally, we touch on the reactions of the Taylor Swift fan community to close out the show.
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Mentioned in this episode: 
The Great Gatsby
E77: Historical Criticism
E27: Poetic Repetition
E11: Marxist Theory
 
[00:17] Breaking News: Taylor Swift's Masters Acquisition[02:00] Emotional Reactions and Reflections[04:52] Analyzing Taylor's Letter: A Personal Touch[09:42] The Memories. The Magic. The Madness. 
[15:30] What About Rep TV?
[24:07] Starting a Conversation Around Owning Your Masters
[26:22] Fan Reactions to the Announcement
[29:17] Closing Thoughts and Future Insights
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.

E91: Everything You Lose Is a Step You Take: A Deep Dive into “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

“You've got no reason to be afraid.” This week, we’re going line by line through a fan favorite, “You're On Your Own Kid” (Midnights 2023). Join us as we explore the title's significance and the evolution of the speaker's perspective throughout the song, touching on themes of agency, personal growth, and the role of seasons and senses in the narrative. From feeling alone to embracing one's strength and support system, this week’s detailed analysis will take you on the transformative journey that is this incredible song.
 
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Mentioned in this episode: 
Game of Thrones
Kingdom of Heaven
Mean Girls
Cinderella, Brothers Grimm
Miss Americana
Little Women
 
Episode Highlights: 
[01:08] Who is the “you” in the title?
[03:09] “Summer went away,” the season of the youth
[07:26] Agency and growing up
[22:30] Comparing choruses
[29:14] ”Something they can’t take away,” a turning point
[37:45] The purpose
 
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.

E90: The Art of Taylor Swift’s Storytelling: Narratology Explained

“Once the flight had flown…” Taylor Swift is a master storyteller, but how does she tell those stories? In this week’s Show & Tell episode, we’re talking all about Narratology. We break down the structure behind the storytelling, unpacking flashbacks, fast forwards, stream of consciousness, and first-person limited narration through three brilliant Swift tracks. From fairy tale distortion in “Is It Over Now?”, a murder mystery arc in “No Body, No Crime,” to the heart-tugging Bildungsroman of “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” this episode explores the how behind the heartbreaks, twists, and self-discoveries. Whether you're into literary theory, folklore, or just love a well-crafted bridge, you’ll leave this episode with a deeper appreciation for Taylor’s evolving narrative toolkit—and maybe a few English class flashbacks of your own.
Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
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Mentioned in this episode: 
White Lotus
E51: All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf
Dracula, Bram Stoker
The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Alice and Wonderland
Snow White
Doctor Who
E78: Tim McGraw Deep Dive
Harry Potter
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
 
***
 
Episode Highlights: 
[01:13] Intro to narratology
[05:25] “Is It Over Now?” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)
[19:34] “No body, no crime” evermore
[32:20] “You’re on You’re Own, Kid” Midnights
 
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.