You need to calm down, but we know it’ll be hard because in this episode, we are diving into historical criticism! We explore the context in which Taylor’s songs were created, starting with “Tim McGraw,” the first Taylor Swift single of all time. We then transition into the world of Lover with “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” and “You Need to Calm Down.” Join us as we explore how looking at the historical context of these songs helps deepen our understanding and appreciation of Taylor’s music!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Tim McGraw - She’s My Kind of Rain

Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying

E11: Show and Tell - Marxist Theory

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grease the film

Barbie the film

Mean Girls the film

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Episode Highlights:

[00:40] Introduction to Historical Criticism

[4:58] “Tim McGraw” from Debut

[16:37] “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” from Lover

[29:47] “You Need to Calm Down” from Lover

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• 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.

“You can hear it in the silence.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we deep dive into “You Are In Love” from Taylor Swift’s album 1989. We break down how Taylor captures the essence of love—not through grand gestures but instead through small, intimate moments: a look across a room, coffee at midnight, and the silence that says it all. We explore the significance of mundane details throughout the song and discuss its lyrical structure, poetic devices (like spondees!), and why the most profound emotions often have no proof, just feelings.

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

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Mentioned in this episode:

TIME Magazine, 2023 Person of the Year

Stars Around My Scars

Troilus and Cressida

West Side Story

Hamilton

Pride and Prejudice

Mad Men

E5: Toxic Relationships

So It Goes

Slaughterhouse-Five

Love Actually

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Episode Highlights:

[01:38] “One look, dark room”

[10:00] “Coffee at midnight”

[18:49] “You can hear it in the silence”

[20:18] “You keep his shirt, he keeps his word”

[24:50] “He is in love”

[30:39] “And so it goes”

[39:40] The 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.

“One single thread of gold tied me to you” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we are kicking off Valentine’s season with a show and tell on Romantic Love. ❤️ We explore how Taylor writes about romantic love—from the grand, sweeping gestures to the small, intimate moments that define a true connection. We break down three iconic songs— “You Are in Love”, “Lover”, and “Invisible String”—examining how each Taylor Swift song captures different facets of romantic relationships.

This week’s episode is sponsored by the new book “Stars Around My Scars: The Annotated Poetry of Taylor Swift” written by Dr. Elly McCausland, out now wherever books are sold.

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

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Stars Around My Scars

Romeo and Juliet

E35: Royalty

Jane Eyre

E73: Color

E5: Toxic Relationships

Harry Potter

E70: Harry Potter Holiday Special

***

Episode Highlights:

[07:16] “You Are In Love” 1989

[13:40] “Lover” Lover

[25:18] “Invisible String” folklore

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

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.