AP Taylor Swift

AP Taylor Swift Podcast
  • 4.7 (48)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Taylor Swift is the Shakespeare of our time. And we can prove it. AP Taylor Swift is a weekly literary analysis podcast for Swifties who crave smart, funny, and approachable conversations about Taylor's lyrics. Hosts Maansi Dommeti, Jenn Holcomb, and Jodi Innerfield are three longtime Swifties whose different lives mean they never hear a song the same way. Our Show & Tell episodes connect a theme or rhetorical device to songs across her catalog (think Ecocriticism to Hilary Duff); and our Deep Dive episodes go line-by-line through one song to discover what it's really about. Whether you've got the Eras Tour setlist memorized, or you just know 'Shake It Off,’ class is in session. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

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  1. 1d ago

    The Poetic Genius and Song Meaning Behind Taylor Swift's TimMcGraw

    "It's nice to believe, when you think Tim McGraw." This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're going line-by-line through Taylor Swift's "Tim McGraw" (debut, 2006) — her very first single. We trace a Chevy truck down some back roads, argue about whether "that's a lie" means something different by the end of the song than it did at the beginning, float (and mostly reject) a death theory, and land on why a 16-year-old writing about one summer might be one of the most quietly ambitious songwriting choices of her career.   Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next.   Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount   Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes   Mentioned in this episode:   Anita de Monte Laughs Last, Xóchitl González — https://bookshop.org/p/books/anita-de-monte-laughs-last-xochitl-gonzalez/19987600 The Last Song (2010) — https://reelgood.com/movie/the-last-song-2010 Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) — https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/hannah-montana-the-movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before — https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before The Summer I Turned Pretty — https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-summer-i-turned-pretty Dirty Dancing (1987) — https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/danse-lascive Grease (1978) — https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/grease [03:38] "He said the way my blue eyes shined put those Georgia stars to shame that night. I said, that's a lie." [05:43] "Just a boy in a Chevy truck" [08:01] "I was right there beside him all summer long" [10:46] "When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think my favorite song" [11:35] "When you think happiness, I hope you think that little black dress" [15:58] "September saw a month of tears" [19:25] "In a box beneath my bed is a letter that you've never read from three summers back" [33:55] 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   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.

  2. Jul 22

    Looking at Taylor Swift’s Music Through a Feminist Lens | AP Taylor Swift

    “Why you gotta be so mean?” In this week’s episode of AP Taylor Swift, we put “Mean” (Speak Now), “nothing new” (Red, Taylor’s Version), and “mirrorball” (folklore) under the lens of feminist literary theory. We talk about the male gaze, the ingenue, gendered violence imagery, the punishment of “unlikeable” women, and why a song written over a decade ago can still feel like it was written yesterday.   Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes.   Mentioned in this episode Middlemarch, George Eliot Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate, Anna Bogutskaya The Robber Bride, Margaret Atwood Mean Girls (2004) Grease (1978) It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World, Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film, San Diego State University   Episode Highlights [00:23] Welcome to the Show & Tell — Women’s History Month and a primer on feminist literary theory [04:59] “Mean” (Speak Now) — gendered weapon imagery and “you, with your words like knives and swords” [20:37] “nothing new” (Red, Taylor’s Version) — false empowerment and “girls go out and have your fun” [37:32] “mirrorball” (folklore) — adapting yourself for others’ approval 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 (code: APTS30) → 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.

  3. Jul 15

    “Cruel Summer” Meaning & Lyrics Explained | AP Taylor Swift

    "I don't want to keep secrets just to keep you" This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're going line-by-line through Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" (Lover, 2019). This episode turns into a deep dive into fever dreams, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, attachment theory, and the surprising twist that the real red flag in this song might be Taylor herself. Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift:  Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next.  Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount  Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes Mentioned in this episode: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Romeo and Juliet A Midsummer Night's Dream  Attached   ***   Episode Highlights:  [04:02] How we do a deep dive  [06:48] “Fever dream high in the quiet of the night” [11:34] “Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes” [13:20] “It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got” [19:20] “Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine” [25:10] “Cut the headlights, summer’s a knife” [29:47] “I’m drunk in the back of the car”  [34:15] “He looks up grinning like a devil” [40:08] 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 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.

  4. Jul 8

    Why Summer Hits Different in Taylor Swift Lyrics | AP Taylor Swift

    "Now the sun burns my heart and the sand hurts my feelings" This is a re-air of one of our favorite episodes. We’re  looking at the literary symbolism of summer — freedom, danger, nostalgia, and everything in between. Jenn breaks down "Cruel Summer" (Lover, 2019), Jodi covers "August" (folklore, 2020), and Maansi digs into "hits different" (Midnights, 2023). Along the way we bring in The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more to unpack why summer shows up in literature as both a season of freedom and a season that can cut you to the bone. Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift:  Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next.  Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount  Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes Mentioned in this episode: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald A Room with a View, E.M. Forster A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare My Ántonia, Willa Cather A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle What Happened to Goodbye, Sarah Dessen "White Houses", Vanessa Carlton   Episode Highlights: [02:30] Topic introduction — Summer in literature [09:32] "Cruel Summer" (Lover, 2019) [20:05] "August" (folklore, 2020) [34:05] "hits different" (Midnights, 2023)   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.

  5. Jul 3 ·  Bonus

    Celebrating Taylor Swift’s Wedding Day, from Love Story to Paper Rings to Wi$h Li$t: How Taylor Swift Writes About Weddings, Marriage | AP Taylor Swift Bonus Episode

    "I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings." To celebrate Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding, we each picked a song from Taylor's discography that captures a different perspective on marriage:  the fairy tale proposal of "Love Story" (Fearless, 2008), the anti-materialist love declaration in "Paper Rings" (Lover, 2019), and the suburban married-life contentment of "Wi$h Li$t" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025).  Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes  Mentioned in this episode: E32: Love Story Song Analysis De Beers Diamond Marketing Campaign History Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare *** Episode Highlights: [00:00] Congratulations to the happy couple! [06:52] "Love Story" — the fairy tale proposal [17:09] "Paper Rings" — I don't need the shiny things  [32:35] "Wishlist" — boss up, settle down  [46:00] The songs we didn't pick (and why) [48:44] What was their first dance? 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.

  6. Jul 1

    “Willow” Song Analysis: Witchcraft, Mythology, and Power Dynamics | AP Taylor Swift E137

    “Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind”  This week, we finally try to find the actual meaning behind Taylor Swift's "willow" (evermore, 2020), starting with the witchy mythology behind the title (hello, Hecate, Greek goddess of magic and the underworld) and tracing a real power dynamic underneath it.  Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes Mentioned in this episode: "willow", evermore (2020) “The Odyssey” Deep Dive (E136)  Aesthetic Theory (E29) Witches (E60) Hecate, Greek goddess of magic and the underworld Harry Potter and the Whomping Willow Pocahontas and Grandmother Willow "WAP", Cardi B How I Met Your Mother Episode Highlights: [00:00] Intro — continuing last week's Odyssey deep dive into "willow"  [01:59] The title: willow mythology, Hecate, and witchy vibes  [05:26] “I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night” [17:07] “Lost in your current like a priceless wine” [28:55] “Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind” [42:49] “I come back stronger than a 90s trend” [59:04] 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.

  7. Jun 30 • Subscribers Only

    Taylor Swift's Debut Album | Track-by-Track Lyrical Analysis, Part 2 | After School Paid Episode

    This week, we are continuing our full album deep dive series for our paid subscribers, and finishing up our analysis of Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this episode, we dig into the second half of this album where we start to really get a sense of who Taylor Swift was and the budding talent of the Taylor Swift we know today! Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes In this episode: Track 8: “Stay Beautiful” (Written by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 9: “Should've Said No” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 10: “Mary's Song (Oh My My My)” (Written by Taylor Swift, Liz Rose, and Brian Maher; produced by Nathan Chapman) Track 11: “Our Song” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Unreleased Vault Song: “I’d Lie” (Written by Taylor Swift; produced by Nathan Chapman) Album Purpose: All three of us hosts go around to discuss what we think the overall purpose of Taylor Swift’s debut album was, how she accomplished it, and how this album gives us a peak into the mind of the pop superstar to come. Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwiftInstagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwiftYouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwiftLink Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswiftBookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/aptsLibro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibroContact 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

  8. Jun 30 • Subscribers Only

    Taylor Swift's Debut Album Deep Dive (Part 1) | Portrait of a Popstar as a Young Girl

    For our Apple Podcast Paid subscribers, we’re bringing you our full album deep dive series, starting at the very beginning with Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this episode, we dig into the cover art, the context, and what it meant to introduce yourself to the world as a 16-year-old girl in a genre that had never really made room for one. Want the full track-by-track breakdown — from Tim McGraw through Tied Together with a Smile — and everything we unpack about ambition, identity, and the thesis statement Taylor locked in before she could legally drive. Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift: Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes In this episode: Album Cover Art and Cultural Context Track 1: Tim McGraw — the strategy behind Taylor's very first single Track 2: Picture to Burn — Taylor's first revenge song and a hard pivot from track one Track 3: Teardrops on My Guitar — unrequited love and everyone's origin story Track 4: A Place in This World — the career song that closed the Eras Tour Track 5: Cold as You — track five energy arrives right on schedule Track 6: The Outside — what "outsider" really meant for a girl from Pennsylvania in Nashville Track 7: Tied Together with a Smile — and why it still hits at any age 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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4.7
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

Taylor Swift is the Shakespeare of our time. And we can prove it. AP Taylor Swift is a weekly literary analysis podcast for Swifties who crave smart, funny, and approachable conversations about Taylor's lyrics. Hosts Maansi Dommeti, Jenn Holcomb, and Jodi Innerfield are three longtime Swifties whose different lives mean they never hear a song the same way. Our Show & Tell episodes connect a theme or rhetorical device to songs across her catalog (think Ecocriticism to Hilary Duff); and our Deep Dive episodes go line-by-line through one song to discover what it's really about. Whether you've got the Eras Tour setlist memorized, or you just know 'Shake It Off,’ class is in session. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

Information

  • Creator
    AP Taylor Swift Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AP Taylor Swift
  • Provider
    AP Taylor Swift LLC