The Tortured Podcasters Department

The Tortured Podcasters Dept
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  • Music Commentary

Our department is taking a deep-dive through Taylor Swift's discography from beginning to end. With new episodes releasing weekly on Tuesday mornings, our team is dedicating one season per album and one episode per song with a few bonuses sprinkled in.  We'll be examining relevant background information for each track, as well as looking at songwriting style, literary references, and production choices.  Don't miss the department meeting!

  1. 1d ago

    S1E12: "I'm Only Me When I'm With You"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Karmen, and LucySwift Facts: Following its initial success, Taylor Swift’s debut album got a deluxe edition, released on November 6th 2007, featuring 3 additional tracks.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.”This song is one of the earliest written tracks to be recorded. The production and overall sound is very reminiscent of songs released by Martina McBride and Faith Hill around this same time period.The music video features home video footage taken by Taylor herself, showing life on the road with her family, friends, and band. Despite not making the cut for the original release of the debut album, “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” has been performed live over 100 times. This song captures young friendships really well. The Cats Have It: In honor of our favorite cat lady, we’re each going to pick a line from this song and replace one word with “cat.” Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E12: "I'm Only Me When I'm With You"

  2. Aug 11

    S1E11: "Our Song"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, McCormick, and Caraline.Swift Facts: Taylor originally wrote and performed “Our Song” for her 9th grade talent show.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Our Song.”Taylor has been quoted to say that she “stood by this one and made sure it got recorded.” We’re so glad she did!“Our Song” was the third single off of the debut album. The music video is very cute and holds so much of what would continue to be Taylor’s aesthetic throughout her career even through the changing eras. Another banger with a recognizable fiddle rift. There’s a special rhythm to the verses, delivering a punch to emphasize certain words.In the 2026 New York Times Magazine interview, Taylor explained why she chose the words “real slow” instead of “real low.”This song is the opposite of “the grass is always greener.” There will never be any song better than the one they’ve written for themselves.We love the author reveal at the end of the song. The Collaborators Archive: We learn more about Nathan Chapman, who produced or co-produced on Taylor’s first five albums plus The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection EP.  Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E11: "Our Song"

  3. Aug 4

    S1E10: "Mary's Song (Oh, My, My, My)"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, McCormick, and Nicole.Swift Facts: Taylor plays four instruments – Guitar (acoustic and electric), piano, ukulele, and banjo… though it’s unclear if she plays a traditional banjo or not since she’s been known to tune it like a guitar. Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Mary’s Song (Oh, My, My, My).”This song is inspired by the love story of a couple who used to be neighbors to the Swifts.McCormick is back, and so are the rabbit holes. This song is unique in Taylor’s early songwriting due to it having no repeating parts. The verses and choruses are all unique.We discuss the significance of the first two words “she said” and how the narrative of the song is constructed to go from third person to first person.“Oh, my, my, my” seems to have a different connotation every time it's said in the song.Tay-Lore: Fans were quick to pick up on the strange coincidence of this love song using the line “I’ll be 87, you’ll be 89,” when so many years later 87 would come to be associated with Travis Kelce’s jersey number and 89 would be recognizable as 1989, Taylor’s birth year and the name of her fifth studio album. Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E10: "Mary's Song (Oh, My, My, My)"

  4. Jul 28

    S1E9: "Should've Said No"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Karmen, and Liz.Swift Facts: Taylor reportedly finished her junior and senior year of high school coursework in just 12 months, doing so remotely due to her music career. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Should’ve Said No.”This is the only song on the debut album written in a minor key. “Should’ve Said No” was the 5th and final single off of the album.A young Taylor Swift confirmed that this particular song was about a situation with a high school boyfriend who cheated on her. This song was performed live on the Fearless Tour, the Reputation Stadium Tour, and as a surprise song at The Eras Tour on three separate occasions.There are some things you just can’t come back from… This song illustrates one of those.Word gets around. The fiddle in this song goes hard.“You need one chance” serves double duty. He wants one more chance, but also, all it took was one chance for him to take it and ruin the relationship. Gaslighting at its finest.Tay-Lore: The 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards performance of “Should’ve Said No” is iconic, and was arguably the beginning of Taylor being recognized as an incredible entertainer as well as songwriter.  Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E9: "Should've Said No"

  5. Jul 21

    S1E8: "Stay Beautiful"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Caraline, and Karmen.Swift Facts: During the debut era, Taylor was an opening act on tour with a lot of big names from country music. She opened for Rascal Flatts, George Straight, Brad Paisley, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Stay Beautiful."This song has been performed over 30 times live as of the recording of this episode.We’re severely confused by the first verse of this song.We hope the window is open and that it’s on the first floor, otherwise no wonder they’re “words nobody knows.” Speak up, Cory! Why are you whispering?One of the sweetest songs in Taylor’s discography.Turns out, “Stay Beautiful" is perfect greeting card material.Is the tempo change on the bridge a way to communicate falling back into reality versus the daydream of the rest of the song?The Cats Have It: In honor of our favorite cat lady, we’re each going to pick a line from this song and replace one word with “cat.” Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E8: "Stay Beautiful"

  6. Jul 14

    S1E7: "Tied Together With a Smile"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Caraline, and LucySwift Facts: Liz Rose co-wrote 7 of the 11 songs on Taylor Swift’s debut album.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Tied Together With A Smile.”Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics surrounding mental health, eating disorders, and body image. For a lighter discussion, skip this episode. If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, please seek professional support.The background story of this song is sadly very relatable and relevant. We can picture a music video for this song so vividly.It’s difficult to live up to other people’s view of you and easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough to meet their expectations.We go down a deep rabbit hole about cleaning the Statue of Liberty.The Collaborators Archive: We learn a bit more about Liz Rose, who has co-written a whopping 17 Taylor Swift songs total over the years. Liz was an early collaborator and mentor to Taylor. Liz won her first Grammy alongside Taylor for “White Horse” in 2010. Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E7: "Tied Together With a Smile"

  7. Jul 7

    S1E6: "The Outside"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, McCormick, and LucySwift Facts: Taylor wrote “The Outside” when she was 12 years old making it one of her earliest written songs to be released.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “The Outside.”Typical 2000s pop country sound to the production of this song. The music is upbeat, but the lyrics are kind of a downer.McCormick went down a rabbit hole about the difference between a violin and a fiddle. Amy clarifies: there is none. It has to do with the style in which you play it, but the same instrument is used for both. “The Road Not Taken” comes up again, this time the Robert Frost poem is referenced directly in the song. Things not working out the first few times is a theme in Taylor’s music. In “Mirrorball,” she claims to have “never been a natural.” This has the same vibes. The use of a question to bring the audience into the conversation. We don’t miss high school. “The Outside” perfectly captures the feelings and emotions from watching other people make plans to hang out right in front of you and consistently feeling left out. Tay-Lore: We revisit the hidden messages in the lyrics in the CD booklet for the self-titled album. Sam sure did mess up. Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E6: "The Outside"

  8. Jun 30

    S1E5: "Cold As You"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, McCormick, and LizSwift Facts: "Cold As You" started the Track 5 tradition – with Taylor famously putting some of her most emotional and personal songs in the 5th spot on her albums. Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Cold As You.”Another Liz Rose co-written track, Taylor once said she believed this song was one of the best the two have ever written.This song is just super depressing four lines in.“Cold As You” shows off Taylor’s vocals in a way that reminds us of her later music.To quote McCormick, if we were to make a pro/con list “there are no pros” for the “Cold As You” guy.Unbalanced power dynamics are a theme throughout a lot of Taylor’s discography.Taylor’s use of shades of gray and painting walls appears in other songs such as “Everything Has Changed,” “Peace,” and loosely in “Honey.”Taylor Terminology: The word to define and use in a sentence is: Condescending. Connect with Us: Send a department memo or follow us on social media by clicking here. Music/Sound Credits: Intro Music: "A Stylish Beat (Infinite Echoes)" by ONALDIN via Pixabay Tay-Lore: “Lullaby Sleeping” by Music_for_Videos via Pixabay Taylor Terminology: “Classical Royal British Music” by DELOSound via Pixabay Various sound effects: Pixabay

    S1E5: "Cold As You"
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Our department is taking a deep-dive through Taylor Swift's discography from beginning to end. With new episodes releasing weekly on Tuesday mornings, our team is dedicating one season per album and one episode per song with a few bonuses sprinkled in.  We'll be examining relevant background information for each track, as well as looking at songwriting style, literary references, and production choices.  Don't miss the department meeting!

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