AP Taylor Swift

AP Taylor Swift Podcast
AP Taylor Swift

AP Taylor Swift is the podcast for Swifties with English degrees (or those who over-analyze everything). Each episode, we dive into a deep-reading of Taylor Swift’s lyrics to uncover the literary themes, references, and inspirations behind the songs to better understand and interpret why Taylor’s songs resonate so deeply with fans. Join every Wednesday as an english professor, a grad student of liberal arts, and a psych major–all Swifties, naturally–explore Taylor Swift in a way that would make your English teacher proud. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Follow us 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

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    E63: Show and Tell - Garden Songs

    “We can plant a memory garden.” This week we have a show and tell episode on garden songs, exploring the theme of gardens and flowers across Taylor Swift’s lyrics. From the haunting imagery in Ivy to the rich symbolism of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Cowboy Like Me, and the many different flowers in The Great War, we dig (get it?) into how Taylor uses garden and flower metaphors to evoke ideas of romance, loyalty, and loss.    Mentioned in this episode:  E7: S&T-Ecocriticism The Bible  Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence  The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett  The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde  E32: DD-Love Story Gardens of Babylon Photo 1  Gardens of Babylon Photo 2  Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf  Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence  Crimson Clover Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll  In Flanders Fields by John McCrae The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum  The New Look on Apple TV+   ***   Episode Highlights:  [03:56] “ivy” evermore [16:42] “cowboy like me” evermore [28:00] “The Great War” Midnights (3am Edition)   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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   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.   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

    46 min
  2. NOV 8

    E62: Bookish Chat With Laura Bankers of Little Owlet Art

    Surprise! We have another exciting guest episode for you this week where we chat with Laura Bankers, who is a swiftie, book-lover, and an incredible artist who makes the cutest swiftie and bookish-themed stickers. Tune in to hear us talk about her business, inspiration, and community, and stick around for a special spin-the-wheel game at the end!   You can find Laura on Instagram with the handle @little.owlet.art, through her monthly newsletter, and on Etsy through her store LittleOwletArt. Mentioned in this episode:  @Little.owlet.art on Instagram Harry Potter series by JK Rowling August Days on Etsy Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Cinderella Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Princess Diaries 2 Happy Place by Emily Henry  Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab Funny Story by Emily Henry Duma Key by Stephen King Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory Six The Musical Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen A Cinderella Story The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver The OC Atonement by Ian McEwan Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 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   ***   Episode Highlights:  [00:15] Meet Laura Bankers of LittleOwletArt [5:13] Inspiration process  [7:30] TS Collab Wishlist  [11:45] Changed by the fandom [13:22] Creating a community [18:52] Books & Taylor Swift [21:16] Game time! Spin the Wheel [40:17] The song that made Laura a Swiftie   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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 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.

    44 min
  3. NOV 6

    E61: Deep Dive - Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me

    "You don’t get to tell me about sad.” This week, we deep dive into Taylor Swift's song “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me” from The Tortured Poets Department. For this TTPD and Eras Tour favorite, we unpack the song’s references to fame, power dynamics, and female identity. We explore how this song brings up our experiences of passive-aggressive workplaces, and being asked to change our behavior to fit other’s expectations. It’s a meaty episode–listen and let us know what you think!   Mentioned in this episode:  Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Edward Albee Apex Predator, Mean Girls   E23: Mad Women The Great Gatsby Pirates of the Caribbean  Les Misérables Wicked  Episode Highlights:  [01:52] How we do a deep dive [03:19] Unpacking references in the song’s title [07:49] “The who’s who of who’s that” [13:01] “If you wanted me dead, you should have just said” [18:56] “So I leap from the gallows” [21:20] “At all costs, keep your good name” [32:25] “So tell me everything is not about me” [37:57] "That's why you're still singing along" [42:39] The purpose of the song [52:00] Listener homework!   Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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   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.   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

    56 min
  4. OCT 30

    E60: Show and Tell - Witches

    “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one.” Happy spooky season! This week, we dive into the topic of witches. From historical midwives to fantasy heroines, Taylor’s music has a little bit for everyone. In this episode, we look at the fiery witch imagery in “I Did Something Bad,” explore the visual choice of witchiness in “willow,” and discuss the fantasy of owning your power in “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me.” With plenty of Harry Potter references for all, this episode is perfect for the inner Hermione in us all. Because at the end of the day, aren’t we all just powerful witches who are also kind of giant nerds?    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Mentioned in this episode:  E7: Ecocriticism  E23: Mad Women  E19: Satire  Pride and Prejudice Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English Harry Potter Willow Music Video Outlander Buffy the Vampire Slayer E9: Fall Songs Les Miserables The Crucible  The Power, Naomi Alderman Shit Cassandra Saw, Gwen E. Kirby Jennifer’s Body  Great Expectations Invisible Women, Caroline Criado-Perez *** Episode Highlights:  [01:15] Introduction to Witches [07:34] I Did Something Bad - “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one” [19:36] Willow - “Wait for the signal and I’ll meet you after dark” [34:30] Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me - “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street”   Follow us 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   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.   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

    46 min
  5. OCT 23

    E59: Deep Dive - Vigilante Shit

    “Lately I’ve been dressing for revenge.” This week we deep dive Eras tour favorite Vigilante Shit from Taylor Swift’s album “Midnights.” We discuss the meaning of “vigilante,” how the song challenges traditional gender roles, and the many potential pop culture references and parallels that make the song fit into the broader cultural narrative of women reclaiming their power. Is "Vigilante Shit" a feminist anthem or just a really fun revenge fantasy? Listen and find out! Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Mentioned in this episode:  E58: Show and Tell - Style The Little Rascals The Lion King  Circe by Madeline Miller  The Incredibles Mean Girls  John Tucker Must Die Pretty Little Liars  Chicago White Collar  Hamilton  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ***   Episode Highlights:  [01:20] “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man” [06:45] “They say looks can kill and I might try” [12:24] “Don’t get sad, get even” [21:36] “Ladies always rise above…” [30:10] “I don’t dress for villains” [38:20] The purpose of the song    Follow us 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   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.

    42 min
  6. OCT 16

    E58: Show and Tell - Style featuring Sarah Chapelle of Taylor Swift Style

    “We never go out of style.” This week we have a very special guest joining us to talk about Style. Yes, we’re interviewing Queen of Taylor Swift Style herself Sarah Chapelle! Sarah joins us to talk about her new book Taylor Swift Style, how her blog and commentary have evolved over the years, and how Taylor’s fashion and music work in tandem to communicate a message. Then we dive into a show and tell featuring three songs that address the idea of style in one way or another: “Style”, “Dress”, and “Vigilante Shit”.  Mentioned in this episode:  TaylorSwiftStyle.com Taylor Swift Style Book @TaylorSwiftStyled on Instagram  @taylorswiftstyle.com on TikTok Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Selkie Dress “Call It What You Want” Necklace Gucci Scarf  Taylor Swift Style Book Tour Dame Mary Quant  Dressed to Kill Etymology Elizabeth Holmes “So Many Thoughts” Blog The Man Repeller  Invisible Women  History of the Cat Eye Liner  *** Episode Highlights:  [01:12] Interview with Sarah Chapelle of Taylor Swift Style [31:50] “Style” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) [44:00] “Dress” Reputation  [55:59] “Vigilante Shit” Midnights    Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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 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.

    1h 14m
  7. OCT 9

    E57: Deep Dive - ...Question?

    “It’s just a question!” In this week’s episode, we do a deep dive into the ultimate rhetorical question song from Taylor Swift - “Question…?” from Midnights. We get into our own questions, such as who is the “I,” the “you,” and the “her” in the story? What were the miscommunications? Was this a one-night stand or a longer situationship? While we never get any answers to the questions asked within the song, you'll have to tune in to see whether we answer our own questions about “Question…?”    Mentioned in this episode:  “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens  The Ugly Truth (film)  Ted Lasso (tv show)  Notting Hill (film) “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne  Bridgerton Season Two Daisy Jones and the Six (book)  Daisy Jones and the Six (tv show)  Episode Highlights:  [00:30] Introduction to “Question…?” [02:13] The characters in the song [04:30] Starting with “I remember” [09:17] Moving into the present tense  [16:20] The chorus of “Question…?” [29:37] “Half moon eyes” and verse 2  [39:28] Politics and gender roles [44:52] Who is “her” in this song [56:06] The purpose of the song  Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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   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.

    1h 2m
  8. OCT 4

    E56: DJ Louie XIV of Pop Pantheon Talks Taylor Swift and Pop Stars

    In our first guest episode this season, we welcome DJ Louie XIV of Pop Pantheon to talk all things pop and Taylor Swift. DJ Louie discusses how he analyzes pop music in his podcast, Pop Pantheon, and delves into Taylor Swift’s unique role within the pop music landscape. We discuss Taylor’s cultural impact, her mastery of storytelling, and the influence of Jack Antonoff on her music.    Mentioned in this episode:  Pop Pantheon Podcast Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Twitter Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram E31: Shakespeare E32: Love Story ***   Episode Highlights:  [4:04] Why is pop music so fun to overanalyze? [6:11] How Taylor Swift fits into the pop music Landscape [15:25] Taylor Swift as “basic savant” [27:30] Folklore Evermore Reset  [30:00] Taylor’s artistic evolutions through her albums  [34:28] The Jack Antonoff Partnerships [36:44] Tortured Poets and Lyrical Editing [41:07] The pop music formula Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe   Follow us 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   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.   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

    59 min
4.7
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

AP Taylor Swift is the podcast for Swifties with English degrees (or those who over-analyze everything). Each episode, we dive into a deep-reading of Taylor Swift’s lyrics to uncover the literary themes, references, and inspirations behind the songs to better understand and interpret why Taylor’s songs resonate so deeply with fans. Join every Wednesday as an english professor, a grad student of liberal arts, and a psych major–all Swifties, naturally–explore Taylor Swift in a way that would make your English teacher proud. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Follow us 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

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