The Tortured Podcasters Department

The Tortured Podcasters Dept
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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!

  1. Sep 29

    S1E18: "Permanent Marker"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Liz, and McCormickSwift Facts: There are several songs from Taylor Swift’s early career that became fan favorites, despite never having been officially released.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Permanent Marker.”“Permanent Marker” was never officially released, but this song made the rounds back in the day among Swifties.This song has a fascinating history.“Permanent Marker” was written before Taylor’s debut album, but didn’t make the cut. It was later reworked with a bridge added and was intended for Fearless but, again, didn’t make the cut.We love that she’s telling us right off the bat that she ain’t trying to be mature about this situation.Why does this boy have a picture of his ex taped to his wall? We’re beginning to think HE’S the problem. Where did she hide the pieces of the picture?The bridge adds a missing piece of the puzzle to this story.During recording, the third page appears behind Taylor’s letter on her website, sending our hosts into a tailspin. We suspected it was about Debut TV. Now we know that it was not. Oops.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

    S1E18: "Permanent Marker"

  2. Sep 22

    S1E17: "I'd Lie"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, McCormick, and KarmenSwift Facts: Despite being a fan favorite from the debut era, the song “I’d Lie” was never released. Fans knew it from live performances of it on GAC Shortcuts and Billboard Live.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “I’d Lie.”An unreleased song from the Debut Era, “I’d Lie” became a fan favorite due to a leaked recording and some live performances.This song has fun juxtapositions between rattling off facts about someone, while denying that they mean anything to you. We’re now thinking way too much about “I’d Lie” Guy and his 1,000-yard stare.Tay-Lore: The Mandela Effect is strong with this one. Many fans (including Karmen) swear that it was released on a special edition of the Debut album, but that is a Swifite wives tale started by false information on Wikipedia.  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

    S1E17: "I'd Lie"

  3. Sep 15

    S1E16: "I Heart ?"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Liz, and KarmenSwift Facts: When the Beautiful Eyes EP was released, it replaced Taylor’s debut album as #1 on the Top Country Albums Billboard chart. “Taylor Swift” moved into the #2 spot, making Taylor the first artist to hold the top two positions on the chart since LeAnn Rimes did it in 1997. Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “I Heart ?.”Just like “Beautiful Eyes,” this song was also written when Taylor was just 13 years old. It’s fun and quirky.The rhyme scheme is so insanely catchy, especially on the first verse!Is anyone else reminded of Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated”?He’s trying to get her back and she’s like, “We are never ever getting back together. Like ever.”Weaponizing millennial hand doodling is genius.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

    S1E16: "I Heart ?"

  4. Sep 8

    S1E15: "Beautiful Eyes"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Liz, and KarmenSwift Facts: The Beautiful Eyes EP was released in July 2008 to “tide fans over until the next album.” The EP was a Walmart Exclusive release because Taylor didn’t want it released too widely and confusing people into thinking it was her next full length album.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Beautiful Eyes.”Taylor wrote this song when she was just 13 years old, according to a now archived MySpace post.The first live performance of this song on record happened in 2005, three years before it would be released on the EP.“Beautiful Eyes” is one of the few songs never performed on the Eras Tour.The music video features clips from Taylor’s 18th birthday celebration.This song encompasses the feelings of having an all-consuming crush for the first time. Taylor often describes falling in love as feeling like flying.We know a lot of Taylor’s early love songs were based on observing other people or fictional characters. Our hosts start some wild rumors about what movies this song is based on.Tay-Lore: We discuss the release of the “Beautiful Eyes” EP and everything that was on the physical discs. 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

    S1E15: "Beautiful Eyes"

  5. Sep 1

    S1E14: "A Perfectly Good Heart"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Nicole, and LizSwift Facts: Taylor Swift’s debut album was released in the US and Canada in 2006, but didn’t get a wider international release until two years later in 2008.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “A Perfectly Good Heart.”Amy is not this song’s biggest fan. Liz likes it because it is very different from other tracks, making it unique.We find out a little more about the co-writers on this track, who had a massive hit with Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel.”This song starts with a chorus, which is a bit out of the ordinary for Taylor. Nicole explains her take on why the lyrics are so repetitive, with the song mimicking how a mind can spiral and circle in this type of situation. Is this the shortest bridge to ever exist in a Taylor Swift 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

    S1E14: "A Perfectly Good Heart"

  6. Aug 25

    S1E13: "Invisible"

    Welcome to The Tortured Podcasters Department. On the agenda for today… Hosts: Amy, Nicole, and KarmenSwift Facts: Taylor’s lucky association with the number 13 started early on – with her noting that she turned 13 on Friday the 13th and her debut album went gold in 13 weeks.Department Findings: We dive into the background, production, and lyrics of “Invisible.”According to an Instagram post by Taylor’s co-writer and the producer of this track, Robert Ellis Orrall, this song was recorded in 2004. The song is about unrequited love.Invisible can reference how Taylor feels, how her crush feels since his love interest doesn’t seem to be returning his affections, and also describes the inexistence of Taylor and the guy being an item. We have more references to eyes. Wanting to love someone isn’t the same as actively loving them. “Like shadows in a faded light” is a very poetic way to say that without light, there are no shadows, and therefore they are invisible. Did this boy know her? Did she know him? We’d love to know.Tay-Lore: We explore more of the details of the release of the Taylor Swift Deluxe Edition 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

    S1E13: "Invisible"

  7. Aug 18

    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"

  8. 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"
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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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