I realize I'm coming into this conversation quite late but I always take a few days to digest a new Taylor Swift album. My first listen through was much like my first listen through of TTPD, that it was fine, good pop-y fun, but then I listened to it again, and again, and again... and went to the release party. Now it won't leave my head. I woke up this morning with Father Figure on repeat in my brain, and it feels like a new song from the album takes that slot each day. I just love that Taylor continues to put out quality work and evolve as an artist. Is it my favorite album of hers? It is at least right now, but it also has me going back and listening to Lover (a criminally underrated album), Folklore (a perennially favorite), Midnights (for those Era's tour feelings), and TTPD to really appreciate how far she's come lyrically and sonically.
I was shocked to hear Sarah and Beth say they don't listen to TTPD anymore, that album only gets better on a re-listen, imho. Except Manuscript.
So yesterday I refused to check the news, or the internet or social media. I listened to the album at least 5 times (starting at 3:30 am when I couldn’t sleep) I decided it was just going to be a happy day. This album brought me so much happiness - i was not going to ruin it with one bad news story or negative comment. It was an amazing time if just listening and learning the lyrics and then singing at the top of my lungs. The day ended going to an album drop party drag show where the Queens already knew all the words and lip synced and performed the songs with amazing costumes they had made themselves. It was a room full of Swifties and allies and it was pure joy. Today I went to the movie and everyone there was just talking with each other and discussing our favorite songs and what we loved about the album. We didn’t know each other and we didn’t know anything about each other but we didn’t hesitate to act like old friends. This is one reason I love Taylor - i just want more of that.
I have been dancing around, fall cleaning my garage since 6am. As of my 20th +- run through of the whole album - my *current two favs are "Life of a Showgirl" and "The Fate of Ophelia" - they are both the whole package in my opinion - lyrics, story and bop - chef's kiss! Also - Love, love, love "Wood" makes me giggle :-). I didn't initially realize that there was an explicit version of the album. However I immediately knew what the song referenced... and that "skies" was more accurately "thighs" LOL. As always, Taylor has made me smile and dance in this total shit year - thank you Taylor (and Travis)!
I suspect many of you have listened to the New Heights podcast, for any who like me didn’t think there was any need to go there, we are wrong— go listen! It’s such a fun backdrop to this album and of course their relationship
We went and saw the Release party movie last night and it was delightful- go see if you can, only in theaters this weekend❤️ I am the only human thus far that has the favorite song of Life of a Showgirl!! I love her voice and Sabrina’s together. The internet was delightful initially and now they are indeed trying to ruin everything… Maybe we should go back to the rule if you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all, especially related to somebodies creative endeavor…
They do the clean versions of the songs in the film and she gives an explanation of each- I was very excited to see what she would say about Wood and she did not disappoint stating it was about superstition and “stuff like that”- long shot away to a mischievous grin😂
I took my 9 year old to see the release party at the theatre last night. It was so fun and she got so many friendship bracelets. We were debating our favorites the whole way home.
Me - Opalite,Cancelled
Her - Fate of Ophelia
She also told me she thought Wood sounded like the happy song you play at the end of a movie.
Beth and Sarah’s voice constantly in my head seeing people (might be “people” aka bots) “this album is dumb, I don’t care that you have good sex, this is distracting from more important things going on in the world” blah blah blah. Honeys, we can hold more than one thing at a time. Honeys, one doesn’t negate the other. Honeys, we contain multitudes. Honeys, Taylor contains multitudes. Honeys, sexual freedom and pleasure are for everyone in all packages (no pun intended) if they are for anyone in any package. Honeys, the pile on is uninteresting and unproductive.
All of this, the need for people to drag her down, her talent, her songwriting—is so tired. Like what you like, and unless someone specifically asks, keep what you hate to yourself. It's not hard. Don't be a butthole.
Loved reading your reactions and favorite lyrics, Sarah! For me, this album felt like a victory lap for her in the best way.
My absolute favorite is The Fate of Ophelia... the lyrics! the allegory! the beat! I think I appreciated all the references to her relationship with Travis even more for having listened to her on the New Heights podcast. I probably listened to it 57 times today... can't stop, won't stop.
Other favorites: CANCELLED!, Life of a Showgirl, and honorable mentions to Wi$h Li$t and Father Figure. Also agree that the ending to the last track was absolute perfection. 🤌
tl;dr... the world feels hard right now, but at least we have Taylor!
Listening to this album and watching reactions made me realize that it has been so long since we've been dancing!! Thank you Taylor for forcing us to shake our asses!
I also just want to enjoy *something* to give my nervous system a break. God bless T Swift and this album! 🙌 My favorites so far (but subject to change once I really take in the music and lyrics) The Fate of Ophelia and Cancelled! 💚🧡💚🧡
I wore my “Life of a Teacher” shirt I ordered from the TikTok shop and started listening to the album at 6 AM in my husband’s recliner where I had to sleep last night because of back pain. At first I thought it sounded so good because of the pain meds and muscle relaxers, but no. I listened to every song over and over, and it’s amazing! I’m sad I couldn’t wear my shirt to school, but if I’d been teaching today I wouldn’t have been able to have my own Swiftie fest all day on the heating pad! 😆
I’m a school psychologist and three of my teachers wore their “The Life of a Teacher” shirt and I wore my “In My Purple Era” (which is our district’s main spirit color) 😁
Cancelled - I had to immediately hit replay on that one. Maybe it's because of things happening in my life. "I solute you if you're much to much to handle".
I realize I'm coming into this conversation quite late but I always take a few days to digest a new Taylor Swift album. My first listen through was much like my first listen through of TTPD, that it was fine, good pop-y fun, but then I listened to it again, and again, and again... and went to the release party. Now it won't leave my head. I woke up this morning with Father Figure on repeat in my brain, and it feels like a new song from the album takes that slot each day. I just love that Taylor continues to put out quality work and evolve as an artist. Is it my favorite album of hers? It is at least right now, but it also has me going back and listening to Lover (a criminally underrated album), Folklore (a perennially favorite), Midnights (for those Era's tour feelings), and TTPD to really appreciate how far she's come lyrically and sonically.
I was shocked to hear Sarah and Beth say they don't listen to TTPD anymore, that album only gets better on a re-listen, imho. Except Manuscript.
Thank you! Can we just have a moment for some [no deep thought required] good fun!?!!!
So yesterday I refused to check the news, or the internet or social media. I listened to the album at least 5 times (starting at 3:30 am when I couldn’t sleep) I decided it was just going to be a happy day. This album brought me so much happiness - i was not going to ruin it with one bad news story or negative comment. It was an amazing time if just listening and learning the lyrics and then singing at the top of my lungs. The day ended going to an album drop party drag show where the Queens already knew all the words and lip synced and performed the songs with amazing costumes they had made themselves. It was a room full of Swifties and allies and it was pure joy. Today I went to the movie and everyone there was just talking with each other and discussing our favorite songs and what we loved about the album. We didn’t know each other and we didn’t know anything about each other but we didn’t hesitate to act like old friends. This is one reason I love Taylor - i just want more of that.
My favorites so far are Fate of Ophelia and Canceled! Actually romantic was giving me Olivia Rodrigo Sour vibes and I’m here for it!!
Just getting my 8 year old caught up because I was away this weekend and he said Actually Romatic sounded like Olivia Rodrigo! I agreed!!!
I have been dancing around, fall cleaning my garage since 6am. As of my 20th +- run through of the whole album - my *current two favs are "Life of a Showgirl" and "The Fate of Ophelia" - they are both the whole package in my opinion - lyrics, story and bop - chef's kiss! Also - Love, love, love "Wood" makes me giggle :-). I didn't initially realize that there was an explicit version of the album. However I immediately knew what the song referenced... and that "skies" was more accurately "thighs" LOL. As always, Taylor has made me smile and dance in this total shit year - thank you Taylor (and Travis)!
I suspect many of you have listened to the New Heights podcast, for any who like me didn’t think there was any need to go there, we are wrong— go listen! It’s such a fun backdrop to this album and of course their relationship
Love your breakdown! The albums been on repeat at our house. I unironically love Wood. It’s such a bop.
We went and saw the Release party movie last night and it was delightful- go see if you can, only in theaters this weekend❤️ I am the only human thus far that has the favorite song of Life of a Showgirl!! I love her voice and Sabrina’s together. The internet was delightful initially and now they are indeed trying to ruin everything… Maybe we should go back to the rule if you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all, especially related to somebodies creative endeavor…
I was really impressed with how her and Sabrina’s voices blended!
They do the clean versions of the songs in the film and she gives an explanation of each- I was very excited to see what she would say about Wood and she did not disappoint stating it was about superstition and “stuff like that”- long shot away to a mischievous grin😂
Yes it was perrrfect! And the whole thing such a delight.
I took my 9 year old to see the release party at the theatre last night. It was so fun and she got so many friendship bracelets. We were debating our favorites the whole way home.
Me - Opalite,Cancelled
Her - Fate of Ophelia
She also told me she thought Wood sounded like the happy song you play at the end of a movie.
Beth and Sarah’s voice constantly in my head seeing people (might be “people” aka bots) “this album is dumb, I don’t care that you have good sex, this is distracting from more important things going on in the world” blah blah blah. Honeys, we can hold more than one thing at a time. Honeys, one doesn’t negate the other. Honeys, we contain multitudes. Honeys, Taylor contains multitudes. Honeys, sexual freedom and pleasure are for everyone in all packages (no pun intended) if they are for anyone in any package. Honeys, the pile on is uninteresting and unproductive.
All of this, the need for people to drag her down, her talent, her songwriting—is so tired. Like what you like, and unless someone specifically asks, keep what you hate to yourself. It's not hard. Don't be a butthole.
Loved reading your reactions and favorite lyrics, Sarah! For me, this album felt like a victory lap for her in the best way.
My absolute favorite is The Fate of Ophelia... the lyrics! the allegory! the beat! I think I appreciated all the references to her relationship with Travis even more for having listened to her on the New Heights podcast. I probably listened to it 57 times today... can't stop, won't stop.
Other favorites: CANCELLED!, Life of a Showgirl, and honorable mentions to Wi$h Li$t and Father Figure. Also agree that the ending to the last track was absolute perfection. 🤌
tl;dr... the world feels hard right now, but at least we have Taylor!
Listening to this album and watching reactions made me realize that it has been so long since we've been dancing!! Thank you Taylor for forcing us to shake our asses!
I also just want to enjoy *something* to give my nervous system a break. God bless T Swift and this album! 🙌 My favorites so far (but subject to change once I really take in the music and lyrics) The Fate of Ophelia and Cancelled! 💚🧡💚🧡
I've only listened to a couple songs so far, but this write up has me even more excited. I love your takes!
I wore my “Life of a Teacher” shirt I ordered from the TikTok shop and started listening to the album at 6 AM in my husband’s recliner where I had to sleep last night because of back pain. At first I thought it sounded so good because of the pain meds and muscle relaxers, but no. I listened to every song over and over, and it’s amazing! I’m sad I couldn’t wear my shirt to school, but if I’d been teaching today I wouldn’t have been able to have my own Swiftie fest all day on the heating pad! 😆
I’m a school psychologist and three of my teachers wore their “The Life of a Teacher” shirt and I wore my “In My Purple Era” (which is our district’s main spirit color) 😁
Cancelled - I had to immediately hit replay on that one. Maybe it's because of things happening in my life. "I solute you if you're much to much to handle".
One of my favorite lines from that song!