#and for reference the answer to what parachute songs reference taylor | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shedidntevenswear · 1 year

Text

Here’s where I think we get how we talk about Taylor’s song inspirations (or what @namemarjorie has called Muse Politics) wrong: while early days I think they were probably a lot more literal, we also know that she’s been making up stories for songs since she was like 12 and that she’s incredibly skilled at writing GOOD songs, not just 100% historically accurate songs.

Back in 2010 I was at a Parachute concert and ended up chatting with a member of the band (not Will Anderson sadly, I may have passed away if it was) after he commented on my Speak Now shirt and asked about what songs Will had written about Taylor, and he said something that really stuck with me. Will, like most songwriters, takes inspiration from a lot of different places so *parts* of songs are about a person, and the whole song may be capturing the emotions felt with that person, but not very many songs are factually about one single person.

I think this absolutely is how Taylor writes. It’s diaristic, yes, but not in the way that every word and phrase can be mapped back to a real historical moment in time for her. There are, of course, real things that are public knowledge that she references in songs so we know they are grounded in fact, and probably a lot of private moments grounded in fact that we’ll never have confirmation of. But there are also metaphors and imagery and just things she spun up that sound nice and paint the emotional picture she’s trying to convey. She’s an artist, not a reporter. Dissecting every word to every song and then claiming ultimate knowledge of every relationship she’s had is a wasted exercise, and, in my opinion, missing the point of the art.

#amanda please #and for reference the answer to what parachute songs reference taylor #its white dress and kiss me slowly #also if anyone wants to get on the topic of how this also applies to scripture i could go OFF #like you gotta look at what youre supposed to learn from the whole story not just take one verse super literally #also please dont take this as me saying all speaking of who songs are about is off limits or dumb or anything #because i think there is value in understanding the context a piece of art was created in so that you can better liken it to you #thats like the point of plaques next to art in museums to give context #but if you end up caring more about the plaque than the art that defeats the purpose

70 notes · View notes

behindsonglyrics · 7 years

Text

Begin Again Masterpost

This is my second masterpost and will be one of my shortest. I decided to do Begin Again because it’s one of my favorites on RED. I’m sure it’s unnecessary since everyone seems to know who Begin Again is about, right? If not, well.. Hey, now you’ll know.

Let’s start breaking it down by what Taylor said about the song;

"It's actually a song about when you've gotten through a really bad relationship and you finally dust yourself off and go on that first date after a horrible break up. And the vulnerability that goes along with all of that." - Taylor

Taylor also gives a specific hint in this quote; “There were a few track list choices I knew I was going to make way in advance. I knew I wanted to bookend the album with 'State of Grace' and 'Begin Again' because they're inspired by the same person who inspired a few songs on the record. I wanted to start and end the album with the first and last song I ever wrote about that relationship." - Taylor

What Taylor is saying in that quote in that quote is. Jake is the guy she broke up with (you know, the one who hated when she wore heels?) While Will is the one who restores the idea of love back when originally she was badly hurt. We know State of Grace is about Jake simply from the line; “Four blue eyes / twin fire signs” a reference to both Jake and Taylor’s zodiac signs and blue eyes.

Just from what Taylor said, the song is very self-explanatory.. So, there isn’t really much to dig into.

Now, who it’s about you may ask? The answer to that question is, Will Anderson from Parachute.

Why is it about Will? Well, let’s break down the lyrics;

“He didn't like it when I wore high heels But I do” - This lyric is referring to the criticism Taylor would get from her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, the reason for this is, because of Jake’s insecurity it seems, as they were close in height.

But with Will, it was different as he’s taller than Taylor, therefore there isn’t any criticism ever coming from Will.

“I've been spending the last eight months Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again” - From these lines, Taylor let’s us know exactly who it’s about just from the date alone as Jake and Taylor split in February of 2011 while Taylor and Will’s first date was around November of 2011, therefore bringing us in the 8 month timeline mark.

“You said you never met one girl Who had as many James Taylor records as you But I do” - From here, the song cannot be about Jake, because he is an indie lover, while Will is the complete opposite.

Symbolic References:

In Begin Again, Taylor has a specific cover for the song which is here;

The white dress seen here is actually a reference to Will Anderson’s song; “White Dress” the story of White Dress is about how Taylor and Will were hanging out, then suddenly song writing was brought up, in the moment, Will looked at Taylor and saw she was wearing a white dress and quickly said he wrote a song called; “White Dress” when really he didn’t. Taylor asked to hear it, but Will ran out as he didn’t have a song, but he did end up writing one actually called “White Dress” about Taylor.

Here is Will talking about him and Taylor and “White Dress”

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okclPrFrDd8

The same white dress used in the cover art for Begin Again is the white dress Taylor wore around Will.

Now finally, the last obvious hint of it being Will is the model who plays in Begin Again hand-selected by Taylor, has similar features/personality as Will.

Well there you have it. Begin Again clearly points to Will.

[Keep in mind, this is a theory. I cannot paint it as a fact as I’m not Taylor herself.]

32 notes · View notes

i-am-a-blue-dragon · 7 years

Note

If I'm doing all the music asks, so are you. I CHALLENGE THEE.

It has been a calendar year since you sent me this. SORRY. You know I’ve been busy. @groovyaviator also asked me Daft Punk, Fall Out Boy, and Led Zeppelin. Let’s do this.

- Alabama Shakes: Favorite female lead? Aurora.

- Arctic Monkeys: Favorite male lead? Chris Martin.

- Ben Howard: An album that reminds you of your favorite season? Aurora’s All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, because it reminds me of when of that moment in late October when you realize winter is on its way. But I’m also a fan of our weather right now, so for that I would assign Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto. And I’ve also come to favor the weather around my birthday midsummer, and for that I’d assign The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bon Iver: An album you could listen to on repeat for years? Coldplay’s X&Y. Regina Spektor’s Far, as well as What We Saw from the Cheap Seats. alt-J’s entire discography. The How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack by John Powell. The soundtrack to Jane Eyre by Dario Marianelli. The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bastille: A song that brings back bad memories? Already Over by Red. Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood. The Ballad of John Hurt by alt-J, but the memory is more bittersweet than bad. Yes by Coldplay, tied closely with Two Birds by Regina Spektor.

- The Beatles: An artist you think is overrated? Ed Sheeran.

- Coldplay: A band you used to love but never listen to anymore? Coldplay, right now! I still love them very much but I’ve been listening to a lot of other stuff. Also, Linkin Park, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence… I went through a phase.

- Daft Punk: Favorite instrumental (no vocals) song? The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman. It also is my favorite song, but specifically the composer’s cut version.

- Dawes: A genre of music you absolutely cannot stand? I really have a hard time with country. I’m sorry, Becca.

- Electric Light Orchestra: Favorite song to help you cheer up? I have a 75 song playlist of these, my dude. Rasputin by Boney M. reminds me of a ridiculous time in high school and never fails to make me smile, but most of the time my go-to is Everything’s Not Lost by Coldplay.

- Elliot Smith: Favorite song to listen to when you’re sad? I tend not to listen to a lot of music when I’m sad… but maybe the cover of Where Is My Mind by Bandit.

- Evanesence: Ever done drugs and listened to music? Lol no.

- Fun.: Put your music on shuffle and list the first three. Whatever happens, I blame Spotify: 1) Dust by Hans Zimmer (Interstellar soundtrack), 2) The Kill Ring by John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack), 3) Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood. I only can recall listening to the middle one because I have a habit of saving albums to listen to later.

- Fall Out Boy: First album you fell in love with? Vocal: Linkin Park’s Meteora. Instrumental: John Williams’s soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

- Green Day: A song that makes you feel rebellious? Boss Ass Bitch by PTAF!

- George Ezra: A song that reminds you of a past lover? I don’t really have any of those, but you can refer to the bad memory response because it’s basically the same list.

- Genesis: A band that your parents always played when you were little? The Rolling Stones, because if it’s parents plural my dad is the automatic DJ and he plays classic rock exclusively.

- Hozier: Favorite brand new artist? How new is new? Brand new to me right now are Tom Odell and Glass Animals but both have been at it since 2012.

- Iron & Wine?: What song would you want to be played at your wedding?“ Sleeping At Last did a cover of The Proclaimer’s I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) that I absolutely fucking love. But I would rather do an upbeat surprise choreographed dance number for my first dance because I don’t know how I feel about sharing an intimate moment with my new spouse in front of all those people.

- Imagine Dragons: What song would you want played at your funeral? At the beginning? Talk by Coldplay. At the end, The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman.

- Jack Johnson: A song you heard in a movie and fell in love with? Hans Zimmer’s song Time off of the Inception soundtrack.

- Joy Division: Your least favorite album by your favorite band? Ghost Stories by Coldplay because it’s sad and boring. Probably also their newest album but I’ve refused to sit through all of it so I don’t know.

- The Killers: Name your top three songs of all time. So many repeating answers tonight! The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman; Talk by Coldplay; Aurora’s cover of Nature Boy.

- Linkin Park: Suggest a band you think I might like. @beccathevampyreslayer I think you’d really enjoy How to be a Human Being by Glass Animals because it’s equal parts dark and upbeat. @groovyaviator, listen to The Golden Age by Woodkid. Becca can tell you that I’ve loved that album for years because the artist is also a director and intentionally writes his music to make listeners feel like the hero of a film.

- Led Zeppelin: Favorite album art? HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE. The Golden Age by Woodkid. Literally any art featured on an album or EP for Sleeping At Last. The Resistance by Muse. Any artwork featured in EPs or albums by Fleet Foxes. Light & Gold by Eric Whitacre (if one is looking to buy a print for me I’d go with this one). Parachutes by Coldplay. The Lateness Of The Hour by Alex Clare. Anything used by Foster The People.

- Muse: Craziest music video you’ve ever seen? Nothing will ever beat the Turn Down For What music video.

- Mumford & Sons: Favorite cover version of a song you love? Any iteration of Nature Boy by Nat King Cole but especially Aurora’s version. The same can probably also be said for The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, but nothing beats the original.

- The National: A song you sing in the shower? (I Won’t Say) I’m in Love from Hercules!

- Nathaniel Rateliff: A song that never fails to make you emotional? Laughing With by Regina Spektor has like a 50% chance of making me cry, as does Coming Back Around off the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack.

- One Direction: Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? I liked both! I think when I was younger I favored NSYNC, but boy bands aren’t really my mode of choice for experiencing ‘90s nostalgia.

- Pink Floyd: You can go back in time to see any band you want. Who would it be? Coldplay when they were touring for X&Y. Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite as its debut.

- Queen: You can meet any band member, living or dead, and hang out with them for 24 hours. Who would it be? Eric Whitacre, who I have met before but definitely didn’t hang out with. He’s a hero of mine because he kind of walked into his hometown university, picked up music super late, and went on to redefine classical music. He was driven by passion, and his lack of early training really shows in the innovation in his work - the man draws PICTURES of his music before even trying to write down notes. And he collaborates with all manner of interesting people, pulling source material from really unconventional places. I’ve been contemplating a major change in life paths for the last year or so and it’s always very heartening to see someone do the same, and especially by sheer force of will.

- Radiohead: Favorite concert you’ve ever been to (or a band you want to see live). I saw Aurora live in November and she changed my life. Marina and the Diamonds was incredible and so was her opening act, Christine and the Queens, who I also love. Regina Spektor was so good live too. And seeing Ke$ha last fall was just a lot of fun. I regret not going to see Coldplay a lot sooner because I’d love to see them in general but I don’t like most of their newest music and I’d really rather hear stuff from Mylo Xyloto and earlier.

- Rihanna: A musician you respect, even if you might not like their music? I don’t really listen to Demi Lovato but I have mad respect for everything she advocates for.

- Roo Panes: Favorite acoustic version of a song? Aurora’s acoustic version of Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). It’s haunting.

- Simon & Garfunkel: Favorite album movie? (Ex. Yellow Submarine, The Wall, Help!, The Graduate) Kill me later but I don’t think I have ever seen one in its entirety. I think I watched Help! with Becca, though.

- Skrillex: What’s the strangest song you have on your iPod right now? Rasputin by Boney M. and Chaccaron Maccaron by El Mundo.

- Tame Impala: A band none of your friends listen to? Aurora, Christine and the Queens, Tom Odell. Becca introduced me to the last one but she doesn’t listen to his discography actively.

- Taylor Swift: Name that one artist that literally makes you so angry you’re willing to throw the damn radio right out the window to make it stop. I’ll never be over the travesty of Robin Thicke. One of my favorite members of being a community advisor was our end of the year celebratory dinner, when the DJ started this song and the whole room stopped dancing and stared and him and I called over, “Please just change the song.” Rape culture is bad, kids.

- U2: A song or album that somehow got onto your iPod but you have no idea where it came from??? Weird. Probably some random movie soundtrack.

- The Vaccines: What are your favorite lyrics? Quote them for me. Do they mean something special to you? “Are you lost or incomplete? Do you feel like a puzzle, you can’t your missing piece?” “Are you what you want to be?” “Is this the life you’ve been waiting for?” “Good is better than perfect, scrub ‘til your fingers are bleeding. And I’m crying for things that I tell others to do without crying.” “I want to love you but I don’t know how.” “Are you getting stronger or is time shifting weight?” “Potentially lovely, perpetually human, suspended and open…” “You can’t pin me down!” You might sense a theme here. I think I do.

- Vampire Weekend: A band or artist you follow on Twitter? No Twitter for me, but if I did it’d be Eric Whitacre because his fans send him good music memes and he shares the best of them.

- Vance Joy: An artist where you can never tell what the hell they’re singing? Chevelle and George Ezra.

- Weezer: Favorite old school band? Simon & Garfunkel.

- The xx: A genre/band you’ve been getting into that you never thought you would enjoy? Synthpop.

#long post #hannah replies #about me #music #this was a fun way to procrastinate #my posts

1 note · View note