#hoax is actually top 5 folklore songs

[dipplinduo]

I'm so sorry this isn't pokemon related at all but I gotta know which t swift albums are your faves lmao 👀 (I'm forever stuck in the folklore/evermore days 🤎)

Okay. I am pretty rigid on keeping the blog pokemon-related, but you, dear anon, have asked me about something that I love more than anything else.

So I'm gonna just go wild with this and give you more than you asked for because frankly I am one of the biggest swifities on this Earth and honestly squeal any time I get the opportunity to talk about Taylor's music because of how much of a massive impact it has had on me. I get nervous with each drop but, without fail? Each and every album, in order, tends to follow themes in my life and somehow encapsulates a lot of what I'm going through in some way. I love each of these albums in their own way, and it's a bit hard to give them rankings. Less favorites are still very much favorites though!

1 - reputation

Holy trinity: I Did Something Bad; Don't Blame Me; New Year's Day Honorable mentions: literally every other song

This album was a torniquet for me, and even when I'm not fully relating to it emotionally as much it may just be permanently cemented in my heart and soul as the top dog because of how monumental it was to me. It dropped at a time in my life when I was reallllyyy going through it, and a lot of the overarching narrative of "I will survive this tooth and nail for better days, even if my dignity is lost" resonated hard. I think the presentation and marketing of this album was utterly genius (reclaiming the narratives, sound production/lyrical risks and imagery that were executed JUST right, the MERCH REFERENCES, the "bombastic, external persona" that transitions to "this is the real me behind closed doors; I found and cherish what's truly important and that's all that really matters", etc.) was just perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect. IDSM AMA 2018 performance is also the best live performance ever, forever obsessed. Overall, this album is the one I turn to whenever life is hard and I want to fan the flames of resilience.

2 - evermore

Holy trinity: coney island; tolerate It; 'tis the damn

Honorable mentions: champagne problems; gold rush; long story short; Willow

God, I love evermore. Didn't even realize how much I did until the past year or so. I have a lot of deep cuts on this album, and like folklore, it was just SO awesome to have albums where the general public could see more of Taylor's quill pen songwriting on full display (although glitter gel pen songs are EQUALLY cool). I love the maturity behind this album and it actually taught me how to fall in love with the colder seasons and weather. Coney Island specifically lowers my blood pressure like no other song has ever done and I can't even tell you fully why; it's so surreal and serene to listen to on planes. And tolerate it? CHRIST. When I revisited it as I went through some of it in real time, OOOF. DIFFERENT LEVEL OF RESPECT. It is def in my top 5 songs. 3 - folklore

Holy trinity: caridgan; the 1; hoax

Honorable mentions: my tears richochet; mad woman; the lakes; peace; invisible string; august

CARDIGAN. CARDIGAN. Rep is my favorite album, but cardigan is my favorite song ohmygooood. Never have I ever felt something epitomize my life experiences and personhood - it quite literally feels like an encapsulation of my soul. I feel very spoiled that it got to be a single and mv - just absolutely stunning. Personally, I connect this song to a return to lost childhood innocence. And I am proud to say I own one of the original original cardigans and the only way you can separate it from me is by prying it from my cold, dead hands. BUT YES, FOLKLORE IS ELITE. The storytelling on this album is next level and the surprise drop of such intricate thought during the height of the pandemic was very needed. Hoax is an oddly specific lullaby for me because it was a specific comfort to me at one night. The 1 is just ooOOOOF also.

4 - Lover

Holy trinity: All Of The Girls You Loved Before; Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince; Cornelia Street

Honorable Mentions: False God; Cruel Summer; I Think He Knows; Daylight

I honestly don't give this album enough credit because I resonate a lot with its visuals and messages. It is def a bit more slapped together than others, but I do like the symbolism in that. Lover is about all forms of love (romantic, familial, platonic, self-based) and I often times get told by irl peeps that this alongside the folkmore albums are the kinds of energies I tend to emit lol. Daylight in particular has one of the most fire TS quotes at her adlib at the end with the whole "You are what you love" thing, and GOD. Any time I think of it or hear it I re-evaluate a lot to make sure I can live by it. Fun fact: revisiting the song is how I ended 2023, and it was the trigger that made me decide to write fanfiction & start this blog, because it's important to follow all sorts of things that make you happy! <3

5 - 1989 (TV)

Holy trinity: New Romantics; Say Don't Go; I Know Places

Honorable Mentions: Bad Blood (both versions; fight me); YOU ARE IN LOVE UGH; Is It Over Now?; Style; Clean

This album is pop perfection and I think every Swiftie can agree on that universally even if you're not a big fan of 1989. But ooohhh my gosh, this album set me free when it came out. There are so many positive messages about expressing yourself, leaning into the messes of life, and also, just letting yourself loosen up a bit. I was in a bit of an angsty emo phase when the og came out (lol) and Taylor's bubbliness challenged me in a great way and helped me get a bit of my sunshine back. It was my second most anticipated TV re-release, and the vault tracks DID not disappoint. Now that I'm more in the range of what Taylor was reflecting on at the time, too? OOF. DO I FEEL MORE CONNECTED THAN BEFORE.

6 - Fearless (TV)

Holy trinity: Mr. Perfectly Fine; The Way I Loved You; Forever & Always (Piano Version) Honorable Mentions: Change; You're Not Sorry; White Horse; Fifteen; The Best Day; You Belong With Me

Gosh. Fearless. FEARLESS. This album just stands out to me as such an homage to my childhood in a lot of different ways - but more so of the braver side of me in it. I absolutely love the imagery and dramatics of this album and feel like its just a bucket of sunshine and golden stars and warmth. It takes me back to simpler days, and I love love love how Mr. Perfectly Fine leans straight into some of the bangers I really loved on the og. This is more of a sunshiny fire album to me.

7- Midnights

Holy trinity: You're Losing Me; Dear Reader; Bejeweled (new! lmao)

Honorable Mentions: You're On Your Own, Kid; Would've Could've Should've; Lavender Haze; Anti-Hero; Midnight Rain; Mastermind; Snow On The Beach (feat. More Lana Del Ray)

This album is very dreary in a lot of ways, and jeez, I needed it when it first came out. Happy to say I went from more of a "Dear Reader" vibe to a "Bejeweled" vibe from release to now. I love the concept behind it so much and it's interesting to be able to relate to the "coming out of the dread" side thats sprinkled in here and there. It speaks to the more "stormy" parts of me that I tend to hide from others, and I really relate to TS's portrayal of it given her own general outward disposition.

8 - Red (TV)

Holy trinity: All Too Well 10 Minute Version; I Knew You Were Trouble; Begin Again

Honorable Mentions: Better Man; Girl At Home (fight me); Nothing New; Sad Beautiful Tragic; Treacherous

Okaayyy, THIS is the fall album. And we're getting to the point where these beautiful albums LOOK like they're ranked low, but the favoritism is still very much high regardless. God, ATWTMV took ATW and added a whole MAGNITUTE of maturity and retrospect that really speaks to a personal experience that I've had. I am beyond grateful that we finally got it and younger me would be screaming in disbelief!! LOL. But yeah, this album is what I turn to for heartbreak at times (more so of messy, fast and quick kind of feelings), and Begin Again is very relegable as a spiritual palette cleanser. The red scarf is one of my other favorite merch items I own.

9 - Speak Now (TV)

Holy trinity: Castles Crumbling; Mean; Haunted

Honorable mentions: Foolish One; Back to December; Enchanted; Better Than Revenge (lol og lowkey); Ours (MH ruined this one for me temporarily); I Can See You

This album is another childhood reminder type of album because of how whimsical and fairytale-esque it is, but I'll admit that Fearless (TV) is a little closer to my heart. Castles Crumbling though???? OH. MY. GOD. That had my jaw to the ground and is def in the top 10. What a tragedy to add to SPEAK NOW of all albums, and what nightmarish foresight Taylor must've had to compose it way back when. Haunted also speaks to my soul but more in a familial kind of way, and Mean? Mean is the spiteful little child in me LOL.

10 - Taylor Swift

Holy Trinity: Should've Said No; Tied Together With a Smile; Cold As You

Honorable Mentions: The Outside; A Place in This World; Picture To Burn

I'm ngl! This album I'm probably much more disconnected with compared to others despite me being a big Swiftie. Most of this is because I wasn't fully a fan when this came out, and country music isn't really my kind of jam. I'm very curious about how the TV is going to be handled and I think it's going to grow on me a bit more. Nonetheless, the holy trinity is elite and Should've Said No/Bad Blood mashup during the rep tour changed me as a person. One day I shall yee the haw here.

This was a lot of fun to share (and I know you didn't fully ask for this but HERE YA GO LOL), TS is my kryptonite and my everything and I hope you enjoyed. :) <3

#asks #I am extra and I own that #taylor swift

[imaginethathaikyuu]

Can I make a trade? I offer up Tsukki’s top 10 TS songs, (in no particular order, but I hc him as an Everlore stan) in exchange for Akaashi’s faves (doesn’t have to be 10 of them!)

Gold Rush (Evermore)

Holy Ground (Red TV)

My Tears Ricochet (Folklore)

Peace (Folklore)

Champagne Problems (Evermore)

Long Live (Speak Now TV)

Delicate (Reputation)

Wildest Dreams TV

You are in Love (1989)

Death by a Thousand Cuts (Lover) [he will deny this]

Bonus: he loves Ivy (Evermore) but it also makes him big sad so he doesn’t listen to it often. Same for Nothing New (Red TV) but he listens to it even less.

oh my god is this the best ask ive ever gotten

tsukki would ABSOLUTELY deny being a lover stan. hes all like noooo lover is in my bottom 3....then he ranks the albums and is shocked that its in his top 3....hes just like me for real

also im soooo sorry but i NEED u to take long live off of the list because. oh my god. like i think i will cry. oh my god. sorry im just thinking about tsukki years after graduation still thinking about how much he loved playing for karasuno how much he loved his teammates how much he misses them all. maybe regretting not being grateful for it in the moment. wishing he could go back in time and tell himself that it wouldnt last forever. whatever dude i cant do this right now

im taking making this list very seriously.

ME!

IM KIDDINGNLFNLFNLSKA

ok really: 1. haunted 2. false god 3. maroon 4. castles crumbling (i feel like he relates to this song. cries.) 5. the last great american dynasty 6. invisible 7. i bet you think about me (he loves the pettiness of it) 8. hoax 9. this is me trying 10. labyrinth

i actually think akaashi would be a very big swiftie, he would absolutely adore her storytelling i think, and he would definitely drift more towards songs like betty, no body no crime, getaway car. songs that make him think about what characters would be writing or singing those songs. he definitely drifts more towards the sad ones that are slower and calm

he also plays a song and then pauses it after his favorite part, looks at u and goes DID U EVEN HEAR WHAT SHE SAID?!?!?! explains the lyric in detail and then restarts the song (i do that.)

(sorry 4 long post)

#like this took me so long to do because i took it too seriously. #this is the best ask ive ever received i love u for this #ur list feels sooo accurate too #i like my list i forced myself to put a song from debut because i am a ts debut stan first and foremost!

[dragonfly0808]

what’s your top 5 taylor songs

So… I’ll do my top from each album and then TRY to do my top 5 overall…

From the first 3 albums:

Enchanted

2. Long Live

3. White Horse

4. Mine

5. You’re Not Sorry

From Red (Taylor’s Version):

All Too Well (10 minute version) (sad girl autumn version) (I know this one in the guitar, that’s how you know I’ve got mental health issues…)

The Moment I Knew

Begin Again

Red

Everything Has Changed

From 1989:

You Are in Love

This Love

Wonderland

I Know Places

New Romantics

From Reputation (the album that actually got me into Taylor about a year and a half ago):

Getaway Car

Dress

New Year’s Day

I Did Something Bad

King of My Heart

From Lover:

False God

Afterglow/Daylight

It’s Nice to Have a Friend

Cruel Summer/Miss Americana

Paper Rings/Death By A Thousand Cuts/Lover

From folklore:

Hoax

peace

cardigan

august/seven

the 1

From evermore (probably my fave Taylor Swift album):

Cowboy like me

champagne problems

’tis the damn season

evermore

happiness/ivy

From Midnights:

Sweet Nothing

Midnight Rain

Maroon

You’re On Your Own, Kid

Labyrinth

OVERALL (shiiiiiiittttt):

Hoax

cowboy like me

Getaway Car/False God

You Are in Love

champagne problems/‘tis the damn season

#winx club #winx rewrite #winx #winx headcannon

[itsdelicate]

hii so sorry this is late!! I literally just slept the whole day yesterdayyyy. but I'm more awake now sooooo

right?? I honestly can't even remember. I think like around folklore time? but I didn't really stick to it until after evermore-ish cause I was so busy and quarantine was a bad time lmao. ofc that's okay and THOSE ARE AMAZING CHOICES!!!! all masterpieces and ivy is one of my fav too omg. okay folklore it's always been really hard for me to pick my top songs from so here are just alike 3 ones I really really love but idk their place in my top aknsmsn: my tears ricochet, mad woman, hoax. and evermore: ttds, happiness, dorothea, coney Island, and ivy (sorry I just can't pick three they're all in number one for me lol)

OMG that's so cute and I love that it happened to u!! bash is so akdbsjns. yes yes he is!! and he's so funny and sweet too he could not be annoying. AKDNSJSHSSB OMG if you fell to the ground and screamed at seeing her irl I would NOT blame you. dying on seeing her is so valid

it's a classic!! and I heard ab the musical and really want to watch it!! that's a good choice tangled is amazing. is rapunzel ur fav disney princess then? mines mulan skdhj. I LOVE KINGSMAN SO MUCH!!! taron egerton is so good in it. and Colin firth in anything is an immediate yes for me. I loved her greatest showman!! yesss it's soundtrack is everything but honestly I'm so sick of this is me cause my school was like obsessed w it and that thing where u get bored w a song cause it plays over and over and over again happened lmao. rewrite the stars is still and always will be a bop tho. aww that's sweet and idk if I've watched it before so maybe I'll check it out!!

omg those are all so good. sweet nothing is such a rare top 5 but it's everything. ooh okay mine are prob: wcs, maroon, labyrinth, glitch, and bttws!!

thank u!! I did have a lot of fun asisnjs

random qotd: do u celebrate christmas? cause I actually don't so I thought why not ask

xxx ur secret santa

no omg that’s totally fine hehe i hope you got some good rest 😌 i’ve decided to answer this while getting my tat ahsjf so if there’s any typos pls ignore them 🤠

ooh that’s pretty recent!! i’ve been a swiftie since 2008! insane that it’s been that long?? over half my life ago 💀 were you into taylor at all before folklore/evermore? i know a lot of people who knew some of her more popular songs before that but became fans after! ivy is SO good i need that song imprinted on my brain permanently idc!! your choices are so valid mad woman makes me so elmofirememe.jpg and happiness makes me want to CRY (the irony lmao can never trust her istg)

literally omg and the entire cast is 😭 i have them all little letters with their gifts and kit looked at me right in the eye and was like thank you 🥺 i promise to read it so carefully when i get home WHEN I TELL U I WAS TRYING TO STAY ALIVE AND SIMONE oh my god quite literally gay panic™️ etc etc

the musical is so good! little miss woods comma elle <3 i hope u get to see it someday!! yess she is 🥰 omg mulan is such a great choice a girlboss 😌 YES omg taron is amazing in it and colin firth <333 (which reminds me i also LOVE mamma mia!) omg i totally understand ahsjf that happens with me too such a pain when you like the song as well but you get sick of hearing it over and over 😩 omg pls do if u get the time! i think it’s my fav christmas movie now :’)

omg yeah now that you say it i haven’t seen that many people rank it higher up even though everyone loves it it’s such a soft song 🥺 amazing choices glitch took some time to grow on me but i love it now but omg bttws makes me so sad but it’s such a lovely song ☹️

yay i’m glad!! and i don’t either actually hsjfk but i love the season and the Vibes around christmas time everything is so festive 🫶

answering this was such a good way to pass the time my tattoo’s almost done hehe thank you for the distraction 🥰 i hope you’re having a nice weekend!! any plans for the coming week? <3

#ask #anonymous #santaswiftie

[fenny2613]

Who is skipping hoax voluntarily?

Miss Taylor swift did not say the words “my kingdom come undone. My broken drum. You have beaten my heart” for you to be skipping it

#hoax is actually top 5 folklore songs #taylor swift #song: hoax #not a single lyric that doesn’t make me cry and spiral

[2am-theswifthour]

The 8 Theory-Folklore’s Commentary on Youth

Yesterday, I took note of @taylorswift​ and her careful attention to the number 8.

“Not a lot going on at the moment” had 8 words. The 8th track is “august,” which is also the 8th month in the year. She has 8 deluxe editions of her album. Many attributed this to Folklore being Taylor’s 8th album. I thought it meant either a.) we needed to pay very close attention to track #8 or b.) that 8 references infinity, a.k.a “forever and ever.”

To my surprise, I was actually selling Taylor Swift short.

When listening to the album, there’s a lot of back and forth in emotion and circumstance. I was confused about the order, especially when the strikingly sobering “hoax” followed the self-aware almost-tranquility of “peace.” Then it hit me. There are two schools of thought going on.

There are 16 tracks on Folklore (excluding the bonus track none of us have heard). 16/2=8. This means there are 2 equal emotional song threads on the album. In other words, you can get two drastically different lessons listening to each group of 8.

When you separate the even numbered tracks from the odd numbered tracks you get the following:

Odd

the 1

the last great american dynasty

my tears ricochet

seven

this is me trying

invisible string

epiphany

peace

Even

cardigan

exile

mirrorball

august

illicit affairs

mad woman

betty

hoax

Odd Interpretation:

Starting with “the 1” and “the last great american dynasty,” the lyrics are very upfront in showing that the protagonists are making fully intentioned mistakes. “the 1” says, “in my defense, I have none for never leaving well enough alone” (I see you “ME!” reference). In “the last great American dynasty” it says, “she had a marvelous time ruining everything.” These characters’ folly is their youth-induced selfishness. They’re casual in the harm they cause because they distance themselves from it. They’re fine with what they don’t look at closely. When you’re young, you make a mess of things in service of YOUR need. Your need for companionship. Your need for the thrill of danger. Your need to make your mark, to be somebody, to leave something behind. The marvel of the excitement and the chase and the very vitality of teens to 20-somethings’ shenanigans blinds us to the scale of our destruction…

…until you have no choice but to face the consequences of your recklessness.

The next track, “my tears ricochet” is not your average track 5. It functions as a pivoting point. Now our narrator is the hurt party, the one baring the brunt of callous treatment. Fickle mistreatment is no longer so casual. Now it’s a torment, and the tormentor learns the scale of their damage. So much so, that they get burned too. They learned their lesson at a terrible price, but what’s most important is that they learned.

“seven” is a long-overlooked memory revisited. In this picture of naïve innocence, the narrator tells of their childish belief in the impossible. Through magic and play pretend and fantasy they are invincible. They have all the control in the world to control the world they live in. Obviously, this is a flawed perspective that everyone eventually grows out of. Fairy tales don’t solve real problems. The point is that their sense of self-importance is in service of a stronger moral compass than the first two songs. If we accept our responsibility to others, to do what we can to ensure their welfare, are we not better and more satisfied people for it?

“this is me trying” hears that lesson and attempts to walk the walk. Part of being responsible to your fellow human is taking accountability when you fumble. The narrator doesn’t know what to say or how to make it right. What they do know is that they’re here, they’ve put the bottle down, and that they’re willing to try what’s necessary to heal what they’ve hurt.

“invisible string” gives us the reward we’ve been waiting for. The narrator says, “cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart, now I send their babies presents.” This is someone who has gone from lashing out in anger at a partner from a burned relationship to genuinely wishing them well in their next stage in life. It’s a powerful testament when you can recognize that youth drives us all to make hurtful decisions and that no one is immune to change if they truly want to change. When you let the anger and lies go, the strings that tied you to them fade away. All that’s left is the string you want to hold onto. The string tied to the one who matters, because you’ve made the conscious decision to deduce that their worth as a person should equal yours. It’s a painful path to traverse through, but when you do it’s all worthwhile. That’s why the narrator can say with confidence “hell was the journey but it brought me to heaven.”

In any other album, a song like “invisible string” would be the quintessential emotional payoff for this story arc. However, because this album is a masterpiece, we have a different payoff point in “epiphany.” “epiphany” takes us out of the world of a romantic relationship. We hear descriptions of war and nurses dealing with the despair of this international pandemic. This point in this emotional thread is that it powerfully declares it’s not enough to do no harm nor is it enough to just empathize with your romantic partner. You MUST show your responsibility to your fellow man. Stand beside them. Empathize with them. See them as whole human beings. Do good by them. In other words, it is our duty to do right by everyone, for everyone bleeds, loves, and dies.

The 8-song selection ends with “peace.” The song begins by saying that their, “coming-of-age” has come and gone.” I believe this (along with “invisible string”) to be the most overtly “Taylor Swift” track in perspective. This is her speaking as herself. She lets us know that she’s grown through taking her mistakes, and the mistakes she learned through folklore, into account. She is overly aware of her flaws and feels she pales in comparison to her partner. Rather than allow those insecurities to manifest in unchecked rage or resentment, she takes it as a challenge for herself to do better. She knows she can never give him complete peace (due to inside and outside factors), but she can make the choice to give him unselfish promises and embrace the entirety of her partner’s life. This is a person who has learned the value of selflessness in love and life, which makes this whole thread worth everything.

Even Interpretation:

“cardigan” foreshadows the eventual failure of the even path. The odd interpretation I just described culminated in the narrator finding their place with “the one” because they’ve left everything petty and casually cruel behind. In “cardigan” it says “chase two girls, lose the one.” On top of this directly referencing the first track, it also implies the partner’s self-destruction. By toying with two girls, James is losing “the one.” I don’t think losing “the one” means that you keep one of the two of them. I think it means that engaging in that kind of behavior makes you into a person that isn’t ready, or worthy, of “the one” that they are meant to be with forever. Meeting and keeping “the one” has to require each partner to love themselves and their partner wholly, truly, and selflessly. They can’t be a cardigan you pick up and only wear on the weekends. They must be a wholehearted commitment.

“exile” shows the blowout from “cardigan.” The two couldn’t stay together, and Bon Iver’s (character’s) toxicity comes out full force. He thinks her new man is lesser than him. He’s prepared to throw punches despite being at fault over a hundred times. He’s seen the film before, and he didn’t like the ending because it didn’t work out for him. He wants her under his thumb, not having learned from his prior relationships that that just can’t work. They leave out the side doors, neither fully ready to confront the problems head on.

“mirrorball” is daring in its shift of focus. While all of the tracks I’ve mentioned thus far have dealt, in some way, with the problems that result from a young person’s selfishness, this song doesn’t do that. This song illustrates an extreme that young people participate in at the opposite end of the spectrum; radical selflessness. To be selfless means that you should never allow something that harms someone else to happen just because it benefits you. Young people, girls in particular, are often groomed to interpret selflessness differently. Their definition is synonymous with accommodation. Change your looks, change your personality, don’t object, and embody what your partner wants so that they’re happy. That’s why the symbol is the mirrorball in the song. It reflects everything in the room but itself. By explicitly not factoring in their own sense of self-respect in a relationship, they are unknowingly and tragically enabling their partner’s mistreatment. To be clear, that doesn’t mean abuse is their fault if they have low self-esteem. It’s not, even remotely. But not having the capacity to defend your self-worth is what keeps so many drawn into toxic relationships there for so long. This radical selflessness manifests itself in the other woman too. In “august” it explicitly says that she was living on the, “hope of it all” and that she would cancel plans in the name of a potential hookup with someone who was never hers. The idea of radical selflessness culminates in “illicit affairs” when one of the women deals with their addictive compulsion toward someone who treats them like a cheap lay. Their relationship is a secret that leaves her feeling used in parking lots and as though any trace of her is gone. These three songs have taken the desperate hopelessness of “Abigail gave everything she had to a boy who changed his mind” to the extreme.

Many have speculated that “mad woman” is a commentary on the Taylor/Scooter conflict and I’m inclined to agree. However, if I were to assign an interpretation that goes with my theory, I would say that “mad woman” details the unforeseen consequences of a tormentor’s abuse. When a toxic partner performs bad behavior, their expectation is that they will always be found in the right. After all, Taylor noted on her previous album that for men, “everyone believes [them].” So in the face of lies about her character that everyone believes, she gets rightfully angry. Her anger is their affirmation. For many, a woman being angry on her own behalf is “crazy” and “irrational.” What kind of a society have we set up? A society that promotes women to lack self-worth and, should they find it, they’ll meet a whole other exile.

“betty” is our complete look into James’ perspective. On its own, it sounds like a big romantic gesture to get behind. However, this path is very clear to put “cardigan” first. “cardigan” says, “I knew you’d miss me once the thrill expired and you’d be standin’ in my front porch light.” Lo and behold, in “betty” he shows up to her party when she doesn’t want to see him and asks if she would, “kiss [him] on the porch in front of all [her] stupid friends.” It’s an absolute punch in the gut. Betty knows in “cardigan” that he would come back after he had his fun with another girl, but that she would take him back when he saw momentary value in her again. James in “betty” claims he didn’t know anything, but that’s just an excuse. He knew what he was doing, he knew that he would be able to pick up her broken pieces with ease, he knew he could isolate her from her friends, and he knew that he could capture the imperfect “comfort” of that cardigan again.

This path ends in the final even-numbered song, “hoax.” In the odd numbers, “peace” shows a lesson learned. This even path shows what happens when we don’t learn. The seeds of youth-driven mistakes have led us here. The narrator wants nothing outside the pain of this faithless love. Without learning what it means to be selfless, the traumas of these young relationships create a never-ending cycle. The narrator knows that the “love” is a “hoax” but doesn’t care because that’s all they have. There’s no point to wanting anything else. Without the perspective of age, of truly going beyond that, they’re stuck in a truly dark place.

Final Thoughts:

Taylor Swift is an exceptional artist for a lot of reasons. No one makes albums this good this far into their career. Most artists teeter off after two or three because they retread. Their audience inevitably gets bored of them e same thing time and again. Repeating themselves is something that a lot of artists do because they want to go with the formula of what works. With Folklore, Taylor has done what few artists have dared to do. She’s allowed her discography as a place to uncompromisingly expand her worldview and challenge her listeners. She’s not reiterating previous lessons to make another quick sale. Instead, every album prior has been a steppingstone. As she said at the Time 100 Gala, she has truly turned her lessons into her legacy. From a variety of narrators, she has brought what I decree to be her best album to date. This wouldn’t happen for anyone else 8 albums into their career, but she’s done it by devoutly embracing age’s wisdom.

Learn from the highs and lows presented in these paths. As all good folklore does, it teaches us how to live better. It is our duty to live selflessly and with self-assured dignity. These writings, I have no doubt, will become integral to the legend that is Taylor Alison Swift.

#folklore #taylor swift #ts8 theories #ts8 #the 1 #CARDIGAN #the last great american dynasty #exile #MY TEARS RICOCHET #mirrorball #seven #august #this is me trying #illicit affairs #invisible string #mad woman #epiphany #betty #peace #hoax

[largereputation]

Aha! It's an (updated) Q&A!

Hello! My name is Emily, and I come onto Tumblr once every blue moon. I started 1 2 3 let's go bitch, which is a small chant that started during Taylor's reputation tour!

Since 123lgb is taking off again thanks to the likes of TikTok (an app that I just cannot figure out), I thought I'd do an updated lil Q&A, as MUCH has happened since the last one! I'll just be answering questions I receive a lot, both on here and Tumblr.

You can find the old Q&A here! It's pretty much just about how this whole thing started. :)

How WAS the secret session?

For all who don't know - I went to the Lover Secret Sessions in Los Angeles!!! It was a DREAM - everyone was so kind and it felt very authentic. I almost felt like I didn't deserve to be there, for it was TOO beautiful (location wise, people wise, so on).

Did Taylor know your name?

She did! When we met, she screamed "1 2 3 let's go bitch" to me as I walked up and when we met to hug she said "Hi Emily!" and I just stood there like "??? Hi Taylor Swift?" just in culture shock. We talked about some stuff, like some mental health things, Lover and songwriting, how I need her to perform If This Was a Movie live someday, basic stuff. It was insane - very, very insane.

When and how did Taylor find your account?

Taylor (to my knowledge) has never interacted with me on this account. Taylor Nation reached out to me on July 24th, 2019. I had no follows from them, nor likes. Funny enough, when I did my first Q&A, I blantantly lied and said Taylor Nation didn't reach out to me - sorry folks! 🤪

Did anybody around you comment on the chant when you first did it?

Nope. Throughout the night, me and my friends were screaming stuff similar to that just for our own amusement. Since Delicate was in the middle of the show, I think at that point everyone around us just accepted the weird shit we were yelling. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Does anyone in your real life know about it?

Ohhhhh yeah. I mean, if a random girl you went to school with met Taylor Swift at her house, wouldn't you be real fucking confused? I hate telling people because I don't wanna act like I'm top shit or anything, but mostly my friends just try to poke fun about it towards me. Here's a little story actually: last year, pre-sessions, I had a huge schoolgirl crush on a guy in my film class, and the topic of 123lgb came up and I had to explain it to him, and so one of my friends attached a computer to the speakers we had and played my video, at full volume, in front of him. I'll remind you that the original video is horrendous, for my voice was 75% gone and most people that find the video think I'm a dude. And, to make things worse, he found my twitter account that night. It was a horrifying moment.

How do you feel about people making things with the quote on it (like mugs, stickers, so on)?

It used to bother me, for I felt very sad only because I didn't think of it first, but now, I don't give a shit LOL... it's a FANDOM inside joke, so if people wanna plaster it on things, whether it's a lil keychain or a fucking billboard, I don't care! It's all in good fun anyway, I just think it's crazy that ppl still find it that amusing. It warms my heart that my stupidity has lasted this long :,)

Do you think the chant will be on the re-recorded version of Delicate?

No, and I can only pray to God that it does not. I highly, HIGHLY doubt that it will, though, for the whole reason the chant is so popular is because it didn't fit the song: it was a really loud and energetic chant for a song that's pretty mellow and slow (in comparison). It just doesn't make sense for it to be in the re-recording. I'm perfectly fine with it living in the live performances, and only the live performances.

Do you ever get annoyed with the entire thing?

Eh, I don't know if annoyed is the word... I don't like having to defend it, though. People have claimed that it was cringe and stupid and not funny (which, duh), but I didn't create it on purpose you know? It literally just happened, and I hate having to explain it to people who don't find it funny. It wasn't ever meant to be funny, but then people thought it was! Besides that though, I never mind people asking me about it or really only following me because of it - again, it just amazes me that a simple thing like that grew into such a weird (yet great) thing :,)

What's your favorite off of Folklore and Evermore?

*cracks knuckles* well, it's constantly changing... there's no way I can pin it towards just one song, for I think these are Taylor's best albums ever. So I'll give my top 5 even though that's not what was asked <3

Folklore

exile

hoax

illicit affairs

this is me trying

august

Evermore

coney island

tolerate it

champagne problems

right where you left me

closure

And that's all folks!

If anyone wants a secret sessions Q&A, I'll gladly try to make one! Just send me questions and I'll try to answer! (I know I'm a bit late cause, well, Lover came out a year and a half ago, but hey! It's never too late....right?) but anyway, thanks for reading <3

- emily

#watch this get -4 notes #taylor swift #Q&A #lover #secret sessions #123lgb #reputation #reputation stadium tour #delicate #evermore #folklore

[jazziehart]

Taylor Swift Albums Reviews

Hello my lovely blog readers,

I want to thank those of you who stick around through all my crazy rants and long Glee posts. You guys are the real MVPs and I will always appreciate you.

Anyway onto why we're here, in the wake of Taylor rereleasing her albums I found it fitting to take a look back at her discorgaphy so far! Thanks to my good friend Aly, I decided to relisten to all of her albums which the order was randomly decided. I will be talking about the deluxe editions so enjoy!

Let's start off with the first album that was drawn first which was Red.

One of my favorite albums right off the bat with probably her best album cover. I remember how excited I was for 22, mostly because my girl Dianna Agron's name was in the liner notes. Let's dive into what I thought now about 9 years later!

Favorite Track: Begin Again Least Favorite Track: The Last Time (featuring Gary Lightbody) Bonus Track I Wish was on the main album: All of them!!! Favorite Bonus Track: The Moment I Knew Album Ranking: 6th/9

Overall I adore this album so so much. The only track I didn't care for in the least was The Last Time. I think you'll find a trend with me that my least favorite Tayor tracks tend to be her duets (the exception being Everything Has Changed which is also on this album and is the purest of all). The album has held up and even moreso I love it than the first time I listened. Crazy. Anyway onto the rankings of each song. DISCLAIMER: These are just my opinions and you can disagree with them but please be respectful.

1) Begin Again 2) The Moment I Knew 3) State of Grace (Acoustic Version) 4) I Almost Do 5) Stay Stay Stay 6) All Too Well 7) Everything Has Changed (featuring Ed Sheeran) 8) 22 9) Come Back...Be Here 10) Red 11) I Knew You Were Trouble 12) The Lucky One 13) We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together 14) Starlight 15) Girl at Home 16) Sad Beautiful Tragic 17) State of Grace 18) Holy Ground 19) Treacherous 20) The Last Time (featuring Gary Lightbody)

Honestly I adore this album so much as a whole and ranking every song was so hard. Holy Ground honestly had a lot of potiental I hated the arrangement but if I heard an acoustic version I would be sold, much like State of Grace which I wasn't huge on the original but the acoustic I'm obsessed with. Moving onto our second album which is one of Taylor's newest.

folklore! Funny enough on first listen I wasn't as into it as everyone else was but trust me, the relisten definitely helped me change my mind. I also heard the lakes for the first time which I loved. Since it's the only bonus track I'm going to say I definitely wished it had made the main album over some of the other songs on it. Let's dive into my thoughts and rankings.

Favorite Track: mad woman Least Favorite Track: invisible string Album Ranking: 9th/9

1) mad woman 2) the 1 3) the last great american dynasty 4) mirrorball 5) hoax 6) peace 7) seven 8) august 9) my tears richocet 10) the lakes 11) cardigan 12) betty 13) illicit affairs 14) epiphany 15) this is me trying 16) exile (featuring Bon Iver) 17) invisible string

Okay I know cardigan and betty being so low is going make people unhappy but honestly I just loved the other songs better listed above it. So many gorgeous songs and a great era for Taylor. It's not my favorite era and still falls in my lower half of her albums but I can appreciate the tracks on it more than I did before with the relisten.

Now onto Taylor's most recent album which came up next in our randomization in evermore

Unlike folklore on original listen I absolutely adored this album and had it in my top tier Taylor albums but will that opinion hold up? Let's find out.

Favorite Track: no body, no crime (featuring HAIM) Least Favorite Track: gold rush Favorite Bonus Track: it's time to go Album Ranking: 7th/9

1) no body, no crime (featuring HAIM) 2) happiness 3) champagne problems 4) willow 5) cowboy like me 6) dorothea 7) majorie 8) evermore (featuring Bon Iver) 9) closure 10) long story short 11) ‘tis the damn season 12) ivy 13) it’s time to go 14) coney island (featuring The National) 15) right where you left me 16) tolerate it 17) gold rush Okay let's talk about the relisten, it still held up but to me the one thing I didn't love about the album was the bonus tracks didn't add much to the original album so I kind of see why they were bonus tracks. I enjoyed the album none the less and I do think that most of my opinions are somewhat popular. I only see people being mad about 'tis the damn season being so low but honestly 1-11, I loved all the tracks so.

Up next is the rerelease that started it all, Fearless!

Now let's see after 13 years (hey Taylor's lucky number) if my opinion of this iconic album changed. Back in the day I was so obsessed with this album so let's see how I feel now!

Favorite Track: You're Not Sorry Least Favorite Track: The Way I Loved You Bonus Tracks I Wish was on the main album: Forever and Always (Piano Verison) and Come in with the Rain Favorite Bonus Track: Forever and Always (Piano Version) Album Ranking: 4th/9

1) You’re Not Sorry 2) White Horse 3) Love Story 4) You Belong with Me 5) Change 6) Forever and Always (Piano Version) 7) Fifteen 8) Hey Stephen 9) Come in with the Rain 10) Jump Then Fall 11) Fearless 12) Forever and Always 13) The Best Day 14) The Other Side of the Door 15) Breathe (featuring Colbie Cailaitt) 16) Untouchable 17) SuperStar 18) Tell Me Why 19) The Way I Loved You

I still remember when this album was first coming out how jazzed and excited I was for it. It was highly anticipated for me being that I had fallen in love with Taylor from her debut album and listening back it still holds up as one of my favorite albums. The only two tracks I wasn't into back then and still am not into are Tell Me Why and The Way I Loved You. Other than those two tracks the entire album is incredible to listen to. I'm so excited to hear Taylor's versions of all these songs and who knows maybe my mind will change on some of them.

Moving onto the next album to be randomly selected which is almost every Swiftie's favorite 1989.

Funny enough, originally this album isn't in my top favorites so who knows if my opinion will change on a relisten. Let's find out!

Favorite Track: Clean Least Favorite Track: I Wish You Would Bonus Tracks I Wish was on the main album: All of them?! Come on Taylor what's up with 1989 and Red having like some of their best tracks as bonus tracks. I'm mad haha. Favorite Bonus Track: Wonderland (gee I wonder why) Album Ranking: 5th/9

1) Clean 2) Wonderland 3) Wildest Dreams 4) This Love 5) You are in Love 6) Welcome to New York 7) Shake It Off 8) Blank Space 9) Bad Blood 10) Style 11) How You Get the Girl 12) Out of the Woods 13) New Romantics 14) I Know Places 15) All You Had to Do was Stay 16) I Wish You Would

Okay listening back. I now get the hype behind it. Listening to it with bonus tracks honestly makes all the difference. No joke. It's a much better album with the bonus tracks added. Honestly if Wonderland and You are in Love were on the main album it would've been top tier to me. Thank God for the deluxe version but team Taylor what is up with you hiding some of her best tracks and only releasing them on the bonus tracks? I'm mad. Also speaking on Wonderland, I adore the song even without the rumours of it being about my favorite celebrity Dianna Agron. Had the bonus tracks been on the main album it would higher but as a whole I love the album.

And now for our next album, which is reputation!

This is probably Taylor's most controversial albums, some love it and some hate it. I actually am somewhere in the middle. I love some of the tracks while others I could've done without. Let's see where it goes for me listening back.

Favorite Song: New Year's Day Least Favorite: Dancing with Our Hands Tied Album Ranking: 8th/9

1) New Year's Day 2) Gorgeous 3) Don’t Blame Me 4) This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things 5) I Did Something Bad 6) Dress 7) Delicate 8) Call It What You Want To 9) ...Ready for It? 10) Look What You Made Me Do 11) King of my Heart 12) Getaway Car 13) So It Goes... 14) End Game (featuring Ed Sheeran and Future) 15) Dancing with Our Hands Tied

Okay I feel like my choices here are controversal especially Getaway Car being pretty low on the album. Honestly I liked the song just wasn't into the hype that everyone else said about it, sorry you guys. Also Dancing with Our Hands Tied on the ALBUM is my least favorie song. I absolutely adored Taylor's acoustic version that was in the rep Tour. Had she released that on the album it would be after Look What You Made Me Do. The arrangement on the album I just didn't care for and I prefer acoustic Taylor which I think a lot of you gather from my top picks.

Anyway moving onto to our next album that was randomized which is...Taylor Swift!

Ah yes the album that started it all. 15 years ago I discovered Taylor Swift via this album thanks to CMT. I was a huge country music stan back in the day who knew how this one album would lead to a career I've been following for 15 years. Now how does this album hold up? Let's find out!

Favorite Song: Should've Said No Least Favorite Song: A Perfectly Good Heart Bonus Tracks I Wish was on the main album: Invisible and I'm Only Me When I'm with You Favorite Bonus Track: Invisible Album Ranking: 3rd/9

1) Should’ve Said No 2) Invisible 3) Cold as You 4) Picture to Burn 5) Our Song 6) The Outside 7) A Place in This World 8) Teardrops on My Guitar 9) Stay Beautiful 10) Tim McGraw 11) I’m Only Me When I’m with You 12) Mary’s Song (Oh My My My) 13) Tied Together with a Smile 14) A Perfectly Good Heart

This album still holds up 15 years later and made me so nostalgic. This had to be the hardest album for songs to rank thus far. Taylor hit it out of the park on her very first album crazy. She set the bar very high, funny enough it's the first album that a bonus track is my least favorite track but the entire album is a great listen, especially if you love country. It's very different from anything else Taylor did but that's what's so charming about it.

And now onto our second to last album which is another one of my favorites and the only album Taylor wrote fully on her own, Speak Now.

The album cover is up there with Red as my favorite and I'm excited to listen back to this album. I remember how much I enjoyed it when it was first released. Excited to see what I think 11 years later. Let's find out.

Favorite Track: Haunted (Acoustic Version) Least Favorite Track: Last Kiss Bonus Tracks I Wish was on the main album: All of them. Dang it Taylor they deserved to be on the main album. Favorite Bonus Track: Haunted (Acoustic Version) Album Ranking: 2nd/9

1) Haunted (Acoustic Version) 2) Long Live 3) Haunted 4) Better Than Revenge 5) Back to December (Acoustic Version) 6) Mine 7) Back to December 8) Mean 9) If This Was a Movie 10) Innocent 11) Dear John 12) Speak Now 13) Ours 14) Never Grow Up 15) The Story of Us 16) Superman 17) Enchanted 18) Sparks Fly 19) Last Kiss

One of Taylor's absolute best albms and it was incredibly hard to rank these songs. I know people are going to be mad about Enchanted being low but I just didn't love it as much as the other tracks on the album, this after all is one of the best albums she ever released so it's incredibly hard to make the call.

Moving onto our final album which I've called my absolute favorite, Lover.

It's only been an year since its release but will it hold up as my favorite album? Let's find out!

Favorite Track: Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince Least Favorite Track: It’s Nice to Have a Friend Album Ranking: 1st/9

1) Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince 2) Paper Rings 3) Lover 4) Soon You’ll Get Better (featuring The Chicks) 5) You Need to Calm Down 6) The Archer 7) The Man 8) Daylight 9) Afterglow 10) I Think He Knows 11) False God 12) Death by a Thousand Cuts 13) Cruel Summer 14) Cornelia Street 15) I Forgot That You Existed 16) ME! (featuring Brendan Urie from Panic! at the Disco) 17) London Boy 18) It’s Nice to Have a Friend

Yep it held up. This album is my favorite thing Taylor ever released. It was a tough call because I loved all of her top albums so much. Miss Americana still is my favorite performance which is no surprise, I was obsessed when this song came out 2 years ago. It's Nice to Have a Friend is the weakest track on the album but by no means is it a bad track. The entire album is a great listen all the way through, the only song that's hard to listen to especially if you have a sick parent "Soon You'll Get Better" I literally bawled after I finished it. So if you don't want an emotional song that might make you sad, it's best to skip it even though it's one of favorite tracks.

And that does it for us here. Hope you enjoyed my album reviews! Just to recap here's the rankings of all of Taylor's Albums:

1) Lover 2) Speak Now 3) Taylor Swift 4) Fearless 5) 1989 6) Red 7) evermore 8) reputation 9) folklore

Excited to see what's to come with the rerelease of Fearless and to hear the songs released from the vault. I've heard a few of her unreleased songs and honestly there are quite a few that I'm hoping are released. Thanks for enjoying us on this journey as always be kind and always spread love <3

#taylor swift #fearless #taylor swift albums #taylor swift album #speak now #folklore #evermore #lover #taylor swift 1989 #1989 #taylor swift fearless #taylor swift speak now #taylor swift red #red #taylor swift lover #taylor swift folklore #taylor swift evermore #taylor nation #dianna agron #swiftgron #taylor swift bonus tracks #1989 bonus tracks #red bonus tracks #taylor swift 1989 bonus tracks #taylor swift red bonus tracks #rep tour #Taylor Swift rep tour #taylor swift debut #taylor swift debut album #debut album

[1989xtaylorsversion]

folklore is taylor swift's best album, and i stand by that. (my album review)

hello swifties, i'm back.

folklore is taylor swift's eighth studio album, and in my humble opinion, it's her best. this album holds such a special place in my heart because it's what propelled me into being a full-time swiftie. i apologize in advance for how repetitive i'm going to get because i will be proclaiming my love for every track.

now that the pleasantries are done, let's talk about folklore aka the winner for AOTY (thank you scammy's, at least they did one thing right)

1. the 1

this song is so easy to love. it's fun, light, catchy, and so soothing. the opening line just grabs your attention, so good job ms. swift. i don't have a lot to say about it, but i think it was a great choice to make this the first track. it's one of her best album openers.

2. cardigan

i looove cardigan. the beginning may turn you off, but it PICKS UP by the third verse. i love the lyrics, and i loooove the music video. it's one of her most beautiful music videos, there's no argument. the fact that she made it during a pandemic - her power. also, selling the cardigans as merchandise was one of the best decisions she's made, they're beautiful.

3. the last great american dynasty

ok guys, here's the truth - this song was a grower. i didn't connect with it for a little bit, and i didn't really gravitate towards it. i never hated it, but it's one of the songs (yes you read that right, we'll get there) that took a minute for me to really appreciate. i eventually saw the light though because on one magical day, something shifted and i realized that it's a great song that deserves its hype.

4. exile ft. bon iver

I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH! if "exile" isn't in your top 3, you need to reevaluate some things. in my opinion, it's the best collaboration taylor has done. it is raw, emotional, soul-crushing, and above all magical. it transcends you into another world. the bridge and everything after is pure serotonin. i loved it from the second i heard it, and it's never let me down.

5. my tears ricochet

again, I LOVE THIS SONG!! it's also in my top 3, and it never left its place. it is so beautifully haunting. the lyrics and imagery really stay with you. there are so many meanings, so apply it to your life anyway you want. i have never felt true betrayal but this song makes me feel like i have. this is one of her strongest fifth tracks. thank you taylor, your good deeds won't be forgotten.

6. mirrorball

i can't believe i'm admitting this, but "mirrorball" was another grower. when i first heard it, my immediate reaction was, "wow this would be a great song to include in a movie when the main characters are slow dancing at a school dance." i still think that. but, one day i heard it again, and it opened my eyes to the fact that this song is amazing. the bridge is definitely my favorite part, and i hope it's your's.

the meaning is so sad, because taylor has expressed her fear that people aren't going to want to listen to her past a certain point, and she's always had to reinvent herself. it's interesting how females in the music industry have to constantly reinvent themselves, but males don't... hmm...

that's another topic, but it should be said.

anyway, i just want taylor to know she can literally release absolutely anything, and we will still listen. i just want her to be authentic, be happy, and make music that fulfills her.

7. seven

this song was another grower, and i'll be honest, it's not the song i gravitate towards a lot. but, i still love it. it's sweet, innocent, and soothing. the second verse is my favorite.

8. august

AUGUST STANS ARE WE HERE??

where do i even begin?? the second i hear the opening lines, i'm at peace. it is perfect. "august" is just pure serotonin packaged into a song. the bridge is immaculate. i've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like this song, and if you do, don't talk to me :)

also, i love the love triangle storyline lol. it makes the songs so much more interesting. there's not much to say except, thank you, taylor.

9. this is me trying

this song is so nice to listen to, and it's so easy to love. the lyrics are thoughtful, and the instrumentals enhance it so well. i really overplayed it when the album first came out lol. it's short and sweet.

10. illicit tears

wow, it was so rude of taylor to drop this soul-crushing song without any warnings and expect me to be fine. i'm still waiting for the apology video btw.

in all seriousness, this song is a masterpiece. the lyrics are so vivid, she's unbelievable. the bridge is unreal, it just makes you wanna scream (pun intended). i love the second verse, it just picks up from there. even though the storyline is sad, it is a gorgeous song. also, she taught me like 2 new words from this song, so thank you for expanding my vocabulary, taylor.

11. invisible string

swifties, this song is adorable. the idea of an invisible string connecting you and your soulmate is beautiful, and i hope we can all experience this feeling one day. it is such a cute song, i really enjoy it.

12. mad woman

this song was also a grower, but rest assured, i love it. i love the meaning, and when she dropped the f-bomb, it sure grabbed my attention.

13. epiphany

"epiphany" is beautiful. i know some people feel it's too sad, but i love sad songs, so i'm not complaining. it's calming, and her voice and the instrumentals are beautiful. i really enjoy it.

14. betty

wow, betty is a masterpiece. the harmonicas, oh my gosh. she curses in this one too, and it's great. the last chorus is unbelievable, i can't believe she actually made this song. taylor really treated us well, i'm so grateful.

would you forgive james? i wonder what people think of the love triangle.

15. peace

"peace" is so cute, it just makes me happy. it took a minute for it to grow on me, but i'm glad it did.

16. hoax

"hoax" is another hauntingly beautiful song. i think it was a good song to close with, and her vocals sound great.

17. the lakes

i wish this song made the final tracklist, but i'm glad she released it regardless. it's SO beautiful, i love everything about it. i wouldn't change a single thing. i love the meaning behind it, her lyricism is incredible. she turns into a superhero when she picks up that pen.

overall thoughts:

i don't know what else to add, i think i said it all in the beginning. this album came at the perfect time, taylor always knows when i need her. i'm so grateful for her because she just released music this year and said "here you go, enjoy." i have such happy memories with this album, it's one of my all-time favorites. it's one of my comfort albums, and i'll never grow tired of it.

my rating: 10/10

the weakest song: lol, you thought.

the strongest songs: my tears ricochet, illicit affairs, exile, mirrorball, august, and cardigan. those are the ones i gravitate towards the most, but let's be real, they're all strong and amazing. this was a hard choice to make.

THANK YOU TAYLOR SWIFT.

also, i hope you all enjoy fearless (taylor's version). see you soon swifties, xoxo.

#taylor swift #folklore #swifties #fearless taylor’s version #album of the year #my album review

[taylorswiftdiscographyrate]

#100-91

100. White Horse (6.881) Highest score was 10; Lowest score was 2.7

Just barely scraping into the top 100 is Fearless’s track 5! White Horse is one of the only Track 5s to get the single treatment, the only other one being Delicate (unless you count The Archer being a promo single). This song won Grammys! 2 of them, to be precise - Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. And yet, here it languishes at number 100. Shame on us.

Highlighted comments: @corneliaavenue​: “I think this is her track 5 that aged the worst” @yourivysgrows: “Another amazing track 5″

99. I Wish You Would (6.900) Highest score was 9; Lowest score was 3

Finally, we enter the double digits! This song has some excellent storytelling with the very classic Taylor motif of 2am, and yet it’s never really gotten a huge amount of love from the fandom. While it’s hard to really pinpoint any song on 1989 as being “the most slept on”, since the whole album dominated pretty much the entire year after it released, but if we had to choose one song, this would probably be a big contender.

Highlighted comments: @yourivysgrows: “One of the most forgettable on 1989 ??”

98. Tim McGraw (6.953) Highest score was 9.25; Lowest score was 5

Her debut! This is THE song that introduced Taylor Swift™ to the world. If you’ve been a fan since this song was released, you have bragging rights and you should absolutely use them. There’s just something so timeless about this song, while I don’t consider it a favourite of mine, I enjoy it every time I listen to it.

Highlighted comments: @onceintwentylifetimes: “Timeless classic.” @tobesolonely: “literally her best opener” @itspeterlosingwendy: “good song, makes me nostalgic” 

97. Afterglow (6.963) Highest score was 11 (@na-smetisti); Lowest score was 3

The second-most slept on song of the Lover era. This song tackles a fight with a partner, and the resulting apology Taylor makes for starting it. It’s a nice song, and it got almost no acknowledgement from Taylor (I think it was mentioned in one interview? I can’t really remember and I can’t be bothered to go digging for it). If LoverFest had actually happened, this was probably going to be the song that got the cut. You all know its true.

Highlighted comments: @yourivysgrows: “She's beautiful”

96. the lakes (6.981) Highest score was 10; Lowest score was 3

I firmly believe that this being a deluxe track with a delayed release harmed its standing amongst the fandom. Had we had time to digest this alongside all the other folklore tracks, I’m sure it would be a lot more loved. It uses a lot of big words, and that can be intimidating!

Highlighted comments: @corneliaavenue: “I'm glad this was a bonus track, the tweet line ruins the entire song for me” @yourivysgrows: “I never reach for her ??”

94. This Love & I Almost Do (6.997) This Love: Highest score was 9.5; Lowest score was 3.4 I Almost Do: Highest score was 10; Lowest score was 1

Another tie! This Love is poetry. Literally poetry - it started out as a poem that Taylor wrote back in 2012 (we even got a sneak peek at its original writing in the Lover journals!). The slow and atmospheric production really fits the lyrics - that being said, while I love this song for that reason, I suppose I can understand why others might dislike it.

Highlighted comments: @yourivysgrows: “Dreamy as hell”

Now, let’s talk about I Almost Do. This used to be my least favourite song on Red - I still like it, just as I like every song on Red, but it was the one that stood out the least for me. So, while it has grown on me since, it’s not a great surprise to me that it didn’t rank particularly highly here.

Highlighted comments: @leadinmeon​: “this song has good lyrics but i always think abt the "ooooowooooowooo" at the start of the bridge and it's a bit cringe” @liabilitys​: “one of my fav songs but v underrated”

93. hoax (7.016)  Highest score was 9.5; Lowest score was 4

There is something about the lyric “stood on the cliffside screaming ‘give me a reason’” that is just so haunting to me. We never quite worked out what this song was, did we? Or if we did, then I missed the boat somehow. Someone fill me in please <3

Highlighted comments: @yourivysgrows: “I actually like this one a lot”

92. The Moment I Knew (7.056) Highest score was 10; Lowest score was 1

The storytelling! The storytelling! The Moment I Knew is a song that slowly, slowly reveals itself as it goes on. Cast your mind back to the first time you heard this song, and that final chorus came in and dropped the bomb of “Happy Birthday to you”, and you finally have the full picture of what went down. Her birthday party! How could you not show up to her birthday party! It’s hating Jake Gyllenhaal hours.

Highlighted comments: @leadinmeon: “it's weird i used to relate so much” @yourivysgrows: “Fuck Jake Gylenhaal part 25″

91. Ronan (7.106) Highest score was 10; Lowest score was 1

This is Taylor’s saddest song for me, no contest. I’m not going to say anything more about it, because Ronan is not really the type of song that invites critique.

Highlighted comments: @tobesolonely: “for how she incorporated Maya's blog posts as verses to give her writing credit”  @itspeterlosingwendy: “sad but good”

#results

[harrysdimples]

folklore track by track review

the 1: love me a piano intro. oh this guitar?? swearing in the first 5 seconds? I like these lyrics. never bleed????????? hmm.................it would’ve been you.............I..............it would’ve been fun if you were the one.........bruv..........dare I say it...............am I just clowning.....or like.......................is she....ya know.......talking about........you know.......h****?? oh these vocals ! bruv I don’t care this is about harry because I say so afhdjssa. I really love this production and her vocals, it already sounds so much more mature than lover and it’s only the opener, feels like a more-mature version of a deep cut on red. excellent start!

cardigan: oh this percussion?? the piano?? her voice sounds fab. is this about the met? black lipstick? or bleachella? her VOCALS bruv sound 10x better than anything on lover?? I love these lyrics omg. THIS IS SO GOOD. HEARTBEAT ON THE HIGH LINE ONCE IN TWENTY LIFETIMES. this so good?? try to change the ending peter losing wendy?? leaving like a father running like water????? I love this so much omg. the atmospheric vocal...the percussion....the lyrics.....the piano......LAV IT. I can’t get over how already this is more lyrically dense than lover and reputation but I ain’t complaining!! I’m both surprised and not surprised that they went with this for the single from this era but I really like it, it feels like it would fit right at home in the NFR tracklist.

the last great american dynasty: love these strings?? omg the beat? is this political? hmm I like the lyrics of the verses but i’m not 100% feeling the lyrics/structure of the chorus, feels a little like she’s trying to fit too many words into the line, but I love the storytelling aspect of it and it’ll probably grow on me. it’s like a grown-up version of starlight or the lucky one. Is this supposed to be like an alternate version of what taylor’s life could’ve been like? or am I just completely misinterpreting that lmao?

exile ft. bon iver: like this piano intro. love bon iver. oh the birds in the background?? ooft these lyrics....brutal. is this about calvin? is that a kazoo? afjdshjsa I promise i’m not trying to be like this but like......this is very......hm. I really love his voice. the bridge is really pretty with both their voices. I can see myself staring dramatically outside the window listening to this when we’re allowed to properly go back outside lmao. very nice and pretty, it’ll probably hit harder later on than my first listen but I like it. 

my tears ricochet: this a-cappella intro? oh this is sad :( what a ghostly scene....................................I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace :( oh this buildup?? I still talk to you........omg these atmospheric vocals I. LOVE. I need to read the lyrics on my next few listens to this but I really like it so far.

mirrorball: this feels like the outro in a coming of age 80s movie. love the soft guitars. oh these vocals! I know she didn’t mean to but when she signs tallest it sounds like she’s saying toilet to me lmao. jack’s atmospheric vocals!!! yes!!! the bridge is really beautiful. all I do is try, try, try. I’m just trying to get you to look at me :( I do have to say, while I love how lyrically dense this album is and reflective it is in comparison to her last few albums, the instrumentation doesn’t change a whole lot throughout these songs on first listen, it’s more that atmospheric vocals/sounds are built on top of it, which is fine, but I think they’ll benefit a lot from me listening to them outside the context of the album. love the meaning behind this though and I think it’s really beautiful.

seven: (this is when I stopped doing live reactions and instead went for post track reactions) Is it weird to say that this did better at the “love letter to love” concept meant for lover than lover did? this song feels more like for her legacy/future family and how she’s grown than as an active, present moment which is nice. I will say while I did love NFR when it came out, it also hit a wall with me eventually where it needed some breathing space or something to break up the sections of the album (which harry does actually quite well) and I feel like we’re hitting that point (if we haven’t already). I’m always slightly apprehensive about long albums like this which is why I said this will benefit from listening outside the context of the album. 

august: I’m really curious as to who this is about lmao. but this was excellent in the progression of the track and the buildup/atmosphere and dynamics of the track, this was what I was wanting a bit more with songs like exile and it did great at building a different sonic landscape which is what was needed in the album imo. one of my favourite tracks so far.

this is me trying: this is very...wistful and reflective. a hybrid of the archer and I wish you would to me. “I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere, Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here” is a LYRIC bruv. feels reminiscent of what she said in the miss americana documentary about how you’re stunted in your growth when you become famous at a young age and you fall behind the emotional development of most people around you, which is really interesting. “Pouring out my heart to a stranger, But I didn't pour the whiskey” is that supposed to be like a metaphor for stopping herself from saying too much all the time because she knows it could get out/be perceived in a certain way? either way, these are some great lyrics. “you're a flashback in a film reel on the one screen in my town” hmmm.....

illicit affairs: I LOVE THIS. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS. I have nothing else to add. this is fantastic. favourite track so far. amazing. 10/10.

invisible string: this song is really sweet lol I wish I was in love with someone to relate more to this. very referential to her work as a whole and I liked the more stripped down production.

man this is a long album lol

mad woman: FUCK YOU FOREVER. scream. this is very lana-fied lmao. I wish she did a little more with the electric guitar in the back though, imagine this more being soft-rock? so this is definitely about scott and scooter right? I do like this but it does feel very sonically similar to some of the tracks we’ve heard so far and I wish she had switched it up a little to fit the excellent lyricism of this song, more guitar would’ve really elevated the song imo. 

epiphany: lol I got a bit emotional listening to this, I can already tell i’m going to listen to this at night and cry lmao. I have a massive fear of death/the unknown and this song sort of touched on that concept to me and I really liked the production. this feels like it should be in a movie soundtrack or in like, grey’s anatomy. the heartbeat-like sound in the outro? beautiful. this is the sort of concepts I’ve been wanting from taylor for a while now and the execution of this was really good imo. 

betty: ms swift it’s okay to be gay. the elaborate-ness of putting yourself in the position of a man just to say you liked a girl. how are the kaylors/gaylors holding out lmao this is a nice story (like an upgraded version of ybwm) but I can’t get over how effectively no-homo this is lmao. the key change? love story wishes. oh the wistfullness to be young......and in looooOOOOoooOOove.

peace: love the guitar in the intro. this gives me another more grown up perspective of a song on melodrama? I love her vocals in this. I feel like i’ve said this about 40 times already but the atmospheric sounds....chef’s kiss. 

hoax: the closer. the LYRICISM bitch. “your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in” shut up :( the bridge is gorgeous. I’m not sure how I feel about it as the closer though, it ties up the themes of the album pretty well but I almost feel peace would’ve been a better closer? still really gorgeous though.

okay. overall thoughts. top 3 albums of taylor’s discography for me along with 1989 and red. It did feel long towards the end though and I still think her problem is editing and streamlining her projects which is why I think 1989 (as her best album for that) and red (while being longer than this has enough songs to break up the album so it’s not monotonous for the listener) rank above this for me at the moment, but that could change. If I were her, I would’ve taken out invisible string and possibly betty and seven to have as deluxe tracks. her lyricism is better on this album than both reputation and lover combined, she really did that in like 4 months. I will need more time with it as I always do with taylor’s projects but it was the album she needed in my opinion. I think part of the reason I disliked lover and to a lesser extent, reputation, was because they didn’t come across as if she needed to write them like her other projects, but more projects she felt she should to write because that was where the narrative of her public image was forcing her to go, this feels like a return to form, even if I would tweak a few things. the visuals for this album have all been great (her best album cover after 1989 imo) and I think it benefitted a lot from going into it with next to no expectations, without a single or anything and I hope she continues to just do whatever, rather than painstakingly plan marketing surrounding an album and just allow her talent to speak for itself. really good. favourite tracks are probably: illicit affairs, the 1, cardigan, epiphany and mirrorball. least favourite are probably: invisible string, seven and maybe betty too. i’d rate it about 8/10 at the moment. also: ****** never dies.

#ruth rambles #taylor swift

[justatiredgremlin]

First impressions for Folklore

1. The 1 - it’s that soft nostalgia when you look back at old photos with someone and the subtle sad that sits in the back corner of your mind but you’re okay with it.

2. Cardigan - okay, probably my favourite but that may change with more listening. That line about feeling like an old cardigan but that one person who makes you feel cosy and loved. God. That hit somewhere. I’m reading a a lot of platonic love into it and no one can stop me (certain people can and should expect to get serenaded with this)

3. The Last Great American Dynasty - another top contender

4. Exile - Oh the passive tension. You can imagine very easily that it’s the same couple from The Last Time but later. There’s still some underlying issues they’re yet to address and they’re both pretending it’s just about the new man

5. My Tears Ricochet - my dad kept talking over this one but it sounds soft and strong and I like the choirs in the background. A breakup song like only Taylor can.

6. Mirrorball - this theme of dancing at the end and shining in secret is one we know Taylor loves but it’s Nice. I love. This one is definitely another favourite, maybe cause it reminds me of a Josh Woodward song I love

7. Seven - this is playing on the next car journey I have where it feels like big changes are happening in my life. It’s got those staring wistfully out of the window vibes. It’s growing up but not being old enough yet. It’s wishing you could help someone but not being able to save them in the way you wish you could

8. August - 1989/Red vibes and I’m here for it. That summer romance that could never last. I’ll be honest it does bring a particular name into my head. This is this years summer hit and I will listen to it all August

9. This Is Me Trying - got the car journey vibes like Seven but with a different message. Wanting to scream THIS IS ME TRYING at someone is such a mood. This is going on my depression playlist with Tied Together With A Smile cause they both hit me somewhere inside somewhere deep. I don’t think I’ll ever hear this without feeling emotional.

10. Illicit Affairs - this is one of those ones that Taylor does so well where you’re being told a story and you can’t relate but it’s sad and tragic and beautiful.

11. Invisible String - this is just Cute. Pure and simple. It’s proper old school Taylor Swift EP vibes mixed with the peace of Lover and some of the songs on Reputation and I adore. Sending the ex’s babies presents? That’s growth and I’m proud

12. Mad Woman - yes. Yes. Is it just me who get very excited everytime Taylor swears? It’s the gentle controlled anger that’s been sitting for a while and you’re ready to let it out. Pairs well with This Is Me Trying like a good wine. Also kinda makes me think of Pantsuit Sasquatch by Molly Lewis

13. Epiphany - I’ll be real. It’s soft and beautiful but I don’t quite get it. That’s okay though. It’s still hella pretty

14. Betty - gay. I approve. Taylor says fuck again so a huge thumbs up. Plus there’s that link back to Cardigan at the end. Actually I think this one is my favourite.

15. Peace - it’s finding home in someone but also having that insecurity that they’re just a better person than you and you’ll never be good enough for them.

16. Hoax - this gives me emotions. Just wow. Sometimes with all the pop bops Taylor does (don’t get me wrong I adore) it’s easy to forget how talented she is at storytelling and writing and this just brings it all back

I just love this album a lot. It’s all about the stories and the lyrics and I love

#folklore #taylor swift #im in awe #god this is talent #shes giving me all the emotions and im okay with it

[itsdelicate]

my fav album is rep too!!! fav era prob lover? 1989 was great too but I wasn't on tumblr at the time (or a swiftie tbh). ooh evermore for me!! folklore is amazing too though ofc. what are ur top 5 from each?

OMG REALLY?? that's amazing I would do anything to meet bash he's so funny, love him sm. yea ive seen ppl say that about him too which is so ugh. love tao forever <3 I have!! I loved it too so you definitely should. tell me how you like it after!! ahh I watched a few eps of the good place then just stopped. idk why though cause I really liked it. I'll prob start it again, I'm so free rn lmao. ME TOO!! I'm such a huge kate sharma and simone ashley fan. she's everything akdbsjns. also kathony are just so very. yes that's always okay I'd love to answer them!! ooh that's tough idrk cause I don't watch a lot of movies but i mainly just love comedy movies and anything w sandra bullock skdjsj also the breakfast club, and the 2000s and 2010s movies like clueless and legally blonde!! wbu? do u have a fav movie?

just a random question: whats ur top 5 from midnights (3am included)?

it's my friends bday and she's having this sleepover party w some other friends too. haven't seen them in a bit so I'm excited!! well that's good and I'm happy u get a little trip!! hope you have fun!!

xxx ur secret santa

rep stans unite!! oooh lover era was cute it got caught up in the pandemic 😔 when did u become a swiftie! oh omg okay i’ll have to do top 3 cause i don’t know my top 5 ahdjfj i hope that’s okay but for folklore it’ll have to be seven, invisible string and hoax and for evermore it’s willow, ivy and rwylm <3 what are yours!

he really is omg and he’s so lovely i gave them all little handmade gifts and showed them a pic of what was inside it on my phone so they wouldn’t have to rip open the packaging and bash looked at the pic and went 😮 and proceeded to open it up right there and then to gush over it ahdjfj also no literally tao’s just a kid who loves his friends and is afraid of losing them!! omg okay i will and the good place is sooo good 💞 yes oh my gosh!! simone was actually at the convention too shdjf she’s so pretty i maybe died seeing her in person

i love comedy too! omg love legally blonde (the musical is also great since u asked about musicals the other day!!) my fav movie is tangled :’) but for non-animated it’s kingsman! which is so far from my usual genre of movies tbh but it’s so good and also the greatest showman is up there!! the songs 🤧 speaking of movies my friends and i usually do a movie night every friday since i’ve moved to stay connected and we watched klaus today and it was so good 🥺

omg okay i’ll try to do an actual top 5 for midnights: the great war, karma, would’ve could’ve should’ve, yoyok and sweet nothing ❤️ your turn! 👀

oh that sounds so fun!! i hope you have the best time 🥰 thank u so much!

#ask #anonymous #santaswiftie

[jonismitchell]

tell me about your top 5 on folklore pls 🥺💖

okay so. i actually cannot effectively rank this album at all because im just obsessed with every single song and i can’t make a decision to save my life. that being said, here are five of my favourites at the moment. please don’t confuse this for me actively being able to make a choice.

my tears ricochet: okay, sort of biased because i’m literally playing this song right now. but i also made an edit that contrasts these lyrics with wuthering heights and i am quite emotional about those parallels, not going to lie. it’s about being an awful lover and haunting the person who hates you know and i just relate to that a lot. my heart breaks every time i listen to this and project my own life onto it. also? also her vocals are perfect and this is the kind of production i have been begging her to do forever.

this is me trying: this might be one of my favourite taylor songs of all time? it just speaks to so much self loathing and the knowledge that you might never get it right but goddamnit you’re trying. it speaks a lot to gifted kid burnout (so i got wasted like all my potential) which i really relate to as a former gifted kid. there’s so much pain and anguish in this song that really punches me in the gut every single time.

hoax: your faithless love is the only hoax i believe in! you know i’m obsessed with any reference to love being like a religion, so this had to be ranked pretty highly. the pure desperation in her voice, the aesthetic of standing on a cliff and begging someone to give you a reason... you know the hero died so what’s the movie for.... these lyrics are so clever and so upset and i am projecting!

seven: guess what song i’m playing right at this moment? but seriously, the bit about your dad is always mad so the house is haunted gets me every time. it’s like a more mature version of it’s nice to have a friend, but it has more of a cottage aesthetic and it makes me feel warm when i listen to it. honestly this whole album is like a thick blanket over my shoulders kneeling next to the fireplace and i love it so much. this song is also helping me get over my annoyance with venn diagrams!

august: maybe i am listening to this song right now who asked! it just lets you know that every single song on this album plays and becomes my favourite. anyway i was born in august so this song is my legal right. i think the vibes of it are immaculate and that the production sounds like a girl in red song and i just love it so much. i connect to it a lot and started hyperventilating and nearly crying the first time i listened.

#sweetteaswift #asking with you #megan*

[thisselflovecamebacktome]

Folklore first listen thoughts

The 1: My god did I picture someone straight away when I heard this. This feels very much like a Sara Bareilles song in the best way but also kinda feels like Death By A Thousand Cuts’ sister song. For most the album, I thought it was going to be in my top 5, but it just missed out. All up though I genuinely really like it and feel like it’s one I’m going to listen to most from the album.

Favourite Lyric: I had this dream you're doing cool shit, having adventures on your own...

Cardigan: I’m not going to lie, this wasn’t a song I gravitated to upon first listen. I will however say that I think the music video adds a lot to it and I loved that the ‘you’ she knew was music. But yeah all up, I’m hoping it’s a grower because right now it’s among the bottom tracks for me.

Favourite Lyric: 'Cause I knew everything when I was young...

The Last Great American Dynasty: A bop. A sister song to The Lucky One. The first of my top 5 songs from the album upon first listen. Do I need to say more?

Favourite Lyric: I had a marvellous time ruining everything...

Exile: God I love this song. I was worried before hearing it because I couldn’t picture Bon Iver and Taylor’s voices together but it worked so well. And again, it was also very relatable to someone in particular in my life. Definitely a top 5 track.

Favourite Lyric: You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)...

My Tears Ricochet: I’m not going to lie, I don’t feel like I gave this song enough credit for it’s emotional writing. Honestly, it really reminds me of my parents divorce through the lens of my mother and anything to do with that doesn’t see the light of day emotionally for me. So given that, I feel like it’s going to be my least favourite track five but objectively is one of the best if that makes any sense.

Favourite Lyric: And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes, too...

Mirrorball: This is another song that I’ll admit, I didn’t gravitate to. I do see the appeal though and think it will be a grower.

Favourite Lyric: And I'll show you every version of yourself tonight...

Seven: This is a song that I feel got better as it went along. Like at first I was a little offput by the production, but it started to feel more right as the song went on. I do also heavily relate to “I hit my peak at seven: though, not gonna lie lmao. All up it’s probably a middle of the album type song for me. I like it, but it’s not a favourite

Favourite Lyric: And I think you should come live with me and we can be pirates...

August: When the song titles dropped, I joked that this would be my favourite because my birthday was in August, but my god is it actually my favourite from the album lmao. I adore the production, including the ‘beat drop’ extra instruments added near the end. It’s relatable to someone (yes this is a theme with this album, deal with it lmao) and all up I just adore it and would be surprised if it’s not my most listened to song on this album.

Favourite Lyric: Back when we were still changin' for the better, wanting was enough. For me, it was enough...

This Is Me Trying: This and Hoax are probably the two most relatable songs on the album to me, not going to lie. Like I don’t really have much to say about it because to be honest, I mostly just sat there and took this song in as it played. I will say that it feels like a sister song to The Archer though and that should tell you all you need to know about how I’m going to listen to it constantly lmao.

Favourite Lyric: I didn't know if you'd care if I came back, I have a lot of regrets about that...

Illicit Affairs: Again, relatable to someone from my past and something that very easily could have made my top 5 had this album not been such a high quality album lmao. It’s one of those songs where there’s not one particular thing I like about it, it just flows well and is a good song.

Favourite Lyric: For you, I would ruin myself a million little times...

Invisible String: This is another one that’s middle of album for me. Like I like it and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it was a grower, but it’s not a favourite at this point. All up she’s cute though.

Favourite Lyric: Cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart. Now I send their babies presents...

Mad Woman: Okay listen I get that this is such an empowerment song and I love it for that to the point it almost made my top 5, but I’d be lying if the last part of the song didn’t shake me to the core and make me think of Kimye. Like it shook me to the point that I know I didn’t give Epiphany the love it deserved because I just could not believe what I had heard. All up it’s a great song though and one I see myself listening to a lot.

Favourite Lyric: And women like hunting witches too, doing your dirtiest work for you...

Epiphany: Again, I will be the first to admit I did not give this song the love she deserved because I was still in shock from Mad Woman. So yeah, I can’t really say much about it at this stage and would need to listen to it again.

Favourite Lyric: “Sir I think he’s bleeding out” and some things you just can’t speak about...

Betty: This song is so cute. She didn’t quite make my top 5, but from what I can see, she seems to be the fandom’s fave so far so I’m glad she’s getting the love she deserves. I also think this is going to be another one of the tracks I listen to the most.

Favourite Lyric: But if I just showed up at your party, would you have me? Would you want me? Would you tell me to go fuck myself?

Peace: Honestly this feels like a sister song to It’s Nice To Have A Friend. It’s the song I feel like is going to grow on me the most over time. For now it’s very sweet and I enjoy it.

Favourite Lyric: I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best, but the rain is always gonna come if you're standin' with me

Hoax: I thought I had my top 5 for this album picked before this song, but nope. Honestly, just like This Is Me Trying, I basically just sad and vibed to this song and felt it out until the end. I just love it, that is all I can say.

Favourite Lyric: You know I left a part of me back in New York. You knew the hero died so what's the movie for?

In general I just loved this album. The production was so different to most of the songs Taylor has done in the past and because of that, it really shined and potentially is my favourite part of the album currently. I don’t want to rank this album against her others at this point because it’s so new and honestly, I haven’t even really soaked it in let alone considered a ranking yet. But regardless, I can honestly see myself listening to most of this album frequently in years to come and I’m so incredibly grateful that we got it.

#taylor swift #folklore

[lochsides]

folklore: Track-by-Track review

As I’m writing this, folklore has been on repeat all day long. I’ve been trying to build a relationship with the songs, interpret lyrics and listen in on all the intricacies of the production. If ever Taylor wrote a sonically cohesive album, this is it. The songs flow in and out of each other seamlessly. folklore is emotive, nostalgia-coated, and complex. The storytelling on this album is brilliant. I've always wanted her to write conceptually and the fact that she created this whole world with characters and history is indicative of her talent as a storyteller. This is where she excels. I’m already so in love with this album and I'm certain my affection for it will only grow - I didn’t know how much I needed all that this album is. folklore evokes a sense of comfort within me, like wearing your favourite old cardigan. This project is the best Taylor has ever written.

I've added my song reviews below the cut, for those of you interested. Currently, my favourite tracks are august, exile, the last great american dynasty, cardigan, my tears ricochet, and this is me trying.

the 1 is the perfect entry point to folklore. The tone of the song is natural progression from Lover. This song is nostalgia wearing rose-coloured glasses. The effortlessness production enhances the romanticism of the lyrics. the 1 is one of those songs that's really easy for the listener to insert themselves into. “You know the greatest loves of all time are over now” is one my most favourite lyrics on the album. I also love the chorus line of “we were something, don’t you think so? / In my defence, I have none...”

cardigan was the perfect choice for a lead single. It's one of the catchiest songs on folklore while being one of the most folksy songs too. The drum at the start sets a dark tone to the song, which is verified by her vocals and production. I love the "I knew you" pre-choruses. The one following directly from the bridge is my favourite part of the whole song and the sole reason for this song being in my top 5. There is so much complexity and emotion to that part, both lyrically and production-wise.

the last great american dynasty is first and foremost such a dramatic title, I love it, but it’s fittingly dramatic for the story she’s telling. This is what I meant earlier about creating a world with characters and history. She wrote a song about the previous owners of her Rhode Island house. For all intents and purposes, this song is folklore. It’s whispers and gossip about the widow who “had a marvelous time ruining everything” - genius lyric, by the way. The production on this track is builds around the story. 

exile is one of my absolute favourites, I love this song so much. The first note I made about exile is how much it reminds me of The Last Time with the whole two sides to one story thing. Bon Iver sounds so good with Taylor. I love their back-and-forth throughout the bridge. Their overlapping vocals works for the song and the entire production of this song is perfection. 

my tears ricochet was a song that really hit me square across the chest. I’ve put a trigger warning in the tags but if abuse is a sensitive topic for you, skip ahead to the next track. This song was hard for me to listen to because I could relate it back to an abusive situation I was in. “Even on my worst days, did I deserve babe, all the hell you gave me” physically hurt. Don’t get me wrong, I really really love this song. It’s in my top 5 because of how accurately she portrayed all the emotions I felt back then. The background vocals give it a haunting sound and the drum kicking in on the bridge really pushes the emotion. My favourite lyric on this song is “... you would still miss me in your bones / and I still talk to you when I’m screaming at the sky.” 

mirrorball makes me think of dancing in a bar with a lover. This is my type of dance music. None of that EDM shit, I want to sway to a live band in an airy melody. Lyrically, this song has a bit to unpack. “I’m a mirrorball, I’ll show every version of yourself tonight/ I can change everything about me to fit in” is actually really relatable for me. I’m a reflection of whoever I’m with/ speaking to. I become what they need me to be. It may be people-pleasing but it’s real. 

seven is childhood whimsy and nostalgia in a song. I found the high vocals on the verses and lower vocals on the chorus to be an interesting choice, one that Taylor doesn’t often make. I love the honesty of the line “before I learned civility I used to scream, ferociously, any time I wanted.” Hey, let’s do that again. Children are unfiltered.

august is my song. The nostalgia, the storytelling, the production, the summer almost-lovers trope! I also love that she did that thing she does with bridges on a song and repetition through the end. What is it with her and doing that and mentioning cars (see Getaway Car and Cruel Summer). I have a theory that this song relates to betty and it’s from the point of view from the other woman because of the lyric “remember when I pulled up and said ‘get in the car’...” and “she said ‘James, get in, let’s drive’...” in betty.

this is me trying is the song I’ve listened to the most. The whole concept of regrets and this sinking sensation of not being good enough and trying tirelessly to be is something I think everyone can relate to. The whole second verse was a call out and hit a little too close to home, particularly the line “I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere.” I love her vocals on “at least I’m trying” and the strings! I can see this becoming my number 1 in the days to come.

illicit affairs has a really relaxing guitar pattern to it, which stood out to me because of the starting, but the part of this song that hooked me was the bridge. The production of the bridge shakes up the song and keeps it from being monotonous and the lyrics are amazing. I love the line “look at this godforsaken mess that you made, you showed me colours you know I can’t see with anyone else.” It’s a frustration common to the end of any relationship, romantic or platonic. There’s a level of comfort and understanding of each other that you’ve established and you won’t be able to find that exact thing with anyone else. The length of this song is perfect, in my opinion. Any longer and I would’ve been bored.

invisible string is the soulmate trope in a song. The production is so clean and I love the guitar and the string towards the end. “Time, mystical time, cutting me open and healing me fine” is my favourite lyric on this track. I also like “... string that pulled me out of all the wrong arms and into that dive bar” because of the Delicate connotations.

mad woman has one of the most clever lyrics on the entire record; “women like hunting witches too, doing your dirtiest work for you” as a metaphor for internalised misogyny and how the patriarchy pits women against each other is fucking brilliant. I am not often so interested in the production of a song that all my notes are production-based. Everything from the minor chords on the piano to the beat pattern to the low vocals make for a chilling, suspenseful atmosphere. Aaron Dessner did that.

epiphany, although beautiful, was a bit slow for my liking. I love the part “with you I serve, with you I fall down / watch you breathe in, watch you breathing out” and the orchestral production. The elongated notes give it a really dreamy feeling, which was probably intentional as it’s about finding some peace / making sense of traumas in your dreams. 

betty is a song that I can picture as I’m listening to it, which is a mark of great storytelling. The first note I have written for this song is harmonica in all caps with 4 exclamation points. I mean you can’t call your album folklore and have no harmonica. This song reminds me of old country Taylor and I’ve missed it. 

peace is another song that felt a bit slow for me and the simplicity of the production, while very soothing, makes it feel lullaby-ish and sleepy. That was probably the intention, to make the listener feel peaceful listening to it. There are a lot of great lyrical moments on peace. The way she describes their closeness and her devotion through familial themes: "... give you a child" and "family that I chose / I see your brother as my brother." My personal favourite is the line "I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm if your cascade ocean wave blues come." It's very poetic.

hoax is your classic piano ballad and it's beautifully sad. "You knew it still hurts underneath my scars from when they pulled me apart but what you did was just as dark" carries pain. I also love the line "don't want no other shade of blue but you / no other sadness in the world would do". I like this song as a closer, though I'm curious as to why she chose it. I think the production fits with the vibe of folklore.

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