#swiftology

13EATS: A MIXTAYPE

I've been writing about Taylor Swift's melodic strategies for a long time now. I compared her to a melodic rapping style that I call "modal rap" back in 2023, but I always wondered what would happen if you actually combined her (mostly major key) melodies with (mostly minor key) production from rap of the past decade.

most of all, seven points to how sad, beautiful, and tragic adulthood can be when compared to the innocence, freedom, and hope of childhood.  the freedom of being able to scream ferociously anytime before being socialized to feel ashamed for feeling fully and playing passionately (”before I learned civility”). I mean, can you guys remember a time when you felt absolutely free of social norms?

it also describes how resourceful and resilient children are. the lines “house is haunted, your dad is always mad” and “then you won’t have to cry or hide in the closet” seem to refer to childhood abuse, and how make-believe and diving into a fantasy world can help you cope with the cruelty of the real world (“we can be pirates // pack your dolls and a sweater, we’ll move to India forever”)

the line about being unable to face reinvention in the face of divorce is so profound because you're left trying to make sense of not being good enough as you are, and also, not being able to give more than you already have. you'd be frozen while you grieve.

EEKKKKKK our wedding is only 19 days away and I’m so jittery & excited to marry this magnetic force of a man!! @taylorswift thank you for the release of your most romantic album yet -- it’s the perfect soundtrack as I prepare for the wedding! 

One of the things I love most about my fiance (and I am literally commenting on this in the vows) is how he embraces my immense love and respect for you, Taylor! When a new song comes out, he’s the first to ask me my thoughts and then we listen to it together. When Lover came out, he asked me if we were changing our first dance song to Lover.  He has quickly become so knowledgeable in #swiftology that he could basically have his masters in it.

Find you a man who says “It makes me so happy to see how happy you are when you talk about Taylor Swift.”