"Isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?" This week, we're deep diving "invisible string" (folklore 2020). We go line by line through this deceptively whimsical love song, exploring everything from Greek mythology to Jane Eyre references, the evolution of time from "curious" to "mystical" to "wondrous," and why Taylor chooses to believe in fate. Join us as we unpack the colors, the contrasts, and the surprising darkness hidden beneath this seemingly romantic fairy tale about finding your person against all odds.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

Greek Mythology - The Fates

Ancient Chinese proverb - Red thread of fate

Hercules (1997 Disney film)

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Episode Highlights:

[01:27] The title: Invisible strings, fates, and marionettes

[3:33] Green and teal: Same but different colors

[11:13] “Bad was the blood of the song in the cab”

[18:16] "Time, mystical time"

[24:30] “Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire”

[36:22] "Time, wondrous time" - Blues to purple pink skies

[39:13] The purpose of the song

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
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• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

"But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe." Join us for our immediate reactions to Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album! We break down our first impressions track by track, exploring the sophisticated lyricism hidden beneath high-energy pop production, the album's theatrical motifs, and how Taylor uses the showgirl concept as both performance and vulnerability. From the literary references in "Fate of Ophelia" to the musical callbacks throughout, we discuss how this album ties together themes from across Taylor's discography while introducing bold new perspectives on fame, relationships, and growing up in the spotlight.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• Dante’s Inferno
• Rapunzel fairy tale
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Jackson 5
• George Michael
• The Godfather
• Scandal (TV show)

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] Our initial reactions to “The Life of a Showgirl”

[07:39] Fate of Ophelia - Shakespeare references and literary vibes

[12:28] Elizabeth Taylor - Loneliness of fame and purple eyes

[14:34] Opalite - ABBA vibes and haunted houses

[17:42] Father Figure - Industry power dynamics and masculinity

[21:42] Eldest Daughter - Track 5 emotions and millennial core

[27:06] Ruin the Friendship - High school storytelling and Abigail callback

[30:55] Actually Romantic - Diss track energy but supportive message

[34:39] Wi$h Li$t - Evolving desires and life phases

[40:02] Wood - Adult themes with childhood superstitions

[45:03] Canceled! - Something wicked this way comes

[47:54] Honey - Terms of endearment and passive aggression

[52:00] The Life of a Showgirl - Behind the scenes vs performance

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

"What if I told you none of it was accidental?" This week, you’re getting six show-and-tell songs instead of three! In this episode, we explore the concept of parallel songs in Taylor Swift's discography, focusing on thematic and lyrical connections between pairs of songs. We discuss the similarities between the carefree hangout vibes of “22” and the more mature perspective of letting loose in “Bejeweled”; the contrasting views of fate in “Invisible String” and agency in “Mastermind”. And, we take a technical lens to the songs “Labyrinth” and “You're Losing Me”, highlighting how they embody experiences of love and loss.

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashup TikToks

Love Story Deep Dive

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:22] Introduction to Parallel Songs

[04:00] Exploring “22” (Red) and “Bejeweled” (Midnights)

[12:09] Contrasting “Invisible String”(folklore) and “Mastermind” (Midnights)

[19:57] Analyzing “Labyrinth” (Midnights) and “You're Losing Me” (Midnights (from the vault))

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.