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Diogenes the Dragon: Battling Cynicism in Long Live
We know from Swift’s later work that she was a noted scholar of Greek philosophy during this era of her life “You know how to ball / I know Aristotle” (So High School). It is thus worth digging into Swift name dropping a group of people who were deeply upset by her success – the world-denying philosophers known as the Cynics.
Saint Stephen I just wrote you a paean: Signifier and signified in Hey Stephen
Swift, a philosopher of language, explores the relationship between a name and what it signifies by fully exploring the meaning of 'Stephen'
Swift's Theology of Noise Music in Our Song
In Our Song, noted music theorist Taylor Swift grapples with the question “What is Music?”
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When Taylor Met the Finale: Swift’s Unfulfilled Desire for a Rom-Com Ending
The Basics: Six months after her relationship has ended, Taylor Swift sings “come back, come back, come back to meee heeee” to her ex....
Diogenes the Dragon: Battling Cynicism in Long Live
We know from Swift’s later work that she was a noted scholar of Greek philosophy during this era of her life “You know how to ball / I know Aristotle” (So High School). It is thus worth digging into Swift name dropping a group of people who were deeply upset by her success – the world-denying philosophers known as the Cynics.
“I’mma Let You Finish”: Time and Rehabilitation in Innocent
As in Never Grow Up, time in Innocent is a double-edged sword. Although growing up is terrible, it also provides healing and growth.
The Lost Boys Chapter of Her Life: Fear of Aging in Never Grow Up
Our chronophobic prophetess Taylor Swift informs a baby that her life is only going to get worse from here.
The Allegory of the Rose: Linear and Cyclical Time in Back to December
In Back To December, Taylor Swift explores decay over time.
![That's When[ever]: Blurring Time after a Reconciliation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aOa6D6ku3dM/maxresdefault.jpg)
That's When[ever]: Blurring Time after a Reconciliation
Swift and Urban's time apart is not represented using discrete moments in linear time, but as a series of oppositions blurred together.
Light’s Out: Astrothesia of the Self in We Were Happy
In We Were Happy, Swift reflects with sadness on what it means to play the role of a setting sun in someone else's life.
Meet me at Midnight: Liminal Time in Untouchable
Untouchable is the first time that the words “middle of the night” or “midnight” appear in a Taylor Swift song.
Ode on a VHS Tape: Ekphrasis in The Best Day
Swift’s use of ekphrasis to describe a home video elevates this domestic scene to the realm of high art.
I Remember it All Too Well: Eyewitness Testimony in Forever & Always
In Forever & Always, Swift begins to explore a theme that she will perfect in her magnum opus All Too Well.
Wisdom of the Elders: 18yo Swift recalls being Fifteen
The Basics In Fifteen, a wizened Taylor Swift addresses her fifteen-year-old self. Now eighteen, Swift has acquired the wisdom that comes...
The Time Traveler's Wife: Visiting the Past in Mary's Song (Oh My My My)
Swift, a metaphysician, uses Mary’s narrative as an opportunity to revisit the theme from a universe where the relationship did not end.
Look but don't See: Teardrops on my Guitar
The Basics: Taylor Swift is in love with Drew. Drew doesn’t know how Taylor Swift feels and tells her about his beautiful girlfriend....
Swift Vengeance Waits: Picture to Burn
Recap: Picture to Burn is Taylor Swift’s second song and first revenge anthem — the first foray into a genre that will become a Swiftian...
![Tim[e] McGraw: A Deconstruction of Music and Memory](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GkD20ajVxnY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Tim[e] McGraw: A Deconstruction of Music and Memory
Swift’s first song, Tim McGraw, uses a complex structure to reflect on whether past relationships stay in the past or live on in memories.
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