"That's a lie." In this deep dive episode, we dissect "Tim McGraw" line by line, exploring how a teenage Taylor Swift crafted a deceptively complex narrative about young love, heartbreak, and the bittersweet nature of memory. From Chevy trucks and Georgia stars to little black dresses and faded blue jeans, we unpack the country iconography and examine how the meaning of key phrases shifts dramatically when we understand that the full timeline. Join us as we discover how Taylor's debut single established her as a master storyteller from day one, using nostalgic imagery and circular narrative structure to create a song that hits different every time you hear it.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Last Song

Dirty Dancing

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Grease

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

The Good Place

Anita de Monte Laughs Last – Xochitl Gonzalez

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Episode Highlights:

[00:55] How we do a deep dive

[02:07] “He said the way my blue eyes shined…”

[05:32] “And I was right there beside him all summer long”

[07:55] “When you think Tim McGraw”

[12:40] “September saw a month of tears”

[18:34] “And there’s a letter left on your doorstep / And the first thing that you’ll read”

[21:40] “... I said, that's a lie”

[27:12] 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
• 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.

“And baby, that’s show business for you!❤️‍🔥” Taylor Swift just announced TS12, "The Life of a Showgirl," on the New Heights Podcast, releasing October 3rd! Join us for an emergency bonus episode as we break down the album announcement, analyze the track list through our literary lens, and discuss what this new era means for Taylor's artistic evolution. From Shakespearean references in "The Fate of Ophelia" to the millennial energy of releasing on October 3rd (it's Mean Girls day!), we dive deep into the themes, collaborators, and visual storytelling of this highly anticipated album.

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Mentioned in this episode:

William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Elizabeth Taylor Biography

Mean Girls (2004)

New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce

Max Martin and Shellback Collaborations Playlist

Britney Spears, Circus Album

Cindy Sherman Photography

& Juliet Musical (Max Martin songs)

E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare

E81: Show and Tell - Female Artists

E55: Rhetorical Questions Episode (Are You Ready For It)

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:27] Emergency bonus episode announcement

[03:30] First reaction to album cover reveal

[16:30] "The Fate of Ophelia" Shakespeare discussion

[26:00] How long has she be writing this album?

[33:00] Taylor's View of the Eras Tour

[46:00] Clowning for a hot second

[50:00] See you October 3rd!

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.

"I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?" This week, we're diving deep into Taylor's ultimate summer anthem and Eras Tour favorite: "Cruel Summer" (Lover 2019). We unpack whether this song is about a problematic love interest or the speaker's own internal struggle with anxious attachment and self-imposed drama. The track brilliantly captures the gap between our cool, collected external personas and the chaotic thoughts running through our heads when we're falling for someone but trying to play it casual. Join us as we go line-by-line through one of Taylor's most iconic bridges and explore why "HE LOOKS UP GRINNING LIKE A DEVIL" resonates so deeply with fans. Whether you've screamed along at the Eras Tour or you're just discovering this track, this episode offers fresh insights into Taylor's masterfully crafted exploration of facades, vulnerability, and the relief that comes with finally being honest about your feelings.

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Mentioned in this episode:

“Cruel Summer” Bananarama

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Romeo and Juliet

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Attached

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:03] How we do a deep dive

[03:51] “Fever dream high in the quiet of the night”

[08:27] “Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes”

[10:03] The chorus

[16:13] “Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine”

[22:03] “Cut the headlights, summer’s a knife”

[26:33] “I’m drunk in the back of the car”

[31:05] “He looks up grinning like a devil”

[37:20] 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
• 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.