Speech before singing Mine (talking about Speak Now)
I talk a lot about how folklore was the first time I was writing about characters and stuff, but actually Speak Now I was inventing scenarios that definitely weren't happening in my life. I wrote this song Speak Now about interrupting a wedding of an ex and like.. I was 18 when I wrote that. None of my exes were getting married. I never interrupted a wedding, it was just a fantasy. And I think that's one of my favorite things about Speak Now, it was so fantasy, it was so fantastical, I think it was the first time I was thinking in cinematic, you know 'this isn't my life', but what if it were? Like watching a movie, and trying to write what those characters might be feeling. I say this because I wanna play a song, that when I wrote it I was writing about all these relationship things that haven't happened to me. There's drawer of my things at your place, and thing like that. And working through fights and not just breaking up. Anyway, so those were things I was not par-taking in at 18 and 19, when I wrote these songs. It's been such a privilege and such a treat to go back and re-record them 'cause relating to them now.. it's really crazy to go back and listen to these songs that at the time were a fantasy but now feel really relatable to me. And um... this is called MINE.
November flush and your flannel cure "This dorm was once a madhouse" I made a joke, "Well, it's made for me"
(Champagne problems - Taylor Swift)
Wow I didn't know about that.
The article lists Karlie as new board member.
It reminded me of this Aaron quote. "this kind of narrative song that then becomes personal at the end — it flips and she enters the song."
Of course it's only a coincident. 💜
sometimes i think people on the fence should ask themselves, what’s stopping you from seeing how possible kaylor is? if the answer is that it would mean taylor won’t come out in the way you’d hoped or that she’s not dating the way that you’d like or the person that you’d like, or it conflicts with your internet friendships or Take consistency well i dunno about everybody else but i think that’s more of a you problem than a kaylor problem
OOHHHH!! 🤭😍👶
i saw the scoreboard and ran for my life
looked up at the sky
so scarlet it was maroon
(x)
Karlie has a photo from 6/30/2020 on her insta wearing a blouse exactly like the one Taylor is wearing in the photo where she is in the car with benji on her lap
oop 🤭 I remember us talking about this beige sweater back then bc taylor wore it then too I think (can’t find the pic atm)
sweet nothing | mexico city | august 24, 2023
Taylor performing Our Song as the surprise song on guitar 🎸 in LA on 8/4💚
She repeated this song even though she didn’t mess it up the first time she played it in Vegas night 1. She paired Our Song with Snow on the Beach that time.
She paired Our Song with YAIL this time around.
Vegas was also where Taylor first explained that she tries to choose the surprise songs based on how they connect thematically.
Yeehaw y’all 🤗🤠
Taylor is known to pay attention to the smallest details to send the right message. Is it possible that the message she wants to send our way completely went over our heads?
Let’s talk about the END GAME video. She laid out multiple tells about an unspoken truth for people to assume, but what if she also gave us the end of her game of hide and go seek with her most precious easter egg, her truth.
Both eyes on her.
There’s an undeniable theme that Reputation exhumes: A love so dark yet pure that she cannot resist but to bask in.
Now, let’s digest the two scenes so we could better understand how relevant this is to the narrative so far.
There are two things the two subjects in the back has in common:
Being a figure of darkness; both are observed as being covered in black. Why is this relevant? Darkness is a tool for concealment. The absence of light provides an unbeatable cover for the truth. Calculated movements, unnoticed touches, stolen glances and hidden truth all dwell in the dark shadows of night. This affair is a secret.
Here are lyrics to support this:
“Our secret moments in a crowded room
They got no idea about me and you(…)
Everyone thinks that they know us
But they know nothing about—…”
“Something happened for the first time
In the darkest little paradise”
They are both looking at her. Regardless of ones reason or intention to stare, one thing is undeniable, there is an underlying need; an unspoken wanting. Her lover wants her as much as she does. The whole album makes us aware of how intense the attraction Taylor feels for her lover and the silent gaze proves that the attraction is mutual.
Generally, cats are perceived as fluffy, adorable, silly and sometimes grumpy animals. But that isn’t what Taylor wants us to see. She specifically chosen a BLACK CAT to stand in as her lover in the dark.
A simple google search will give you an idea of a Black Cat’s Reputation: Superstition, prejudice, bringer of good or bad luck.
Superstition - a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences. of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief.
Prejudice - preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
Given these definitions, we arrive to an understanding that their affair is hidden because of people’s unjustified beliefs and preconceived opinions about their love.
But, what’s beautiful is that the black cat also symbolizes that Taylor is aware that choosing to be with her lover can either help her reach the pinnacle of success or cause her to lose her balance and succumb to her downfall. Good luck or bad luck.
And she still took the risk.
See you in the dark
She hid her in plain sight,
She used a cat to make us wonder.
Now we see her in the light,
We see that she is indeed her lover.
Come here, dressed in black now
Scratches down her back now
All eyes on you, my magician
All eyes on me,
Your illusionist.
P. S. The black cat’s eyes are green.