Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” has us ThinKIMg
Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is not just a masterpiece but also a conundrum of uncovered controversies, pop culture references, name-dropping, and buzz.
Taylor Swift has once again stormed the music world with her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department." But hey, you already knew that, right? What you might not know is that this album isn’t just a collection of amazing songs with secretive lyrics and indelible melodies; it's an immersion into the complex reality of life and love, touching on madness, depression, reminiscence, and everything in between.
But wait! Just when you thought one album was enough to satisfy your Swift cravings, she goes ahead and drops a whole double album on us. 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology' boasts a whopping 31 songs, giving fans plenty to sink their teeth into.
First, let's talk about the music video for the album’s opener, "Fortnight," directed by none other than Swift herself. This visual masterpiece features not only the song’s collaborator, Post Malone, but also Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles, both of whom starred in the unforgettable movie, "Dead Poets Society." Can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact that Josh Charles managed to keep his cameo in the video a secret from his own kids, as reported by CNN's Alli Rosenbloom.
This song, "Fortnight," is packed with some serious backstory. You see, "Fortnight" is this old-timey word that means "fourteen nights." And Taylor, being the master of hidden meanings that she is, seems to be referencing her ex, Joe Alwyn, whom she dated from 2017 to April 2023. But after they split, there was all this buzz, especially about Joe and this girl Emma Laird. Social media was blowing up with hints and rumors about 12 days after Taylor and Joe called it quits—almost like a "fortnight" of bad drama unfolding before our eyes.
Additionally, there's the #ForAFortnightChallenge. Inspired by the album’s lead single, fans are invited to share snapshots of their lives over a two-week period. It’s like an invitation to join Swift’s own world, and we’re loving every minute of it.
Now, let’s talk lyrics. Taylor Swift has never shied away from pouring her heart and soul into her music, and "The Tortured Poets Department" is no exception. This time she also poured a lot of name-dropping. Let's dive into this tapestry of pop culture references that keep fans guessing stories and moments in Taylor's life with every listen.
"Aimee" of "ThanK you aIMee" is not real, but the capitalization of the title is not an accident: "Aimee" seems to be Kim Kardashian. The feud between Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift revolves around conflicting narratives regarding the release of a recorded phone conversation discussing lyrics in Kanye West's song "Famous," which led to accusations of deceit and betrayal.
On "So High School," she sings, "You know how to ball, I know Aristotle," seemingly referring to her romance with noted NFL star Travis Kelce. And on "imgonnagetyouback," Swift compares herself to an Aston Martin, a nod to F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who drives for the Aston Martin team.
"Guilty as Sin?" opens with the line, "Drowning in the Blue Nile," referencing the Scottish synth-pop band, The Blue Nile, and their track "Downtown Lights." Charlie Puth even gets a shoutout in the lyrics: "You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist."
Furthermore, known as Hollywood's first 'It Girl,' Clara Bow captivated audiences during the silent film era with her charisma and talent. But beyond her bobbed hair and flapper couture, Bow's life was filled with dramatic moments and fascinating stories. Some of these include being cut from her first film, Beyond the Rainbow, in which she played the lead’s little sister. When the film opened, Bow invited two friends from school to see it with her, only to discover that her role had been cut entirely — similar to Swift's acceptance speech being cut by Kanye at the 2009 VMAs. Bow's legacy is entering the scene for newer generations thanks to Taylor Swift's art.
But perhaps the most poignant moment comes in the form of Patty Smith’s appearance on the title track. As an iconic singer-songwriter and author in her own right, Smith’s endorsement of Swift speaks volumes about the impact she has had on the music industry.
Now, about me.
At this point, as the author of this blog, "a different society," I would be delighted to engage in a feud with Taylor, especially as she turns bad moments into pure art. Oh, boy, do I want to be turned into art too! How about I kick things off by suggesting that she needs to make a duet with Luis Miguel? He's a HUGE Mexican star, and Taylor hasn't featured any Mexican artists yet. What's the deal with Mexico, Tay? Huh? Is this good enough for a feud?
In the meantime, if you want to buy the album, click here to get it now!
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