I thought I’d write about some of my favorite Taylor Swift songs. Of course there are too many to choose from, but here are a few…
- Delicate (reputation)
Why: the anticipation she builds through the lack of satisfying cadences, for a really long time.
We would hate it if the whole first minute and a half were loud and confident. We would hate it. The simple rotation between chords, paired with overconfidence? Would make us cringe like clapping on 1 and 3. But it’s so soft, almost whispered, with a driven beat, with the lightest touch on the base notes of each chord. So un-rooted. You know it can’t be all there is.
The bridge at 2:44 is the entire song, as far as I’m concerned. It temporarily moves the circling away from the tonic, enough to provide shape to the overall song. It’s (forgive me) like the waist of a woman. It provides context. It makes it not a twig of a song. (again sorry not trying to body shame anyone or anything I hope you get me.. anyway).
That is why I like this song. Her music video is fun.. though I still feel like she’s trying too hard, in this era. But it’s ok, it was what was authentic for her, right then.
Anyway this is why I like Delicate- because it itself is delicate. It captures the feeling of “is this ok? is this too much? oh my gosh I just texted him twice within 5 minutes he probably feels… harrassed” self-questioning. And she manages to do it without being obnoxious, which is honestly quite the task.
The introduction to “My Heart Will Go On” has a similarity in limited notes, yet it can only be sung ironically, at this point, due to how seriously it takes itself.
That’s what I mean. She avoids that. And the videos she has shared of the way she wrote the song show that that’s how she’s thought about it herself as she’s written it: authentic, real, present, careful but not audacious. You can see it in her face.
Ok.
2. Another one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs is Cruel Summer (Lover).
Why: the words, the playful instrumentation, and built-in dance drops (that fit with her vision for a “festival” for her Lover tour -that sadly never got to happen)
Ok I don’t want to wax too much here about the words here but.. there are double entrendes… often. And one that always got to me was “I’m always waiting for you just to cut to the bone. Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes, and if I bleed you’ll be the last to know” (1:07). It’s kind of… not dealt with musically. It fits along with everything else because it’s so personal, and she wants to leave room for a non-sexual interpretation for her younger fans.
But, what is she really waiting for him to cut to, exactly? *cough* She’s substituted something in for the expected phrase, “cut to the chase.” If I had to guess, she probably wrote that part first, then went back and added “summer’s a knife” so there would be another plausible way to hear it.
And what is she hiding from him? Personal things. She doesn’t feel totally emotionally safe with this person. He’s cool, this all feels fun, but she’s also putting on a strong face.
Ok so that’s just.. saying so much about her, when she wrote it. Lust, while also hiding oneself from someone.
Next, I love the dance drops- ie the extended and layered predominate phrases of the entire introduction, finally releasing at 0:29. The “pop” sound just makes this a perfect moment for everyone to jump, put their hands up, etc. At the time… this was so new for her. Before Lover I don’t remember her really writing music to be *danced* to in sterotypical dance scenarios- other than perhaps slow-danced to (am I forgetting something?). Anyway. This was new- to even try to sound “mainstreaim” for a while was new.
And then the instrumentation is just so fun. The switch to the synth pops at 0:54 – “hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine..” is just.. transporting to a new mental scene of that memory. A scene change. Would be perfect for a music video tbh. 👀
3. Another favorite: Dancing With Our Hands Tied (reputation)
Why: the structure
Dancing with Our Hands Tied is just.. delicious. The chords at the beginning string you along, always a mystery, never clear where it’s going.
I feel like I’ve talked too long. Shall I come back to this? Maybe I will come back to this.
What are your favorite Taylor Swift songs? Why?
