“Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me” This week, we're diving into the timeless influence of Greek mythology in Taylor Swift's music by exploring connections between Taylor's songs and classic Greek myths. Jodi finds links between Demeter and Persephone’s sorrow in The Hymn to Demeter and the Folklore song "My Tears Ricochet.” Maansi shows us how "Long Story Short” sounds like Odysseus recounting his epic journey as he returns home. And Jenn gets into the ancient story of the Labyrinth and how it reflects themes of self-discovery and transformation in "Labyrinth." Is Taylor Swift a modern-day Homer? Listen and find out!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Mythology, Edith Hamilton

The Iliad, Homer

The Odyssey, Homer

Metamorphoses, Ovid

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

E44: Metaphors + “The Tortured Poets Department”

E22: Mastermind

Homeric Hymns

The Hymn to Demeter

Hadestown (musical)

Hercules (Disney animated film)

E54: One Year Anniversary of AP Taylor Swift

Circe, Madeline Miller

Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

Stephen Fry’s Mythos, Heroes, and Troy

Episode Highlights:

[01:40] Introduction to Greek Mythology

[08:25] "my tears ricochet" folklore

[19:49] "long story short" evermore

[32:11] "Labyrinth" Midnights

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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

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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.

“Back when you fit my poems like a perfect rhyme.” This week, we deep dive into Holy Ground from Taylor Swift’s album Red. We unpack the song’s themes of time, memory, and the contrast between New York City’s hustle and those still, reflective moments where we realize what truly matters. Is Holy Ground a nostalgic ode to a past relationship, a metaphor for personal growth, or both? Listen to find out!

Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

Mentioned in this episode:

Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads on Instagram

Hamilton

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Let Go, Avril Lavigne Album

Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory

Fantasyland, Kurt Anderson

Tribeca’s Holy Ground in the 1700s

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Episode Highlights:

[01:27] Reminiscing on our romance novels episode

[02:50] “I was reminiscing just the other day”

[08:40] “Back when you fit in my poems like a perfect rhyme”

[14:41] “Right there where we stood was holy ground”

[22:25] “And for the first time I had something to lose”

[32:22] “And I see your face in every crowd”

[34:48] “tonight I’m gonna dance for all that we’ve been through”

[44:15] The purpose of the song

Follow us 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

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.

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

“I see Sparks Fly whenever you smile.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we’re thrilled to welcome book content creator and Bookish Bestie Lauren Rowe (@rowe.reads) as we explore the romance novel-worthy worlds of Taylor Swift’s songs. We learn how Lauren reviews books and the connections between Taylor’s songs and romance novels. Then we break down the romantic themes and tropes in Sparks Fly, Holy Ground, Starlight, and Dress, drawing connections between Taylor's storytelling and beloved romance novel tropes like forbidden love, second chances, and enemies to lovers. We explore why Taylor’s songs resonate so powerfully with romance readers, how she creates vivid narratives through her lyrics, and why Swifties and romance lovers alike connect so deeply with stories of love, loss, and longing.

Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

Mentioned in this episode:

Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads on Instagram

A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

E32: Love Story

A Cinderella Story

The Notebook

Always Be My Maybe

The Prince & Me

The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Sunday Morning by Jewel E. Ann

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

You’ve Got Mail

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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Episode Highlights:

[00:41] Introducing Lauren Rowe @rowe.reads

[07:29] How Lauren reviews books

[12:55] Parallels between Taylor’s marketing and book series marketing

[17:00] The song that made Lauren a Swiftie

[19:16] “Sparks Fly” Speak Now

[24:44] “Holy Ground” Red

[32:00] “Starlight” Red

[38:40] “Dress” Reputation

Follow us 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

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.