“I’ve been having a hard time adjusting I had the shiniest wheels, now they’re rusting I didn’t know if you’d care if I came back I have a lot of regrets about that Pulled the car off the road to the lookout Could’ve followed my fears all the way down And maybe I don’t quite know what to say But I’m here in your doorway
I just wanted you to know That this is me trying I just wanted you to know That this is me trying
They told me all of my cages were mental So I got wasted like all my potential And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad I have a lot of regrets about that” Song by: Jack Antonoff & Taylor Swift
Today’s Surprise songs at the Eras tour, included the mashup (I didn’t know I needed) of “This is Me Trying” and “Labyrinth.”
“This is me trying…” with what little left I have to try with.
“It only feels this raw right now Lost in the labyrinth of my mind Break up, break free, break through, break down You would break your back to make me break a smile You know how much I hate that everybody just expects me to bounce back Just like that
Uh oh, I’m falling in love Oh no, I’m falling in love again Oh, I’m falling in love I thought the plane was going down How’d you turn it right around” Song by: Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
I’ve recently discovered that some of my writing – to include this post (which I’ve now removed) have been plagiarized by others and at least one “Swift-tok” content creator. I’m super disappointed in this, but not exactly surprised. As a result, I’m removing much of my original content from my website, in terms of analysis and/or my creative writing until/unless content creators can give credit to those who inspire or contribute to their content.
As an English major, there were often times when a line in someone else’s analysis of a novel or poem inspired a research paper or my own analysis. But that credit was given. A group of my favorite SwiftTok creators will usually credit each other for ideas they may expound upon in their own videos. The last video I saw from this person she absolutely has not credited anyone for her ideas and used some of my content, word for word. Homey don’t play that.
So…if you come back for more or you saw a snippet of this and thought you’d use it . . . this is my message to you – credit writers, artists or other content creators if you use their work. If you’re here from an image search, I’m sorry I don’t have more to share. But I won’t have my words stolen because someone is trying to make cash on TT, from posting content and they don’t have their own original thoughts about such content.
You should be more careful about plagiarism because you may be copying one of your followers.
Finally, it’s very anti-Swiftian, to do something like this. As they say in my professional circles, “Go pound sand.
From The Black Dog Variant (CD) of TTPD…
Photo by Elaina M. Avalos. The use of the word “artifacts” is another tie to It Hits Different/Midnights.
“Please I’ve been on my knees Change the prophecy Don’t want money Just someone who wants my company Let it once be me Who do I have to speak to About if they can redo The prophecy?” – Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift
First things first, The Prophecy is my song. I claim it.
I can’t really process The Tortured Poets Department yet. I’ll be working my way through the double album – 31 songs total – for quite some time. But I’ve listened so many times since 12:00 AM, so I’m off to a good start. After the album was available for streaming, Swifties realized there was a new countdown on Taylor’s IG – counting down to 2:00 AM. ✌️ The twos were two-ing and have been. While there were many who thought we may get some extra songs (like Midnights Till Dawn edition) I kept hoping my favorite Swift creators were reading the tea leaves correctly (a double album).
It turns out the ✌️ was leading us to a double album at 2:00 AM. I said I wouldn’t be able to stay up and listen to the additional 15 songs. And then I did. I finally fell asleep sometime after 3:00 AM. I’ve been processing all day. I don’t think there are any skips on this record. I have a few favorites. But I think over time, I’ll add more as I process meaning.
1. The Prophecy – This song instantly became my favorite. It could become my favorite Taylor Alison Swift song of all the times. How is it that one of the most famous musicians in the world can write a song that feels like my life? I don’t know, dudes. But this song is . . . a lot. In a good way.
“But even statues crumble if they’re made to wait . . . “
2. Down Bad – It just feels like broken heart anger and who doesn’t need a little of that in their lives at times?
3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
4. Florida!!!
Taylor & Florence sound amazing together. This song is a banger. I’m not gonna lie, as a Hurricane Florence hater, this line, sung by Florence, gave me a little PTSD . . . The hurricane was my name when it came I got drunk and I dared it to wash me away Nonetheless, it’s a banger.
5. But Daddy I Love Him – This song is something else let me tell you. I’m gonna go ahead and call it – this song is deeper than what some are assuming right now. I may come back to this later. Bottom line? She’s tired of our bitching and moaning. I love her (even more) for it.
And . . . The Black Dog could be tied with #5 . This is a heartbreaker.
To be honest, other than The Prophecy – this list feels sacrilegious. It’s gonna change for sure. :) What I know for sure is that this album is nothing I thought and everything I wanted. The second album is full of Aaron Dessner and Taylor collaborations. They’re absolute magic together – which is why I’m certain the bottom four in my top five will likely change.
Writing in the Margins 