The Year of Our Lord and Taylor

I think I speak for everyone - in general - and when I say that there were only 2 things worth living for in 2020 ... Jesus and Taylor Swift.

On December 10th my alarm clock (Emily) woke me up with the news that Taylor Alison Swift, the only bright spot in the hellscape that is 2020, was releasing yet another album at midnight. So although I truly had every intention of beginning my final paper before Saturday, I had no choice but to stay up until midnight. The paper wasn't due 'til Sunday anyway. 

I listened to evermore once as soon as it was released and my instant favorites were gold rush, ivy and closure. Though I did have to buy the clean version of ivy.

Instead of spending Friday working on my paper, I processed evermore through doodles.

Honestly it was a 20 page paper, I'm confident that I could have snuck it in there and my professor would be none the wiser.

Now since every Buzzfeed ranking I've seen of the evermore tracks are wayyyyy off, I decided to compile my own. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear the bonus tracks from the deluxe physical edition because I have no means of playing a CD. Of course I did purchase a physical copy of folklore

1. ivy

Wow. Such feelings. And the concept that ivy is able to take over many surfaces because of its aerial root system, and she, "can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland"??? I'm dead. I died. RIP me.

2. closure

I always want closure and I never got closure until this song (and Say You're Sorry by Sara Bareilles) gave me closure. Being triggered by seeing the shape of someone's name? I thought I was the only one who felt that. 

3. gold rush

Track 3 is almost always my favorite song. I don't know what it is but the track 3s just hit different. I don't think I've ever been with a guy that everyone else wanted. Actually, most of my exes were with me BECAUSE no one else wanted them. But I can't imagine that would feel good.

4. long story short

I love the idea of leaning into an identity and wearing that shoe everywhere you go. And getting to a point in a relationship where it's not all about tit for tat because you just want to make the other person happy? I mean, can't relate but it does sound nice.

5. tolerate it

This song. Is so real. For every woman who has settled for acceptance when she deserves adoration. 

6. 'tis the damn season

It really 'tis. I'm already working on this sweater for next year.

7. willow

We all know those people. The people who seem to get whatever they want in life. The more that you say, the less I know? Yes, queen.

8. champagne problems

I don't dislike this song but I just can't get into the mind frame of someone who would turn down a proposal.

9. marjorie

I really relate to this song because she says that Marjorie always went "past where our feet could touch" and I ALWAYS get yelled at by lifeguards for being too far out when I am not even far so, I stand with Marge.

10. no body, no crime

Okay I get a lot of hate for this song being so low on the list but I do like it. I just prefer to think of it as a The Other Woman type thing where the friend and sister and mistress work together. Kind of continuing the idea presented in august that the other woman is just a woman who wants to be loved. And how often do we even know when we're the other woman?

11. happiness

For years I have resonated with this concept that "both of these things can be true" and I love this song for expressing that. It's like Carrie Bradshaw said, "if you love someone and you break up, where does the love go?" The love lingers along with the pain and you just have to remember you will be happy again. At least that's what my therapist tells me.

12. coney island

"If I can't relate to you anymore then who am I related to?" To me that captures the fear of sharing a life with someone and knowing it could all come crashing down and then what will you be left with? Your spouse becomes your immediate family, so what happens if they leave? Who is your family then? 

13. evermore

Catching your breath and catching your death, to me, is like that point in a relationship where you feel secure. And you exhale. And then the other shoe inevitably drops. And you think you will die and that you will never feel better ever again and then before you know it Taylor Swift releases a new album and you have a reason to live again. It's the circle of life.

14. dorothea

Okay I know people are thinking that maybe Dorothea is the name of Gigi & Zayn's baby but considering Sophie & Joe didn't name their daughter Invisible String, I'm not sure how much we can read into this.

15. cowboy like me

Maybe I don't get it because I'm not a cowboy. I do love the idea of a raccoon playing the bandit in the music video.

Actually - the Buzzfeed poll of folklore tracks vs. evermore tracks was way off too. But I suppose I have my fellow Buzzfeeders to blame for that. The most surprising results to me were as follows:

What...? Of course I don't dislike champagne problems, but cardigan was like that song. And it still is, isn't it? I have a great dad but when Taylor sang "leavin' like a father" ... I felt that. 

Again...what? I like the emotions of exile but I think it hits a little too close to home for me. It's a bummer, isn't it? But 'tis the damn season is a BOP. I'm already working on my Dec. 13th/Dec. 25th Christmas sweater for next year.

I suppose I shouldn't be as surprised by this one. These songs are so similar in sentiment, but I guess I have a recency bias and others have a primacy bias? My favorite Taylor album is always the most recent one. So in a few months I can be more objective. But for now...