a lyrical analysis of the strongest soldier on The Anthology - an overlooked masterpiece, one of her strongest pieces of writing, and proof she is Emily Swiftinson.
OK I admit, last night in my stalking mode, I watched a 2 hour 1975 concert (Madison Square Garden, 2023) just to get an idea of the attraction. Well... I understand it now. In the second part of the show, Matty really came alive-he was cute, charming , even sexy. But earlier in the show he was drinking, smoking and eating raw meat on the stage, lol. Even did pushups! But as in the song Superstar states- OMG -the girls on the front row were screaming ya'll! Check it out if you have the time. It gave me closure in a way. Great chat Madeline-absolutely LOVE this song!!!
OMFG no it's soooo true....To tell you the truth I've always understood the attraction LMFAOOO like I get he's not conventionally sexy but alternatively sexy is a real thing and plus...he's a legit rock star whether the people want to admit it or not....many women of history have fallen on their swords for gross assholes similar to Matty and it ain't stopping any time soon!!!
Seeee this episode is a perfect example of why I love the Lizard review so much. Under normal circumstances it’s very possible I could’ve over looked this song because I didn’t naturally gravitate towards it, possibly just from being bogged down by the sheer volume of content we were given all at once. It could’ve taken months or even years for it to click for me, but fear not! The lizard review has come in clutch, yet again. 💚
Thank you !!! If there’s one thing I love it’s highlighting overlooked songs and to be fair there’s so much on this record it’s easy to not notice this one at first bc it’s a really simple acoustic one
Absolutely loved this analysis!! This is my favorite song too. And I honestly think it connects with Peter very strongly. The whole theme of Peter is that she was hoping and waiting for him to grow up so they could eventually work. Then it turned out he didn't, and she was left alone like Wendy. The fact that she dedicated Cardigan to Matty very clearly at the Eras Tour, and that song also refers to him as Peter, just seals the deal for me. I love these two songs as a thematic pair 🤍
Tbh I didn't connect to this song at all, it was just another sad song from Taylor. By the end of this fucking podcast I get it... my eyes teared up girlie
listening to this analysis, my mind kept going to, oddly enough, Fortnight... I think this is making that song click for me. particularly the third verse with the, "I sell my apartment, you have some kids with an internet starlet...could it be enough to just float in your orbit", to me connects to "run into you sometimes, ask about the weather, now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors". much to think about
Came back to say I’m an idiot cause I didn’t notice the FOLLOWING LINE IN “When We Are Together” after the sweater part is “it’s something bout the weather” 😖😖😖 I’m now convinced these are directly linked
Something in Fortnight I noticed today that initially seemed like a throw away line “run into you sometimes, comment on my sweater” made me think of the line “you ask about the cows wearing my sweater” from the 1975’s When We Are Together… idk could just be a coincidence but wether I like it or not my brain is working overtime to make these connections since my perception of reality was permanently altered by TTPD. 🫠🙃
**that song is kind of vague but theres a few lines that indicate it could be about Taylor…. Anyway I will never know peace 🙂
You are incredible! Best content on the whole internet right here 🙏🙏🙏 blew my mind and made me appreciate the song so much more. I feel like you have a gift for this - the way you pick up on small details and weave them into the larger cinematic universe story is remarkabke! Thank you for sharing!
absolutely loved this!!!! its been my favorite song off the anthology and not many people are giving it enough love YOU ALWAYS GET IT!!! would love a lyrical analysis on peter as well whether it ties into this song (and cardigan?) or if its about someone else (i've seen people say harry)
Ever since I heard you say you recorded this I've been dying to hear it and boy did it deliver. Thank you for putting this together!!! So insightful and resonated deeply with me, I love this song too. Totally agree that most people have skipped this song but I think a lot of average fans only listen for the 'fun' of Taylor and switch it off as soon as it gets too raw, and this song feels like a freaking open bleeding wound so I get it but to me it's sad when people do that because often this stuff is her best work!!! This is why the girlies are so loyal. No one writes heartbreak so accurately as Taylor!
Fan since 2010 here. I have never been one of those before, and god knows some fools have tried, but today I do believe Chloe or Sam is about... the fans. Yeah, I know tomato tomato tomato but hear me out and try at least once to have that filter next time you listen to it. Not only does it strangely fit the conversation Taylor is having here, it also opens a wider door on understanding TTPD's bigger easter egg. Let's just say that the decade did play us for fools.
Thanks so much for the comment that the idea of immaturity is linked to the idea of having to be settled with kids by the time you are 34. I know I’m still single with no kids in my 30s and many people are. You don’t just stop having rollercoaster emotions around love and relationships just because you hit 30. Great analysis!
I've listened to your review so many times. I did because it hits different each time. I have had a similar situation (pre my husband) and your right, this Taylor Plath hits like a knife in the heart. Thank you for explaining it to us all. Taylor Plath just always makes me laugh!
It really is the tortured lizard’s department now
I saw this in my inbox and was like wow... can she really do it.... get through the entire 40 minutes without crying.......... we shall see
OK I admit, last night in my stalking mode, I watched a 2 hour 1975 concert (Madison Square Garden, 2023) just to get an idea of the attraction. Well... I understand it now. In the second part of the show, Matty really came alive-he was cute, charming , even sexy. But earlier in the show he was drinking, smoking and eating raw meat on the stage, lol. Even did pushups! But as in the song Superstar states- OMG -the girls on the front row were screaming ya'll! Check it out if you have the time. It gave me closure in a way. Great chat Madeline-absolutely LOVE this song!!!
OMFG no it's soooo true....To tell you the truth I've always understood the attraction LMFAOOO like I get he's not conventionally sexy but alternatively sexy is a real thing and plus...he's a legit rock star whether the people want to admit it or not....many women of history have fallen on their swords for gross assholes similar to Matty and it ain't stopping any time soon!!!
Seeee this episode is a perfect example of why I love the Lizard review so much. Under normal circumstances it’s very possible I could’ve over looked this song because I didn’t naturally gravitate towards it, possibly just from being bogged down by the sheer volume of content we were given all at once. It could’ve taken months or even years for it to click for me, but fear not! The lizard review has come in clutch, yet again. 💚
Thank you !!! If there’s one thing I love it’s highlighting overlooked songs and to be fair there’s so much on this record it’s easy to not notice this one at first bc it’s a really simple acoustic one
Absolutely loved this analysis!! This is my favorite song too. And I honestly think it connects with Peter very strongly. The whole theme of Peter is that she was hoping and waiting for him to grow up so they could eventually work. Then it turned out he didn't, and she was left alone like Wendy. The fact that she dedicated Cardigan to Matty very clearly at the Eras Tour, and that song also refers to him as Peter, just seals the deal for me. I love these two songs as a thematic pair 🤍
Agree! To me Peter feels wise like this one
Tbh I didn't connect to this song at all, it was just another sad song from Taylor. By the end of this fucking podcast I get it... my eyes teared up girlie
SAYYY THATTTTT
listening to this analysis, my mind kept going to, oddly enough, Fortnight... I think this is making that song click for me. particularly the third verse with the, "I sell my apartment, you have some kids with an internet starlet...could it be enough to just float in your orbit", to me connects to "run into you sometimes, ask about the weather, now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors". much to think about
Very interesting, I haven’t given fortnight a fair enough shake but lately it’s been stuck in my head !!!!!
Came back to say I’m an idiot cause I didn’t notice the FOLLOWING LINE IN “When We Are Together” after the sweater part is “it’s something bout the weather” 😖😖😖 I’m now convinced these are directly linked
Something in Fortnight I noticed today that initially seemed like a throw away line “run into you sometimes, comment on my sweater” made me think of the line “you ask about the cows wearing my sweater” from the 1975’s When We Are Together… idk could just be a coincidence but wether I like it or not my brain is working overtime to make these connections since my perception of reality was permanently altered by TTPD. 🫠🙃
**that song is kind of vague but theres a few lines that indicate it could be about Taylor…. Anyway I will never know peace 🙂
You are incredible! Best content on the whole internet right here 🙏🙏🙏 blew my mind and made me appreciate the song so much more. I feel like you have a gift for this - the way you pick up on small details and weave them into the larger cinematic universe story is remarkabke! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much 💘
Thank you for your amazing analysis, as always. I really hope you will do So long, London, or my life just wouldn't make sense
absolutely loved this!!!! its been my favorite song off the anthology and not many people are giving it enough love YOU ALWAYS GET IT!!! would love a lyrical analysis on peter as well whether it ties into this song (and cardigan?) or if its about someone else (i've seen people say harry)
I wasn’t sleeping on this song… but your analysis of it really elevated it even more!
Ever since I heard you say you recorded this I've been dying to hear it and boy did it deliver. Thank you for putting this together!!! So insightful and resonated deeply with me, I love this song too. Totally agree that most people have skipped this song but I think a lot of average fans only listen for the 'fun' of Taylor and switch it off as soon as it gets too raw, and this song feels like a freaking open bleeding wound so I get it but to me it's sad when people do that because often this stuff is her best work!!! This is why the girlies are so loyal. No one writes heartbreak so accurately as Taylor!
Love your song analyses!
Fan since 2010 here. I have never been one of those before, and god knows some fools have tried, but today I do believe Chloe or Sam is about... the fans. Yeah, I know tomato tomato tomato but hear me out and try at least once to have that filter next time you listen to it. Not only does it strangely fit the conversation Taylor is having here, it also opens a wider door on understanding TTPD's bigger easter egg. Let's just say that the decade did play us for fools.
Thanks so much for the comment that the idea of immaturity is linked to the idea of having to be settled with kids by the time you are 34. I know I’m still single with no kids in my 30s and many people are. You don’t just stop having rollercoaster emotions around love and relationships just because you hit 30. Great analysis!
I've listened to your review so many times. I did because it hits different each time. I have had a similar situation (pre my husband) and your right, this Taylor Plath hits like a knife in the heart. Thank you for explaining it to us all. Taylor Plath just always makes me laugh!