The higher the woman's success, the more we love to cut her down. Taylor knows this better than anyone. So why drop an album now? It would make more sense to wait. Unless... she is making a point.
I look forward to Sunday mornings for two reasons: sleep and your thought provoking articles. I’ve never heard of TPS, but I’ve seen it play out. A few months ago, my 17 yr old daughter (an athletically gifted basketball player) was leading her team to State Finals (Final 4). The last playoff game to get there was high stakes with a PACKED gym. As she took the court and started her warmup, her opponent’s student section (made up of mostly teenage boys) started chanting to her “O-VER-RAT-ED” (as her reputation preceded her.). The pressure in the room was palpable. She DOMINATED that night with record setting blocks, rebounds, assists and insane ball handling skills (not to mention points) that gave them the win. She would tell me later “When I heard them say I was overrated, I decided then-either I let them get in my head or I take it as a compliment I am good enough to even be “rated” at all.” ☺️. My heart swells to think she built the skill to stand up to TPS and tap in to her own version of what it means to be Taylor. (My daughter is a Taylor too!).
Thank you for elevating my consciousness and helping me on my journey. As always!
Oh my gosh I HATE that your daughter experienced that (so awful) and LOVE that that is what she did with it!! Must be something to being named Taylor to spin insults into fuel. Go her!
You are so smart and wise Celeste. This article was really entertaining to read but also very thought provoking. I’ll be thinking 💭 n this for days and I’ll also share with my son who is a HUGE TS fan and supporter. Someone asked me why I liked Taylor swift and I said: “Because it’s fun. It’s just fun.” Which is also how I feel about your article.
Wow adding more Easter eggs to the Taylorverse ! I agree a thousand percent, Ms Celeste, because 1. She did not need to release a new album, 2. The album didn’t need to be perfect for her fans to love it and 3. She did what she wanted how she wanted and with her favorite people. Is she (gasp) making music for her own enjoyment? Blasphemies. The world wants tortured artists not happy ones loving what they do. Humor me, but is she taking a page from reality TV? Living her life and then dropping the album that documents it in musical form? It’s reality music in a way, and I love the unpolished writing because fuck it she gets me. LOVE YA BABE
Love your takes here Ashley! This album does feel like reality tv - over saturated and dramatic and raw. I really hope she is making music for her own enjoyment! And I love that it’s unpolished too ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing TPS and the facts. I have been through this with my job too many times to count. I will always love Taylor Swift and her amazing talent. No one can take away her beautiful shining Iight and spirit. That is all hers. I also love your writing and special talent. Take care.
I absolutely loved this essay, thank you!! I have an evolving theory that Swift is, and has been, using the life of Sylvia Plath and her poetry as inspiration for years, potentially going back to "All Too Well". I would LOVE it if you'd read the essay I wrote outlining my theory!! I think she's quite spectacularly making fools of most people, but particularly men!!
Finally saw Barbie movie- Fave part of the entire movie was when Barbie desperately reached out for help from Matell CEO Will Ferrel & realized that the entire toy-maker board was MEN!! So representative of $1 TRILLION Mormon cult of Q15 Con MEN- always & forever! Born & raised, duped & betrayed. We Gave our life, $$, heart & time to LDS cult! ! We’re Seeking $200k tithing refund, please.
Continuing w/the movie scene- ‘Will Ferrell’s Mattel CEO explains to his underlings that a Barbie’s escape into the real world could have consequences more dire than anything they could possibly imagine.’ Same goes for women leaving the $1 TRILLION male chauvinist led Mormon cult. Women Enjoying Freedom!! To live authentically w/integrity!! 🤗
I think it’s the most fun she’s had with an album, obviously that’s my own opinion, but really listening to the lyrics. I think she’s had an enormous amount of fun making this. I think she knows how she’s seen, and she’s very happily making her own rules.
Yeah, TTPD could’ve been sure, I will skip the occasional song, but I love that she has the power to put a 31 track album out and not bow to traditional pressures and be told what to do.
I look forward to Sunday mornings for two reasons: sleep and your thought provoking articles. I’ve never heard of TPS, but I’ve seen it play out. A few months ago, my 17 yr old daughter (an athletically gifted basketball player) was leading her team to State Finals (Final 4). The last playoff game to get there was high stakes with a PACKED gym. As she took the court and started her warmup, her opponent’s student section (made up of mostly teenage boys) started chanting to her “O-VER-RAT-ED” (as her reputation preceded her.). The pressure in the room was palpable. She DOMINATED that night with record setting blocks, rebounds, assists and insane ball handling skills (not to mention points) that gave them the win. She would tell me later “When I heard them say I was overrated, I decided then-either I let them get in my head or I take it as a compliment I am good enough to even be “rated” at all.” ☺️. My heart swells to think she built the skill to stand up to TPS and tap in to her own version of what it means to be Taylor. (My daughter is a Taylor too!).
Thank you for elevating my consciousness and helping me on my journey. As always!
Oh my gosh I HATE that your daughter experienced that (so awful) and LOVE that that is what she did with it!! Must be something to being named Taylor to spin insults into fuel. Go her!
You are so smart and wise Celeste. This article was really entertaining to read but also very thought provoking. I’ll be thinking 💭 n this for days and I’ll also share with my son who is a HUGE TS fan and supporter. Someone asked me why I liked Taylor swift and I said: “Because it’s fun. It’s just fun.” Which is also how I feel about your article.
It IS fun to be a TS fan- so much to discuss, so much lore - so fun. And thank you Jamee 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Wow adding more Easter eggs to the Taylorverse ! I agree a thousand percent, Ms Celeste, because 1. She did not need to release a new album, 2. The album didn’t need to be perfect for her fans to love it and 3. She did what she wanted how she wanted and with her favorite people. Is she (gasp) making music for her own enjoyment? Blasphemies. The world wants tortured artists not happy ones loving what they do. Humor me, but is she taking a page from reality TV? Living her life and then dropping the album that documents it in musical form? It’s reality music in a way, and I love the unpolished writing because fuck it she gets me. LOVE YA BABE
Love your takes here Ashley! This album does feel like reality tv - over saturated and dramatic and raw. I really hope she is making music for her own enjoyment! And I love that it’s unpolished too ❤️❤️❤️
I am so glad to know about TPS! And TPS re: TTPD no less!
Amen to all this.
Honestly such a bummer she didn't name the album The Tortured Poets Society, because TPS=TPS would have been *chef's kiss.
💯! Missed opportunity. Do your homework, TS!
Thank you for sharing TPS and the facts. I have been through this with my job too many times to count. I will always love Taylor Swift and her amazing talent. No one can take away her beautiful shining Iight and spirit. That is all hers. I also love your writing and special talent. Take care.
Wow, what a great article Celeste! Thought I was reading the New Yorker or Time magazine!! Well done! 🤩👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Kristin! This seriously made. my. day! Thank you! 😍
Seriously, I hope you’re submitting articles out there!! You are articulate, thought provoking and well organized!! Love your talented writings!
Ooh I LOVE your analysis on this. TP=tall poppy?! 🤯 Try and come for her job!
I absolutely loved this essay, thank you!! I have an evolving theory that Swift is, and has been, using the life of Sylvia Plath and her poetry as inspiration for years, potentially going back to "All Too Well". I would LOVE it if you'd read the essay I wrote outlining my theory!! I think she's quite spectacularly making fools of most people, but particularly men!!
https://theangryyogi.substack.com/p/taylor-swift-is-making-erudite-art
Great article, as always! As the mom of a Margot though, I can't help but comment that Margot Robbie's name is spelled with a T. :)
Finally saw Barbie movie- Fave part of the entire movie was when Barbie desperately reached out for help from Matell CEO Will Ferrel & realized that the entire toy-maker board was MEN!! So representative of $1 TRILLION Mormon cult of Q15 Con MEN- always & forever! Born & raised, duped & betrayed. We Gave our life, $$, heart & time to LDS cult! ! We’re Seeking $200k tithing refund, please.
Continuing w/the movie scene- ‘Will Ferrell’s Mattel CEO explains to his underlings that a Barbie’s escape into the real world could have consequences more dire than anything they could possibly imagine.’ Same goes for women leaving the $1 TRILLION male chauvinist led Mormon cult. Women Enjoying Freedom!! To live authentically w/integrity!! 🤗
I think it’s the most fun she’s had with an album, obviously that’s my own opinion, but really listening to the lyrics. I think she’s had an enormous amount of fun making this. I think she knows how she’s seen, and she’s very happily making her own rules.
Yeah, TTPD could’ve been sure, I will skip the occasional song, but I love that she has the power to put a 31 track album out and not bow to traditional pressures and be told what to do.
No notes. Just perfect 🙏🏼💕
Thank you for writing this, Celeste. (And I love the album and have it on repeat.)