Taylor Swift broke the internet on April 19 releasing her 11th studio album: “The Tortured Poets Department”. Additionally, Swift released a double album at 2:00 a.m. on April 20 called “The Tortured Poet’s Department: The Anthology”. I believe this to be one of my top albums written by Swift as I consider myself to be a “Swiftie.” All within 31 songs there’s heartache, love, sadness, and really catchy lyrics.
On May 4, the Billboard Hot 100 recorded Swift took up the first 14 spots with songs all from her new masterpiece. With the song “Fortnight”, featuring Post Malone, leading with “76.2 million official streams” according to the Billboard Hot 100. It still remains as number 1 on the charts, rightly so.
The second track on the album is “The Tortured Poets Department” which has mind-blowingly memorable lyrics as well as the actual back track is amazing in itself. Swift writes, “But you told Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave. And I had said that to Jack about you so I felt seen.” Fans can assume that Jack is an allusion to Swift’s coworker and friend, Jack Antonoff. However, it still remains to be a mystery who Lucy is. This song is high up on my list as I too agree “Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist”.
“Should’ve known it was a matter of time” that Swift would create a song about how a loving relationship can quickly turn into something else according to the third track “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys.” Her song titles are very unconventional yet captivating. This song as well as many is one that can be listened to when experiencing any type of emotion whether that is devastation or elation.
While some of the lyrics can be seen as questionable like in the song “I Hate it Here” only Swift could sing it and it be cherished to all. One lyric from that track that stands out to people is “I’d say the 1830s but without all the racists and getting married off for the highest bid.” Initially it was strange to hear, but the rest of the song helped it to make sense. With ease Swift could create a strange lyric and make it sound poetic.
Swift has one other collaboration with Florence + The Machine titled “Florida!!!” This is the duet all artists should aspire to make. It is the perfect combination of Taylor’s lyrics with Florence’s voice. The song talks about Florida being the place for Swift to bury some regrets and to forget about things. Florida is a metaphor for a place of calm to sit in and many of us all have our own Floridas.
In this album, Swift has many name drops like Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith in “The Tortured Poets Department.” Also, references to Clara Bow and Stevie Nicks in the song, “Clara Bow.” Although there is one song with an allusion to a famous celebrity that stirred up drama within the media. In the song “thanK you aIMee” the capital letters spell out “KIM” which fans have assumed to be Kim Kardashian. The two have had a rough past and this could be Swift’s final response to all the hate over the years. Swift yet again starts another trend all over social media of people spelling out people they like or despise in capital letters.
Track 9, “Guilty as Sin?” is one of my favorite Taylor Swift song of all time. It is the perfect combination of serenity and joyfulness of being in a relationship. One line that is treasured by me and is a fan favorite is “What is he’s written ‘mine’ on my upper thigh. Only in my mind?” Swift beautifully captures the hopeless romanticness of being young and in love.
Swift concludes the album with “The Manuscript” which is 3 minutes and 44 seconds of genius. “Since she was so wise beyond her years,” she created a sensation that will never be forgotten. It is nothing like anything she’s put out in her past albums. I love this album and would recommend it to anyone who loves the deeper meaning of lyrics. There are so many songs on the album that I could never grow bored. It is sad, folky, and I love every second of “The Tortured Poets Department.”
