I wanted to write out the song’s different POV’s for myself since fictionalization also plays a big role in this album, just to make things more clear in my mind. And I thought I’ll share my notes for anyone else interested. Everything in this post is just my opinion! Just to be clear, everything is up for interpretation. I feel like folklore gives me many vibes of Taylor’s older albums as well.
the 1: Taylor’s POV. Quotes Me!: “For never leaving well enough alone”
cardigan: a song part of the “love triangle” Taylor described. POV of a girl named Beth.
the last great american dynasty: POV of Rebekah Harkness, former owner of Taylor’s house in RI, at the end it shifts to Taylor’s POV. Rebekah was also known as “Betty”, -> cardigan
exile: Taylor’s POV I think. Interesting is “and i didn’t like the ending” which reminds of the lyric in “if this was a movie”.
my tears ricochet: Taylor’s POV I think. It gives me treacherous vibes kinda, but the lyrics are literally the opposite. taylor said the song is about an embittered tormentor showing up at the funeral of his fallen object of affection.
mirrorball: Taylor’s POV. she is the mirrorball. she sings “I’m still on that tightrope” which immediately reminded me of “lost your balance on a tightrope”
seven: child POV (taylor?). this is the only song in which she sings “folk songs” and sings about braids which reminded me of the album photoshoot.
august: teen POV / POV of the “other” girl part of the “love triangle”. the summer love. this is one of the songs that gave me such debut album vibes.
this is me trying: student / young adult POV. why I’m thinking this is because of “I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere // fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here” and the use of metaphors like alcohol. anyway, more mature. I was thinking, these 3 tracks (seven, august and this is me trying) are actually perfectly fit behind each other on the track list. They are all different timeframes. I think there’s a lot of taylor in this song too
illicit affairs: Taylor’s POV. “you showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else” -> red / golden / daylight reference. the whole song makes me think of “i loved you in secret”. it actually gave me “the other woman” vibes first, but then i read the lyrics again and i don’t think it’s part of the love triangle, but august is because it fits the “young love” narrative.
invisible string: Taylor’s POV, very clearly <3
mad woman: Taylor’s POV. yeahhh!! tell ‘em….
epiphany: military / doctor’s POV?
betty: part of the love triangle, the guy’s POV.
peace: Taylor’s POV. “I would die for you in secret” she sings again, like in earlier albums “I loved you in secret” // “Remember how I said I’d die for you?”
hoax: Taylor’s POV. “don’t want no other shade of blue but you”. she also sings “my kingdom come undone” which reminded me of the kingdom lyric in long live. thought it was interesting they both are closing tracks.
dailybridgerton
andulkaphoto
titsay
stormborns
snowghoul
blakekathryn
gracieabrams
sugurugetos
yousharknotpass
prguitarman
ellievsbear
gamechangershow
