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literary allusions in Taylor Swift songs: a definitive ranking from worst to best
The Scarlet Letter x Love Story: 0/10
this one doesn’t even make sense?
a person can’t BE the scarlet letter; it’s something you wear
please see the teacher after class
this one doesn’t even make sense? a person can’t BE the scarlet letter; it’s something you wear please see the teacher after class
Romeo and Juliet x Love Story: 2/10
*Miranda Priestly voice* Romeo and Juliet? For a song about forbidden love? Groundbreaking.
the song incorrectly equates nobility with royalty
the play is not a love story. It’s a tragedy. They both die. Why does EVERYONE ignore this.
*Miranda Priestly voice* Romeo and Juliet? For a song about forbidden love? Groundbreaking. the song incorrectly equates nobility with royalty the play is not a love story. It’s a tragedy. They both die. Why does EVERYONE ignore this.
The Legend of Achilles x State of Grace: 5/10
pretty straightforward Achilles heel reference—not the most stand-out lyric in a (gorgeous) song, but it gets the job done
interesting choice to mix Greek mythology with Christian imagery throughout the song
pretty straightforward Achilles heel reference—not the most stand-out lyric in a (gorgeous) song, but it gets the job done interesting choice to mix Greek mythology with Christian imagery throughout the song
Slaughterhouse-Five x So It Goes...: 6/10
the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead! So it goes…
creates ambiguity: is her relationship doomed to die? or does “so it goes” mean they will persist through the inevitable difficulties?
the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead! So it goes… creates ambiguity: is her relationship doomed to die? or does “so it goes” mean they will persist through the inevitable difficulties?
The Great Gatsby x This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things: 6/10
aesthetically, it’s perfect
thematically, it’s okay
Taylor’s themes of superficial identity, drama, and broken relationships don’t /directly/ line up with Fitzgerald’s, but they’re related
aesthetically, it’s perfect thematically, it’s okay Taylor’s themes of superficial identity, drama, and broken relationships don’t /directly/ line up with Fitzgerald’s, but they’re related
The Bible x Lover: 7/10
Taylor’s “can I go where you go?” has a more positive connotation than Ruth’s “wherever you go, I will go” to me; the speaker seems to have more agency. Which is nice!
Taylor’s “can I go where you go?” has a more positive connotation than Ruth’s “wherever you go, I will go” to me; the speaker seems to have more agency. Which is nice!
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland x Wonderland: 7/10
this one is very good!
Taylor vividly captures the disorienting nature of Carroll’s Wonderland
loses a couple points for saying that a “Cheshire cat smile” is calming, when it’s frightening in the book
this one is very good! Taylor vividly captures the disorienting nature of Carroll’s Wonderland loses a couple points for saying that a “Cheshire cat smile” is calming, when it’s frightening in the book
Peter Pan x cardigan: 9/10
every lyric in this song is inspired, and “Peter losing Wendy” is no different
helps me understand the dynamic between the Betty and James and how she feels about the relationship unraveling
adds depth to the themes of teenage love
every lyric in this song is inspired, and “Peter losing Wendy” is no different helps me understand the dynamic between the Betty and James and how she feels about the relationship unraveling adds depth to the themes of teenage love
A Tale of Two Cities x Getaway Car: 9/10
“it was the best of times, the worst of crimes” is an EXCELLENT line
this is also indisputably the best song on reputation. That’s not related to the Dickens reference, just a fact.
“it was the best of times, the worst of crimes” is an EXCELLENT line this is also indisputably the best song on reputation. That’s not related to the Dickens reference, just a fact.
The Bible x hoax: 10/10
she said “my only one / my kingdom come undone” and we just let her????????
beautiful, stunning, magical
performed with the perfect slight waver in her voice
gives me chills every time
all I can say is thank you for this line
she said “my only one / my kingdom come undone” and we just let her???????? beautiful, stunning, magical performed with the perfect slight waver in her voice gives me chills every time all I can say is thank you for this line
The Scarlet Letter x New Romantics: 10/10
it sounds like Taylor did the reading between the Fearless and 1989 eras! This works brilliantly!
I love how she inverts the idea of a scarlet letter as shameful, instead portraying it as something to “show off” to other outcasts
it sounds like Taylor did the reading between the Fearless and 1989 eras! This works brilliantly! I love how she inverts the idea of a scarlet letter as shameful, instead portraying it as something to “show off” to other outcasts
Okay, that’s my list—did I miss any? Swifties pls don’t come for me for criticizing Love Story—it’s a good song, just with questionable literary references!!
@TheERRose @twirlingpages @jess_sun_ @emsbookishadv please tell me if I’m valid or not 
(also I’d love to know your thoughts)
(also I’d love to know your thoughts)