Decoding Taylor Swift

In Season Two’s final episode, Joe and Toni rank every song on the album and reveal the interconnected meanings of all the songs. Also, they discuss their favorite lyrics as well as Taylor’s top tools for telling stories, including her mastery of the word BUT and the hero’s journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Life of a Showgirl is the key to unlocking the whole album’s meaning. It’s also her most meta and circular song, deeply connected to her grandmother Marjorie's story. Plus Toni finally shows off her singing with hilarious impressions of Britney Spears, Bob Dylan, and Sabrina Carpenter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a must-see episode for anyone who loves words and decoding Taylor’s songs. Starting with one of the cleverest opening lines Swift has ever written, Honey is a masterclass in storytelling. If you love words as much as Joe and Toni, please follow and rate the podcast. And if you know another logophile, please share this episode with them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CANCELLED! is a much better song than the critics think. In this episode, Joe and Toni decode the song’s real meaning by diving into the storytelling strategies Swift uses in her songs, which are secrets you can use in your writing. In the process, they realize they enjoy and appreciate the song a lot more than when they first heard it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many critics think Wood, with all its sexual puns and double entendres, is somehow beneath Taylor. But they should lighten up. It’s a funny song. Also, Joe and Toni reveal how Taylor anticipated that critique, which is why the song alludes to The Beatles' Norwegian Wood and Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark', both of which have sexual double meanings. Indeed, lots of double meanings are a key reason Taylor is a modern-day Shakespeare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices