EVERYTHING you need to know about the 1989 vaults from taylor swift historians ✈️ 🌲 ✨ 💔

In the podcast "The Evolution of a Snake," hosts Zach and Maline delve into Taylor Swift's unreleased "1989 Vault" tracks, offering insights into her creative process and the thematic elements of her music. They discuss how Taylor's songs from this era reflect her experiences with media scrutiny, public relationships, and personal growth, particularly focusing on her relationship with Harry Styles, or "Haler." The hosts analyze lyrics that reveal Taylor's struggle with the double standards of dating in the spotlight, the melancholy of unrequited love, and the longing for a past romance. They also touch on Taylor's clever wordplay and the emotional depth of her songwriting, which resonates with her "Swiftie" fanbase. The conversation highlights Taylor's ability to craft songs that are both personally revealing and universally relatable, as well as her evolution as an artist who has learned to navigate fame with a sense of humor and self-awareness.

• Zach and Maline host the podcast "The Evolution of a Snake" and focus on Taylor Swift's music.
• They express their excitement as Swifties to discuss Taylor Swift's work.
• The discussion begins with the first 'vault' track from Taylor Swift's album "1989".

"Welcome back to the evolution of a snake I'm Zach and I'm Maline and this is 1989 ology we are so excited to be swifties here with you today talking about the hbic to be quite Frank but let's start with the very first volt track which I listened to up first."

The quote sets the stage for the podcast episode, indicating that Zach and Maline are about to delve into Taylor Swift's music, specifically unreleased tracks from her "1989" album. The term "hbic" stands for "head bitch in charge," playfully referring to Swift's influential role in the music industry.

• Taylor Swift described the song as being a contender with "Blank Space" for a spot on the "1989" album.
• "Blank Space" is likened to a "supermodel" of a song, indicating its strong presence and appeal.
• Taylor felt the vault track was more representative of Los Angeles, while "1989" was a New York-centric album.

"Taylor described to this song in the little behind the scenes music thing she said that it was between putting this and blank space on the record obviously blank space is a super model."

This quote explains how Taylor Swift had to choose between two songs for her album and highlights the strength of "Blank Space" as a track. It suggests that the songwriting process involves difficult decisions about which songs best fit the album's theme and narrative.

• The song's lyrics immediately evoke a Los Angeles vibe, with references to "flamingo pink Boulevard".
• The hosts visualize a specific setting that resonates with the song's theme, like the Trixie Motel from "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City".
• The "1989" vault tracks are seen as exploring in-between states and spaces.

"She said that she felt like 199 was such a City record it was about New York and she felt like this song was an la song."

This quote reflects Taylor Swift's intention behind the song's lyrics, aiming to capture the essence of Los Angeles as opposed to the New York City feel of her "1989" album. It shows how geographical locations can influence the thematic elements of a song.

• The vault tracks provide insight into Taylor Swift's psyche during the "1989" era.
• They offer a different perspective on her experiences with media portrayal and public relationships.
• The sequencing of the vault tracks is purposeful and enhances the album's narrative.

"I think that's what a lot of the 1989 Vault tracks are about is like being kind of in between things which I think is interesting."

This quote suggests that the unreleased songs from "1989" explore transitional moments and emotions that didn't make it onto the original album. It highlights the importance of song order in telling a cohesive story.

• Taylor's lyrics reveal her awareness of the personal cost of public relationships.
• The song's melancholic tone contrasts with the combative nature of "Blank Space".
• The hosts discuss Taylor's realization of the imbalance in her relationship with Harry Styles and the media's portrayal.

"So I thought that it was interesting that she knew kind of off the bat before it even got started and also sorry the sequence of the Vault tracks the way that their sequence makes so much sense to me on the record like I love for once it seems like there's a purpose in having them in that order."

This quote discusses how Taylor Swift's songwriting reflects her understanding of the consequences of her fame on personal relationships. It also comments on the thoughtful arrangement of the vault tracks within the album.

• Taylor's use of the term "love-lorn" indicates unrequited love, which is a new revelation about her relationship with Harry Styles.
• The hosts analyze lyrics that suggest an unequal emotional investment in the relationship.
• They discuss Taylor's shift from being a "shrouded mystery" to being more open and vulnerable in her relationships.

"I thought this is I don't think I ever thought that she she felt I don't know if it's true or not that she felt that Harry did not feel the same way about her as she did about him."

The hosts are analyzing Taylor Swift's lyrics to speculate on her feelings during her relationship with Harry Styles. They suggest that the lyrics imply a possible imbalance in their emotional connection.

• Taylor's relationship with Harry Styles was scrutinized due to his celebrity status and the desire of fans to maintain an illusion of availability.
• The hosts consider how public relationships affect the image of boy band members and the expectations of their fans.
• They discuss the pressures on celebrities to conceal their relationships and the impact this has on their personal lives.

"I mean girls it is so good it is such a good lyric because really that was her only crime is dating somebody that everybody else wanted that's all she ever."

This quote from the podcast reflects on Taylor Swift's lyric, emphasizing the idea that her "crime" was being involved with someone desired by many, highlighting the challenges of dating in the public eye.

• The hosts appreciate the production of the vault track, describing it as magical, dreamy, and mystical.
• They note the influence of producer Jack Antonoff on the sound of both the vault tracks and Taylor's album "Midnights".
• Comparisons are drawn between the vault track and other songs by Taylor, such as "Dress" from "Reputation".

"I love the production on this too it's very magical it's very dreamy it's very mystical."

This quote praises the atmospheric production of the vault track, indicating that the sonic qualities contribute to the overall emotional impact of the song.

• The hosts draw parallels between the vault track and other songs by Taylor, noting thematic and lyrical similarities.
• They discuss the romantic and luxurious imagery used to describe moments of privacy and intimacy in the relationship.
• The song's bridge is highlighted for its poetic and visual imagery, connecting it to Taylor's broader discography.

"This is luxury so in my in my um lyrical analysis I said that I think that it's about like being together alone like moments that they could be together alone were complete that that was luxury to them."

The hosts interpret the bridge of the song as capturing the preciousness of private moments in a public relationship, offering a deeper understanding of the song's emotional landscape.

• The song discussed reflects a complex emotional situation where the protagonist feels both a desire to hold on and a need to let go of a relationship.
• There is a sense of regret and missed opportunity, as indicated by the lyrics "could have been easy all you had to do is stay."
• The protagonist experiences a mixture of emotions, from trying to maintain the relationship to accepting its end.

"Dissolution of the relationship and him coming back and begging for more that's the piece that we're missing in a song we're not getting that connection there's two separate like distinct feelings that she has one is like I'm really trying to hold on to this. and you're forcing me to let go and the other one being like I let go now you say you want it back."

The quote describes the disconnect in the song's narrative, highlighting the lack of resolution and the contrasting emotions the protagonist is dealing with.

• The title of the song is critiqued for not fitting well with the song's content.
• Alternative titles are suggested to better encapsulate the song's essence.
• The creative process is influenced by both marketing and artistic perspectives.

"I think it's a stupid title I don't think that the title fits the song really I don't like it maybe I'll come to like it. and I'll see the light. whatever. but I think Lovick would have been a lot better title because I think it kind of encapsulates the whole like it really it captures the vision of the whole song."

This quote expresses dissatisfaction with the song's title and proposes an alternative that the speaker believes would better represent the song's themes.

• The song's lyrics and melody are analyzed, with the melody being praised despite the lyrics being considered somewhat generic.
• The songwriting is critiqued for lacking specificity, which is uncharacteristic of Taylor Swift's usual style.
• The song's bridge stands out as a favorite part, despite its straightforward nature.

"I think what I wrote when I was trying to do my lyric analysis was that this song Falls prey to the slightly weaker side of the 1989 non-specific songwriting and that it's just a tad to generic exactly it's it's not it's not specific enough to be still a Taylor Swift sounding song."

The quote criticizes the song for not meeting the expected level of specificity and personal touch typical of Taylor Swift's songwriting, suggesting it falls short of her standard.

• The emotional delivery of the song is highlighted, particularly in how the lyrics are sung.
• The mention of love in the song is noted as a significant point, as it had not been explicitly stated before in relation to Harry Styles.
• The song is seen as a reflection of the artist's personal feelings and experiences.

"I mean I feel like this happened just yesterday from the power with which she is singing about it it sounds really good that's my favorite part of the song her delivery."

This quote emphasizes the impact of the emotional delivery in the song, suggesting that the performance brings a sense of immediacy and authenticity to the lyrics.

• Taylor Swift's artistic choices for the album "1989" are discussed, highlighting a shift towards independence and a rebranding away from associations with relationships.
• The songs "Style" and "Blank Space" are mentioned as examples of Swift's sense of humor and self-awareness.
• The speaker believes that Swift intentionally kept her personal feelings at a distance during this period.

"I think she was a bit sick and tired of every record being like so attached to a man which is funny when you put a song called Style on the record but Style again is like tongue and cheek blank space's tongue and cheek these aren't serious they're not I think she wanted to show she had a sense of humor about herself and these songs are like more traditionally Taylor Swift and that they're like about her feelings so she wanted to keep 1989 a little bit you know how we always say she kept us kind of like at arms length a little bit for a period of time."

The quote discusses Swift's intention to distance her music from being solely about romantic relationships, and to showcase a more independent and humorous side of herself.

• The discussion includes an analysis of the vault songs from the album "1989" and compares them to vault songs from other albums.
• The speakers express their opinions on the quality and thematic cohesion of the vault songs, with "1989" vaults being praised as the most interesting and cohesive.
• The song "Say Don't Go" is specifically mentioned for its melodic interest despite being considered weak in writing.

"Speak now vaults suck in comparison. yeah most disappointing Vault. I mean I should take Fearless Fearless Vault Fearless Fearless is fearless vaults for something else. Peak now second second to last World."

This quote provides an opinion on the relative quality of vault songs from different Taylor Swift albums, with "Speak Now" vaults being considered disappointing in comparison to "1989" vaults.

• The song "Now That We Don't Talk" is discussed in terms of its production challenges and thematic content.
• The song is described as having a tongue-in-cheek element and fitting well within the "1989" album.
• The speakers analyze the lyrics and discuss the portrayal of knowing someone intimately and the contrast between public persona and private feelings.

"Now that we don't talk her introduction to this was super interesting. so she said that they couldn't get the production right on the song in time for the album to come out and this song Fits 1989 more in the sense that it's like got a tongue and cheek element to it."

The quote explains the background of the song "Now That We Don't Talk" and its thematic alignment with the rest of the "1989" album, despite not making the final cut due to production issues.

• Andrea Swift is a significant figure in Taylor Swift's life, acting as a source of support during crises.
• Taylor Swift frequently calls her mother, Andrea, for guidance rather than seeking professional therapy.

"In times of Crisis there's no therapist there's only Andrea Swift."

This quote emphasizes the close relationship between Taylor Swift and her mother, highlighting Andrea Swift's role as a primary source of emotional support for Taylor, especially during challenging times.

• Taylor Swift expresses the difficulty of transitioning from a romantic relationship to just being friends.
• The song captures the emotional turmoil of a breakup and the struggle to maintain a platonic relationship with an ex-partner.

"I cannot be your friend... I can't pretend it's platonic it's just ended."

The quote conveys the finality of the breakup and the emotional pain associated with trying to remain friends after the romantic relationship has ended. Taylor Swift feels that it is impossible to pretend that their relationship can be anything but romantic.

• Taylor Swift and her ex-partner have an uncomfortable encounter post-breakup.
• The song describes how pretending to be friends is painful.

"Her body language was so like get me out of here it's painful to pretend that we are friends."

The quote describes Taylor Swift's discomfort in pretending to have a normal conversation with her ex-partner after their breakup. It highlights the awkwardness and emotional distress of forced interactions post-breakup.

• The song explores the shared experiences and memories that linger after a breakup.
• Taylor Swift revisits the chorus, expressing a desire for more depth and resolution.

"Then we kind of go through talks about her friends, his friends, their shared dinners kind of classic things you think about when you're going through a breakup."

This quote reflects on the shared social life and the memories that remain after a romantic relationship ends. It captures the common experiences that individuals ruminate on following a breakup.

• Taylor Swift uses her songwriting to critique her ex-partner post-breakup.
• The song includes metaphors and phrases that Taylor Swift later criticizes for being weak or ineffective.

"I don't have to pretend I like acid rock or that I'd like to be on a mega yacht with important men who think important thoughts."

Taylor Swift mocks the pretentiousness she associated with her ex-partner and the lifestyle she had to endure while with him. The quote shows her reclaiming her authenticity and rejecting the superficial aspects of her past relationship.

• Taylor Swift reflects on the dynamics of her past relationship and the changes in her own behavior.
• She considers whether becoming more enigmatic would reignite her ex-partner's interest.

"The only way to get back to my dignity was to turn into a shrouded mystery just like I had been when you were chasing me."

The quote suggests that Taylor Swift felt she lost her dignity during the relationship and contemplates returning to a more mysterious persona, which initially attracted her ex-partner. It touches on the idea that the chase can sometimes be more appealing than the actual relationship.

• Taylor Swift considers her and her ex-partner's cultural impact, especially in Middle America.
• She acknowledges their status as stars but not as traditional rock stars or critically acclaimed artists.

"I didn't come here to make friends we were born to be Suburban Legends."

The quote indicates Taylor Swift's awareness of her and her ex-partner's fame, particularly among audiences in suburban areas. It highlights her ambition and the recognition that their appeal may not align with more elite cultural tastes.

• Taylor Swift's direct approach to songwriting allows for immediate emotional connection with listeners.
• She prefers writing to someone rather than about someone, creating a confessional tone.

"I like when she's writing to someone instead of about someone or trying to explain something like the way that she kind of just immediately gets straight into it with you had people who called you."

This quote appreciates Taylor Swift's songwriting technique, which involves directly addressing the subject of her songs. It emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of her lyrics.

• Taylor Swift uses high school as a metaphor in her songwriting.
• The metaphor is critiqued for being cliché and not effectively conveying the intended message.

"I hate school hates the school of metaphors."

The quote expresses a dislike for the use of high school as a metaphor in the song. It suggests that the metaphor is overused and lacks originality.

• Taylor Swift expresses a sense of fatalism regarding her relationships, particularly with Harry Styles.
• She anticipates the end of the relationship and its lasting impact on her.

"And I always knew it that my life would be ruined."

The quote captures Taylor Swift's belief that her relationship with Harry Styles was destined to end poorly. It reflects a sense of inevitability about the negative consequences of their relationship.

• Taylor Swift's Vault tracks reveal the chronological order of her relationship with Harry Styles.
• The songs tell a story that provides insight into the evolution of their relationship.

"She's doing in front of our eyes for once in her life she told a chronological story."

This quote acknowledges Taylor Swift's storytelling ability, particularly her use of Vault tracks to narrate the timeline of her relationship with Harry Styles. It implies that this method of chronological storytelling is a departure from her usual narrative style.

• The discussion concludes with high praise for the Vault tracks, especially for their lyrical content and the revelations they provide about Taylor Swift's past relationship.
• The tracks are seen as providing valuable new information and insights for fans.

"Oh gag of the century I mean first of all information we were fed information second of all serve third of all gag Fourth Of All Shook fifth of all absolutely cook scalp a cook of scalped cooked etc etc overarching feelings I mean give it to me Mama I'm ready."

The quote is an enthusiastic response to the release of the Vault tracks, indicating that they offer a wealth of new and exciting information about Taylor Swift's past relationship. It reflects the excitement and anticipation of fans to delve into the details revealed in these songs.

• Zach discusses the concept of ruminating on past events and thoughts that should no longer be occupying one's mind.
• The lyrics mentioned by Zach describe being alone, the feeling of abandonment, and the inability to let go of past memories.
• The mention of transportation motifs such as planes and cars symbolizes distance and the journey of moving on from past relationships.

"I'm just the master of the rumination of the intrusive thought of the Spiral of the sitting in the back of the car looking at the passenger window and thinking about things that you should not be thinking about anymore."

This quote highlights Zach's self-acknowledged tendency to dwell on past thoughts and experiences, which is a common theme in the discussed songs.

• Maline admires the way Taylor Swift plays with time in her lyrics.
• The lyrics skip over certain events, indicating the passage of time and the accumulation of memories.
• The specific mention of "Holy Ground" suggests that this technique has been used in previous songs to convey the longevity and persistence of certain thoughts and feelings.

"I love here is how she plays with time sometimes like the first verse we have she's very like in a specific moment. And then it's less fast forward which reminds me of Holy Ground like I guess we fell apart in the usual way stories got dust on every page like she skips over stuff."

Maline appreciates Taylor Swift's ability to convey the passage of time and the selective memory of events through her songwriting.

• Zach and Maline discuss the nuances of Taylor Swift's lyrics that reflect on past relationships and the lingering feelings associated with them.
• The lyrics suggest a sense of betrayal and the unique qualities the singer brought to the relationship.
• The use of the term "Harry" implies that the song may be referencing a specific person or relationship from Taylor Swift's past.

"You dream of my mouth before it called you a liar, traitor which I think is just simply it's a roast of him."

This quote implies that the lyrics are a pointed remark towards an ex-partner, highlighting the singer's feelings of betrayal and the irreplaceability of their connection.

• The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphors to convey complex emotions and situations.
• The discussion touches on the metaphor of a blue dress and a boat, which may symbolize a significant event or moment in a relationship.
• The use of the word "blue" could be a double entendre, referring to both the color of the dress and the feeling of sadness.

"She loves to talk about that like they almost died on a boat."

Zach interprets the lyric as a metaphorical reference to a tumultuous event in a relationship, possibly hinting at a near-disastrous experience.

• The bridge of the song is highlighted as a moment of intense emotion and revelation.
• The lyrics suggest a desire for acknowledgment and a response from an ex-partner.
• The discussion includes a critique of the public scrutiny of women's actions compared to men's, particularly in the context of relationships.

"Your new girl is my... I mean that's crazy and the bridge don't care to know this is my moment the way that I'm I how do you even begin it's everything."

This quote captures the intensity of the bridge section in the song and how it serves as a climax of emotional expression for the singer.

• The conversation delves into the societal double standards faced by women, especially in the context of dating and relationships.
• Taylor Swift's lyrics are seen as a commentary on the need for women to be discreet about their romantic lives, in contrast to men.
• The discussion acknowledges the frustration and resentment that can arise from these double standards.

"He didn't have to be discreet about all the sucking and [__] that he was doing because he was a man and men don't have that held against them in the public domain."

Maline points out the societal double standards in how men and women's romantic behaviors are perceived and judged, which Taylor Swift reflects in her lyrics.

• The dialogue praises Taylor Swift's songwriting abilities, particularly her use of language and melody.
• The lyrics are seen as a blend of humor, drama, and self-awareness, which enhances their impact.
• The discussion acknowledges the value of expressing honest and relatable human experiences through music.

"When your lyricism and your melodic songwriting come together. And they do a joint sleigh we love to see it."

Zach commends Taylor Swift's talent for combining lyrical depth with melodic composition, creating songs that resonate deeply with listeners.

• The lyrics discussed are praised for their specificity, which allows listeners to connect specific songs to specific events or people in Taylor Swift's life.
• The conversation suggests that this level of detail is intentional and serves to clarify the intended subject of the song.
• The specificity is also seen as a way for the artist to take control of the narrative surrounding her personal life.

"This is one of those very clear markers that she used to leave in songs all the time that we can know like this is exactly about this exact moment."

Zach appreciates the deliberate use of specific references in Taylor Swift's lyrics, which provides clarity and context for the song's meaning and inspiration.