Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)

In the latest episode of "13," a Taylor Swift fan podcast, hosts Nick Adams, Anna Cassier, Amy Nichols, and Lacy embark on their first full-length video episode. They discuss their nervousness about the new format, with Makayla joining the team to handle video production. The episode dives into the superior vault track "Is It Over Now?" from Taylor Swift's album "1989," exploring its connections to other songs like "Out of the Woods" and its references to Swift's relationship with Harry Styles. They analyze the song's lyrics, discussing the implications of its allusions to past events, the media's portrayal of Swift's relationships, and the double standards she faces. The hosts also speculate on Swift's songwriting process and the potential for a live album release. Throughout, they maintain an engaging and analytical tone, offering insights into Swift's complex storytelling and the interconnectedness of her discography.

• The podcast episode is for "13," a Taylor Swift fan podcast.
• The hosts are Nick Adams, Anna Cassier, host Amy Nichols, and Lacy.
• The episode includes discussions on Taylor Swift's music, specifically the song "Is It Over Now?" and its connections to other songs and eras.
• The hosts also explore fan theories about the song's subject and connections within Swift's discography.

"This is 13, a Taylor Swift fan podcast, breaking down every song, every Easter egg, every era, in every theory. Hosted by the biggest swifties, Nick Adams, Anna Cassier, host Amy Nichols, and Lacy."

The quote introduces the podcast and its focus on Taylor Swift's music and related theories.

• The podcast is experimenting with a full-length video episode for the first time.
• The hosts express excitement and nervousness about this new format.
• Mikayla is introduced as a new team member handling the video aspect.
• They discuss the transition from social media clips to full video content on YouTube.

"Okay, so just so everyone is aware, today is our first time trying out a full length episode on video."

This quote indicates the podcast's new venture into video episodes.

• "Is It Over Now?" is considered a superior vault track by the hosts.
• It was written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff and was intended for the album "1989" but did not make the final cut.
• There are theories about why the song was not released at the time, including potential backlash from fans and other celebrities.
• The song is seen as connected to other tracks like "Out of the Woods" and "I Wish You Would."

"It is so good. It's written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff, and apparently it was intended to actually be on this album on 1989, but it didn't make the cut."

This quote discusses the origin and intended album placement of "Is It Over Now?"

• Fans have connected "Is It Over Now?" to Taylor Swift's relationship with Harry Styles.
• There is speculation that the song's lyrics would have been too revealing if released during the time of Swift's relationship with Styles.
• Fans also connect the song to other tracks such as "Style," "Out of the Woods," and "Clean," suggesting a larger narrative within the "1989" album.
• The hosts discuss the analytical skills of fans who piece together Swift's songs and references.

"Had Taylor Swift released 'Is It Over Now?' in 2014, it would have been all out war."

This quote reflects a fan's opinion on the potential impact of releasing "Is It Over Now?" during the time of Swift's relationship with Styles.

• The hosts discuss the possibility that Harry Styles was a subject of Swift's songs during the "Red" era.
• They reflect on how Swift's songs from different albums may be interconnected, telling a broader story about her experiences and relationships.
• A fan theory suggests that songs like "Come Back... Be Here," "Message in a Bottle," and "Is It Over Now?" are all connected through a narrative about Swift's relationship with Styles.

"Red originally was released October of 2012, and Taylor and Harry were first linked up in March of 2012."

This quote provides context for the timeline of Swift's "Red" album and her relationship with Styles.

• The hosts ponder whether Taylor Swift ever feels like she overshared in her lyrics.
• They speculate if Swift ever changes lyrics due to the fear of oversharing.
• The hosts express their admiration for Swift's songwriting and her ability to create a compelling discography that engages fans in theory-crafting.

"But I wonder if she ever, like, watches videos, hypothetically, let's say, like, that one. And she's like, no, no, no. That one actually is about this."

This quote reflects the hosts' curiosity about Swift's perspective on fan theories.

• The hosts discuss the emotional and dramatic nature of "Is It Over Now?" and its potential sassiness and attitude.
• They delve into the song's lyrics, noting the uncertainty and emotion in the song.
• The song's connections to other works in Swift's discography are highlighted, with a focus on the storytelling aspect of her music.

"Well, I was gonna say back to 'Is It Over Now?' Specifically, I feel like the song itself is just full of a lot of uncertainty, a lot of emotion, but it's also so dramatic."

This quote captures the hosts' interpretation of the emotional depth and dramatic tone in "Is It Over Now?"

• Fans exhibit an intense level of interest in Taylor Swift's personal life.
• The idea of donating one's brain to science is used as a metaphor for the level of access fans desire.
• Fans maintain a list of questions they would ask Taylor Swift if given the opportunity.

"Like, what are the results, really? Because you're obsessed with me."

• This quote reflects the speaker's acknowledgment of the fan's obsession with Taylor Swift.

"Taylor Swift, donate your brain to science."

• Suggests the extreme level of detail fans want to know about Taylor Swift's thoughts and experiences.

• Fans have a running list of questions for Taylor Swift, some of which are quirky or personal.
• Questions range from preferences on food to specific lyrics and personal experiences.
• The conversation reveals the casual and humorous nature of the fan-podcast relationship.

"What are your favorite lyrics to be used in wedding vows?"

• Fans are interested in how Taylor Swift's lyrics could be integrated into significant life events like weddings.

"Was lavender Haze supposed to be the first video from midnights?"

• This question indicates fans' curiosity about the creative process and decision-making behind Taylor Swift's music releases.

• The hosts discuss hypothetical merchandise they could sell related to their significant others.
• Personal anecdotes reveal the hosts' relationships and the items they associate with their partners.
• The conversation shifts to the concept of selling merchandise that symbolizes a personal relationship, drawing a parallel to Taylor Swift's marketing strategies.

"Oh, Ryan would sell all of my Taylor Swift merch."

• This quote shows how merchandise can represent personal interests and the potential for it to be sold after a relationship ends.

"A pizza cutter cutter. That's good."

• The hosts brainstorm creative merchandise ideas that reflect their personal lives and relationships.

• The hosts analyze the lyrics of Taylor Swift's song, discussing themes of heartbreak and the passage of time.
• They draw connections between the lyrics and Taylor Swift's personal life, including her past relationships.
• The conversation includes speculation about the meaning behind specific lines and their relation to real-life events.

"Once the flight had flown. Relationship's over. He's gone."

• This quote interprets a lyric as signaling the end of a relationship, with the flight metaphor representing the partner leaving.

"I see your smile and your profile on unsuspecting waiters."

• The hosts debate whether this lyric suggests seeing an ex-partner in other people post-breakup or if it implies infidelity.

• The hosts relate Taylor Swift's lyrics to their own experiences with breakups and seeing an ex-partner in others.
• They discuss the emotional impact of ending a relationship and the lingering presence of an ex-partner.
• The conversation also touches on the concept of cheating and its portrayal in Taylor Swift's songs.

"I slept all alone, and you still wouldn't go."

• This lyric is interpreted as the lingering emotional presence of an ex-partner despite physical absence.

"You dreamed of my mouth before it was calling you a lying traitor."

• The hosts consider whether this lyric represents a confrontation with an ex-partner and the finality of such a moment.

• The chorus raises questions about the exact point when the relationship was over.
• It explores the uncertainty in on-and-off relationships.
• The dialogue suggests both parties may have cheated or moved on during breaks.

"Was it over when she laid down on your couch? Was it over when he unbuttoned my blouse?"

• This quote questions the fidelity of both parties during their relationship.

"He cheated." "She cheated."

• These quotes indicate accusations of infidelity from both sides.

"What kind of. Were they really cheating?"

• This quote questions the nature of their actions and whether they can be considered cheating.

"Because it was on an off again relationship. So maybe it was just like, it was really over for real, because we weren't. I don't know."

• This quote reflects on the ambiguity of the relationship status due to its on-and-off nature.

• Taylor Swift described "Style" as a song about relationships that are never really done.
• The conversation suggests a connection between "Style" and the current song's theme of indefinite relationship endings.

"Well, and, like, so back in 2014, when Taylor was talking about the song style, she said, the song is actually about those relationships that are never really done."

• This quote explains Taylor Swift's perspective on the song "Style" and its relevance to the current discussion.

• The conversation speculates about the identities of the people the song's subjects were linked to during their relationship.
• There's a distinction made between the public nature of one party's relationships versus the privacy of the other's.

"And Kimberly Stewart is who he was linked to, which is a blonde haired, blue eyed girl."

• This quote introduces speculation about the identity of the man's new romantic interest.

"But she says in her lyrics that everything was out of sight. So it wasn't Connor Kennedy, but she was rumored to be linked to Alexander Skarsgard."

• This quote discusses the rumors surrounding the woman's romantic connections and her discretion in public.

• The conversation identifies a snowmobile accident involving Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, referenced in the song and its connection to "Out of the Woods."

"So, Taylor and Harry famously got into a snowmobile accident, which she also references in out of the woods, specifically in the bridge."

• This quote connects the accident to the lyrics of "Out of the Woods" and the current song.

"Manslaughter, which is ridiculous."

• This quote dismisses extreme interpretations of the song's lyrics related to the accident.

• The blue dress on a boat is a significant image that symbolizes the end of Taylor Swift and Harry Styles' relationship.
• The media's use of a specific photo of Swift in a blue dress became iconic and is referenced in the song.

"Just the blue dress on a boat. So you referenced this earlier, the picture."

• This quote introduces the iconic image of Taylor Swift in a blue dress on a boat.

"It was the photo that the media used. It was in every single article that reported on Taylor and Harry being done being over."

• This quote highlights the widespread media coverage using the photo of Swift in the blue dress.

• The group analyzes the lyrics of the song, speculating on whether certain lines were spoken in reality or are poetic expressions.
• The song's bridge is dissected for its implications about public and private affairs and the media's role in the relationship.

"I think she actually said it."

• This quote suggests that a confrontational line from the song may have been spoken in real life.

"Your new girl is my clone."

• This quote discusses the lyrics that suggest the man's new romantic interest resembles the woman from the song.

"There's only rumors about my hips and thighs and my whispered size. Like, Taylor gets slut shamed. Harry doesn't."

• This quote comments on the double standard in media coverage of the man and woman's dating lives.

• The bridge of the song expresses a dramatic desire for the man to demonstrate his commitment and affection.
• The group discusses the emotional impact of wanting someone to want you back and the lengths one might go to elicit such a response.

"And she wants to do something dramatic so that he comes running back."

• This quote interprets the bridge's dramatic language as a metaphor for the desire to be wanted.

"I mean, you. Right. Like, we've all kind of thought that at some point, right?"

• This quote acknowledges the commonality of having dramatic thoughts during emotional turmoil in relationships.

• The speakers express their personal preferences and emotional responses to certain parts of a song.
• They find some parts of the song dramatic and relatable.
• They discuss the impact of specific lyrics and how they perform or interpret them emotionally.

"I think the oh, Lord is more dramatic the second time around. It's like, just a little bit. There's just a little bit more juice behind it. But they're both just so fun."

• This quote reflects the speaker's opinion on the dramatic effect of a song lyric and their enjoyment of it.

"I get. So when I sing along to the song, I get so dramatic and, like, angry, even though I've never called somebody a lying traitor to their face."

• The speaker shares how they emotionally engage with the song, despite not having personal experiences that directly relate to the song's lyrics.

• Discussion revolves around the concept of blind dates, especially in the context of celebrities.
• The speakers speculate on how celebrities might arrange blind dates through publicists and the importance of vetting potential dates.
• They also consider the metaphorical meaning of "blind dates" as trying to move on or being checked out emotionally.

"So, when you are a celebrity, are you going on a lot of blind dates where you think, oh, wow, that person's cool. Let's get our publicist to exchange information."

• This quote speculates on how celebrities might arrange dates, highlighting the role of publicists in their personal life.

"I think it's important when you're a celebrity that someone is vetted. So if someone can suggest someone instead of just some random person who, I don't know, might be dangerous."

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of safety and vetting for celebrities when dating, suggesting that recommendations are preferred over random encounters.

• The speakers analyze the lyrics of a song, discussing the portrayal of emotions and relationships.
• They delve into the implications of certain lines and how they contribute to the narrative of the song.
• The discussion includes interpretations of the song's references to moving on, seeking attention, and emotional hauntings.

"Or turning a blind eye. Or maybe even you're checked out. Like, he's going on all these dates, but he's just going through the motions because it's not true love."

• The quote offers an interpretation of the song's lyrics, suggesting that the subject is emotionally disengaged and not truly invested in the dates they are going on.

"And I also see this as her kind of taking a little dig, because if a guy hears that the girl he was once in love with has moved on is with other people, even though he moved on from her, it still kind of sucks to hear that."

• The speaker analyzes a lyric as a means of the songwriter taking a jab at an ex-lover, highlighting the emotional complexity of hearing about an ex moving on.

• Discussion on the choice of words in songwriting, specifically the use of less common words like "surmise."
• The speakers consider how songwriters might use a thesaurus to find words that fit the rhythm and tone of the song.
• They discuss the possible reasons for choosing specific words and the impact those choices have on the expression of the song's message.

"And surmise has a little bit more of a snarky tone to it than assume. I surmise that you'll probably date."

• This quote discusses the connotations of the word "surmise" in a song, noting that it carries a snarkier tone than a more common word like "assume."

"Do you think that, like, as a songwriter, you know, you try to think of the words that get the same idea across, but just, like, sound better or, like, roll better, or have, like, the syllables that you need."

• The speaker is reflecting on the process of songwriting and the deliberate choice of words for their sound and fit within the song's structure.

• The speakers share their experiences and reactions to live performances, expressing excitement and emotional responses.
• They discuss the significance of certain performances and the artist's choices during live shows.
• The conversation includes speculation about future releases and connections between songs.

"I love it so much. I remember just I was watching that show live. Were you guys two tuned in live for that one? You predicted it."

• The speaker shares their enthusiasm for a live performance and connects with others about their experiences watching it.

"Well, that's the rumor, right? That she's gonna put out a live album of the surprise songs?"

• The quote reflects the speculation and anticipation among fans regarding potential future releases from the artist.

• The speakers discuss theories about the artist's songs and the potential hidden messages or "Easter eggs" within them.
• They draw connections between different songs and speculate on the artist's intentions.
• The conversation includes references to fan theories and interpretations found on social media platforms like TikTok.

"And are you ready for it? That she's using. Still using these songs and stuff to tie in all of our Easter eggs for what's coming."

• This quote discusses the artist's use of song lyrics to create anticipation and speculation among fans about future projects.

"And so the ellipses and this question and are you ready for it? Kind of ties all those in."

• The speaker is linking the use of ellipses in song lyrics to a broader narrative and teasing future releases by the artist.