Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

In this episode of "13," a Taylor Swift fan podcast, hosts Nick Adams, Anna Casier, Amy Nicholls, and Lacy G delve into the track "Say Don't Go" from "1989 (Taylor's Version)." They express surprise at learning the song's co-writer is the legendary Diane Warren and discuss the emotional depth of the lyrics, which explore the themes of unreciprocated love and the struggle to hold on to hope in a failing relationship. The hosts also touch on Taylor Swift's attention to lyrical detail and her awareness of her fanbase's expectations. They analyze the contrasting upbeat music with the poignant lyrics and share their personal connections to the song's message of longing and heartache. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize the strong impact of "1989's" Vault tracks and speculate on how the song might be received live in concert.

• The podcast is dedicated to breaking down Taylor Swift's songs, Easter eggs, eras, and theories.
• Hosted by four Taylor Swift enthusiasts: Nick Adams, Anna, Amy Nicholls, and Lacy G.
• The specific episode focuses on the track "Say Don't Go" from "1989 Taylor's Version."

"Welcome to 13, a Taylor Swift fan podcast. I'm Nick Adams, I'm Anna, Amy, and I'm Lacy G, and what do you guys say we break down 'Say Don't Go'."

This quote introduces the podcast and the hosts, setting the stage for the discussion about the Taylor Swift song "Say Don't Go."

• Diane Warren, a legendary and prolific songwriter, co-wrote "Say Don't Go" with Taylor Swift.
• Warren has an extensive history of working with various high-profile artists across genres.
• The hosts express surprise at discovering Warren's involvement with the song.

"I was very surprised I guess to learn who co-wrote this song with Taylor Swift. Yeah. A very legendary prolific writer, her name is Diane Warren."

This quote reveals the host's initial surprise at learning about Diane Warren's role in co-writing "Say Don't Go" with Taylor Swift.

• Taylor Swift is described as meticulous and considerate of her fans during her songwriting process.
• Swift's particularity in her lyrics is highlighted as a reason for her success.
• Diane Warren noted Swift's deep awareness of her fans' expectations.

"Taylor Swift was very particular about how she said certain things while working on her lyrics, thinking about her listeners every step of the way."

This quote underscores Taylor Swift's thoughtfulness and precision in crafting lyrics that resonate with her audience.

• Taylor Swift is noted for her thoughtful gestures, such as sending flowers to Diane Warren and gifts to other artists.
• The song "Say Don't Go" is produced by Swift's frequent collaborator, Jack Antonoff.
• The hosts draw parallels between the vibe of "Say Don't Go" and another Swift song, "Clean."

"And this song is produced with her buddy Jack Antonoff. Does anybody get the vibe of 'Clean' when this song starts?"

This quote connects the production style of "Say Don't Go" to another song produced by Jack Antonoff, highlighting the consistency in Swift's musical collaborations.

• "Say Don't Go" is described as portraying emotional turmoil, including sadness, anxiety, and longing.
• The song captures the desire for the other person to stay, juxtaposed with feelings of being ignored and left behind.
• The hosts compare "Say Don't Go" to the song "Foolish One" and discuss the contrast between the song's upbeat sound and sad lyrics.

"Say Don't Go paints a picture of emotional turmoil including feelings of sadness, anxiety, and longing."

This quote summarizes the emotional depth and complexity of the song "Say Don't Go," as perceived by the hosts.

• The hosts feel empathy for Taylor Swift's portrayal of staying in a failing relationship in the song.
• They discuss the juxtaposition of the energetic music with the restrained chorus, which adds to the song's emotional impact.
• The hosts share their initial reactions to the song and how their perception evolved after paying attention to the lyrics.

"And when the day that 1989 came out when we did our initial Vault track rankings, I had 'Say Don't Go' at number one."

This quote captures the host's initial enthusiasm for the song "Say Don't Go" and how their understanding and appreciation of the track deepened over time.

• Discussion about Taylor Swift's vault songs and the differences between their original conception and their re-recordings.
• Speculation on whether the melody, notes, and delivery style have changed over time.
• Mention of specific songs like "Champagne Problems" and "Delicate" to illustrate points.
• A focus on the deeper voice Taylor Swift uses in her later career, which was not present in her earlier work.

"Do you think that when she wrote The Vault songs originally versus when she recorded them now, do you think that they're in the same like note and like the same like Melodies?"

This quote raises the question of whether Taylor Swift's songs have maintained their original notes and melodies from when they were first written to when they were re-recorded for "The Vault" releases.

• Discussion on the evolution of Taylor Swift's voice and style, particularly her use of lower registers in recent work.
• Reference to the song "Delicate" and the use of an echoey voice effect.
• Comparison of vocal techniques between her earlier music and the album "Midnights".
• Mention of "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" as an example of Swift's deeper vocal moments.

"I don't think that she hit the deep voice until much later in her career."

This quote acknowledges the development of Taylor Swift's vocal style, noting that the deeper voice she uses in her music was not present in her earlier career.

• Analysis of Taylor Swift's lyrics and their reflection of her personal and professional life.
• Description of themes of unrequited love and the struggle to let go in her songs.
• Discussion of the metaphor of standing on a tightrope and the complex emotions involved in holding on to hope.

"I'm standing on a tightrope alone... but it won't close I'm holding out hope for you."

This quote discusses a lyric from a Taylor Swift song, highlighting the metaphor of being alone on a tightrope and the difficulty of moving on from a relationship when there is still hope.

• Conversation about the impact of the holiday season on mental health, including feelings of sadness and loneliness.
• Promotion of BetterHelp, an online therapy service, as a resource for managing seasonal depression and other mental health issues.
• Personal anecdotes about the benefits of therapy and dealing with the effects of daylight savings time.

"I was recently talking to my therapist just about seasonal depression because I feel like most recently with the time change like daylight savings hit me way harder this time around than it ever has."

This quote reflects on personal experiences with seasonal depression and the importance of discussing such issues with a therapist to understand and manage them better.

• Interpretation of Taylor Swift's lyrics as a deep dive into her emotional experiences with love and hope.
• The notion that despite the challenges, Taylor Swift chooses herself and lives for hope.
• The complexity of relationships and the struggle to find closure.

"That's basically what this whole song is like she was like you're not leading me on, you're leading me on, but I would stay forever if you simply tell me don't go stay."

This quote summarizes the emotional conflict in one of Taylor Swift's songs, where the protagonist is caught between wanting to stay in a relationship and needing the other person to provide clear direction.

• The lyrics express a sense of anxiety and tension, particularly with the line about holding one's breath.
• The chorus contrasts the plea to stay with the accusation of being led on and hurt.
• The song's narrative transitions from a state of hopeful hanging on to outright anger and confrontation.
• Lyrics suggest a betrayal that goes beyond mere disappointment to a more painful, deliberate act.
• The song captures the feeling of being toyed with and the ensuing anger and grief.

"I hold my breath a little bit longer like all right now what like it's your move I'm going to hold my breath for just a little bit longer that gives me anxiety hearing that line."

This quote reflects the anxiety and suspense in waiting for someone else's decision, which is a central theme in the song.

"Don't go I would stay forever if you say don't go and then boom why' you have to Lead Me on why' you have to twist the knife walk away and leave me bleeding bleeding bleeding."

This quote captures the core emotional conflict of the song: the dichotomy between the desire for the relationship to last and the pain of feeling misled and abandoned.

• The lyrics describe a deep sense of betrayal, likening it to a knife not just being stabbed but also twisted.
• The song conveys the idea that betrayal can take an emotional toll that feels like a physical wound.
• The imagery used in the song is vivid and dramatic, emphasizing the severity of the emotional pain experienced.

"There's a difference between getting stabbed in the back. and then someone sticking a knife in you and twisting it."

This quote illustrates the depth of betrayal described in the song, suggesting it is more than just a simple letdown.

• The lyrics highlight the frustration and anger that come from silence and inaction from the other party in the relationship.
• The song speaks to the desire for communication and the pain of its absence.
• The silence is described as being as hurtful as the betrayal itself, exacerbating the feeling of being led on.

"Your silence has me screaming because I'm just so mad about this and there's nothing worse than in my opinion there's nothing worse than feeling stupid."

This quote conveys the frustration and indignation felt when one is left without closure or explanation, leading to feelings of foolishness and wasted time.

• The song explores the theme of unrequited love, where one person is fully invested while the other is not.
• The lyrics express a sense of being stuck in a moment, with time stopping for one but not the other.
• The song captures the loneliness and sadness of loving someone who does not reciprocate that love fully.

"I'm yours. but you're not mine."

This quote succinctly captures the essence of unrequited love and the imbalance in the relationship dynamic.

• The conversation shifts to a personal reflection, relating the feelings described in the song to the relationship between the speakers and their pets.
• The speakers discuss the unconditional love of pets and the guilt of not always being able to reciprocate that level of attention and care.
• The discussion about pets serves as a metaphor for one-sided relationships and the desire for companionship.

"I'm so single that the line I'm yours. but you're not mine makes me sad and reminds me of my dogs."

This quote ties the emotional themes of the song back to the speaker's personal life, using the relationship with pets as a parallel to human relationships.

• The song addresses the desperation for acknowledgment and the need for a sign to continue investing in the relationship.
• The lyrics depict a scenario of waiting for a gesture that might never come, highlighting the vulnerability of the person who is left hanging.
• The song's call-and-response structure emphasizes the desire for reciprocation and the pain of its absence.

"I wait for you to drive by I'm trying to see the cards that you won't show I'm about to fold unless you say say don't don't go go I would stay forever if you say don't."

This quote embodies the hope and desperation for a sign to hold on, symbolizing the gamble involved in waiting for someone else's decision.

• The song returns to the theme of betrayal, reemphasizing the emotional response to being led on.
• The physical motions described by the speakers during the song highlight the visceral reaction to the lyrics.
• The repetition of the betrayal narrative serves to underscore the central emotional conflict and its impact.

"Why' you have to Lead Me On why' you have to twist the knife walk away and leave me bleeding."

This quote revisits the song's main accusation of betrayal and the emotional turmoil it causes, reinforcing the song's overall message.

• Nick Adams, Anna, and Lacy G discuss the emotional impact of a song.
• They analyze the lyrics, noting the significance of pauses and silence.
• The group reflects on personal experiences related to the song's themes of unrequited love and the expectation of reciprocation.
• They appreciate the song's crescendo to a louder, angrier chorus, highlighting a sense of therapeutic release and closure.

"Nick Adams: I am obsessed with that pause right between right after that. And then there's like a little silent pause. And then she goes back into the course because I feel like that's the pause where she's giving him that last final chance."

This quote emphasizes the emotional weight of a pause in the song, which Nick interprets as a moment of anticipation for a response that never comes, symbolizing a final opportunity for reciprocation.

"Anna: So I'm so single that um whenever I hear the line whenever I heard the line I said I love you you say nothing back. I immediately um started thinking about our old group conversations whenever it was me, Amy, Anna, and Alicia..."

Anna shares a personal anecdote, relating the song's theme of unreciprocated love to her own experiences within her friend group, illustrating how the song's lyrics can evoke personal memories and emotions.

"Lacy G: ...this time it's like louder, angrier, more honest, more just therapeutic almost more of like at this point she's done done."

Lacy G describes the progression of the song's chorus as it becomes more intense and expressive, suggesting a transition from vulnerability to empowerment and emotional release.

• The group discusses various interpretations of the song's lyrics and the emotional journey they depict.
• They note the influence of 1980s music on the song, with references to artists like Pat Benatar, The Outfield, and Stevie Nicks.
• Comparisons are drawn to other songs and the possibility of interconnected storylines within the artist's discography.
• Fans speculate on the narrative perspective of the song, considering it as a counterpoint to another song called "Getaway Car."

"Amy Nicholls: ...the entire song just kills me, the emotion and some of her phrasing and lyrics reminds me of something Stevie Nicks would do and it sounds like him on backing vocals just so much' 80s influence here."

Amy Nicholls expresses her emotional reaction to the song and points out the stylistic elements reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, indicating the song's homage to 1980s music.

"Nick Adams: ...someone else on Reddit said um entire song just kills me the emotion and some of her phrasing and lyrics reminds me of something Stevie Nick would do and it sounds like him on backing vocals just so much' 80s influence here I hear Pat Benatar, The Outfield..."

Nick Adams relays a fan's observation from Reddit, which highlights the strong emotional impact of the song and its 1980s influences, suggesting a diverse range of musical references that resonate with listeners.

"Anna: ...someone else made a connection to getaway car where a shot in the darkest dark seems related to we never had a shotgun shot in the dark so getaway car is her Anthem basically saying you are my rebound did you really think this was going to work and say don't go is his story like he was wanting her to stay."

Anna explores a fan theory that connects the song to "Getaway Car," proposing that the two songs could represent different perspectives within a narrative about a failed relationship, with "Say Don't Go" possibly being the other party's viewpoint.

• The hosts wrap up the episode by inviting listeners to share their thoughts and favorite parts of the song "Say Don't Go."
• They encourage engagement with the podcast through various contact methods provided in the description.
• The hosts mention the upcoming episode where they will discuss another song, "Now That We Don't Talk."

"Nick Adams: ...what did we miss what your favorite part of say don't go let us know you can contact us all the ways to hit us up we in the description of this podcast if you haven't already subscribe I don't know why you're not but subscribe to us and join us next time..."

Nick Adams concludes the episode by asking the audience for their input and feedback on the discussion, emphasizing the importance of listener engagement and promoting the podcast's subscription for future episodes.