Evolution of a Snake: The Taylor Swift Podcast

The Snakes revisit Taylor Swift’s most amorphous and ambiguous record to date: her tenth studio album, Midnights. Has ambiguity persisted or ceased after two years of shocking revelations –– from the Joever of it all to the Matty Healy interlude? Diving deep into the lyrics on each track, pared with the luxury of hindsight, an answer to this Question…? is found.

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Welcome back to Phone a Snake. This week, we asked you to call in with your strangest and most outlandish takes on the 2025 Grammy nominations. And boy, y’all delivered! Up top is some discussion about the nature of the Grammy’s itself: how this year is different from others in terms of the stiff competition, Taylor Swift’s likely appearance (what she’ll wear/perform/win), how we would like to see the Grammy process change, and the need for artist’s to get their ass up and promote their work these days!

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In today’s episode, The Snakes critically analyze the 2025 Grammy contenders. It’s been an incredible year of music, particularly for our muse, Taylor Swift, and all of our other favorite pop girls as well. Here, the devil’s advocate is played: each nominee for Album of the Year is presented with their greatest strengths and mortal weaknesses, seeking an objective assessment of who the front runners in this category are. The other ‘big four’ nominations & pop categories are deconstructed elsewhere. One thing is for sure: this year is stacked. From Chappell and Sabrina to Charli, Beyonce, Billie Eilish, and the HBIC, it’s sure to be a night to remember.

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Welcome back to a very special episode of Phone a Snake. This week, we asked you to call in with your unpopular opinions about the 'Taydaughters.' What exactly is a Taydaughter, and how do we spot one? That's something explored in this episode, along with a thorough analysis of Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and more as potential proteges of the HBIC: Taylor Swift. Enjoy! Subscribe to our Patreon for a spicy bonus episode of Taydaughter Opinions.

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The year is 2019. 'Digital fur technology' is a term that has entered our lexicon. There is a suspicious amount of butterfly easter egging. Taylor Swift is cooking up her first record away from Big Machine, and she's drawing out the surprise. Like, a lot. Suddenly, there's a pair of wings in a Nashville parking lot. Then, the world goes dark. Welcome to what is probably the most 'negative' EOAS recap: Taylor Swift's disastrous first six months of her flop era. Reputation's baddie, idgaf, scorched earth queen has disappeared. Instead we have a 30 year old woman who attended cat school for 4 months and wrote SPELLING IS FUN! Enjoy

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In today's episode of your favorite hotline segment, Phone a Snake, The Snakes contend with your unpopular opinions about Taylor Swift's 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. Though your confessions are not as shocking as they once were in the past, there is plenty of delusion here that was smacked into oblivion. Guilty as Sin? Greatest song ever made, not taking further questions at this time. Enjoy!

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This is an episode that is years in the making when you really think about it....in today's episode, The Snakes take you on a guided tour through a museum of their adolescence. That's right, digging into the best and worst of Taylor Swift's MASSIVE unreleased catalogue, all the way from 2003 right up until the release of Debut in 2006. I'd Lie....heard of it? Greatest song ever made. Didn't They....heard of it? You'll wish you hadn't. Enjoy!

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Welcome to TayRewind, a moment where The Snakes can zoom in on a canonical event, moment, or disaster from the Taylor Swift archives in excruciating detail. Sometimes, in the yearly episodes, there isn't enough space to Go Deep on absolutely everything. Here's your first taste of that: flashbacks to a simpler time, 2009. Picture this: Taylor Swift is hot off the heels of her first Pop Culture Moment, and she's here to have another one...by hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live. In this episode, her monologue is reviewed (to acclaim) and the skits that you forgot about are drudged up in all their horror. Enjoy!

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Welcome back to Phone a Snake, the monthly listener call in segment. In today’s episode there’s a new approach on the table: reacting to your most unhinged (and shocking) unpopular Taylor Swift opinions. Some of these calls are truly shocking. Swiftie cards will be checked at the door prior to entry! 

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Welcome back to Sister Songs, an Evolution of a Snake series that tackles the invisible strings woven through Taylor Swift's lengthy and convoluted discography. In today's episode, The Snakes trace a particular feeling of anxiety through one of her much-written-about relationships. By first deconstructing Peace from 2020's folklore, several tangents are discovered in Dancing With Our Hands Tied, Afterglow, and even The Archer. Enjoy!

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Welcome back to Evolution of a Snake. In today's episode, The Snakes recount the many events that happened during MTV's lifeless carcass: the VMAs. It was, for once, a semi-exciting year with many gag-worthy performances. Taylor Swift's fashion choices are of course, dissected and cheered over, as are her interesting Tayvis Pilled speeches. Elsewhere: this year is declared as the SabMA's, thanks to Sabrina Carpenter's deeply referential and iconic medley. Chappell Roan gets her Joan of Arc flowers without an untimely fiery end, and Katy Perry is booed for being herself. Join the Patreon for Zack's full VMA Reaction and weekly bonus episodes! https://www.patreon/com/swiftologist

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Welcome back to The Taylor Swift Podcast. In today's episode, we gaze at the mammoth, seismic, alluring, shocking, intimidating European leg of Eras. It's no secret that the HBIC has developed a fondness for gagging her audience, and gag us she did, with these high-level, occasionally terrible but frequently excellent pairings of various songs throughout her discography. We rank the best and worst nights and create our very best list of mashups we would've gagged for. There were wins. And there were losses. Enjoy!

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In today's episode, the Snakes take calls from the audience and cover some hot topics in the Taylorverse. We start with a direct example of Taylor's impact: Sabrina Carpenter's triumphant latest release, Short n' Sweet. The Shawnmila of it all is a telling and juicy preface to this 'Taydaughter's' debutante ball. Then it's onto another Taydaughter...Olivia Rodrigo, and whether Sour can be compared to Fearless and/or Debut. Finally, we muse on the evolution of Taylor Nation as a marketing tool. Get one more hour of this on Patreon each and every week! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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In this episode of Evolution of a Snake, THE Taylor Swift Podcast, we do our best to rank the muses in Taylor Swift's catalog objectively. Though there is a subjective 'hotness' category, we strive to view these purses for their contributions to the discography and lore, and also by their impact on Taylor's relationship to love (as written through her songs) going forward. If you're craving more EOAS, you can find us weekly on https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Today's episode: Charli Xcx & Taylor Swift's reactions to Sympathy is a Knife, creating our dream Eras Tour setlists working with the confines of the existing show, and whether the Taylor's Version project will continue or not. All of this and much more in our monthly call-in segment 1800-Phone-A-Snake, where we turn to the congregation for questions. If you'd like to participate in the future and hear ONE MORE HOUR of this conversation, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Welcome back to Evolution of a Snake. In this episode, we're introducing a new format: Sister Songs. This is a series where we draw parallels and themes between two (or more!) songs from different points in Taylor Swift's discography. On the menu today is an evergreen connective tissue: Taylor's musings on fame, being replaced, and ageing. Initially, we were inspired by the mashup she performed for Stevie Nicks in Dublin. But as we got into our in-depth lyrical analysis, it quickly became clear there are more than just two songs to pay attention to. We delve into Nothing New and Mirrorball to flesh out our analysis and better understand how Taylor's relationship to the public eye has evolved but also stayed the same over the years. As always, you can find more EOAS on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Though we do not love a London Boy, the Snakes have had quite the time gallivanting around the big smoke. In today’s extra special Taylor Talk, we are together live and in-person (full video on Patreon) to discuss the highlight of our podcasting lives so far: Evolution of a Snake LIVE! in London (also available only on the Patreon.) We regale you with tales of pregnant ladies getting robbed, bed bugs in a ship container hotel, and the hostility we encountered from a children’s theatre director. Last, we give you our detailed review of the NEW Eras Tour set, including our first experience of Tortured Poets live and the greatest surprise song combos we could’ve dreamed of. This was recorded BEFORE we attended Sunday’s Eras show with Travis and Gracie Abrams, so that is not discussed here. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Welcome back to the yearly format. 2018 was an awkward, in-between kind of phase for Taylor Swift and her fandom. It was uncharacteristically quiet for a year of an album cycle: there were some months where she wasn’t pictured at all, and her actual public appearances beyond the Reputation Stadium Tour were few and far between. Nevertheless, we found a lot to say about it. But of course, The Snakes cover the record-breaking tour, the setlist, guest appearances, and outfits. There are a few moments of hilarity: Katy Perry’s literal olive branch, the announcement of Taylor’s starring role as Bombalurina in Cats, and her first foray into activism. It was the year of TaydemoCAT. We end this transitional period with a stormy horizon: a new record deal with Republic and Universal. Enjoy! Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly episodes: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Welcome back to Phone a Snake! In this episode, where we take your urgent calls, we explore the significance of track five songs on Taylor's albums and how they evoke strong emotions. Also on the menu: the criticism Taylor receives and her thoughtful responses, touching on the bloat in her recent albums and the need for more concise editing. We also examine the vulnerability in Taylor's songs and the delicate balance between being open and oversharing. Enjoy! Subscribe to our Patreon for the monthly bonus episode of Phone a Snake and sooo many more goodies.

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Welcome back to TAYLOR TALK, our monthly segment discussing the latest and greatest news in la nacion de taylor. On the docket today: but of course, the revamp of The Eras Tour. Including all of the glaring omissions (RIP Long Live) and an appreciation of the gorgina TTPD set which has truly gagged us into another dimension. Elsewhere: Taylor Swift's insane first-week chart numbers, the disappearance and sudden reappearance of her catalogue on TikTok, how critics need to understand swifties in order to appraise Tortured Poets correctly, and the surprising restraint of merch this time around. Enjoy! Join the patreon for weekly episodes: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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A week later, here we are with our meditations and reflections on The Anthology, the second album or companion piece to the jaw-dropping Tortured Poets Department. In this episode, we dig into Taylor's prolific output: is it necessary to release this much? How much of these releases are 'valuable' output? And we dig into a few motifs and intriguing nuggets of insight that were suspiciously kept off the standard edition of the album. Enjoy!

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We're back with a very important and length episode: unpacking the juicy morsels of The Tortured Poets Department. Taylor Swift's 11th studio album is the culmination of years spent honing her craft. And, it's a significant departure from her previous Grammy award winning record, Midnights. Today, The Snakes unpack first thoughts from this mammoth of a record: interrogating the muses, the futility of trying to 'assign' a muse, and the evolution of Taylor's perspective on love through the years.

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Here’s an emergency episode available to all: Taylor Swift has categorized her prior works into the five stages of grief for an @applemusic playlist exclusive. But of course, The Snakes have a lot to say about it. With some of our own delusions confirmed and many others brought to the forefront, we take a long, hard look (yet again) at the Joever of it all in advance of TTPD in a mere fortnight.

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Hello Snakes! We're back with our new FREE monthly episode of Phone a Snake. This is where we answer your burning questions and share our hot takes. In today's episode, we discuss Taylor Swift's secret Pinterest boards while speculating on the Tortured Poets visuals, what she does in her rest time between shows, and if we would like Lover better if it was called Daylight. Spoiler: no! 

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The Snakes are back with Taylor Talk and we're here to share with you the ins and outs of Zack's six night residency at The Eras Tour: from the surprise song mashups to a kerfuffle with security. Then, we discuss the recent Disney+ acquisition of The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version), Scott Swift vs the paparazzi, the international Tayvis society, the mini geopolitical crisis caused by Singapore's exclusivity deal brokered by Austin Swift, and what we're expecting in this break between tour and The Tortured Poets Department. Enjoy!

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GENERAL SALE MARCH 18 10 AM GMT

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Well divas, it's time for another emergency episode. We were planning on simply talking about the Grammy's but God had other a different plan....today's docket is full of lols and questions from the chaotic surprise announcement of Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department. We dissect the track list, discuss how this will impact the eras tour, and make other speculative statements.

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PATREON FOR WEEKLY EPISODES: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Taylor Swift's reputation era is much lauded as one of her most concise, aesthetically thematic, and sonically jarring eras. To no one's surprise, we concur with this estimation. However, much gets lost in hindsight. Though her career recovered fairly quickly, there were numerous hiccups in the roll-out to reputation that were actually....kind of a big deal. Alt-right sympathizer allegations?! Is the ACLU getting involved? It's a lot. We cover it all, from the conclusion of her trial to the iconic Instagram wipe, Look What You Made Me Do music video, and her brand new approach to being a pop star. There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation!

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Welcome back to another episode of boots-on-the-ground journalism. The bone collector returns to serve a delicious meal: what, exactly, is the Taylor Swift origin story? We know the official narrative: plucky girl meets guitar, moves to Nashville, gets discovered at the Blue Bird Cafe and the rest is history. Was there more to it than that? If the recently resurfaced emails from Scott Swift's 2005 legal dispute with Taylor's former manager are to be taken seriously, then yes. We take an analytical lens to the essential role Taylor's hapless and bumbling, aw-shucks parents played in her rise to stardom & reevaluate her creative partnership with Scott Borchetta along the way too. Don't forget to join our Patreon for an exclusive discussion on the rise and fall of Gaylor! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Well, here we are again snakes...back at it again to break down all of the most juicy insights & learnings from Taylor Swift's groundbreaking feature in TIME Magazine. Covering the whole scope of her career, Sam Lansky talks with the head reptile in charge about every little thing: from The Eras Tour to Travis Kelce, Taylor's Version, and her ongoing redemption narrative. We take an exacting lens to exactly what was said (and more interestingly, what wasn't) in the broadest 'access' we've had to her psyche in years. For more deep dives like these and weekly episodes, subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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Welcome back to the Evolution of a Snake. Today's episode is the final Taylor Talk of 2023 and boy it's a doozy. We give some space to discuss the final leg of this year's Eras Tour, including the grave tragedy that took place in Rio de Janeiro. Elsewhere, we discuss the success of the Eras Tour Film, the flop of the Black Friday Merch, and whether or not Taylor Swift is the Person of the Year. Don't forget to sign up for the Patreon to hear from us three more times before the end of the year! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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In this episode, The Snakes attend to the most pressing matter in the Taylor Nation: the re-release of the HBIC, the pop girlie who took no prisoners and changed the game. On the agenda today is an analysis of the minute (and sometimes overt) differences between the Stolen Versions & Taylor's Versions, an impending billionaire status that leaves a sour taste, and for the very first time an in-depth lyric analysis of each vault track. Harry Styles, as a muse, you were everything. Thank you! Make sure to subscribe to our Patreon for the video accompaniment to this episode.

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The crossover that no one asked for but we're giving it to you anyway. Caroline Calloway is so many things: writer, snake oil saleswoman, alleged scammer, Floridian, New Yorker, and apparently....a Swiftie? She talks Taylor with The Snakes on a variety of subjects ranging from The Eras Tour, to Gaylor bisexuality, and Matty Healy. And of course, her ongoing beef with Natalie Beach. Make sure to buy her memoir 'SCAMMER,' and pre-order the remaining two books in her trilogy at: https://carolinecalloway.com/

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Welcome back to Taylor Talk, a monthly segment in which The Snakes dissect the current affairs in the Taylor Nation. On the docket today: Taylor's monster on the hill appearance at the VMAs, her various fashion wins from this colder portion of the year, Swiftie hysteria over the new purse in town, 1989 vault and a debate on the appropriate conduct for a swiftie in a movie theatre when watching a certain concert film. Enjoy!

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MADELINE'S NEW SUBSTACK, THE LIZARD REVIEW: https://thelizardreview.substack.com/

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The old Taylor can't come to the phone right now, she's (almost) dead. In the lead-up to 2017's legendary 'reputation', Ms. Swift is struggling with the fallout from the most apocalyptic year of her career. Marred in scandal and reassessing the fundamental elements of her life as a public figure and a private person, what seems like a year of hibernation was, in hindsight, actually quite active. The Snakes delve into the weeds of this year: from Katy Perry's overdue response to Bad Blood to the emergence of Joe Alwyn, and the pivotal sexual assault trial initiated by former DJ David Mueller.

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Welcome to the first public monthly episode of Taylor Talk; in which The Snakes report back on the latest and greatest news from the Taylor Nation. In today's dispatch, Zack and Madeline discuss the announcement of 1989 (Taylor's Version) and speculate on the production credits and the content of the fabled 'amazing' vault tracks. Karlie Kloss, a noted crook who was caught, pops up on this hallowed occasion, and a girlie called Chelsea recreates the ENTIRE Eras Tour in her living room with the help of her long-suffering family. There's much more where this came from on the Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist

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In this episode, we present the Snake Nation with a full-length preview of what lives behind the paywall. In our monthly voice mail segment, we answer your most pressing questions about happenings in the Taylor Nation and the world of pop culture. We record this segment once a month & our patrons enjoy this, our more focused 'Taylor Talk,' and listener requested deep-dives that we call 'Besties Episodes' on patreon.com/swiftologist every single month. With video accompaniments too if that's your thing. PLUS! Access to our very lively, highly active discord full of reasonable, snarky snakes. Come join us!

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In this episode, The Snakes delve into the dark and stormy waters of Speak Now (Taylor's Version). Each re-recording is dutifully compared against the stolen counterpart and assessed on a scale from I Knew You Were Trouble to Tell Me Why. There's an elephant in the room of course, which prompts some debate: the lyric change in Better Than Revenge. Was it blasphemous, or no big deal? Opinions may vary, and in this episode, they certainly do. The episode is concluded with an analysis of the Vault Tracks & a scathing critique of the baseless, bland, and boring 'reviews' of this project and a commentary on the media's response to the re-recordings at large. Don't forget to visit patreon.com/swiftologist for a full video episode.

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In this episode, The Snakes revisit the first night of The Eras Tour in Chicago. It was happy, free, confused, lonely, miserable, and magical. All at the same damn time. There's an in depth dissection of the extremely lengthy and involved setlist, a frank analysis of our fellow swifties around us, and an overall vibe check on what it's like to sit on the floor for the biggest tour of all time. This episode is not sponsored by our house down boots, which tore up our feet in ways you can't even begin to imagine. Come join us on the Discord for more content from our in-person reunion after 7 years!

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The shot heard around the world. A highly demanded recap of the final half of Taylor Swift's most disastrous year. We begin our story in the Getaway Car, and quickly head off to the UK where the Cobra engages in some truly deranged behavior, before a whirlwind summer of romance, drama, and truly great outfits. Hiddleswift is at its peak when the walls come crashing down: Kim Kardashian's illegal, doctored recording of Taylor Swift's conversation with Kanye West, leads to the #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty and #SnakeGate. The aftershock of a public flogging reverberate throughout the year, as the Cobra wavers in her commitment to remaining unbothered. Throughout, The Snakes take a critical view of the cancelation, while painting the picture of what it was like to live through it as a fan in real-time.

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Well snakes, here we are. Another emergency episode. To discuss the shot heard around the world: the demise of Toe. In this episode, The Snakes detangle the various clues & cryptic easter eggs that have been dropped over the years about the nature of Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn's 6 year relationship. Following a playlist created to chart Taylor's inner journey, your favourite armchair analysts speculate and hypothesise about what triggered the fallout, how the relationship started, and where each of them are headed next. Make sure to check out the Patreon for more unfiltered discussion on this subject!

PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hfL9l41XYaFV91RwzTMGo?si=f8c838438de242ea

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In this episode of Evolution of a Snake, Taylor Swift's Stadium Show, The Eras Tour Tour is thoroughly dissected, appreciated, and critiqued. Zack & Madeline try their best to decipher the mental machinations of the HSIC (Head Snake In Charge) to discover why she chose certain songs and not others. It's a tremendous tour de force that really turns the idea of a 'touring artist' on its head: just how big can a show be? How much stamina, prowess, and power can one pop star have? The Snakes delve into all this and more.

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Buckle in, snakes. Madeline and Zack are doing a free-dive into one of the most unhinged places on the internet: Ashley Leechin's TikTok. You may know her for allegedly resembling Taylor Swift. Or, perhaps you know her for getting disinvited to the Grammys. Madeline is the bone collector, and she has unearthed the most incredible bones on this subject. It goes so much further, deeper, and weirder than you think. On this special episode of the Evolution of a Snake, we reprise Madeline's citizen journalism skills (made famous in noon roast on a Sunday) for yet another unhinged recap of internet mess. Girl, we are living. Head to 'Swiftologist' on YouTube for a FULL video episode. 

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We did it, Joe. We finally made our Patreon. In today's episode, Zack & Madeline approach a breadth of topics: the Lavender Haze music video, Taylor's filmmaking ambitions, the impending eras tour, and the launch of our paywalled content which brings the Evolution of a Snake into your earbuds twice a month on top of the regularly scheduled programming. Whether you want cutting room floor content, an episode made just for you, or a video companion to everything you hear from here on out – we've got it for you on patreon.com/swiftologist. 

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The Snakes are back with hotter takes than ever. In this episode, Madeline and Zack revisit Taylor Swift's 10th Studio Album. There's a state-of-the-union vibe check on the fandom & an honest, frank, but loving discussion on the positives and negatives of the songwriting, promotion, and release of Midnights. On the agenda: Jack Antonoff's undeniable footprint, future singles, a chat about the visuals, and speculation about where she's headed next sonically & professionally. 

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It's finally here. The most dreaded and requested episode in four years. It's time for chaos, karma, vengeance, and the #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty. This first episode takes us from the beginning of the year to Bleachella and the Met Gala. The breakdown of Tayvin is unearthed with some shocking new revelations (and a heavy dose of informed speculation...) alongside an excavation of some very, extremely iconic candids. The release of Famous causes a stir and officially reignites the dormant feud between Kanye and Taylor. The 1989 era is on its way out, but not before some ridiculousness at the 2016 Grammy Awards where Taylor wins Album of the Year and spends her speech settling scores. From there, it's complete and utter chaos. Buckle in! 

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Here we are again, Swifties. With another deep-dive, first impressions & review of the fabled TS10: Midnights. In this episode, the album is batted around like a brand-new tennis ball. Some topics on the agenda: Taylor's shifting POV as a protagonist and a narrator, the breadth and depth of sonic experimentation on this record, Lana Del Rey's criminal excision, Jack Antonoff's heavy touch, the general concept of Tayvoodoo and the imperative fact that Karma is Taylor Swift's boyfriend. All that on more on this mammoth episode. 

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Welcome back, swifties. Zack and Madeline interrupt the regularly scheduled programming to go over a few key current affairs. TS10, heard of it? By now you certainly have. Midnights is on the horizon and we are, frankly, in a state of panic. It's a global emergency. In this episode, The Snakes dive into the 2022 VMA's. The fashions, tea, and symbolicalness of it all. Predictions are made. Revelations are shared. They answer your questions. 

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In the final part of 2015, there’s plenty to discuss. Hot off the VMAs, Taylor releases the Wildest Dreams music video and receives some backlash while turning out looks. Turns out the back half of this year was kind of cursed. The 1989 Ryan Adams version comes out to absolutely no one’s enjoyment. Todrick Hall (noted villain) enters the canon. Then, there is a lengthy discussion of what is potentially Taylor’s most revealing magazine profile: her GQ interview and cover shoot. We dive deep into the Katy Perry nonsense & take a moment to analyze how this moment altered the trajectory of her career forever. The year concludes with the bittersweet end of the 1989 tour, Out of the Woods music video, and a particularly heinous article by public intellectual Camille Paglia.

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By some miracle, 2015: Part 2 has emerged. In this episode, Zack and Madeline delve into the second half of Taylor’s most chaotic year. In hindsight, it’s full of powerful foreshadowing, embarrassing blunders, and the beginning of a shift that drastically changed Taylor Swift’s relationship with fame. We begin this episode with the Apple Music letter, and go on to discuss some 1989 tour gossip, the absolutely unhinged Nicki Minaj/Katy Perry feud, and the fateful 2015 #SQUAD VMAs. Throughout, interviews are analyzed with a critical gaze, and so is the rise of a new genre of think piece: the Taylor Swift Takedown. There was so much going on we had to make 2015: Part 3...stay tuned! 

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In a series first for The Evolution of a Snake, Madeline and Zack dive deep into another artist's discography. Well, if you can call it that. In the wake of another round of comparison, Olivia's potential as the heir-apparent to the diaristic songwriting throne is discussed judiciously but with skepticism. With three smash hits and a headlining tour underway...is Olivia ready, willing, or able to take over? Not if The Snakes have anything to say about it. After all, heavy is the head that wears the crown. 

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Well, back by popular demand, here is the year-by-year update. We've finally reached the most chaotic (and potentially...dislikable?) time in Taylor Swift's career. She is quite literally, girl bossing too close to the sun. We begin the year with a PR spin from Tree Paine and a few red carpet events. Surprisingly, this half of the year is FULL of great gowns, beautiful gowns. Later on, Taylor gets her first VOGUE cover but unfortunately has to share it with the crook who was caught. She's Instagramming all day long. She's refreshing her dashboard on Tumblr. And that's where we get into some ancient history on the origins of the swifties eating each other alive. Regrettably this is the year where we must start talking about Calvin Harris, AKA flop DJ and/or The Evil Man. There are award shows, announcements, music videos, and a whole new tour to digest and dissect. Join us for this first part and thank you for your patience! Keep up with us on IG @evolutionofasnake. 

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Welcome back to another episode of The Evolution of a Snake. Due to production constraints (Zack being tired) we were unable to squeeze in 2015: Part 1 before the end of the year. But fear not, we're back with a special holiday treat. In this episode we revisit Sounds of the Season and rank our top 10 Taylor Swift songs with a fun little twist. Thanks for listening this year and we can't wait to keep it going for our fourth year (!!) in 2022. 

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In this episode, Madeline and Zack dive into the re-release of Taylor's most confounding record: the bright, burning, Red. On the agenda today is a plethora of topics; there are some throwbacks to Easter eggs from the past, a review of Taylor's recent (and excellent) promotional appearances, and some reminiscing about the original release week with the context of what we know now about her emotional state in 2012. Things heat up when they discuss the copycat recordings (which, like Red, are completely all over the place) and excessive praise is lavished over the truly compelling and wonderfully intricate vault tracks. Madeline gives a blow by blow account of experience with her "white boy of the millennium" being cast in a Taylor Swift production. To top it off, they dissect the All Too Well: Short Film and psychoanalyse Jake x Taylor. 

Catch up with us on Twitter @tswiftpodcast, and on Instagram @evolutionofasnake. 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesnakes donate here if you'd like to support this ad-free, long form podcast. 

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It's the most wonderful time of the year: album release season. Join us on an incredibly convoluted journey through many a revealing interview (Rolling Stone, WSJ, British Vogue) and Taylor Swift The Girlboss rises to the apex of her power. We begin at the 2014 VMA's, where Taylor begins an embarrassing trend of being completely unable to hit the Shake it Off high note. We move on to the ignition of a monumental beef with Miss Katy Perry, and discuss what the true motivations behind this smear campaign were. Taylor's general neuroses about privacy and safety are discussed at length. The Secret Sessions make their first appearance and shake the music industry for years to come. We go through the motions of building hype for 1989, reviewing her choice of pre-release tracks and eventually getting into the entire album. Spoiler alert: back to back bangers, it slaps, probably a bulletproof album in hindsight. We receive a groundbreaking music video and discuss the power of her pen in Blank Space. Of course, there is some Haylor tea. The year ends with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and a fall down the stairs on NYE. If you're interested in supporting this podcast, visit http://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesnakes               

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Well, we've finally made it to the legendary 1989 era. It's perhaps the juiciest, and most significant landmark in the life and times of Taylor Swift. In this episode, we discuss some major shifts in the Snake's personal life: moving to New York, cutting her hair short, and becoming friends with Karlie Kloss and Lena Dunham. Throughout the year, we see many sartorial shifts which renegotiate her public image. The famed crop tops, remember them? A new cat is purchased, there's a bug in her hair in the last leg of The Red Tour, and after months of clues and build-up the 1989 livestream on Yahoo finally takes place. Tune in to hear Madeline and Zack's analysis on what this all means, and how it potentially sets the Snake up for disaster in later years. 

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Fearless (Taylor's Version) was a stroll down memory lane, so we're taking one with you in this episode. We revisit the highs and lows of the iconic, faux country extravaganza, and express our dismay towards the vault songs and *certain* re-recordings which were perhaps recorded in a toaster. As always, we extend our congratulations to The Snake on the maintenance of her status as The World's Most Insane Person. There is some chatter about the new merch (and Austin Swift's secret side gig) as well as some speculation on where we go from here. @tsfolklore and @hoaxlakes on twitter. 

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After our surprise evermoreology drop, we've been inspired to keep chatting nonsense about our favorite reptilian. Take a journey with us through the tumultuous year of 2013, with its plethora of highs, lows, dramas, and bad looks serves. We begin the year with the iconic shot of Taylor sitting alone on a boat, post the mysterious (and evidently explosive) fall out from the Haylor Drama, which continues to plague us at the Grammy's and the VMA's. Some seeds are planted this year, or Easter Eggs if you will, that lead to the absolute carnage of 2014. We've got good and bad performances, a full run-down of the red tour including random fans on stage and rule discourse, and many perplexing outfits to dissect. 

podcast twitter: @tswiftpodcast

host twitters: @hoaxlakes & @tsfolklore

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Well, here's another unplanned episode spurred on by Taylor Swift's lockdown insanity. Zack and Madeline dive into evermore, drawing comparisons between its predecessor and the rest of the discography. Certain tracks are hotly debated, fawned over, or despised. The new transition to fictional narratives is one that proves fruitful for discussion, as clues are given to potential real life inspirations. Two recent swiftie dramas are discussed, and the fandom elders are displeased with recent events. Who is the ultimate grand supreme, folklore or evermore? Tune in to find out! 

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The Snakes are back post-hiatus with a surprise episode: a deep dive into folklore. In a year of surprises, The Evolution of a snake is taking a turn with the content and discussing 'current' events as well. After the shock of the surprise drop eased, Zack and Madeline jump into the album to discuss the production, writing, visuals, and promo of folklore. Track by track. Comparisons are drawn to the Lover era and...well... they're not flattering. The betty discourse is mentioned, the trilogy of songs is dismissed, Haylor continues to thrive, tour plans are discussed, Connor Kennedy is still on our minds in 2020, and a new chapter of Taylor Swiftology is unleashed on the masses. Send your feedback on this episode to @tswiftpodcast on twitter. @hoaxlakes and @tsfolklore for the hosts. 

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It's been a while....there's a pandemic but we're still thinking about the end of 2012. That's how monumental it was. We discuss the tumultuous highs and lows of one of the most prolific album cycles that Taylor Swift has barged through. We discuss the release strategy for Red, review all of the singles, and dive into a track-by-track review of what is widely thought of as her most experimental album. There's a lot of drama, too. Old flames flicker with John Mayer, Joe Jonas, and Taylor Lautner. We get a fresh and impending heartache in Harry Styles, and discuss one of Taylor's first intense public backlashes. We talk music videos, property purchases through shell companies, rocky live performances, and the sheer artistry behind some of the best writing in her career. Some of the juiciest easter eggs hatch in this short span of time. We rehash the fandom discourse of Taylor Swift becoming a pop artist, and revisit some foundational image changes, as well as the 'good girl' pathology that endured until very recently. Follow us on twitter for more updates, and let us know your thoughts @tswiftpodcast. 

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After a long hiatus (that included an ENGAGEMENT!!) Madeline and Zack are back to discuss the game changing year of 2012. First off - we plug our Patreon! We need your support to continue creating high quality content. Taylor slowly but surely drops prehistoric easter eggs that she'll be releasing an album. The bangs that were cut at the end of 2011, seem to give her some power.....the power to become obsessed with the Kennedy's. Her hyper-fixation tendencies really jumped out this year. On today's agenda: her whirlwind romance with Conor Kennedy, her almost role in Les Miserables and acting chops in general, the Grammy serve of the century, a brief interlude with Zac Efron, some nasty words from the internet's garbage can John Mayer, and the show stopping Red live chat. Oh.....and a sweet ditty called We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. Heard of it? We also discuss our upcoming plans to release two episodes a month, and to diversify our content. https://www.patreon.com/theevolutionofasnake

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Zack and Madeline deep dive into the second half of 2011 - which upon reflection, is a year of immense growth, evolution, and development. The Speak Now Tour continues and the arm lyrics and interviews that she gives on tour reveal a surprising amount of information if you know where to connect the dots. The earliest and purest form of the Easter Eggs reveal themselves as arm lyrics. Connecting the dots she draws leads us to the conclusion that perhaps her and Joe Jonas tried it again, or at least reconciled in this year. Taylor Lautner makes several unnecessary appearances and Miss Swift's bizarre obsession with the Kennedy's begins. We take a look at a few in depth profiles that are more revealing than they appear, and discuss Taylor's complicity in a goody-two-shoes imagery. T-Party is discussed publicly as a concept, and we analyze how that has changed - for worse - in recent years. Two final and superior singles with lacklustre videos wrap up the Speak Now era - Sparks Fly and Ours. Wonderstruck is dropped and we have to stan. Taylor gets her most iconic cat Meredith, and shockingly - in an earth shattering moment, cuts her hair and drops Safe and Sound in the same month. She turns 22 and never aged again. 

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Zack and Madeline address an issue of housekeeping first and foremost. LEAVE US ALONE! Moving on, we discuss Taylor's incessant need to be everywhere during 2011 - and her slight obsession with the many boys of the hit television show Glee. There are some odd moments in the beginning of the year: Taylor performs on the high seas and attends the Montblan cocktail party with the one and only Emma Stone. We discuss some confusing single choices of songs that are pushed to radio concurrently, and we reiterate the fact that we are charting higher than Bob Lesfetz. We talk her Vanity Fair party serve of an appearance, that one famous gif that reigns supreme, and the gold cavalli dress that shook us all. We also discuss the Speak Now Tour in its entirety. We get into Madeline vs Swiftsecrets and the ridiculous quotes that stormed our dashboards way back in 2011. Please dear listeners, promise us, that you will never forget the essence of your spark. 

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Madeine and Zack pick up where they left off in 2010: Part 1 with the Mine video. It drops and we are completely and utterly shaken by the talent, the emotion, the power. Toby Hemingway is discussed as the elusive enigma that he is, and Taylor embarrassingly performs Innocent at the VMAs. We get four pre-releases from Speak Now that mislead us towards the greatness that is impending, and Taylor attends a taping of SNL where she meets someone who will change her life forever. Speak Now is released to critical and commercial acclaim, and we go through each song like the true Taylor Swift Sluts that we are. If This Was A Movie finally gets her chance to shine. John Mayer is very embarrassed. We get some incredible performances from the Thanksgiving special and Taylor spends the holiday with a family she grows close to. She is spotted arm in arm with a gentleman drinking maple lattes. Surely that is of some significance to you, Swifties. Back to December is made a single and we get some mixed performances. The year ends excruciatingly, with a guest mysteriously absent from Taylor’s 21st birthday bash. Buckle up y’all. 

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Zack and Madeline dive into the year that catapulted Taylor from twangy teenager to adult pop star. 2010 was a professionally incredible year for Taylor that was unfortunately full of personal heartbreak . We get into the John Mayer saga, the emergence of Katy Perry & Taylor's friendship, as well as Taylor's longstanding beef with distinct nobody: Bob Lesfetz! Her disastrous acting career continues with Valentine's Day, and Zack and Madeline disagree about the merits of Today Was A Fairytale. The never-ending Fearless tour finally wraps up with a stadium show and Taylor wraps up living with her parents and moves into her now iconic Nashville apartment. We are served a legendary live chat with tea Miss Swift would never give us all at once in 2019. Speak Now is announced, Mine leaks and the experience of a leak scars Taylor for all of eternity. George W. Bush attends the premiere of Mine in Maine. 

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Zack and Madeline pick up from where they left off in the first part of 2009. The impact of the VMAs shake the world so hard that President Obama chimes in and calls Kanye West a jackass. They discuss the media circus that unfolds as a result, and the classiness and godliness of Beyonce Knowles. A radio interview from this year is unearthed - an uncomfortable encounter Taylor had with a radio host who refused to stop badgering her, we hear the voice of the elusive (and now fired!) publicist Paula. The Platinum Edition of Fearless comes out, and The Other Side of The Door came in and spanked Madeline. The year ends rockily with Taylor's questionable SNL appearance, a horrific rendition of Forever and Always at the CMAS and a social justice (?) mishap at Katy Perry's birthday party. Yup, you read that right. Tune in to hear the drama. 

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Zack and Madeline deep dive into the jam packed, legendary, very busy year of 2009 - where Taylor continues to conquer the world with Fearless, has her first questionable encounters with Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato and plugs You’re Not Sorry like it’s her next #1 single. We take a trip down memory lane to her first Rolling Stone profile, the iconic Fearless Tour, her dramatic wins at various award shows, the beginning of Taylor Squared, her continued beef with Joe Jonas, her first (terrible) Grammy performance, her short-lived friendship with Katy Perry and two music videos: You Belong With Me and Fifteen. The beginnings of her acting career are also discussed - Taylor Swift on CSI, anyone? 

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Zack and Madeline dissect the year that skyrocketed Taylor Swift from a successful country artist, to a crossover pop star. 2008 was a formative year for TSwizzle creatively and personally - she continued her iconic work with Liz Rose, wrote much of Fearless by herself, and fell in and out of love with the famously intelligent Joe Jonas. This episode deep dives into the creative process behind Fearless and its astonishing commercial success, and follows some of the drama you may not have heard of - Emily Poe getting fired, anyone? 

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Zack and Madeline discuss the beginning of Taylor Swift's career from the years 2006 to 2007. Covering her first music video, award show win, and album release period - the first episode of The Evolution of a Snake delves into some swiftie drama, Taylor Swift's legendary heart tattoo, the injustice done to "I'd Lie", the origins of some of the most legendary memes, a promotional moment for "Cold as You" and a word on Taylor's sketchy country accent. There is a track by track analysis of the debut with some hot takes (A Place in This World is garbage), a sponsorship from Drew Hardwick, a discussion of Taylor's brief interest in headset microphones, and a review of her first three singles and music videos, "Tim McGraw", "Teardrops On My Guitar" and "Our Song." 

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