“I was tame, I was gentle til the circus life made me mean.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we delve into the recurring motif of the circus in Taylor Swift’s discography. From the tightropes of emotional vulnerability to the grand illusions of public persona, we analyze how Taylor employs circus imagery to convey themes of performance, control, and otherness.
This episode includes discussions on the historical exploitation within circus culture, including forced labor, racism, and animal cruelty. For more information, we recommend the article from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the podcast Circus Stories for firsthand accounts.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Phantom of the Opera
The Prestige (2006 film)
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Disney’s Dumbo and Bambi
61- Deep Dive “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”
Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Introduction to the circus metaphor in literature and music
[10:50] “Say Don’t Go” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)
[24:53] “…So It Goes” reputation
[33:26] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” The Tortured Poets Department
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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.