"I don't want you like a best friend." What happens when we view Taylor Swift's music through the lens of Regency era romance? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore Taylor Swift’s songs through Shonda Rhimes's Netflix adaptation of Julia Quinn’s “Bridgerton” novels to uncover how Taylor's songs capture the tension, longing, and swoony moments that define the series. From secret romances in crowded rooms to enemies-to-lovers slow burns, we connect three iconic Bridgerton couples to Taylor Swift songs that perfectly capture their love stories. Whether you're Team Daphne and Simon, obsessed with Kate and Anthony, or rooting for Colin and Penelope, this episode has something for every Bridgerton fan.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Bridgerton Series, Julia Quinn
• The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1), Julia Quinn
• The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2), Julia Quinn
• Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton #4), Julia Quinn
• Bridgerton Netflix Series
• Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
• Marie Antoinette (2006), Sofia Coppola
• Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann
• Moulin Rouge (2001), Baz Luhrmann
• Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
• E31: Shakespeare

Episode Highlights:

[00:26] Bridgerton Overview

[13:05] “I Wish You Would,” 1989

[24:08] “Wildest Dreams,” 1989

[34:18] “Dress,” Reputation

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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.

"I'd say I love you even at your darkest, and please don't go." This week, we continue our winter songs conversation with a deep dive into "Forever Winter" from Red (Taylor's Version). Content warning: This episode discusses mental health struggles, suicide, and grief. We explore the song line by line, examining themes of helplessness, survivor's guilt, the weight of supporting someone through mental illness, and how Taylor captures the raw emotions of loving someone at their darkest. Join us as we unpack what it means to promise "I won't go away" and why this vault track remains one of Taylor's most emotionally devastating songs.

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!

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[00:01] Introduction and content warning - mental health and grief discussion

[02:53] Why Taylor has never performed this song live - the pattern of deeply personal songs

[16:44] Red era context: Mental health conversations in 2010 vs. today

[32:52] "I'll be summer sun for you forever" - The impossibility of being someone's savior

[34:06] Bridge analysis: "If I was standing there in your apartment"

[45:04] "Believe in one thing, I won't go away" - Poetry of immortalization

[59:32] The toll of supporting someone: When care requires its own support system

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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

"But then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind" What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's coldest, most melancholic songs? In this week's Show and Tell episode, we examine three winter songs—"Back to December," "The Moment I Knew," and "Forever Winter"—to uncover how Taylor uses winter as a literary device to explore themes of regret, loss, and missed opportunities. From the isolation of snowy landscapes to the clarity that comes with reflection, we discuss how winter symbolizes both endings and the quiet before renewal. Spoiler alert: these songs all appear on Spotify's "Saddest Taylor Swift Songs" playlist, so bring tissues. [And we have a content warning for our last song for themes and discussions of depression and self-harm]

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Shining, Stephen King

Frozen (2013)

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," Robert Frost

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis

Fall Episode

Summer Episode

Holiday Episode

Greek Mythology Episode

“Right where you left me” deep dive

All Too Well 10 Minute Version Episode

Episode Highlights

[00:42] Winter as a literary device

[07:16] "Back to December"

[18:02] "The Moment I Knew"

[26:52] "Forever Winter" (content warning, themes of self-harm)

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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.