Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’: Track-by-Track Commentary
Taylor Swift has unveiled a track-by-track commentary experience for her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” in partnership with Amazon Music.
The singer-songwriter delves into the meaning and inspiration behind each track, shedding light on the album’s overarching themes and narratives.
One of the common threads running throughout the album, according to Swift, is fatalism and a longing for lost dreams. She explains that the opening song, “Fortnight” with Post Malone, captures this sentiment.
“Clara Bow,” named after the silent film actress, is a commentary on the entertainment industry’s tendency to compare women to one another and set unrealistic standards. Swift says she drew inspiration from her own experiences in the industry.
The track “Florida!!!” featuring Florence + the Machine, explores the desire for a fresh start and a new identity after heartbreak. Swift reveals that the idea came from her observations of Florida’s reputation as a destination for people trying to reinvent themselves.
In “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me,” Swift expresses her frustration with the way society treats artists and creators. She believes that artists are often subjected to unfair criticism and scrutiny.
The album closes with “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys,” a song about being valued and then discarded in a relationship. Swift explains that she wrote the song after experiencing the pain of being devalued by someone she was once close to.
Listeners can access the exclusive track-by-track commentary on Amazon Music by simply saying to Alexa, “I’m a member of ‘The Tortured Poets Department.'”
