By Anya Pavlidis (and Maya Tang as interviewee!)

I think it’s safe to say students among the HB community LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT. But have you ever wondered why? I decided to interview one of my really close friends Maya 🤪🤪, who is one of the biggest Taylor Swift fans I know. I asked her questions about some of her favorite TS songs. I hope you enjoy!!!

STARTER QUESTIONS:

“On a scale of 1 to 10 how much of a Swiftie are you?”

“A hundred hehe.” 

“When did you first start listening to her songs?”

“Umm… age four? Maybe I was five…” 

“What is your favorite album?”

“TBH, Speak Now bc even though it’s an old album, it’s really good!! But I love every single album so much”

“Favorite Taylor Swift era?”

“Her current era” (she loves the cottagecore vibes).

I had Maya pick her top favorite TS songs. After about 20 minutes of careful consideration, we got it down to a list of 13. 

SONG QUESTIONS:

Question: What was your first impression of this song?

Title of song: All Too Well (10 Minute Version); Red

Response: I loved it SO MUCH, the 10 minute version elevated the song so much. The new verses made the song sound so much deeper and sadder and obviously 10 minutes of anything Taylor Swift is amazing.

Question: What is your favorite part of the song (the lyrics, instrumental background)?

Title of song: long story short; Evermore

Response: My favorite lyrics is the first verse: Fatefully

I tried to pick my battles ’til the battle picked me

Misery

Like the war of words I shouted in my sleep

And you passed right by

I was in the alley, surrounded on all sides

The knife cuts both ways

If the shoe fits, walk in it ’til your high heels break

Question: What is your favorite part of the song (the lyrics, instrumental background)?

Title of song: the lakes; Folklore 

Response: 

I want auroras and sad prose 

I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet.

Question: Should others listen to this song and why?

Title of song: seven; Folklore

Response: Yes, it’s a really good cottagecore song and it’s sad but innocent. I think it’s one of the best songs in Folklore.

Question: Does this song describe your current mood?

Title of song: London Boy; Lover 

Response: No, London Boy is talking about how Taylor learned about London from her English boyfriend. It’s an upbeat song and it’s talking more about travel. 

Question: Does this song have a deeper meaning that casual listeners might not understand?

Title of song: So It Goes…; Reputation

Response: This song is about her feelings with her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. At the time this song was released, it was not as widely known that they were dating. She describes the deep connection she feels with him. 

Question: What is your favorite part of the song (the lyrics, instrumental background)?

Title of song: I Wish You Would; 1989

Response: My favorite lyrics are:

We’re a crooked love

In a straight line down

Guess you wanna run and hide

But it made us turn right back around

Question: What was your first impression of this song?

Title of song: Stay Stay Stay; Red

Response: I really liked this song, its upbeat and catchy and it has a bit of a storyline which is cool

Question: Should others listen to this song and why?

Title of song: The Story of Us; Speak Now 

Response: Yes. It is a dramatic, energetic song and the music video is rly good lol 100/10 recommend watching it.

Question: What does this song mean to you?

Title of song: Enchanted; Speak Now 

Response: This song was my favorite song on the Speak Now album back when I was 8 or 9. I would play it on repeat in the car (with the cd player in my car lol im trying to collect all the cds and all I have left to buy is folklore) and I somehow never got sick of it, which is amazing. So whenever I hear it now I remember that… hehe.

Question: Does this song describe your current mood?

Title of song: Forever & Always (piano version); Fearless

Response: This song is sadder and I think that the melody just flows perfectly, especially with the piano. I don’t think it describes my current mood…cuz im not rly sad atm but it still slaps no matter what mood you are in. Taylor Swift songs always manage to get you into the mood of whatever mood the song is because they are so powerful.

Question: What does this song mean to you?

Title of song: Teardrops On My Guitar; TAYLOR SWIFT DEBUT ALBUM

Response: This is one of the staple early 2010s TS songs, one that every Swiftie of that time knew by heart, so I feel like it just represents that era for all the fellow Swifties out there. 

Question: Does this song have a deeper meaning that casual listeners might not understand?

Title of song: The Joker And The Queen

Response: This song is the newest song. It is a song with Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. The characters in the music video of this song were actually the same people from the “Everything has Changed” music video (also Taylor and Ed sheeran) but grown up!

IN CONCLUSION:

LISTEN👏TO👏MORE👏TAYLOR👏SWIFT👏RIGHT👏NOW!!! (and make sure to listen to Taylor’s version if you are listening to earlier albums!!)