Captivated by Taylor Swift - exile (folklore: the long pond studio sessions) ft. Bon Iver (REACTION)

[@Violet316]

You were so mesmerized that you didn't pause. Taylor came out with folklore during the pandemic, and then 5 months later she surprised everyone with evermore. Taylor gained a lot of older people and men as fans during this time.

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

I'm definitely a fan!!

[@fluffy_walrus]

Truly. Ever since she brought on the Dessners to help with production during Folklore and Evermore, I know a lot of people my age (mid-late 30s) took notice. The National were (and still are) giants in the indie scene, and it was really cool to see Taylor reach back to an era of music so many just...forgot because of how so much of the music purchased in that time is lost on old nonfunctional ipods and similar devices, defunct music app accounts, etc. But the early-mid 00s to early 10s was such a great time for lyrical, down to earth music. Back then, Taylor was just breaking into the industry, and didn't necessarily have the ear of my demographic, but seeing her respect for that era, seeing some of those sonic elements find their way into her sound so seamlessly, it felt new and nostalgic all at once. And it definitely had me going through her back catalogue to see what I'd missed over the years, and after all of it, I have her up with the best of them now. If only her tour ticket prices were easier to afford, but I guess that's the price of such monumental (and well earned) popularity. And while it's not necessarily something I've seen happening on youtube, I've seen some younger Swifties in my circles checking into The National and Bon Iver, and in turn checking out other era mainstays like Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, Neko Case, The Mountain Goats, Tegan & Sara, Sleater-Kinney, Low, Shearwater, Okkervil River, Spoon, Dirty Projectors, etc., and that warms my heart. Music always has to move forward, and it's always important to keep listening to new stuff, but that era of music was done dirty by the industry at large, and despite the major influence so many artists had on more popular music from the '10s and so far in the '20s, they don't get a lot of love. So Taylor showing some love to them won over a good many hearts, and her music did the rest.

[@Violet316]

@@fluffy_walrus Taylor has been doing a lot of different genres for a while, but she knew who she wanted for her "folklore" album. Have listened to "Safe and Sound", it is an indicator of what she was capable of. But because of the pandemic, Taylor knew it was the right time, and she always seems to know when it comes to her music. I have been a fan since day one and still am, Midnights is the one I had a slight hmm, but it grew on me. I am a 64 yr. old Swifty.

[@laurabella13]

Exile is one of her best songs. Watch the video of her doing it on the eras tour with the crowd

[@sandratroehler3553]

This was done during Covid. Justin Vernon (band Bon Iver) was in Eau Clair Wisconsin and Tayler was in upstate New York. They never met until much later. Amazing.

[@DC_1894]

Thank you so much for playing the entire song with no interruption and then going back and analyzing it. It’s so much better when reactors do it this way. 👍

[@paulagepson3446]

Over the years, her voice has continued to be enriched and absolutely beautiful.

[@megandelynn6114]

Btw, you're so right! Maya Angelou said "You do what you know & when you know better, do better!"

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@IvyCowboy]

I love how much time you spend with the lyrics, and how you appreciate all the aspects of the song. I also love how deep you get in connecting with the lyrics - you should be required watching for men. There is another version of the Long Pond videos that show them talking about each song. It's on Disney+. I hope you keep going with these, because it's such an experience to take it all in together. All I ask is you don't forget the bonus track "the lakes"!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Thanks! I'm a screenshot this to remember 😎🤜🤛

[@AteWonFive]

You are one of my favorite people on here. Thank you for reacting to Taylor and for your candor. It's so refreshing and makes me love the Swiftie Community even more. ❤

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Awe! Thank you for being here 🤜🤛

[@susanm7354]

I agree. I’ve been watching Taylor’s videos almost non stop. I’m new to her music.

[@IvyCowboy]

Welcome friend! :) If you need any recommendations you know where to find us lol.

[@susanm7354]

@@IvyCowboy Thank you!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

They're getting addicting lol

[@NYandAZ]

The calling and answering in this song is so beautifully written and performed. Bon Iver (real name Justin Vernon) has a huge vocal range and this song showcases that quite well. He’s the perfect compliment for her vocals, in my opinion. This is my absolute favorite song by Taylor. Loved your reaction on this song. Thank you for really listening and understanding the lyrics. I appreciate your vulnerability and your views on relationship flaws and how to help people succeed. New subscriber from first video! 🥰👏🏻🫶🏼

[@jenunmasked]

Justin Vernon is in the band Bon Iver. Their music is incredible as well. Love your heartfelt and genuine reviews!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

🤜🤛💯💯💯💯💯

[@Kim-hc5si]

Word. He’s amazing. ❤

[@amybeavis5834]

For years since the start of her career, people have said she only sings about boys and breakups. For starters, that's not even accurate. But it also trivializes her entire body of work. Of course she sings about love, relationships of all sorts, pain, pleasure, etc. But so do most artists in at least a good portion of their music! Songwriters and musicians write and sing about important things in life that make them feel, passion, the highs of love, celebration, infatuation, joy, the lows of loss and grief, pain, betrayal, anger, fear, anxiety, and how all of these can be inspired by the human experience. Most of us feel the things in connection to our relationships to people in the world, romantic partners, friends, family, parents, even our favorite band, or favorite team finally winning a big game, injustice in the world, our dogs/pets, or the array of things we all feel passionate about. These are all central to our lives, and the highs and lows of romantic love can be some of the strongest and most inspiring. So it makes sense that the bulk or artists are going to have a good portion of work that centers on relationships in one way or another. So to me, when people say she only sings about boys and breakups, they are trivializing her work, and essentially saying she doesn't write anything of substance or depth, and doesn't deserve to be taken seriously, like society often does to women. It's like people take a song like "we are never getting back together" and generalize it to every song she's ever written across 10 albums and 17 years. But would most people listen to Exile and say, "this is just another song about boys and breakups, as usual!" What about Tolerate It? Or Happiness? You're Losing Me? Champagne Problems? All Too Well? Peace? The 1? Delicate? New Year's Day? I could go on, but these are all about some facet of relationships, and yet all with a lot of depth and exquisite visceral lyricism. Her lyrics and themes have continued to mature as she has over the years, but she wrote some pretty poetic insightful lyrics in her first few albums as well as a teenager, many of which demonstrated maturity beyond her years. I mostly just wish people would stop spouting off about things they have no real knowledge of, because they usually haven't ever really listened to any of her albums. Do people really think she became this successful releasing 10 albums that were all just meaningless fluff and bubblegum?

[@ameliadavis1979]

You have to watch Would've, Could've, Should've. Also, We are never, ever getting back together live from the 1989 tour. It has to be this version. The original is pure pop, this version is Rock/Pop. She is dressed in leather and plays the electric guitar the entire time. You will see a completely different side of Taylor!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Thank you! I'm a have to search for them 🤜🤛.

[@kaileyrosemahan8101]

I just want to point out the beauty of this lyric: "I think I've seen this film before, so I'm leaving out the side door." ... I see someone leaving out the exit door in a movie theatre, the exit nobody uses... this lonely departure of how, "I don't find this satisfying or thrilling anymore. I already know how this ends, so I'm leaving the film to play to an empty theatre." And of course, the heavy door slams closed, echoing into the hollow room.

[@ameliadavis1979]

I hope you are not single. You are in touch with your emotions. Most guys aren't. A lot of Taylor's songs could teach guys a lot. Men and Women do think/see differently. I love your reactions. You can tell you are a genuine person. The band Bon Iver consists of Justin Vernon(singing) and Aaron Dessner(piano). They also have another band that has more people in it. It is called The National. Taylor has one or two songs on an album of theirs. One is Renegade.

[@IvyCowboy]

The other is The Alcott - both great songs!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Thank you! I appreciate the insight. Helps alot 🤜🤛

[@mimimatters]

🫶 You’re reaction is 🔥

[@SwiftieXinfinity]

Bo-knee-vair 🥰this song is just haunting and beautiful. It’s one of my favorite Taylor songs ever. 🙌🥰❤️

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

💜🔥💜

[@bryandaves1005]

Taylor Swifts music has made me a better husband and human

[@MCP920]

I absolutely love this song.

[@TjC_3124]

Highly recommend the oficial lyric video from Taylor's page. So beautiful. I watch it daily ❤

[@suzanrose4866]

You get it! I've watched way too many react vids on this song and yours is by far the best. I suspect you're an absolute sweetheart.

[@karinrommel5925]

I love your reactions. I love to hear how people who really listen to the music and lyrics interpret the song.

[@MC-bj6kr]

This song is such a hauntingly beautiful lyrical masterpiece I felt this to my soul.

[@02michellemybell02]

Thank you for all that you do. Keep up the great work .❤️🙂😎

[@cate3399]

From the opening chords…this song gave me full body goosies…one of her best

[@JHeyworth1]

Really enjoyed your comments and hope you continue to post reactions as you delve further into listening to Taylor Swift music

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Thank you. I definitely plan on it 😊. I'm enjoying the journey.

[@morganbusch5197]

Your reaction was so sweet and genuine. Thanks for doing this review 🫶🏻

[@Kim-hc5si]

Look at how much you had to say/think/feel after listening to a song. That’s what she’s about. Keep going ❤❤❤

[@stellaharalson4390]

I love your reactions and you are so genuinely in touch with your feelings❤

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Thank you so much!

[@missourimomofthree]

I do like how you think about things. authentic.

[@elizabethhurley1129]

New subscriber here. I think this is my favorite Taylor Swift song. She's the best!Great reaction!! ❤

[@amycoleman3688]

Omgsh!! I am so grateful that the Swiftie algorithm led me to your channel. I love your reactions. So in depth and thoughtful. Love it!! I’m here for whatever Taylor you react to! ❤❤

[@sandyczarnetzke7141]

I really enjoy your honest from the heart reactions on these type of songs. ❤ Stay safe

[@meganlynn83]

36yo here! (37 in July.) 30's are GREAT! 🩶

[@ohpamoh]

Another Aries! :) I'm 64, it *really* hits home after a couple more decades. ;)

[@zontzooit2415]

Taylor has songs where she’s the one who messed up/writes from the perspective of the girl breaking the heart: Autobiographical: -midnight rain 8/10 -back to December 9/10 -getaway car 10/10 -high infidelity 6.5/10 Non autobiographical but amazing: -Champagne problems 9.5/10 -illicit affairs 9/10 -ivy 7.5/10

[@tammycombs167]

Wow. You are an overachiever!!!I’m so down. As they say you are feeding us good. 🥰❤️🙏

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Appreciate you!! Glad you're here 😊

[@TammyPietrkiewicz]

I really liked how you watched through to get the full experience then you went back to dig deeper and really get the lyrics. Well done sir.

[@chessie8675]

See if you can find when she sings this song “alone” on the piano at her Eras tour. There’s no words to describe it. I keep hoping she will release that version one day.

[@carolynnewcomb2153]

Such a gorgeous song! Two people in love, but a complete breakdown in communication and in their love story. Great reaction!

[@r.maciel2544]

I think this is the first I have seen of you, and I just love your style, especially your lyric analysis. Great reaction.

[@AstroBaby91]

Folklore and evermore carried me through the pandemic. Idk, it really spoke to me

[@Srg.L.Harvey]

"I'm 30 right, I'm aging out here, I'm 30 now!" 🙄. I will take your 30 and you can have my plus 11 lol! Sitting here thinking about saying ok Pa let's go to bed it's 7 pm and the rooster is already roosted!

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

🤣😂 My bedtime needs to be 7pm now. I always gotta take a nap lol.

[@Srg.L.Harvey]

@@NAIATHEDRAGON Wait till your 41 like me lol

[@MaryR75]

Taylor and her boyfriend at the time Joe wrote this song together. This was written and recorded during the pandemic shutdown in 2020 at long pond studio. Aaron (who is on piano) owns this studio in Hudson Valley NY.

[@ameliadavis1979]

Have fun before your 50's. Aches and pains start to appear out of nowhere. 😊

[@IvyCowboy]

When you start waking up because your hips hurt, not because of the alarm.

[@susanb4213]

You're getting "older," at 30. My baby girl just turned 30! LOL, make me feel old why don't you?!?!?!? Ha ha, I enjoyed your take on this beautiful song.

[@lcan7390]

Wow this was fantastic ❤

[@elainegilmartin7103]

If you this is sad, listen to You're Losing Me

[@SharonWolter]

What a nice man you are. Thank-you 16:22

[@NAIATHEDRAGON]

Much love 🤜🤛

[@CorenaGaroutte]

Your shirt is really close to the shirt Taylor is wearing

[@carsten1989]

Justin Vernon wrote a great bridge for this song

[@Victoria-t1e]

You're an old soul..