Is "3:00 AM" better than "Midnights"? Taylor Swift review

[@nfbconnect]

For anyone who has gone through sexual assault, abuse or relationship trauma at a young age…. Would’ve Should’ve Could’ve is heartwrenching but also opens people up to talk. It is about her and John Mayer. She wrote Dear John and he wrote Paper doll as a response. I’ve seen a lot of healing conversations online about the song. It’s beautiful. You hit the nail on the head with showing empathy to her here. I love when artists transcend in that way and truly inspire connection and reflection on a massive social scale. It might not be illegal but as a domestic violence advocate I can tell you it red flag number #1. Every time. That’s why I describe the wheel of power and violence to young girls so they understand the dynamics they are agreeing to. I agree 💯 on Paris and Dear Reader. Great observations.

[@Jquinn718]

Unfortunately, “would’ve could’ve should’ve” is almost undoubtedly about Taylor. When she was 19 she dated a very prominent musician who was 32. The story matches almost perfectly with her song “Dear John” which is about that same relationship. Makes it even more heartbreaking.

[@char4980]

why don't you just say it's John Mayer lmao

[@Jquinn718]

@@char4980 because if you’ve watched his review you would know he made it very clear he doesn’t care about names. Also there is many comments in the thread saying his name. It doesn’t matter who it is I only mentioned it because it’s important to note that it is most likely non fiction. Chill.

[@char4980]

@@Jquinn718 sure it’s just weird to say “prominent musician” instead of just saying the groomers name lol

[@Jquinn718]

@@char4980 I didn’t feel the need to pay him any attention when there is many many comments stating his name. Are you trying to say I’m protecting a predator? You’re grasping at strings. I literally hate John Mayer, which is exactly why I give him no attention. It’s not necessary to the story she’s telling in that song.

[@nehabhageria9877]

Actually would've could've should've is about her the context being- she is 32 now which was John mayer's age when he dated her...and it's track 19 which was her age when they dated..she never ever sang dear John after speak now your because it was hell on her IT HURT TOO MUCH...their relationship was all wrong and it's actually described in dear John a song that is absolutely about him if you ever listen to it you'll get it...in dear John she says how she was "too young to be messed with and for his dark twisted games" i think when she was rerecording speak now and she got to dear John she literally was traumatised again by that relationship and when she got into that headspace she wrote this song...

[@chloeheung]

she said it in the tonight show that the whole album is her pouring her own feelings(not writing stories/third person narrative). i think that includes 3am tracks.

[@Xxxbloom11]

Can’t wait for you to hear speak now once Taylor’s version comes out. It’s so heartbreaking to go back to Dear John after hearing Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve. She’s in so much pain in Dear John and it’s so sad to hear that she really still hasn’t healed from it.

[@michaelschubert6891]

For me, "Never Grow Up" also got a new extra meaning after the "give me back my girlhood" line.

[@TheGrandOFF]

All of the 3 am songs feel even more personal than what’s covered on Midnights. After all, at 3 am you are truly just with yourself. The tracks almost feel more vulnerable because through these songs she also exposes her tactics in Folkevermore. These were no folk tales, she could say more about herself by calling them stories. High Infidelity immediately brings to mind Ivy (where ‘husband’ was also a metaphor) and Illicit Affairs.

[@sofiaserra4526]

Its not about characters. High Infidelity is about a previous relationship in which she cheated and wouldve couldve shouldve is about her relationship with John Mayer when she was 19 and he was 32. Good job with the review though!

[@MadelineEliseS]

My theory is that Bigger Than the Whole Sky is her grieving the person she might have been had the relationship described in Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve didn’t happen. I just can’t believe that she would have such similar lyrics in two songs that are not at all related to each other. And as someone who deeply connect to WCS, I really relate to mourning the person you could have been if your traumas didn’t happen.

[@lkcullen1918]

^^^

[@brandiking2045]

So my favorite songs are changing and I think the main album is now my preferred tracks. I love the analogy of finding money in the couch 😂😂 I personally found the last 7 tracks to be MORE personal to her. I think bigger than the whole sky is about losing herself. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve is definitely about her relationship with John Mayer. And High Infidelity is very likely about her cheating on Calvin Harris because she was never fully happy there. Either way, the original album is spot on and I think the “3 AM version” gives the vibe of what a lot of people were expecting with this album. Either way, I love your reviews & excited for you to check out her re-records for the last few albums when those come out!! Her whole discography is honestly incredible.

[@velvetgeek9056]

I started listening to the 3am version, not realizing there are different “albums”. So going back to listening to just the 13 is odd to me now.

[@isitovernow123]

A great listen again! Some remarks: 1. First of all, if we weren't ready to hear a spiel on Paris, why would we even be on a French prof's youtube channel xD That was funny. Also, wondering if you noticed the first verse of Paris is actually someone else gossiping to Taylor, and in the end Taylor's like - I'm not really interested in hearing this. 2. For me, Bigger Than the Whole Sky, is about losing an idea of yourself. Who you could've, would've, should've been. In that way, it does relate to Would've Could've Should've (WCS) since that song is also about missing who you used to be. There's also a HuffPost article about how this song is striking a chord with people who have suffered a miscarriage. 3. The word "banners" is used in both The Great War and WCS. I think there's a connection that's implied there. In The Great War, she's punishing her partner because of previous hurtful experiences that make her mistrust people, and that experience might be the one detailed in WCS

[@MsSera21]

Would've Could've Should've is most likely about the same relationship that the song "Dear John" from the Speak Now album is (she references her age in both; Dear John also has a "should've" refrain in the chorus). It is interesting to think about her revisiting her past work and reflecting on the impact of certain experiences (this can apply to the whole Midnights album tbh, but it's especially stark in this song)

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

I thought the same thing about Paris but talked to swifties in their teens and they liked it a lot so I guess I am happy they got a song to vibe to as well.

[@MarcosMartins97]

Would've, Could've, Should've is definitely about her relationship with John Mayer. If you listen to Dear John, you'll probably understand. And you're lucky because Speak Now is probably the next re-recording, so you'll be able to hear it very soon. Listen to Dear John, then come back to this song.

[@sweetporcupine56]

I totally agree with your evaluation that the 3AM songs don’t fit on the regular album. They’re good, but she was right to trim them. Also agree on Paris and Dear Reader being the weakest, but Dear Reader does have one of my favorite lyrics, which I think many people don’t even catch. She says “where I pace in my pen”, using “pen” in the sense of a cage and a writing instrument simultaneously. Dang!

[@LiveLoveLaugh102310]

Would’ve Should’ve Could’ve' is definitely about her. She was 19 when she dated Mayer (32) at the time and she sings how toxic and emotionally manipulative he was when they were together in Dear John.

[@hughmse]

[The algorithm is controlled by the powers to be Monsieur Professeur.] I agree with you in that "Midnights" IS THE BODY OF WORK Taylor Swift ORIGINAL INTENDED for us to get-specially being it a concept album-, but I also remember when I learned that it was 13 tracks thinking "Too short." This is a cognitive flaw caused by a (non-scientific) fact: Because we have grown accustomed getting ALL on her rereleases of _Fearless_ and _Red_ we maaaaybe were expecting an equivalent to the From The Vault Tracks. Are they needed? No. Are they bad? Nope. Just look at "All Too Well (10 Minutes Version)." They don't add or take away from "Midnights," but they are not in the same tone as the first 13 songs because all of what you are saying. Great Marketing strategy, but as far as I know there will not be a physical *3am Version* album. Et je veux te remercier pour partager tes opinions sincères. Merci vraiment.

[@ryalgh]

I'm a Taylor fan thanks to you Professor Skye

[@axlgzrdmattick]

Your cuteness made me like the video

[@desuMaKun]

Woooow that dear reader academic writing tip was amazing!!! Thanks! =D

[@axlgzrdmattick]

Also can't wait for Carly Rae review! Looking forward to it

[@colef6855]

I appreciated the rant about Paris

[@hollygallagher2274]

Listen to Dear John and you will understand Wouldve Couldve Shouldve !!!!

[@AllTheArtsy]

Would've Could've Should've alone is better than half of the tracks on the main track list.

[@upscaleavenue]

Agreed.

[@gerardovazquez6441]

the music is great, the lyrics are infamous, a 19-year-old woman with years in the industry, who victimizes herself as a girl who lost her childhood, is to be feared

[@Joseph-li3df]

Hey professor, I'm not sure if you'll read this, but there's this dream pop album I think you would love by a Chilean band called Niños del Cerro, it's called Suave Pendiente, and it came out earlier this month, and it's incredible

[@NK-dj7no]

Would you be happy to do a review of the Car by the Arctic Monkeys? I think it would be interesting especially if you are familiar with their old style. I am sure it will also generate a lot of views. It’s been one of the most popular bands and nowadays quite polarising. The things you were saying about new Taylor Swift’s album related to artists changing styles and pissing of their fan base is so relevant to Arctic’s change of style . Btw I just discovered your channel due to a Black MIDI album review and your content seems very interesting. Good luck with your channel

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

I agree that these tracks don't belong on the album proper. I think the 3 AM tracks were probably some of the spillage from some of the more experimental dare I say pop aspects on "evermore" like "closure" and "long story short" since Aaron Dessner produces/co-writes some of those tracks and has also been working with Taylor on the vault/unreleased tracks of her "Taylor's Version" albums. I though "Glitch" is an example of a track that should've just be shelved since it's the only "bad" song out of the 20, but "Dear Reader," "Would've. Could've, Should've," and especially "Bigger Than the Whole Sky" (particularly the last two) rival "Maroon" and "Sweet Nothing" for best on the project. "High Infidelity" and "The Great War" are fine too.

[@vanessa1052]

Boo is so like my dog Nina. Hope everything goes well with the surgery

[@riley1312]

I just love the first two songs on the 3am

[@rebeccabielow3176]

Bigger than the whole sky never really hit me as a love song...and when I heard the association with miscarriage some had, that hit home...If she lost a baby, she never got to meet the person it could´ve, would´ve, should´ve been

[@meagan_thee_artist]

Bigger than the whole sky is the other side of could’ve would’ve should’ve. She did the same thing with the story of us and dear John

[@anniegaudreaudesrochers9936]

Je me rappelle avoir sourcillé la première fois que je vous ai entendu dire que « No Body No Crime » était a propos du fantasme de tuer son mari infidèle. À ce moment là, je n’ai rien écris me disant que vous réaliseriez probablement très vite votre erreur. De toute façon, il s’agit bel et bien d’une histoire de meurtres et vous détesterez probablement tout autant la chanson si vous prenez le temps de l’écouter en entier mais sachez que vous faites erreur sur le sujet et que selon moi, le point de vue de la narratrice est tout même quelque peu plus intéressant que le cliché que vous lui attribuez. Cela dit, c’est un grand bonheur pour moi de voir que vous analyser les chansons de Taylor avec la même passion que vous le feriez pour une oeuvre dite classique. 💜

[@fabianr.8544]

Actually my top 3 fav songs of midnightS are in the 3 am edition

[@yvetterodriguez2550]

10k views and you'll be Taylor with the cat's eye look for Halloween? I'd like to see that🤣

[@jdwilliams202000]

Ryan Adams rhymed Desire with Higher On his song Desire 🎃

[@vanessa1052]

“Bigger than the whole sky” just reminds me of my grandma that passed away

[@MsSera21]

I view the 3am tracks the same way as the vault tracks on her re-releases (and I think this is her intention). They're songs that she likes and wanted to put out there, but didn't fit with the cohesive theme of the a13 song album

[@cosmoslady]

That is exactly why I cried listening to the first song of this album. I was SO excited we were going back to a more personal Taylor. While Folkmore were good pieces of art, I like her other albums better.

[@melaniegreen3607]

Hayley Williams "Sudden Desire" manages not to have fire, but it's the only one that comes to mind.

[@desuMaKun]

19:25 is now one of my favourite things of the year! =D “London is a garbage place, with NOTHING to see~!”

[@spurthihiremath9121]

People get this video to 10k views!! I need to see that Taylor Swift costume😆

[@catviolet8477]

I was in Paris when Midnights dropped and while I loved Paris the place Paris the song was underwhelming EDIT loved most of midnights OG version and a couple of the bonus tracks though - big swifty EDIT 2 I have been cheated on and I asked so many questions so that section made me feel nauseous all over again 😢

[@lucaaagaga2005]

That’s how i kinda felt about Paris. I was EXCEPTING for this song to give me like a bejeweled, lavender haze, anti-hero,karma, Question, 1989ish type song but it kinda was tho Paris grew so much on me it’s one of my favorites from the 3am tracks i love the 2000’sish in the song. The tracks that i’m having trouble liking and wishing taylor to put different songs instead of these is High Infidelity and Glitch. I actually like the 1st part of Glitch but when the song goes on it’s like ehh yk 💀 Dear reader is kinda growing on me

[@cemcalex]

I think most people think that Bigger than the whole sky is the one that’s the 3rd person story. She probably had a friend who had a miscarriage, similar to how she wrote Ronan from the perspective of a mother who’s kid has cancer. Could’ve would’ve should’ve is almost certainly first person.

[@musicfangirl7403]

I find it really weird that people think that this one very raw and personal song is the only one that’s written from third person perspective. She’s told us these are her stories that keep her up at night. If it is about pregnancy loss, which it really sounds like it is (IYKYK) then why is it so hard to believe she didn’t experience this with a boyfriend of 6 years? It’s a really common thing.

[@cemcalex]

@@musicfangirl7403 I would find it evasive to assume it’s first person when she hasn’t put that out there. It’s very possible, I am just not going to assume it’s about her unless she says that given her incredibly sensitive nature of the scenario.

[@desuMaKun]

Sounds like you like this album/ep more then to original! =O and I might like love it to!!

[@desuMaKun]

The 3 a.m. songs were AVEFUL. The album though is superb! Like to bonus songs have grate part, and it’s not like I liked all the songs of the album, but proves favs and Lavender Haze and Vigilante Shit!! Offh!

[@desuMaKun]

Wow. That was my reaction, I listened to two songs again, and I need to go into it more!

[@Liam-jr4sl]

Professor! You must review the newest Arctic Monkeys album, The Car.

[@rachelbyrum7488]

Lol knew you wouldn’t like Paris after watching your midnights video. (Sorry if someone already mentioned this in the comments) Understand the frustration about the location vs idealization of Paris, but for majority Americans (especially middle and west coast Americans) going to Paris is difficult due to not being able to afford the time off for the trip, the round trip flight cost and time cost of how long it takes to get there, and the general cost of being on a trip abroad. So for many Americans Paris is a romantic idea bc they just can’t afford to go there.

[@Ohyamads]

Yea Taylor swift lore basically agrees she cheated on Calvin in high Infidelity, he proposed to her and she said no. Calvin also didnt take her seriously as an artist and even said they’d never collab (even though they did). Rumored she met joe on April 29th and then met Tom and used Tom as her “getaway car” That’s why she said she’d be dragging her feet down the aisle. Also John Mayer at one point would send her emails insulting her and was a really mean person and should’ve would’ve could’ve is about him. Also she always said she thought she’d save herself for marriage which makes sense for that song too!

[@wa11ie]

the 3 am songs, in my opinion, suffer from feeling like an afterthought being slapped on the end. i like every one of those songs, some more than others but none of them at their core are skips. what does turn them into skips is the order. especially paris. there are so many places paris could’ve gone and they put it behind bigger than the whole sky. transitioning from my favorite into my least favorite 3am track really doesn’t do it any favor, especially going from a devastating song about heartbreak and yearning for what could’ve been to fluffy romanticized every day. maybe they were trying to make a point but it didn’t land for me. i like treating the 3 am songs as their own entity. i spent some time today putting them into their own playlist in a track order that allowed every song to shine a bit more, at least for myself. (the order i put them into, for anyone who cares, is: the great war; glitch; high infidelity; paris; could’ve, would‘ve should’ve; bigger than the whole sky and dear reader) it really does make a difference for me to listen to them seperatly from midnights and in this order.

[@sakinaalia1067]

I would have to disagree about would’ve could’ve should’ve not being diaristic. She references dear John in it which is definitely diaristic so it has to be.

[@Maggielesetoiles6]

But Taylor did have a relationship with a 32 year old when she was 19 - John Mayer…and then Jake gyllenhall

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

Dear John-> Could've, Would've, Should've

[@NicoleMarieDay]

Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve is actually a real life song. It’s not a story. It would be more comforting if it were a story.

[@ethanlammar5554]

Day 25 of Asking for you to Review the song Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths

[@char4980]

you said there was song in evermore (no body, no crime) where she kills the guy who cheated on her.. that's literally false. in the story she kills a man because he murdered her best friend😐

[@Starbuck-dr7yl]

WCS is directly linked to bigger than the whole sky. Production is different. And yes very tied to religion. All your points are valid how they are not linked. But, they are linked.

[@IvanTCampos]

My god the Paris rant hahahah

[@abdullahjaved0330]

high infidelity and would've could've should've are both about Taylor. we as swifties KNOW

[@upscaleavenue]

I love and hate this album almost equally. I don't like the production (too many electronic sounds, not enough actual instruments), and I don't care for the writing style she's experimenting with: using simple language and contemporary slang. Taylor Swift is way too sophisticated a songwriter to be using words like "dickhead." That kind of language, to me, contributes nothing of value to her work. There's a flavor of inauthenticity to this project that bothers me. If you're going to experiment, be sincere about it. Throughout the entire album, I was thinking, "this isn't her." Except for Karma and Antihero, the bonus tracks stopped me from disliking the album entirely; The Great War, Bigger Than the Whole Sky, Should've Could've Would've, and High Infidelity are now some of my favorite songs.

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

Serious question? How would you even know what her authentic self is?

[@upscaleavenue]

@@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX I don't. It's just a feeling. Many of the songs on the album give me the impression that she's trying to pander to a certain audience by using simpler language and slang that she never used in her previous work. Completely different writing style and feels inauthentic.

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

@@upscaleavenue I feel like reinventing herself is pretty on brand for her. Noone expected the lyrics for look what you made me do and other songs on reputation. Then on lover she suddenly felt like talking politics. And on this one she wanted to come across as really raw and unfiltered. I think she just plays around with themes and stuff.

[@priiifrg]

@@upscaleavenue what are you even talking about? she did use slang before. just say you’re pretentious and go…

[@upscaleavenue]

@@priiifrg She would curse sparingly and for effect. I'm a longtime fan. Now it feels more like slang and what I can only describe as simple language is being used as filler. The song 'Question....?' Exemplifies this.

[@lizcrosara4485]

When you listen to Bigger Than the Whole Sky as a song about pregnancy loss, it takes on a lot more meaning. This sounds like so much more than a relationship thing. She’s talking about never getting to meet the person and using that common phrase associated with miscarriage of it ‘not meant to be’. A beautiful song with so much sadness. Not a break up song. No way.

[@neha_]

exactly. it kinda reminded me of ronan.

[@reniellago9322]

I think Would've, Should've, Could've is actually about her and John Mayer. She was just 19 while he was already 32 when they were together. And he was absolutely awful to her.

[@gerardovazquez6441]

how do you know? do you have both versions?

[@michaelaegger3260]

I just read it in a comment somewhere, so I cannot say for sure if it's true, but Bigger Than The Whole Sky is supposed to be about a miscarriage. And listening to it again after knowing this makes it cut a lot deeper.

[@ahmaddiab9480]

Yeah definitely sounds like a miscarriage. But whose? literally scared thinking of the possibility that…….

[@aoberdor]

I think at this point that's still speculation (although it's very convincing, and I certainly think that anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, or loss of a child, will hear it that way). I've also heard it interpreted to be about the loss of her own childhood or innocence, which could also connect it with Would've Could've Should've

[@michaelaegger3260]

@@aoberdor I hope it’s speculation only. I’ve seen friends go through this kind of loss and it’s a heartbreak one cannot fathom. This may be one of those songs, along with Ronan and Soon You’ll Get Better, that I cannot listen to.

[@upscaleavenue]

I don't think she's mourning a miscarriage, or another person at all. I think she's mourning an idealized identity.

[@NINAAAHxD]

If it's her own miscarriage, I doubt she would ever reveal that to us. I think it's also possible that she wrote it for a friend. But I agree with the comments above that mentioned it could be the loss of her old/idealized self, her innocence, etc.

[@lailalo9484]

You’re so adorable ❤😅

[@SparkleP8nter]

I hear and see a lot of women stating Bigger than the whole sky brings back many emotions from miscarriage, including me. Being that she states the could've would've should've being in both songs connects a possible miscarriage.. When she was dating John? Just a thought. Don't want to start a rumor, just stating what I noticed... NOT STARTING ANYTHING, PLEASE don't assume this is true Also, crimson & clover is not only Tommy James & the Shondells, it's also covered by Cher & her son Elijah. Taylor's made Cher references before to her and her "mom, I am a rich man" comment (lover, you need to calm down wall art)

[@musicfangirl7403]

Haha this made me laugh because what a rumor to start! I personally don’t think the songs are related at all. She has repeated lyrics and phrases throughout her career and they don’t necessarily connect. She just seems to like how words and phrases sound and repeats them.

[@gerardovazquez6441]

I appreciate a little good sense in the midst of so much fanaticism

[@mussoletart8485]

i hear you. and i raise you vienna or prague. just saying.

[@heatherlraike]

Goodluck on your surgery Beau ( or bo)

[@Maggielesetoiles6]

She had to write trite quotes to say “don’t take my advice” because that way the tattoos will be her her real lyrics and advice 😂 She’s just on to us all and done.

[@cemcalex]

I’m not sure how anyone could get a romantic loss vibe in Bigger than the whole sky. It’s clearly about pregnancy loss.

[@MsSera21]

I agree it feels very much like this, but it's ambiguous enough that it could be about any kind of loss imo

[@mirandabee2323]

"She's trying to write more tattoos for the Swifties on Reddit." As someone who frequents r/TaylorSwift (and ignores pretty much all the taytoo posts), I feel attacked. 😂

[@Theocomicman]

good luck 4 bo and the surgery

[@jujuka488]

HAHAHHAHAH really I dont think she can write something better than "i swear i dont love the drama it loves me" for me to tattoo hahahhahahah bit shes been trying

[@elftower907]

the folkening, the evermorish. lol.

[@MissteriousMisstress]

Theu are better.

[@disgaeajean13]

no, your reviews are critical and that’s tons more depth than almost all other reactions made as digests of her material

[@Moonlight.Melon.Mounter]

Taylor swift makes objectively bad and uninteresting music