Taylor Swift - Folklore Album Reaction (part 2)

[@butitsrobert]

I simply love "epiphany" that similarity between witnessing the deaths in the war and the deaths from the pandemic, so many scars that remained in many people, so many broken hearts, that song is sadly beautiful.

[@emmavink]

You are 100% right on Mad Woman. It operates on two levels. She made a comment on the Long Pond Sessions discussion that women have always been expected to just absorb men's bad behaviour towards them. For her, I think she felt it the worst when she reported sexual assault against a DJ who grabbed her ass under her skirt literally while they were taking press photos. She got significantly worse press for reporting him at the time than he did for assaulting her. I know you've had the exact same discussion on your TTPD reaction and it lines up with what you said here too. That example is pretty universal for most women in most circumstances. The double standard is just soul killing. Contextually, this is the first album Taylor made after her old label (Scott Borchetta) sold her music out from under her to douchebag Scooter Braun. So that line "I'm taking my time, cause you took everything from me" was for Scott and the "watching you climb over people like me" was for Scooter. The "wanting me dead has really brought you two together" was for the both of them together. There's also a side story with Karlie Kloss betraying Taylor in the mix... But that goes beyond the song context and just descends into celeb nonsense 😂 The song ties up thematically/with imagery/etc., with I Did Something Bad from Reputation, Vigilante Shit from Midnights and on Who's Afraid of Little Old Me from TTPD. I remember your comment on the TTPD reaction as well you said that you didn't like the mixed circus/witch metaphor on that track. It was a fair comment, but I am pretty sure it was done deliberately to allude to these other tracks.

[@karinrommel5925]

I was surprised to hear you talk about the "frustration of being a Swifty" i had not really thought about it much until Time Magazine named her Person of the Year. So many people disagreed, and for the first time i found myself trying to explain her music, her lyrics, her influence, and her tour's economic impact and remember being frustrated. i feel lucky to "get it" Thank you for listening to the album with us! I always enjoy your commentary!

[@nimy9238]

We’re together girl, that’s exactly how I feel. Like how can you convince a biased hater with the right words that she’s actually really that good and deserves all her success

[@Violet316]

So glad you really liked "The Lakes". Nice reaction. Welcome to the Swiftdom.

[@markabusireactions]

Thanks haha!

[@Violet316]

@@markabusireactions There has been a running joke that one needs a starter kit for folklore and it was a dictionary, Taylor mentioned that she heard about it. Taylor actually has a notebook with words she wants to use in songs, she has been using a lot of them ever since folklore. Swifties all over are looking up words, and places. Taylor is not just a singer she is a teacher too.

[@RosieMcgregor-n8q]

Peace what a song. “Give you my wild, give you a child.” Actual could take someone out with that line.

[@hailsaep13]

Omg I was waiting for this one and it was great. Grabbed a cup of coffee and listened to your commentary while doing work. First, welcome to the club! We swifties have a lot of fun despite the obvious issues most fandoms have. I definitely agree when it comes to 'Illicit Affairs' that it feels very deliberately one-sided. But I think often most affairs are one-sided. In my head, I imagined it being between the narrator and someone older who is married, who obviously knows better but as most affairs go, doesn't want to leave who they're actually with. I think for the narrator, they really loved whoever it was they were having this affair with and though they should have known better, they did everything for them and so to be go through all this secrecy and then have their feelings dismissed by the word 'kid', I think they recognised how one-sided it was and decided the blame shall also be one-sided. Because when hurt it's hard to recognised your own part in it, but I do think she does realise how foolish she was and that most of the verses are sung bitterly. If you truly want to see the narrator take "more" accountability, 'Ivy' on evermore is a really good one. It's also said to be based off of Emily Dickinson and her supposed lover who was in fact married. Also I def think you should react to the Era's tour version of 'Illicit Affairs' because she goes full on dramatic. I absolutely adore 'Epiphany' and its connection between war and the pandemic, especially considering her grandad was a soldier once and she wrote this during the pandemic. I thought your analysis on 'Mad Woman' was perfect. Can't wait for more.

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you!

[@JRay.R]

Well, now that I’ve spent all day watching your videos…I thought I should leave a comment here, just for good measure. Watching your reaction to folklore actually gave me a new found appreciation for the album as a whole. For some reason I never realized or fully heard the depth of the instrumentation and I swear I heard so many more layers and little details of the actual music while listening to it here. I appreciate it. So, thanks friend.

[@markabusireactions]

You’re very welcome, I hope you’ve had a lovely day! 😂

[@emmavink]

On Epiphany during the LP discussion she made a comment along with the description you talked about that really sticks with me. She said that her family had to go and research the battle her grandfather fought in during WWII in the Pacific because he refused to talk about it in his lifetime. Taylor made a comments along the lines of she wanted to explore in a song what the horrific experiences might be that causes a person to never want to talk about what happened to them. It's that idea that PTSD is something you survive, but it's always with you if you just leave it that really works on my mind far longer than my listening of the song does.

[@sulathenewfie4277]

One thing I loved about Folkore are all the beautiful outros. She (really Aaron), left a lot of space for the music to shine too. I love Taylor & Jack - they are gold together (she has called him musical family several times), but she and Aaron (who she has called her musical soulmate) are magic together. Big difference is Jack edits & produces what Taylor initially writes, but she writes to track with Aaron and I think her hearing the music he sends her digs deep and raises things to the surface.

[@jslvdr_]

I love how she wrote the lakes, like, she incorporated different styles of known poets like Shakespeare and Wordsworth but leaned more on the approach of the later Romantic movement and very little fragments of Gothic Romanticism. She said it once in an interview that if she's not an artist, she'd be an English teacher. Her knowledge in literature is very evident in this album and in evermore.

[@Starickle]

Just started this one and having a wee giggle at you saying 16 songs is a lot for an album - when TTPD/The Anthology has 31 and I just watched those reactions earlier and if I remember rightly, you pretty much looooved it haha 😂

[@danielleannand5196]

As a brand new Swiftie myself, I can appreciate and relate to your initial thoughts on Taylor because I never listened to her music beyond what’s been on the radio. I never knew how deep, complex, and ingenius Taylor’s mind is. I’ve been in this Taylor rabbit hole since the release of TTPD and I’ve been learning so much about Taylor, not just about how talented she is as an artist but how beautiful she is as a human being. You should really check out Miss Americana, her documentary. It really showcases how humble and kind she is. And I will end with this: your Taylor reactions are by far my favourite!! Keep ‘em coming!!

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you, that means a lot!! The plan is to put a poll up for the next big Taylor reaction, Miss Americana will be an option! I’ll get to it eventually for sure 😂

[@danielleannand5196]

@@markabusireactions That’s awesome!! Will the poll be on your Patreon??

[@markabusireactions]

@@danielleannand5196 it will be! I was gonna wait a week just so that people get a chance to watch this one before I look towards doing another one

[@danielleannand5196]

@@markabusireactions Ok! I subscribed just the other day so I’m looking forward to checking out more of your content over there!

[@markabusireactions]

@@danielleannand5196 lol, usually Patreon is for the weird videos that won’t get any views on here, or the songs where I rip it to shreds 😂 but I’m also trying to figure out ways to give it some content that people genuinely want, which is why I cut some of the songs from this reaction but keep them on Patreon. And I’m gonna start introducing merchandise, so… it’s a little bare bones at the moment but hopefully it’ll be worth the time soon ☺️ and thank you, sir signing up!

[@lilypond5158]

Taylor does the emo version of illicit affairs live😂

[@emmavink]

Peace is one of my favourite TS songs 😬 Yeah, she's said for her, the worst thing is that when she's at home, she can do the best she can to be normal and to make a normal life for her family, friends and especially for a significant other. But as soon as she leaves the house, she can't stop her partner from being hounded by the press and fans. She can't stop creeps with telephoto lenses taking pics from 2 miles away taking photos of her and her partner being intimate. Aaron Dessner commented that for him the song means a lot because he feels the same way about how his depression impacts on his family, friends and wife. Both of them don't choose it and can't control it to varying degrees. She said, knowing all of these things, is that a bargain her BF and his wife are still willing to make? I can't give you peace, but here are the things I can do. Along with those guitars, it's just a gorgeous song. And that fking BRIDGE 😂😭

[@sarahgray6157]

You took on the title! Being a fan of Taylor can be exhausting when there are so many stubborn fucks out there who still think their human value is determined by how "cool" their musical taste is. If you combine that attitude with misogyny, it's insufferable. Love that you're finding stuff to appreciate in her catalogue. There's so much more to explore!

[@emmavink]

I've never had the fixed idea that Illicit Affairs is strictly about cheating or adultery. In my mind, it can just as easily be about just an inappropriate relationship. Probably with someone who should know better. The fact that she says "don't call me kid" suggests an age difference. And the feeling is very strong that she's been hooked like a drug. She is the one doing things like wearing a different perfume so that no one associates her usual smell when he's in his own life. I'm not sure if she's trying to dodge accountability as much as she's trying to suggest that she is emotionally in it far more than he is. She's willing to ruin her life for this guy and his response is to call her kid...

[@hkandm4s23]

I've heard former drug addicts also relate hard..... meetings in parking lots, hiding things, showing colors you can't see with anyone else.

[@emmavink]

@@hkandm4s23 😂 I'm not laughing at all about people's struggles... Especially since I made the damn analogy myself between this song and addiction... But I think my brain really just clicked the first time you said it that of course people with substance abuse issues would relate to this song on a very literal, physical level of interaction with a substance too 😢 I suppose it's like Clean off 1989. Taylor didn't write it about substance abuse, she used substance abuse as a metaphor for that relationship ending...but so many addicts/recovering addicts directly related to it that she now respects those songs as being really important to people with those problems and experiences. Shit. The idea of a someone's relationship with actual substances they "abuse" or that ruin their lives is so raw 🥺

[@hkandm4s23]

@@emmavink yeah, also often drug abuse rarely occurs in total isolation. It can both be fueled by relationships with others and can ruin good relationships so the references to people (don't call me kid..., hiding things) still are relatable in that case.

[@PandoraStolen]

At face value I think illicit Affairs is obviously about being in an illicit Affair but also the way that it's written I feel like it can also be taken as being in a relationship with someone who might not be cheating on anyone with you but they refused to make the relationship anything other than casual or they don't even want to be seen with you type of thing and I was in a "relationship" like that last year where I wasn't good enough for the guy no matter what I did and I always loved the song but while I was in that relationship and right afterward it really hit home even though we were both single. But that song was like a lifeline to me

[@emmavink]

@@PandoraStolen I love that interpretation! A combination of Casual by Chappell Roan and Tolerate It.

[@nancybudd494]

I LOVE the sentiment of This Is Me Trying,,,,, BUT I agree the bridge is for ME as a swiftie, a miss, sonically only the words are fine but I didn't like the delivery. It didn't ruin it for me because the sentiment and meaning of the song as explained by her was so epically relative to my life. But I do agree. Peace, her explanation of the song, totally makes sense about why it's sad. As for 'she should cheer up' I get your point BUT at the time she was really going through it, she felt so clearly very alone while being locked inside with the person she loved the most, (relatable for many in covid) it is often a devastatingly sad album but in 2020 many of us needed both sadness to relate and quiet rage. This album turned me into a swiftie at 40 at the time amd it saved me during covid, I'm very grateful for it

[@emmavink]

Definitely my more preferred half of the album in terms of consistency. It's a good build up to the next album, Evermore (my favourite TS project now tied with The Anthology) 😊

[@becausemiro]

“Thinkin, how much sad did you think I had, did you think I had in me?” - Markabusi by the end of the Folklore 😂

[@markabusireactions]

It just got more miserable as it went on 😂

[@teszter704]

There are quite a few Jane Eyre references in her discography, like the invisible string, mad woman obviously and dear reader is a song on midnights - reader i married him is one of the most famous lines from Jane Eyre. Also, evermore was released on Emily Dickinson's birthday and 1989 was released on Sylvia Plath's birthday 😊😊

[@jenunboxed512]

Ugh the dagger in my heart as you toss This is Me Trying into the unworthy pile...it's one of my favorite songs! But it's fine...it's fine. IT'S FINE! Willing to accept that we all have our flaws and forgive you for just being wrong. You're welcome. Carry on.

[@markabusireactions]

There’s just much better songs on there!!

[@emmavink]

The Lakes is my ideal explanation of what romantic actually means. Romance isn't shmultz or happy, joyful fuzzies. It's Emo to the extreme. It's glorifying pain and longing and death and heartbreak. There is a focus on nature and it just loves to wallow in itself (like Hoax absolutely does 😂). Yeah, I don't think there is a single Taylor Swift bonus trick I can think of that is a throwaway song. They are all meant to be on the album. Her bonuses literally are little gem additions. Really enjoyed the reaction, thank you. I will just not be able to blow my nose for a few days... Thanks for that 😂

[@markabusireactions]

You’re very welcome hahaha! I’m glad you had fun ☺️

[@theConquerersMama]

I think this album is heavily influenced by the fact that her man at the time loves sad stuff. So I think she dug into that like she was a Bronte sister and lockdown was their time like the Romantic poets dealing sith Consumption and addictions. I can picture her constantly going to him for approval like "is this sad enough for you?" Approvals a weird drug. And those were very weird times. Existentially speaking.

[@theConquerersMama]

I think you know that Blue has been her reference for Joe - whether the song is happy or sad for year. Or might have been told before. OMG! As I was typing, you just mentioned the Brontes and Jane Eyre. I think she loves all of that.I think Joe loves all that and I think she sprinkles in references that are special and specific to them. While still keeping it general enough that others can relate.

[@Kelly-i4j]

Evermore next please!

[@timothytheis9709]

⭐️Wait. You identified as a Swiftie, you expressed frustration in convincing people that Taylor isn’t just a pop star, and then you straight up called her a genius. Did I miss the coming out party reaction? 😅 Also, I also don’t like the bridge in Youre Losing Me, but love your honesty.

[@markabusireactions]

Coming out as a swiftie? Isn’t that what this video is? 😂

[@timothytheis9709]

@@markabusireactions 🤣 Yes, it was just so matter of fact that I thought I missed an episode. Really she had you at Death by a 1000 Cuts and Im standing by that, no arguing!

[@markabusireactions]

@@timothytheis9709 😂😂😂 it is a fucking tune right enough haha

[@CoastDreamz]

Folklore is one of my favorite TS albums, but I actually prefer the Long Pond session versions for most of the Folklore songs. They're an acoustic version and just feel more personal.

[@markabusireactions]

I agree, the long pond sessions are great, but I had already heard a lot of them, and wanted to cover the whole album so I chose the studio version to be fair ☺️

[@CoastDreamz]

@@markabusireactions - that makes sense. I didn't realize you'd already heard the Long Pond sessions.

[@theConquerersMama]

Agreed. Thus is me trying didn't impress me on the album but man the Long Pond session gets me.

[@hilarytoffler5636]

Not that I don't love your reactions, I truly do. However, just listening to you speak is like honey in my ears. I was born in the UK and you remind me of a dear neighbor I had as a young girl. He was a lovely person and used to tell my friends and I stories from the old times, silkies, fairies, .... We would just sit in the grass and hang on his every word. Thank you so much for that memory.

[@markabusireactions]

I should start a channel where I talk about old Scottish folklore!!

[@hilarytoffler5636]

@@markabusireactions Yes please! I for one would love it.

[@albamelian5106]

I love the Lakes... mentioning the great poets... William Wordsworth is buried in the Lake District and she references him directly by saying "tell me what are my Wordsworth" instead of spelling it "normal" like < words worth Hehe love the song and the reaction❤

[@emmavink]

I agree with you on the bridge for This Is Me Trying. I would argue that it sits a bit better on the Long Pond acoustic version. I suspect there was also a bunch of stuff kicking off on the production at the same time, so yeah, that line that should have far more impact (it's hard being at a party when I feel like an open wound) gets drowned out by too many other lyrics and production. The other place this happens that comes to mind immediately is on The Alchemy from TTPD. I think she has a line that says something like, "I haven't come around in so long, but I'm making a comeback to where I belong" that really awkwardly misses the pocket. I think it's also almost more noticeable with Swift because she usually is really clever and comfortable with her rhythm, syncopation (sp?), phrasing and melodic construction. When it doesn't work, it really sticks out 😅

[@CoastDreamz]

I agree. I prefer the Long Pond versions overall.

[@markabusireactions]

Which is why I scored it down. Normally her bridges are absolutely on the money, so a miss like that really stood out to me, and I thought it would be a bit bullshit of me to not call it out. Like, if I can’t criticise parts when I’m celebrating others, what’s the point in even making the video?

[@hkandm4s23]

Agreed.... I've found that for nearly all songs of Taylor's that i dislike, it's typically because of a production choice. Like death by a thousands cuts was my least favorite song on lover.... yes, even worse than ME!. The production was just confusing and overbearing. Then you listen to her play it acoustically and it's one of the best things she's ever written. It is rare that the actual writing or core melodies are bad in Taylor's work.

[@ariblue17g21]

This is me trying is one of my favorites from folklore and death by a thousand cuts is one my favorites from Lover 😢

[@emmavink]

@@markabusireactions definitely agree 👍 we're also typically here for a cold/immediate reaction, so the genuine notes are absolutely warranted and welcome by hopefully most of us 😬

[@mcbello3319]

I love listening to your comentary and learning your perpective... i have seen all your great content! 😊

[@markabusireactions]

Have you seen my crap content? Cause there’s loads 🤣

[@edwardl9683]

I was 11 when i first heard 'c'mon' by the stones on my transistor radio and I was hooked and I have worked my way through countless genres, bands over the years -I too dissed her mostly cos of stuff like shake it off then one day I just decided to check out one of her albums and i chose evermore randomly and it was like i was 11 again. I've tried to get my pals, many of whom are musicians, creatives, but nobody seems to get it. They,just refuse to listen.I despair sometimes 😂

[@theConquerersMama]

Epiphany still makes me tear up. I was on the front lines medically in the early days of the C times spring of 2020. It was insane. And terrifying. And exhausting. And you never ever felt like it was enough. I hope to never see times like those again.

[@markabusireactions]

Well, I just want to say thank you. When everything was going to shit, and the people in charge were headless chickens, it was you and everyone that worked alongside you that kept us from a situation far worse.

[@theConquerersMama]

@@markabusireactions thank you.

[@hkandm4s23]

Lol.... ok, i need an official version of hoax broken up by your hilarious diatribe to lighten the mood. 😂😂

[@markabusireactions]

😂😂 feel free to rip this off the tube lol

[@jerryfoust3860]

And I agree, except about this reaction-“I have no intention of going back to it.”

[@sydneymiller3970]

Re Mad Woman, Taylor once said "a man can react, a woman can only overreact."

[@emmavink]

The Lakes is about Joe Alwyn 🥰 they did at least one holiday there together. And I thiiiiiink, not 100% sure, but he may have written on this track too. Not sure about Jane Eyre/Wuthering Heights on the favourite book front, but this song is targeted at the Romantic English poets from a few decades earlier (Wordsworth, Keats, Shelly, Colderidge, etc., who she based The Albatross from The Anthology on). Apparently that kooky lot actually had a small community that they went off to and escaped their celebrity from in The Lakes District in the early 1800s and Taylor has been writing songs about getting out of the fame game since her 2010 album Speak Now (a track called The Lucky One) and has a similar feeling on Clara Bow. She said she's always admired the romantic poets for walking the walk and just dropping off the grid for times and she still yearns for this too clearly from the context of this song.

[@sue5158]

Illicit Affairs between teens and men a decade older tho.

[@iteachlit]

49:40 Is actually Gatsby. 😆 But yes re: literary heroes.

[@nr6446]

Evermore when?

[@markabusireactions]

There’s a poll still running on Patreon to decide what is next, so far it’s a tie between Evermore and something else lol

[@Ver0nica437]

You gotta do Evermore now. It’s my absolute favourite TS album from start to finish ❤

[@markabusireactions]

If it wins the Patreon poll!

[@Ver0nica437]

@@markabusireactions I override the Patreon poll

[@markabusireactions]

@@Ver0nica437 😂😂

[@GemmaMurdoch]

Am i going crazy or was Betty not in this reaction?

[@markabusireactions]

@@GemmaMurdoch patreon exclusive, I did say at the start that this was an edited version of the whole reaction…

[@PaulaMitchell-xg7mp]

Works for me. Betty is the one skip on this album.

[@ZoeyPaigeLunaPhD]

I’m just gonna have to be blunt. This is me trying is commonly considered the best or one of the best songs on this album especially lyrically. This time it’s not her it’s you 😆 That said I don’t care, never stop being honest. It’s one of the things that makes your channel great and it really does bring me joy to watch.

[@markabusireactions]

Nup, bollocks, invisible string is better lol, it’s a hill I will die on!

[@ZoeyPaigeLunaPhD]

@@markabusireactions you’re my favorite I swear 😆 I am cracking up over here. My girlfriend is in Glasgow so I know it’s the middle of the night there. You need to go to bed 😆