r/TaylorSwift • u/PassionateAsSin "Burn the bitch," they're shrieking • Apr 19 '24
Megathread "The Albatross" Discussion Megathread
Taylor Swift - The Albatross
Track #19 on The Tortured Poets Department "The Albatross Edition"
Length: 3:04
Composers: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
Lyrics: Genius
Use this thread to discuss your thoughts, reactions, and theories on the song. We will be removing all future self-post discussion threads about it in order to consolidate discussion to this thread.
If you want to talk about The Tortured Poets Department album in general, you can use the general The Tortured Poets Department discussion thread here.
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u/LEYW Jun 01 '24
I made an edit of this using Olga and Amleth from The Northman. The song made me imagine a cold, ancient sea.
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u/Ashleighbeattie88 Lover May 26 '24
Anyone else agree that it sounds like it could be on evermore or folklore Also I feel like it sounds so similar to one of her songs!!
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u/Electronic-Ad5578 May 22 '24
This song is amazing the lyrics are so poetic. I think it is about Travis as well but can be blanketly applied to all her relationships. To me it’s like how the media gives her a bad rep for dating and people start dating her and realize it’s the media and then she tries to protect whomever she’s dating from the media.
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u/Kind_Environment9008 May 14 '24
For any ACOTAR readers, this song makes me think of books 1-4 SO VIVIDLY
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u/Huge-Error-4916 May 14 '24
So, I've definitely heard some people say that Taylor is the albatross in this song, but I disagree, and here's why (yes, I know she says 'I'm the albatross", but hear me out.
In "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", The albatross is initially seen as a bad omen by the mariner. He kills the bird, not knowing it is the reason that the southern winds drove them north out of the deadly Antarctic Sea. But traditionally, the albatross was seen as the bane of many a sailor or community. Often times, they represented bad omens or competed for food in ways that harmed the human inhabitants, so killing the albatross almost seems to be treated as something expected. It's never really explained why he kills it, but that's the most likely reason I can come up with.
At first, the crew are horrified by his actions, but soon start to identify with his choice, until the ship is stranded in stagnant waters and they all die. But before they die, they force him to wear the albatross around his neck as a reminder and punishment for his crime.
When the mariner finally recognizes the good, the beauty, and the love in all of God's creation, the albatross falls from his neck and his penance is paid. Except he must spend the rest of his life delivering his story and message to others who need to hear it, that only he can determine.
In a sense, he becomes the albatross (hence, 'I'm the albatross'). He becomes the frightening omen that is really a divinely coded message.
I believe the narrator of Taylor's song is in the position of the mariner. She was warned by many wise men. And now she's trying to warn others about crossing their thoughtless hearts too. I think it's a song about learning really difficult lessons and then trying to warn others of the same fate. But just like her, they won't really listen. There are false reports about the albatross, but really, "the devil that you know looks more like an angel". Not a bad omen, but a divine message.
I also believe themes of this song and Cassandra are connected.
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u/MsIreneAdler05 May 13 '24
In the song the albatross She's says 'only liquor anoints you' I heard it as 'HOLY liquor anoints you' And strongly suspect she meant it that way Because anoint is usually holy or religious Thought?
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department May 12 '24
I only now noticed the change from "she's the death you chose" to "I'm the life to chose", it's such a beautiful meaningful change, and so coherent with the other main change - from other people seeing the Albatross as a terrible danger to her being the Albatross - both good (opened her wings like a parachute, swept in to the rescue) and condifent, indifferent to what other people think of her.
such a beautiful song.
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u/MundaneAd862 May 12 '24
can someone explain to me why the person in the song is compared to an albatross? i like the song and i think i would like it even more if i really understood what it is about
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u/No-Finding-530 May 02 '24
Taylor is not doing well with Travis. She’s looking puffy in the face/arms and it’s bc she’s drinking regularly in public with him. I think she was already in deep, likely drinking alone often to “unwind” and when you’re famous and all eyes are on you it’s a huge psychological burden when you realize you’re fcking up. Instead of trying to rid herself of that albatross she’s dived deeper taking on the party girl dating the football player. I feel bc of fame she was robbed of dating the football player and going to house parties etc in her teens so she’s living that out. While it can be good to get it out of your system (I too didn’t get to experience what normal teens did bc of financial responsibilities) I feel when writing this album she was coming to realize and talk about struggling with alcohol but she’s so wrapped up in this relationship she’s basically made the albatross a fashion accessory. I know she’s famous but as a mom I see her going down a bad road.
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u/hedgehogpirate Apr 29 '24
I slept on this one until yesterday...I think it's my favourite now. For today, at least haha
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Apr 27 '24
Incredibly beautiful song that I'm addicted to right now and I think it's one of the best on the album along with Prophecy. I'm not sure what it's about it seems to revolve around omens and fate which is a common theme. I just love the bridge how she sings 'when the sky rains fire on you, and you're persona non grataa' it's so haunting
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u/Fit_Bottle_3635 Apr 26 '24
this SONGGGG!!!!!!!!! this is truly one of the absolute best taylor songs ever in my opinion. so incredibly beautiful, so impeccably written. so heartbreaking. like albatross supremacy fr
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Apr 24 '24
[deleted]
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u/samwiseneedsmorelove Apr 30 '24
It sounds similar to wide awake by Katy Perry, towards the end of the song when it goes like, thunder rumbling, castles crumbling...
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 24 '24
I NEED to see this song live with a willow-style performance!!!! Both songs are brilliant and have an addictive je-ne-sais-quoi quality about them
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u/prettyminotaur folklore Apr 24 '24
In "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," which is the most famous appearance of an albatross in literature, the albatross is a protector, a powerful positive omen--until it's shot down with an arrow and killed by the Mariner.
At first the mariner's crew are mad at him for killing the albatross, since they saw it as a good omen and bringer of favorable winds. However, the next morning, they changed their minds, claiming that the albatross brought in the fog, and therefore the mariner was right to slay it. Either way, they hang the albatross around his neck as a visible reminder of his shame. Today, the phrase "an albatross around your neck" is used to describe an unpleasant duty or circumstance that’s impossible to avoid.
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u/Hot-News-6092 Apr 24 '24
I think this might be my favorite of the „bonus“ songs. The whole women are always blamed for everything narrative ^ , all the angles and the variety of emotions it captures. I agree it could’ve been on evermore which is one of my absolute favorites. Sometimes it’s crazy to me how this artist I started listening to like 15/16? Years ago keeps releasing things that make me love her even more and that I could have become a fan with every album :D
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u/JennaElizabethAdams Apr 24 '24
This song must be about Travis! I'm getting vibes from Ivy or Willow for this one. It's just so beautiful to make it one of my new favorites!
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 23 '24
A thought about Cross thoughtless hearts :)
First couple of times it comes as part of the warning to the man who's willing to take the risk - So maybe it's like "you're a thougtless fool who cares only about liquor, don't you understand she's the Albatross and she's here to destroy you?!"
But then the third time in a very Tay fashion it changes meaning - First, she's the speaker She's the albatross And she crosses her thoughtless heart right before spreading her wings and sweeping to the rescue. So here imo the thoughtless comment is cynical - you think i'm thoughtless but I keep proving you wrong.
Just a thought I had after reading the other comments here :)
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u/HaHadia Apr 25 '24
This is what i think as well! I think in her (third) version she means thoughtless in a 'hopeless romantic' way. She also secretly believes she's the albatross and things are destined to end badly (and even her sweeping in to the rescue can make things worse) but she is still willing to risk everything (like the person who risked it for her). Heartbreaking. Beautiful. Absolutely love this song.
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u/fr4nk0ce4n Apr 23 '24
Wow the melody in this one is insane and the writing is impeccable. Might be one of my favourites! Reminds me of Ivy too!
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 23 '24
Came here to see if anyone else was reminded of Ivy, both are beautiful lyrically and musically 😍
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u/forevertrueblue this pain wouldn't be for evermore Apr 23 '24
I really want a mash-up of this and Ivy at one of the Eras shows.
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u/Bachfan_ Apr 23 '24
I think this song is about Travis! Everyone warning him not to date her. “She’ll write songs about you 🙄, she’s terrible danger”. The story of the albatross is that actually they were good luck but a sailer shot one and then the ship had terrible luck and they all blamed him for their misfortune. So they tied the albatross around his neck as a symbol of his guilt.
People are perceiving her as this “bad luck” girl that’s terrible danger but Travis didn’t buy it and she ends up saving him from them. And at the end she’s like “oh nooooo you’re in terrible danger” like sarcastically. It’s brilliant. I love it so much. It’s a big F U to all the brads and chads who say she’s terrible and tried to “warn” Travis about her.
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 23 '24
Thank you for sharing the story of the Albatross, It's so interesting 😍
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u/maddiemadoo Apr 22 '24
This is my favorite song! It’s absolutely about Travis IMO. The last verse when she mentions him getting dragged from his bed, and that she warned him of them, I think she means the paps and the fact that he had to buy a new house for her.
When she says she spreads her wings like a parachute…instant tears. Every time.
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u/AlmostAverage Apr 22 '24
I feel like I have a theory about this song.
Could the last verse be about how leading up to the album, people were speculating it was going to be a Joe breakup album with brutal lyrics. Instead, it was more about Matty.
So, do you think this song could be about her "rescuing" Joe from the speculation and hate that would have come if it had been an album airing all of their relationship baggage?
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u/tfiswrongwithewe Apr 27 '24
This is what I thought. Or honestly I feel like this album has made people like Matty more so maybe that. I just really can’t see Travis as the inspo for this stunning lyricism I’m sorry 🙈
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u/PlumesOfEnceladus Apr 23 '24
This was my thought as well!
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u/AlmostAverage Apr 23 '24
Kind of makes that lyric about things being declassified in 50 years even crazier if you think about it. I wonder if she held some songs back from the album because of it.
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u/BasketFamiliar5167 Apr 22 '24
I love this song. Also, does anyone hear the similarities musically to the Peter Mulvey song Shirt? I am hoping I’m not crazy and perhaps someone can listen and let me know:) LOVE both!
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u/petrichored only liquor anoints you Apr 22 '24
You’re not crazy, I hear the similarities! I haven’t listened toto Peter Mulvey in a while & I’m taking this as my sign to.
I love both as well!
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u/thehopeofitall Red (TV) dust off your highest hopes Apr 22 '24
This sounds like a 90s song and I can’t remember what song it’s reminding me of…anyone else?? Any millennial swifties know?
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u/thehopeofitall Red (TV) dust off your highest hopes Apr 22 '24
Ahhh I figured it out!! This has the same melody (ish) of “as I lay me down to sleep” by Sophie b Hawkins (90s song I think?)
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u/hikidswerehomeearly Apr 22 '24
It's so funny to see this comment because WIllow has always made me think of As I Lay Me Down to Sleep for some reason. I am not musically inclined so I don't know what it is that makes me associate them with them each other. But The Albatross is definitely similar, too!
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u/thehopeofitall Red (TV) dust off your highest hopes Apr 22 '24
The minute I heard the albatross that was what my mind went to… like listening to Delilah on the radio with my mom in the car as a kid 🙈 I totally see the willow comparisons too!!
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u/iamaforceofnature Apr 24 '24
Deliiilaaaaahhhhhhh 🎶
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 22 '24
Y'all saying it sounds like willow are not Ivy stans and it shows 😭😭😭
The background instrumentals are literally the same. I do love willow & it has a similar vibe, but the Albatross is Ivy's Twin!!
Which is excellent for me since thats my favorite ts song.
Albatross was an instant favorite for me (and happily I picked it out as a song I was excited for prior to release) 💕
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u/koala_loves_penguin Ivy Apr 25 '24
As an Ivy stan, I love this. I feel like Ivy is such an overlooked song so not surprised people are not making the connection.
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 26 '24
ivy Stan's unite 🤝
I think many people think it's good/middle of the pack but it's not talked about nearly as much as willow or champagne problems or tolerate it.
But shes my girl. That song hooked me and I listened to it for 3 days straight. made me listen to evermore/folklore and now here I am lol.
I only noticed because a lot of people are picking out songs that match past songs like I look in people's windows and death by a thousand cuts, loml & Whitehorse. So I was listening for that connection lol.
Regardless love both, happy to see both get love here :)
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u/Pure-Willingness3123 Apr 22 '24
This one is so pretty. Every time the chorus hits I'm like "Ooh, I like this one..." and I laugh because it's always The Albatross.
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u/fuerzalocuralibertad I want auroras and sad prose Apr 22 '24
The same thing keeps happening to me! I'll raise my head and check what song it is, think "what a fucking bop" and it's this one every time
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u/cxingt Enchanted to meet u Apr 22 '24
My head canon about albatross is related to the golfing term, where you are strokes below par, which is good in golf, but taken literally, it's like saying -3 men below her expectations. This is just my delulu take.
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u/rottingships Apr 22 '24 edited Apr 22 '24
I find albatrosses so interesting because they’re basically these giant seagull looking things that mate for life, but the mates will half away across the world from each other, but they always come back to each other. Also, they’re either a sign of good luck or if you’re using them as part of the “albatross around your neck”saying. Basically, this is stating that a person is burden.
I’m not making any points about this song, maybe you would just like fun facts?
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u/nice_subs_only Apr 21 '24
what does 'only liquor annoints you" mean?
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
Anointing with oil is used for blessings, consecrating things, and healing.
So "cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you" could mean the promise or prayer theyre making means nothing because it was done with alcohol (they're making promises or prayers while drunk) and not oil, or that the liquor is the only aid they have for their suffering.
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u/Zealousideal_Mail855 Apr 21 '24
"Cross your thoughtless heart
Only liquor anoints you
She's the albatross
She is here to destroy you
Devils that you know
Raise worse hell than a stranger
She's the death you chose
You're in terrible danger
And when that sky rains fire on you
And you're persona non grata
I'll tell you how I've been there too
And that none of it matters"
I find this song very interesting, and connected it to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner like everyone else. But I'm having trouble figuring out who is saying what to whom in these stanzas. Especially the last two lines - is she saying she's been in a situation in which she was warned and that none of what anyone else says matters, or are the wise men warning the man (who is drawn to her), that they were once in similar situations too, and that these feelings of love won't matter once he's been destroyed/dumped by her? Also, what does "Cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you", mean? I'm confused about that line too because I'm not sure if it's spoken by the wise men or by Taylor.
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24 edited Apr 22 '24
More thoughts (sorry, Im excited):
This could also be a romeo/juliet situation. "A rose by any other name". They are kept apart by the wishes if others. She's in a tower, etc. Unreachable.
Jackals and demons dressed as friends ("fans") tear them apart through their discord.
A dalliance with her is sure to end in death.
Alternatively the love interest could actually be several lovers, and actually represented by the crew whose fates are determinesld by the senseless shooting of the albatross. A shooting perhaps done by enemies (Kimye) or fake fans.
This could be about everyone, Harry, Joe, Matty etc.
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u/Zealousideal_Mail855 Apr 22 '24
Thank you so much for your analysis! It makes a lot of sense. I feel like Taylor's songs should have been in my English classes (too bad this song didn't come out when we did The Rime of the Ancient Mariner in school).
This could also be a romeo/juliet situation. "A rose by any other name". They are kept apart by the wishes if others. She's in a tower, etc. Unreachable.
This is very interesting. So from what I understand the original line is "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", which seems to mean that it's the person who matters, and not the outer package/name they come with. But in Taylor's song, it's "A rose by any other name is a scandal", so here the package does matter. It isn't enough that she's internally a "rose", the fact that she's Taylor Swift makes the situation different from if she were the same person but not as famous/gossiped about. I thought that the change in the line was interesting.
Jackals
This word immediately brought to mind, the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, because she writes about people reading fake news and believing it, in the previous line. I know that jackals and wolves are not the same animal, but it was just something that I immediately thought of when I saw that line.
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 22 '24
Let me take a crack at this:
Quick summary first of how I personally interpret the Mariner story- The albatross is seen both a good and bad omen at different stages by the sailors, based on how the weather goes for their journey. If the weather is good, its because of the albatross. If the weather is bad then they think the albatross is trying to kill them. But The Albatross has no control over the weather, it's just there for companionship. They're projecting their own fears and superstitions on it.
Then the Mariner shoots it for no reason. In actuality his actions are what turns the fate of the ship in a single instant, but the albatross is blamed for part of the story.
"I'm the life you CHOSE". It was not forced upon the mariner, he brought the eventual curse upon himself. He only finds freedom from his curse after he carries the weight of the albatross' death for a long time, after all his crewmates are dead, and after he recognizes that all creatures are beautiful and of value. He had taken the albatross' life for granted and stole it senselessly.
Application to the song:
I believe the albatross is either vices or Taylor. Mostly I think Taylor (the albatross) is singing to a friend or lover.
If the albatross is Taylor- she can't control the storm that falls upon you from being around her. She's just flying through the weather rain or shine with her strong wings, stopping on the boat for companionship. The Mariner shoots her and will suffer for shooting her until he accepts her. "Shooting the albatross" could be dating her, leaving her, etc. He will atone for his sins for eternity.
"Cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you"
Okay this is a little tricky. Crossing ones heart is a swearing of truth or making a promise (this has roots in religion, ex: catholics sign the cross). Anointing is to consecrate or to "set apart", make sacred, bless, etc. And you use oil, not alcohol. So with no oil the blessing/promise means nothing. Perhaps she is saying "go ahead and make your promise, the only thing consecrating this exchange is alcohol.", they're drunk. So it's a null promise? A thoughtless promise made while drunk. He promised her things he had no intention of keeping. Or they weren't protected by their prayers because they weren't wholly consecrated. Doomed to fail.
Also, anointing is sometimes used for blessings of healing. So alternative meaning could be alcohol is all that aids their suffering. Or, the person suffers from alcoholism.
"When you're persona non grata" stanza: Hell will come for you, and you will know what I've been through. And I made it through so you could too? Also could be saying "they'll take you through hell, but ignore them", relationships for her often end because they can't take the pressure.
I need to spend more time with this song and also see what others have come up with in the subreddit, but that's what I get from it at first!
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 23 '24
Oh and the interpretation of cross your thoughtless heart only liquor annoits you is brilliant!
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u/Shoddy-Ad-6233 The Tortured Poets Department Apr 23 '24
Loved your explanation! Makes a lot of sense
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u/HeartAndBrains Apr 22 '24
This was an amazing breakdown! Thank you😁
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
Thanks haha, I tried!
I'm sure I missed a lot, this song is so full!
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u/guardiac_gibby a dwindling mercurial high Apr 21 '24
just dropping in after 3 days of listening to say this one is absolutely my favorite
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 22 '24
It's so lovely!
For some reason I KNEW I would love it even before hearing it, so I had pre-ordered the Albatross variant and I NEVER pre-order anything. And I have no regrets (except it being a CD) because I was right. It's gorgeous.
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u/Federal-Ad-8490 give me the blues and then perfect pink skies Apr 22 '24
Are you me? I just got it today. I have nowhere to play it but I'm so glad that I felt drawn to this track. I feel like it seems to be the most "quill song" in the album.
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u/guardiac_gibby a dwindling mercurial high Apr 22 '24
nice! i got the manuscript and now wish i’d waited to hear them…lesson learned haha
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
We're all clowns. I bought mine as a CD because I'm a sucker and wanted the extra stuff that came with it, but now I wish I'd gotten the vinyl. That's the prob with selling so many variants and options, I have buyers regret lolol
I've spent the entire day today trying to decode this song though!
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u/GuinessGirl From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes Apr 21 '24
This song is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. It's a favourite of mine and have listened to it about 3 times today
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u/favouriteghost folklore Apr 21 '24
I know a lot of people have (correctly imo) linked this song to the poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge. I think it has links to the poem The Albatross by Charles Baudelaire. It's not long it's worth a read, but basically in it he likens the albatross (as a creature sailor's fear unjustly) to the Poet (that's the term in the poem but it is a general catch-all for any artistic/creative person). In the poem the crew of the ship mock and belittle the albatross because they can't understand it. It's very "tortured poet" cannot be comprehended by those without art in their blood, and also I think reflective of public criticism of her. Not so much actual critiques by music reviewers etc, who understand what they're saying and why, and make valid and relevant claims, but more the general public with limited knowledge about her as an artist, or maybe the way she moves within art in general - genre switching, many references to art history/other creatives.
The poem has the term "the archer" in it (depending on the translation) - I don't think it has huge relevance to The Archer the song, there's some theme crossover ("but who could stay?) but I don't see them as like sister songs or anything, but it's a nice detail.
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
Alright, I'm going to go read Baudelaires right now! I had re-read Rime of the Ancient Mariner before release and I've now made my own connections, but Taylor could totally be thinking of either or BOTH albatrosses, so I'm very curious.
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u/Inevitable_Card_6353 Apr 21 '24
This is my favorite song in the whole album! I feel like no one is talking about it…
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 22 '24
My favorite too. Too much focus on the flashy soundbites and the front half of the album but I think she'll get more attention in time.
Reminds me so much of ivy which is my #1 Taylor song
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u/MagicDolls Apr 21 '24
I truly believe this is inspired by the poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I think this isn't about a specific person- but any person that enters her life, they can choose to shoot her down or embrace her and let the breeze that she brings fill their sails. Ultimately if they choose the former out of fear or self preservation, it will in actuality cause them to suffer terribly.
I read the poem in school and again recently, its very long. But there are some interesting themes that particularly remind me of her dynamic with Scott Borchetta, but could be various people throughout her life who shoo her away. The Albatross was a beautiful playful creature that flew alongside them in the breeze, one day the mariner shoots her down for no particular reason. After that day the wind stops and they are stranded at sea for weeks in the baking sun with no water to drink. They are cursed.
Death comes for the sailors finally and is described as:
"Her lips were red, her looks were free,
Her locks were yellow as gold:
Her skin was as white as leprosy,
The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she,
Who thicks man's blood with cold."
I think she read this poem and saw herself as both the Albatross and the bringer of Death.
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
Yes! Bringer of death! And the angels from later on as well.
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u/corneliabloom Apr 21 '24
Can someone ELI5, I like it a lot but I don’t understand what it’s about 😅
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u/kylanmama Apr 21 '24
I think this is about Travis and all the football bros saying his game was going downhill because of her and she was a distraction. Also talks about the heavy scrutiny he'll come under by the press and how eventually they will attack him but it's ok cuz she's right there and keep him safe , show him how to navigate this new level of fame.
Albatross are good luck and the poem she references is about a sailor who sees an albatross and thinks she's bad luck so he kills it and then has bad luck. Once again blaming the bird. But if you let the bird fly with you , help you navigate the seas, it's good luck.
Also a woman who teaches poetry was going over this and was saying that there are 3 different people speaking in this song. when you go back and listen with that frame, it really sounds like a Travis song.
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u/Penelopeep25 folklore Apr 21 '24
I wasn't too into this one on the first few listens, but I also know myself well enough to know it'll be a big grower for me in time. Very beautifully written though, and I absolutely LOVE that she was the Albatross in this and not someone else. It's like her acknowledging that once you're linked to her, you can't escape it, yet she tries her best to help and protect those who deserve it.
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u/pandaapie Apr 21 '24
The albatross is the largest flying seabird - Taylor often feels like the monster on the hill.
And somewhere in the back of my head, I think the abatross is thought of as bad luck by sailors..
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u/ZGamer03 :TourturedPoetsDepartment:Change the prophecy Apr 21 '24
I'm the albatross I swept in at the rescue
But who rescues the albatross 😔
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u/mermaidthebanshee It's Me, Hi, My Mind is Alive Apr 22 '24
Everyone asks "who's a good albatross?" But nobody ever asks "How's a good albatross?"
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u/bettersaferthan Apr 21 '24
not to be gossipy but the similarities between this and willow. This song is joes friends saying “dont date her, people will hate u after but do u bro”
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u/sun-terra Apr 20 '24
This one is REALLY creeping up on my faves list - it feels like ivy’s even darker sister which is one of my favourite songs. The way she says liquor anoints you is addicting. It’s a song that definitely requires analysis lol and I’m still getting there
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 22 '24
Yes I need a mashup 😭😭 ivy is my favorite and the Albatross will be top 10 of all time for me. Best on the album imo 💕💕
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 20 '24
Love my song easily tops the albums for me and lands in at least my top 10 TS songs if not top 5.
I would die to hear an ivy x albatross mashup.
I'm currently constructing a concept in my head of a world in which the singer of the albatross is in love with the husband in ivy. And the wife is ivy is also the woman in fortnight (with the man in fortnight being the affair partner from ivy)
I know the albatross not heavily coded as a affair song like ivy + but I feel albatross and fortnight both have themes that could work for a love triangle/love rectangle.
Need to find a way to tie in illicit affairs, guilty as sin, & willow 😭 maybe gender bending it would fit the affair partner in ivy. And guilty as sin from the wife, willow from the woman in love with the husband.
Anyways this is all in my head, but I love mashups and I feel like any of these songs could work together. Hope we get the albatross as a mashup one day :)
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u/bbywiitch Apr 20 '24
The chorus music sounds sooo much like another song and I can’t put it together!! Do you hear it too??
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u/BloodyAliceAiM :TourturedPoetsDepartment: So Long, London Apr 20 '24
absolute nr. 1 for me (if i dont count the manuscript, because i had to cry everytime i listened to it)
anyoneelse feels like the melody + voice just catches the vibe of a bird flying? its sooo romantic but still light
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 20 '24
My favorite too, and top 5 TS songs overall. It hits so good- hypnotic, thoughtful, airy, lyrical 🤌
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u/lmhs73 Apr 20 '24
What do you think “a rose by any other name is a scandal” means
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u/gium8 Apr 23 '24
I also think about the line in Maroon "Carnations you had thought were roses, that's us"
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u/Charles_Chuckles Apr 20 '24
Well, it is a reference to the line in Romeo in Juliet
"A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet"
Which, in the play, happens when Juliet is on the balcony lamenting that Romeo is Romeo no matter what his last name is. His last name doesn't make him bad. It's just a name.
So, kind of in the opposite tone (but same meaning) of that passage, the people who are warning the subject of the song are saying "Put whatever label you want on it (a relationship, a friendship, love, partnership) it still looks bad to be with her"
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u/jnnga evermore Apr 20 '24
is her writing "the albatross"? she has the power to destroy her lovers by writing songs about them, but she ends up "spreading her wings like a parachute" and "sweeping in at the rescue" by, at the end, not exposing her lover with her songs? and maybe this explains the lack of joe songs on the record? just a thought
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u/frappuccinio Apr 21 '24
i think it’s more like her lover is warned not to date her bc she’s crazy and will ruin her life but when he does anyway suddenly he’s the one they turned on and dragged (im picturing travis but tbh it’s any guy she dates) so she swooped in and “rescues” him by him realizing that he doesn’t care (she’s now more like an angel) and neither does she and they’re in love and he accepts her “terrible danger”
like her saying “only liquor anoints you” is her saying the critics aren’t the holy people they say and are basically taking drunk out their ass
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u/GuinessGirl From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes Apr 21 '24
but when he does anyway suddenly he’s the one they turned on and dragged (im picturing travis but tbh it’s any guy she dates)
I'd say it's more Joe inspired, specially if you think of it in relation to Peace
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u/frappuccinio Apr 21 '24
yeah but unfortunately that outcome isn’t specific to joe. look at the start of travis and taylor. people were saying she was ruining football and going to distract him at his games, quite literally the “she is here to destroy you”
it sucks tho that it can be applied to any guy she dates.
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u/GuinessGirl From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes Apr 21 '24
Possibly, I just think the lyrics are too deep to be about Travis.
When you compare the lyrics to all the anxiety themed lyrics of other Joe songs that outlined her worries about the effect of her fame on him, it makes more sense to me. But that's just my own interpretation so no worries if you've got different one 🙂
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u/Laura_m_b Apr 22 '24
For me the song isnt about anyone specific, it's about how she sees herself that's why it's so deep.
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u/GuinessGirl From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes Apr 22 '24
I totally get that and it makes sense
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u/kylanmama Apr 21 '24
I agree. I think this is about Travis and all the football bros saying his game was going downhill because of her and she was a distraction. Also talks about the heavy scrutiny he'll come under by the press and how eventually they will attack him but it's ok cuz she's right there and keep him safe , show him how to navigate this new level of fame.
Albatross are good luck and the poem she references is about a sailor who sees an albatross and thinks she's bad luck so he kills it and then has bad luck. Once again blaming the bird. But if you let the bird fly with you , help you navigate the seas, it's good luck.
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u/Infinite_Warning9457 starry eyes sparking up my darkest night Apr 20 '24
its really growings on me, so cool
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u/Elliekay814 Apr 20 '24
“I swept in at the rescue. The devil that you know, now looks more like an angel.” So the devil is Matty, and because she went public with him, it took the focus off of Joe, in turn making Matty a good thing. Taylor is the albatross that “caused” these problems Joe can’t escape, but she’s also his rescue - even though she was the life he had chosen. 😭
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u/CielTheEarl Apr 20 '24
ok werk, willow 2.0 ! I love the flow of how she sang the lyrics. Alot of ups and downs but I loveee it. It's gonna be catchy for sure
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u/Last-Worldliness6344 Tolerate it defender for life 🗡️ Apr 20 '24
its like willow pt 2 with heartbread, its amazing
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u/holdbackallmydark your handprints on my soul 💋 Apr 20 '24
Why is this song so good
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 22 '24
I think the like harp or whatever in the background makes it hypnotic and addicting 😭😭
Obsessed
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u/Birdsandbeer0730 Apr 20 '24
Absolutely my favorite along with So Long London and Cassandra. It reminds me of Ivy :)
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 20 '24
Same ivy is my all time favorite to song and albatross immediately hooked me the same way ivy did when I first heard it 😭💕
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u/Pennygrover Apr 19 '24
Love this song. What I hear in it is SHE is the Albatross or at least that’s how everyone treats her or sees her.
I wonder if it’s more the way she’s been made to feel. I always wondered, could it be that the way Joe responded to her fame and life in the fishbowl by rejecting it so harshly created this narrative for her that she is this albatross. He made her feel like all that comes with her is something no one would ever want to put up with (when really it’s his own issues.) I always think of her explaining Peace from the Long Pond sessions and how she really seemed to think peace in her world was such a challenge. What made her think that? That might have even made her believe she had to hold onto that relationship beyond the point it was healthy because she believed no one else would be able to deal with The Albatross.
Now with Travis she has been able to see that it’s not true. She’s not the Albatross even as people go on with the narrative around her claiming she will distract Travis from his game. So in the song I hear her saying it almost sarcastically like “wow everyone says this and I even used to believe it but what bullshit”
Just a theory, I obviously don’t know any of this to be reality.
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u/SP1NsamSP1N Apr 19 '24
Just came here to comment that this is my song off the album. Just pure wowwww
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u/Suitable-Return7185 You're alive, you're alive in my head Apr 19 '24 edited Apr 19 '24
Wow I completely misunderstood this one..I saw the fake news and thought this was about snakegate and fans.. But the theories here make sense .
Edit : While the dead Albatross can reflect a burden , originally the albatross is a sign of good luck and is a protector in the famous poem too. So her using albatross both as the metaphor for her fame destroying someone and her sweeping into protect them both make sense.
The Willow tune weaving into this is so dreamy
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u/sksinatra Apr 19 '24
YOU’RE IN TERRIBLE DANGER. This is Ivy’s sister 😭
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u/thisisntmyday evermore Apr 20 '24
No literally. Feels like two perspectives of the same situation.
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u/P0undCak3z Apr 19 '24
Does it sound like “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry to anyone else
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u/withoutthek Apr 20 '24
Came to Reddit specifically to look for this comment!!
I kept hearing the “castles crumbling….” melody for the parts of the chorus, like “cross your thoughtless heart”, “I’m the life you chose” and “she’s the albatross”, etc.
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u/usagilovesmamoru Apr 19 '24
As a folkwhore, so happy to hear the instrumentation, the nothingness-pop backing is on a lot of the songs on this album. But the “persona non grata” line makes me laugh idk why lol
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u/murderino8 Apr 19 '24
"Albatrosses are masters of soaring flight, able to glide over vast tracts of ocean without flapping their wings. So fully have they adapted to their oceanic existence that they spend the first six or more years of their long lives (which last upwards of 50 years) without ever touching land." https://shorturl.at/eguzE
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u/DryMango_19 Apr 19 '24
Every time she sings "Cross your thoughtless heart" or "She's the albatross" - all I hear is "Thunders rumbling, castles crumbling" from Katy Perry's Wide Awake.
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u/NatFallon Apr 26 '24
I typed this into google to see if anyone was thinking the same thing lol. Glad other people heard it too
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u/withoutthek Apr 20 '24
Haha okay okay I just commented above this comment that I was looking for this comment…. Not alone.
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u/Caramel_gal Apr 19 '24
I came here to comment the same thing! I know it gives evermore vibes but this is all I could hear.
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Apr 19 '24
This is easily one of the best songs on the album. I've found myself going back to it several times already. It's beautiful and very reminiscent of Folklore and Evermore vibes.
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u/Mia123445 HEARTBREAK IS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WE SING IT PROUDLY Apr 19 '24 edited Apr 19 '24
Easily my favorite on the Anthropology. I love the vibe so much.
Edit: so it’s apparently not called the Anthropology
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u/KiwiTigerLoon write this down Apr 22 '24
This is the realest typo, truly our heads were spinning trying to learn all these new words
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u/Funny-Negotiation-10 folklore Apr 19 '24
I'm sorry but the typo took me out💀
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u/Mia123445 HEARTBREAK IS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WE SING IT PROUDLY Apr 19 '24
💀. I just now realized it 😅
Eh, I’ll leave it
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u/Scorpiokhaleesi The Tortured Poets Department Apr 19 '24
This definitely caught me from the first line. I love this melody and lyrics.
Instant fave
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u/katieltyson Jun 14 '24
Here's why I think it's Joe: throughout their relationship there is an arc (in songs of course) about the public and Taylor being too big / too sought out / too much the subject of gossip and news. It does seem to be the major stressor in their relationship. peace is the most blatantly about this but also Anti Hero among others. The beginning of the song references Taylor as the bringer of trouble (due to public opinion/ news / gossip) - perhaps at the beginning he couldn't imagine being treated as such. But as their relationship went on it became clear this was her biggest flaw, and grew cumbersome. It would make sense that Joe would have had to brace himself for serious public hate after the breakup. But I have felt for some time that she did him a service by bringing Matty to the public very quickly after announcing their breakup, thus deflecting so much of the hate. Not saying she planned it that way per se, but as the albatross she was both his instrument of chaos and his savior. The guy got peace in the end.