E96: Cruel Summer, August, hits different: Taylor Swift Summer Songs Breakdown

2025-08-06

"Freedom felt like summer then on the coast." What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's music through the lens of summer? In this episode, we explore how summer functions both as a setting and a symbol in Taylor's songwriting. From the cruel intensity of forbidden love to nostalgic August romances and the catastrophic blues of heartbreak, we explore how Taylor uses summer to capture everything from youthful freedom to emotional devastation. Join us as we discuss "Cruel Summer," "august," and "Hits Different" to uncover why summer hits different in Taylor's discography. Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe Stay up to date at...

"Freedom felt like summer then on the coast." What happens when we explore Taylor Swift's music through the lens of summer? In this episode, we explore how summer functions both as a setting and a symbol in Taylor's songwriting. From the cruel intensity of forbidden love to nostalgic August romances and the catastrophic blues of heartbreak, we explore how Taylor uses summer to capture everything from youthful freedom to emotional devastation. Join us as we discuss "Cruel Summer," "august," and "Hits Different" to uncover why summer hits different in Taylor's discography.

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Mentioned in this episode:

- The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
- A Room with a View, E.M. Forster
- Harry Potter
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare
- My Antonia, Willa Cather

EXX: Fall Songs

E31: Shakespeare

Grease
The Summer I Turned Pretty
White Houses, Vanessa Carlton
What Happened to Goodbye, Sarah Dessen
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle

Episode Highlights:

[01:12] Introduction to Summer in Literature
[08:11] "Cruel Summer" Lover
[17:03] "august" folklore
[30:11] "Hits Different" Midnights

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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

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