E86: Under the Big Top — Taylor Swift and the Circus Metaphor

2025-04-23

“I was tame, I was gentle til the circus life made me mean.” This week on AP Taylor Swift, we delve into the recurring motif of the circus in Taylor Swift’s discography. From the tightropes of emotional vulnerability to the grand illusions of public persona, we analyze how Taylor employs circus imagery to convey themes of performance, control, and otherness. This episode includes discussions on the historical exploitation within circus culture, including forced labor, racism, and animal cruelty. For more information, we recommend the article from the National Museum of African American Histo...

This episode includes discussions on the historical exploitation within circus culture, including forced labor, racism, and animal cruelty. For more information, we recommend the article from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the podcast Circus Stories for firsthand accounts.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Circus Stories Podcast

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Night Circus

The Phantom of the Opera
The Prestige (2006 film)
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Disney’s Dumbo and Bambi

60 - Witches

61- Deep Dive “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me”

The Second Sex

Great Expectations

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Introduction to the circus metaphor in literature and music
[10:50] “Say Don’t Go” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)
[24:53] “…So It Goes” reputation
[33:26] “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” The Tortured Poets Department

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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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