The Truth? Or just... Folklore?

Um. Its been a while. Sorry

Well, I have nothing to be sorry about because none of you read this but I shouldn't have neglected the blog for three (!!!) whole months. A lot has happened. I moved back to Sheffield (yay) I got a job (big yay) and I'm still broke (boo)

What's probably taken up most of my time is listening to a little album called Folklore every. Single. Day. I can't get enough of it. I have never in my life had a relationship with an album like my relationship with Folklore and that includes Lorde's Melodrama.

So I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and write about Folklore whilst I listen to it.

FYI: There are three songs (maybe four) that are three different perspectives of a lesbian love triangle (James, Betty and an unnamed woman) and are played in reverse order with Cardigan taking place in the future looking back

DISCLAIMER: I will have to be really vague when I am talking about certain subjects so if you are mentioned in this blog, sorry! You know who you are. And if you are a new reader... ummm welcome I guess. Get ready for me to talk about friendship and relationships and a whole lot of trauma.

TRACK 1: the 1

When I listened for the first time, my jaw dropped. This was an instant favourite for me. I think that the theme of the song is gorgeous and carries a lot of meaning for me particularly as I slowly watched for months as my relationship broke down this year.

The idea that you can be in love with someone and also know that they aren't "The One" is great and something we don't hear enough about. Not every love has to be perfect, and that's the tea!

Editors Note: I like to change a line from the second verse to "You meet a stranger on the internet and take him home" because... Grindr.

TRACK 2: cardigan

Into the lesbian love triangle we go!!

There's almost a slow urgency about this song that I love, Taylor is talking about such an intense and emotional situation and there are all of these things she needs to say to James but ultimately the situation has passed, the past can't be changed and she doesn't want him anymore - see "tried to change the ending".

I do love the concept of putting on someone like a cardigan and using them to comfort you when you need them, again, something that hits close to home. Other than that, this song doesn't do much for me apart from the line "playing hide and seek and giving me your weekends", now more than ever I think we can all appreciate the value of time and how little of it we have to give to the people we love.

TRACK 3: the last great american dynasty

I was almost two months into my folklore phase before I paid this song the attention it deserves, it's incredible! If you're like I was and you don't know what it's about: it tells the story of a rich woman who lived in a house who threw lavish parties, was hated by everyone in town and the press referred to her and her friends as the "bitch pack". Sound familiar? In the bridge (?) Taylor reveals that she actually bought that house before learning about the history; I can only imagine how it must have felt to learn that the woman who lived in your house before you was basically you from the 50's.

TRACK 4: exile (feat. Bon Iver)

Chills. Literally chills.

What an incredible song. And the line "I can see you staring honey, like he's just your understudy" WOW! Her ex is doubting her new relationship with whoever, effectively wanting him to just be an understudy, wanting him to be a temporary replacement before they get back together. And she of course doesn't want this to be the case, but the fact she is even singing this song shows her heart isn't in it. She's only seeing him to try and get over her ex. ANYWAY LETS GO TO TRACK 5

Editor's Note: Tearing up at "There is no amount of crying I can do for you."

TRACK 5: my tears ricochet

This song is so boring

I guess I like the lines "I didn't have it in myself to go with grace" because... wow. I look back on my life and think there were so many times I could have gone with grace but where's the fun in that!?

Other than that I tend to skip it :/

TRACK 6: mirrorball

Brilliant concept, terrible execution. This is another really boring song, I usually listen to it because I also feel very much like I am a mirrorball, TMI but I have always been terrified that people only like me because I show them what they want to see and that my actual personality is nothing without me reflecting the people around me, especially when all my close friends are such big characters. See: "I've never been a natural all I do is try, try, try."

TRACK 7: seven

YAY we are back on the good songs! This stretch of songs is honestly incredible, she doesn't miss for a good six tracks.

I can't get enough of this one lately, it might be my favourite this week. I don't even know what to say because it's pretty self-explanatory that Taylor is talking about a childhood friend who lived in a potentially abusive household. The "I think your house is haunted" line is brilliant.

Now let's get into the conspiracy: my friend Apurva (hi) had a theory that the song is actually the fourth part of the lesbian love triangle trilogy and that unnamed childhood friend is the SAME unnamed woman from August/Betty. This would add a whole new layer to the album and would follow with the way that she says "hid in the closet" BUT I would say it doesn't fit because it wouldn't stick with the reverse order thing. Maybe it's just a depressing Easter Egg.

TRACK 8: august

BACK TO THE LESBIAN LOVE TRIANGLE

God, this song. Written from the perspective of someone who knows the person she loves doesn't love her the same way. A banger about trauma.

"Wanting was enough" "I cancelled plans just in case you called" "Living for the hope of it all"

Taylor Swift needs to go to jail.

TRACK 9: this is me trying

"My words shoot to kill when I'm mad, I have a lot of regrets about that." :(

It sounds like she's the one who ruined the relationship and she's making more effort to be better now but she knows it still isn't enough. I...

Anyway, a banger. I listen every time and it makes me sad.

TRACK 10: Illicit Affairs

LETS GO LESBIANS

This isn't an official entry in the Lesbian Love Triangle tm because she uses a male pronoun (ew) but it has gay written all over it, everyone say thank you Taylor!!!

"Leave the perfume on the shelf that you picked out just for him"

I love the idea stolen time with someone you care about too (lol) like someone you know you need to cut out but you spend one last weekend with them anyway. MOVING ON

"You know damn well, for you I would ruin myself" - me talking to folklore when I'm in a good mood and I want to have a cry

TRACK 11: invisible strings

PROOOOOBABLY my favourite off the album. That's what you were all waiting for. I adore this song.

1) beautiful concept, I have always believed that people are in your life on purpose because I feel insane leaving that to coincidence.

2) love the way she prolongs every sentence for no reason - did she have a word count to reach on this album?

3) "bold was the waitress on our 3 year trip getting lunch down by the lakes, she said I looked like an American Singer" and she's talking about the lake district! That's near me!

TRACK 12: mad woman

Skip. Sorry.

TRACK 13: epiphany

I hate this song. So. Much.

TRACK 14: betty

YAYYY WE ARE CLOSING THE LESBIAN LOVE TRIANGLE

IDK what to say about this song other than it being a BANGER

This is actually the song where it's revealed they are all female so that's good, and it ties into cardigan

"The worst thing that I ever did was what I did to you"

"Right now is the last time I can dream about what happens when you see my face again"

YEAH I SHOWED UP AT YOUR PARTYYYYYY

TRACK 15: peace

As someone who often feels like they are way too much for the people around them (Liability says hi) and as though I am such a headstrong person that I will always be too stubborn and too demanding to make anyone happy, I relate to this song a lot. Maybe being with me will never be peaceful, maybe it will always be an uphill battle, and maybe I'm worth it.

TRACK 16: hoax

I can't lie, I still don't fully understand this song and the meaning no matter how many times Joe (hi) explains it I still don't get it fully but it's a good song.

"Don't want no other shade of blue but you, no other sadness in the world will do" is.... triggering. Life advice, being in an unhappy relationship is not worth it just to be in a relationship.

What a depressing way to end the blog!

Honestly though, this album has made me learn a lot about myself and I think it's such an age-defining album. It came out on my birthday so it will always be 21 for me.