Oh heck no 😂 Marc Hoppus didn't run down that street buttnaked for the clusterfk of a melodic chorus that blights So High School 😂😂😂 I am an '86 baby, so full on millennial. So High School is my ONLY permanent skip of the entire 31 songs 😂 The vibe and the lyrics and the bridge are on point. I get and I love the metaphor. And I love Taylor and Travis' love... That back and forth 1-6 interval note jump on the chorus actually sets my teeth on edge and makes my teeth feel like I'm chewing wool. I have like a primal body reaction against that chorus 😂 If I want pop punk, this is not a track I'd revisit 🙈🤷
I see everyone just says Robin is about Aaron's son just because his son is named Robin. My interpretation for this song is that the song name is inspired by Aaron's son and used as a metaphor for innocence. I feel like the song talks about how precious your youth and innocence is and to treasure it all you can before the big world paints your sky black. I love the song because it captures that innocence and simplicity through the production very well, while having some bittersweet lyrics like "all this showmanship to keep it for you in sweetness" and "you have no idea" that reflects how cutthroat the real world actually is.
It’s just a little wrap up diddy. Sounds like it is written for a play. Doesn’t stand alone well. I feel like both albums have tracks that behave like interludes: I Can Fix Him, I Look in People’s Windows, The Manuscript. They’re not fully constructed fleshed out songs but they serve a purpose.
Cassandra is an Ancient Greek Trojan priestess. Usually she would have very accurate prophecies, but they would be so devastating people would not believe her. Again, once you know that the song is so clear and so good. Also to me, Taylor portraits herself as a second Cassandra, another priest that could make prophecies but people wouldn't hear until in was to late and people would never apologized for not believing her in the first place. I also love the fact that Cassandra is the next song to the prophecy
"I hate it here" isn’t about just escaping your hometown, for example. It’s more about escaping reality, going to a different place in your mind only, like an intentional dissociation. "I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind / People need a key to get to, the only one is mine." And in the following chorus she sings about going to someplace in her fantasies where there are only good people. On the bridge she says "I'll save all my romanticism for my inner life and I'll get lost on purpose".
@@sarahelizavoldy i've seen an interpretation on twitter of someone saying that it's about stalking people's insta stories. pretty interesting though that there are soo many interpretations
Oh i have a totally different interpretation of it. It is wedged between 2 Kim related stories on purpose in my opinion. I think it is about the what if, yes she is where she is now because of Aimee... but if she could go back in time would she take someone with her on the podium to make sure that someone else did not come on the podium? Would she then be on the other side of one of those windows and happier? I think song 7-11 on this side belong together and form different angles around the same topic. I hate it here talks about the dark part that came as a result where she did not dare to go outside, thank you about the fighting back and coming out ahead, people's windows i just said, the prophecy about how hard the fight was/is and if it is worth it, and Cassandra about not being heard, not being believed and how betrayed she felt.
@@mikedebruyn I actually feel that cassandra is about scooter rather than kim, especially considering her first draft voice memo that she released. The entire first verse has to be about her masters getting stolen
@@r1tw1k I just listened to that again and did not pick up anything about that. To me there are only 3 things happening in the first verse 1 She got a call 2 First shots it was kill the witch 3 When the truth came out it was quiet Am i missing something? Because i did not see a big backlash that she got going against her over the masters. Most people sympathized with her over them as far as I remember.
The black dog *0:57* Imgonagetyouback *7:42* The albatross *14:09* Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus *18:37* How did it end ? *23:45* So high school *29:53* I hate it here *39:50* ThanK you aIMee *45:41* I look in people’s windows *52:01* The prophecy *56:27* Cassandra *1:02:51* Peter *1:08:51* The bolter *1:14:57* Robin *1:20:07* The manuscript *1:24:28*
If it wasn’t for knowing she looks super happy with Travis Kelsey, I feel like the Prophecy would be the saddest song on the album. I think most people have gone through something similar and it just hits hard.
Out of the whole album, none of the songs cut me to the core like Peter does. I have a hard time listening to it without crying. The waltz, the theme, the poetry of her words, being obsessed with Peter Pan growing up.... "But the woman who sits by the window has turned out the light." 😭
taylor actually has a song called Untouchable that is a cover! she changed it up so much that the original band gave her writing credits for her version
she made the anthology specifically for evermore stans🥰 this whole album is just a masterpiece i can't get enough of it. it somehow gets better with every listen how does she do this 😭 cant wait to see your reaction !!!!
@@stuffedpotato9826 mayhe because you can't really understand the depth in one listen. And people judge really quickly. This album just gets better with each listen while so many people have attention span for tiktok songs only....
I believe "How did it end?" is about people's fascination with other’s life, with gossip. When something happens with Taylor, specially break ups, people are always so eager to know what happened, ~how it ended~ and all the details they can gather. So your second train of thought would be more accurate. She even starts the song mentioning conducting a post mortem (an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death) - which would be her past relationship's analysis.
Agree! I hear her saying “yes yes yes, look everyone! It’s happened again. Another relationship over, another heartbreak for you to speculate and theorize about. Step right up and see how it happened! How I was devastated. Isn’t it great fodder?”
and it really fits so well on this album because so many people were like oh so long london is track 5 but it doesn't really go that deep into her and Joe breaking up and she doesnt share enough about it and he really isnt that big of a character on the album and then you get to how did it end which is the 5th track on the anthology and its her being like everyone is asking me all these F-ing questions and really I'm not really sure how to answer because I dont really have a clear reason as to why it ended. To me it is such a good full circle moment.
I think it’s also her trying to figure out how it ended, because she can’t pinpoint a specific reason, or even see the clear cut moment when it ended, it just did.
But she always writes songs about her (romantic) life, so she takes half the blame for that. She wouldn't be where she is if her music wasn't so personal.
@@fosminclorin she writes songs about parts of her life outside of her romantic life. She writes about friends, family, childhood, coming of age, death, history and theology. She also writes songs inspired by other art which moves her. If you think she only writes about finding and losing love, then you’ve not listened to a full representation of her discography.
peter is inspired by the story of peter pan:) “you said you were gonna grow up and then you were gonna come find me” is a play on words because peter pan never grows up physically but taylor means it in a way that her partner was never mature enough to “grow up” and solve the issues between them
7:34 “That’s just a song of entirely mixed emotions” is a great way to describe The Black Dog. Because you were right that in the beginning (5:38), the song wasn’t sounding angry or like an attack against anyone but the bridge changes that and the anger takes over.
It really does embody that feeling of grief that turns into rage. The sadness of seeing him out and having fun, turning into the pain and anger, wondering how he could have moved on so fast while she is still seeing him in everything.
"peter" Is actually a song about Peter Pan, once you know that it all make so much sense, the feet on the ground, the women on the window, the never grow up kid etc
Finally some appreciation for Robin, such a gorgeous song and a lot of other people dont understand it and just move past it. Im sure a couple other people already commented here that Aaron Dessner has a son named Robin so it's theorized to be about him. Regardless it's such a beautifully written song about protecting a child's innoncence and how parents want to 'keep them in sweetness' for as long as possible. Also i love the line 'way to go, tiger', something you might say to kid with a high five, like good job or way to go. It reminds me of the same sentiments of Never Grow Up and The Best Day.
I think the "keep them in sweetness" part refers to the fact that Taylor and Aaron kept their friendship hidden from Robin on purpose to keep him out of any limelight.
As someone with a little sibling, that song has me in tears every time. I cannot listen to it. It just reminds me of how precious childhood innocence is, and how quickly and easily kids lose it today. Not to mention how much I miss it loll. It just intensifies that “YOU’RE SO PRECIOUS. STAY THIS WAY FOREVER. LET ME PROTECT YOU PLEASE.” feeling so much 😅
There isn’t a better “comments section” on UA-cam to read through than anything related to Taylor Swift (of course i’m biased), but i swear i can’t stop reading!! almost every comment is either educational about life or makes me learn more about my favorite artist for the past 18 years, or expands my “emotional intelligence” just a little bit more and more and more… Thank you Swifties! Thank you comments section! GREAT reaction, Blake, on both parts 1 and 2. So sorry part 1 got taken down but glad i got to watch it the day it went live.
I'm so glad you have your usual energy while listening and discussing these songs - I'm honestly floored that so many people were so negative about this project, I thought the vibe was perfect for the stories she's telling. It's so full of complex emotions and blurry timelines but still primarily melancholy and focuses mostly on her gorgeous, poetic lyrics as the album title indicates. ❤
It´s surprising to me how few understand what "How did it end"" is about... It´s about other peoples need to know every detail about how her relationships end the second they hear the news of a break up and not caring about how she feels. Then they go and tell everyone they know because people love to gossip and don´t see the human. The song sends a clear message: No one cares about you in the breakup, only about the breakup. Taylor lyrics tell us all we need to know in this song about this breakup, singing “[Their] maladies are such, [they] could not cure them,” but people press on for how it all happened. With such fame and notoriety that she has, it’s no surprise that it’s “come one, come all” to this introspective on how it feels to go through heartbreak, only for people to brush aside those feelings in the pursuit of details. It’s a heart-wrenching warning that even at your worst moments, you can still be used for clicks.
Blake, "Peter" is a Peter Pan reference, and my fav in the whole 31 😢 Calls out to Cardigan and the "Peter losing Wendy" line, the woman is a mastermind 🙃🙃 love your input btw ❤❤
You interpreted The Manuscript correctly. It is one of my favourites on the album but it’s so underrated. It is a summary of her whole career/life and she realised while re-recording her music (the atw 10 music video) that the agony she went through let her turn them into music and stories, and then she passes the music to us so we can make them our own and interpret them with our own stories. Still get chills and tear up every time I hear that song. ❤
The Manuscript can also be interpreted as her All Too Well story. The "actors were hitting their marks..... tears fell in synchronicity with the score" and the age difference highlighted etc is like the atw short film she made, this song being her perspective of what she did with that experience - making all too well, years passing and looking back at it to move forward (rerecordings + 10 minutes version) and creating the atw short film
I agree. I think it’s looking back in all too well from an adult perspective and the short film/story she wrote for it. Also,The “she wasn’t sure” lyric gets me every single time. Any woman that dated someone far too old for her when she was young.. phew. Bc you just don’t see it then but when you get older you realize how much they preyed on you.
I’ve watched you for 4 years now and so I have to say that your videos ARE educational and it’s so sad pt 1 was blocked. You are the only UA-camr I watch that breaks down the production of songs in detail and in an entertaining way. I’ve learnt so much about music from you!!! Thanks for still uploading pt 2 bc I adored your reaction to the first half of the album!
Huge Easter egg for Peter is how loml starts with the lyric “waltzing back into rekindled flames” and Peter is in 3/4. Amazing way to connect the two songs and continue the story. The progression from Tolerate It - Youre Losing Me - Peter - loml is just INCREDIBLE storytelling.
THIS is why i can’t stop reading the comments section regarding anything Taylor Swift-related on UA-cam!!! Great catch with the “waltzing” and then Peter being in 3/4. I’m CRYING!!! Also the 4 songs you listed and how they progress are killing me! You’re brilliant!
not gonna lie i only noticed there was a connection lyrically just now while watching Blake, and then i read your comment I'm glad I'm not the only one ✌🏻
peter is too fast to be a waltz though - i think it's actually a moderate tempo 6/8 piece. if it's not 6/8 then it's a very fast 3/4. definitely too fast to waltz to.
@@j_0anna “waltz time” just means 3/4 regardless of tempo. In Peter the beat definitely falls on 3 instead of something similar like Lover where it falls on 6. Lover may be easier to dance to, but Peter sounds more in line with true 3/4 time.
I’m so sad your part 1 video got blocked - it was certainly educational for me and I’m sure so many others! I loved the way you talked about the music production; I learned so much and got a ton of insight. Just starting this one now and looking forward to it 😊
Your reaction of the manuscript hit me because I feel this song in my core. And you’re absokutely right about your interpretation of it, it feels like a summary of her life/albums, she has always said that when putting out music qhe wants people to relate to it in their own way not necessarily trying to know what it means specifically for her so her saying that I’ve wrote these 31 songs and gave it to you but « the strory isn’t mine anymore » it’s for you to deal with whatever you’re going through in your different lives is just too much and it just portrays the purpose of music in general
I so agree with you on this being a synopsis of her whole life & now it's time to let it go. Especially with her Eras tour, the visuals of her burning down the Lover house with all her albums & now the whole facade of that house falls over at the end of the concert. It feels like she's putting a bow on the past & is going to either reinvent herself again or take an extended leave from music. I don't know, it just feels almost like an ending of some sort.
How Did It End? Is my favourite. Taylor put Easter eggs out for it by capitalising letters in other song lyrics. It’s so meta. The hungry scavengers looking through her art to find information about a song that illustrates the same. It’s also so universal that you don’t want to tell anyone after a long relationship because you just want to be okay first before you tell your people. You worry that the people close to you may discuss it with those you don’t really want knowing. The first playground relationship/gossip taunts you learn are sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. To turn that into d-y-i-n-g is so genius and heart wrenching.
Robin is in my opinion Taylor speaking to her inner child. Once I looked at it that way, instant chills. Ditto on The Manuscript reaction. It’s my favorite variant and the perfect end to the album. It’s Taylor closing the book on all her previous chapters so she can write a new one (making new music, starting a new relationship with Travis, and just being happier overall)
It can be both. Taylor is great at writing mutliple stories into a single song. Especially if Aaron suggested the concept, then she couldn't necessarily relate as a parent, but can to a generalized loss of innocence
This second part to the album is so much amazing storytelling and had so much deep emotion that I love from her. Definitely one of the best writers Ive heard.
I had the same reaction to Robin on my first listen. I was crying without even realizing it. I wish more people "got" this song because it's so sweet and beautiful. Same with The Manuscript - I feel like it's the perfect ending to The Anthology. I just sat there bawling my eyes out for a few minutes... absolutely destroyed me. It feels like closure.
I’ve been dying to see part 2. Been checking every day. Sooooo excited to see this. I love how much I learn from you, about notes, instrument choices and the 60 hertz
It's been theorized that The manuscript talks about the journey she took with the song All Too Well from how much it hurt her, to how the fans changed the meaning of it for her as she has said in interviews and during shows, all by relating it to their lives and making it their own, so now the story belonged to us. It made her fall back in love with it, and that specific theme applies so much to the album (including the text she wrote on her IG when she released it). A lot of her painful experiences hit her hard, but writing these is cathartic to her, and our love for her art makes her feel like the output from bitter moments can be sweet too, and those memories are worth it to keep for her now as well.
Glad I got this notif before it could get taken down!! I’m so excited for this reaction video!! Thank you sooo much for sharing with us! My top 3 tracks from The Anthology specifically, so the last 15 tracks, are The Prophecy, Cassandra, and The Bolter. Peter gets an honorable mention for its folklore and Cardigan references LOL. I really hope you enjoyed the 2nd half!
the way i bawled when that last line of the last song of the album hit... like it really, REALLY got to me. i still tear up every time i listen to the manuscript.
Totally agree about your rant! I, too, could talk about musical influence vs stealing forever. Also agree about the manuscript--it feels like a gift to the fans. I think it's absolutely gorgeous!
Going through the last songs on this half of the album it really feels like her going way back to her childhood and traumatic experiences when she was younger to work through them. Talking to her inner child in Robin, she evaluating her relationship patterns and the roots of feelings she seems to be carrying around for decades by now. It’s so touching to see how she is willing to share that therapeutic experiences with the world to share not only the pain but also part of the resolution.
I agree with you that this whole album was a final goodbye to all these experiences as she starts fresh. The Manuscript is a perfect final song. As others said it has clear parallels to All To Well, which makes sense since it’s the song that became the fans version and “ it hers anymore” as it took on another meaning to all the Swifties. I saw a musician demonstrate that the piano was the same as All Too Well but just moved half an octave or something. You might be able to figure out better if that’s true!
I always love and appreciate your educated insights into these songs, and what you can teach us! I must say also though, your cat/s guest staring by being totally cats was my favorite part of this video! So relatable and it made me laugh.
So happy to be able to watch this while it's up ! Always interested to hear what you think about music and this did not disappoint ! And yeah ending this whole album with "but the story isn't mine anymore" is just really fitting !
54:00 i mean she herself has a song called "The Outside" where she literally says "im on the outside looking in" 😭 and it's on her DEBUT album. So i kinda giggled hearing him say it. Can't wait for the Debut / Self-Titled Taylor's Version reaction when it drops 😁💚
I love watching people react to Robin - only a few people get the song the first time and the the people who truly get the song, get hit with the emotion of it before they realise what its even about
I have a musical background but know nothing about the magic of producing. I have gained so many insights from watching you! I have been listening carefully with headphones on and *hearing* so much more. Thank you so much ❤
i think cassandra is specifically about scooter braun and how she called him out years and years ago but very few artists took her side, many artists who have since left him due to his sketchy behavior
I clicked as fast as I could. It makes me sad that part I is taken down. I really enjoyed it. And I love the anthology so I was waiting for your reaction and I'm not disappointed. It's always so interesting what you think about the production. I'm glad you liked Peter and the manuscript so much. I think the manuscript is the perfect closer for the album. Sums it up perfectly. :) Thank You for putting these videos on UA-cam. It's nice to see a reaction with barely cuts. I really hope it can stay longer on here than part I. :/
what i love about peter is that it reminds me of river by joni mitchell musically, that christmas like piano in the beginning is so reminiscent of river and taylor has often referenced and been compared to joni
I been looking for this channel for 2 days and I finally fount it. Sitting down and patiently waiting for the “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” album reaction your the best at braking things down
You know I look in people’s windows is death by a thousand cuts cousin, right? They are in adjacent keys and you can basically sing both songs over the others production and it makes sense. There is another UA-camr who did a whole breakdown as to how those two songs are connected. I would def look into it and I’m sure with your knowledge you’ll see it too :)
@@blakemclainreacts why?! Well it’s funny cause if you know the lore of DBATC which was supposed to be a fictional song based on a Netflix movie Taylor had watched- but she used that song know to directly relate to her own experience and kinda create a continuation of that song and where it has led her- if that makes any sense lol
I love your appreciation for the music and how you interpret songs even when you might not always know the who and what but you still find meanings or can relate. Also… being a hopeless romantic is not cheesy.
The way every millennial loves so high school instantly is my favorite thing!! Taylor knew what she was doing ❤️
Such a Beautiful song , reminds me of the 2000's happy Colorfully Vibe ❤️
I could sense 2001 in the intro right away!
Ma'am. As soon as it came on for the first time, I was in junior year again. The millennial queen.
Oh heck no 😂 Marc Hoppus didn't run down that street buttnaked for the clusterfk of a melodic chorus that blights So High School 😂😂😂
I am an '86 baby, so full on millennial. So High School is my ONLY permanent skip of the entire 31 songs 😂
The vibe and the lyrics and the bridge are on point. I get and I love the metaphor. And I love Taylor and Travis' love...
That back and forth 1-6 interval note jump on the chorus actually sets my teeth on edge and makes my teeth feel like I'm chewing wool. I have like a primal body reaction against that chorus 😂
If I want pop punk, this is not a track I'd revisit 🙈🤷
It really makes us remember the good old mid 2000s
the aaron tribute i’m crying it’s so deserved
Immediately burst into tears at the trampoline line
Aaron Desner’s baby is named Robin. Apparently they wanted to write a song about protecting kids from the sadness of life for as long as possible.
It also has a ot of parallels with Robin Williams works
I think of Christopher Robin
I see everyone just says Robin is about Aaron's son just because his son is named Robin. My interpretation for this song is that the song name is inspired by Aaron's son and used as a metaphor for innocence. I feel like the song talks about how precious your youth and innocence is and to treasure it all you can before the big world paints your sky black. I love the song because it captures that innocence and simplicity through the production very well, while having some bittersweet lyrics like "all this showmanship to keep it for you in sweetness" and "you have no idea" that reflects how cutthroat the real world actually is.
the manuscript is so underrated 😭😭😭😭
his analysis and reaction is exactly the energy I needed 😭
its my instant favorite
It’s just a little wrap up diddy. Sounds like it is written for a play. Doesn’t stand alone well. I feel like both albums have tracks that behave like interludes: I Can Fix Him, I Look in People’s Windows, The Manuscript. They’re not fully constructed fleshed out songs but they serve a purpose.
his voice was trembling
The instant "Yep, I'm in" 2 bars into So Highschool. Careful Blake, your inner 2000's Emo/Pop Punk is showing 😂. But same, I freaking love it.
Cassandra is an Ancient Greek Trojan priestess. Usually she would have very accurate prophecies, but they would be so devastating people would not believe her. Again, once you know that the song is so clear and so good. Also to me, Taylor portraits herself as a second Cassandra, another priest that could make prophecies but people wouldn't hear until in was to late and people would never apologized for not believing her in the first place. I also love the fact that Cassandra is the next song to the prophecy
"I hate it here" isn’t about just escaping your hometown, for example. It’s more about escaping reality, going to a different place in your mind only, like an intentional dissociation.
"I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind / People need a key to get to, the only one is mine." And in the following chorus she sings about going to someplace in her fantasies where there are only good people. On the bridge she says "I'll save all my romanticism for my inner life and I'll get lost on purpose".
yep. its about escapism
i personally think i look in people's windows is a metaphor for social media stalking after a relationship has ended
This is also my interpretation and you're the first person I've seen echo that sentiment.
@@sarahelizavoldy i've seen an interpretation on twitter of someone saying that it's about stalking people's insta stories. pretty interesting though that there are soo many interpretations
Oh i have a totally different interpretation of it. It is wedged between 2 Kim related stories on purpose in my opinion. I think it is about the what if, yes she is where she is now because of Aimee... but if she could go back in time would she take someone with her on the podium to make sure that someone else did not come on the podium? Would she then be on the other side of one of those windows and happier?
I think song 7-11 on this side belong together and form different angles around the same topic. I hate it here talks about the dark part that came as a result where she did not dare to go outside, thank you about the fighting back and coming out ahead, people's windows i just said, the prophecy about how hard the fight was/is and if it is worth it, and Cassandra about not being heard, not being believed and how betrayed she felt.
@@mikedebruyn I actually feel that cassandra is about scooter rather than kim, especially considering her first draft voice memo that she released. The entire first verse has to be about her masters getting stolen
@@r1tw1k I just listened to that again and did not pick up anything about that. To me there are only 3 things happening in the first verse
1 She got a call
2 First shots it was kill the witch
3 When the truth came out it was quiet
Am i missing something? Because i did not see a big backlash that she got going against her over the masters. Most people sympathized with her over them as far as I remember.
The black dog *0:57*
Imgonagetyouback *7:42*
The albatross *14:09*
Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus *18:37*
How did it end ? *23:45*
So high school *29:53*
I hate it here *39:50*
ThanK you aIMee *45:41*
I look in people’s windows *52:01*
The prophecy *56:27*
Cassandra *1:02:51*
Peter *1:08:51*
The bolter *1:14:57*
Robin *1:20:07*
The manuscript *1:24:28*
thank you
If it wasn’t for knowing she looks super happy with Travis Kelsey, I feel like the Prophecy would be the saddest song on the album. I think most people have gone through something similar and it just hits hard.
Out of the whole album, none of the songs cut me to the core like Peter does. I have a hard time listening to it without crying. The waltz, the theme, the poetry of her words, being obsessed with Peter Pan growing up.... "But the woman who sits by the window has turned out the light." 😭
honestly the whole Anthology is underrated
yesss it’s the best on the album and i’m honestly fine with gatekeeping 😭
THE ANTHOLOGY IS A MASTERPIECE 🤍
Agreed. It feels more like another FolkMore chapter than the second part of TTPD.
taylor actually has a song called Untouchable that is a cover! she changed it up so much that the original band gave her writing credits for her version
Yes true they gave her the song so it’s legit and legal
Plz the cat passing by every now and then cracked me up😭 also: how did it end the piano is sampled from the nationals song runaway!!!
Oh wow 😭
The Manuscript feels like the perfect "last souvenir"
she made the anthology specifically for evermore stans🥰 this whole album is just a masterpiece i can't get enough of it. it somehow gets better with every listen how does she do this 😭 cant wait to see your reaction !!!!
Omg true I was wondering why ppl don't love the anthology as much as I do then realized It's cz it's got an evermore vibe, it's for the real fans 😭
@@stuffedpotato9826 mayhe because you can't really understand the depth in one listen. And people judge really quickly. This album just gets better with each listen while so many people have attention span for tiktok songs only....
someone said that The Anthology is the long lost sister of folklore and evermore: woodvale.
FR coz i love the anthology way more than the standard version + i love almost all of the songs on my first listen!!
@@wildersea3047same. The first side of the album has grown a lot on me, but the anthology is just 👩🍳💋
I believe "How did it end?" is about people's fascination with other’s life, with gossip. When something happens with Taylor, specially break ups, people are always so eager to know what happened, ~how it ended~ and all the details they can gather. So your second train of thought would be more accurate. She even starts the song mentioning conducting a post mortem (an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death) - which would be her past relationship's analysis.
Agree! I hear her saying “yes yes yes, look everyone! It’s happened again. Another relationship over, another heartbreak for you to speculate and theorize about. Step right up and see how it happened! How I was devastated. Isn’t it great fodder?”
and it really fits so well on this album because so many people were like oh so long london is track 5 but it doesn't really go that deep into her and Joe breaking up and she doesnt share enough about it and he really isnt that big of a character on the album and then you get to how did it end which is the 5th track on the anthology and its her being like everyone is asking me all these F-ing questions and really I'm not really sure how to answer because I dont really have a clear reason as to why it ended. To me it is such a good full circle moment.
I think it’s also her trying to figure out how it ended, because she can’t pinpoint a specific reason, or even see the clear cut moment when it ended, it just did.
But she always writes songs about her (romantic) life, so she takes half the blame for that. She wouldn't be where she is if her music wasn't so personal.
@@fosminclorin she writes songs about parts of her life outside of her romantic life. She writes about friends, family, childhood, coming of age, death, history and theology.
She also writes songs inspired by other art which moves her. If you think she only writes about finding and losing love, then you’ve not listened to a full representation of her discography.
peter is inspired by the story of peter pan:) “you said you were gonna grow up and then you were gonna come find me” is a play on words because peter pan never grows up physically but taylor means it in a way that her partner was never mature enough to “grow up” and solve the issues between them
As far as I know Aaron Desner has a son named Robin and that song is about protecting his innocence from a harsh world for as long as possible
so many people hate Robin
I don't get it, it's such a relaxingly sweet song
UA-cam best stop coming for Blake. We need to be taken to school.
7:34 “That’s just a song of entirely mixed emotions” is a great way to describe The Black Dog. Because you were right that in the beginning (5:38), the song wasn’t sounding angry or like an attack against anyone but the bridge changes that and the anger takes over.
It really does embody that feeling of grief that turns into rage. The sadness of seeing him out and having fun, turning into the pain and anger, wondering how he could have moved on so fast while she is still seeing him in everything.
"peter" Is actually a song about Peter Pan, once you know that it all make so much sense, the feet on the ground, the women on the window, the never grow up kid etc
Yes and she grew up but he didnt and she cant wait anymore. which is why "the woman in the window turned out the light" hits so hard
Your reaction to the manuscript was marvelous. The silence was so loud. Reminded me of how amazing that song is lyrically.
Robin and The Manuscript reaction is on point
Felt that
The "oh wait no"
Finally some appreciation for Robin, such a gorgeous song and a lot of other people dont understand it and just move past it. Im sure a couple other people already commented here that Aaron Dessner has a son named Robin so it's theorized to be about him. Regardless it's such a beautifully written song about protecting a child's innoncence and how parents want to 'keep them in sweetness' for as long as possible. Also i love the line 'way to go, tiger', something you might say to kid with a high five, like good job or way to go. It reminds me of the same sentiments of Never Grow Up and The Best Day.
I think the "keep them in sweetness" part refers to the fact that Taylor and Aaron kept their friendship hidden from Robin on purpose to keep him out of any limelight.
As someone with a little sibling, that song has me in tears every time. I cannot listen to it. It just reminds me of how precious childhood innocence is, and how quickly and easily kids lose it today. Not to mention how much I miss it loll. It just intensifies that “YOU’RE SO PRECIOUS. STAY THIS WAY FOREVER. LET ME PROTECT YOU PLEASE.” feeling so much 😅
@@somethingseriouslyserious420just like Never Grow Up 🥺
PS this song reminds me a lot of Cherry Blossom by Lana Del Rey
There isn’t a better “comments section” on UA-cam to read through than anything related to Taylor Swift (of course i’m biased), but i swear i can’t stop reading!! almost every comment is either educational about life or makes me learn more about my favorite artist for the past 18 years, or expands my “emotional intelligence” just a little bit more and more and more…
Thank you Swifties! Thank you comments section! GREAT reaction, Blake, on both parts 1 and 2. So sorry part 1 got taken down but glad i got to watch it the day it went live.
I'm so glad you have your usual energy while listening and discussing these songs - I'm honestly floored that so many people were so negative about this project, I thought the vibe was perfect for the stories she's telling. It's so full of complex emotions and blurry timelines but still primarily melancholy and focuses mostly on her gorgeous, poetic lyrics as the album title indicates. ❤
❤❤
It´s surprising to me how few understand what "How did it end"" is about... It´s about other peoples need to know every detail about how her relationships end the second they hear the news of a break up and not caring about how she feels. Then they go and tell everyone they know because people love to gossip and don´t see the human. The song sends a clear message: No one cares about you in the breakup, only about the breakup. Taylor lyrics tell us all we need to know in this song about this breakup, singing “[Their] maladies are such, [they] could not cure them,” but people press on for how it all happened. With such fame and notoriety that she has, it’s no surprise that it’s “come one, come all” to this introspective on how it feels to go through heartbreak, only for people to brush aside those feelings in the pursuit of details. It’s a heart-wrenching warning that even at your worst moments, you can still be used for clicks.
Blake, "Peter" is a Peter Pan reference, and my fav in the whole 31 😢 Calls out to Cardigan and the "Peter losing Wendy" line, the woman is a mastermind 🙃🙃 love your input btw ❤❤
Cardigan : "you'd be standing in my front porch light"
COSOSOM : "the woman sitting by the window has turned out the light"
@LimeSlimeee omg yesss
She performed How Did It End in Sweden today and made everyone an emotional mess.
You interpreted The Manuscript correctly. It is one of my favourites on the album but it’s so underrated. It is a summary of her whole career/life and she realised while re-recording her music (the atw 10 music video) that the agony she went through let her turn them into music and stories, and then she passes the music to us so we can make them our own and interpret them with our own stories. Still get chills and tear up every time I hear that song. ❤
The Manuscript can also be interpreted as her All Too Well story. The "actors were hitting their marks..... tears fell in synchronicity with the score" and the age difference highlighted etc is like the atw short film she made, this song being her perspective of what she did with that experience - making all too well, years passing and looking back at it to move forward (rerecordings + 10 minutes version) and creating the atw short film
I agree. I think it’s looking back in all too well from an adult perspective and the short film/story she wrote for it. Also,The “she wasn’t sure” lyric gets me every single time. Any woman that dated someone far too old for her when she was young.. phew. Bc you just don’t see it then but when you get older you realize how much they preyed on you.
I’ve watched you for 4 years now and so I have to say that your videos ARE educational and it’s so sad pt 1 was blocked. You are the only UA-camr I watch that breaks down the production of songs in detail and in an entertaining way. I’ve learnt so much about music from you!!! Thanks for still uploading pt 2 bc I adored your reaction to the first half of the album!
Huge Easter egg for Peter is how loml starts with the lyric “waltzing back into rekindled flames” and Peter is in 3/4.
Amazing way to connect the two songs and continue the story. The progression from Tolerate It - Youre Losing Me - Peter - loml is just INCREDIBLE storytelling.
THIS is why i can’t stop reading the comments section regarding anything Taylor Swift-related on UA-cam!!! Great catch with the “waltzing” and then Peter being in 3/4. I’m CRYING!!! Also the 4 songs you listed and how they progress are killing me! You’re brilliant!
not gonna lie i only noticed there was a connection lyrically just now while watching Blake, and then i read your comment I'm glad I'm not the only one ✌🏻
peter is too fast to be a waltz though - i think it's actually a moderate tempo 6/8 piece. if it's not 6/8 then it's a very fast 3/4. definitely too fast to waltz to.
@@j_0anna “waltz time” just means 3/4 regardless of tempo. In Peter the beat definitely falls on 3 instead of something similar like Lover where it falls on 6. Lover may be easier to dance to, but Peter sounds more in line with true 3/4 time.
Except Peter and loml are clearly about Matty. She spells it out for us.
I’m so sad your part 1 video got blocked - it was certainly educational for me and I’m sure so many others! I loved the way you talked about the music production; I learned so much and got a ton of insight. Just starting this one now and looking forward to it 😊
Your reaction of the manuscript hit me because I feel this song in my core. And you’re absokutely right about your interpretation of it, it feels like a summary of her life/albums, she has always said that when putting out music qhe wants people to relate to it in their own way not necessarily trying to know what it means specifically for her so her saying that I’ve wrote these 31 songs and gave it to you but « the strory isn’t mine anymore » it’s for you to deal with whatever you’re going through in your different lives is just too much and it just portrays the purpose of music in general
I so agree with you on this being a synopsis of her whole life & now it's time to let it go. Especially with her Eras tour, the visuals of her burning down the Lover house with all her albums & now the whole facade of that house falls over at the end of the concert. It feels like she's putting a bow on the past & is going to either reinvent herself again or take an extended leave from music. I don't know, it just feels almost like an ending of some sort.
this was my first thought upon listening to Manuscript 🫂
Aaron Dessner supremacy 🙇♀️
The manuscript is just so beautiful
How Did It End? Is my favourite. Taylor put Easter eggs out for it by capitalising letters in other song lyrics. It’s so meta. The hungry scavengers looking through her art to find information about a song that illustrates the same. It’s also so universal that you don’t want to tell anyone after a long relationship because you just want to be okay first before you tell your people. You worry that the people close to you may discuss it with those you don’t really want knowing. The first playground relationship/gossip taunts you learn are sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. To turn that into d-y-i-n-g is so genius and heart wrenching.
Robin hits harder for people who are parents or older siblings or teachers and anyone who takes care of kids I find
Peter: my first Taylor Swift cry. Robin: my second. The Anthology tore me up!
I love The Prophecy. So deep.
THANK YOU!!! You're the first person I've seen to react to "only liquor annoits you"
The Prophecy is such a great twist on that Faustian bargain that is fame and fortune. Brilliant, brilliant work of art.
Every time I get to The Manuscript I have the same reaction even though I’ve heard it a bunch of times before.
Kitty wants your attention right meow!
Robin is in my opinion Taylor speaking to her inner child. Once I looked at it that way, instant chills. Ditto on The Manuscript reaction. It’s my favorite variant and the perfect end to the album. It’s Taylor closing the book on all her previous chapters so she can write a new one (making new music, starting a new relationship with Travis, and just being happier overall)
Aaron Desner’s baby is named Robin and he wanted to write a song about trying to protect kids from the world’s things for as long as possible.
@@MrTeethpeepsthat makes since too, but I don’t have kids so talking an inner child makes sense to me. Same lessons learned regardless.
It can be both. Taylor is great at writing mutliple stories into a single song. Especially if Aaron suggested the concept, then she couldn't necessarily relate as a parent, but can to a generalized loss of innocence
This second part to the album is so much amazing storytelling and had so much deep emotion that I love from her. Definitely one of the best writers Ive heard.
ThanK you aIMee..now put the capitals together in sequence.
Oh I know 😏
I had the same reaction to Robin on my first listen. I was crying without even realizing it. I wish more people "got" this song because it's so sweet and beautiful. Same with The Manuscript - I feel like it's the perfect ending to The Anthology. I just sat there bawling my eyes out for a few minutes... absolutely destroyed me. It feels like closure.
Thank you for uploading this despite knowing that it might be blocked, we appreciate it!!!
I can't believe they deleted the first part :(, luckily I was able to see it
I’ve been dying to see part 2. Been checking every day. Sooooo excited to see this. I love how much I learn from you, about notes, instrument choices and the 60 hertz
It's been theorized that The manuscript talks about the journey she took with the song All Too Well from how much it hurt her, to how the fans changed the meaning of it for her as she has said in interviews and during shows, all by relating it to their lives and making it their own, so now the story belonged to us. It made her fall back in love with it, and that specific theme applies so much to the album (including the text she wrote on her IG when she released it). A lot of her painful experiences hit her hard, but writing these is cathartic to her, and our love for her art makes her feel like the output from bitter moments can be sweet too, and those memories are worth it to keep for her now as well.
Glad I got this notif before it could get taken down!! I’m so excited for this reaction video!! Thank you sooo much for sharing with us! My top 3 tracks from The Anthology specifically, so the last 15 tracks, are The Prophecy, Cassandra, and The Bolter. Peter gets an honorable mention for its folklore and Cardigan references LOL. I really hope you enjoyed the 2nd half!
I’m commenting as I watch this. Thank you for teaching me and making me love her album even more.
I thought the unbuttoned shirt was on purpose and thought it was actually really cool 😅 Such a vibe
the way i bawled when that last line of the last song of the album hit... like it really, REALLY got to me. i still tear up every time i listen to the manuscript.
I’m so glad I got to hear both parts. Really hope this one doesn’t get taken down.
So glad i watched part 1 before it got blocked and sorry it did! Genuinely one of the best reactions i’d seen in a while.
I was feeling so sick and was so excited to be here 2 minutes after. I love the second half of the album so much. And want to hear your take so bad
Totally agree about your rant! I, too, could talk about musical influence vs stealing forever. Also agree about the manuscript--it feels like a gift to the fans. I think it's absolutely gorgeous!
No, thank you for the rant! I love seeing how excited you are for that arena to change! Seeing your passion for music is so inspiring 🥰💛
as an evermore fan im glad we got the anthology highlights for me are so highschool, the prophecy and the albotross
Thank you for this reaction video! I really hope they don’t take this or any other videos down!
I love your take on things. The little musical details you catch.
Going through the last songs on this half of the album it really feels like her going way back to her childhood and traumatic experiences when she was younger to work through them. Talking to her inner child in Robin, she evaluating her relationship patterns and the roots of feelings she seems to be carrying around for decades by now. It’s so touching to see how she is willing to share that therapeutic experiences with the world to share not only the pain but also part of the resolution.
Yessss. Robin makes me SOB every time I play it but it is one of my favs on the album.
I agree with you that this whole album was a final goodbye to all these experiences as she starts fresh. The Manuscript is a perfect final song. As others said it has clear parallels to All To Well, which makes sense since it’s the song that became the fans version and “ it hers anymore” as it took on another meaning to all the Swifties. I saw a musician demonstrate that the piano was the same as All Too Well but just moved half an octave or something. You might be able to figure out better if that’s true!
I always love and appreciate your educated insights into these songs, and what you can teach us! I must say also though, your cat/s guest staring by being totally cats was my favorite part of this video! So relatable and it made me laugh.
I love how you dissect her music!!
So happy to be able to watch this while it's up ! Always interested to hear what you think about music and this did not disappoint ! And yeah ending this whole album with "but the story isn't mine anymore" is just really fitting !
54:00 i mean she herself has a song called "The Outside" where she literally says "im on the outside looking in" 😭 and it's on her DEBUT album. So i kinda giggled hearing him say it. Can't wait for the Debut / Self-Titled Taylor's Version reaction when it drops 😁💚
Styles echoes that line!
Always love your insights Blake ... and also, such a good cat dad!
I love watching people react to Robin - only a few people get the song the first time and the the people who truly get the song, get hit with the emotion of it before they realise what its even about
one of my favorite song!!
Love these reactions of yours and loved that you saw the beauty in The Anthology from first listen!
Great reaction as always. And you're not wrong. This album really feels like her whole life's/career's story. Amazing!
I have a musical background but know nothing about the magic of producing. I have gained so many insights from watching you! I have been listening carefully with headphones on and *hearing* so much more. Thank you so much ❤
When black dog was playing I was like:
He is gonna get shot, He is gonna get shot…
How did it End & Peter are my favorites. I love your reactions!
i think cassandra is specifically about scooter braun and how she called him out years and years ago but very few artists took her side, many artists who have since left him due to his sketchy behavior
i thought the shirt was just a choice 😂
No I'm so sad your album reaction was taken down, it was DIVINE
I love your TS reactions so much! Thank you for teaching me about so much of her music production I’m learning so much ❤
Taylor doesn't expect Travis: Her life is probably a very big surprise now!
So much fantasy and wonderment in her poetry
I clicked as fast as I could. It makes me sad that part I is taken down. I really enjoyed it. And I love the anthology so I was waiting for your reaction and I'm not disappointed. It's always so interesting what you think about the production. I'm glad you liked Peter and the manuscript so much. I think the manuscript is the perfect closer for the album. Sums it up perfectly. :)
Thank You for putting these videos on UA-cam. It's nice to see a reaction with barely cuts. I really hope it can stay longer on here than part I. :/
The cat 😭😭😭
what i love about peter is that it reminds me of river by joni mitchell musically, that christmas like piano in the beginning is so reminiscent of river and taylor has often referenced and been compared to joni
WE NEED A "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT" REACTION
Thank you for uploading this part for the youtube fam!
Watched this video on Day 1 and blake said they will take it down. Well, it’s been three days Blake and they didn’t take it down.❤ you’re the best.
so EXCITED for the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT reaction
It’ll probably be blocked in the next 5 minutes 😂
@@blakemclainreacts really hope it doesn't 🤞🏼 kinda need this video for dinner tonight
I been looking for this channel for 2 days and I finally fount it. Sitting down and patiently waiting for the “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” album reaction your the best at braking things down
You know I look in people’s windows is death by a thousand cuts cousin, right? They are in adjacent keys and you can basically sing both songs over the others production and it makes sense. There is another UA-camr who did a whole breakdown as to how those two songs are connected. I would def look into it and I’m sure with your knowledge you’ll see it too :)
I actually thought that immediately but didn’t want to say it 😂😂😂
@@blakemclainreacts why?! Well it’s funny cause if you know the lore of DBATC which was supposed to be a fictional song based on a Netflix movie Taylor had watched- but she used that song know to directly relate to her own experience and kinda create a continuation of that song and where it has led her- if that makes any sense lol
Wow, great job on your interpretations and pointing out things musically I wouldn’t notice otherwise! Loved this reaction! And also loved your cats 😻
Your reactions are always so lovely. Thank you for what you do! The Manuscript gave me a similar reaction.
This album, especially The Anthology was her closing the door on her past and moving forward with her life.
So high school sounds like a song we would have heard in the movie She’s All That. Epitome of High School. Love it.
I like your reactions more than anyone. Thanks for what you do!
i already finished watching part 1 before it was taken down omg
I love your appreciation for the music and how you interpret songs even when you might not always know the who and what but you still find meanings or can relate. Also… being a hopeless romantic is not cheesy.