and the fact that Taylor authorized this song to be played in the Dickinson series, and right after one of Emily’s most important moments with Sue, warms my heart
My immediate thoughts when I first heard this was also about Sue and Emily but Sue speaking to Emily because she married Emily’s brother. The speaker is the one that is married - “drink my husband’s wine” - and saying “you started it”. We saw so much of Emily’s pursuit of Sue in her letters. I also screamed when “ivy” started playing right after the penultimate episode of “Dickinson” after and incredibly spicy and romantic scene of Emily and Sue in bed basically confirming that the song is about them.
As a queer poet who absolutely loves Emily Dickinson, this video just connected all of the dots for me. The diction in this song is absolutely stunning. It has been a favorite of mine & now I know why it seemed familiar from even the first listen. This gives me a reason to let this song pour over me all the more that it has new layers of depth. And motivation to get out my journal and pen and continue to heal in a way that only putting words to feelings can. I always look forward to your new videos, and you emit to much kindness and wisdom. Thank you, Mere.
A few things I noticed: "spring breaks loose" is another subtle reference to the themes of thawing winter cold and awakening. "Crescent moon, coast is clear" is saying this is the time of ideal secrecy and cover, as things are much darker at a new moon; so another allegory for secrecy along with new beginnings. "Drink my husband's wine" seems to be a clear middle finger to her husband, and an allegory for using/taking something that belongs to him, another double meaning, because she is the wine. Lastly, I think it's super important to note she says, "you started it" 4 time, two of them after a clear pause. I think it denotes a little bit of rage about the position she's been put in, and how she didn't ask for this, was foist upon her, and has put her in great danger. This is definitely about two women, I agree. Cold hands and opal eyes are definitely female descriptors.
What no one seems to comment on is that at about the three minute mark in Taylor's Official lyric video, she seems to be bringing the song to and end. She's sung two verses, two choruses, her bridge, and then the third verse and what sounds like the final chorus. But then Taylor's voice bursts through with an entirely new chorus. It's like Taylor structured the original chorus with a subdued melody, reflecting how the love affair between the two women had to be kept under cover, no pun intended. But then Taylor gives us this entirely new and simply glorious chorus, giving voice, I believe, to the unrestrained joy these two women could not have put out to the world at the time they lived. Taylor did much the same thing in Last Great American Dynasty where she changes the melody of the chorus at the end to reflect the fact that she "had a marvelous time ruining everything" and she didn't give a damn if everybody knew it.
@@A.C205 So how do you explain the line about drinking her husband's wine? If the narrator is drinking her husband's wine with a man and the husband is in the room, do you not think the husband would be aware the glances between his wife and the other man?
Unrelated to this song, but Taylor has almost certainly read some of Dickinson's writings. In the promo for Midnights she said "for all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching - hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve... we'll meet ourselves" and Emily has written "I am out with lanterns, looking for myself." (the extra context is that Emily actually wrote this in a letter to a friend and apparently it's about her losing some of her personal belongings while moving house lol)
This analysis has given me a greater appreciation for the song. Having been cheated on before this song always left me feeling resentful and I only understood it as such. However understanding this through the lens of someone whose love is forbidden and wrong because social constructs deemed it so has so many more layers. I love your videos and I always look forward to each one you release!
I loved this song the first time I heard it. Some I had to listen to a few times but this one just became an immediate favorite. I had no idea what it was about when I first heard it but I just loved the melody. It wasn't until later that the words started to permeate and I understood how beautiful but tragic the song is. I can't imagine living in a time where you have to hide your true feelings and who you love from the world.
And "awwwww" because kids being kids! I have 5, but they're all adults. They're not excited to show me something cool because, well, 18-23. lol! They'll come back around they just gotta have this time of independence.
I am shook. Jaw is on the ground. One of my favorite songs and I never knew the meaning to her beautiful words. Oh my gosh, is it possible to love this song so much more? Thank you for this. BTW you look really pretty in this video, hair up, and blue looks good on you. Thanks Mere 🥰
thank you so much for this analysis! as another commentator pointed out, emily never married and sue was her sister-in-law and i think the line «you started it» also indicates that’s the song is from sue’s pov
It's amazing how Emily is Taylor's ancestor and their lives, separated across crenturies, are oh so very similar. For one, their birthdays are only 3 days apart. (Not including the year, obviously)
Hi Mere, I’ve watched all of your T.S. reaction videos so far, and I must say, they are some of the BEST I’ve ever watched…Seriously! And I watch A LOT of reaction videos. I think your background in Psychology and as a Therapist truly does help you peel back all the layers of the lyrics, and pick up on even the smallest nuances. I’m very interested to see if maybe you could go back over some more of her songs from her older albums, like “Red,” “1989,” “Reputation,” and maybe even a few songs from “Lover.” Specifically, from the Lover album, her song called, “Soon You’ll Get Better” feat. The Chicks. It’s about her Mother’s battle with breast cancer and she’s only sang it publicly once, and that was for the Global Citizen series during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. It’s completely stripped down…Just her and her piano. Lady Gaga even recorded it as it played for the world and she was almost in tears thanking Taylor for such a beautiful, vulnerable song. Lady freakin’ Gaga! I guess it’s just the way Taylor is such a master wordsmith and poignant storyteller. When those two things collide with her, nothing but beautiful happens. Happy beautiful, melancholy beautiful, and all the different kinds of beautiful in between. Anyways, I’ve read up a great deal on each of her albums, and researched several songs on each album relatively extensively; not limited too, but including, all the hype about who/what is it about/is she dropping hints that she’s gay or bi/what does this lyric mean in the context of THIS song, and does that tie into this from [insert song]. You know…ALL THE THINGS! 😂 Watching your analyses of all her songs now, it seems you are much the same way. Wanting to dig into each lyric and all TEN things the one lyric could mean/reference/tie into another lyric or theme from another song. I love words and deeper meanings, etc. as well. I’m a Secondary Ed. teacher with a concentration in English and Literature and my minor is Psychology, so I dive straight into T.S. lyrics looking for all the Easter eggs and different meanings just like you seem too. Your reaction videos help me to not feel alone or crazy because of how much I do dig into her song meanings much of the time. You’ve said several times during reactions something to the effect of you feel like you may be digging to deep there, or making much more of it than it really is, or something to the like, and I’m watching the video, taking in the lyrics, along with my prior knowledge of the events surrounding a song, and thinking, “Nope! I was on the same wavelength!” 😊 So, if you ARE thinking to deeply into her music, then rest assured, you are most certainly NOT alone, Friend! ✨ I am extremely interested in your take on the song, “Soon You’ll Get Better,” from the “Lover” album, and as for some of the other songs on the other three albums, I can send you specific ones, if it’ll be easier; but, HONESTLY, I’d really love to know your thoughts and feelings one any of her songs from “Red,” “1989,” and “Reputation.” I know you’ve done one or two older songs already, like “Clean.” But, hey, wouldn’t some psychological insight into “Reputation” be particularly fun?! 😄 Anyway, sorry for the “book” I just wrote you! Didn’t realize how long that was…🫢 Again, Thank You 🙏🏼 for reading this LONG comment, and it’ll be so awesome to get an answer back; but I do hope you consider analyzing some of her “older” songs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your videos, I’ve recommended your page to tons of people, and I have a great respect for you and all you do to help people in their lives! Thanks, Megan
Hi Megan, thank you so much for the love and such kind words! It means so much. It seems as if we are very much alike with analyzing the songs and putting the pieces together. It’s fun to dissect it all! I’ve been wanting to do some songs from reputation and the other albums and I’ll definitely do “soon you’ll get better.” Thank you for watching my videos and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on more! 💙💜
I like your perspective of the "grieving for the living" part, especially if the love interest is indeed a woman. I initially thought it was the ghost of the singer expressing pity and sorrow for their loved ones who are mourning the two dead lovers. The "old widow" being the wife of the lover (if he was a man), having aged as time passed.
I know this song is most likely about Emily and Sue, but I think it’s more similar to the plot of the movie The World to Come, which was adapted from a short story. Especially the sense of danger from the husband, the coldness and the change in season, even the fire that burns down the house is very similar to the world to come. Sue on the other hand is married to Emily’s brother, iirc the two families have a great and loving relationship.
fun fact! emily dickinson is actually taylor's distant cousin!! it's crazy to think emily's legacy has been honored in this way by a current legend such as taylor, and i so greatly appreciate taylor's care for a story about queer love. "ivy" is a career highlight!
You may be on to something with this take. I feel like so many of her songs have multiple meanings. This could also fit very well with her relationship with Joe. When they met, she had turned to stone due to being canceled, and she wasn't exactly a free agent, but she couldn't stop him putting roots in her dreamland. His ivy grew all over her and she knows that, like with the removal of ivy from stone, she'd be wrecked if anything/anyone tried to remove him/his attachment from her life. As for the old widow going to the stone, she could also be that stone and the old widow being "the old Taylor" but she knows she's still alive so she is grieving for the living, ie, herself, to be restored.
and the fact that Taylor authorized this song to be played in the Dickinson series, and right after one of Emily’s most important moments with Sue, warms my heart
Oooo I need to check that out
I didn‘t know that. That‘ amazing
My immediate thoughts when I first heard this was also about Sue and Emily but Sue speaking to Emily because she married Emily’s brother. The speaker is the one that is married - “drink my husband’s wine” - and saying “you started it”. We saw so much of Emily’s pursuit of Sue in her letters.
I also screamed when “ivy” started playing right after the penultimate episode of “Dickinson” after and incredibly spicy and romantic scene of Emily and Sue in bed basically confirming that the song is about them.
I didn’t see this bc I haven’t watched Dickinson but this makes me so happy
As a queer poet who absolutely loves Emily Dickinson, this video just connected all of the dots for me. The diction in this song is absolutely stunning. It has been a favorite of mine & now I know why it seemed familiar from even the first listen. This gives me a reason to let this song pour over me all the more that it has new layers of depth. And motivation to get out my journal and pen and continue to heal in a way that only putting words to feelings can. I always look forward to your new videos, and you emit to much kindness and wisdom. Thank you, Mere.
You are so very welcome!! Yes to getting out the pen and getting your feelings on paper. Sending you 🤍
A few things I noticed: "spring breaks loose" is another subtle reference to the themes of thawing winter cold and awakening. "Crescent moon, coast is clear" is saying this is the time of ideal secrecy and cover, as things are much darker at a new moon; so another allegory for secrecy along with new beginnings. "Drink my husband's wine" seems to be a clear middle finger to her husband, and an allegory for using/taking something that belongs to him, another double meaning, because she is the wine. Lastly, I think it's super important to note she says, "you started it" 4 time, two of them after a clear pause. I think it denotes a little bit of rage about the position she's been put in, and how she didn't ask for this, was foist upon her, and has put her in great danger. This is definitely about two women, I agree. Cold hands and opal eyes are definitely female descriptors.
What no one seems to comment on is that at about the three minute mark in Taylor's Official lyric video, she seems to be bringing the song to and end. She's sung two verses, two choruses, her bridge, and then the third verse and what sounds like the final chorus. But then Taylor's voice bursts through with an entirely new chorus. It's like Taylor structured the original chorus with a subdued melody, reflecting how the love affair between the two women had to be kept under cover, no pun intended. But then Taylor gives us this entirely new and simply glorious chorus, giving voice, I believe, to the unrestrained joy these two women could not have put out to the world at the time they lived. Taylor did much the same thing in Last Great American Dynasty where she changes the melody of the chorus at the end to reflect the fact that she "had a marvelous time ruining everything" and she didn't give a damn if everybody knew it.
wow
The song wasn't written about them it was just approved for the show the actual song is about a man and a woman
@@A.C205 So how do you explain the line about drinking her husband's wine? If the narrator is drinking her husband's wine with a man and the husband is in the room, do you not think the husband would be aware the glances between his wife and the other man?
@@kosmikpixie girlie she never said the husband was in the room simply said they were drinking his wine are you stupid
I ended up writing a short story based on this song and my English teacher currently has it because I'm very proud of how it turned out
Unrelated to this song, but Taylor has almost certainly read some of Dickinson's writings. In the promo for Midnights she said "for all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching - hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve... we'll meet ourselves" and Emily has written "I am out with lanterns, looking for myself."
(the extra context is that Emily actually wrote this in a letter to a friend and apparently it's about her losing some of her personal belongings while moving house lol)
I can only view this from a queer lens and it really seems to fit. Great job!
I totally didn't know about the Emily Dickson's story; this song makes so much more sense now! ☺
This analysis has given me a greater appreciation for the song. Having been cheated on before this song always left me feeling resentful and I only understood it as such. However understanding this through the lens of someone whose love is forbidden and wrong because social constructs deemed it so has so many more layers. I love your videos and I always look forward to each one you release!
Thank you!!!
I imagine illicit affairs isn't an easy song for you
@@HBDiniz10 you’re right. The bridge in that song breaks me every time.
I love your analysis of this. Thank you for being willing to talk about the queer themes in the music.
Thank you 🤍🤍🤍
This song got me kicking my feet and twirling my hair ngl 😭😭
Also Emily never got married, I think that song would be Sue’s pov
Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing, it's definitely Sue writing to Emily
I loved this song the first time I heard it. Some I had to listen to a few times but this one just became an immediate favorite. I had no idea what it was about when I first heard it but I just loved the melody. It wasn't until later that the words started to permeate and I understood how beautiful but tragic the song is. I can't imagine living in a time where you have to hide your true feelings and who you love from the world.
You nailed the analysis once again. Ivy's a tribute to Taylor's poetic songwriting style. Pure quill pen. Love your new look btw.
That letter at the beginning gave me goosebumps!
And "awwwww" because kids being kids! I have 5, but they're all adults. They're not excited to show me something cool because, well, 18-23. lol! They'll come back around they just gotta have this time of independence.
I am shook. Jaw is on the ground. One of my favorite songs and I never knew the meaning to her beautiful words. Oh my gosh, is it possible to love this song so much more? Thank you for this. BTW you look really pretty in this video, hair up, and blue looks good on you. Thanks Mere 🥰
💙💜💙
Amazing analysis, Taylor certainly writes well about women loving women
thank you so much for this analysis! as another commentator pointed out, emily never married and sue was her sister-in-law and i think the line «you started it» also indicates that’s the song is from sue’s pov
It's amazing how Emily is Taylor's ancestor and their lives, separated across crenturies, are oh so very similar. For one, their birthdays are only 3 days apart. (Not including the year, obviously)
This is awesome! Love how thoughtful and insightful your knowledge of Taylor's lyrics is!
Taylor would love this interpretation.. Well Done 😊
i have a suggestion
Miss Americana and the heartbreak prince
Will do!
Hmmm opals are the birthstone of October, the 10th month, and ivy is track 10 on evermore.
Probably just a coincidence.
"Willow" by Taylor Swift is also really good! That would be cool for you to react to, it's one of my favorite songs
Hi Mere,
I’ve watched all of your T.S. reaction videos so far, and I must say, they are some of the BEST I’ve ever watched…Seriously! And I watch A LOT of reaction videos. I think your background in Psychology and as a Therapist truly does help you peel back all the layers of the lyrics, and pick up on even the smallest nuances. I’m very interested to see if maybe you could go back over some more of her songs from her older albums, like “Red,” “1989,” “Reputation,” and maybe even a few songs from “Lover.” Specifically, from the Lover album, her song called, “Soon You’ll Get Better” feat. The Chicks. It’s about her Mother’s battle with breast cancer and she’s only sang it publicly once, and that was for the Global Citizen series during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. It’s completely stripped down…Just her and her piano. Lady Gaga even recorded it as it played for the world and she was almost in tears thanking Taylor for such a beautiful, vulnerable song. Lady freakin’ Gaga! I guess it’s just the way Taylor is such a master wordsmith and poignant storyteller. When those two things collide with her, nothing but beautiful happens. Happy beautiful, melancholy beautiful, and all the different kinds of beautiful in between. Anyways, I’ve read up a great deal on each of her albums, and researched several songs on each album relatively extensively; not limited too, but including, all the hype about who/what is it about/is she dropping hints that she’s gay or bi/what does this lyric mean in the context of THIS song, and does that tie into this from [insert song]. You know…ALL THE THINGS! 😂 Watching your analyses of all her songs now, it seems you are much the same way. Wanting to dig into each lyric and all TEN things the one lyric could mean/reference/tie into another lyric or theme from another song. I love words and deeper meanings, etc. as well. I’m a Secondary Ed. teacher with a concentration in English and Literature and my minor is Psychology, so I dive straight into T.S. lyrics looking for all the Easter eggs and different meanings just like you seem too. Your reaction videos help me to not feel alone or crazy because of how much I do dig into her song meanings much of the time. You’ve said several times during reactions something to the effect of you feel like you may be digging to deep there, or making much more of it than it really is, or something to the like, and I’m watching the video, taking in the lyrics, along with my prior knowledge of the events surrounding a song, and thinking, “Nope! I was on the same wavelength!” 😊 So, if you ARE thinking to deeply into her music, then rest assured, you are most certainly NOT alone, Friend! ✨ I am extremely interested in your take on the song, “Soon You’ll Get Better,” from the “Lover” album, and as for some of the other songs on the other three albums, I can send you specific ones, if it’ll be easier; but, HONESTLY, I’d really love to know your thoughts and feelings one any of her songs from “Red,” “1989,” and “Reputation.” I know you’ve done one or two older songs already, like “Clean.” But, hey, wouldn’t some psychological insight into “Reputation” be particularly fun?! 😄 Anyway, sorry for the “book” I just wrote you! Didn’t realize how long that was…🫢 Again, Thank You 🙏🏼 for reading this LONG comment, and it’ll be so awesome to get an answer back; but I do hope you consider analyzing some of her “older” songs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your videos, I’ve recommended your page to tons of people, and I have a great respect for you and all you do to help people in their lives!
Thanks,
Megan
Hi Megan, thank you so much for the love and such kind words! It means so much. It seems as if we are very much alike with analyzing the songs and putting the pieces together. It’s fun to dissect it all! I’ve been wanting to do some songs from reputation and the other albums and I’ll definitely do “soon you’ll get better.” Thank you for watching my videos and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on more! 💙💜
I like your perspective of the "grieving for the living" part, especially if the love interest is indeed a woman.
I initially thought it was the ghost of the singer expressing pity and sorrow for their loved ones who are mourning the two dead lovers. The "old widow" being the wife of the lover (if he was a man), having aged as time passed.
opal actually is the birthstone of october and which month of the year is october? :o
Mind blown again!!
I learned about that song in Dickinson after I first listened to it. For me this song has always been about 2 women.
I love love love your videos! Very soothing voice and wonderfully delivering great info 🫶🏼🫶🏼
I know this song is most likely about Emily and Sue, but I think it’s more similar to the plot of the movie The World to Come, which was adapted from a short story. Especially the sense of danger from the husband, the coldness and the change in season, even the fire that burns down the house is very similar to the world to come. Sue on the other hand is married to Emily’s brother, iirc the two families have a great and loving relationship.
fun fact! emily dickinson is actually taylor's distant cousin!! it's crazy to think emily's legacy has been honored in this way by a current legend such as taylor, and i so greatly appreciate taylor's care for a story about queer love. "ivy" is a career highlight!
Will u please do coney island?
Loveee your video's btw!
Waiting The Moment I knew reaction
That song is so emotional 😭
Thank you!!
You should do taylors no body,no crime song
Queen you gotta do Ivy by Frank Ocean next ! The whole Blonde album is really good!
This song reminds me of getaway car !
Ooo I can see that!
this is emily x sue song idek. i will forever associate this song with them lol
And they were roommates 👀
My cat named after this song
You may be on to something with this take.
I feel like so many of her songs have multiple meanings. This could also fit very well with her relationship with Joe. When they met, she had turned to stone due to being canceled, and she wasn't exactly a free agent, but she couldn't stop him putting roots in her dreamland. His ivy grew all over her and she knows that, like with the removal of ivy from stone, she'd be wrecked if anything/anyone tried to remove him/his attachment from her life. As for the old widow going to the stone, she could also be that stone and the old widow being "the old Taylor" but she knows she's still alive so she is grieving for the living, ie, herself, to be restored.
Wait, this just blew my mind. This makes sooo much sense given the LWYMMD video with the graveyard!
This song actually isn't about them it was just approved for the scene so it could easily be about toe