Songwriting for Everyone

Episode #75 - Songwriting - "Cardigan" Taylor Swift

08.17.2020 - By Joseph R. LilorePlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

In this episode Joe examines the song "Cardigan" by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner, which is a masterpiece of modern songwriting construction. The underlying architecture and techniques, many so subtle and nuanced - seemingly hidden, create a work of depth containing many layers  of tonal colors. Highlighted are both the expected and unexpected: surreal imagery, altered sections, ambiguous harmonic shifts, melodic harmonic and rhythmic hooks, register change and counterpoint. A textbook model for all songwriters of every level.

More episodes from Songwriting for Everyone