"Please picture me in the trees... before I learned civility." This week, we're deep diving one of folklore's most haunting and emotionally complex tracks: "seven." By popular request from our listeners, we explore this fan-favorite song that captures childhood innocence, the weight of adult responsibilities placed on young shoulders, and the bittersweet process of looking back at formative moments that shaped who we've become. From cross-your-heart promises to haunted houses, we unpack how Taylor Swift captures the complexity of childhood experiences that are simultaneously innocent and deeply serious.

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Peter Pan 

Aaron Dessner interview with Vulture

folklore: the long pond studio sessions 

Unreliable narrators Substack

Ring Around the Rosie and the Black Plague

***

Episode Highlights

[00:40] Introduction and After School program announcement

[08:55] "Please picture me in the trees"

[12:10] “Feet in the swing”

[23:15] The bridge: "And I've been meaning to tell you"

[35:00] "Before I learned civility, I used to scream ferociously"

[50:10] Purpose discussion: What is this song really about?

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! 

Contact us at [email protected] 

Affiliate Codes: 

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! 

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

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.