Alicia has now had a week to process album The Life of a Showgirl, and wow – there is a lot happening in 42 minutes of twelve straight bops. Taylor has done something incredible in this release, and this episode provides the foundation of how we are going to unfold the magic of TS 12 on Swiftory. It is a little bit Big Magic from Elizabeth Gilbert, and a little bit the Folklore track “Mirrorball” as we set up the themes of TLOAS and the evolution of Taylor Swift.

As always, we want your Midnights! Share your Swiftory stories at

Sources and Related Links:

Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert

⁠All 274 of Taylor Swift’s Songs, Ranked⁠, by Rob Sheffield. Rolling Stone, April 2024.

Mirrorball Lyric Version

⁠⁠Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs⁠⁠, by Annie Zaleski

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to ⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.