I took advantage of the holiday in Portugal to go and see "It Ends With Us" at the cinema.
What made me want to go see the film was, I must confess, the controversy surrounding it: a controversy that I am not interested in developing here. When I decided to go see the movie I asked my daughter if she wanted to go with me, and she said yes, we knew it was about domestic violence. Some excerpts from the director's interviews appeared on social media, and I was very positively impressed by his speech.
That said, controversies aside, this film must be seen. It is very well written and performed. The story focuses on Lily Bloom's vision and until the end we live what she experiences. The shock, her and the world's discovery that she is a victim of domestic violence is very well done, very well written, absolutely respectful. I won't say anything more so as not to give clues to the argument.
Go watch it, it is worth it! Blake Lively is extraordinary and Justin Baldoni is breathtaking - a perfect combination to touch on such a difficult topic.
I share with you an interview of Blake Lively, where she speaks about the movie and the complexity of making such an impactful character, and violence against women.
Aproveitei as férias e o feriado para ir ver "Isto Acaba Aqui", em Inglês "It Ends With Us", no cinema.
O que me deu vontade de ir ver o filme foi, devo confessar, a polémica em torno dele: uma polémica que não me interessa desenvolver aqui. Quando decidi ir ver o filme pedi à minha filha se ela queria ir comigo e ela disse-me que sim, sabíamos que era sobre a violência domestica. Nas redes sociais apareceram alguns trechos de entrevistas do realizador e fiquei surpreendida de forma muito positiva com o seu discurso.
Posto isto, polémicas à parte, este filme tem de ser visto. É muito bem escrito e realizado. A história incide na visão da Lily Bloom e até ao fim vivemos o que ela experiencia. O choque, a descoberta dela e do mundo que ela é uma vítima de violência doméstica é muito bem feito, muito bem escrito, absolutamente respeitoso. Não vou dizer mais nada para não dar pistas sobre o argumento.
Vão ver! Vale a pena! Blake Lively é extraordinária e Justin Baldoni é de tirar o fôlego - uma combinação perfeita para tocar num tópico tão difícil.
Partilho convosco uma entrevista de Blake Lively, onde fala sobre o filme e a complexidade de fazer uma personagem tão impactante, e de violência contra as mulheres.
Billie Eilish released her new album on May 17, 2024. It was highly anticipated by her fans and me, as I fell in love with her first album - "When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" which is a masterpiece!
Her brother Finneas, who is also her producer, manages to convey a deep essence in everything he creates with her, and since he was also the producer of "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT," my expectations were high.
I want to highlight that Billie Eilish won another Grammy with the song from the movie "Barbie": "What Was I Made For?", which made me cry at the end of the film. It was a wonderful movie, by the way.
With all these factors in mind, the first time I listened to "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT" was while waiting for the train with my headphones on, and it was a very interesting experience. Did I like it or not? I'm going to tell you all about it here.
I'll use stars to emphasize my favorites.
SKINNY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's a very well-done introduction to the album. The music is very beautiful, the atmosphere is calm, and Billie Eilish's interpretation is perfect. She falls in love with a friend and feels that she is old enough to live this love, despite it being hidden. The title refers to his weight problems, the reference to her body is a constant in his work. All because she's thinner when she's in love. Who never? The end of the song with the violins is extraordinary.
SKINNY
LUNCH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG, the lyrics and the rhythm are incredible! I love it, she released "LUNCH" as the first single from the album, and it's a very bold and courageous choice because of the lyrics. I think she was very smart to do it now, it's a way of saying, with me, there are no speculations, because I like women, and I would like to "eat" this woman and invite her to go home. She chose to do this at just 23 years old. Her album is at the top of the charts all over the world. The lyrics speak for themselves, the production is an invitation to dance in every nightclub. I imagine people shouting these lyrics. It's divine!
LUNCH
CHIHIRO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first thing to point out here is that I was lucky enough to hear "CHIHIRO" with my headphones on because the sound is epic. The production is giant, and Billie Eilish's performance is phenomenal. There's nothing to point out, for me, it's one of the best songs on the album. The sound is intoxicating from start to finish. There is a first part and a second part in which everything is perfect, and the end is apotheosis. "CHIHIRO" is a movie she was inspired by; I've never seen it, but this song made me want to see it, for a better understanding. She released the video, but I'm going to share how I heard it the first time.
CHIHIRO
BIRDS OF A FEATHER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first time I heard it was after my little death in "CHIHIRO", but it grew on me a lot. Every part of this song is very well produced. It's extraordinary! The beginning elevates us to the delicacy of the gods.
Once again, the sound invites you to dance. The lyrics are about a love that will last forever. The end is once again intoxicating.
BIRDS OF THE FEATHER
WINDFLOWER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the most beautiful songs on the album. She seems to be regretting having had a relationship with her ex-boyfriend because he was the ex-boyfriend of one of her friends. In the middle of this threesome, she only thought about her female friend. When she sings "Until July," it's breathtaking. It's a very well-produced ballad. You can feel the emotion in Billie Eilish's interpretation. The end is very beautiful.
WINDFLOWER
THE GREATEST ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's a song with two parts that reminds me of the song "Happier Than Ever". The first part is slow and transitions into a very engaging rock sound. The allusion to her relationship is notable, highlighting the fact that she gave everything to make the relationship work, but did not receive the same in return
THE GREATEST
L AMOUR DE MA VIE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's about the duplicity of relationships, one day a person is everything we wanted, and the greatest love of our lives, and the other day, when there is a breakup, this person soon moves on to a new relationship - making these words a bunch of nonsenses. She says that the supposed "Love of her life" forgot her very quickly. The question remains - if she was the love of his life, why was it so easy to forget her? The ending is again completely different from the beginning.
L' AMOUR DE MA VIE
DINER ⭐⭐
It's the song I like least, I don't really like the production. The theme is very interesting, she makes a satire of her "Stalkers" and turns into one. It's a very serious joke about the lives of public people.
DINER
BITTERSUITE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first part, the first time I heard it, didn't impress me, but when it changes to the second part, it's something else, and a song I didn't like became one of my favorites.
BITTERSUITE
BLUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
According to my daughter, "BLUE" was a long-awaited song by Billie Eilish fans. The surprise was everything. They were ecstatic and very happy with the revelation of this song. I really liked the production. A good way to end the album.
BLUE
And we've come to the end of my reaction to Billie Eilish's new album, which is full of surprises. Her voice is delicate and very well crafted, there are moments where she shines and elevates her performance, especially in the "backing vocals". My only criticism is that it only has 10 songs, I was hoping for more. Even so, it's an album with a good chance of being the album of the year 2024. Let's see, there are so many good albums this year.
Billie Eilish saiu o seu novo álbum no dia 17 de maio de 2024. Era um álbum muito esperado pelos seus fãs e por mim, porque fiquei apaixonada com o seu primeiro álbum "When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?", que é uma obra-prima!
O seu irmão Finneas, que é o seu produtor, transcreve uma essência profunda em tudo o que ele faz com ela e, como em "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT", é ele o produtor, as minhas expectativas eram muito altas.
Quero realçar que Billie Eilish ganhou mais um "Grammy" com a música do filme "Barbie": "What Was I Made For?", que me fez chorar no final do filme. Um filme maravilhoso por sinal.
Com todas estas cartas na mesa, a primeira vez que ouvi "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT" foi à espera do comboio com os meus auscultadores e foi muito interessante. Se gostei ou não? Vou contar tudo aqui.
Vou pôr umas estrelas para enfatizar a minhas preferidas.
SKINNY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
É uma introdução ao álbum muito bem conseguida. A canção é muito bonita a atmosfera é muito calma, a interpretação de Billie Eilish é perfeita. Ela apaixona-se por uma amiga e sente que tem a idade para viver este amor apesar de ser escondido. O título refere se aos seus problemas de peso, a referência ao corpo é uma constante no seu trabalho. Tudo porque ela está mais magra por estar apaixonada. Quem nunca? O fim da música com os violinos é extraordinário.
SKINNY
LUNCH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG! A letra e o ritmo? Adoro, ela lançou "LUNCH" como 1° single do álbum e é uma escolha muito arrojada e corajosa por causa da letra. Eu penso que ela foi muito inteligente de o fazer agora, é uma maneira de dizer, comigo não há especulações, gosto de mulheres e gostava de "comer" esta mulher, convidá-la para ir para casa. Ela escolheu fazer isso com apenas 23 anos e o seu álbum está nos primeiros lugares dos rankings em tudo o mundo. A letra fala por si, a produção é um convite a dançar em todas as discotecas. Eu imagino as pessoas a gritarem esta letra. É divinal!
LUNCH
CHIHIRO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A primeira coisa a apontar aqui é que tive a sorte de ouvir CHIHIRO nos meus auscultadores porque está música é épica. A produção é grandiosa e a interpretação da Billie Eilish é fenomenal. Não há nada a apontar, para mim é uma das melhores do álbum. O som é intoxicante do início ao fim. Há uma primeira parte e uma segunda parte em que tudo é perfeito e o fim é apoteótico. "CHIHIRO" é um filme do qual ela se inspira, nunca vi, mas deu-me vontade de ver para perceber melhor. Ela lançou o vídeo, mas, vou partilhar como a ouvi a 1ª vez.
CHIHIRO
BIRDS OF A FEATHER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A primeira vez que ouvi, foi depois da minha pequena morte em "CHIHIRO", mas cresceu muito em mim. Casa pedaço desta canção está muito bem produzida. É extraordinário! O início eleva-nos para um manjar dos deuses.
Mais uma vez o som convida a dançar. A letra é sobre um amor que perdurará para sempre. O fim é mais uma vez intoxicante.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
WINDFLOWER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Uma das músicas mais bonitas do álbum. Ela parece estar arrependida de ter tido uma relação com o seu ex. namorado porque ele era o ex. de uma das suas amigas. No meio desta trama a três ela só pensava nela, a amiga. Quando ela canta "Until July" é de cortar a respiração. É uma balada muito bem produzida e sente-se a emoção na interpretação da Billie Eilish. O fim é muito bonito.
WINDFLOWER
THE GREATEST ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
É uma canção com duas velocidades que faz lembrar a música "Happier Than Ever", a primeira parte é lenta e passa para um rock muito envolvente. A alusão ao seu relacionamento é notória, realçando o facto de ela ter dado tudo para a relação correr bem, mas, não recebeu o mesmo em troca.
THE GREATEST
L AMOUR DE MA VIE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
É sobre a duplicidade das relações, um dia são tudo o que se queria, e o maior amor das nossas vidas, mas, quando existe uma fratura ao invés de se fazer o luto, passa-se logo para uma nova relação, fazendo com que as palavras sejam apenas miragens. Ela conta que o suposto "Amor da vida dela" esqueceu-a muito rapidamente. Fica a pergunta, se ela era o amor da vida dela porque foi tão fácil esquecê-la? O final é outra vez completamente diferente do início.
L' AMOUR DE MA VIE
DINER ⭐⭐
É a canção que gosto menos, não gosto muito da produção. O tema é muito interessante, ela faz uma sátira dos seus "Stalkers" e transforma-se a ela num. É uma brincadeira muito séria sobre a vida das pessoas públicas.
DINER
BITTERSUITE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A primeira parte, a primeira vez que ouvi não me impressionou, mas quando muda para a segunda parte, é logo outra coisa e, uma canção que não gostava passou a ser uma das minhas favoritas.
BITTERSUITE
BLUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Segundo a minha filha "BLUE" era uma canção muito esperada pelos fãs de Billie Eilish. A surpresa foi total. Ficaram extasiados e muito feliz com a revelação da canção. Eu gostei muito da produção. Uma boa forma de acabar o álbum.
BLUE
E chegámos ao fim da minha reação ao novo álbum de Billie Eilish que está cheio de surpresas. A voz dela é delicada e muito bem trabalhada, há momentos onde ela brilha e eleva a sua performance, sobretudo, nos "backing vocals". A minha única critica é que tem apenas 10 canções, esperava por mais, mesmo assim, é um álbum com uma boa possibilidade de ser álbum do ano de 2024. A ver vamos, há tantos candidatos.
Introduction
Our journey to the Taylor Swift concert was less than peaceful. I didn't have the coveted code to enter See Tickets, so I tried to buy tickets everywhere, and the result was that I was almost scammed. Many people were scammed, and they lost a lot of money at the expense of opportunistic and horrible people.
The information about the other apps was all negative and gave no guarantees, but Sofs and I had already decided to go with or without tickets. We would be left out of the stadium in the worst-case scenario.
This situation did not stop Sofs from ordering a shopping cart on Shein with clothes inspired by the Speak Now album: earrings, hooks, matching ribbon and all the material to make the friendship bracelets that Taylor Swift sings in "You're On Your Own Kid." Sofs spent many nights studying and making bracelets, and I confess that I made some too.
It's important to highlight that I was the one who wanted to go to "The Eras Tour"! When I spoke to my daughter the first time, she wasn't very interested, but I was enchanted when I saw excerpts from her concerts on TikTok, so much so that when one from her "Reputation Stadium Tour" appeared with "...Ready for it?" I was in shock. I entered a period of research to better understand this album, and I fell in love. 1989 is her ex-libris and a masterpiece. Now, Reputation had passed me by at that time. The entire story surrounding this album is extraordinary. Taylor Swift has shown herself to be a very strong, resilient person with a combative spirit to be reckoned with. No one in their right mind wants to go through everything she endured; it was vile. Reputation is one of my favorite albums, and Reputation took me to Folklore, a small but giant step. I drank the elixir and never wanted to stop. Folklore is completely different from anything she has done and is another masterpiece! Evermore continues this delightful narrative; they are two sister albums created during the pandemic. Folklore determined my desire to go to the concert, whatever the cost!
The saga that followed took a few months. Sofs, who was reticent, joined her mother's bandwagon and became a fan, and shortly after, she was the one who insisted that we go to the concert. A great deal of responsibility was placed on my shoulders. She bought several albums, including the first one, and fell in love with Speak Now.
Almost a week before the concert, I got tickets on another app, and we went in. We enter the day of the worst possible organization for an event of this size.
It couldn't be worse!
We arrived at 4:30 pm, and the doors opened at 4 p.m. There was a sign saying floor 3, but I didn't worry too much since the doors were supposedly open. We went to buy the "Merch" twice. The first time my MB Way didn't work, I had to go and collect money. In my head, everything was fine, except that the only door on floor no. 3 hadn't been opened yet. We went to the line, which never ended... We stayed there for a good hour, standing in the sun. The line that was supposed to be moving was standing still, and the time passed.
In the middle of the confusion, there are always those who are smarter, and some girls, who ran to the door despite having just arrived, told us that the entrance was very small, that two or three lines were narrow, and that there were few security guards. All this after passing to the other side of the barriers. We didn't know what to do—whether we should run and go there or wait in an orderly manner in this disorganization. We chose to go to the front with many of the people who were waiting. Furthermore, we got there, and it was actually a mess; there were no longer any queues; there were just people piled on top of each other. All this at 6:15 p.m.; the band Paramore performance was at 6:30 p.m., and we wanted to see them. We stood there, and people were shouting, "We want to come in, we want to come in!" and they howled with a thunderous sound. I already thought that we weren't going to be at the beginning of the Taylor Swift concert that started at 7:30 p.m. We took a step and stopped again; the chants continued, and I screamed too. After a while, I saw some cell phones filming in front of us. I looked at the trees, and I didn't understand anything. What could happen in the trees that is so interesting? It wasn't the trees that were filming, but some people were knocking down the fence. Suddenly, people began to disappear in this portal of hope that was opening for us. I went in with the crowd, but I told Sofs that we wouldn't go in without being searched—it was a safety issue for us and for the artist. The fences were falling down all the way.
We walked like a procession, and they ordered us to stop before reaching the tunnel. At this point, there was little patience, and the chants started again. It was already known on social media that Taylor Swift's concert had been postponed, and we were hearing Paramore perform. We were all in as long as we got in before Taylor started. A short time later, the line moved and stopped; those who were taller said they were barriers. We moved forward, stopped three or four times, and came to a barrier made of security guards who formed a cordon so we wouldn't pass. I found it incredible that, in the midst of the chaos, some arms were stopping us from moving forward. They let go and joined hands again. The chants were constant. We were released at 7:40 pm and were searched, which was good. We ran to our place; it was a little far, but closer, and it was double what I paid. That's for another time.
A concert for a lifetime
We were so excited—there was a possibility that we wouldn't get in because the tickets hadn't been purchased at See Tickets—that we forgot our glow bracelets. I had to go down to get them, and when I came back, we were finally able to enjoy the concert—we couldn't believe it! Our seats were a little far away; we wouldn't see Taylor up close, but that was a given because we were on the 3rd floor and to the side. What really mattered was the concert itself and the pleasure of being there.
The music was very loud, and everyone was enjoying it and dancing. Happiness was evident in everyone's facial expressions. We exchanged friendship bracelets, waiting to hear Lady Gaga's "Applause," the last song before the concert began. When the famous countdown appeared on the screen to the sound of the show's introduction, we were in disbelief at what we were about to witness. I saw the concert at the cinema; at Disney, I saw some live streams , but being there surpassed everything. Some people were crying when she came out with "Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince."
In the stadium, the sound was deafening, everyone was screaming, my eardrums suffered, and I felt a mix of euphoria and pain. It is clear that the excitement overcame everything. Next time, I'll take some precautions.
She continued the Lover Era with "Cruel Summer" and the new set list due to her new album: The Tortured Poets Department. Around me, everyone knew the words—we sang, danced and jumped. I love 1989, Reputation, Folklore and Evermore, but this concert gave me the chance to know Taylor Swift's music better through her older albums and appreciate her recent work. I had never given her the relevance she deserved. Now I do!
What were the highlights of the concert? - Everything! It lasts more than 3 hours, and she sings 44 songs. The surprise songs are one of the most anticipated moments; she likes to surprise us with incredible mashups. This concert, which includes a journey through her 11 albums, is a vocal, artistic and physical performance. She presents us with a giant stage made of LCD and several screens—a main one and two smaller ones—for people like me who were on the sidelines. She sets fire to her "Bad Blood,", confetti during "All Too Well," you can see everything, no one misses anything about the concert or her, even if they are far away, and ends with a fireworks display that was made "for" my birthday. I can only be grateful.
In the midst of the exaltation, the moment dedicated to Folklore and Evermore is always a little calmer. After the song "Champagne Problems" from Evermore, she always lets the crowd applaud, as if it were an "Encore", but in the middle of the concert. Thousands of people clapped and screamed her name, so much so that someone in the stadium turned on the lights. This moment was epic, and she was stunned. What was expected to be a moment of 2 minutes turned out to be an iconic moment of more than 3.30 minutes. We didn't want to stop.
The hat she gives in her "22" song is always a very beautiful moment; she almost always chooses young people. The "surprise songs" that I mentioned above are another special moment. On the 24th, she did a mashup of "Come Back...Be Here" by Red, "The Way I Loved You" by Fearless, "The Other Side of the Door" by Fearless on guitar, & "Fresh out the Slammer" by TTPD with "High Infidelity" by Midnights on piano. I didn't know the first three well, and "Fresh out of the Slammer" is my least favorite song on her last album due to the production, but on the piano it was much better. I love "High Infidelity.". My daughter knew all the lyrics. "The Way I Loved You" is a song she hasn't sung in years at her concerts. I think Taylor came to Portugal without knowing how she would be received and was overwhelmed by the public. Thanks to us, on night 2, in Lisbon, they had two memorable "surprise songs."
I could have spent the whole time filming, but I filmed just what was necessary, for me. If I want to see Taylor Swift on screen, I can watch the film, so I only record a few moments that were important to me: "All Too Well" (10-minute version), "Cardigan," "August" & "Illicit Affairs", "...Ready for it?", "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart," and "Shake It Off", and I can say that I felt the ground moving. I was singing the whole time during filming; the rest of the time I was a simple fan enjoying a show.
I don't know if you realize how Taylor Swift's fans are; she wrote completely different albums with songs that range from country; rock; pop; rap; R&B; folk; and indie folk, and, regardless of the gender, everyone knew the words. It's masterful!
What else to say? The band is extraordinary; its vocalists are incredible, and its dancers are wonderful. The work done before and during the tour is incessant and makes this "The Eras Tour" a concert that pays homage to her albums, but, above all, her fans. Taylor Swift was unable to tour with her album Lover due to COVID; she released Folklore and Evermore during the pandemic; Midnights came out in 2022; and this year, she released The Tortured Poets Department. She revisits her older albums, but specifically highlights the ones that didn't go on tour, and takes the opportunity to thank her fans for the overwhelming reception they received—she broke records after records. She won two more Grammys for best albums with Folklore in 2021 and Midnights this year.
Taylor Swift is not just any artist; her time in Portugal was a blessing. My only regret was not getting the code to buy tickets at See Tickets, but that will never happen again.
[Outro]
On social media, there are always those who say bad things and make fun of her or her work. Taylor Swift has 11 completely different albums; go listen to them! You might change your mind; who knows? I changed!
A nossa ida ao concerto da Taylor Swift foi tu menos tranquila. Não tinha o tão cobiçado código para entrar na See Tickets, por isso, andei a tentar comprar bilhetes por toda a parte e o resultado foi que fui quase burlada - muitas pessoas foram-no, perderam muito dinheiro à custa de pessoas oportunistas e horríveis.
As informações sobre as outras aplicações eram todas negativas e não davam garantias, mas, já tínhamos decidido, a Sofs e eu, que íamos com ou sem bilhete. Ficaríamos fora do estádio na pior das hipóteses.
Esta situação não impediu a Sofs de encomendar um carrinho de compras na Shein com roupa inspirada no álbum Speak Now: brincos; ganchos; fita a condizer e todo o material para fazer as tais pulseiras da amizade que Taylot Swift canta no seu "You're On Your Own Kid". Ela passou muitas noites a estudar e a fazer pulseiras e eu confesso que, também, fiz algumas.
É importante realçar, que quem queira ir ao "The Eras Tour", era eu! Quando falei com a Sofs, a primeira vez, ela não estava muito interessada. Eu, ficava encantada quando via excertos dos seus concertos no TikTok, de tal forma, que quando apareceu um do seu "Reputation Stadium Tour" com "... Ready For It?", fiquei de boca aberta. Entrei num período, que diria de pesquisa, para perceber melhor este álbum e fiquei apaixonada. 1989 é o seu ex-libris e é uma obra-prima, agora, Reputation tinha-me passado um pouco ao lado. Toda a história que envolve este álbum é extraordinária, Taylor Swift demonstrou ser uma pessoa muito forte, resiliente, com um espírito combativo de se tirar o chapéu. Ninguém no seu perfeito juízo deseja passar por tudo o que ela passou, foi vil. Reputation é um dos meus álbuns preferidos, e de Reputation à Folklore foi um pequeno passo de gigante… Bebi do elixir e nunca mais quis parar. Folklore é completamente diferente de tudo o que ele fez e é outra obra-prima! Evermore continua esta deliciosa narrativa - eles são dois álbuns irmãos criados durante a pandemia. Folklore determinou a minha vontade de ir ao concerto, custa o que custasse!
A saga que se seguiu demorou alguns meses. A Sofs que estava reticente entrou na onda da mãe dela e ficou fã e, pouco depois, era ela que insistia para irmos ao concerto. Passou uma grande responsabilidade para as minhas costas. Ela comprou vários álbuns, o primeiro inclusive, e apaixonou -se pelo Speak Now.
Quase uma semana antes do concerto consegui bilhetes numa outra aplicação e entramos. Entramos no dia da pior organização possível para um evento desta dimensão.
Não podia ser pior!
Chegamos pelas 16h30, a abertura das portas era às 16h. Estava uma placa a dizer piso 3, não me preocupei muito, visto que, supostamente, as portas estavam abertas. Fomos comprar a "Merch" por duas vezes, a primeira o meu MB WAY não funcionou, tive de ir levantar dinheiro - na minha cabeça estava tudo bem, só que… a única porta do piso n°3 não tinha sido aberta, ainda. Fomos para a fila, "cola", que nunca acabava... Ficamos lá uma boa hora, paradas ao sol. A fila que, supostamente, deveria estar a andar estava parada e nós a vermos o tempo passar.
No meio da confusão há sempre quem é mais esperto, e umas raparigas, que correram para a porta apesar de terem acabado de chegar, disseram-nos que a entrada era muito pequena e que duas ou três filas afunilavam e que eram poucos os seguranças. Tudo isso após passar para o outro lado das barreiras. Não sabíamos o que fazer - se havíamos de correr e ir para lá ou esperar de forma ordenada nesta desorganização. Optamos por ir para a frente com muitas das pessoas que estavam à espera. Chegamos lá e de facto estava uma confusão, já não existiam filas, eram apenas pessoas amontoadas umas em cima das outras. Tudo isso pelas 18h15, os Paramore atuavam as 18h30 e queríamos ver. Ficamos lá, as pessoas gritavam "queremos entrar, queremos entrar!" e ululavam com um som atroador. Já pensava que não íamos estar no início do concerto da Taylor Swift que começava às 19h30. Dávamos um passo e parava de novo. Os cânticos continuavam e eu também gritava. Depois de algum tempo, vi uns telemóveis a filmar à nossa frente, eu olhava para as árvores, não percebia nada, o que se podia passar nas árvores de tão interessante. Não eram as árvores que filmavam, mas umas pessoas a derrubar a grade. De repente as pessoas começaram a desaparecer neste portal de esperança que se abria para nós. Entrei com a multidão, mas, dizia à Sofs que não iríamos entrar sem sermos revistadas - era uma questão de segurança para nós e para a artista. As grades caiam durante todo o caminho.
Andávamos como um cortejo e mandaram-nos parar antes de chegar ao túnel. Nesta altura a paciência era pouca e os cânticos recomeçavam. Nas redes sociais já se sabia que o concerto de Taylor Swift tinha sido adiado e nós ouvíamos os Paramore atuar. Já estávamos por tudo, desde que entrássemos antes de Taylor começar. Pouco tempo depois a fila andava e parava - quem era mais alto dizia que eram umas barreiras. Avançamos e paramos três ou quatro vezes e chegámos a uma barreira feita de seguranças que faziam um cordão para não passarmos - achei incrível que no meio do caos, uns braços impediam-nos de avançar. Eles largavam e voltavam a dar as mãos. Os cânticos eram uma constante. Fomos libertas pelas 19h40 e fomos revistadas, o que foi bom. Corremos até o nosso lugar, era um pouco longe, mas mais perto era o dobro do que paguei. Fica para uma outra vez.
Um concerto de uma vida
O nosso entusiasmo foi de tal forma - havia a possibilidade de não entrarmos porque os bilhetes não tinham sido comprados na See Tickets, que esquecemos as pulseiras luminosas. Tive de descer para ir buscá-las e quando voltei, pudemos, finalmente, apreciar o concerto - não queríamos acreditar! Os nossos lugares eram um pouco longe, não iríamos ver a Taylor de perto, mas, isso já era um dado adquirido porque estávamos no piso 3 e de lado. O que realmente importou foi o concerto em si e o prazer de lá estar.
A música estava muito alta, toda a gente curtia e dançava. A felicidade estava estampada na expressão facial de todas as pessoas. Trocamos pulseiras da amizade à espera de ouvir "Applause" de Lady Gaga, a última canção antes do concerto começar. Quando a famosa contagem decrescente apareceu no ecrã ao som da introdução do espetáculo, ficámos incrédulas com o que íamos testemunhar. Vi o concerto no cinema, na Disney, vi algumas transmissões em direto, mas, estar lá superou tudo. Algumas pessoas choravam quando ela apareceu com "Miss Americana And The Heartbreak Prince".
No estádio, o som era ensurdecedor, toda a gente gritava, os meus tímpanos sofriam, senti um misto de euforia e de sofrimento. É evidente que a excitação superou estes momentos. Para a próxima levo umas proteções.
Ela continuou a Era Lovercom "Cruel Summer" e o novo repertório da turné devido ao seu novo álbum The Tortured Poets Department. Ao meu redor toda a gente sabia as letras - cantávamos, dançávamos e saltávamos. Eu sou 1989, Reputation, Folklore e Evermore, mas, este concerto deu-me a possibilidade de conhecer melhor Taylor Swift com os seus álbuns mais antigos e apreciar os seus trabalhos mais recentes. Nunca lhe tinha dado a relevância que ela merece. Agora dou!
Os momentos altos do concerto? Todos! Ele demora 3h30, ela canta 44 canções, as canções surpresas são um dos momentos mais esperados - ela gosta de surpreender com misturas incríveis. Este concerto, que contempla uma viagem aos seus 11 álbuns, é um desempenho vocal, artístico e físico. Ela presenteia-nos com um palco gigante feito de LCD, vários ecrãs, um principal e dois mais pequenos para as pessoas que como eu estavam de lado. Lança fogo no seu "Bad Blood", confetes durante "All Too Well", vê -se tudo, ninguém perde nada do concerto ou dela, mesmo se estão longe, e acaba com um fogo de artifício que no dia dos meus anos foi feito para mim, só posso agradecer.
No meio de toda a euforia, o momento dedicado a Folklore e Evermore é sempre um pouco mais calmo. Depois do seu "Champagne Problems" de Evermore, ela deixa sempre a multidão aplaudir, como se fosse um "Bis", mas, no meio do concerto. Milhares de pessoas batiam palmas e gritavam o seu nome, de tal forma, que alguém do estádio acendeu as luzes. Este momento fica para a história e ela não queria acreditar, o que se previa ser um momento de 2 minutos no máximo, transformou-se num momento icónico de pouco menos de 4 minutos. Não queríamos parar…
.O chapéu que ela dá na canção "22" é sempre um momento muito bonito, ela escolhe, quase sempre, pessoas jovens. As "Surprise Songs", referidas em cima, são outro momento especial. No dia 24 ela fez uma mistura de "Come Back... Be Here" de Red, "The Way I Loved You" de Fearless e "The Other Side Of The Door" de Fearless na guitarra & "Fresb out The Slammer" de TTPD com "High Infidelity" de Midnights ao piano. Não conhecia bem as três primeiras e "Fresh out The Slammer" é a canção que gosto menos do seu último álbum devido à produção, mas, ao piano ficou logo muito melhor e adoro "High Infidelity". A minha filha sabia todas as letras. "The Way I Loved You" é uma canção que ela não cantava há anos nos seus concertos. Eu penso que Taylor veio a Portugal sem saber como ia ser recebida e ficou rendida com o público. Graças a nós, a noite 2, em Lisboa, teve duas "Surprise Songs" memoráveis.
Podia ter passado o tempo todo a filmar, mas não, filmei o estrito necessário - se quero ver a Taylor Swift no ecrã basta ver o filme, por isso, filmei, apenas, alguns momentos importantes para mim: "All Too Well" (10 minutes Version), "Cardigan", "August" & Illicit Affairs", "...Ready For It?", "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" e "Shake It Off", posso dizer que senti o chão a mexer. Estive o tempo todo a cantar durante as filmagens, o resto do tempo fui uma simples fã a apreciar um concerto.
Eu não sei se percebem a dimensão dos fãs de Taylor Swift, ela escreveu álbuns completamente diferentes, com canções que passam do Country; Rock; Pop, Rap, R&b; Folk e Indie folk e, independentemente, do género todas a gente sabia as letras. É magistral!
O que dizer mais? A banda é extraordinária, as suas vocalistas incríveis e os seus bailarinos são maravilhosos. O trabalho feito antes e durante a turné é incessante e permite fazer deste "The Eras Tour" um concerto que homenageia os seus álbuns, mas, sobretudo, os seus fãs. Taylor Swift não conseguiu fazer a digressão com o álbum Lover devido à COVID, lançou Folklore e Evermore durante a pandemia, Midnights saiu em 2022, e este ano, ela lançou The Tortured Poets Department. Ela aproveita para revisitar os seus mais antigos álbuns, mas, realça, especificamente, os que não tiveram uma turné e aproveita para agradecer aos fãs a receção estrondosa que eles tiveram - quebrou recordes atrás de recordes. Ela ganhou mais dois Grammys de melhor álbum com Folklore em 2021 e Midnights este ano.
A Taylor Swift não é uma artista qualquer, foi uma sorte, uma bênção a sua passagem por Portugal. O meu único arrependimento foi não ter conseguido o tal código para comprar os bilhetes na See Tickets, mas, nunca mais vai acontecer.
[Outro]
Nas redes sociais, há, sempre, quem diz mal, quem goza com ela ou com o seu trabalho… Taylor Swift tem 11 álbuns completamente diferentes - vão ouvir! Pode ser que mudem de opinião, nunca se sabe? Eu mudei!
Please note this message may be too long, Taylor Swift has decided to release a double album on April 19, 2024.
My daughter and I bought the album on April 19th at FNAC, because I couldn't pre-order it online on Taylor Swift's website. The trip to Colombo shopping was fruitful, and we returned home with the album which we promptly put on to listen and, soon after, we discovered that it was a double album — throughout the 19th we avoided social media to avoid any spoilers.
I'll start by sharing my favourite songs from TTPD, “The Anthology” we listen to later, and I'll include my favourites as well. I know there is the possibility of others, there have been cases where a song became one of my favourites after a while, like “Mad Woman”; “Sweet Nothing” or “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”. That's why it's weird for me to have negative reactions because the albums are huge, and sometimes you need a little more time to understand if you love them or hate them... but we need a longer period of time to listen before crucifying something so big and elaborate.
In this list there is a mix of rhythms and feelings:
Fortnight; The Tortured Poets Department; My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys; Down Bad; So Long London; Guilty As Sin?; lolm; I Can Do With A Broken Heart; The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived and The Alchemy.
The entire album "The Anthology" is a masterpiece for me. It "should" be released on record or CD or cassette.
Before I get into my pure and simple analysis where I only bring my feelings towards the songs and lyrics, it's important to realize that Taylor Swift is an open book and she is the main character of her work - which makes all identifiable for us. She, she's from another planet. Any analysis I've seen is accompanied by facts that encompass the people who are or were part of her life. It's very interesting, but, no matter how fun or sad it is, I'm going to try to create this listen based on my sensations, of course the lyrics will be an important part of my experience. Taylor Swift is a lyric poet and one of the best lyricists of our time. I'm going to put some stars to give more emphasis to my choices.
The First Song is Fortnight ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was love at first listen. I really like the “synth pop” rhythm, very 80s style. Her voice is perfect and goes very well with Post Malone's voice, which I discovered recently and which I love. He highlights the words she sings, and the song ends With him. In fact, he has the best part of the songs in melodious terms, for me. It's Wonderful. The lyrics are a metaphor about a relationship that was apparently very intense, but lasted a short time. It's certainly an open wound that she will develop throughout the album.
All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary And I love you, it's ruining my life I love you, it's ruining my life I touched you for only a fortnight I touched you, but I touched you
The Tortured Poets Department ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
With “The Tortured Poets Department”, the album's title track, we get into what Taylor Swift does best, which is writing the lyrics to her songs. The song is presented with a narrative of the time when the two went on a daring getaway and how this experience made her fall in love with that person. It's a love song. However, she speaks a little ironically about whether the two are tortured poets, but the lyrics are one of the best on the album, they remind me of Simon Armitage in the rhythm and freedom of the words. I may not like the production of the song, which lacks a little depth to fit perfectly with the lyrics, but the way she sings is worthy of 5 stars. In fact, the loss of that person who was so important to her left a space that she had difficulty filling.
You smoked, then ate seven bars of chocolate
We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist
I scratch your head, you fall asleep
Like a tattooed golden retriever
But you awaken with dread
Pounding nails in your head
But I've read this one where you come undone
I chose this cyclone with you
My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
With “My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys” we come to one of my favourite songs on the entire album. There are many! It starts with an infectious and deep beat that accompanies the entire song. From the bridge onwards the dynamics are divine and the ending is incredible. The toys are a metaphor for herself, it's sad to realize that he broke her. Taylor Swift's voice is always impeccable and on point — it never becomes incomprehensible — it is crafted with incredible clarity and this song is moving and intense... She does her backing vocals. Perfect!
Once I fix me, he's gonna miss me
Once I fix me, he's gonna miss me
Just say when, I'd play again
He was my best friend
Down at the sandlot
I felt more when we played pretend
Than with all the Kens
Cause he took me out of my box
Stole my tortured heart
Left all these broken parts
Told me I'm better off
But I'm not
I'm not
I'm not.
Down bad ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What I like most about “Down Bad” is the rhythm of the song. It's a song where she tries to explain that she would give anything to be with this person, even if it was in another dimension — a dimension that would accept this relationship. It reminds me a little of “I Know Places” from 1989. She was willing to do anything, but it didn't work, and she talks about the difficulty she had in getting over that person. She lived this relationship a little deluded. The rhythm of the chorus is contrasting and invites you to dance. “... Like I lost my twin”... I agree that there are a lot of swear words, but we also say a lot of bad words, especially when life doesn't go in the direction we would like.
I loved your hostile take-overs
Encounters closer and closer
All your indecent exposures
How dare you say that it's
I'll build you a fort on some planet
Where they can all understand it
How dare you think it's romantic
Leaving me safe and stranded?
'Cause fuck it, I was in love
So fuck you if I can't have us
(Ah)
'Cause fuck it, I was in love
So long, London ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
On the album “Lover” Taylor Swift wrote a song about “her” London Boy”, after 6 years of relationship and another separation she decided to respond to the song with “So Long, London”, as a farewell to the city and their relationship. The lyrics are beautiful, the atmosphere of the song lives up to the lyrics and this is probably one of the best songs on the album. The moment when he sings: “And I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free”. ... Chills!
And you say I abandoned the ship
But I was going down with it
My white knuckle dying grip
Holding tight to your quiet resentment and
My friends said it isn't right to be scared
Every day of a love affair
Every breath feels like rarest air
When you're not sure if he wants to be there
So how much sad did you think I had,
Did you think I had in me?
How much tragedy?
Just how low did you think I'd go?
Before I'd self-implode
Before I'd have to go be free
But Daddy I love Him ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
"But Daddy I Love Him" is a satire about the people who judged her. About how she feels she needs to justify her love choices to the public eye. It is a song about the hypocrisy inherent in religion, because, the people who said they are empathetic, are the most critical of her. They try to control women in general. Great!
I'll tell you something right now
I'd rather burn my whole life down
Than listen to one more second of all this griping and moaning
I'll tell you something about my good name
It's mine alone to disgrace
I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing
Fresh Out The Slammer ⭐⭐
It's one of my least favourite songs. I understand the premise, she leaves a relationship that imprisoned her, but the music that sounds like something out of a western didn't impress me. Taylor sings very well but, despite the feeling one gets when realizing the weight the relationship had on her, I don't like the production. I say for now, because it has happened to not like a song and then not stop listening to it.
Gray and blue and fights and tunnels
Handcuffed to the spell I was under
For just one hour of sunshine
Years of labor, locks and ceilings
In the shade of how he was feeling
But it's gonna be alright, I did my time
FLORIDA!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
FLORIDA!!! At first listen, I didn't immediately love it, but after listening to it several times I liked it and I like it. That percussion that supports the name of the song seemed a little too much to me, however, the song evolves in a very interesting way. Taylor Swift's voice with Florence Welch behind is gold in my ears. And out of nowhere, a song that seemed strange to me started to make sense. It's not in my plans to go to Florida, but it seems like a good destination to heal the wounds.
I need to forget, so take me to Florida
I've got some regrets, I'll bury them in Florida
Tell me I'm despicable, say it's unforgivable
At least the dolls are beautiful, fuck me up, Florida
I need to forget, so take me to Florida
I've got some regrets, I'll bury them in Florida
Tell me I'm despicable, say it's unforgivable
What a crash, what a rush, fuck me up, Florida
Guilty As Sin? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Guilty As Sin?” It's one of my favourite songs, the rhythm is inviting, very soft, but danceable. The lyrics are about the fact that she imagines a relationship linked to an attraction with someone, who could be from her past and who could be the person who saves her after the relationship described in “Fresh Out The Slammer”. She makes an allusion to religion throughout the song, counterbalancing it with the happiness that this possible sinful relationship gives her. That's why she asks why she's guilty of something? She “only thought” of him in sensual terms. Who never did it?
"There's no such thing as bad thoughts
Only your actions talk
These fatal fantasies
Giving way to labored breath
Taking all of me
We've already done it in my head
If it's make believe
Why does it feel like a vow
We'll both uphold somehow?"
Who´s Afraid Of Little Old Me? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first time I heard this song, it immediately made me think of the album “Reputation” which I love! So much so that I bought the “Stolen Version” — which is incredibly beautiful. The song is very powerful, it talks about her journey and what she achieved, about all the criticism and attempts to diminish her achievements from her detractors or the media. She demonstrated that she is very strong and that is why “Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me” is a message to say that if she survived everything that happened to her, she has the strength to overcome all the challenges of today and tomorrow. Good Girl! When she sings “I'm Always Drunk On My Own Tears” it's fantastic.
"… I wanna snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me
You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me
So all you kids can sneak into my house with all the cobwebs
I'm always drunk on my own tears, isn't that what they all said?
That I'll sue you if you step on my lawn
That I'm fearsome and I'm wretched and I'm wrong
Putting narcotics into all of my songs
And that's why you're still singing along"
I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) ⭐⭐⭐
I Can Fix him (No Really I Can) is not one of my favourites. Once again, it reminds me of a song straight out of a Western and I don't really like it. The whole song is about public opinion and the reaction to involvement with “this” person who ended up being lynched, especially by Taylor's fans. Everyone said he wasn't the right person for her, even though she confirmed that he was the one she wanted. It's a metaphor about these reactions and of course "They” are these people. She complains that she can change him because she loves him, even though it wouldn't be easy to make him accepted as part of her life. She tries, but, obviously... she can't.
They shook their heads saying, "God, help her"
When I told them he's my man (I told them he's my man)
But your good Lord didn't need to lift a finger
I can fix him, no, really I can (no, really I can)
Whoa, maybe I can't
lolm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What can I say about this song... the beginning is so beautiful. I always get a lump in my throat because of how sad she is. It's going to be difficult to write about “loml” despite it being one of my favourites. Aaron Dressner is the producer and once again creates magic with the music that accompanies these stunning lyrics. It's about a relationship that started out as something she felt was worth (re)investing in, because for her, it was the right time, however, all the events turned what could have been a loving apotheosis into the biggest loss of her life. Taylor's interpretation is perfect, once again there is a correctness in the way her voice is placed in the song. WOW! The reference could be her boyfriend of 6 years or the boyfriend she spent 14 days with.
It is evident that the depth of the lyrics alludes to a loving relationship that triggered sadness, resentment and acceptance. Does it leave a door open? It's one of the most beautiful and saddest love songs ever written. Whoever this song was written for is very lucky.
This song is “The Anthology”, it should be at the top of the “Rankings” all over the world. A song doesn't have to be happy or have a strong beat to be at the top of the charts.
I'm going to share the whole lyrics, there's no way.
Who's gonna stop us from waltzing
Back into rekindled flames?
If we know the steps anyway
We embroidered the memories
Of the time I was away
Stitching, "We were just kids, babe"
I said, "I don't mind, it takes time"
I thought I was better safe than starry-eyed
I felt aglow like this
Never before and never since
If you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary
You and I go from one kiss to gettin married
Still alive, killing time at the cemetery
Never quite buried
In your suit and tie, in the nick of time
You lowdown boy, you stand up guy
Holy Ghost, you told me I'm
The love of your life
You said I'm the love of your life
About a million times
Who's gonna tell me the truth
When you blew in with the winds of fate
And told me I reformed you
When your impressionist paintings of Heaven
Turned out to be fakes
Well, you took me to hell, too
And all at once, the ink bleeds
A con man sells a fool a get-love-quick scheme
But I felt a hole like this
Never before, and ever since
If you know it in one glimpse
It's legendary
What we thought was for all time
Was momentary
Still alive, killing time at the cemetery
Never quite buried
You cinephile in black and white
All those plot twists and dynamite
Mr. Steal Your Girl, then make her cry
You said I'm the love of your life
You talked me under the table
Talking rings and talking cradles
I wish I could un-recall
How we almost had it all
Dancing phantoms on the terrace
Are they second-hand embarrassed
That I can't get out of bed?
Cause something counterfeit's dead
It was legendary
It was momentary
It was unnecessary
Should've let it stay buried
Oh, what a valiant roar
What a bland goodbye
The coward claimed he was a lion
I'm combing through the braids of lies
"I'll never leave" ...
"Never mind"
Our field of dreams, engulfed in fire
Your arson's match your somber eyes
And I'll still see it until I die
You're the loss of my life
I Can Do With A Broken Heart ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” is spectacular! I immediately loved it, it made me laugh because of the message and the beat, but I also felt sad, because, as she is a public figure who is doing a huge tour, she feels like she can't show her real feelings. It's true, like all of us, when we have a broken heart, these are difficult moments to overcome, but we have to turn around and carry on. A TOP song!
'Cause I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit
They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it" and I did
Lights, camera, bitch smile, in stilettos for miles
He said he'd love me for all time
But that time was quite short
Breaking down, I hit the floor
All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting, "More"
I was grinning like I'm winning, I was hitting my marks
'Cause I can do it with a broken heart (one, two, three)
I'm so depressed, I act like it's my birthday every day
I'm so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague (he avoids me)
I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art
You know you're good when you can even do it
With a broken heart
The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” is very powerful. There is a lot of resentment in the lyrics and this relationship was anything but happy. What's strange is that, if it was the person she spent 6 years with there was a lot of suffering on her part to fit into the life of this person who, apparently, didn't put her on the pedestal she deserved. He apparently had it in hers. The lyrics are very strong, they remind me of “Tolerate it”. The title alone is suggestive.
Were you sent by someone who wanted me dead? Did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed? Were you writing a book? Were you a sleeper cell spy? In fifty years, will all this be declassified? And you'll confess why you did it And I'll say, "Good riddance" 'Cause it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden I would've died for your sins Instead, I just died inside And you deserve prison, but you won't get time You'll slide into inboxes and slip through the bars You crashed my party and your rental car You said normal girls were boring But you were gone by the morning You kicked out the stage lights But you're still performing
The Alchemy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taylor Swift rushed to write “The Alchemy” because it is the first song on the album that is related to her current relationship, and after TSMWEL this song has a deeper meaning. Very good choice, Jack Antonoff's production is very good, the song has a universal progressive rock/pop dimension and the lyrics are happy and hopeful. We will see...
This happens once every few lifetimes
These chemicals hit me like white wine
What if I told you I'm back?
The hospital was a drag
Worst sleep that I ever had
I circled you on a map
I haven't come around in so long
But I'm coming back so strong
Clara Bow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really like “Clara Bow”, in the time of cinema, television, media and social networks we all have our icons. These are icons that, for those trying to make it in these circles, are important to look like before they deserve to have their “name” and be the next star. I liked the choices she mentions: Clara Bow; Stevie Nicks and herself. There is no one better than her at this point, and some people are compared to her. Who will be the next global icon?
"You look like Taylor Swift
In this light
We're loving it.
You've got edge she never did
The future's bright
... Dazzling."
Stevie Nicks wrote a poem for the album. I will share it here.
The album we bought ends with “The Manuscript”, but I will respect “The Anthology” and leave this track for last
The Black Dog ⭐⭐⭐
I like “Black Dog”, once again the lyrics are the most interesting part of the song. The lyrics imply that there can be great loneliness, even when you live with a person. Does she miss her when she's not with her? The lyrics show that the person with whom she had this relationship was not that involved.
I move through the world with the heartbroken
My longings stay unspoken
And I may never open up the way I did for you
And all of those best laid plans
You said I needed a brave man
Then proceeded to play him
Until I believed it too
And it kills me
I just don't understand
imgonnagetyouback ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“imgonnagetyouback” has a very engaging song, I love this song. It's interesting because it breaks a little the mystique found in “The Anthology”. I think it is a testimony to the person she refers to and who was part of her past. At this point, despite not being in her life, she intends to win back. Jack Antonoff is the producer, and he's very, very good.
… I can feel it comin', hummin' in the way you move
Push the reset button, we're becoming something new
Say you got somebody, I'll say, "I got someone too"
Even if it's handcuffed, I'm leaving here with you
…Bygones will be bygone eras fadin' into gray (fadin' into gray)
We broke all the pieces but still want to play the game (oh)
Told my friends, "I hate you but I love you just the same"
Pick your poison, babe
I'm poison either way
The Albatross ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Albatross” has a lot of symbolism because she is compared to a beautiful, transcendent and imposing bird, but also dangerous and frightening. The production is once again wonderful, the violins are reminiscent of the flight of a bird — beautiful! The message is what Taylor does best, puts herself in the shoes of a woman who is too powerful, independent and her history related to her relationships makes her someone who is not worthy, and she is judged because of that. She is here to prevent her conquests from the dangers she can cause.
So I crossed my thoughtless heart
Spread my wings like a parachute
I'm the albatross
I swept in at the rescue
The devil that you know
Looks now more like an angel
I'm the life you chose
And all this terrible danger
So cross your thoughtless heart
She's the albatross
She is here to destroy you
Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And here we go with another extraordinary song!!! The lyrics are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and extremely emotional. “loml”, “How Did It End”, “Peter” and these lyrics... She makes reference to a very important person to her... A wink at the people in our lives.
So if I sell my apartment
And you have some kids with an internet starlet
Will that make your memory fade from this scarlet maroon
like it never happened
Could it be enough to just float in your orbit
Can we watch our phantoms like watching wild horses
Cooler in theory but not if you force it
To be, it just didn't happen
So if you want to break my cold, cold heart
Say you loved me
And if you want to tear my world apart
Say you'll always wonder
How Did It End ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“How Did It End” is another “Masterpiece” from “The Anthology”. Taylor Swift plays it perfectly, the heavenly voice at the beginning and later in the song adds timeless moments and the production is once again on point. The lyrics touch me deep down, they evoke people's reactions to separations. She asks “How Did It End” without knowing the answer herself, but she focuses on the intense interest of the media and people outside of relationships.
Say it once again with feeling
How the death rattle breathing
Silenced as the soul was leaving
The deflation of our dreaming
Leaving me bereft and reeling
My beloved ghost and me
Sitting in a tree
D-Y-I-N-G
It's happenin' again
How did it end?
I can't pretend like I understand
How did it end?
So High School ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So High School” is a jovial song about her current relationship. She points out that this relationship makes her feel like she's in high school. I like everything about this song, the production is “on top!”
I feel so high school every time I look at you
I wanna find you in a crowd just to hide from you
And in a blink of a crinkling eye
I'm sinking, our fingers entwined
Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights
Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me
I'll drink what you think, and I'm high
From smoking your jokes all damn night
The brink of a wrinkle in time
Bittersweet sixteen suddenly
I Hate It Here ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I Hate It Here” is once again a brilliant song. It's obvious that she talks about her relationship, which ended up breaking down. Apparently, she stayed and took advantage of what happened to her to write songs, invent worlds, escape from reality because it was painful for her. Once again Aaron Dessner, who produces, worked miracles.
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
I read about it in a book when I was a precocious child
No mid-sized city hopes and small town fears
I'm there most of the year
Cause I hate it here
I hate it here
ThanK you aIMee ⭐⭐⭐
Apparently thanK you aIMee is about the tragic episode of the video edited by Kim Kardashian. I still think she could apologize, it was hideous. In this song she ends up saying that she is grateful because it was what allowed her to create the entire concept behind her resurrection — her rebirth — with one of her best albums: Reputation! Waiting for “Taylor's Version”. “We ask for more”, sorry, but we LOVE Reputation! It's important to understand that all the cancellation, in the time of social media, on Twitter or Instagram, made her feel like she had to “disappear”. It was very painful for her and for all the people who share her life. Watch the documentary “Miss Americana” on Netflix.
I wrote a thousand songs that you find uncool
I built a legacy that you can't undo
But when I count the scars, there's a moment of truth
That there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you
I look on people Windows ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I Look In People Windows” is very beautiful and once again the song is phenomenal. The narrative is very simple, she looks for that person anywhere in order to catch her eye once again. It's a feeling we can all share at some point in our lives. Her life needs something that she no longer has and that's why she looks at the lives of others or her past. Taylor once again does the lyric's justice.
You had stopped and tilted your head
I still ponder what it meant now, now
Now, now, now, now
I tried searching faces on streets
What are the chances you'd be downtown
Downtown, downtown
Does it feel alright to not know me?
I'm addicted to the 'if only'
So I look in people's windows
Like I'm some deranged weirdo
I attend Christmas parties from outside
I look in people's windows
In case you're at their table
What if your eyes looked up and met mine
One more time
The Prophecy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Prophecy” is more than a song, it's a prayer to improve her life. She asks to change the prophecy because despite being very successful in life, she feels that she is unlucky in love. “Sorry but” Taylor for us this are the source of inspiration for your fabulous songs and albums, but I understand the desire to get a happy ending. If it's what you wants, it's what we want too, truth be told, you deserves it! The lyrics are so vulnerable and the production is fantastic.
And I sound like an infant
Feeling like the very last drops of an ink pen
A greater woman stays cool
But I howl like a wolf at the moon
And I look unstable
Gathered with a coven round a sorceress' table
A greater woman has faith
But even statues crumble if they're made to wait
I'm so afraid I sealed my fate
No sign of soulmates
I'm just a paperweight
In shades of greige
Spending my last coin so someone will tell me
It'll be ok
Please
I've been on my knees
Change the prophecy
Don't want money
Just someone who wants my company
Let it once be me
Who do I have to speak to
About if they can redo
The prophecy?
Cassandra ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Cassandra” is her, the witch who was burned before the truth was known. Once again it is a song alluding to the album “Reputation”, especially the song “I Did Something Bad”. Since the truth is now known about the editing of the video — she wrote in a tweet at the time denying her approval in relation to the lyrics of Kanye West's song. In this song she can finally shout that she was the one who was right and who never gave her approval as it was in the video. Good girl! I love everything about this song!
Blood's thick but nothing like a payroll
Bet they never spared a prayer for my soul
You can mark my words that I said it first
In a morning warning, no one heard
No one heard
Not a single word was heard
When the first stone's thrown, there's screaming
In the streets, there's a raging riot
When it's "Burn the bitch, " they're shrieking
When the truth comes out, it's quiet
It's so quiet
Peter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Peter" is one of the most beautiful songs on this album. The lyrics are about Peter Pan who, despite Wendy waiting for him, he didn't honor his word and didn't show up. She grows up and feels that he is no longer the person for her - she turned off the light! Who the song is about is irrelevant to me. The song is very well produced and the lyrics are beautiful. Taylor Swift surpasses herself in this performance - if anyone doubts her as a singer, you can stop here!
And I won't confess that I waited
But I let the lamp burn
As the men masqueraded
I hoped you'd return
With your feet on the ground
Tell me all that you'd learned
Cause love's never lost when perspective is earned
And you said you'd come and get me but you were 25
And the shelf life of those fantasies has expired
Lost to the lost boys chapter of your life
Forgive me Peter, please know that I tried
To hold onto the days when you were mine
But the woman who sits by the window has turned out the light
The Bolter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Bolter” is another very good song, it alludes to someone who runs away from their relationships, who have more than one, it's reminiscent of “Getaway Car” from Reputation. She is “The Bolter”, as the fugitive says, because she is the “serial dater” of 1989, and she uses her boyfriends. Another way to approach this topic. So good!
Started with a kiss
"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"
But it always ends up with a Town Car speeding
Out the drive one evening
Ended with the slam of a door
Then he'll call her a whore
Wish he wouldn't be sore
But as she was leaving
It felt like breathing
All her fuckin' lives
Flashed before her eyes
It feels like the time
She fell through the ice
Then came out alive
Robin ⭐⭐⭐
Robin is a song about childhood innocence. It sounds like a lullaby. Rumour has it's for Aaron Dessner's son. Beautiful!
You got the dragonflies above your bed
You have a favorite spot on the swing set
You have no room in your dreams for regrets
You have no idea
The time will arrive for the cruel and the mean
You'll learn to bounce back just like your trampoline
But now we'll curtail your curiosity
In sweetness
Way to go, Tiger
Higher and higher
Wilder and lighter
For you
The Manuscrit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Manuscript” is a song that ends well on any of the albums, whether vinyl or digital. I like Aaron Dessner's production, Taylor Swift's lyrics and interpretation. The reference to someone older is notable and so is the suffering that this relationship entailed. However, it is possible that the manuscript is her story turned into songs. She relays her sketches, her manuscript that in the end, when it is placed for everyone's appreciation through the albums it becomes for all of us. The lyrics are very vulnerable, and she sings once again with a lot of heart. A perfection!
And the years passed
Like scenes of a show
The Professor said to write what you know
Lookin' backwards
Might be the only way to move forward
Then the actors
Were hitting their marks
And the slow dance
Was alight with the sparks
And the tears fell
In synchronicity with the score
And at last
She knew what the agony had been for
The only thing that's left is the manuscript
One last souvenir from my trip to your shores
Now and then I reread the manuscript
But the story isn't mine anymore
And we come to the end of these 31 songs, I hope you liked my vision. It was weeks of listening, weeks of writing... I work, so I can't do it any faster.
This double album is made with two different dimensions with two fabulous producers and Taylor Swift. I wanted to highlight that in the songs she sings the “backing vocals” and that, in addition to the vocal performances, it makes everything more cohesive and homogeneous. Maybe it could be the definition of such “narcotics”...
The allusion to “Reputation” is notable and that's why I like it even more. On her Eras Tour she names the excerpt from TTPD as “Female Rage The Musical!” is a bit like “Mad Woman”, and the name is well-chosen. There is some similarity with Folklore and Evermore, which are two albums that I love, in the composition of “The Anthology” where my favourite songs are.
Taylor Swift is a very generous and hard-working person, there should be no one with her professional ethics and dedication. Living in her time is our great luck!
I'm hungry to go see The Eras Tour in Lisbon, but I couldn't get tickets for myself and my most of all, anyone who has extra tickets should tell me and I'll buy them right away!
