OK, so I messed up.
I had an album slotted neatly into my #1 slot for 2004. In fact, it was a no-brainer. I was looking forward to writing about it.
Then I discovered that, contrary to the date stamp in my iTunes library, the album was actually released in February of 2005. So it will make a lovely entry after I’ve worked my way through the 5s, but it would be premature to include it now.
As a last-minute placeholder, I’m dropping the newest single from Taylor Swift. ‘Anti-Hero’ is a track on her new album Midnights, a project I’ll likely devote more blog space to in the future.
I will say that my initial reaction to this release is lukewarm, and certainly less enthusiastic than my feelings about her last three releases. Maybe some more time with it will change that impression.
I have this thing where I get older, but just never wiser
Midnights become my afternoons
When my depression works the graveyard shift, all of the people
I’ve ghosted stand there in the room
[Pre-Chorus]
I should not be left to my own devices
They come with prices and vices
I end up in crisis
(Tale as old as time)
I wake up screaming from dreaming
One day, I’ll watch as you’re leaving
‘Cause you got tired of my scheming
(For the last time)
[Chorus]
It’s me, hi
I’m the problem, it’s me
At teatime, everybody agrees
I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror
It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
[Verse 2]
Sometimes, I feel like everybody is a sexy baby
And I’m a monster on the hill
Too big to hang out, slowly lurching toward your favorite city
Pierced through the heart, but never killed
[Pre-Chorus]
Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism
Like some kind of congressman?
(A tale as old as time)
I wake up screaming from dreaming
One day, I’ll watch as you’re leaving
And life will lose all its meaning
(For the last time)
[Chorus]
It’s me, hi
I’m the problem, it’s me (I’m the problem, it’s me)
At teatime, everybody agrees
I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror
It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
[Bridge]
I have this dream my daughter-in-law kills me for the money
She thinks I left them in the will
The family gathers ’round and reads it
And then someone screams out
“She’s laughing up at us from hell”
[Breakdown]
It’s me, hi
I’m the problem, it’s me
It’s me, hi
I’m the problem, it’s me
It’s me, hi
Everybody agrees, everybody agrees
[Chorus]
It’s me, hi (Hi)
I’m the problem, it’s me (I’m the problem, it’s me)
At teatime (Teatime), everybody agrees (Everybody agrees)
I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror
It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve liked what I have heard so far from the new album, though it is hard to match let alone bear the excellence of Folklore and Evermore.
Meanwhile, why not include the very clever video for “Anti-hero” in your post? Here it is for your readers’ enjoyment:
Mainly because of the funeral skit in the middle. It’s clever but I hate when videos interrupt the song.
Guess I know why…YouTube makes the video unavailable.🥲 But just click the “watch on YouTube” link.
I’m still listening and mulling, but so far I’m a fan. I particularly like her approach to flipping the perspective in this lyric. It brings Grendel to my mind, especially when she casts herself as the monster on the hill.
Does that make Beowulf the sexy baby? 😀
Exactly! And all the rest of them prancing about the mead hall!
Read David Brooks column in the New York Times this morning about the increasing negativity and angst in our world,he cited Taylor Swift’s “excellent “ new album “plays upon a string of negative emotions—anxiety, restlessness, exhaustion and occasionally anger” do you all agree?
The theme of the album are songs she wrote in the wee hours of the morning over the past decade as she was wrestling with all manner of emotions, many of them revealing those moods listed above.
It’s definitely a darker album, thematically, than most of her others. Although I’m pretty sure these are all new compositions, written about those sleepless nights, but not during them.
I suppose I’m not shocking anyone by coming in as a strong fan of Midnights, but I truly am so impressed by the album from start to finish. I think she’s reflecting on herself and her discography in some lyrically wonderful ways here. Not to mention I’m usually a sucker for an Antonoff production and I think the two bring out great work in one another. I do miss some of the Evermore/Folklore vibes which may account for Sweet Nothing being my favorite on the album itself and “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” an Aaron Dessner production, being the highlight of the 3am session songs. Looking forward to hearing more of everyone’s thoughts down the line!