schnetzka
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THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT out April 19th!
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Post by schnetzka on May 6, 2023 14:08:15 GMT -5
Given how much people love "Would've, Could've, Should've", I am surprised it wasn't #1.
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taylor
Diamond Member
Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
where’d you go, go, alley rose?
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Post by taylor on May 6, 2023 14:18:01 GMT -5
SEVEN #1s fall at the door of the Top 3 as “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” takes the bronze medal in the rankdown. The penultimate track on the 3am edition of Midnights, this song is a masterpiece. It blatantly harkens back to the Speak Now era and recalls the relationship Taylor had with John Mayer, and it’s brutal. She expresses regret over entering into a relationship with the "grown" man when she was 19, his treatment of her, and the persisting emotional trauma she endured.
It’s the refrain and bridge that really pack a punch:
God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be The tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind I regret you all the time I can't let this go, I fight with you in my sleep The wound won't close, I keep on waiting for a sign I regret you all the time.
If clarity's in death, then why won't this die? Years of tearing down our banners, you and I Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first!!!
It’s not even the chaos going on production-wise, although it adds to the intensity. It’s the way she says these lines. It’s the emotion all over her voice, especially in the last line of the bridge. Many critics found it to be the most powerful moment in the song, looking at these lyrics and accusing the man of stealing her innocence, and abusing her emotionally and sexually. I’m not keen on speculating something so intense and personal, but no matter what it is, that man can go straight to the seventh circle of hell.
The song that’s been put right up there with “All Too Well” in Taylor’s career, WCS actually had a rough start in the rankdown, starting as low as #13 in the rankings. It quickly powered past that, and once it hit the Top 10, it stayed there. It put up a fight to be in the Top 3, finally achieving it with the last six lists that came in.
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Future Captain
3x Platinum Member
hi, i'm the visual representation of untreated mental illnesses
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Post by Future Captain on May 6, 2023 14:23:19 GMT -5
a bit disappointed WCS is not #1. even without getting into speculations and such, divorced from the context of Taylor Swift, it's such a powerful song that painted a very vivid imagery of the story it's telling. definitely one of her all-time best.
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taylor
Diamond Member
Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
where’d you go, go, alley rose?
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Post by taylor on May 6, 2023 14:24:32 GMT -5
AND HERE WE ARE.
VS.
STAY TUNED.
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taylor
Diamond Member
Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
where’d you go, go, alley rose?
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Post by taylor on May 6, 2023 14:38:19 GMT -5
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taylor
Diamond Member
Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
where’d you go, go, alley rose?
Joined: October 2019
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Post by taylor on May 6, 2023 14:49:57 GMT -5
And there you have it! “Anti-Hero” annihilated the competition to become the winner of the Midnights rankdown! It happened to a very deserving song; as it’s easily one of the best representations of what this album is at its core. Having NEVER LEFT #1 IN THIS RANKDOWN, “Anti-Hero” is a pop rock and synth-pop song with influences of 80s rock, driven by a methodical drum loop and "simmering" synths. Its lyrics see Taylor self-criticize, calling herself "the problem" and expressing her insecurities, anxiety, and depression. Themes addressed include ghosting acquaintances, camouflaging narcissism as altruism, fears of relationships being transactional, and Taylor's inability to commingle with people normally due to her celebrity status. Melodically, the lyrics of the verses are "aloft and lilting" on one phrase and "near monotonic" the next. In the bridge, she describes one of her nightmares, in which her daughter-in-law murders her to inherit her fortune. In the final chorus, Taylor's vocals are characterized as "weary [...] dragging, sighed out,” ending on a hissing vocal (referencing the reputation era) before reverting to the upbeat chorus. The lyrics also contain a reference to the sitcom 30 Rock in the lyric "Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, and I'm a monster on the hill,” which has been interpreted as a response to fetishism of physical features of young women and "feminine youth.”
”Lavender Haze,” while I didn’t rank super high at all, is a song I’ve come to love and appreciate. It’s arguably one of Taylor’s best album openers, as it really sets the mood and vibe for Midnights and gives us a taste of what we’d be in for. Having struggled in the beginning of the rankdown and eventually finding its footing and staying at #2 once it made its way there, "Lavender Haze" is a moody song rooted in ambient house and pop genres such as synth-pop and dream pop. Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone described it as a 1990s R&B track, and Chris Willman from Variety described it as an "emo-erotic" song that leans towards modern R&B. Alex Blimes of Esquire dubbed it a "slow disco" song. It has a rhythmic-oriented, electro-hip-hop-inflected production with layered, falsetto vocals in the refrain, propelling modular synthesizers and synth drums. Ann Powers of NPR thought the song's layered vocals and synth drums are reminiscent of music by Whitney Houston. The lyrics of “Lavender Haze” are about the tabloid scrutiny and online rumors that Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn faced, and wanting to stay away from it all with her former lover. Neil McCormick of The Telegraph noted "the Prince-like falsetto funkiness" throughout the track, illustrated by "high-pitched backing vocals" from producer Jack Antonoff. Taylor addresses engagement and marriage rumors with Joe, stressing how the concept has become outdated. She refers to questions surrounding the relationship as "dizzying" and compliments Joe's disregard to public inquiries about their relationship. Lyrically, the song was compared to "Delicate", "Dress" and "Call It What You Want", all from reputation.
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Fire
Diamond Member
hi :)
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Post by Fire on May 6, 2023 14:56:53 GMT -5
lol, thanks for hosting guys, as per usual, u didn't disappoint!!
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Leo ✔
Diamond Member
Julia Michaels Stan
Happy happy happy ♪
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Post by Leo ✔ on May 6, 2023 14:57:52 GMT -5
pleek.
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taylor
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Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
where’d you go, go, alley rose?
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Post by taylor on May 6, 2023 15:03:56 GMT -5
I want to thank you all so much for participating once again for another #TeamTaylor rankdown, for being patient with me as I tried and failed to navigate Google’s data collecting format, and for following along with us! I also want to of course thank my beloved co-hosts, fearlessarrow and born. You two are such incredible people and an absolute dream to work with. I am so proud of the work we’ve put into these rankdowns, and with you two to celebrate Taylor and her music with, it’s always gonna be fun. Until the autumn leaves fall down like pieces into place or the first snow glistens as it falls, whichever comes first, I’ll remember it all too well. xoxo, Taylor
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SabrinaFan
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2022 Pop Poster of the Year
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Post by SabrinaFan on May 6, 2023 16:22:47 GMT -5
Very well-deserved winner! Thank you so much for hosting taylor, fearlessarrow and born ! As usual, I had a lot of fun, as these Taylor Swift rankdowns are always among my favorites! Can't wait for the next one! <3
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Marooned@Midnight
6x Platinum Member
It’s me…HI!…I’m the problem, it’s me
Joined: September 2007
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Post by Marooned@Midnight on May 6, 2023 16:27:10 GMT -5
Well deserved winner. But, Maroon was robbed. Love Lavender Haze but shocked it made it to the runner up spot. I thought I ranked it higher than most would at #5. Really disappointed Maroon and Midnight Rain were not #1 contenders.
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kimberly
Diamond Member
act i RENAISSANCE
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Post by kimberly on May 6, 2023 16:38:54 GMT -5
this top two… thank you three for hosting though!! <3
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khan
Gold Member
Joined: July 2020
Posts: 976
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Post by khan on May 6, 2023 16:49:36 GMT -5
The Great War being top ten, and that high into the top ten, was a huge but welcome surprise. Another example of the impeccable writing on this project.
In any case, this is a rare time when I can be totally satisfied with the winner of an album rankdown being the big hit single!
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nick64
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2011
Posts: 14,415
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Post by nick64 on May 6, 2023 19:34:05 GMT -5
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jasper0102
2x Platinum Member
I CAN GET BY THE DAYS JUST FINE BUT THE NIGHTS
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Post by jasper0102 on May 6, 2023 20:05:55 GMT -5
7: Not one of my favorites from the album but also not bad. Also are you telling that this beat Hits Different by 3 POINTS?!?!?!?! 6. Pleasantly surprised this got this high. It’s a really good song too so not complaining. 5. I feel if I had to choose any grower from this album it’d be this song 4. 1 off of a Perfect Ranking lmao. Anyways this is great. 3. Same as 4. Surprised this wasn’t second though. 2. This being second feels off. It’s a great song but it beating 3 was a shock. 1. Ofc this wins. It’s deserved but still. Please let this be Midnight Rain... I’m sorry you’re likely not awake for these reveals but at least you were correct! Yeah this was all happening when it was 1:30 AM over here lmao.
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recordyear
Diamond Member
album listener
Joined: January 2017
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Post by recordyear on May 7, 2023 2:03:20 GMT -5
7. You know what this song sounds like in the charts? Snooze by SZA lol, so I wasn't to surprised this has a chart run despite being a non-single. 6. Actually great lyrics and melody be damned. 5. This sounds too much like one of her old hits and I am generally aversive to this gimmick. 4. Good bridge but the verse is a bit lacking. 3. I don't think many would care this song aside from the drama tbh. Her voice doesn't suit for the music. Single bias strikes again, but the first two singles are quite similar quality wise so either one winning is fine. Cool that she tries to put a cute sex jam as radio single after putting previous attempts as album tracks. Anti-Hero has a slightly better chorus, however. Thanks for hosting the rankdown, taylor, fearlessarrow and born
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nickd
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Post by nickd on May 7, 2023 16:25:53 GMT -5
Lavender Haze, Would've Could've Should've and You're On Your Own Kid should've been the top 3 imo.
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fearlessarrow
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Now a 7x PMA winner!
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Post by fearlessarrow on May 7, 2023 18:12:29 GMT -5
Another Taylor Swift rankdown finished, another thank you post from me. Midnights has been a magical era to see happen as it happened for me (1 million+ week, "Anti-Hero" becoming one of her biggest hits etc.) and it's been so nice to celebrate the album with you all! Thank you so much to every single one of you for submitting and/or following along! And last but not least, thank you to my wonderful co-hosts, born and taylor. I think we all have strengths in terms of hosting rankdowns that complement each other well, we're the dream team!
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born
Diamond Member
can't come to the phone right now
BLACK LIVES MATTER
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Post by born on May 15, 2023 17:01:14 GMT -5
I know the rankdown ended well over a week but I can't move on without a "thank you" post! And now I have finally found the time to do it!
I wanna start by showering my incredible co-hosts with love. I sort of think of us as modern-day versions of the March sisters. - fearlessarrow being the responsible one who handles all of the data, expert at housekeeping and helping us two. (You all should know that he truly went out of his way to help us with everything we couldn't figure out) - taylor the talented writer of our group who turns feelings and colors into words and elevates the whole experience. - And then me, the messy "graphic design is my passion" middle sister. But I guess y'all like our crazy bunch?
Thank you Taylor for never letting us rest and always giving us new content to obsess over! The actual music industry.
and finally, you. Thank you all for going on this journey with us. This is not the last time you see us around. You know there's still plenty to come.
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