On Friday, as you probably already know, Taylor Swift released her new album, The Tortured Poets Department. The album is expected to be another big hit in their prolific career, and Swift is expected to once again dominate the entire Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 next week. Swift hasn't done any traditional press for the album. Instead, she uses the techniques of corporate trading to illustrate the individual tracks of her LPs. If you want to hear her thoughts on these songs, you'll need to be an Amazon Music member.
As part of Amazon's new promotion, Taylor Swift is offering a short introduction to each song in The Tortured Poets Division, complete with director commentary. (She only performs songs from the main album, not the many bonus tracks added as surprises on release night.) For most songs, the descriptions are fairly self-explanatory. For example, Swift said of the closing track, “Clara Bow,'' which bears her name alongside Bow and Stevie Nicks:
“Clara Bow” is a song I wrote to explain what I've seen in the industry I've been involved in. When I was a kid, I'd sit at a record company and sign a record deal, and they'd say, “You know, you remind us of…'' and they'd name the artist, and then they'd say, “You know, you remind us of…'' . She's like say something derogatory about her. “But this is who you are. You're so much better at this and so much better at that.” It's a way to teach you to become the new successor to this accomplished woman.
I chose women who have accomplished great things in the past and are the epitome of greatness in the entertainment industry. Clara Bow was her first “It Girl.” Stevie Nicks is an icon and a great role model for anyone who wants to write songs and make music.
Swift's explanation of Florence Welch's duet “Florida!!!” I wasn't sure what this song was about, so here's a little more clarity.
I always look at the International Dateline. People have crimes they have committed. Where will they soon leave the city and go? They go to Florida. They try to reinvent themselves, take on new identities, and blend in with their surroundings. When you experience heartbreak, you may think somewhere in your heart that you want a new name. I want a new life. I don't want anyone to know where I've been or anything about me at all. ” And that was the starting point. Where do you go to reinvent yourself and fit in? Florida!
If you're an Amazon Music subscriber, you can listen to all of Taylor Swift's comments here. Apparently, you can say, “Alexa, I'm a member of the Torture Poets Department,” but I can't imagine myself saying those words out loud, even in the privacy of my own home.