Speak Now

Album Notes

In this album, Swift draws the connection between self-authorship and autonomy/adulthood. 

Mine

Lyrics (Here)

You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded 

You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes


Related Readings:

  Gheaus, Anca (2021). The Best Available Parent. Ethics 131 (3):431-459. (link


Commentary: 

 


Sparks Fly

Lyrics (Here)

Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Back to December

Lyrics (Here)

It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Speak Now

Lyrics (Here)

You need to hear me out 

They said, "Speak now"


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Dear John

Lyrics (Here)

And I look back in regret how I ignored when they said "Run as fast as you can"


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Mean

Lyrics (Here)

And I can see you years from now in a bar 

Talking over a football game 

With that same big, loud opinion 

But nobody's listening 

Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things 

Drunk and grumblin' on about how I can't sing 

But all you are is mean


Related Readings:

Heesen, Remco & Bright, Liam Kofi (2021). Is Peer Review a Good Idea? British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 72 (3):635-663. (link)


Commentary: 


The Story of Us

Lyrics (Here)

This is looking like a contest 

Of who can act like they care less


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Never Grow Up

Lyrics (Here)

I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone


Related Readings:

Setiya, Kieran. "The Midlife Crisis." Philosopher's Imprint 14, no. 31 (2014). (link)


Commentary: 


Enchanted

Lyrics (Here)

The playful conversation starts 

Counter all your quick remarks 

Like passing notes in secrecy


Related Readings:

Naar, Hichem. "Subject-relative reasons for love." Ratio 30, no. 2 (2017): 197-214." (link)


Commentary: 


Better than Revenge

Lyrics (Here)

She's not a saint and she's not what you think She's an actress, woah 

She's better known for the things that she does On the mattress, woah


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Innocent

Lyrics (Here)

Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything 

And everybody believed in you?


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Haunted

Lyrics (Here)

Something keeps me holding onto nothing


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Last Kiss

Lyrics (Here)

You can plan for a change in the weather and time 

But I never planned on you changing your mind


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Long Live

Lyrics (Here)

But if, God forbid, fate should step in 

And force us into a goodbye

If you have children some day 

When they point to the pictures 

Please tell 'em my name 

Tell 'em how the crowds went wild 

Tell 'em how I hope they shine 

Long live the walls we crashed through 

I had the time of my life with you


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Ours

Lyrics (Here)

So don't you worry your pretty little mind 

People throw rocks at things that shine 

And life makes love look hard


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


 If This Was a Movie 

Lyrics (Here)

But if this was a movie you'd be here by now


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Superman

Lyrics (Here)

He's got his mother's eyes, his father's ambition


Related Readings:

here" (link)


Commentary: 


Discussion Questions