#BECAUSE ENCHANTED TV? INNOCENT TV? LONG LIVE TV?

[bingqiv]

I LET OUT THE MOST GODFORSAKEN FERAL SCREAM AND PULLED A MUSCLE IN MY NECK WHEN I SAW THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

(SPEAK NOW IS LIKE MY FAVOURITE ALBUM OF ALL TIME AND WAS LITERALLY THE BACKING TRACK OF MY TEEN YEARS!)

[strawberries-and-racing]

i wanna be yours - mv1

pairing: max verstappen x fem!reader

requests that came together and inspired this series:

• nsfw prompts 9-13 (in pt. 2)

• 'listen up. Obsessive possessive crazy max for sweet innocent reader smut.'

• 'ok so we need dark FICS of any driver of your choice but make him very obsessive and possessive and don't forget the smut. Keep it up girlllll!!!'

summary: a lot of tension building between possessive max and sweet y/n.

warnings: alcohol consumption, fluff, slightly crazy max, some cliches (im sorry!) also the title is based off the arctic monkeys song because i felt like the vibes matched also i love arctic monkeys💕

a/n: screaming once again!!! this is the first fluff ive posted and it's part 1/2. the next part has the smut as promised but i wanted to take my time and build this up please enjoy🙏

the flight to the UK was long, but well worth it. two months ago you'd been offered an unbelievable opportunity.

an opportunity you'd been dreaming of for years, one you'd spent what felt like an eternity working towards— an engineering internship. not just any internship, one with the red bull formula one team.

you'd be able to travel with the team, shadow the engineers, help with various tasks around the paddock, and design parts at hq. an absolute dream.

after scouring a thousand real estate websites, you'd finally found the perfect place for to live.

a little 1 bed 1 bath apartment, tucked into a beautiful, quaint little neighbourhood. just 30 mins to the red bull hq.

you'd dedicated many late nights and ikea shopping trips to making the apartment your own. your comfortable escape from the grueling hours of studying and pressures of the internship.

you led a busy life, but it never bothered you. you adored what you did and formula one had been your passion since you were a little girl.

and now everything was falling into place. in fact, tommorrow you'd leave to attend your first race with the team. austria. red bulls home race.

you were ecstatic to say the least.

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

you hurriedly made your way through the paddock and into the red bull garage. your eyes glued to the schedule on top of the pile of papers in your arms.

you were on your way to assist one of the senior engineers in preparation before the race began.

you were nervous, and it was no help that you weren't exactly sure where you were supposed to be meeting him.

suddenly, you stumble over your own feet and bump into someone.

you feel hands on your shoulders, their grasp firm, steadying you.

you look up and are taken aback by the pair of strikingly blue eyes staring back at you. his eyes were the kind of crystal blue that would capture anyones attention. but despite their bright colour, they had a sort of inexplicable depth, darkness to them.

there was something in his expression that you couldn't quite read. something stirring beneath the surface of his icy gaze. it was as though he wasn't just looking at you, but into you.

you abruptly become aware of his hands, still on your shoulders. you're so oddly aware of them, as if it's your first time being touched by anyone.

he holds you firmly, as if trying to hold you together. the moment seemed to last forever. the two of you frozen in time.

a stranger's eye contact and touch shouldn't be affecting you in this way.

"you okay?"

it's only once he speaks that you realize who the man standing in front of you is.

your eyes widen, cheeks flushing. you straighten up quickly, mouth slightly agape.

"oh'" you start, at a loss for words "yeah, im sorry." you manage a small smile.

you straighten up an take a step backwards, pulling away from his grasp. you miss the warmth of his hands more than you'd ever like to admit.

"it's okay, no worries," his eyes linger on you a moment longer before you both go your separate ways.

as you walk away, you cant help but glance back at him.

max verstappen.

you'd certainly heard him speak before on tv, but something about his accent in person was enchanting. his energy seemed to linger on you like perfume.

everything about him caught your attention, long before you'd bumped into him in person.

you'd seen his dominance on track, it was impossible not to notice. he could control the car like no other driver, handling each corner perfectly. he pushed the car to the limit every race and it payed off.

it wasn't just his driving you noticed. his persona. it was everything. and you couldn't ignore the fact that it was sexy.

his short temper, his tendency to snap easily.

it was unreasonably and indescribably attractive.

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

the next time you see him he's across the room. you're studying the notes that the senior engineer gave you, papers and writing utensils spread across the table in front of you.

he was discussing something with his race engineer, he certainly wasn't doing anything that was particularly interesting or peculiar, he wasn't even looking in your direction. but for fucks sake you were distracted. you were somehow absorbed by his prescence.

ever since bumping into him you couldn't seem to get him out of your head. last night you'd replayed the memory over and over in your mind, finding it more difficult than usual to fall asleep.

all day, you'd silently prayed you would bump into eachother again. your relentless efforts to push your thoughts and feelings to the back of your mind were useless.

the mere idea of him was addictive, so alluring. he was drug-like to you and impossible to ignore.

although it was unknown to you at the time, max had found himself similarly hooked on you. or rather, the thought of you. even though he found enough strength to avoid looking at you, he was well aware of you. sitting at the table in the furthest corner. he was even more aware of the fact that your eyes kept flickering in his direction.

your energy was unlike anything he had ever known. you walked around with an aura of pure innocence. yet you seemed untouchable.

your smile shone. your laugh was contagious. you radiated sunshine. max had come to know these things about you.

you were magnetic in such a way that made him curious.

it stirred something inexplicable inside him. like you were another thing for him to win, to claim. another thing for him to dominant. to corrupt.

your innocence was tangible. and max wanted to be the one to wreck you. it was all he thought about.

ruining you.

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

the light in your apartment was soft. that's how you preferred it.

you relished your alone time. your small apartment was tailored exactly to you. it was always where you felt perfectly safe and at ease.

light from the sunset was just beginning to spill through your windows. you're stirring a big pot of soup on the stove with lazy motions.

a buzz from your phone catches your attention, the screen lights up and you see a new message. it's from andrew, one of the young engineers at red bull who you'd grown close with over the past few months.

your eyes widen upon reading the message.

a dinner with drivers? you couldn't deny that it sounded exciting.

but then again, you were already in your pajamas and the soup was beginning to steam.

you suck in a breath.

fuck.

the three letters of his name were more than enough to change your answer.

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

you spent half your time getting ready frantically choosing an outfit.

finally, you'd settled on your favorite black dress. your hair fell over your shoulders in soft curls left over from the day before.

now, you were standing outside the restaurant. you take a deep breath, trying to calm your nerves.

you walk in and the hostess greets you with a friendly smile. you're led to a booth connected to a big table that's only half full.

andrew waves you over and you take a seat next to him in the booth. lando sits across from you.

youd never spoken with lando outside of strictly professional context and you were pleasantly surprised by his charming humor. you're engrossed in the conversation with the two boys as the rest of the group fills the table. you look up to greet the others.

your breath hitches when you see him. his eyes stare into yours with the same intensity as they had two days ago. you don't break the eye contact until he sits down and a dark haired boy you've never seen before calls his name.

despite the abrupt rush of blood to your head, you manage to hold up the conversation with lando.

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

max couldn't keep his eyes off you for long, and the longer he watched the tighter his grip got on his glass, until his knuckles turned white. he was so focused on you laughing and smiling with lando that he didn't pick up on the way you fidgeted with your ring. a nervous tell.

max clenched his jaw as you leaned in close to something lando said. far closer than what many would deem an action between two casual friends. your giggles and blushing and landos knowing smirk and your hand jokingly smacking his arm made max see red.

"you alright, mate?"

"im fine."

  °~•☆•♡•☆•~°

as the night goes on and the chatter and laughter get louder, people begin shuffling around, moving to talk with new people.

lando is called over to a different group of friends and andrew leaves with him, leaving you alone in the booth.

"having fun?"

you recognize his voice immediately, sense his burning presence as he slides into the booth, sitting next to you.

"yeah." you manage a smile. "the food was really good."

"that's good." he says, briefly glancing away. your eyes involuntarily trace over the tendons of his neck.

he was wearing a dark button down, the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. simple, but ridiculously sexy.

he turns his eyes back onto you. "i didn't know you were gonna be here."

"oh i—" you hesitate for a second, his eyes making your heart skip a beat.

"andrew invited me." you explained, turning slightly so you could face him.

"mm, so are you..." he gestures between you and andrew a few seats down, you know what hes asking.

"oh no, we're just friends." you toy with the edge of your napkin.

it was a bold topic to bring up during a first conversation to say the least, but it didn't feel weird. there wasn't the usual tension, usual coldness that typically came with talking to someone for the first time. it was comfortable, you were able to relax a little.

"hm." is all max answers with. he spreads his legs slightly and pushes his hips forwards, getting comfortable. his leg brushing against yours.

the casual action had your heart thrumming in your ears, beating so loudly you're worried he can hear it.

you swallow, having to glance away. you feel your cheeks turning red.

why max verstappen had such an intense effect on you was still a mystery.

"so um—" you start, trying to make some small talk that would distract you from his arm that now rested on the ledge behind you. you take a breath, composing yourself before speaking. "how often do you guys do this kind of thing?"

he shifted again, his leg touching yours, but he doesn't pull it away this time. the knot of nerves in your stomach tightened. you felt your face turn even redder. the physical contact made your body ache for more.

max smirked, his ego swelling as he saw the effect he had on you.

"once in a while, usually after a race." 

you nod, biting your lip.

"congratulations by the way." you say, it wasn't surprising he'd taken first yet again, but you said it anyways. you prayed he wasn't able to pick up on the way your words came out slightly shaky.

you wanted to do nothing more than relax into him, but with the way he was looking at you that proved to be impossible.

you took a sip of your wine, desperate to cool down as an unexpected surge of heat washed over you which lingered between your legs.

max was different than anyone you'd ever talked too before. he reminded you of nobody. his sense of humor was unique and hilarious.

as the conversation continued you grew immensely fond of the dutchman sitting beside you. although you were absorbed in the stories from his childhood he told you, you remained acutely aware of how close the two of you were now sitting.

max's night couldn't have been unfolding more perfectly. your body language made your thoughts and feelings painfully obvious.

he picked up on the way you blushed immensely at any slight touch from him. the way your pupils dilated as you stared at him. the goosebumps that spread across your chest when he complimented your dress.

but the loudness of the restaurant was a little too much for him. there were too many people here. he craved something more intimate, more private.

"do you wanna get out of here?"

you're caught off guard by his words.

the question was so cliche, yet coming from his mouth it made your heart throb.

"there's a beautiful view not too far from here," he continued, "we could walk?"

his voice was like velvet and he leaned in close, speaking in a low tone as if he didnt want anyone to hear except you.

by now, you're practically having heart palpitations. the pit in your stomach gapes wider.

it was already hard enough for you to keep your sanity intact with him while surrounded by other people. you honestly aren't sure if you could handle being out alone with him.

you nod slowly your head spinning, breathe quickening.

"oh, yeah i'd love that." your voice was unsteadt, yet enthusiastic.

without another word he starts getting up, but before he slips out of the booth he gently touches your leg with his hand, as if reassuring you.

his fingers may as well have been made of hot metal, his touch affected your entire body, his fingerprints burned into your skin.

you felt like a little kid with a crush as you gingerly got up and followed max out of the restaurant, butterflies in your stomach and in your mind.

you don't notice all the eyes on you two as you leave the restaurant, too caught up in the giddiness you were feeling. your own eyes too focused on max in front of you, more specifically on his back which looked so good in that damn shirt.

max, on the other hand, was well aware of all the eyes on him. he fought to keep his cocky grin at bay. there were at least 20 other people there, and out of everyone, you were leaving with him.

he opens the door and lets you by first.

"thank you," you say, the night air cooling your overheated body.

"of course."

amongst the ever present—extremely active— butterflies that fluttered in your stomach, you felt a twinge of genuine nervousness.

you realize that you had just left a restaurant, alone at night, with a guy you technically barely knew. was this safe?

it certainly felt safe. max felt nothing like a stranger.

your nervousness melted away once max fell into step beside you. you looked up at him, at those intense blue eyes.

you were walking so close your arms touched. you had the urge to reach out and take his hand, but of course you didn't.

so there you were, walking alongside max verstappen into the dark night, to see the promised beautiful view.

you'd only walked two blocks before max carefully took your hand in his, entwining his fingers with yours.

please let me know if you want to be tagged for pt.2 (this might end up being three parts)❤

[gdn7-dollopole]

Gaius is a bad character (and he is useless)

Woah, woah.

Let me start this by saying that I believe the very and only true enemy of the tv show is Uther, a tyrant, genocidal man, who for petty reasons, indiscriminately decimated an entire group of people merely because he didn’t get what he wanted, and therefore manipulated all those around him into thinking the same as he.

But, and here comes my point, if Uther is a bad parental figure for Arthur, and a bad king, then Gaius is an equally bad parental figure for Merlin, and a bad physician.

And overall, the character doesn’t make much sense to me.

Gaius sides with the oppressor, constantly:

Let’s start this point by also saying that, since the first episode, Gaius treats Merlin like an idiot. (yes, he is young. Yes, he is inexperienced under many aspects, and yes, he is clumsy) But if Merlin comes all happy and naïve in a new city, with so many hopes for himself and his kind, to live a new life that was promised to him, and the first thing he sees it’s a head chopped off because of a magic death sentence, I think he knows what’s up. This only means that Gaius has on his side the belief that he is better only because of his age, and experiences, and makes Merlin believe that he has to listen to him if he wants to make a change. And Merlin does. Gaius never, never, explicitly says to Merlin that Uther is a bad person, and therefore a bad king. He is the usual old guy with more privilege than the other people in his own community, (because he had practised magic) who believes that if he stays in his lane and doesn’t react, then Uther (the oppressor) will grant him his life, which is not even true, because if Uther did found out about Merlin, and that Gaius had been protecting him during his reign, he wouldn’t have even blinked and bye, bye, Gaius. (oh, wait, it happened, and yet, Gaius still painted Uther as a good man). This, of course, only makes everything worse for Merlin. Yes, he is a man of his own and yes, Merlin decided to side with the oppressor too, enchanted by the idea that he could start a revolution without harming anyone and by staying quiet. (not true, and although Morgana does bad things, and does kill innocent people once she is crowned queen, two times, too blinded by power, she does exactly what Merlin had never had the intention to do) But I firmly believe that Gaius, with Merlin, did the same thing Uther did with Arthur. Gaius took a very young, susceptible man with the will to learn new things and manipulated him into thinking that his magic was wrong and that he couldn’t have helped people with it, because it was his fault that everyone always got in trouble. No, Merlin simply reacted outside of the system, and Gaius was pissy about it, and couldn’t accept that, since he had always lived differently (and up until Merlin came into his life, the way he lived even suited him and didn’t bother him at all, because: “As long as it’s not me.”). For fuck’s sake, this old man actively participated in a purge, refused to run away with the woman he loved and was supposed to marry, two times, only because he thought he could do good things from the inside, once Uther started the purge. Did it really had to be this way for Gaius to have a background story for the TV show and stay in Camelot? No, because this man could have used his magic to either change Uther’s ideology, to help innocent people, or literally leave his job as a manservant for the king and refuse to participate in the genocide Uther had and still made during the later years. But no, if Merlin thought that Uther dying by Morgana’s hands was good, Gaius was there to tell him the opposite, using the same excuse of: “Arthur will be a better king.” (and even when he was crowned king, he made so many mistakes, but this will take another post completely).

Gaius didn’t help Merlin multiple times:

By the same course of him siding with the oppressor and basically pushing Merlin to do the same (not an excuse for his later choices, but you see what I mean), he never once actually helped Merlin. He just had more books than the Camelot library. Surprise, I can too read a book and slay an Avanc, thank you very much. Gaius was always ready to lift the curses that hit Arthur, Uther, and once Merlin, but did he do it when it came to Merlin and to help his friends? He refused to help Merlin help Lancelot, or Gwaine, or Freya, or Morgana, or Gwen, or Tom, or Arthur, or— (I could go on and on). So you’re ready to lift curses when they are an advantage to you, old man, but when it’s about a girl that Merlin loves, suddenly it’s a no, no? Oh, but God forbid Merlin tells you that Alice is possessed and tried to kill the king, and you’ll fret. “No, YoU’Re WrOnG, MeRlIn.” It seems to be his favourite phrase.

Young Merlin believes he is a monster, and Gaius just shrugs and goes on about his day:

“You could never understand.” is what Merlin tells Gaius, who nods thoughtfully and then treats Merlin like a… A what? Exactly, a monster. We’ve been enchanted with the whole: “He is the only father figure Merlin has, he is an old innocent man, he’s got jokes—“ and bla, bla, bla. How many times did Gaius convince Merlin that it was his job and no one else’s to be by Arthur’s side and at the same time tell him that every single choice he wanted to make was wrong? It was wrong to help Morgana, it was wrong to use magic to heal Tom, it was wrong to kill Uther, who killed Tom, it was wrong to help Gwen, it was wrong to help Freya, it was wrong to do everything, and you know why? Because Merlin did it in a way that today we would call a radical way, such as bursting through the council hall looking all pretty and powerful to scream that you’re the sorcerer, not your bestie, and Gaius said: “Nope. Just wait ten years of solitude and depression and things will magically (pun intended) be better.” Whatever.

Gaius is a bad physician:

This seems an important point to make. Gaius has a good knowledge about healing, and everything that involves medicine, but he is the worst teacher. I’m sorry, but it reminds me of my fascist teachers who were only able to open a book and let people read from it, and called it a day. Gaius, just like Merlin did multiple times, could have used magical healing arts to prevent so many things, and learn so much more in case he had to tell Merlin, so that maybe Merlin didn’t feel the need to go out in the middle of the night and meet his other bestie, the giant lizard with wings, or follow a stranger that had died 300 years prior in a cave with so many cristals and thinking that he had to kill Morgana to achieve his destiny, since he would have been able to heal Arthur himself and pop back in Camelot. (ta da) But he had the audacity to always reproach Merlin because he was a bad student. Oh, yeah, Merlin, who has to help everyone’s ass, even those he hates, and has to serve the prince/king and goes round doing chores for you is the bad student. Logical.

Moral of the story, Gaius is useless:

Not that Merlin needed to see someone he loved die, or that he needed another trauma to add to the list to have a better character arc, but why did they keep Gaius and killed half the characters that could have helped Merlin build a better character arc? It’s not even the being old part the problem. The problem are the old ways in which Gaius thinks that had harmed Merlin throughout all the show. He lied to him about Balinor for a mother who never even visited Merlin once in Camelot, after she told him he needed to go there. Gaius could have told him earlier? No? Just me? Okay. Gaius made Merlin lie about what Morgause had said to Arthur. Only during the last episodes, where Merlin is tired, very, very exhausted, Gaius tells him that this destiny bollocks is too heavy just for his shoulders. Oh. Couldn’t you have said that to him, I don’t know, maybe ten years before everything turned to shite? “Merlin had Gaius, Morgana didn’t.” Thank God, and in the end, they’re both bad in their own ways, because they were left alone, since it’s always the elderly fault if a young person is moulded to be in a certain way and ends up being either like their predecessors, or a version of them, and still make bad decisions.

Gaius needed to go, sorry not sorry. Just reunite yourself with your lovely bro Uther and disappear.

[fashionbooksmilano]

Branded Youth and other Stories  by Bruce Weber

designed by Dimitri Levas. Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, and Patti Smith; Poems by Charles Bukowski, A. E. Houseman and Allen Ginsberg; and essays by Ingrid Sischy, Martin Harrison, and Charles Saumarez Smith.

Bulfinch Press/Little Brown and Company, Boston New York 1997, 278 pages, 28 x 22 cm., ISBN  9780821225257

euro 110,00

email if you want to buy :booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

“Branded Youth And Other Stories” was published in conjunction with Bruce’s exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery London in 1997. The title refers to a story of some wild-child teenagers he met in Montana, who in an act of teenage bonding had branded each other on the shoulder with the heated blade of an army bayonet. The reckless romance of this band-of-brothers fable sets the tone for the photographs of this volume–images that evoke youth, freedom, adventure…and the ties that bind. This book opens with a portfolio of Hollywood’s brightest lights, actors of todays’ A-list like Leonardo diCaprio, Christina Ricci, Natalie Portman and Mark Wahlberg, all caught at the moment just before their biggest breaks.  Their innocence stands in stark contrast to the “Court TV” chapter that follows, Polaroid stills from the time when when cable crime reportage became a national fixation, the lurid underbelly of fame represented by the Menendez brothers, Amy Fisher, and Lorena Bobbitt. “Branded Youth” is very much concerned with a search for lost innocence, that “big fantasy life” only dangerous because of its elusiveness. The book traces Bruce’s travels and adventures over the course of several years, from Vietnam to South Africa, Mississippi to Montana. Everywhere he witnesses and documents families celebrating together, children, elderly folks, life-long friends, enchanted landscapes. The prevailing feeling is of possibility and love and faith, the desire people share to build communities and live in harmony with one another, regardless of the injustice or violence of the past. In these photographs, Bruce captures an openness to life as it presents itself to his lens–the pictures resonate, above all, with hope. The book ends as it began, with a study in contrasts. Youthful friendship and loyalty are celebrated in photographs of athletes (at Dan Gable’s Wrestling Camp in Iowa) and Boy Scouts (specifically, Troop 1426 of Virginia). Adolescence and sexuality get their due in a series of figure studies which end the book. But even with its prevailing exuberance, Bruce Weber closes “Branded Youth” with a thoughtful essay expressing the ephemeral nature of such joy. 

09/03/23

orders to:     booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

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[snixx]

ok now speak now tv ranking hehehe 😈

okay i am very very very attached to this album so there will be a lot of vault track slandering you have been warned the others just have too much history ok 👍🏼 ummmm

the story of us

long live

haunted

mine

ours

better than revenge

sparks fly it's this high just because it's sparks fly I'm gonna continue streaming the stolen version it was so much better (the stolen version would be above mine)

last kiss/never grow up

dear john

castles crumbling (yeah it moved up in five minutes in the overall ranking it doesn't feel right to put icsy higher for some reason)

enchanted

I can see you

innocent

electric touch

back to december

speak now

superman

mean

timeless

emma

(rafaela look away)

foolish one

YOUR TURN

[cowboy-like-moony]

Okay but 33 year old taylor singing never grow up? And then her singing 32 and still growing up now in innocent and in general her being older than the assholes that fucked with her life when she was 19 and singing about them knowing she survived all that and more and is still strong, stronger even then she was before and her singing about Joe Jonas now that their friends. Does anyone remember when the jonas brothers (well mostly nick) where teasing a ts collab like their life depended on it? I mean I think it was a joke, but you never know. (I also don't believe the rumours about Taylor Lautner being involved, but that would be so fucking iconic) Also WILL HER BREATHING IN LAST KISS LIVE UP TO ALL OF OUR EXPECTATIONS? (and is she now thinking about a different joe singing it?) And will she change the lyrics in better than revenge? (probably not right?) And if she doesn't will there be backlash (this seems like a bit of a losing game for her because either way someone might be upset). ALSO HER SINING LONG LIVE I'm going to cry everything I said about her being stronger now, but now it doesn't relate back to some stupid guy, but instead is about her fans and about her being afraid that her career wouldn't last, but oh how it lasted and now she is one of the biggest stars in the world, if not THE biggest and has millions of fans who love her just as passionately like they did back then and are just as crazy and look for Easter eggs and make the most beautiful costumes for her show and who cry to her songs (even sometimes the ones that aren't sad). She came so far since she wrote this album, but it remains one of her best ones being written all by her and having many absolutely incredible songs, seriously I would die for every single song on this album, she better finally give it the respect it deserves and then she'll ad more speak now songs to the set list and everything will be great!! I mean she has to add more songs right? It would be great promo and miss swift is a business woman. Also VAULT TRACKS? They're going to hit so hard I'm telling you!! Speaking of hitting, battle better be one of them. Oh my god and we might get new music videos and she'll probably make enchanted a single and it will have it's own video and will be number one and win a Grammy and an Oscar (I'm not sure yet how the last part will work, but it will happen!!) Also we've got to a speak now (tv) album cover?! OH MY GOD I'M FREAKING OUT, speak now is one of my favourite albums of all time and it might finally get the appreciation it deserves! (outside of the swiftie world, swifties already have great taste) ILYDDYLYSGZKGYDLHG I'M SO EXITED!! OH MY GOD SPEAK NOW WORLD DOMINATION hdhldlydkgdxkgkgzugiuc I'm not ready for this, like I know we all seen it coming, but we're any of us prepared for her actually announcing it? Anyway JULY 7 here we come, I can't wait💜

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

SPEAK NOW TV | FIRST LISTEN

I finally got around to listening to Speak Now TV!! I still can't believe it's out. As I did with the previous releases, I will be giving you my thoughts at first listen...and then we can all discuss it and obsess/critique it. I will also be doing a ranking and better developed thoughts in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that!

For starters, I love how crisp and clean the whole album — as does all the re-recordings — sounds, but also has its downsides. Taylor's voice is older, more mature — and she has achieved better developed vocals over the years, as all singers do. On the majority of the songs, I love it, but for some, it's losing the nostalgia, emotions and the slight pop/punk sound the old song carried. Along with the fake country accent — she will be missed for Debut, I'm not ready to talk about it. Warning, this is not me hating on the songs. I feel the same for WANEGBT and 22 on Red TV. The OG just hits better. 

Now, let's get to each song!

Mine: When Taylor posted on tiktok showing the vinyl, she used that song and it was so perfect because this album is the best thing that’s ever been hers. Now I can’t stop hearing it like that

Sparks Fly: Drop everything now! 

Back to December: I was dying to hear it after it was in the TSITP season 2 trailer. This song is so💜

Speak Now: Don’t you? The laugh. 

Dear John: I was so scared this wouldn’t hit the same 

Mean: Missing the fake country accent. I love that these idiots told her she couldn’t make it and now she is re-recording and she can prove them wrong

The Story of Us: I’M SCREAMING!! 

Never Grow Up: This hits different when you’re older. The first verse makes me think of my god-daughter. 

Enchanted: PLEASE DON’T BE IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE!!!

Better than Revenge: I never saw it coming, wouldn’t have suspected it…the mattress line has been changed. I want to cry.

Innocent: This version holds so much more. Is she the Girl at Home of Speak Now?

Haunted: This sOG used to give me major auditory overstimulation. While the angst is not completely there, it’s still a favorite

Last Kiss: WHERE IS THE SHAKY BREATH?! 

Long Live: Hits so hard. I will tell everyone your name Taylor 🫶🏻

Ours: People are always hating on this song and I don’t get it

Superman: I can’t stop thinking of Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley when I hear this song

Electric Touch (Ft. Fall Out Boy): More pop than I was expecting, but still a bop. I wanted something more like My songs know what you did in the dark from the 2013 VS show. This performance is just chef’s kiss

When Emma Falls in Love: This song has my whole heart 

I Can See You: Pleasantly surprised with this one. I love it!

Castles Crumbling (Ft. Hayley Williams): I was expecting more of a pop/punk banger

Foolish One: This on guitar? YES. Also, do you hear the Enchanted melody in the pre-chorus?

Timeless: 🥹

[ashitshowforalot]

so i finished speak now taylor’s version, i cried, thoughts and feelings under the cut

1. mine- bro why am i crying??? her vocals are so different bc she doesn’t have her twang 😭 she sounds so pretty though. ‘FOR THE FIRST TIME’

2. sparks fly- still makes me want to jump and dance around but her vocals are more present if that makes sense??? like it used to blend together for but now i mostly hear taylor. god her voice is so much mature now.

3. back to december- oh hello bell i didn’t realize you were there. okay i’m gonna cry again bc of this song. “I MISS YOUR TAN SKIN YOUR SWEET SMILE”

4. speak now- oh she sounds so pretty already. it’s still so dreamy in this song 😭 “ you wish it was me ☺️ don’t you😏” HER LAUGH OH MY GOD

5. dear john- bro she sounds like she’s gonna cry in the beginning of this, it’s gonna make me cry. oh god 32 year old taylor singing about what happened to 19 year old taylor. go the way i never realized she blames herself until after the bridge “i should’ve know” into “you should’ve know” because he was older HE should’ve known.

6. mean- okay banjo!!! she’s still so cute, i love you mean, forever in my heart 💜 okay tiny ity bitty twang in this song, she’s having fun and i love it.

7. the story of us- okay the guitar is leaning more pop ish than the alternative kind it was leaning towards in the original, not bad i can still bop to it but i’ll miss the guitar riffs, you can hear her little smile on “next chapter”. “LIKE ITS KILLING ME YEAH” aidhsjkshdj “the end” yes taylor

8. never grow up- oh okay, yeah i’m gonna cry. i cried too much to type anything

9. enchanted- oh she’s still enchanting lol, so dreamy oh my god. i will be screaming this in the car actually. oh it actually absolutely amazing.

10. better than revenge-oh i love her already, she did change the lyrics 😔, it slaps but i will hold a candle for the original lyrics because they are so fun to scream misogamy be damn. other than the lyric change she’s absolutely amazing, HER RIFF OH MY GOD, the mocking lyrics, i love them

11. innocent-how hard was this to re record this knowing that this person would continue to hurt her after she had forgiven them. “32 and still growing up now” brb gotta go scream.

12. haunted-YES OH MY GOD THE DRAMA OF THIS SONG, ooo the echoing is fun, the breaths ahkfsh i love all the little things about this album. genuinely one of my favorites from the original and tv holds the same place in my heart. her vocals give me life

13. last kiss- oh god that first beat still makes my heart drop. okay i am going to cry again. tiny twang again. we lost shaky breathe but the song is still so sad even without it.

14. long live-my favorite song to date actually and i might cry. it’s still so good 😭 god and to know so many people who knew her when she wrote this still know her and support her. thinking about her guitarist has been with her for so long and this song is for the people like him and for us and i just i-

15. ours- ours is such a cutesy song, i love her she deserves a kiss on the forehead. kicking my feet and giggling. her laugh again 😭

16. superman-i love you superman you are such a fun song people forget about you, got me dancing and having a fun time, ignoring that it’s probably about j**n m****r.

17. electric touch-our first vault song!!!! oh wow she’s different, she’s so speak now though, oh fallout boy is so fun on this song, taylor has now claimed the time 8:05 lol, i hear the fob influences but the song is still so taylor

18. when emma falls in love- ooo piano she’s fun, oh taylor girl what emma are we referring to babes, when emma falls in love is cute though, not my favorite vault song though, not a skip let’s be clear

19. i can see you- oh, she’s fun, she different, oh my god who are you???? oh she’s rising in ranks so fast, oh my god i love her so much “ i could you up against the wall with me” TAYLOR GIRL, i am scandalized

20. castles crumbling- hi hayley i love you, taylor girl are you okay? nothing new 1.0?, castles crumbling was not what i thought it was, i think i might cry actually, don’t worry hayley got a verse lol, anyways taylor girl are you okay??? anti hero 1.0? bro???

21. foolish one- oh okay happy beat sad lyrics, taylor said take your anti delulu pills or this song is about you, “how could i not see the signs” taylor???? babes what happened??? “he just wasn’t the one” oh okay that hurt a little a lot

22. timeless- oh good old taylor and a guitar, oh no taylor sweetheart i don’t think you would’ve been timeless, why does this hurt, oh this feels so bittersweet

anyways favorite base 16 song is long love and haunted

favorite vault song is i can see you

[dangal9932]

Explore The Iconic Hindi Romantic Serial On OTT Platforms.

Introduction:

The world of television entertainment has changed dramatically with the explosive growth of OTT services, enabling viewers to rewatch their favorite series whenever and wherever they choose. Dangal Play has become a retreat for fans of vintage Hindi Romantic Serial among the many accessible platforms. Whether you're a long-time lover of these beautiful stories or a newcomer eager to explore the world of Indian TV romance, Dangal Play has a vast collection of legendary series that have made an unforgettable impression on viewers' hearts.

We'll closely examine a few of the most popular Hindi Romantic Serial on Dangal Play in this blog.

Kitani Mohabbat Hai Season 2:

"Kitani Mohabbat Hai" is one of the most recognizable Hindi Romantic Serial when it comes to classic love tales. The deep and passionate love story between Arjun and Arohi continues in the second season of this beloved show. The emotional rollercoaster they experience together and their on-screen connection have made this serial a fan favorite.

Amidst miscommunications, familial disputes, and the difficulties of romantic love, Season 2 explores the intricacies of Arjun and Arohi bond in greater detail. The program has become a timeless classic thanks to its distinctive storytelling approach and engaging soundtrack. Dangal Play is ideal for immersing yourself in this epic story of love, grief, and redemption if you have yet to experience their journey.

Rehna Hai Teri Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein:

A further jewel in the Hindi Romantic Serial crown is "Rehna Hai Teri Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein." This series tells the heartwarming tale of Suman, an orphan raised by a kind family. The narrative tackles love, belonging, and self-discovery issues as Suman works through her new life and its complex relationships.

The plot revolves around her romance with Karan, full of delicate, longing, and heartbreaking moments. The show does a fantastic job of capturing the courage needed to overcome life's hardships and the innocence of first love. You may watch this touching narrative and relive the enchantment of Suman and Karan love story on Dangal Play.

Baazi Ishq Ki- Ek Jaal Ishq Ka, Ek Chaal Ishq Ki:-

The gripping tale "Baazi Ishq Ki- Ek Jaal Ishq Ka, Ek Chaal Ishq Ki" skillfully combines romance, mystery, and the complex nature of relationships with others. The program centers on the lives of its characters, whose paths unexpectedly intersect and result in situations that alter their conceptions of loyalty and love.

"Baazi Ishq Ki- Ek Jaal Ishq Ka, Ek Chaal Ishq Ki" explores themes of sacrifice and the decisions we make for the people we love, even if romance is at its core. The story has plenty of twists and turns and well-drawn characters to keep readers interested to the very end. If you're searching for a romantic comedy with a twist, you should watch "Baazi Ishq Ki- Ek Jaal Ishq Ka, Ek Chaal Ishq Ki" on Dangal Play.

Sindoor Ki Keemat 2:-

The compelling story of "Sindoor Ki Keemat 2" still focuses on love, sacrifice, and the social constraints frequently associated with marriage. The significance of sindoor as a symbol of marriage commitment in Indian culture is examined in this serial, emphasizing the difficulties the main characters in the program confront.

The plot lives are explored in greater detail in the second season as they work through the challenges of marriage, love, and familial expectations. Fans of dramas portraying the struggles and victories of love are drawn to Sindoor Ki Keemat 2 because of its compelling plot and deep emotional content. This show, available on Dangal Play, is ideal for anyone who likes moving tales with a vital emotional component.

Sawaare Sabke Sapne Preeto:-

The charming love drama Sawaare Sabke Sapne Preeto immerses us in the life of Preeto, a young lady who serves as her family's pillar. Set in Punjab, the drama masterfully conveys the essence of love, family values, and the challenges of striking a balance between one's own needs and obligations to one's family.

One of the many distinctive features of this drama is Preeto's love story. Her decisions and path to self-discovery are depicted with compassion, making it an engaging and sympathetic watch. Dangal Play presents this serial to audiences who want a mix of drama, romance, and strong female leads.

Janam Janam Ka Sath:-

"Janam Janam Ka Sath" delves into eternal love and the conviction that certain relationships endure beyond time and reincarnation. The show narrates the tale of two spirits who are meant to be together despite the difficulties they encounter in each existence.

This serial is ideal for individuals who trust in fate and love. The story Janam Janam Ka Sath is a monument to the enduring power of genuine love, with its captivating storyline and profound emotional depth. Experience this timeless story on screen with Dangal Play, where you'll witness a love story that transcends time.

Conclusion:-

Some of the most well-known and influential Hindi Romantic Serial have their roots in Dangal Play. The platform offers something for every romantic, whether in the mood for an enduring love story, a drama with lots of twists and turns, or a story of unending love. Dangal Play presents a wide range of productions honoring the various dimensions of love, ranging from passionate romance.  

[is-therefreefood]

Committing to Being a Swiftie Part 3: Speak Now (TV)

Song: Mine Would Save?: Since 2010 Best lyrics: "She is the best thing that's ever been mine"

Song: Sparks Fly Would Save?: Since 2010 Best Lyrics: "Get me with those green eyes baby as the lights go down" Thoughts: This song (especially "give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around") is just straight up like "oh, taylor fucks now"

Song: Back To December Would Save?: Since 2010 Best Lyrics: "I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't" // "I'd turn around and make it all right" Thoughts: This is the first song (I think) where she admits she's the problem in the breakup, and she painted my most intense celeb crush as the most perfect boyfriend to ever exist so how was I not going to love it?

Song: Speak Now Would save: Saved upon (TV) re-release -- Spring 2023 Best Lyrics: "The organ starts to play a song that sounds like a death march" Thoughts: Obviously this is fake?! But should she be breaking up a wedding...

Song: Dear John Would Save: Upon TV re-release Best Lyrics: "Don't you think nineteen's too young to be played by your dark, twisted games when I loved you so? I should've known" Thoughts: I recently learned that she copied his guitar style to write this absolutely savage track about him. Slay, Tay.

Song: Mean Would Save: Earlier this year/last year - due to hearing it out so often Best Lyrics: "Someday, I'll be, living in big ol' city and all you're ever gonna be is mean" Thoughts: this song always reminds me of boystown and rising above homophobia

Song: story of us Would save: upon TV Best lyrics: “why are we pretending this is nothing?” Thoughts: would gravitate to this occasionally as a Teen because it’s high school drama to. The. Max.

Song: never grow up Best lyrics: 14 there’s just so much you can’t do and you can’t wait to move out and call your own shots // memorize what it sounds like when your dad gets home, remember the footsteps Thoughts: I only heard this when I was grown up 🥺 but it’s so sad!!

Song: enchanted Would save: since 2012 Best lyrics: “please don’t be in love with someone else” // “dancing round all alone” Thoughts: literally got goosebumps listening live. Listened to the audio split for like 20 minutes on repeat (also get goosebumps each time) on my most recent plane ride. The owl city reply is not it. But I used to be obsessed at 17

Song: better than revenge Would save: upon tv Best lyrics: she’s better known for the things she does on the mattress (#SlutShamingVersionSupremecy) Thoughts: I just connected that all the cheating songs on fearless are about this.

Song: innocent Best lyrics: “your string of lights is still bright to me” Would save: no Thoughts: this song is about Kanye but why tf is he assuming what his childhood (on the south side of Chicago) was like. Come on now….

Song: haunted Would save: upon TV best lyrics: “come on come on don’t leave me like this.” Thoughts: this was my favorite song upon listening to TV

Song: last kiss Would save: first one I’m saving on this listen Best lyrics: Because I love your handshake, meeting my father. I love how you walk with your hands in your pockets Thoughts: I too would not want a last kiss with Joe Jonas

Song: long live Would save: 2nd one I’m saving on this listen Best lyrics: “tell them how the crowds went wild. Tell them how I hope they shine.” Thoughts: this was the perfect end to eras

Song: Ours Would Save: no Best lyrics: "people throw rocks at things that shine"

Song: Superman Would save: no Best lyrics: "I wish the cards were from you, I wish the call was from you" Thoughts: Could this song be more about romanticizing the idea of someone?

Song: Electric Touch Would Save: no Best lyrics: "I'm trying hard not to look like I'm trying" Thoughts: When I heard about this collab I was so excited -- only to be let down

Song: When Emma Falls in Love Would Save: Did upon TV Best Lyrics: "Sometimes I wish I was her"

Song: I Can See You Would Save: Did upon TV Best Lyrics: "You Can See me as your secret Mission" Thoughts: This song was way too horny to come out in 2010 for Taylor Swift

Song: Castles Crumbling Would Save: no Best lyrics: Now they're screaming at the palace gates, used to chant my name

Song: Foolish One Would Save: Actually unliked it LOL Best Lyrics: "Stop checking your mailbox for confessions of love"

Song: Timeless Would save: hell no Best Lyrics: "even if we met on a crowded street in 1944..." (uh.....) Thoughts: The audacity of this song... yes I know its about her grandparents who fought in WWII but something tells me she won't be performing it in idk, all of Europe next year. How did not think this through and claim to be a mastermind??? I literally gasped when I heard it the first time because how many people in the world literally did not feel comfortable walking down the street in 1944.

Final thoughts: this is my favorite TV (so far!) and it got me to listen to the whole album since it came out in high school. 15/22

[finnickodaiir]

Things you liked from Speak Now TV? (era was so short but not a complete bust even for me)

Ohhh fun!

1. I liked Mine TV, Speak Now the song, Dear John, The Story of Us, Never Grow Up, Enchanted, Innocent, most of Haunted TV and Last Kiss TV, Long Live, Ours and Superman.

I still prefer most of the OG versions though (except Superman, I think the TV upgraded it)

2. I liked most of the vault tracks, but I was let down by Castles Crumbling and I feel a little iffy about I Can See You, because production-wise it sounds out of place on Speak Now. I can see why they were all left off though.

3. Loved the photoshoot and the cover, it was a nice tribute to the OG

4. Love the prologue, it's the best one of the TVs imo

5. The Mean cast + Taylor reunion was cute and the backflip >>>

6. Long Live getting added to the setlist was everything I wanted

[thatonespriteobsessedbitch]

Speak Now Taylor's Version Thoughts!!!

dude this post is longgggg

Mine TV:

Mine stolen version has been my favorite song recently so I'm really excited!

AHHHHHHH 20 SECONDS!!!

this is like better than Christmas to me

it's just the "ah-ah-ah-ah"s and I'm already crying

she sounds so much more grown up 🥹

I want you to know that I'm actually crying rn

I only just realized that SNTV is almost 2hrs long... it's ten now and I have to be up at six....

Sparks Fly TV:

awwww Sparks Fly's canvas is her singing it in Nashville 💜

the country twang 🥹😭

fun fact: this song makes me think of dean winchester

I would meet her in the pouring rain literally any day of the week

omg I just saw the SNTV post and she looks so pretty

Back To December TV:

I love this song so much

I can definitely hear the differences a lot more in this one

BRB crying

somehow this one sounds even more regretful than the original

there's a lot less of the orchestral strings which I'm kinda sad about

I'm sorry, her little voice shake on understand???? I'm sobbing

yeah there's def more guitar

Speak Now TV:

omg title track time bby

her vocals have matured so much 🥹

it almost sounds like 19yo taylor is doing backing vocals in the chorus

she didn't do the giggle??

Ok she's forgiven, somehow the bridge got better

nvm I thought the giggle was in a different spot, it's still there

Dear John TV:

side-eyes john mayer

tears just tears 😭😭

the way she says "I should've know" I'm bawling

I literally blacked out for that entire song

Mean TV:

dancing to the little banjo moment while still crying from dear John lol

she sounds so petty at the bridge lmfaoooo

The Story Of Us TV:

I wonder if she's gonna keep "next chapter" and "the end"

omfg she did!!! she sounds so good!!!!

pop-rock is where she shines

I love the guitar solo so fucking much

I love her "the end" so much

Never Grow Up TV:

this one is gonna make me ugly cry

the bridge is gonna kill me

I literally curled up in a ball and cried for the entire song

Enchanted TV:

I really hope we get more speak now on the setlist now that Taylor's version is out

the amount of joy the TV of this song gives me is indescribable

nearly bridge time

*the woman was too stunned to speak*

it's so good guys

Better Than Revenge TV:

omfg the intro is so so good

I don't mind the lyric change, I understand that it didnt reflect current taylor anymore

also it fits really well

altho I saw someone say that it was a fountain pen line in a gel pen song and I do agree

Innocent TV:

I made it to the first chorus before I started crying lol

I want you to know that I am fighting to get through this album for you guys, I am so so so tired

Haunted TV:

this one I'm really excited for

omg the echoing????

it's giving dark cave in the forest while it's raining vibes

the "I know" repetion?!?!?!

she sounds so angry in the last chorus and I love it

Last Kiss TV:

not one of my faves from the original SN so this is gonna be hard for me to get through this tired

yeah I zoned out for that entire song lol

Long Live TV:

I'm gonna cry (I actually didn't, idk how)

I want a long Live tattoo

I think this will really cement that

I can't get one yet because of reasons but by god do I want one

this song holds such a special place in my heart cause I associate it so much with my friends

Ours TV:

I think I've listened to the stolen version of this song like twice??

tbh I love the chorus but the rest of this song is kinda meh to me

Superman TV:

same category as ours

not my fave

Electric Touch feat. FOB TV FTV:

I need this song injected into my veins, oh my lord

taylor and Patrick sound so fucking good together

again like I blacked out for this song lol

When Emma Falls In Love TV FTV:

a piano moment??

it's giving folklore

"jokes about the ways this one could go wrong" me

"little miss sunshine always thinks it's gonna rain" ow

now I wanna know who Emma is

"takes on the pain and bears it on her own" again ow

🥹😭😭

I Can See You TV FTV:

I have heard a little about this one but all I know is that it's so it goes and dress's raunchier older sister

synths??!?!

omg this was written in 2010?????????? miss girl????

"up against the wall with me" 👀😳, taylor-- what?

I did not know she had this in her, holy shit

ok I def know why this wasn't on the original

"jacket on the floor" girl 😳

"start behaving myself" what the actual fuck?!?!!

I'm gonna need some time to process this lol

Castles Crumbling feat Hayley Williams TV FTV:

oh this is gonna hurt isn't it

I'm 20 seconds in and I know this is gonna hurt

this fuckin hurts

again, I blacked out lol

dude this is how I feel about my family, I went from being the golden child to being hated by my dad's side because I look and act too much like my mom

I only know like two songs by Hayley but her voice fits the song and she sounds great

Foolish One TV FTV:

damn I'm only on the first verse and she did not need to at me like that

god ow

"I will do my best to seem bulletproof" FOR FUCK SAKE TAYLOR JUST CALL THIS SONG SPRITE WHY DONT YOU

😦 -> me the entire time

dude this fucking hurt

the end made me cry 😭

Timeless TV FTV:

it came on while I was in the shower so I don't have any notes besides that it's an adorable song

[fangirl-and-doctor-help]

Speak Now TV

I was going back and forth wether I should even post this because I feel like this will make people angry but hey, it’s my opinion and my blog and I’m going to do whatever the hell I want.

This was the recording I was the most excited about to date. And what she did with some of it is beyond my understanding.

But let’s break it down song by song:

Mine: PERFECTION 👌🏻

Sparks Fly: WHAT IS THIS MS SWIFT? The instrumental? The vocals? It doesn’t sounds nearly as good as the original. They sound as if they were recorded for different songs…

Back to December: I fell in love with it all over again.

Speak Now: It’s alright. THE LAUGH THO! I LOVE YOU TAYLOR!

Dear John: what happened to her vocals?

Mean: perfection 👌🏻

The Story of Us: The guitar sounds so off? Also the vocals and the instrumental don’t mend together in the chorus.

Never Grow Up: This was a skip for me on the original Speak Now but this? I LOVE this! It’s so beautiful!

Enchanted: Absolutely gorgeous! THE DRUMS! THE DRUMS! THE DRUMS! I CAN’T GET OVER THE DRUMS!

Better Than Revege: I THINK TAYLOR FORGOT HER LYRICS WHEN SHE WAS RECORDING THIS. NO. JUST NO. The ad libs are the only good thing about this version…

Innocent: I think I discovered I love this song?

Haunted: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HAUNTED BLONDIE?????? NO. The intro sounds SO OVERPRODUCED. I prefer to hear the instruments.

Last Kiss: R.I.P. shaky breath. You will be missed!

Long Live: THIS IS AMAZING. THIS IS HOW THE WHOLE RECORD SHOULD’VE BEEN DONE! (Although the outro sounds a bit weird)

Ours: this is even cuter than the original! Wtf?

Superman: still a skip for me.

Alright, now onto the vault tracks (which are 50/50):

Electric Touch: Taylor and FOB? I’d never thought I’d say this in one sentence but here we are! Their voices sound so good together!

When Emma Falls In Love: THE STORYTELLING!

I Can See You: HORNY TAYLOR? YES, COUNT ME IN!

Castles Crumbling: again THE STORYTELLING. God I love her lyrics.

Foolish One: Should’ve stayed in the vault imo

Timeless: cute, I know it’s about her grandparents but it’s kind of meh for me. I think I can hear like 3 samples of her other songs.

Final thoughts:

Overall my holy trinity (Sparks Fly, Better Than Revenge, Haunted) was done SO DIRTY and it makes me not appreciate the whole thing as much. Of course I’m going to keep listening to it for at least next few weeks. My biggest music loves always started with me being kind of meh about them but right now it’s not looking good. Don’t come for me, it’s just my opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️

[myswatchlist]

speak now TV

okay okay... i know this blog is called mysWATCHlist but i just have SO much to say about speak now (taylor's version). context: speak now has been my favorite taylor swift album since I was maybe 12 or 13. And i'm 20 now. Which is important...

Speak now was originally released in october 2010 and consists of songs written by taylor between the ages of 18 and 20. Age and just generally what stage of life you're in no matter what your life is like plays such a big role in my relationship with this album, and in taylor's relationship with her album as well.

Many of the songs on speak now are about her relationship with John mayer, who she dated at age 19 when he was 32. She rerecorded speak now when she was 32. In every song on the album you can hear how she has grown since the original recording.

I want to point out a few specific songs from the album though.

First, back to december. This song is beautiful. it is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. it sticks out to me in this album because so much of the album is about heartbreak in different forms and lasting love in different forms and then you have back to december which is a full on straight to the point apology. Every line of this song grabs my heart and squeezes it in a way that doesn't hurt, just makes me Feel. The bridge wraps around my heart tightest, the sincerity in her voice in the bridge carries through from 19 year old taylor to taylor in her 30s, and its beautiful and heartbreaking.

Next is dear john. In the original recording, taylor's voice sounds like a fresh wound. you can tell she's still being hurt by john as shes singing. in Dear John (Taylor's Version) her tone is different. you can tell that she is able to look back at her relationship at 19 now (13 years later) the same age as the man she dated with a completely new perspective. she's hurt for young taylor but still wondering how would do that to someone who is still so young. Taylor's sentiment that John should've known it was all wrong when she was 19 is very specific in the original recording. but taylor, now the same age as john when they dated (have I mentioned that enough?) saying he should've known is even more powerful.

Never grow up was the song that hurt the most listening to speak now most of my life. It just hits hard. change is difficult and growing up is scary and this song captures that perfectly. the comfort of being small is real and it's sad to think that when you're a kid all you want to do is grow up and as an adult you yearn for the freedom of childhood. even more impactful is that taylor swift is writing this as a teenager. she was still so young and still was missing the support she should have had. Similarly, innocent hits the same nerve. Taylor singing 32 and still growing up now at 19 vs. at 32 is powerful. These two songs are the two that, along with Dear John, are seriously chilling to hear from the voice of a woman in her 30s instead of a teenage girl. It's all about looking back in two ways. One is a yearning for the past, and the other is reflecting on what is different now that you have gone through what you've gone through.

The entirety of this album shows a contrast between young and old, to put it in very very simple terms. It's about growth. You have songs like Long Live, Superman, Speak Now, and Enchanted (among others) that are about fantasy. The sensation that things might actually be alright and stay that way. These songs embody hopeful love. This is commonly associated with being young and naive. This is the kind of love that being 19 is for. As a teen and young adult you feel everything so deeply and everything feels like it can be the end of the world or be perfect forever and nothing in between. Taylor has described Speak now as "the last light of the setting sun of my childhood" and as an album jam packed with "vast extremes". When youre around 19 (speaking as someone who turned 20... so i'm definitely still in it) everything can feel like all or nothing. for many people, lots of HUGE life-changing transitions happen at the end of your teens and in your early 20s. Taylor (like many) moved out of her parents house. One of the lines that still hits me hardest is "It's so much colder than I thought it would be / So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on" in Never Grow Up.

speak now is relatable because it expresses in art, in extremes, and in taylor's specific situations what everyone experiences at 19.

speak now is not only my favorite album because after i hear every song i want to go back and listen to it again, but really because it is close to my heart because everything is right there. it puts everything out in the open and has a little bit of everything.. or really has a LOT of everything and allows listeners to experience the rollercoaster of ending your teenage years and how overwhelming it is to feel everything all at once.

as always, i didn't know where i was going with this when i started. some day i may go through all these things i write and actually revise them into articles that make sense. that's all i have for now.

[wavesoutbeingtossed]

Ooooh that’s such an interesting observation about the set list! You may be onto something. I know that a lot of it probably has to do with pure logistics: balancing mainstream hits vs. Fan favourites vs. Personal favourites, maintain a good flow for the show (start and end with some major bangers, sprinkle the deep cuts in between the hits, build in some breaks with slow songs, etc. But given how thoughtful she is about her body of work I don’t doubt that she’s chosen to tell a story with the songs she has chosen.

So if we’re going by the eras of the songs chosen on the list:

Lover: Accepting who you are and hoping those you choose to love accept you too?

Fearless: The hope and innocence of first love and

Evermore: I’m sensing a lot about regret and rejection in the songs chosen here (except for Willow maybe). While most of it is romantic love, even one of the themes of “Marjorie” is about regretting not telling someone you love what they mean to you, because you’re not able to process it at the time.

Reputation: Rebuilding, “rising from the ashes” of it all, trying to figure out who you are and what you’ll stand for

Speak Now: lol ok this one doesn’t give us much, but Enchanted is very getting lost in a daydream-y. If we include “Long Live” in here, I suppose you could say this part of the set is about holding onto your fantasy/memories when you’re expecting the world to crumble

Folklore: Interestingly, looking at the group of songs there, I like that there’s something to be said there about perspectives, e.g. each side of the Betty/August/Cardigan story. (I know it’s been said illicit affairs isn’t about the Betty/James/August triangle, but it may as well be with the same themes.) Even The Last Great American Dynasty is about perspectives, and how Rebekah as seen as a gold-digging socialite when she was just a woman living her life in an incredibly prejudiced society.

1989: This is maybe a little harder to pin down, because it’s arguably the “showiest” of the sets, but maybe that’s the point.

Midnights: This is another one that’s a little more all over the place, but the album in itself is introspective thinking about all those other themes from the previous eras, like they’re commentaries on previous songs. I’m too tired to pull this apart haha.

I know there are much smarter people out there who’ve been keeping track of the visuals on the tour, but I think it’s been so interesting how she’s used those to signify the change in the eras (e.g. building then tearing down the house).

I do absolutely agree that from her music, it seems like her reaction to the painful situations in the Fearless to Speak now era was to double down on being an Adult. For a lot of people (and perhaps for her), those situations would lead them to think, “well, I guess this is what grown ups do then,” and add in a person’s normal insecurities, fears, etc. It would cause them to repeat those behaviours and patterns because it’s what’s familiar. (And I would suspect being involved in the celebrity ecosystem would make those behaviours even more common because you have a people with privilege and power and access co-mingling and it creates situations where these toxic patterns perpetuate themselves. Hell, even in normal life, all it takes is being in one clique of people with certain dominant behaviours to do a number on you and blur your own boundaries.)

Thanks so much for your kind words earlier! To think I used to spend this much time thinking about TV shows and movies instead 😂

Starting to think too hard about “I could see you being my addiction” and now I feel unwell 😵‍💫

[doyoungflower]

JAEHYUN

5 ᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ

1. When you made a little film to gift me on Christmas. 

We had just arrived home after spending time at your family's house exchanging presents and eating good food when you grabbed my hand and took me to the living room. You inserted a pen drive into the TV and sat down by my side, smiling before starting to explain what you were about to show me. For a year, you took videos of me without me realizing it. There were videos of the times you went to see me in concert, a video of you playing with my hair while I slept on your lap, another of me playing basketball, and one of us singing loudly in the car. You, without ever spoiling the surprise, made a full compilation of not only my year but also our year as a couple. And I couldn't help but gasp in awe and realize that I loved you because you saw in me the perfection I never saw in myself.

2. When I found you furiously writing at 4 am.

I woke up to go the bathroom when I noticed you weren't on the bed. Confused and worried, I walked to the living to find you writing nonstop into a notebook, a single lamp light up in the corner. When I asked what you've been writing I was surprised to hear you just had a crazy dream and needed to write everything about it quickly so you'd never forget. Then, I realized you could be really innocent at times and I only hoped you'd never lose that side of you because I loved being able to get my life slightly enchanted by your imagination.

3. When you made a list of the things you find attractive in me because I was sad.

I try to be positive most of the time, I know my position and know to be grateful. But just like everyone else in the world, I have times when I doubt myself. That day was one of them. We were watching a movie, or at least you were when you suddenly paused it and looked at me with a frown. I don't know exactly how but you knew how my thoughts were screaming in my head. You didn't have to ask what or why, you just grabbed my face in your hands and started saying positive things I didn't even notice about myself. At that moment, I realized I loved you because you always seem to know I needed you and are always up to help go through it, doesn't matter if with advice or simple hype-up words.

4. When we tried to make a fort but you ended up falling asleep.

The plan was simple. Take some pillows and blankets and watch a Disney movie while cuddling in our little fort. Except, you had to work until really late the day before, and as I went to pick up one more blanket from the bedroom, you fell asleep on top of a pillow laid on the floor. I could burst from how cute you looked in your panda onesie breathing calmly and peacefully after working hard before. Switching the light off I decided to join you, placing carefully your head against my lap and playing with your hair as I admired your sleepy face. Then, I didn't have an exact reason I loved you. I just did. I loved seeing you sleep, seeing you comfortable. I just loved all of you.

5. Every time you say you love me.

It doesn't matter how many times I'd heard it. Or how many times I said it back. Every time you tell me those words it's like my insides are having a New Year's party filled with fireworks. I'll never grow tired of hearing it, and I hope you'll never be tired of saying it as well because as long as our forever exists I'll make sure you never have a reason to stop saying it.

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taglist: @aedreamzy​ @ten94​ (let me know if you'd like to be added)

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Note: This is a repost from my old blog. Just as this one, all my works will be moved to this account with rewrites and in a "new format". Hope you'll enjoy this new era just as much as I am excited to bring it to you <3