#i am always in my evermore era

[idksmtms]

no body, no crime (Daemon Targaryen x Niece!reader) - evermore series

evermore series

A/N: 2 fics in one day?? Am I trying to make up for the month I was away?? (yes, yes I am...)

I feel like I only write Niece!reader with Daemon because he is the perfect hot incesty uncle on HoTD and why would I want to change that?? 

Summary: When Rhea Royce is found dead in a riding accident in the Vale and Daemon returns to King's Landing, you wonder if it is all because of you… 

Word count: ~3k 

Trigger Warnings: 18+, she/her pronouns, AFAB reader, kinda scary Daemon, creepy vibes, mentions of death, suspicion of murder, kinda stalker/obsessive Daemon, era typical marriage habits, slight spoilers for HoTD S1, (please let me know if I missed any) 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon/Fire & Blood characters. I do not claim to own any of the House of The Dragon/Fire & Blood characters. I do not own any pictures used nor do I claim to do so. 

Always appreciate comments, likes, and reblogs :)

You had always known that Daemon was dangerous. No person that lived in King’s Landing should think otherwise, because the ones that did often ended up a consequence of his danger. He was reckless, ruthless, impulsive. He had killed and was always ready to kill again. You knew of the proverb the common folk often quoted, “Madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. When a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air, and the world holds its breath to see how it will land.” You often wonder which side the coin has landed on Daemon, whether it has even landed yet or you are merely witnessing a point in time when the face with madness is tilted up to the earth as it rotates through the air. 

You had always been intrigued by your uncle, by his harsh manner and sultry tongue, by his ruthless quest for power and his weakness for women. As a second daughter, you had much more idle time than Rhaenyra ever did, and you often used it to skulk about the Red Keep and spy on the doings of others. You had grown an early infatuation with watching Daemon in the training yard, or simply following him as he made his way around the Keep. 

Of course at that age you had thought yourself a master of secrets, one with the shadows, and you hadn’t noticed the little smile that always graced his lips when he noticed you following him, or that he took extra long, winding, paths to reach his destination. 

Then Daemon had defied your father and gone to fight the war in the Stepstones, and that had been the end of that. In the long while Daemon had been gone, the realities of womanhood had raised you quickly. You were burdened by responsibilities, by the slowly growing urgency of finding you a suitor. You were so changed that when Daemon returned victorious and supplicant, he almost did not recognise the woman you had become. 

It was now him who was found trailing you, watching you when he could and forcing his company onto you. It was now he who was infatuated with you, and while you would have enjoyed the attention once, would have revelled in it and preened girlishly, you had also become aware of the realities of men, and particularly Daemon in the time he had been gone. You had become aware of his violent tendencies, his gallivanting habits, and most of all, his marriage. 

His hatred of Rhea Royce was famous throughout the land, he had made it clear to any passerby, but you still valued the sanctity of marriage and would not take any part in helping him defile it. 

“Would you care to accompany me on a stroll through the gardens, darling niece?” He asked one day after finding you perusing scrolls on Targaryen history in the library. You had jumped at the sound of his voice, looking at him warily as he seemed to appear out of the shadows. His dark eyes scared you. 

“Unchaperoned? That would not be wise uncle,” you had mumbled, turning back to the tome placed on the table before you. 

“You are my niece, why would a chaperone be required?” He asked as if you had posed a ludicrous concern and you frowned at him again. 

“Yes, but we are also Targaryens,” and while you had believed that to be the end of the conversation, Daemon had simply scoffed and forcibly threaded your arm through his and walked you out of the room. 

You couldn’t deny that the walk had been pleasant. He could be funny when he wanted, and he was immensely clever despite his impatience and brutish behaviour, and you had found your hands gripping him voluntarily, found yourself enjoying the feeling of his firm muscles under your fingertips. But you also couldn’t deny that there was something that always had you on edge. There was an underlying violence, a darkness that always lingered around him, and you knew that you could never trust that you were fully safe in his company despite no obvious threat. 

More walks were posed in the coming days that you happily agreed to, and enjoyed all the more. You could physically feel his charms working, at the gentle way he caressed the back of your hand when he was lost in thought while listening to you speak. Or the way he gazed directly into your eyes when he spoke, his gaze never once wavering. And he had a certain affinity for presenting you with gifts. The first was still your most cherished, a necklace with a pendant of Valyrian steel shaped in the sigil of house Targaryen. You often felt equal parts scared, excited, and happy in his presence. 

When it was decided that Rhaenyra was to tour the realm to find a suitor, your father decided that it would be best for you to accompany her and try to find a suitor of your own. Of course Rhaenyra would have first pick, but you could choose from the others and it would be best to be done with the complications for both princesses all together. While you weren’t particularly looking forward to the prospect, you were content in the knowledge that you would be allowed to pick your own husband, a luxury you were highly aware few were afforded in the realm. 

A fortnight before you were due to leave, in the late evening when the Keep was lit only by torches and candles, Daemon cornered you in the library. Your space was lit only by a few candles scattered around the table you were sitting at, and when you noticed him lingering at the edges of the light, you jumped out of your seat, ready to scream for help. Your heart beat out of your chest, your entire body was clenched and you wanted to run, but then he stepped into the light and you felt yourself unfurl in your seat. Relief was like a wash of cold water and you began to giggle, hand pressed to your chest as you gulped air in like you had never tasted it before. 

“It’s just you,” you breathed out, closing your eyes for a moment before opening them and refocusing your gaze on Daemon now that he had stepped closer to you. He walked over and kneeled down in front of your seat. 

“Do not leave on this tour,” he said it firmly, almost desperately, but you could only frown at him in confusion. 

“I- what do you mean, kepus?” You clasped your hands in your lap, fidgeting a little with your index finger. He quickly wrapped his own hands around them, gripping them tightly as he looked at you. 

“I mean that you should abandon this worthless search for a suitor, and marry me instead.” You let out an incredulous laugh but found nothing funny about the situation. You pried your hands out of his grip and quickly stood up, stepping back from where he stayed kneeling in front of you. Not for the first time did you realise how tall and strong his body was that you were not much of an intimidating presence even while he kneeled at your feet. 

“You cannot be serious, kepus,” you mumbled. 

“What makes you think I am in jest?” He asked, and you could see no humour in any part of him. He looked hewn from stone. 

“Because you are married, Daemon! By the gods, how do you forget this each and every day of your life?!” Your body felt like it was overflowing with panic and hysteria. “You are married, and have been married for a long while. Just because you leave Rhea Royce in the Vale does not change that fact. It is sacrilege for you to even suggest marrying me while she lives happily and healthily.” The sudden pin prick of tears caught you by surprise, and you wiped at your cheek before they had even fallen. 

Daemon stood from where he had kneeled and stepped closer to you. When you began to back away, he followed, and only when your back was pressed to the wall and you could move no further did he stop. He refrained from pressing his entire body to yours but his face was so close that your noses brushed and his eyes had blurred into a slash of black. 

“Is my sham of a marriage the only reason you deny me?” He asked, low and whispery, his voice a snake slithering up your arms and legs. You gulped, the urge to run like a raging storm inside of you. “Answer me.” 

“Yes.” You said it so quickly you weren’t sure you spoke it for a second, but once it left your mouth, you knew it to be true. If he was not married you would say yes. If he was not married you could actually see yourself loving him. But it was simply not to be. 

He stood there and stared at you so long that you wondered if this was your end. Were you about to die at the hands of your uncle? You began closing your eyes, readying yourself for the inevitable when he pressed his lips to your cheek in a chaste kiss then pulled away and walked out of the library. You opened your eyes and nothing was amiss. It was almost as if he hadn’t ever been there and you had stood from the chair and pressed yourself to the wall of your own volition. 

You stood there for a few minutes more, just waiting for something to happen, for Daemon to return or the Stranger to come and guide you to the next life. But the world had returned to the stillness it inhabited in the hour of the ghosts. 

The tour had been unsuccessful for Rhaenyra, but ultimately it had been unsuccessful for you too. You could not marry before Rhaenyra, but after meeting the men on the tour, you didn’t want to marry any of them anyway. They were all either young, immature, boys who didn’t know their right from their left, or men as old as your father, backs already curling over their walking sticks and servants already wiping dribbled wine from their chins. 

In the days after your return to King's Landing, you had discovered Daemon’s sudden disappearance with Caraxes and it had left you in a certain dowerness. You had already spent so long at sea with little to no entertaining company, and you had looked forward to returning to your walks with your uncle. It seemed not to be. 

But soon enough you were whisked away to Driftmark to secure Rhaenyra’s betrothal, and despite being rather annoyed that you were forced to join this journey, you ended up glad for it. Laena Velaryon, close to you in age, swiftly became a favoured companion of yours. She was strong but kind, fun but sensible, and you found yourself excitedly seeking her company in the time you spent at Driftmark before the betrothal was finalised and you all began making your way back to King’s Landing. 

While you were happy for Rhaenyra, happy that she found someone she could spend the rest of her life with in Laenor, you began to worry once more for your own prospects. Who would you choose? Or worse, who would be chosen for you? But all these worries were put to the side upon discovering the news that awaited you on your return to the Red Keep. 

Rhea Royce was dead. Mourning bells had rung through the Vale upon the discovery of her crushed body under her horse. But all you could think about was the determination in Daemon’s eyes that evening in the library. All you could think of was the question he had asked, the harsh whisper and the quick exit. Where was he? 

With each day that passed, your nerves grew. Your mind was plagued with the thoughts that this was all Daemon’s doing, a desperate attempt to end his marriage so he would be free to love you openly. And with every day that he did not return, your heart grew more fearful that your suspicion was correct. 

There had only been one letter from him, sent from some unknown location, claiming a grief over the tragic accident that befell his wife, and nothing more… 

On the day of Rhaenyra’s wedding, you had almost spilled your goblet of wine down your dress when he had entered the hall. He looked clean and fresh, as put together as ever, and something inside you turned cold at the smirk he wore as he sauntered down the aisle and waited for a chair to be placed for him at the table just to your right. 

Laena, blessed Laena, sitting directly to your right was your rock. You had requested that she have her place at the head table with you, and now you were more thankful than ever that you had requested the placement. 

“So,” she whispered right in your ear, “what killed her then?” You jumped, turning to Laena with wide eyes and shaking hands. 

“What? What do you mean?” If others didn’t know any better, it would surely be assumed that you were somehow guilty for the death. 

“Well, you said so yourself, Daemon is claiming he simply heard the news of her death and that he believes it was a tragic accident, but the Royces believe he had something to do with it, that Rhea was too good a rider for it to have happened the way it looked. What do you believe?” 

You said nothing, let Laena get bored of your silence and move on to other topics and judgements of the people in the hall. But when she stood from her seat to go greet her family members on one of the lower tables, it took everything within you not to cling to her skirts like a child and beg her to take you with her. 

As soon as she left you sitting there, your eyes were pulled to Daemon like some magical force controlled your actions. You couldn’t stop watching him, lips almost shaking, and he watched you in return, jovial to an almost sadistic degree. Just as he was about to reach for your hand on the table, a man walked up and stood just in front of him, glaring so viciously that you bristled. Daemon didn’t even bother glancing in his direction until he cleared his throat aggressively. 

“Yes?” He asked, frowning in confusion and annoyance in the man’s direction. “Who are you?” 

“Sir Gerold.” When Daemon continued to look at him like he was some random fool, you could almost see the smoke pouring from the man’s ears. “I am Sir Gerold Royce. I am cousin to your late lady wife.” Your eyes widened as you looked upon the man, pressing yourself back into the seat warily as Daemon seemed to relax further into his, leaning back, palms pressed to the table, and a look of clarity dawning across his face. 

“Aah, yes, terrible thing, I’m positively bereft, such a tragic accident.” His lack of expression was almost comical. If you hadn’t been so terrified of the situation you were sure you would have laughed uproariously at the fake grief Daemon so easily wove to further antagonise the Royce man. The man’s jaw looked close to cracking at how harshly he clenched his teeth together. 

“You know better than anyone it was no accident.”

“Are you confessing some guilt, Sir Gerold?” He asked, and you could see that Daemon was enjoying the interaction immensely. He had that mischievous glint in his eye, that subtle quirk to his lip that gave him such a self-superior air and made him ten times more dislikable than he already was. 

“I am making an accusation.” And there it was, out in the open now for all to see, the uncomfortable suspicion that had bounced around everyone’s mind since the news of Rhea Royce’s tragic passing had spread. 

Daemon said nothing, simply continued staring at Gerold Royce with those black eyes of his that made the world feel small and harsh. Ser Lyonel was listening on your left, and you wanted to melt into the wood of your chair, never to be seen again. The air was thick and painful and watching Daemon quickly deposit the man with no thought to the grief he was going through, you leapt out of your chair and scurried out of the hall, ignoring the footsteps that chased after you. 

You weren’t quite sure where you were going, just that you had to leave that situation and were now fruitlessly attempting to outrun the thoughts that chased you so relentlessly. Your breaths were shallow and painful, your hands felt full of blood, heavy and swollen, and you couldn’t quite see where you were going through the panic. 

Your trusty feet led you to the library and you only stopped once you were inside and at the table you usually chose to sit at. As the breath began to return to you, so did the awareness that you were not alone. You whirled around to find Daemon turning the corner with his long strides. He paused just at the edge of the little area you occupied and watched you with a calculating gaze. 

“Did you do it, Daemon? Did you kill your wife for this?” You asked hurriedly, voice hushed and lips stumbling over one another as you spoke. Your pulse was thrumming in your ears, and while you were all fidgeting and pacing, Daemon stood still and stoic, as immovable as a wall. When you paused to look at him, chewing on your lip as you frowned the longer he made you wait for an answer, he stood to his full height before leaning down so his face was pressed as close to yours without actually kissing you. 

“I would do anything for us,” and his voice was a dark whisper, a promise…

[taintedcigs]

it is always so interesting to me the colors taylor associates with love, it’s red. at first. she believes its what love should be like; tumultuous, exciting, never-ending passion. but as she enters into new relationships, phases of her life, she realizes love isn’t burning red, there is never going to be that endless passion, there are going to be times where its just calm and you feel fine. and that’s what she desperately seeks, a love that is not going to be a full upwards experience, nor a downwards one. it’s going to be stable, and then not stable, then boring, then possibly fun, and then repeat: love is unpredictable and doesn’t stay in just the confinements of one thing or another.

she realizes this during the red era as the prologue states: ‘real love shines golden like starlight, maybe I’ll write a whole album about that kind of love if I ever find it’. after this, we can slowly start to see how taylor shifts from the idea of love being red, into the idea of love being golden; we first see this gold association clearly in the reputation album, in dress; 'made your mark on me a golden tattoo' and in dancing with our hands tied; ‘deep blue but you painted me golden’

then she explores this idea of love being associated with gold much further with the muse in lover, the love she saw as starlight during the red era has fully shifted into daylight, she now views starlight as something that ‘combusts’ and 'fades’ while she sees daylight as getting out of that darkness, and seeing the bright side. ‘i once believed love would be burning red, but it’s golden.’

we see this theme in a LOT of the songs in reputation and lover. HOWEVER, i feel like this idea of love as gold fades when we get to evermore.

im one of the ppl who will argue to death that folkmore for sure isn’t entirely fictional, especially evermore. i don’t think taylor fully realized how much her personal feelings & experiences were integrated into it when she wrote evermore, but it’s clear as day with everything that transpired after midnights was released and with 2023. and i think she realized it later on too, during 2022-2023, which was the time she started writing ttpd.

‘gold rush’ BREAKS her idea of love being gold, ‘i don’t like a gold rush’ is a direct reference to the muse in reputation and lover era. later on in the midnights album, i feel like she realizes this further, how the idea of a 'golden love' is also a mistaken belief, like the red love was.

‘question…?’ reflects this further, ‘'cause I don't remember who I was before you painted my nights, a color i’ve searched for since.’ yet, i feel like, she is still in denial here, believing that golden is the color she's been searching, therefore, refusing to stop believing in this color association.

now, moving onto the tortured poets department, which i know, is a an album that isn't out and we haven’t heard the song, but let's talk about the alchemy!!! the word alchemy is by definition about the chemical science and speculative philosophy with the aim of transforming base metals into gold. i think this song is about her fully realizing that the ‘golden love’ is just a fallacy like, ‘red love’ was. and depending on how the song will play out, i feel like it could be about whether her realizing that associating colors with love is just another way to romanticize and create this impossible, inachievable goal in her head, like she did with red, or she still associates love with golden, which could be the case, since i think taylor has seen "golden love" as the most precious, safe and happy; e.g. the best day (gold associated with her mom), and her muse in previous albums wasn't the golden love she believed to be, thus, she couldn't transform it into one! 👀

all that blabbing about a song ive never, listened, yes. but i love desperately analyzing taylor songs, it is very annoying, i cannot stop myself. I AM SORRY.

[9w1ft]

Hi! I am a news Gaylor/Kaylor and to me- you’re like Wikipedia! I love your analysis and posts and it feels like I will need like 5 years to catch up.

So I wanted to ask you if you could tell me your favourite Karlie coded song of each album and why do you like it that much. English is not my first language and it feels like I miss a lot because of that.

Thank you! Have a lovely day

hi! welcome to my blog and i’m so sorry things are hard to navigate and research, but i hope you have fun!

your question is a fun question! and SO HARD to pick just one from each. SO HARD! (update: its so super hard!! wow!) i truly have multiple favorites for most albums. ultimately i tried to mix it up a little bit and not always just the classics or if i like the beat of the song. it was still so hard! because the last time i counted, for me, there are over 50 kaylor songs now, in my opinion🫶

ok, i will try to write more short explanations but let me know if something doesn’t make sense!

Fearless: Love Story because karlie has said in an interview that it’s her favorite song and because a long long time ago karlie was in a photoshoot that matches the love story mv aesthetic

Speak Now: Enchanted because, whether or not it was written about karlie, taylor went on to mash it up during 1989 era with wildest dreams while wearing a sequin bodysuit with background visuals just like the lover mv fish bowl scene, and i think these visuals are incredibly moving

RED: The Very First Night because i like to imagine it’s about karlie, specifically taylor thinking about all the times in the past that they crossed paths and wishing she could go back in time and confess her feelings to karlie earlier. it’s a sweet song but there is also a quiet sadness that i think matches some of the timing issues they’ve had as soulmates

1989: Style because, after it was recorded in february 2014, it continued on to only become more and more of a kaylor anthem. from taylor walking down the runway at vsfs 2014 hand in hand with karlie to this song, to taylor including it in one of the medleys on rep tour that was so karlie coded (style/love story/you belong with me),

reputation: call it what you want because the song truly sounds like taylor and the background singers and singing “karlie what you want” and “call it what you want, karlie” and i happen to believe that karlie is the one filming taylor in the making of video

Lover: Afterglow because it’s one of the first times we hear taylor apologizing to karlie in her lyrics (i tied your hands behind your back, oh, thought i had reason to attack, but no) and i think it’s one of the key songs to understanding a recurring theme in their relationship and the fact that taylor recognizes it. which i think was powerful to know at the time. made every next album easier to think about.

folklore: the lakes because it is the first time taylor used the word muse to describe karlie. also it was released a little bit after the album came out and a lot of people at the time were saying kaylor had broken up because the album ended on the song hoax, which is a sad song. taylor released the lakes and it re-contextualized the whole album and reset a lot of the conversation that had been going on.

evermore: gold rush because gold was a consistent metaphor we had all ascribed to karlie up until then so it was incredibly wild to have this song happen in the first place, and the song matches up with the beat of runway walking, even the vsfs 2014 opening runway where karlie is a golden angel

(Big Red Machine special mention): Renegade because i see it as a song from karlie’s perspective, about when karlie was there for taylor during her “darkest night” and i find that very touching

Midnights: Karma because it embodies karlie as this unstoppable force that is on taylor’s side and i love that depiction. also, the song name sounds like karlie, taylor arguably sings “karma is my girlfriend” and that was so amazing to pick up on upon the first listen

The Tortured Poets Department: imgonnagetyouback because it ties together so many kaylor themes related to karlie attending eras tour, in particular the bridge (the criminality of “even if it’s handcuffed im leaving here with you” the forgiveness theming of “push the reset button we’re becoming something new” and “bygones will be bygone”the board game theming of “we lost all the pieces but still wanna play the game” the reveal of the truth “told my friends i hate you but i love you just the same” etc) and it gives me an adrenaline kick to listen to it, and gets me nostalgic for attending the 8/3 show, so close to when she attended.

if anyone reading has another favorite to add please add in the comments! i truly have so many that i didn’t cover and i bet you all do too 🫶🫶

[anixknowsnothin]

Anix!

It was rare YOU WERE THERE

Tell everything!

Introduction

It's been a long time coming… It's almost been a month since my show, and I still can't fully process that I was there. I attended the London N3 show of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, and it is definitely one of the best days of my life. Though I've not been a Swiftie for a long time, this show was incredibly special to me.

Pre-Show Rush and Opening Acts

I was in Scotland the day of the show, traveling by plane to London, so we were quite rushed. Plus, the hotel didn't have our room ready, so we had to change somewhere else and leave as I didn't want to miss a single second. Luckily, we were right on time.

Benson Boone, I feel you. I NEED Taylor Swift too. Plus, the vocals are insane! I mean, he sings AND he backflips?!

Paramore, oh my god. Hayley, stop being the reason behind a bisexual panic for me all the time. I was screaming and singing along to the lyrics like a madwoman (pun intended). "Still Into You" and "This Is Why" were my favourites, and the energy was electric.

Lover Era

The beginning of Taylor's performance with "Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince" had me so shocked that I couldn't move. The bridge of "Cruel Summer" was a lot of fun to scream. My mom recorded all my funny dance moves and claimed I had a choreography for each song. I may or may not have accidentally come out to my mom because I made her record me screaming, "CAUSE SHADE NEVER MADE ANYBODY LESS GAY" during "You Need to Calm Down." Mom danced during "Lover," as it's her favourite Taylor Swift song.

Fearless Era

This set is always so nostalgic for me. I remember dancing in my older sister's room to "Love Story" and screaming "You Belong with Me." I did all the claps on time. My friend from Wales was dressed as the Fearless era, so it was her moment to shine.

Red Era

The "22" moment was so cute, even though I didn't get the hat. I was so happy. "UP YOURS WANKER" is my new motto (WANEGTBT). Definitely did not cry during "All Too Well" and screamed the lyrics like the heartbroken bitch I am (mom was kind of shocked).

Speak Now Era

It's a crime this is such a short era. "Enchanted" is still so beautiful, and she wore my favourite gown from Speak Now, so I'm good. I clicked some really beautiful pictures, and the choreography was gorgeous.

Reputation Era

A nice reminder of how gay I am. "…Ready for It?" girl, OMG, I was screaming and doing the dance, having seen it 1000 times in theaters and on my laptop. I always love "Delicate" and the stage effects, how there are cracks when she jumps on the stage. Plus, screaming "1 2 3 LET'S GO BITCH" was like therapy. "Don't Blame Me" high notes always make me feel like I'm ascending to heaven. "Look What You Made Me Do" is always iconic, and I shall never deny it. I'M SORRY, THE OLD ANIX CAN'T COME TO THE PHONE RN. OH WHY? CUZ SHE'S DEAD.

Folklore and Evermore Era

It's a crime to get rid of "tolerate it" and "The Last Great American Dynasty" and merge this, what?! The "champagne problems" ovation was soooo lengthy; we were stomping our feet and clapping for five minutes straight. Also loved screaming "WHAT A SHAME SHE'S FUCKED IN THE HEAD." She looked so cute running on the stage during "august," though. I cried during "marjorie" as I was remembering my dead dog, Simba. This song helped me grieve for him when he passed away last September. "Willow" is one of the best performances in the eras show imo. I am an Evermore girl through and through, especially when it comes to its Eras Tour performances.

1989 Era

I LOVE 1989; IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO JUST DANCE. I love "Style," and I was just teaching my mom the lyrics to it. I had a full choreo during "Shake It Off." ALSO BAD BLOOD, AHHHH.

TTPD Performance

OMG, OMG, OMG, I loved this set so much because it's just so theatrical. Not the biggest "But Daddy I Love Him" fan, to be honest, though, but still enjoyed it. I love "So High School," so it was such a cute performance. "Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me" is one of my favourites when it comes to performance, and I loved it. So is "Down Bad," I mean, have you seen the UFO?! "Fortnight" and "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" too, again, it's all so theatrical. Holy shit, when I saw Travis on stage for "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart", I was so shocked. It was amazing watching him, and it was adorable. The entire stadium was screaming. It was my mom's favourite part lmao. But in all seriousness, ICDIWABH is one of my favourites from TTPD as it's SO RELATABLE (I was depressed for a while lmao).

Surprise Songs

Okay, I get Paramore, Benson Boone, Travis, and now Gracie?! Girl, honestly, I loved Taylor singing Gracie's part of "us." But I love Gracie so much it's crazy. To get Gracie Abrams performing "us." during the Acoustic Section (I was one of the very few who knew the lyrics)?! Damn, that was amazing. I was screaming my head off because I love them both so much. For the piano part, I was thinking of @measuredmotion as I sang along to the 1989 mashup because I know how much she loves it. Such a wonderful performance. Did I get my favourite songs? No. But these songs are now so special to me because I heard them live with 88,000 people. I remember I was later at a restaurant with friends, and when "us." was playing, I was screaming in excitement.

Midnights Era

God, I love Jan Ravnik- "Lavender Haze." I mean, what a time to be bisexual indeed. "Get it off your chest" is my favourite part of the song ahahah. "Anti-Hero" was therapeutic to scream out loud. "Midnight Rain" was such a beautiful and seamless transition. "Vigilante Shit" is always a reminder of how gay I am. I mean, the hip movement and dance were on point. "Bejeweled" is just a fun song. "Mastermind" is one of my favourites from the album, so it was so much fun to scream, "I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I care," as it's one of the best lyrics ever. "Karma" was the perfect end.

End of the Show

I cried when the show ended. I traded so many friendship bracelets and met so many people with the most amazing outfits. It felt like I was a part of a community, a family. We are all united by this powerful, beautiful, talented 34-year-old pop star. I went with my mom, my cousin, and her mother. It took us an hour or two to find our car, but it was worth it as I went to the Eras Tour (I was wearing heeled boots, so it hurt a bit). God, the post-concert depression is real, and when I woke up, I was sick, and my throat was gone. BUT I MET @noproof-youjustknow IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, AND SHE GAVE ME HER AND @mymuses-acquiredlikebruises FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS, SO SCREAMING, AHHHH.

Conclusion

Overall, I am so grateful for this experience, and I loved seeing Taylor live. The Eras Tour was a magical experience <3

[folkwhore1998]

And I don't know how it gets better than this.

Let's talk about Fearless on the eras tour!

The fearless set is literally perfection and I am not even joking. I would not have changed a single song. (I maybe would have added one, but I would not have wanted any taken off of the set list)

It is so nostalgic and brings me back to my middle school years. I had this baby spinning on a CD with my corded headphones.

Opening up with Fearless as the first song is so special and I can't explain it, but I feel like it scratches my brain just right. Love Story, You Belong With Me, and Fearless are classic bops and songs you think of when you think Taylor Swift, and there is no better way to honor the era than to play the songs everyone knows and loves. Hot take: I think Forever and Always x Mr.Perfectly Fine mashup would have been so epic, or either one on its own. Despite this; I truly think that the setlist was perfect.

The Fearless era outfits are so much fun and I think they're such a good ode to her baby fearless era. But, my absolute favorite has to be...

The short gold body suit/dress. I just love it so much and it is the most fearless thing I've ever seen. It is stunnnnning.

The tiger stripe body suit/dress is a fairly new addition to the wardrobe and I love it! I would not have expected it and was very surprised when it made its debut.

Silver and gold noodle dresses are not my favorites, but I can say they are incredibly unique and I've never seen dresses like them before.

The black and gold tassels is another fun one as well and I feel she loves a good tassel moment. It's especially fun for this set because of all of the spins she does during the set.

I'm actually very surprised that fearless has so many different outfits in rotation. There are some that get worn than others, but they all get a decent amount of stage time which is why think it's the perfect number of outfits.

Another very important thing to note about the Fearless set is the bedazzled guitar. I can't even put into words how much I love it. I feel like sometimes artists can become disconnected from their roots. Granted, I am not an artist, but I am a person, and this is a common thing that happens with people. Famous or not- it doesn't matter. However, I think this just speaks to the artist Taylor is and the amount of work she puts into her craft. The attention to detail is insane and I can just tell she takes great amounts of pride in her work, no matter how long far back it goes. I wonder if re-recording her albums healed her inner child at all. I know it did for me.

It's the fact her and her family bedazzled the guitar together as well. I just love everything about it.

Favorite Fearless Eras Tour moments:

PLAY FEARLESS!!!!!!!!

I can't tell you why, but the opening just makes me incredibly emotional.

Question: Does anyone think the Fearless set should have also been a cross over with Taylor Swift/Debut in the way folklore and evermore are together? I really wish debut would have made it onto the show!

@taylornation @taylorswift

[im-on-my-vigilante-shit-again]

Most and least (not including songs on the set list) played surprise songs from each era:

Debut:

Most played: First place is Our Song with four plays, second is a three way tie between Tim McGraw, Teardrops On My Guitar, and Should've Said No with three plays each.

Least played: Literally every other song on debut has been played once, I am not kidding, she hasn't played Picture to Burn since Denver if you're wondering.

Fearless:

Most played: First place is a four way tie between Fifteen, Hey Stephen, White Horse, and The Other Side of the Door, each with three plays. Second place is a seven way tie between You're Not Sorry, Forever and Always, Jump Then Fall, Untouchable, Today Was A Fairytale, and Mr. Perfectly Fine with two plays each.

Least played: First place is a tie between That's When and Bye Bye Baby, they have not been played at all, every other song has been played once.

Speak Now

Most played: First place is Haunted with four plays, second is a three way tie between Mine, Sparks Fly, and I Can See You.

Least played: First place is a seven way tie between Back to December, Better Than Revenge, Innocent, Superman, Electric Touch, When Emma Falls In Love, and Foolish One, which have all been played once. Every other song has been played twice.

Red

Most Played: First place goes to the title track with five plays, second place is a tie between Everything Has Changed and Come Back...Be Here with four plays each.

Least Played: First place is a three way tie between Girl At Home, Ronan, and Forever Winter, which have not been played yet. Second place is a five way tie between Nothing New, Babe, I Bet You Think About Me, Run, and The Very First Night, with one play each.

1989

Most Played: First place is a tie between Out Of The Woods and Clean, each with six plays. Second place is Is It Over Now? with five plays.

Least played: The only song that has been played once is Sweeter Than Fiction. Second place is a seven way tie between I Wish You Would, I Know Places, Wonderland, New Romantics, Say Don't Go, Now That We Don't Talk, and Suburban Legends, with two plays.

Reputation

Most played: First place is Getaway Car with five plays, second place is a tie between Dress and Call It What You Want with four plays each.

Least played: The only song with one play is So It Goes..., all of the other songs except for King Of My Heart and New Year's Day are two plays each.

Lover

Most played: First place is Death By A Thousand Cuts with five plays, second place is Daylight with four.

Least played: First place is Soon You'll Get Better, which hasn't been played yet, and second place is a three way tie between London Boy, ME!, and It's Nice To Have A Friend, which have all been played once.

folklore

Most played: First place is a tie between exile, mirrorball, and this is me trying, all with four plays. Second place is the lakes, which has been played twice.

Least played: Every other song has only been played once, including the songs that got cut from the set list.

evermore

The most played songs are a four way tie between gold rush, coney island, ivy, and cowboy like me. The least played songs are a tie between closure and 'tis the damn season with only one play, and everything else has been played twice, except for tolerate it, which hasn't been played since it got cut.

Midnights

Most played: We all know this, You're On Your Own, Kid is the most played with 10 plays, and Maroon is in second place with 8.

Least played: First place is a tie between Bigger Than The Whole Sky and Glitch with one play each, everything else except for Snow On The Beach, Would've, Could've, Should've, and Hits Different has been played twice.

TTPD (original disk)

The most played is a tie between mother's favorite child Guilty As Sin? and loml, least played is a tie between the title track and So Long, London, everything else has been played twice.

The Anthology

The Black Dog has been played the most at three times, then it's imgonnagetyouback with two, and everything else except for Cassandra, which hasn't been played yet, has been played once.

Misc.

The most played miscellaneous track is I Don't Wanna Live Forever, and the other various songs of hers that she's played are Eyes Open, Safe and Sound, This Is What You Came For, Carolina, and Crazier, all with one play each.

Covers as performances with other people

With Gracie Abrams she has done us. and i miss you i'm sorry.

With Ed Sheeran she's done Thinking Out Loud.

And with Sabrina Carpenter she's done Espresso and Please Please Please.

Unplayed album tracks: That's When, Bye Bye Baby, Girl At Home, Ronan, Forever Winter, Soon You'll Get Better, and Cassandra.

to see all of the songs, here is my spreadsheet:

[fianllyclean]

I genuinely can not express what October 27, 2014 means to me. A decade ago I was 2 months into my freshman year of high school and walked into Target to pick up a piece of work that would have the most influential aspect of who I am from the first listen to the present, and I can without a doubt say that will never ever fade. I remember the dance Taylor did in front of the TV’s picking up the album and me doing that. To the tour that undoubtedly finally allowed me to see you for the first time @taylorswift with being 15 and begging every tour prior to travel but you know having to travel with no hometown show and being a child. The 1989 era allowed me to finally experience the magic of not only a Taylor show but the album that has shaped me into who I am. I still look at my username on this very unused platform (I miss the og’s, come back) and think of the nights that I was able to connect with you on here, T. Here is to the next decade of celebrating album 5 and most importantly your new rights to it. I walked into Target a year ago on Oct. 27, 2023 and picked up the next chapter of this record, one that is full of the complete chapter and ownership. If you ask me, that is what 1989 has always meant. 1989 forever and evermore. @taylorswift

[folklorelover22]

hi i have not been on tumblr in like a year but i have never properly used tumblr only really for sims mods but i want to start using it more so please follow me i want to make some friends!!! here are some things about me 🩷 My name is megan , I am 15 , I LOVE @taylorswift , I went to the eras tour Dublin N3 🇮🇪, I love collecting CDs (mostly taylor swift) my four favourite tv shows EVER are Hannah Montana,Desperate housewives,friends and modern family , I live in Ireland , My favourite Taylor albums are Red , evermore and speak now , My favourite Taylor songs are Forever winter , nothing new , seven , wonderland ,so long london and the great war (there is alot more and alot that always change)

if you read this thanks for reading bye!!!

[taylortruther]

Hello!!

I recently discovered your blog and I love the way you voice your opinions. I'm not a Swiftie per se, but I am deeply interested in her discography and I follow the Eras Tour a lot(especially the surprise songs), so yeah. I had a theory about Taylor and Joe but i never shared it with anyone because it felt like crossing into the parasocial territory lol, but i feel like I can share it with you!

So I always had this thought that Taylor used to think that she will probably slide into a sort of a "veteran" territory of musicians- not like she will not release music at all, but her music will never catapult her to the level of success she had with Fearless or 1989 (like she said in Miss Americana), especially during Lover. So many performances and interviews during Lover to push that album as compared to little or no interviews and promotion during Midnights and TTPD (Yes, they were promoted too but it was more of a marketing push than her own efforts to promote it via interviews and performances). And she was not wrong, especially the way women are treated in music and acting fields as soon as they touch 30. Folklore was a surprise drop, and she probably dropped it with a thought that only her dedicated fanbase will enjoy it, like what happens with music veteran musicians drop. That period where she wrote Folklore and Evermore were probably the closest glimpse in Taylor and Joe's ideal life together in future- away from the prying eyes, living in peace, them collaborating on Taylor's music and Taylor supporting his career. After all, it worked very well for them during Reputation. It was sort of an unspoken path they silently agreed on. But then Folklore and Evermore gave her commercial as well as critical success, her rerecordings of Fearless and Red (which were also a project she thought will only be enjoyed by her fans) compounded that success- and she finally understood that this is her chance to have that level of success again- and she thought that Joe will support her. But probably their ideas of moving forward sadly clashed with each other. She was not only breaking their silent pact, but she was moving towards that level of success he was not comfortable with on a personal level at all. And the sad part is that I totally understand both of them. If someone as ambitious as Taylor was given a chance at success after thinking for years that she simply won't, it's so natural to take that chance. I would have too. But if your partner is wildly successful, it not only creates this unwanted resentment in your head but you're also scrutinized for not "stepping up". She kept choosing that "pain", and he kept wanting it "comfortable".

(Again, not wanting to step into the parasocial territory. I do not know these people and I cannot speak for them, but yeah. Just some thoughts based on her discography because Midnights was such an interesting era for me)

i think some of this is supported by ttpd - there was resentment and uncertainty he even wanted to be with her ala so long london, "he was a hot house flower to my outdoorsman," she said she tried dimming the shining in the epilogue! we don't know for a fact that joe hated she was successful because it made him feel lesser, but she does at one point say (about joe or matty) "you said i needed a brave man then proceeded to play him" implying that part of swindle was that he told her her life was too big, too complicated, too hard for anyone but someone willing to handle it all.

and it's just a really common phenomenon in relationships: growing apart, growing resentful, being in denial, not being able to give each other what you want. that's why "all breakups are the same" is the tagline here!

thanks for your thoughts bestie, interested in hearing more if you feel like sharing!

[kaycode1999]

Hi there! I’d love to be matched up with someone from Demon Slayer! I am 5’4, and am a proud Sagittarius. I am a female (she/her) that is interested in just guys, but I do wish for everyone to be happy, healthy, and safe. I’m a kind-hearted person that is willing to help out anyone in need, and a people pleaser as well. While I’ve been hurt before in the past, I move forward and face the future. I’m fairly spiritual, as I do believe in the paranormal and something else beyond what we know. Other hobbies of mine are crafting friendship bracelets, crafting small resin items, reading, gaming, and writing. I’m a huge Swiftie, and I currently reside in the evermore era! I love cosplaying as a willow witch, and dressing up as different characters. I love dogs as well, and wish to own a dog that will help me communicate the risks of different types of weather one day soon. I likely need someone who will tell me I’m doing too much and someone who will have my back no matter what.

Thank you so much for doing this!

I match you with

Giyu Tomioka

He truly thinks of you as an angel, to him you're the most precious person he's ever known

After everything he's been through he needs someone kind like you. Although, it'll take him a long time before he starts to believe he deserves you.

He will do everything in his power to help you with setting boundaries and maintaining them for yourself

Your outlook and how you move forward with the same positivity inspires him and is one of the things that made him fall for you.

Its a good thing you believe in the paranormal given his line of work. He doesn't have to convince you about the things he fights

If you make him a friendship bracelet it will be his most treasured possession, he’ll have to keep it tucked inside he haori when he's on a mission so that it doesn't get broken but it is on his person at all times

He's fascinated by the process of making items out of resin. In fact he's your #1 hype man with it, everyone he speaks with he’ll find a way to get you business (if that's what you want )

He enjoys reading with you. And he loves reading anything you write

Really whatever makes you happy makes him happy

He adores you with everything he has, but if you’re doing too much he will gently let you know which is not often at all. More so if he’s just extremely overwhelmed

It goes without saying he will always have your back. You're the love of his life, you both have each other's back through everything

Your relationship basically

[stuck-in-total-drama-hell]

what i think the total drama characters would wear to taylor swift’s ✨the eras tour✨ part 16/16

Courtney as Lover or Speak Now

Look, your girl WKR fell off the face of the earth because I can’t be internet girlie while also being work girlie, school girlie, counselor girlie, and everything girlie. This girlie is just trying to survive until she graduates in 2025.

Anywho, better late than never. The final what TD characters would wear to the Eras Tour. Originally, I had thought long and hard about what era Courtney would be. The girl could work any T Swift Era. I originally settled on Lover. Because I can see Courtney having like a romantic style when dressing up like the tulle dresses with flowers or hearts. Also, like Duncney, so Lover fit. Even the songs, like Cruel Summer, TDI Duncney anthem. As much as I selfishly want to see Courtney rock the Rep era and could see her in the sweaters and plaid of Folklore or Evermore, I had settled on Lover.

As you can see, there’s another look inspo. My mind went straight from Lover to overcome by the obvious choice of Speak Now once Taylor’s Version came out. Speak Now is so fucking Courtney, from the purple, to the aesthetic, to the album. Speak Now is such the perfect mixture of hold nothing back revenge album and so stupidly and romantically in love that it drives you insane. We’re always talking about how Speak Now Taylor (teen version) was completely unhinged and should have been feared more. Well that’s exactly what Courtney is. These huge and vast emotions that spark such a mixture of love, insanity, feminine rage, and just everything. I mean, every single song has been a Duncney amv/tiktok/edit at some point. I am completely settled on Speak Now Courtney, and cannot be changed. I will die on this hill.

[allylikethecat]

Omg, also a TS fan since debut and I massively took a step back from her personally prior to the reputation era because of her antics and victim complex. The music will always mean so so much to me, her lyrics mean so much to me, but her actions as a person and TS™️ as an entity is just weird and greedy. I think she accrued a lot of fans when she disappeared for a while who've completely constructed a narrative in their heads of who she is and they believe it and are eating up this current era, but those who've been here a long time know how PR and image driven it is. Exhausting.

I apologize in advance I have been having way too many feelings about this whole situation and how it relates to my identity as a 28 year old woman and you are about to get an oversharing novel in response lol

Also, I guess CW: this post is about Taylor Swift and if anyone sends me any kind of hate or whatnot related to my own personal opinions and feelings I will be deleting it because I am NOT playing that game.

My Aunt bought me the Debut album CD at a concert after seeing her open for Rascal Flatts. She was like "I thought that you would like her!" and she was RIGHT Taylor Swift became my entire personality. One of my FAVORITE core memories as a child was the day Fearless came out. For some reason we didn't have school, and my Mom and I watched Taylor on the Ellen show, and then we went to Target and bought the physical CD, we then drove around town so we could listen to it together. My mom hasn't been well and that is one of my favorite memories of us together. It's silly but when you're in middle school that kind of thing is important to you. Then in high school I actually got MADE FUN OF for wearing Taylor merch and being excited about Red. BUT I loved her music and felt like she actually stood for something, so I brushed it off and continued to be a HUGE Swiftie. I had the Taylor Swift dolls, I had the perfumes, I had the LOVE LOVE LOVE bracelet, I had the sundresses from WALMART. I saw her on the Fearless and 1989 tours, I had the fucking 1989 haircut. I was supposed to go to Loverfest.

I was still a HUGE Swiftie during the post 1989-pre Reputation eras, then the Reputation era. I'm a few years younger than her, but I felt like I could relate to the kind of manic panic that she was sharing with us (lol turns out I was just unmedicated and we're doing much better now). It felt (in my probably naive mind) like she was experiencing the same insecurities that I was and reacting accordingly. Was she playing the victim at times? Oh 100% BUT I also fully believe that she thought she was one. (Plus... Kim is my least favorite Kardashian lol)

I LOVED the Lover era even as it was shit on at the for the sunshine rainbow hyper colorful aesthetic. Like, I don't know if new fans realize but when Lover was released? It was NOT as beloved as it is now. Then Folklore and Evermore were absolute genius, it felt like Taylor had grown up, and she got all of these new fans, which was great! She was in an "adult" relationship and her music and publicity choices seemed to reflect that. It was so refreshing to see a celebrity keeping their personal life, personal, and sharing what they wanted to share through music. Midnights broke all kinds of records, again, amazing! Even if it wasn't as strong as say Folklore. I fought for my life and got Eras Tour tickets (opening weekend!!) I had the BEST TIME EVER.

Taylor has always been extremely calculated with her public image. She was over exposed during The 1989 era and the public turned on her, so I truly cannot figure out why she is doing it again 100x in this new era of whatever the fuck this is. I don't know her, maybe she is legitimately happy, or maybe this is a cry for help. But I have been so grossed out by her behavior lately, and how in your face everything is with Kelce. It's no secret that I hate Kelce (and people that know me IRL know that it's not a new Taylor related thing lol) and if she actually loves him, fine, that's great for her, BUT we don't need to see it! Yes she was public when she was dating Calvin but ALSO she was what 25-26? She's a 34 year old woman now with the biggest platform of any celebrity ever. She feels too old (and this is not me age shaming her because I would be grossed out if my friends were doing it, and I would be embarrassed if *I* were to ever do it) to be licking a man's face in public like this. This feels like sorority girl in her first college relationship (I was *in* a sorority for a hot second so this isn't hate on sorority girls either!) and not record breaking Grammy award winning artist. ALSO I feel like she used to come across as so articulate and well spoken? Controversial opinion but I thought she sounded like a fucking idiot in that Time Person of the Year piece.

I think that this whole thing is PR for something, but because it just feels too icky to be real, but I don't know what it's PR for, (trying to bury the Matty situation from May? Because if so that just makes me even more sad for him or trying to get back at Joe? Which if that's the case, I feel bad for him too and she's even more immature than I thought) and now, for the first time, AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS I'm embarrassed to be a fan of her, both because of her own actions and also the actions of her fanbase as a whole.

It feels really weird, and I know I'm being parasocial about it, but when the times got bad I always had her music to fall back on and now I just, I don't know it feels cheapened somehow because the current image that's being crafted doesn't match the one that we originally fell for. And you know what, people change, she's a celebrity, I don't know her, what she does DOES NOT affect me any way, and how I feel does not AFFECT HER in the slightest, and I know it's being parasocial but I feel like a big part of me is in mourning about it. Less because of her changing her image so drastically, and more so because I feel like I'm mourning the loss of childhood and joy that used to be associated with her music for me and I think that's what's making me the most sad.

I have Eras tour tickets for one of the London dates this summer. I'm probably going to still go, because I paid for them, and I also have tickets to see Noah Kahan that same week in London (... and also the Longines tour has ALSO decided that the London stop is that week...) But I don't consider myself a "big fan" anymore. Maybe I will be one day again, but this current image that she's putting out just isn't it for me.

Sorry for the longest Taylor related novel in existence, I have had a lot of bottled up feelings about this that feel ridiculous typing out and sharing out loud BUT I know I will feel better sending them into the interwebs and your ask was the perfect catalyst.

Thank you so much for sending this in and for your continued support! I hope you continue to enjoy my fics and my secret sports hot takes 😂

❤️Ally

[likeadevils]

What is the each line travels through different eras interpretation?

(debut) from sprinkler splashes

(fearless) to fireplaces ashes

(speak now) i gave my blood, sweat

(red) and tears for this

(1989) i hosted parties and starved my body like i’d be saved by a perfect kiss

(rep) the jokes weren’t funny i took the money my friends from home don’t know what to think

(lover) i looked around in a blood soaked gown and i saw something they can’t take away

(folklore) cause there were pages turned

(evermore) with the bridges burned

(fearless and red tv) everything you lose is a step you take

(midnights) so make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it, you’ve got no reason to be afraid

personally i think it’s much more powerful to read it as “from childhood innocence to a burned out place meant for warmth, i gave everything i had because i thought it would make me worthy of love. i sold my soul and isolated myself from the people who cared about me, until i realized i was inherently worthy just for existing. i can not erase the pain that i put myself and others through without erasing the person i am today, but my past also comes with friendship and joyful moments, and if i could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be to not be afraid, because you have yourself, and you always will” but like. the eras thing is a fun gimmick i guess

[grace-williams-xo]

Rating a selection of the (main) fandoms I’ve been in over the years. This is just for shits and giggles, please don’t start a war. I truly sincerely don’t care that much. Peace and love. [my current level of engagement with these fandoms varies]

One Direction 7/10 (fandom since 2013)

Absolutely cooked, but looking back, not that bad

Very powerful. Live in fear if we ever properly reunite again (the last big thing was July 2020 iykyk) bc we have reach everywhere and it never leaves our souls

Ahead of its time, but also an exact summary of 2012–2014

The solos who fight are the worst please fucking chill

The best fandom ever when it comes to tagging fics I won’t be debating this

Larries still exist in 2024 I can’t believe it either and they are the blueprint for all toxic shipping culture. Larries get a 1/10 and that 1 is for the good au fics only

5SOS 8/10 (fan since 2013, fandom since 2018)

Lots of overlap with directioners so have always kind of just been the smaller version of that fandom

Smaller fandoms can be less toxic but also sometimes 5sos fam is/was an absolute mess for no reason at all

Has been much more toxic since 2020 onwards because the guys have lives and people get way too bored

Some fans with directioner roots can’t comprehend that the band actually like each other and that’s just funny to me

Fletcher 6/10 (fan since 2017, fandom since 2020)

It was a great fandom until the first album cycle started, and then it got bad, and then Becky’s so hot made it worse, and then last year Fletcher herself joined a cult and drove it off a cliff

Currently it’s a mess of fans either forgiving her entirely, stanning Chappell Roan and Renee Rapp instead but continuing to tweet about her problems once a month, or—my favourite—forgiving her when she tours near them

Taylor Swift 4/10 (fan since 2009, fandom since 2015)

Gets worse with every passing second. Rep era? Great. Lover era? Good. Folklore/evermore? Alright. Fearless/Red TV? Tolerable. Midnights/Eras onwards? Abhorrent.

Gaylors will either save the world or end it

Some of the most insane dick riding for a fave I’ve ever seen in a fandom in my life please have some perspective

Hawaii Five-0 10/10 (since 2017)

The most active fandom for a dead tv show, I feel like I’m clout farming every time I post a fic

Never seen a more headcannoned ship in my life than mcdanno

No controversial debates

Overall very chill, but we all give the people writing genuine Steve/Lynn or Danny/Amberlissa fics side eye

Glee 9/10 (since 2018)

If you watched glee, it will come as no surprise that no one in this fandom is mentally okay

Way too passionate about ranking the seasons

Entirely cooked, but very self aware so we’re having fun

Bridgerton 7/10 (since Apr 2024)

The shipper fights take years off my life PLEASE relax I am begging you

Some of the fandom think rich straight white women are the most oppressed class of society

Good fics but you do not know how to tag smh

White Collar 19/10 (since Jan 2024)

The best!!!

No drama the only debate is about what happened in/after the finale, but it isn’t toxic

I lied the debate is are Peter/Neal romantic

Speaking of, no one protects spoilers like this fandom. We will go to battle to make sure new watchers don’t get the big reveals spoiled

Would’ve gotten a 20 but y’all, respectfully, mostly suck ass at tagging fics it’s maybe the worst fandom I’ve ever come across

[cleoselene]

nine favorite albums in no particular order,

tagged by @an-ivy-covered-summer (thank you I love to ramble about music)

Portishead - Dummy - This is probably my favorite album of all time? It's perfect to me. It makes me feel so good, physically and mentally. It's the quintessential 90s album, the definitive trip-hop album, and always makes the list of "25 Albums You Should Own On Vinyl" for a reason. It's immaculate and it spawned a slew of imitators who never ever got close to this kind of quality. I think people also don't appreciate hop much trip-hop/downtempo has influenced today's pop music. SZA's latest album especially felt super trip-hoppy, so did elements of Midnights.

Massive Attack - Mezzanine - if there's one other trip-hop album you should pick up, it's this one. This album benefits greatly from Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins' ethereal vocals. Every song on this is amazing. When I was playing this album for a friend about a decade younger, he said "oh this is the album with the music from all the movies." lol. Indeed It's been licensed to hell for a reason!

Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk - Okay I set a rule for myself that each artist would only get one album in this list to avoid putting up nine Tori Amos albums, but Scarlet is my favorite. This road trip across America immediately after 9/11 is one of the first albums to... if not criticize the US response to 9/11, because it was really too early for that, but to be very, very wary of what the response would be. It's an album that expresses sympathy for a wounded nation, while also acknowledging the nation's sins. I think this is one of a few Tori albums that was too high concept for the mainstream audience, but Tori has never been for the mainstream audience, anyway.

Taylor Swift - evermore - Of all the Taylor Swift albums, it was reputation that brought me to the dance and Red that made me fall madly in love. But evermore is her best work. It's perfecting upon the formula she came up with in folklore. Which, don't get me wrong, I love folklore, but with Taylor's obsession with being "sonically cohesive" it's kind of a bummer of an album? I appreciate how the vibes of evermore are more varied. Also, "ivy" is the most beautiful song she's ever written.

Green Day - American Idiot - This album doesn't need much description, it's so well-known, but nothing really compares to how hard this album hit during the height of Bush Era Hell. As a 26 year old when this came out, it felt like my generation was getting our mainstream protest music, finally.

Paul Simon - Graceland - This album won the Grammy for Album of the Year for a reason: it's soooo good. I know there's a lot of drama/controversy surrounding it, but I always felt Paul approached his love of African music from a genuine place. It's such a good midlife crisis album, I understand it now more that I am in midlife than I did when I discovered it at age 12. And the bass line for "You Can Call Me Al" is fucking legendary, isn't it? PS - Paul Simon is the greatest songwriter of all time.

VNV Nation - Automatic - Why was it so hard to pick a VNV Nation album? I really kind of wanted to put last year's Electric Sun in the mix, but I need to let that sit with me before I add it to a list like this. This is the album that brought me to the dance: "Gratitude" is an all-time fave VNV song of hopefulness. "Control" is the dance club banger to end all dance club bangers. I loooooooove this band. I wish there were more futurepop bands out there, tbh, it's SUCH an excellent genre.

Lana del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell! - This is Lana's best. It's not really even close. This is one of the best albums of the 21st century. The way "The greatest" so perfectly encapsulates the Trump-era nihilism... I DO want shit to feel the way just like it used to. Kanye West IS blond and gone. We DIDN'T know that we had it all. :( The ache of nostalgia in our current very painful times hits perfectly on this record (WHYYYY don't I own it on vinyl yet??)

Puscifer - Existential Reckoning - So hard for me to pick a Maynard project and not pick TOOL, but Puscifer has become my favorite of his three bands. Existential Reckoning is similar to NFR! in that it captures the political moment. Maynard has never seemed particularly political in his music until this record, which is pretty interesting. ER seems to be advocating for a return to rationality over ideology, of moderation over extremism, of science over faith. It takes a very humanist approach to looking at life in 2020. "Apocalyptica" is probably the craziest song because it sounds like it was written about COVID, but it was not, in fact was written just a few months earlier. "Bedlamite" is the coda to the album that promises hope: It's gonna be all right. When they did this album Live at Arcosanti and sang this song while the sun rose behind them, four days before the 2020 election and Maynard crooned that it would be all right, I looked at my roommate, and I said, "it really is, isn't it?" And we both got kind of overwhelmed. And then a few days later, it was. Trump lost.

I went into way detail >_> told you I like rambling about music

tagging: @swiftzeldas @emmaswanned @brightnshinythings @mariacallous @ouijawaydidhego

[chdarling]

Hello CH! Thank you all the hard work you’ve put into TLE, I love reading it and it brings me so much joy. It’s so beautifully written and I love how you’ve interpreted the characters. It really saddens me when you receive negative messages - we’re so fortunate you’ve shared this wonderful story with us & 99% of us are so appreciative of your talent!

So I’ve always liked Taylor Swift (mostly 1989) but I’d never really considered myself a huge fan.. then I listened to your ‘TLE but make it swift’ playlist and it unlocked my inner swifty! I’m such a HUGE fan now. I fought to get tickets and I’m going to the UK leg of the Eras tour, I’m so excited. It’s hard to choose an era but I love Folklore & Lover! What are you favourites?

I used to feel so embarrassed about reading fan fiction- and so ashamed of what a fan girl I am. (I was bullied quite badly at school for my love of Doctor Who.) For ages I’ve hidden these things, worried about how people would see me. Joining this little community has really encouraged me to embrace my fandom - to celebrate it and be proud that I care so deeply about the things that bring me joy.

Sorry if this is getting a bit deep but I just wanted to say a massive thank you. This story has bought me so much joy over the last year, and I definitely wouldn’t be going to the Eras tour if I hadn’t been following this page and seen your playlist. (That’s also bringing me a LOT of happiness.)

Stories are really powerful and I just think there’s something really special about TLE & this little community.

Thank you!

Oh my goodness, this message has me 🥺🥺🥺

First of all, thank you so much for the kind words, and I’m so glad you are embracing your inner fan girl! I’ve always been fairly secretive about my fandom stuff too, but I think there’s something so lovely and wonderful about just deeply loving something and meeting other people who deeply love the same thing. I’ve made so many wonderful friends through fandom, I will never regret getting involved in it during the pandemic, and I hope the same experience for you. ❤️

And YAY I’m so excited you get to go to the eras tour!!! I’m definitely a reputation girl, #1…but I also really love lover and folklore and evermore and and and…all of them really but those are my top faves 🥰🥰🥰

Have so much fun at the concert!!

Much love ❤️❤️❤️