Know Your Enemy

Taylor Swift Derangement Syndrome (w/ B.D. McClay)

Mar 26, 2024

Writer B.D. McClay discusses why Republicans and the right are obsessed with Taylor Swift, her influence on American culture, and the controversy over leaked phone calls. They explore Taylor Swift Derangement Syndrome, her political stand, and her unique approach to fame and success. The conversation also delves into her musical artistry and comparisons with Bruce Springsteen.

01:18:42

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Episode guests

B.D. McClay

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Quick takeaways

Taylor Swift's image oscillates between authenticity and artifice, captivating audiences with sincerity and playfulness.

Swift's 'best friend' persona fosters strong fan loyalty and admiration, creating intimate connections with her audience.

Swift's pursuit of external achievements is driven by fan relationships and ambition, challenging traditional norms of celebrity success.

Deep dives

Taylor Swift's Persona and Brand

Taylor Swift's celebrity persona is unique in that it balances elements of authenticity and artifice. While she presents herself sincerely as an artist, she also engages in subtle acts of playfulness and self-awareness that captivate her audience.

Embrace Normalcy for Effective Political Messaging

01:56

The Creative Evolution of Taylor Swift and Bob Dylan

01:26

Becoming iconic: receptacles of identification

01:12

Understanding American Culture Through Taylor Swift

01:23

Introduction

2min

Exploring Taylor Swift as a Cultural Icon

3min

Taylor Swift's Impact and Political Stand

28min

Unraveling Taylor Swift's Enigmatic Persona

27min

Exploring Taylor Swift's Impact and Artistry

3min

Exploring Musical Artistry: Taylor Swift vs. Bruce Springsteen

11min

Exploring Taylor Swift's Artistic Evolution During the Pandemic

5min

Why are Republicans and the right losing their minds over Taylor Swift, the gifted songwriter and globe-bestriding pop star? Why do they think her NFL-playing, Super Bowl-winning boyfriend is secretly gay—precisely because he's dating Taylor Swift? Why is this slice of Americana being portrayed as a deep-state op meant to hand the 2024 election to Joe Biden? To try to answer these, and other, similarly bewildering questions, Matt and Sam talked to writer B.D. McClay, whose Substack, Notebook, has become the essential guide to understanding Taylor Swift, her place in our culture and politics, and why she drives right-wingers (but not just right-wingers!) crazy.

Read:

B.D. McClay, "taylor derangement syndrome: on losing the normies," Notebook, Feb 3, 2024

— "cruel summer is going number one," Notebook, Oct 22, 2023

— "your future is me: let's talk about (sigh) swifties," Notebook, Oct 7, 2023

— "Taylor Swift studies takes a detour," Sept 4, 2023

— "Taylor Swift, Rockist," Notebook, Aug 4, 2023

— "Taylor Swift studies, contd," Notebook, July 3, 2023

— "(but I'm only looking at you)," Notebook, May 29, 2023

— "A Decade of Sore Winners," The Outline, Dec 31, 2019.

Clare Coffey, "Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince," Notebook, Sept 25, 2023

Mark Harris, "Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ Is the First Pure Piece of Trump-Era Pop Art," Vulture, Aug 30, 2017

Edmund Smirk, "Swiftian Normality and the Freak Right," The American Mind, March, 7, 2024.