What if the fight in "Afterglow" didn't end with the sunrise? Take a closer look at Taylor Swift's "The Great War," exploring its connections to "Afterglow," "ivy," "peace," and other songs hidden within the lyrics. Through recurring wartime imagery, botanical symbolism, and patterns of betrayal and secrecy, Krys Sloane reveals how the song expands one sleepless night into a much more sweeping cliffhanger.

For Swifties and lyric analysts who want evidence-based, close readings of songs and their recurring motifs.

The Great War watch the video

Track 14 on Midnights (3am Edition)

Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner

Produced by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner

Listen to the album: https://amzn.to/4cXiv3W

New York Times + Popcast: Taylor Swift Songwriters' Interview: https://youtu.be/5B8-TJ8vsKY?si=V8EHIYfJkzCyeAgD

Crimson & Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells: https://youtu.be/XS0niyiKlcw?si=eQjfwh9_EwhJ89Xw

The Off the Record episode for this song is waiting for you! Join my Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheTaylorExplainer

Read the post about this episode on my website: https://thetaylorexplainer.net

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/happy-feet

FAIR USE NOTICE: This episode contains brief audio and/or visual excerpts for the purpose of commentary, education, and criticism under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. All rights to the original broadcasts, articles, interviews, music and lyrics remain with their respective copyright holders. This is a fan-created analysis intended to be transformative and educational in nature.