“Willow” Song Analysis: Witchcraft, Mythology, and Power Dynamics | AP Taylor Swift E137

“Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind”  This week, we finally try to find the actual meaning behind Taylor Swift's "willow" (evermore, 2020), starting with the witchy mythology behind the title (hello, Hecate, Greek goddess of magic and the underworld) and tracing a real power dynamic underneath it. 

Two ways to get more of AP Taylor Swift:

• Substack: free subscribers get episode updates. Paid subscribers get After School: bonus episodes, our full written archive, and a vote in what we cover next. Subscribe: http://aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe
  • First 50 people to grab a Substack After School annual plan get 40% off: https://aptaylorswift.substack.com/wishlistmemberdiscount
• Apple Podcasts: paid subscribers get ad-free episodes, early episode access, and bonus episodes

Mentioned in this episode:

• "willow", evermore (2020)
• “The Odyssey” Deep Dive (E136) 
• Aesthetic Theory (E29)
• Witches (E60)
• Hecate, Greek goddess of magic and the underworld
• Harry Potter and the Whomping Willow
• Pocahontas and Grandmother Willow
• "WAP", Cardi B
• How I Met Your Mother

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Intro — continuing last week's Odyssey deep dive into "willow" 

[01:59] The title: willow mythology, Hecate, and witchy vibes 

[05:26] “I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night”

[17:07] “Lost in your current like a priceless wine”

[28:55] “Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind”

[42:49] “I come back stronger than a 90s trend”

[59:04] The purpose of the song 

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.