Blank Plate: A Podcast for Swifties with an Appetite

It’s honestly lovelyyyy… that you’re tuning in for another episode of Blank Plate! In today’s episode, Laura and Sara kick off the new year with life updates, holiday chaos and a truly iconic New Year’s Eve wedding story before diving deep into one of Taylor Swift’s messiest and most fascinating tracks, “Actually Romantic” from Life of a Showgirl. The ladies unpack the song’s fountain-pen pettiness, rumored muse lore (yes, we’re talking about Charli XCX), and how admiration, insecurity, and obsession blur into something unexpectedly romantic.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:47) What's On Our Plates
(08:14) Taylor Updates: Este Haim's Wedding, Eras Tour Documentary Reflections, Unanswered Questions
(31:13) Unpacking "Actually Romantic"
(33:05) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(35:22) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(49:08) Verse 1: "Boring" As A Trigger, Eras Tour vs. Brat Tour Aesthetics, Exes Ghosting
(55:31) Chorus 1: Effort And One Side Obsession As Romantic, Implications Of A Platonic, Female Muse
(57:24) Verse 2: "I Forgot That You Existed" Parallels, Valentines Clues, Close "Circles" In The Music Industry
(01:05:18) The Bridge: Naughty Taylor!
(01:07:36) Chorus 3 & Outro: "Lovely" As Passive Aggressive
(01:10:10) Music Theory Analysis: Interpolations of Weezer, Wheatus, The Pixies
(01:13:00) Ratings and Favorite Lyrics
(01:13:59) This Song As A Recipe
(01:15:10) Signing Off!
(01:16:40) Patreon Preview: champagne problems
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Rolling Stone: Was “Actually Romantic” Really Necessary?
Vogue: Kim Kardashian Just Sent a Valentine's Day Gift to Taylor Swift
Salt and Vinegar Potatoes Recipe
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
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You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

Taylor knows exactly how to devastate her fans with her lyrical storytelling, and “Ruin The Friendship” is the perfect example of that! After about an hour of Sara and Laura recapping their favorite moments and takeaways from The End Of An Era Documentary (Episodes 1-4), the ladies dig into the lore of the song. Taylor’s high school experiences and the early 2000’s high school moments bring Sara and Laura right back to their own teenage-dom. Were you equally as wrecked when you reached the last chorus of the song?! It’s hard to imagine that the ladies are halfway through The Life Of A Showgirl’s track list!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(02:38) What's On Our Plates
(16:19) End Of An Era Documentary Recap (Episodes 1-4)
(48:26) Other Taylor Updates
(53:06) Song Analysis: Ruin the Friendship
(58:54) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(01:03:56) Folk"lore" of the Song
(01:12:29) Verse 1: Specific Landmarks, Beginning Of The School Year, Flashback To Fearless/Debut Taylor
(01:19:49) Chorus 1: Boundaries, Chemistry
(01:22:34) Verse 2: Prom, Noticed Interest
(01:29:56) Chorus 2: 50 Cent's 2000's Bangers, Regret In Inaction
(01:34:07) Bridge: Playing Safe, Question...? Tie Ins
(01:39:00) Verse 3: The Moment All Of Our Hearts Dropped
(01:42:03) Chorus 3: Inconvenience Gets A New Meaning, Sound Advice, Lessons Learned
(01:47:22) Music Theory Analysis
(01:49:27) Favorite Lyrics & Rating
(01:51:00) This Song As A Recipe
(01:53:57) Signing Off!

SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
UrbanDazeApparel Taylor Swift Favorite Song Sweatshirt
Mom of Late Taylor Swift Friend Jeff Lang Breaks Silence on 'Ruin the Friendship': 'She's Keeping His Name Alive'
50 Cent Interview With Extra TV
Salted Dark Chocolate Brownies
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

It’s track five time! “Eldest Daughter” may be one of Taylor’s sweetest songs on the album… and despite some negative criticisms, Sara and Laura absolutely LOVE this song and will defend it to death. The ladies discuss the notion of Eldest Daughter Syndrome and how Taylor’s self-protection becomes unnecessary when she feels safe with the right person. Tears are shed in this episode, but what else is new!?
Chapters
(00:00) Welcome!
(01:42) What's On Our Plates
(16:29) Taylor Updates
(21:46) Eldest Daughter Introduction
(25:38) Personal Associations and Emotional Connections
(33:08) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(49:12) Verse 1: An Unbothered Front, Apathy, Cancellation, The Illusion Of Hot Takes, Survival Strategies
(56:18) Pre Chorus 1: Terminal Uniqueness, Play On Words About Death, Glorification Of "Cool" In Society
(01:01:33) Chorus 1: Taylor's Specific Satiricial Vernacular, Self-Perception
(01:09:01) Verse 2: Childlike Innocence, Cautious Discretion and Growth, Vulnerability, Marriage Trauma
(01:24:04) Pre Chorus 2: A Lamb In Wolf's Clothing, The Burden Of Sacrifice As An Eldest Daughter. Self-Protection
(01:29:20) Bridge: Montage Of Sweet, Innocent, Childlike Love, Hope and Future Possibilities Once Unimaginable
(01:38:39) Pre Chorus 3: Travis Connection, Finding Home In A Stable Person
(01:40:35) Chorus 3 & Outro
(01:41:52) Music Theory Analysis: Right Hand On Piano As The Eldest Daughter, The Magic Of The Bridge, Interpolation of White Horse
(01:47:11) Favorite Lyrics & Rating
(01:49:46) This Song As A Recipe
(01:51:47) Signing Off!
(01:53:13) Patreon Preview: 'tis the damn season
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Sara’s Episode On Finding Mr. Height: Spotify, Apple Music
Eli Rallo’s Commentary on Eldest Daughter Lore
Taylor’s Interview With Zane Lowe
Birth Order Dating Theory
Brigid Kaelin’s Music Theory Analysis of Eldest Daughter
Spiked Blackberry Lilac Lemonade Recipe
Homemade Dunkaroo’s Recipe
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

In this episode of Blank Plate, Sara and Laura unpack one of The Life Of A Showgirl’s most “mafioso” tracks! Corruption, greed, thoughtless ambition, loyalty, and lots of excellent storytelling have the ladies dissecting all the ties to Scott Borchetta and Taylor’s strained working relationship. P.S. do you agree with the ladies monthly album assignments?!
Chapters
(00:00) Welcome!
(00:45) What's On Our Plates
(07:58) Taylor Updates: Birthday Mashups, Assigning Taylor's Albums To Months, Documentary Easter Eggs, Merch Drops
(31:27) Analyzing "Father Figure"
(36:12) Personal Associations With "Father Figure"
(37:59) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(44:25) Verse 1: Mentor-Protege Dynamics, Power Imbalances, Rumpelstiltskin Metaphor
(51:37) Chorus 1: Manipulation, Exploitation, Calculated Moves, Leave It WITH Me
(58:01) Verse 2: Wealth Clues, Nothing New and Clara Bow Associations, Blind Loyalty
(01:04:13) Chorus 2: Fame and Notoriety, Owning Her Name
(01:05:24) Bridge: Shift In Narrative, Blind Ambition, Lack Of True Loyalty
(01:08:33) Chorus 3: Narration Insanity - Conversation or Not?
(01:20:06) Music Theory Analysis
(01:27:23) Favorite Lyrics & Ratings
(01:29:30) This Song As A Recipe
(01:31:41) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Swiftly Sung Stories Rumplestiltskin Theory
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

Don’t you sweat it, baby! It’s alright… Sara and Laura are dancing through each verse of Opalite in today’s episode. As one of The Life Of A Showgirl’s most upbeat and happy-go-lucky songs, the ladies have made soooo many connections to Taylor’s past albums tucked away in its lyrics. Enjoy this joy-filled episode!
Chapters
(00:00) Welcome!
(00:41) What's On Our Plates
(16:22) Taylor Updates
(25:33) Analyzing "Opalite"
(28:36) Personal Connections to the Song
(32:27) Folk"lore" Of the Song
(37:04) Verse 1: Callbacks To Exes, Austin Shoutout!, Ghosts, Lana Del Rey
(45:24) Pre Chorus 1: Mistakes Made, Wrong Relationships
(50:46) Chorus 1: Lightning Metaphors, Andrea's Advice
(58:24) Verse 2: Some Shade, She Left The Restaurant!, Life's Lessons In Moving On
(01:06:54) Pre Chorus 2: Moving On, Pep Talk
(01:09:02) Chorus 2: Made To Be
(01:10:14) Bridge: Navigating The Storm Together, Finding Shelter In Each Other, Thunder Metaphor
(01:18:28) Music Theory Analysis: 60's Influences, Bridge Build, The Ronettes
(01:19:48) Favorite Lyrics and Rating
(01:22:34) This Song As A Recipe
(01:24:45) Signing Off!
(01:26:10) Patreon Preview: Would've, Could've, Should've

SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Coconut Meringue Macaroons Recipe
Angel Food Cake With Strawberries & Whipped Cream Recipe
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza