Taylor Swift’s ‘The Alcott’ with The National: A Deep Dive into Their Acclaimed Musical Collaboration and Ongoing Partnership with Aaron Dessner

Even amidst the electrifying momentum of her monumental Eras Tour, global superstar Taylor Swift continues to surprise and delight her fans with new musical offerings. On April 28, 2023, Swift lent her distinctive vocals and profound lyrical insights to “The Alcott,” a captivating new track featured on The National’s highly anticipated latest album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein. This collaboration marks another significant milestone in Swift’s celebrated three-year working relationship with The National’s Aaron Dessner, further cementing her seamless integration into the indie-rock soundscape. On “The Alcott,” Swift shares vocal duties with The National’s frontman, Matt Berninger, weaving a poignant narrative that explores the complex emotions of former lovers unexpectedly reuniting in a place steeped in shared memories. The song masterfully captures the lingering feelings and unspoken questions that surface when past connections are rekindled, leaving listeners to ponder the delicate dance between nostalgia and the possibility of renewed affection.

The evocative journey of “The Alcott” commences with Matt Berninger’s signature baritone, painting a vivid scene of encountering a past love. His opening lines immediately draw listeners into the intimate setting: “There you are, sittin’ as usual, with your golden notebook, writing something about someone, who used to be me.” This imagery instantly establishes a sense of history, a familiar routine now observed from a distance, highlighting the poignant realization of their changed relationship status. The “golden notebook” serves as a powerful metaphor, suggesting a creative and introspective spirit, perhaps hinting at the subject of the lover’s current reflections—a reflection that Berninger’s character believes is still about him, underscoring the enduring impact of their past bond. The track’s understated yet rich instrumentation, characteristic of The National’s sound, perfectly complements the melancholic introspection of the lyrics, setting a somber yet hopeful tone for the unfolding narrative.

As the song progresses, Taylor Swift’s voice elegantly intertwines with Berninger’s, adding a layer of delicate vulnerability and raw emotion to the chorus. Her entrance transforms the song into a dynamic duet, capturing the bilateral perspective of this complex reunion. The chorus culminates in a powerful and unvarnished confession that resonates with profound honesty: “It’s the last thing you wanted, it’s the first thing I do, I tell you that I think I’m fallin’ back in love with you.” This lyric encapsulates the conflicting desires and impulsive declarations that often arise when deep-seated emotions resurface. Swift’s delivery, imbued with her characteristic storytelling prowess, makes the listener feel the weight of this admission, portraying a vulnerability that is both brave and perhaps a little reckless. Her contribution elevates the track from a simple observation to a deeply felt emotional exchange, showcasing the undeniable chemistry between the two vocalists and their ability to convey intricate human experiences through song.

The conversational interplay between Matt and Taylor intensifies in the second chorus and subsequent verses, evolving into a compelling back-and-forth that mirrors the internal dialogue and hesitant probing between the reunited pair. Matt’s character expresses his enduring feelings, to which Taylor’s voice responds with a questioning, almost self-protective inquiry: “Could it be easy this once?” This line reflects a weariness born from past complications and a longing for simplicity that seems almost unattainable. She further elaborates on the emotional landscape of their shared history, asserting, “Everything that’s mine is a landmine. Did my love aid and abet you?” These powerful metaphors suggest that their relationship was fraught with peril, where even love itself could be complicit in their pain. The depth of these lyrics speaks to the profound scars left by their separation. However, by the bridge, a noticeable shift occurs in Taylor’s perspective. Her character appears to soften, hinting at a willingness to re-engage, perhaps even to embrace the chaos that defined their past. She sings, “Why don’t you rain on my parade? Shred my evening gown. Read my sentences out loud. Cause I love this curse on our house.” These lines, delivered with a growing sense of acceptance and a defiant embrace of their intertwined destinies, suggest that the intensity and drama of their relationship, though challenging, were also a source of undeniable passion and connection that she secretly cherishes. This lyrical progression from caution to a bittersweet acceptance showcases the intricate emotional arc “The Alcott” masterfully portrays.

🎤| Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner performing “The Great War” pic.twitter.com/iVv39rE8q3

— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) April 15, 2023

Matt Berninger himself offered valuable insight into the song’s thematic core, describing it as a narrative centered around “two people with a long history returning to a place and trying to relive a certain moment in time.” His elucidation underlines the powerful role of setting and memory in the track, suggesting that the physical space of “The Alcott” acts as a catalyst for emotional excavation. He further elaborated on the delicate balance of desperation and nascent hope embedded in the lyrics, stating, “It’s got the feeling of a last-ditch effort to hold onto the relationship, but there’s a hint of something positive where you can see the beginnings of a reconnection.” This perspective from one of the song’s creators enriches our understanding, confirming that while the characters grapple with the remnants of a fading bond, there’s an undeniable glimmer of potential for a new chapter. This nuanced portrayal of human relationships, where hope and resignation often coexist, is a hallmark of both The National’s and Taylor Swift’s most celebrated works, making their collaboration particularly harmonious.

Taylor Swift’s profound connection to The National, and more specifically to guitarist and producer Aaron Dessner, blossomed into one of the most creatively fertile partnerships in contemporary music. This alliance began in earnest during the unprecedented lockdown of 2020, when Swift embarked on creating her critically acclaimed eighth studio album, Folklore. Seeking a departure from her arena-pop sound, she reached out to Dessner, whose work with The National and other indie artists had long captivated her. Dessner, operating from his studio in upstate New York, began sending Swift instrumental tracks, which she then masterfully transformed into deeply personal and universally resonant lyrical narratives. The result was a stunning shift in Swift’s artistic direction, embracing indie-folk aesthetics and a more introspective, storytelling-driven approach that garnered widespread critical praise and introduced her to new audiences. This spontaneous, remote collaboration proved so successful that it organically led to their second surprise album of 2020, Evermore, which further explored and expanded upon the sonic landscape established in Folklore. Evermore also featured a direct duet with The National themselves on the hauntingly beautiful track “Coney Island,” solidifying the band’s collective synergy with Swift.

The creative synergy between Swift and Dessner extended beyond these two seminal albums. Taylor has also collaborated with Dessner’s other musical project, Big Red Machine, contributing her vocals to two tracks on their 2021 album, How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? Her presence on “Renegade” and “Birch” showcased her versatility and ability to seamlessly adapt to diverse musical textures, further demonstrating her comfort and trust in Dessner’s production. Moreover, the familial nature of these collaborations runs deep, as Aaron’s bandmate from Big Red Machine, Justin Vernon (known as Bon Iver), previously lent his distinctive vocals to two pivotal tracks from Swift’s Dessner-produced albums: “Exile” from Folklore and the title track “Evermore” from its sister album. This web of interconnected talent highlights a thriving ecosystem of artistic exchange. Dessner’s influence also permeated Swift’s more recent works, including contributions to her record-breaking 2022 album, Midnights, where his subtle production touches helped shape several key tracks. Furthermore, his expertise was invaluable in the meticulous process of re-recording her earlier albums, specifically Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version). For these “Taylor’s Version” projects, Dessner was instrumental in producing some of the highly anticipated “From the Vault” tracks, ensuring they maintained the nostalgic essence of the original era while benefiting from fresh, empathetic production, allowing Swift to reclaim her musical legacy with integrity and artistic freedom. This sustained and multifaceted collaboration underscores the profound creative bond between Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner, a partnership that continues to push artistic boundaries and enrich the musical landscape.