Cassandra

Bonus Track | THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY (2024)

“Cassandra” is track twenty-seven on THE ANTHOLOGY, the double album edition of Taylor’s eleventh studio album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT (2024). In the song, she explores the theme of societal betrayal by drawing a parallel to the story of Cassandra of Troy, a princess and prophetess cursed by her ex-lover Apollo; she had the gift of prophecy but was doomed to never be believed.
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Background

Taylor released her tenth studio album, Midnights, on October 21, 2022, to widespread commercial and critical success. It was eventually nominated for six awards at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024. That night, Taylor won the categories for “Best Pop Vocal Album” and “Album of the Year” for Midnights. In her acceptance speech for the former, she revealed a new studio album, titled THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, and announced its release date of April 19, 2024, which she had been keeping secret for nearly two years. Its cover artwork was subsequently posted on her social media accounts, along with a photograph of a handwritten note.

“Cassandra” is part of the surprise double-album, THE ANTHOLOGY, which was released on April 19, shortly after the album’s standard edition.

Lyrical Theme

“Cassandra” delves into themes of ignored warnings and societal betrayal. Drawing inspiration from the Greek myth of the same name, Taylor connects her own experiences to the fate of Cassandra of Troy, a mortal woman with the gift of prophecy but doomed to never be believed. After correctly predicting that Paris would start the Battle of Troy, if he went to Sparta and brought back Helen as a wife, Cassandra was ignored. The Battle of Troy happened, and Cassandra was killed.

Taylor’s portrayal of Cassandra is not just a recount of myth but also a commentary on modern issues like the suppression of truth and the vilification of those who dare to speak it. In a voice note to producer Aaron Dessner, she said:

«In Greek mythology, Cassandra was brought on by Apollo to always warn people of impending doom, but she was cursed to never be listened to. So, read into this what you will based on our current social and cultural climate.»

Accordingly, the lyrics depict a narrative of personal devastation and public outcry, where the protagonist’s attempts to warn or reveal truths are met with hostility and ultimately, silence. Taylor uses the imagery of a house with a cracking wall as a metaphor for the crumbling state of the protagonist’s life and psyche, which she tries to mend even as the chaos ensues around her.

The line, “So, they killed Cassandra first ’cause she feared the worst and tried to tell the town,” emphasizes the fate of those who, despite foreseeing disaster, are silenced or disregarded by the masses. This motif resonates with feelings of frustration and helplessness, which are compounded by the violent and dismissive reactions of the public when truths are spoken. The song’s bridge, mentioning greed and a “Christian chorus line,” suggests a further critique of societal and religious hypocrisy, where moral stances are abandoned when inconvenient. The song doesn’t resolve itself at the end, instead focusing on the isolating aftermath of being ignored.

Production

Taylor co-wrote and co-produced “Cassandra” with her regular songwriting partner Aaron Dessner, who produced the majority of THE ANTHOLOGY, the second volume of THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. The somber piano melody and ethereal vocals create a melancholic atmosphere that mirrors the emotional weight of the lyrics. Taylor’s voice is hushed, slowly building up to a cathartic release, mirroring the song’s thematic progression.

Live Performance

“Cassandra” received its first live performance on November 22, 2024, during one of Taylor’s shows in Toronto on “The Eras Tour” (2023-2024). She performed it acoustically on piano as part of a mashup with “mad woman” (2020) and “I Did Something Bad” (2017).

Commercial Performance

Upon the release of THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, “Cassandra” debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week ending on May 4, 2024.

Lyrics

General Information
ArtistTaylor Swift
AlbumTHE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
ReleasedApril 19, 2024
Recorded2022-2023
StudioLong Pond (Hudson Valley)
GenreFolk
Length4:00
LabelRepublic Records
SongwritersTaylor Swift
Aaron Dessner
ProducersAaron Dessner
Taylor Swift
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT CHRONOLOGY
The ProphecyCassandraPeter
Song Certification
"Gold" certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. Signifying 500,000 units sold in the United States of America.
Song Artwork
Live Performance
Lyric Video
Official Audio