On the JJ Barnes Blog, to celebrate the start of the UK leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, I check out top tips for fashion inspired by The Tortured Poets Department.
Swifties, assemble! The queen of catchy choruses and epic storytelling, Taylor Swift, is finally gracing the UK with her long-awaited Eras Tour! Get ready to relive all your favorite eras, from the sparkling innocence of Fearless to the dark allure of Reputation.
As anybody who knows me will tell you, I’m a huge fan of Tay-Tay, and I’ve listened to her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, more times than I can count. Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? and I Can Do It With A Broken Heart are my favourites, but there’s a Taylor Swift shaped space in my heart for every track, adding to the existing set list that lives rent free in my head from her previous albums.
While I don’t have a ticket to the iconic tour, yes I’m gutted, as I’ve previously shared fashion inspired by other Taylor Swift eras, I thought it was time to explore fashion ideas inspired by TTPD too. To help me out, fashion experts at the London-based fabric shop, Dalston Mill Fabrics, sent over a list of trending fashion pieces mentioned in The Tortured Poets Department!
Stylish miniskirts have always been a signature piece in Taylor’s wardrobe, which is why they warranted a mention in The Tortured Poets Department. The artist’s iconic preppy look was referenced in the opening lyrics of imgonnagetyouback: “Lilac short skirt, the one that fits me like skin”.
In Taylor’s recent YouTube short, she was briefly seen wearing a lilac skirt, further increasing the hype for this fashion piece. Since then, worldwide searches for “Lilac skirt” have skyrocketed by 992%, reaching their highest peak in the past 30 days.
In Fortnight’s celebrated music video, Taylor is seen in a black dress reminiscent of one of Queen Victoria’s mourning gowns. The dress reinstates the album’s themes of loss and emotional upheaval, making it a memorable fashion moment.
In the aftermath of The Tortured Poets Department’s release, worldwide searches for ‘Black dress’ have rapidly increased, spiking on the day when the Fortnight music video was released. Black dresses are quickly becoming the basis of many Tortured Poets Department-inspired looks due to this video.
Lace is another signature fashion piece referenced in The Tortured Poets Department, specifically in the song, Florida!!!. Taylor’s collaboration with Florence + The Machine has been celebrated as one of the biggest hits on the album and features the following lyrics: “All my girls got their lace and their crimes.”
Following the song’s release, worldwide searches for ‘lace tops for women’ have soared, making it one of the hottest fashion pieces mentioned in the album.
Since its release, But Daddy, I Love Him has been embraced by Swifties and compared to the nostalgic hit, Love Story, from Swift’s Fearless era. Amid the rebellious song, Swift’s protagonist cries out: “Now I’m running with my dress unbuttoned, screaming, ‘But Daddy, I love him!’”.
Taylor has often been spotted sporting buttoned sundresses reminiscent of her Fearless era, making this song a decisive fashion moment for country chic. Since But Daddy, I Love Him’s release, worldwide searches for “Dress with buttons” have spiked, showing that country chic is back thanks to Taylor’s influence.
Taylor Swift Fashion
The recent release of The Tortured Poets Department has solidified Taylor Swift’s reputation as a fashion icon. The album contains various fashion illusions and direct references to muses such as Stevie Nicks and Clara Bow.
These search spikes also demonstrate Taylor Swift’s position as a global trendsetter. Her influence is indisputable, and it will be great to see Swifties debuting some of these outfit trends at the upcoming Eras Tour shows.
Data from Google Trends was analysed to calculate the percentage increase of certain fashion pieces following the release of The Tortured Poets Department.
On the JJ Barnes Blog, I discover which are the best Christmas songs to help kids sleep so I can be ready for Christmas eve and settling my VERY excited Smalls to sleep before Father Christmas arrives.
Helping Kids Sleep
As the big day approaches, I’m thinking about Christmas Eve; a night woven from sugarplum dreams and boundless anticipation. Tiny elves (aka my adorable children) are bouncing off the walls, fueled by sugar and the overwhelming excitement of finding out what’s waiting under the tree in the morning, and I am caught in the delightful pandemonium, holding onto the last vestiges of my sanity and desperately hoping for a peaceful night’s sleep before the inevitably VERY early start of Christmas day.
Does this sound familar? Well fear not, because this blog post is your guide to the perfect Christmas Eve soundtrack for little insomniacs!
A new study conducted by bedroom furnishings expertsBed Kingdom has algorithmically revealed the top Christmas songs most likely to help children fall asleep, featuring artists such as Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and Kelly Clarkson. It is designed to maintain a slow, relaxing, acoustic melody to lull listeners into a peaceful sleep.
The experts analysed key song characteristics of more than 300 tracks from Spotify ‘sleep’ playlists. These criteria were applied in an advanced song search, pinpointing the top Christmas songs most closely aligned with specific metrics, including beats per minute (BPM), danceability, happiness, liveness and acousticness.
Top Sleeping Criteria for Songs
BPM
Danceability
Happiness
Liveness
Acousticness
94
15
8
11
96
Following an analysis of Spotify playlists, researchers identified key trends in featured tracks, characterised by an average BPM of 94, low danceability, low happiness, low liveness and high acousticness.
Consequently, the closest-matching songs include classic artists like Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Nat King Cole, festive icons including Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bublé, as well as modern artists like Ellie Goulding, Mother’s Daughter and Kelly Clarkson. Despite the diverse array of artists, all the listed songs share similar audio features known for inducing a deep sleep.
The Top Ten Christmas Songs To Help Kids Sleep
Song
Artists(s)
The Secret of Christmas
Mother’s Daughter, Beck Pete, Ryan James Tillema
White Christmas
Michael Bolton
Silent Night
Michael Bublé
Angels We Have Heard on High
Andrea Bocelli
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams)
Frank Sinatra
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Kelly Clarkson
O Holy Night
Ellie Goulding
Christmas Present
Doris Day
A Cradle in Bethlehem
Nat King Cole
Christmas Time Is in The Air Again
Mariah Carey
Ensuring a peaceful Christmas Eve for children is crucial. A thoughtfully crafted bedtime playlist, featuring gentle melodies, hushed tones, and soothing rhythms, can contribute to a tranquil night’s sleep.”
This approach aims to enhance the holiday experience for kids, offering a calming atmosphere through the enchanting voices of artists like Sinatra and Bublé.
And there you have it, weary parents! A treasure trove of Christmas songs to lull your little bundles of joy into sweet slumber.
Now, as you tiptoe out of the bedroom, leaving behind the gentle whisper of a lullaby, allow yourself a moment to savor the victory. You’ve tamed the Christmas Eve frenzy, wielded the power of music, and paved the way for a peaceful night’s sleep. Tomorrow awaits, brimming with unwrapped presents, excited squeals, and the heartwarming chaos of family togetherness. But for now, relish the quiet hush, the gentle snores, and the knowledge that you’ve created a haven of calm amidst the joyful storm.
So, breathe easy, pour a glass of Baileys, and take some grown up time to relax. You’ve earned it. The lullabies have worked their magic, and Christmas morning beckons with all its wonder.
Merry Christmas, fellow parents, and sweet dreams to your little dreamers!
Sources: Spotify, Tunebat
Methodology: During this study, 306 songs were taken from the following official Spotify ‘Sleep’ playlists: Deep Sleep, Sleep and Sleep Tight. Each piece was analysed for beats per minute (BPM), danceability, happiness, liveness and acousticness, establishing an average criterion for all entries. These characteristics were used as filters for Tunebat’s advanced search feature, which identified matching Christmas songs. Calculated by Euclidean distance, the qualifying Christmas songs were chosen based on those closest to the established criteria.
On the JJ Barnes Blog, I share the most heartbreaking break-up songs to listen to when your heart is broken.
If your heart is broken, and you want to break it more, these are the most heart breaking break up songs I can think of. But feel free to comment with more.
Love Of My Life – Queen
“Love of My Life” is from Queen’s 1975 album, A Night at the Opera. This sentimental ballad, features a harp played by Brian May and was written by Freddie Mercury, inspired by his relationship with Mary Austin.
The song is a slow, acoustic ballad, with Mercury’s vocals accompanied by a simple piano melody. The lyrics are simple and heartfelt, expressing Mercury’s love for Austin.
It is also a ruiner of mascara.
Only Love Can Hurt Like This – Paloma Faith
“Only Love Can Hurt Like This” by Paloma Faith was written by Diane Warren and released as the second single from her third album, A Perfect Contradiction in 2014.
The song’s lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak, and how love can be both beautiful and destructive, and can both bring joy and pain.
And it will make you bawl.
No More I Love You’s – Annie Lennox
“No More ‘I Love You’s” by Annie Lennox is from her second solo album, Medusa. The song was written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes, who recorded it as the Lover Speaks in 1986.
The song is a powerful ballad about the end of a relationship. The lyrics are full of emotion, as Lennox sings about the pain of heartbreak.
And if you can breathe straight after, you weren’t listening.
The Winner Takes It All – ABBA
“The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA was released as the first single from the group’s seventh studio album, Super Trouper in 1980.
The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, two members of ABBA. It is sung from the perspective of a woman who has been left by her husband for another woman. The lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak and the narrator’s feelings of inadequacy.
Whether it’s performed in Mama Mia!, or the original by the band, you’ll break.
Death By A Thousand Cuts – Taylor Swift
“Death by a Thousand Cuts” was written and recorded Taylor Swift, and released on August 23, 2019, as the third single from her seventh studio album, Lover. The song is a pop ballad with elements of country music. It has been praised for its honest and vulnerable lyrics, as well as Swift’s emotional vocals.
The song’s lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak. The narrator sings about how her ex-partner has moved on with someone else, and how she is struggling to cope with the loss.
If you know anything about me, you know Taylor Swift speaks to my soul. And knows how to access my pain.
You Broke Me First – Tate McRae
“You Broke Me First” by Tate McRae was released on February 28, 2020, as the lead single from her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said.
The song was written by McRae, Victoria Zaro, and Blake Harnage. It is sung from the perspective of a woman who has been left by her partner, and describes the pain of heartbreak and the narrator’s determination to move on.
And it makes the heart hurt.
I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” was written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin and recorded by Bonnie Raitt for her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw in 1991.
The song is a slow-paced ballad about heartbreak and unrequited love. The lyrics describe the narrator’s longing for someone who does not love her back.
And yes you’ll sob if you know that feeling.
Not Like Loving You – Nell Bryden
“Not Like Loving You” by Nell Bryden was released in 2009 as the lead single from her sixth studio album, What Does It Take. The song was written by Bryden and produced by David Kershenbaum.
“Not Like Loving You” is a folk-pop ballad telling the story of a woman who is struggling to move on from a failed relationship.
Let the song access that pain.
Need You Now – Lady A
“Need You Now” by country music group Lady A was released in 2009 as the lead single from their second studio album. The song was written by Lady A members Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott, along with Josh Kear.
“Need You Now” tells the story of a woman who is feeling lonely and lost after a breakup.
And that is a sadness that you need to feel sometimes.
I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
“I Will Always Love You” was originally written and recorded by singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, although the version by Whitney Houston ultimately became more well known.
It is a song about love, loss, and moving on.
And I defy anyone heartbroken not to sob.
If you have any more songs to add, please comment. We all need a good cry sometimes.
On the JJ Barnes Blog, I share my experiences of being creative parents raising creative children, and how we are trying to encourage and support their creative passions.
Creative Parents
Our first book release party in 2016
When Jon and I met in November 2014, one of the first things we bonded over was our love of creativity. He is a passionate and astoundingly talented musician, I have always loved everything to do with art and crafting, and we were both working on writing books.
Over the course of our relationship, we have spent more hours than I can possibly imagine talking about and working on our creative pursuits. Since our first novels came out in 2016, we have published books, released music, and made a movie. I sell art, he writes about music, and we both work together on The Table Read Magazine to share and promote the creativity of others.
Basically, our whole relationship, work and lives revolve around a passion for creativity. Therefore, it’s probably no surprise that the children we are raising are similarly focused.
Creative Children
My daughters are ten and six. The ten year old had just turned two when I was a single mother, fresh from marital breakdown, and Jon came into her life. He has raised her and loved her, parented and praised her, ever since, and he has definitely contributed to her creativity as much as he has his own biological children.
What is fascinating is how they are both incredibly creative, but in ways both similar to each of us, and yet so different. And while sending them down the path of the life of an indie artist isn’t necassarily the best parenting choice we could make (yes, I know they’d have more stable lives if they becomes lawyers or doctors or accountants etc…), I do want to encourage and celebrate the best of who they are, and let them learn and develop their skills in a way that is natural to them.
I don’t share photos of my children online, but please discover more about who they are and what they love anyway!
Six Year Old Musician
The six year old is a musician. And I say this without any sense of “to be.” She’s a musician now. She sits with her keyboard, playing her tunes, and warbling her songs. She writes song lyrics, often incredibly poetic ones, and practices her performances. She records herself singing and watches it back. She is a musician.
The fascinating thing is that Jon is the musician, but he doesn’t enjoy writing lyrics. I love writing lyrics, but I am definitely not a musician. For example, Dead To Me by Hot Profanity is a song we wrote and produced for the soundtrack to Hollowhood, our film. Jon wrote the music, and then I listened to it and wrote the lyrics. It was a complete blended effort, then performed by the wonderful Vicky Burke and Leo Parkes.
But somehow, the six year old has developed this wonderful blend of Jon’s passion and talent for the music, and my love of writing poetic words. I’m so excited to see where she goes with it, because I truly think she could be a phenomenal talent.
Jon has promised that, when she’s ready, he will produce her music, and we will release it properly. She has a lovely singing voice and a definite talent, and needs to see that we respect it and value it. So now, she is working on it. Writing lyrics, practicing tunes, and loving every second.
Ten Year Old Designer
The ten year old loves design. She is learning how to use art software and photo editing apps that most adults I know wouldn’t have a clue how to navigate. She has loads of ideas, draws and doodles all the time, and loves getting a chance to use my drawing tablet so she can hand draw her pictures directly into the computer.
A while ago, I set her up with a Redbubble Shop. She hasn’t made any sales (I don’t let her use social media for one thing), but it gives her a focus. She draws pictures, uploads them to Canva, edits them, saves them, and then applies them to Redbubble products. She doesn’t need sales, she needs to see that her work and her passion can be applied to something practical, and that I respect her enough to let it happen.
Recently, I started designing a range of notebooks, and this idea caught her attention too. I promised her that if she designs them, I’ll market them. Since then, I have a computer so full of her designs for different notebooks and journals that I need to set aside an entire weekend just to upload them.
The loveliest thing is her first notebook design was created for her sister, who while she has no desire to design herself, loves notebooks and was excited to be involved as inspiration. And, thanks to her lovely grandmother, she made her first sale of her first design!
Her graphic design skills are developing and improving every time. She is full of ideas, loves choosing fonts and effects, combining colours and images, and is developing a lot of skills that are valuable, and she is having a wonderful time doing it.
Encouraging My Children
I am never going to claim to be a parenting expert. Nor even a parenting skilled person. I’m possibly parenting adequately, but some days I think that’s even a stretch. I’ve kept them alive so far… let’s just leave it at that.
However, I am proud to say that my children are creative, and despite the fact their parents are working all the time and don’t spend that special one on one time with them that they deserve very often, somehow we’ve managed to raise children who are not only creative, but actively seek out their creative pursuits.
Therefore, please accept my tips (based on experience not actual technical knowledge or skill) for raising creative kids:
Be supportive and encouraging:
Let your child know that you believe in their creativity and that you are there to support them. Whether it’s letting them fill a Redbubble shop with designs nobody will buy, or listening to a song being warbled by a freckle faced six year old over and over again, just let them see that what they are passionate about and good at matters.
Provide resources where possible:
We have no money nor space for a proper piano, but we were able to get the six year old a keyboard. The ten year old is learning graphic design on the computer with online software. We can’t give them everything they want, or even everything they deserve, but the things they’re excited by and passionate about, we try to make sure they have access to resouces that allow them to develop those skills.
Give them creative time:
Education is important. Homework is important. Chores are important. Relaxation time is important. But all of those things can become so dominating that there’s no time left for just being creative. My kids watch plenty of TV, probably way too much, and school takes up a horribly big amount of time. But creativity is important too, so we try to all make room for it.
Let them do it badly.
I can give it the big talk about how wonderfully talented a musician the six year old is, but she has banged out some horrific noises and sometimes her singing could break glass. I can talk about how well my ten year old is learning design software, but sometimes the guff she’s presented me with has been truly horrific. But it’s cool, we all suck at the beginning. It’s not about starting out as a genius, it’s about finding the love and learning how to get better at it because of that love.
Celebrate their successes.
Being presented with terrible child creations is par for the course, and obviously we give them the desired “That’s wonderful, darling!” response. But when they create something genuinely brilliant? That gets the celebration. When they learn a new skill, perfect something they’ve been practicing? Celebration. I want them to know when they’re nailing it!
Don’t compare them to others.
My kids are very different. Six has no interested in computer design, ten has no interest in writing music. But they both love arts and crafts in general, and sometimes one of them is way better at something than the other. And sometimes other kids are way better than they are. That’s cool. In my opinion, just compare them to themselves. If they’ve done something that is great for who they are, then that’s all that matters.
Let them explore their interests.
Let them find what they are passionate about. While I’d love it if their skills, talents and passions were in discovering diamonds… they’re not. I don’t want to push them into anything creative that they’re not naturally inclined towards. I spend enough time pushing them with going to school, doing their homework, and brushing their teeth. With creativity, it’s all about them and what they’re drawn to, not what I want them to do.
Be patient.
It takes time to develop creativity. It’s not like learning a times table where once you’ve got it, you’ve got it. Creativity is an eternal process. I was so proud of my first book, but years later I could see the flaws. I’m a better writer now. But I know I’ll be even better in ten years. Just let them learn and grow how they learn and grow, and they will definitely get better the more they practice.
I hope this has been helpful!
I will never not be proud of the creativity ours home is filled with. And I can’t wait to see what they do next. Their lives may not end up as creativity focused as ours, and they may well end up with “real jobs” because they’ve seen how hard this world is to make a career in. But I truly hope they never lose their love for being creative, even if they don’t do it for work. Because creativity is wonderful.
