Taylor Swift Is Up To Something Vis-a-vis Closeting In The Music Industry, So I Want To Talk About Paul

Taylor Swift is up to something vis-a-vis closeting in the music industry, so I want to talk about Paul Simon's music. I have an inkling my mutuals are on the same page.

Simon & Garfunkel as a folk duo began in Greenwich Village, NYC in 1964. Greenwich Village is home to the Stonewall Inn; it was the center of the gay rights and leftist movements in NY at the time, referred to as "Lavender and Red", respectively.

The American folk artists developed their own rich language to describe the forbidden loves and lives they sang about. A few examples:

Lavender - a general reference to homosexuality

Rose / Moon - refers to a lover

Stars / Strangers - gay singers

Shadows - gay people (because they have to hide)

California - the west coast gay scene (in 'Frisco)

Soho - the gay area of London

Simon used these, and noting his references to honey colored curly hair, it is clear that Simon & Garfunkel were together ... to some of us. And in a world without homophobia, I think it would be the default assumption.

I find all of this interesting because these "codes" are still used today, and I think will be used for some time even if closeting in the music industry ends. I hear "strangers" in modern day songs all the time. Taylor Swift most notably just released a video for "Lavender Haze", a song that queer people seem to notice is queer, and at long last so do some others.

Now for my personal wild theory: I think near-billionaire Swift may be the one to end the need for hiding at all, and I think she may be trying to do it soon. Whether that means we'll know anything about Simon & Garfunkel ... who knows. I just wanted to write about their music ahaha

I kinda wish they did a homage to the mentioned album's cover pic...

“More than one long-hair type in the audience nodded approval and expressed the belief that Simon was “really stoned.”’

Another 60s college article—this one is short but delightful and features Paul and Art being as dramatic as ever about lighting and photography. 🙃

“I am the forest, I am ancient. I treasure the stag, I treasure the deer. I shelter you from storm, I shelter you from snow. I resist the frost, I keep the source. I nurse the earth, I am always there. I build your house, I kindle your hearth. Therefore, you people, hold me dear.”

— Inscription found in a 17th century forester’s house in Lower Saxony, Germany (via inatt)

I'd say 1966, but nevermind, they're the cutest.

Simon & Garfunkel, c. 1967 

“I never make the same mistake twice. I make it five or six times, just to be sure.”

— Loki, probably.

Sennen Cove, Cornwall, England