Exploring Taylor Swift's Bond with The National's Aaron Dessner: A Detailed Journey

Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner’s Complete Friendship Timeline

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If there were such a thing as musical soulmates, Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner would definitely be top contenders for the title.

The two have worked together on several albums, including Swift's highly awaited 11th record, The Tortured Poets Department. Dessner, who is a founding member of the rock band The National, has brought his producing and songwriting talents to many of Swift's songs, such as fan favorites like "Willow" and "Cardigan."

Outside of the studio, the duo often express admiration for each other. Dessner shared with the “Broken Record” podcast in April 2023 that their songwriting sessions have been filled with “amazing moments.” He described Taylor Swift as a close friend, highlighting her loveliness and fun personality. He emphasized that she is not only lovely but also highly intelligent and down-to-earth.

Keep scrolling for the complete timeline of Swift and Dessner’s friendship:

March 2014

Dessner and Swift first met on the set of Saturday Night Live. The National performed on the show while Lena Dunham, a friend of Swift's, was hosting. They met again five years later at a National concert in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.

In an interview with Pitchfork, he shared, "She had a lot of conversations with my brother [Bryce] and me. We were amazed by her genuine fan spirit and her kind and humble personality."

April 2019

In July 2020, Taylor Swift reached out to Aaron Dessner via text and proposed collaborating on her album Folklore. Dessner was pleasantly surprised when he received the text from Swift asking if he would be interested in writing songs together. He enthusiastically replied, "Wow. Of course," as he shared with Pitchfork.

Folklore included 11 songs cowritten by Dessner, such as “Seven” and “Hoax.” Dessner shared his experience of recording the album during the COVID pandemic, describing how the songs came together during such a challenging time.

He mentioned on Instagram that he initially didn't expect song ideas to come quickly or what they could achieve remotely. However, shortly after sharing music, Taylor sent him a fully written song via voice memo. The creative momentum never waned, and Dessner expressed how inspired he was by Taylor, stating it was a rare occurrence for him.

November 2020

Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner’s Complete Friendship Timeline

Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner, and Jack Antonoff were featured in the Disney+ documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. The film was shot at Dessner's Long Pond Studio in Hudson, New York and included discussions with the artists about the creation of Folklore, as well as live performances.

While the trio were filming the documentary, they started plotting their second collaboration: Evermore.

December 2020

In July 2021, Evermore, a companion album to Folklore, included several songs co-written by Dessner, such as “Ivy” and “Willow.” During that time, Dessner expressed to Billboard his belief that he and Swift will continue to collaborate on music indefinitely.

Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner’s Complete Friendship Timeline

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October 2022

Swift recently shared on Instagram the song "Renegade" by Big Red Machine, a collaboration she co-wrote with Dessner. In her post, she expressed how working with Aaron allowed her to embrace a world of creativity without overthinking, simply making music. She praised Aaron for his generous spirit and humble nature that transcends into every aspect of his life.

While Dessner did not receive any writing credits on the standard edition of Swift's 2022 album, Midnights, fans were excited to learn that he was involved in the deluxe version. He co-wrote and produced tracks like "The Great War," "High Infidelity," and "Would've, Could've, Should've."

After the bonus tracks were released, Dessner took to Twitter to congratulate Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and everyone else who contributed to the amazing main album. He also expressed his gratitude for being a part of the late-night creative process for the deluxe edition.

June 2023

Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner’s Complete Friendship Timeline

Taylor Swift invited Aaron Dessner on stage during The Eras Tour in Pittsburgh for the first live performance of "Seven." She introduced him to the crowd as a talented musician, instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Swift referred to Dessner as a soulmate collaborator and credited him for making the tour possible.

April 2024

In April 2024, Apple Music announced the songwriting credits for Taylor Swift's album The Tortured Poets Department. It was revealed that Dessner had co-written five songs on the album, including "So Long, London" and "Clara Bow."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the incredible musical bond between Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner. Their friendship, rooted in admiration and shared passion, has blossomed into a fruitful collaboration that has yielded several critically acclaimed albums. Dessner's producing and songwriting prowess has significantly contributed to Swift's musical evolution, particularly evident in the critically lauded "Folklore" and "Evermore." Their creative partnership extends beyond the studio, as they often express mutual respect and appreciation.

The article also provides a detailed timeline of their friendship, from their initial meeting in 2014 to their ongoing collaborations. It showcases the progression of their relationship, from being fans of each other's work to becoming close friends and musical soulmates. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and quotes from Dessner further illuminates the depth of their bond and the profound impact it has had on their creative endeavors.