In his deeply personal and darkly comedic HBO stand-up special Panicked, Marc Maron opens up about grief, near-death experiences, and—unexpectedly—Taylor Swift. The longtime podcaster and comedian tells a story that’s as emotional as it is hilarious, revealing how Swift’s Midnights track “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” helped him through one of the toughest moments of his life.
A Hike, a Collapse, and Taylor Swift
Maron recounts a “near-death experience” that happened while hiking a steep trail—150 minutes of uphill climbing that left him emotionally and physically drained. He passed out mid-hike, and when he came to, Taylor Swift’s lyrics were still playing through his headphones.
“I’m not afraid to die anymore… as long as I have time to put that song on,” Maron jokes.
The poignant moment stemmed from a period of intense grief following the death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. It was during this time that he became curious about Swift’s popularity and downloaded Midnights, eventually becoming emotionally overwhelmed by “Bigger Than the Whole Sky.”
$50,000 for One Minute of Music
Maron didn’t just reference the song in his HBO Max comedy special — he paid $50,000 to include a one-minute clip in Panicked.
With time and budget constraints, he reached out to Jack Antonoff, a frequent Swift collaborator and co-writer of the song. Antonoff helped Maron navigate the music licensing process, allowing the comedian to feature the track without exceeding the budget.
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“If I had gone over a minute, it would have cost even more,” Maron shared in a podcast interview.
Swift’s Song and the Power of Art in Grief
Maron’s story isn’t just about celebrity licensing fees or music rights. It’s a raw and moving narrative about grief, healing, and the unexpected ways we process loss. By tying a deeply personal moment to Swift’s music, Panicked resonates on a more universal level — showing how even a pop song can provide profound emotional clarity.
The End of an Era: WTF with Marc Maron
The special arrives at a transitional moment in Maron’s career. He recently announced the upcoming end of his acclaimed podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, which has been running for 16 years. The final episode is expected to air this fall.
With Panicked, Maron proves he’s still evolving — combining humor, vulnerability, and storytelling in a way that feels more intimate and human than ever.
