Which Taylor Swift song was Marc Maron permitted to use in his standup gigs? Comedian reveals how he acquired the approval for $50K

Marc Maron shared how he was granted permission to use Taylor Swift's song in his upcoming HBO special, Marc Maron: Panicked. He stated in the July 25, 2025, episode of Vulture's Good One podcast that he had badly wanted to use the pop star's song, as it would fit well with a bit in his special.

Marc Maron was permitted to use Taylor Swift's Bigger Than the Whole Sky, a track from her Midnights album's 3 am Edition. The podcaster and comedian shared that he first texted Jack Antonoff, as he was the co-writer of the song. Maron requested that Jack speak with Taylor Swift and get her permission.

"I know Jack Antonoff enough to text him, and he's the co-writer on that song. I said, 'I don't know what's proper or how to do this, but we're running out of money on this thing. It's probably going to come out of my pocket. Is there anything you can do about this song or talk to Taylor?" Marc Maron said.

However, Jack told Maron to resolve the matter through official music channels. Marc Maron did so and managed to get permission to use the song for a minute in exchange for $50,000.

The stand-up comedian stated that he doesn't know whether Taylor Swift's team told her about the comedy bit. Maron hoped that she would like that portion of the HBO special.

Marc Maron previously shared on his podcast how he ended up liking Taylor Swift's song, Bigger Than the Whole Sky

In the May 18, 2023, episode of the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, the comedian shared how he was listening to Taylor Swift's Midnights album while hiking. Maron stated that he wanted to give the pop star's music a try, as many people "never shut up" about Swift.

Calling himself an "open-minded guy," Marc Maron said that he appreciated the 2022 album and understood why so many people felt strongly about Taylor Swift's music.

However, he claimed that her music didn't suit his taste until he heard Bigger Than the Whole Sky.

Maron said that the song made him emotional as it reminded him of grief and loss. He noted that the lyrics of the song were vague, and it could mean a heartbreak or a loved one's passing.

"I'm sort of like 'It's not really for me, but I understand it now, and it's good music.' Then some song comes on, a song called Bigger Than the Whole Sky, and I start getting emotional because it's a grief song. The language is vague enough for the heartbreak in the song to not be tethered to just a relationship breaking up, but it's about loss, and it got me, man," he said.

In the podcast, Maron shared that while he was listening to the song, he reached the top of the mountain and passed out while stretching.

When he woke up, he was bleeding as he had hit his head on the ground, and at that moment, he thought it would be a good way to die, while listening to Bigger Than the Whole Sky.

For the unversed, Taylor Swift has never shared the meaning behind her song, Bigger Than the Whole Sky.