How did Marc Maron manage to use Taylor Swift’s song in his new stand-up special?

Marc Maron’s upcoming stand-up special Panicked features a surprising musical cameo — a Taylor Swift track that cost him big.

In a new interview on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the comedian revealed that licensing Taylor Swift’s Bigger Than the Whole Sky for a minute-long segment in his HBO special ran him roughly $50,000.

The song, co-written by Jack Antonoff and featured on Swift’s Midnights (3am Edition), was essential to the bit, so much so that Marc Maron was willing to foot the bill himself. He shared:

“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?’”

Jack Antonoff directed him to official licensing channels, which eventually worked out, though not cheaply.

“It was doable. I would have gone over the minute, [but] it would have been more money.”

“It had to happen”: Marc Maron opens up about using a Taylor Swift track in his comedy special

The entertainer revealed that he was only permitted to sing “a minute” of a particular tune, thanks to strict usage fees.

But rather than let the song trail off or risk penalty, he decided to get creative. He collaborated with a band to write original music that would serve as the special’s intro and outro, both carefully timed to stay within budget.

“We couldn’t even let it, like, play out the special or anything.”

The bit remains under wraps, but the song plays a pivotal role in the moment. Marc Maron admitted the real anxiety came from the possibility that Taylor Swift’s team might deny the request.

“It had to happen. The real fear [was], like, [if] she doesn’t let you use it, and then what do you do? You can’t do the bit on the special.”

Whether Taylor Swift herself approved or even heard the joke remains unknown, but Marc Maron said he was “manifesting” that she would like it if she did.

Marc Maron has previously talked about warming up to Swift’s music, sharing last year on his WTF podcast that he gave Midnights a try on a hike — and came away moved.

“I’m like, ‘Alright. I get it.’ It’s pop music, but it’s not dance music [and] it’s, sort of, emotional. There’s a lot of longing and sadness and isolation and processing these overwhelming feelings of melancholy.”

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Panicked marks Marc Maron’s return to HBO following 2023’s acclaimed From Bleak to Dark, which dealt with personal loss and grief.

The comedian is also currently promoting The Bad Guys 2, set to debut in theaters on August 1.

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