Marc Maron has never shied away from taking bold risks in his comedy career, and his latest move proves just that. For his upcoming HBO Max special, Marc Maron: Panicked, the veteran comedian insisted on including a powerful Taylor Swift track — no matter the cost.
During a candid conversation on the Good One podcast, Maron revealed just how much it took to secure the rights to Swift’s Midnights bonus track, “Bigger Than the Whole Sky.” The special, set to premiere on Friday (Aug. 1), will close with the emotional snippet.
The $50,000 Price Tag
Maron admitted that the licensing fee came in at around $50,000—a hefty sum by any standard.
“I think it came out to $50K, around that,” the 61-year-old comedian shared. “I did everything I could to get the joke in front of her.”
Not knowing the usual process of securing rights for a major artist like Swift, Maron leaned on his acquaintance with producer Jack Antonoff, who co-wrote the track. “I know Jack Antonoff enough to text him,” he explained. “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’s Advice
Instead of pulling strings, Antonoff advised Maron to go through the official licensing process. That path ultimately worked, but not without incurring a significant budget deficit. “It was doable,” Maron said. “We made enough money. It was tight, but because of the ticket sales for the special, we were able to get that song.”
Due to the steep cost, Maron could only afford a single minute of the track. To make it work, he and the band from the special composed custom intro and outro music to frame the Swift snippet seamlessly.
Why It “Had to Happen”
Maron emphasized the deep connection he feels to the song, which plays a critical role in the emotional punch of his special. In fact, during the performance, he even holds his phone up to play it, underscoring the authenticity of the moment.
“My relationship to that song is so strong… it had to happen,” Maron explained. “The real fear is that she don’t let you use it.”
The Risk of a Swift Rejection
There was always the possibility that Taylor Swift might decline, which would have forced Maron to cut the bit entirely. “They can always say, ‘I don’t want him to play that.’ And then if you do, they sue you,” he said. “But they signed off on it. I have no idea if Taylor Swift saw the bit.”
For Maron, the gamble was worth it. Including the song wasn’t just about comedy — it was about creating a moment that felt necessary, authentic, and unforgettable. And for fans tuning in to Marc Maron: Panicked, that one minute of Taylor Swift’s music may prove to be priceless.
