So far, this year has been pretty transformative for people, for a multitude of reasons. One could especially see that for Taylor Swift; these past few months had her career dramatically skyrocket. As she herself announced, she finally got back her masters, meaning that after a long battle of fighting for the ownership of her music, she finally got it back! That means no more new recordings and releases of previously published records, under the title of (Taylor’s Version).
Another exciting announcement made via her Instagram page on Aug. 26, was her engagement to football star Travis Kelce. The singer captioned the heartwarming series of photos with “Your English and PE high school teachers are getting married!” But, just when people thought that this was the end of announcements from Taylor, at least for this year, they were surprised once again, with her newest release of The Life of a Showgirl.
Across years, fans have had the pleasure of witnessing Taylor’s different eras. We publicly followed her through some of her happiest and most heartbreaking moments. In a recent interview, the artist stated that “For a long time [she] felt pressured to produce music based on her hardest moments in time. Now, for the first time in a while, she feels secure putting out a record where [her] music truly comes from a happy and genuine place. [She’s] not afraid of people not liking [her] for not putting out depressing music.”
Coming from a fanatic of her music, I do have to admit that The Life of a Showgirl as an album truly surprised me. While I do not think that from all the music she’s put out, this is the best lyrical record or the one where she fully showcases her vocal abilities, I still thoroughly enjoyed listening to it, and even caught myself dancing to a bunch of catchy bops! I thought, “what better way to celebrate this new release by delving into my favorite tracks?” Let’s get into it!
Starting off strong, the “Fate of Ophelia” opens the record with a cheerful beat. The album opener seemingly addresses what it’s like to fall in love with someone unexpectedly, and having that person pull you out from your misery without them knowing it. Fans suspect that this record is dedicated to her now fiancĂ©, Travis Kelce. Swift sings “I saw alone in my tower / You were just honing your powers, now I can see it all / You pulled me out of my grave and saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia.” Referencing fictional character’s Ophelia’s tragic death, as she passed away from broken heart syndrome, Taylor implies that her meeting Travis gave a new meaning to her life, confirming that she wasn’t going to end up forever alone. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever? Taylor ends each chorus by admiring everything her partner represents: “Keep it one hundred on the land, the sea, the sky / I pledge allegiance to your hands, you team, your vibes / Don’t care where the hell you’ve been, ’cause now you’re mine.”
“Father Figure” is my absolute favorite track in the album. My interpretation of it was that the song is sung from the perspective of a manipulative and controlling mentor (referred to as the “father figure”), who makes promises to a young individual, eventually exploiting them. The lyrics read: “You remind me of a younger me / I saw potential / I’ll be your father figure / I protect the family / Leave it up to me / I was your father figure.” I appreciated how Taylor beautifully captured the complex relationship between the two individuals referenced, making it known how easy it really is for one to let their guard down and trust every single thing coming from another person, just for them to get taken advantage of in the end. Another interpretation of the song circulating on social media is Taylor’s commentary on her betrayal by the music industry and specifically Scooter Braun, who acquired Swift’s record label and master recordings and sold them to other companies. In other words, the song could very much be a nod to her public dispute.
Moving on to “Eldest Daughter” it is widely believed that here, Swift is speaking on the struggle of living in a society where individuals are rewarded for being tough and unbothered, rather than sincere and vulnerable. The song clearly references an attitude of perfectionism that must be adopted by the first-born of the family, so that they can survive scrutiny and pain in the later stages of their lives. The song lyrics that stood out to me are: “I’ve been dying from trying to seem cool / I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness / When I said I didn’t believe in marriage, that was a lie / I’m never gonna leave you now.”
Finally, “Ruin the Friendship” really touched my heart. One of the most emotional tracks on the record, the song talks about dealing with the profound regret of not pursuing a romantic relationship with a close friend who later passed away. It begins with a sweet and cheerful melody, seeminly describing the blooming friendship between two individuals in highschool. Taylor sings: “Have fun, it’s prom / Staying friends is safe / Doesn’t mean you should.” Unexpectedly, the song takes a dark turn in the bridge, revealing that in her case, Taylor’s hesitation became a permanent regret: “When I left school, I lost track of you / Abigail called me with the bad news / Goodbye… / Should’ve kissed you anyway.” While the singer does not explicitly name the friend, many fans and sources believe is referencing her late friend Jeff Lang, who passed away in 2010.
All in all, TLOASG was definitely an intriguing and tumultuous listening experience. Some songs moved me, with beautifully written lyrics that made me remember the mastermind that Taylor truly is. Other tracks made me think she could have made better selections from the vault. Whether people like her and her music or not, it cannot be denied that Taylor Swift IS one of the most discussed stars of our time! What do you think?