Taylor Swift: A cultural icon

By: Bridgette braken

I am sure most, if not everyone, has heard the name Taylor Swift before, as she is one of the most well-known singers throughout the world and has a massive fan base. NPR says, "She's been famous for so long it's almost hard to remember a time before she started having moments" (Donnella et al., 2024).

Swift has been making music since 2006 and has gone through a variety of different genres, spanning from country to pop to indie-folk, and her newest album is synth-pop, having gained many new fans throughout her career. Let us talk about Taylor Swift and her significant impact on girls all over the world.

On December 13, 1989, Taylor Alison Swift was born, and at the young age of nine, she knew she wanted to be a singer. She released her first album, "Taylor Swift," at the ripe age of sixteen. From then on, she has released ten more albums, including her newest album, "The Tortured Poets Department."

While making new albums, she is also re-recording her albums stolen by Scooter Braun (Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation). Today she has regained ownership of four of those albums, only leaving her self-titled album and Reputation to go. She has also been on many tours, starting as early as releasing her second studio album, Fearless. Now she is on her most popular and "highest-grossing concert tour of all time" (Millman 2023), the one and only, The Eras Tour.

Taylor Swift uses her music to empower and bring together young women and girls. She often shares personal experiences, emotions, and vulnerabilities in her songs, encouraging listeners to embrace their own feelings and stories. An example of this is in Swift's song "Dear John," from her third studio album, "Speak Now."

According to Neon Music, "The song resonates with listeners who have experienced heartbreak and betrayal, as Swift beautifully captures the pain and confusion that often accompany such situations" (Harris, 2023). People who have experienced a relationship with a significant age difference, particularly one where they felt manipulated or taken advantage of, or anyone who has been in a relationship where they felt their emotions were not reciprocated or where they were treated differently than they expected, might resonate with the song.

Another one of her songs, "Shake it Off," from her album "1989," is a song that shares the theme of resilience and letting go of negativity. It is about not letting haters and critics bring you down and instead, embracing the positive and moving on. The song encourages listeners to brush off negativity and focus on enjoying life.

"Can-do girls are notable for their high ambitions with regard to their employment and their commitment to elaborate planning for success in their careers. They seize the opportunities made available within the new economy and make projects of their work selves from an early age" (Duvall, 2024, p. 319 – 322).

Taylor Swift is classified as a "can-do girl," since she exemplifies the ambition and motivation of this archetype. From a young age, she displayed a strong commitment to her music career. Her early success as a country singer-songwriter paved the way for her transition into pop music, highlighting her adaptability and willingness to take risks. Swift's planning and strategic approach to her career, evident in her re-recording project and her extensive tours, further solidify her as a "can-do girl." She has become an influential figure in the music industry due to her ability to create opportunities and create her own story.

Taylor Swift's music and persona often center around themes of girlhood, love, heartbreak, and personal growth. Some argue that Taylor Swift's songs frequently portray women as sensitive and emotional, which may reinforce negative stereotypes. Also, her focus on romantic relationships can be interpreted as restricting women's experiences and goals to marriage and love.

However, others argue that Taylor Swift's music is empowering and celebrates female experiences. Her songs often explore themes of female friendship, resilience, and self-love. Additionally, her outspokenness on issues such as gender equality and sexual harassment has inspired many of her fans.

According to Ysabel Gerrard, "A 'Fangirl' is a discourse that is commonly used to devalue young and feminine fans, fandoms, and behaviors" (Gerrard, 2021, p. 1–16). Swift has many fans of all ages and is in a fandom called "Swifties." This passionate community is joined by their love for Swift's music and her authentic persona. Swifties are known for their creativity, dedication, and unwavering support for their idol.

"Despite all that Swift can be praised for she is not immune from criticism and should not be treated like she is" (Hinds, 2023). Some argue that the behavior of some fans, such as obsessive stalking and harassment of Taylor Swift and other celebrities, is inappropriate and harmful. Additionally, the intense focus on Taylor Swift's personal life and relationships has been criticized for invading her privacy.

Despite these criticisms, many Swifties argue that their fandom is a positive force. They point to the sense of community and support that the fandom provides, as well as the charitable work that many Swifties do in Taylor Swift's name.

Ultimately, the impact of Taylor Swift's music and fandom on society is complex and multifaceted. While some may see it as a positive force for female empowerment, others may see it as reinforcing harmful stereotypes and promoting unhealthy fan behavior.

Taylor Swift's public persona plays a significant role in empowering young women and girls. She is often portrayed as the typical girl, "there she was on the front lines, blonde and newly empowered" (Cristo, 2023), a relatable and empathetic figure who shares her personal experiences through her music. This relatable image, coupled with her strong work ethic and business acumen, has resonated with millions of fans, particularly young women. Her music often explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, allowing listeners to connect with their own emotions. By sharing her firsthand experiences and vulnerabilities, Swift has created a sense of intimacy with her audience, fostering a deep and lasting connection.

Swift's public persona has changed with her as she has gone along through all the eras. She started with being the damsel in distress, then becoming the hero, and now the anti-hero. Being the damsel in distress is someone "who is always vulnerable, and in need of rescue" (Hernández Rodríguez, 2024, p. 96–112). She portrayed this, specifically during her country years. One significant example is the song "Today Was a Fairytale," where she sings, "You were the prince/I used to be a damsel in distress."

Being the hero is defined as "a symbol which connects one poem to another and thereby helps to unify our literary experience" (Hernández Rodríguez, 2024, p. 96–112). She portrays this starting with her pop era, 1989. Taylor Swift's most recent portrayal is the anti-hero, which she shows in her albums Reputation and Midnights, but also with her indie-folk eras Folklore and Evermore, and the newest album The Tortured Poets Department.

Taylor Swift's music is characterized by its honesty and emotional depth. As music journalist Amelia Morris notes, "Despite the continual shifts in her style of music and appearance, what remains consistent for Swift is her personal and vulnerable lyrics, which predominantly explore issues of romance, friendship, heartbreak, body image, and mental health" (Morris, 2024, p. 1–19). This unwavering commitment to authenticity has allowed Swift to connect with millions of fans on a deeply personal level.

Swift's music often dives into the complexities of human relationships, capturing the refinement of love, loss, and longing. She has a unique ability to transform personal experiences into universal narratives, allowing listeners to connect with her music on an emotional level. Her songs have become anthems for heartbreak, empowerment, and self-discovery, resonating with fans of all ages and backgrounds.

A significant portion of Taylor Swift's discography explores themes of love, heartbreak, and relationships. However, it is important to note that her music also covers a wide range of other topics, including friendship, self-discovery, and social commentary. One song, from her album "Speak Now," is the song "Long Live," which is a tribute to her bandmates and fans, acknowledging the shared experiences and triumphs they have had together. Another song, from her "Fearless" album, is "The Best Day," which is a song that expresses gratitude and love for her parents.

Taylor Swift and her music have been a part of my life as long as I can recall. I might not have been a fan back then, but I remember singing and dancing to some of her songs like "Mean," "You Belong With Me," and "22" all the time. I really became a fan in 2014, when Swift released her fifth album, "1989." I still remember watching the "Shake it Off" music video with my parents and then listening to it nonstop for weeks.

As I have grown older, Swift's music has evolved with me. Taylor Swift's "You're On Your Own, Kid" resonates with the bittersweet nostalgia of youth. The song captures the essence of growing up, the transition from carefree days to the complexities of adulthood. Her music has been a constant companion, a source of comfort, inspiration, and pure joy. It is more than just music; it is a journey through emotions, a reflection of life's complexities, and a celebration of the human experience. As Taylor says, "Life's a long, strange journey, and sometimes you just gotta say, 'You're on your own, kid.'"

Bibliography

Cristo, I. (2023, December 19). Woman in Retrograde. The CUT. https://www.thecut.com/article/girl-culture.html

Donnella, L., Parker, B. A., Lopez, X., & Mortada, D. (2024, January 21). What Taylor Swift's icon status says about who gets to be a 'girl'. Taylor Swift and the era of the "girl": Code Switch: NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2024/01/31/1197954664/taylor-swift-and-the- era-of-girl

Duvall, S. (2024). Interdisciplinary Scholarship on Fame, Girlhoods, and Identity (S. Mazzarella, Ed.). The Routledge Companion to Girls' Studies. Routledge, 319 – 322.

Gerrard, Y. (2021). Groupies, Fangirls and Shippers: The Endurance of a Gender Stereotype. American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 0(0) 1–16.

Harris, A. (2023, August 9). Decoding the Meaning Behind Taylor Swift's Dear John (Taylor's Version) Lyrics. Neon Music. https://neonmusic.co.uk/decoding-the-meaning-behind-taylor- swifts-dear-john-taylors-version-lyrics

Hernández Rodríguez, M. (2024). Always Rooting For The Antihero: A Dive Into The Evolution Of Taylor Swift's Poetic Persona. REDEN. Revista Española De Estudios Norteamericanos, 5(2), 96–112. https://doi.org/10.37536/reden.2024.5.2360

Hinds, J. (2023, July 13). A Swiftie Examines The Taylor Swift Obsession. The Daily Utah Chronicle. https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2023/07/13/swiftie-examines-taylor-swift-obsession/

Millman, E. (2023, December 8). Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Is The Highest-Grossing Of All Time And First-Ever To Hit $1 Billion. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music- news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-highest-grossing-all-time-1-billion-1234921647/

Morris, A. (2024). Drew a map on your bedroom ceiling: fandoms, nostalgic girlhood and digital bedroom cultures in the Swiftie-sphere. Celebrity Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2024.2338540