Since her early country days, Taylor Swift has built a career off the back of her talent for crafting engaging worlds through her music. Her ability to switch between high-tempo pop beats and lo-fi indie ballads has made her an enduring chart-topping superstar, while recurring themes of growing up, identity, and relationships have allowed her to connect with audiences around the world.
Throughout the course of her career, Swift has written and recorded an incredible amount of music, earning her a long list of accolades including 4 Grammys, multiple VMAs and AMA statues, and a multitude of BMI awards. In addition to her musical achievements, the multifaceted singer has become known for her philanthropic work and her commitment to sustainable fashion. She’s also a master of the public image, frequently appearing at award shows in an array of stunning dresses and embracing a reputation as one of the most influential women in the world.
While many doubted her ability to make the transition from country star to global icon, Taylor made a name for herself by writing and recording her debut album Fearless in 2006. Released in October of that year, it topped the US charts, largely due to the success of its lead single “Tim McGraw”. In the years that followed, she went on to release two more country albums with Big Machine Records, before moving over to RCA Records in 2020.
After her move to RCA, Swift released 1989, an unapologetic pop record that was designed to challenge the idea of what a young twenty something girl should be like. The record blew up, breaking several major music industry records in its first week of release and spending eleven non-consecutive weeks at the top of the US charts. With the help of hits like “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space”, 1989 positioned Swift as an international pop star and cemented her as a music titan.
While a lot of her newest music takes inspiration from the current state of the pop scene, Taylor is still adept at writing the kind of heartfelt and emotive songs that have always made her so popular. On this dreamy and atmospheric track, she enlists the help of HAIM, her sisters in crime, to sing about the dangers of letting yourself fall into a bad relationship. It’s a song that harkens back to her country roots and showcases an impressive vocal range, including her ability to reach for the high notes. A slinky saxophone adds to the track’s sexiness, making it a definite dance favorite on TikTok and the inspiration behind this iconic dance video. The video was directed by Joseph Kahn, a director who has worked on the likes of Mad Men and Frozen. The song itself was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff.
