Taylor Swift is one of the most successful pop artists of the 21st century. From singing the national anthem before a Philadelphia 76ers game at age 11 to commanding stadiums full of Swifties (her adoring fans) on international tours, the singer/songwriter has worked hard to make it in the music industry. Taking inspiration from country music artists such as Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks, Swift quickly rose through the ranks of local talent contests to land on Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe scene, where she caught the attention of Scott Borchetta, who signed her to his label Big Machine Records.
In addition to her illustrious recording career, Swift is also an expert entrepreneur who has made smart business decisions. In 2008, she rerecorded her debut album Fearless to secure ownership of the master tapes, a move that boosted sales and earned her several award nominations at the prestigious CMA and AMA music awards. She paired the rerelease with a documentary film and her first headlining tour, which grossed more than $63 million.
In the years since, Swift has released 10 studio albums, including 2019’s Lover and 2022’s Midnights. She has also ventured into acting, appearing in the Broadway adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and starring in the film version of 1989. She has also lent her voice to a number of animated characters, including the title character in Frozen and the heroine of the hit TV show Gravity Falls.
Swift has written or co-written every song on her studio albums, with the exception of a few guest features and collaborations. While some of her songs are more popular than others, she is known for crafting a narrative with relatable themes and memorable melodies that stick with you.
The most recognizable songs from Taylor Swift’s Red era include “Blank Space” and “Look What You Made Me Do.” Both of these tracks take on the theme of heartbreak, but they’re not your typical breakup tunes. With the former song describing the end of a high school romance and the latter track a breakup with American politics, the lyrics are both evocative and empowering.
In her latest era, Taylor Swift has turned up the romance with songs such as “Red” and “Love Story.” She’s also been vocal about her support of women’s rights, especially while campaigning for Hillary Clinton. She has taken on the two largest streaming services, arguing that they don’t pay artists enough royalties for their work.
Whether she’s fighting for female empowerment or just trying to be a good role model, there’s no doubt that Swift has some of the best songs of her career in her latest era. Her songs are catchy, relatable, and packed with human yearning and striving. And even the parts of the song that don’t quite add up — like the stop-and-start guitar riffs and the cheerleader-style chants in the chorus—work because of Taylor’s prodigious skills as a pop composer.
