Swift reinvents herself yet again
Taylor Swift, often called “the industry” for her undeniable influence on music, has reinvented herself countless times since her country roots. From her humble beginnings to her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” reflects the new stage of her life in her songs, which highlight her growth, confidence and the challenges of living in the public eye.
Although Taylor Swift is known for her emotional and poetic songwriting, this album takes a different direction – trading her usual deep storytelling for a more playful, millennial and carefree sound. The lyrics play into her current life, with being engaged and moving into new steps within her life. Some of the lyrics on her songs show her age, but the beat of the songs makes you want to get up and dance. The beat is nothing short of this album; however, the lyrics don’t embody the purpose of this album.
The lyrics reflect her current stage of life, as she is engaged and entering a new chapter. Although some songs emphasize her maturity, the catchy beats stand out throughout the album. While the overall sound is fun and energetic, the lyrics sometimes lack the depth that the album seems to aim for.
For example, “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Elizabeth Taylor” serve as strong opening tracks that set high expectations for the album. While their beats and lyrics are catchy, the emotional depth seems to fade as the album progresses, particularly after these first two songs. The lyric from “The Fate of Ophelia,” “As legend has it you are quite the pyro, you light the match to watch it blow, and if you’d never come for me, I might’ve drowned in the melancholy,” highlights Swift’s signature songwriting, demonstrating how her lyrics craft the vivid storytelling she is known for. The lyrics of “Elizabeth Taylor” don’t measure up to those in Swift’s previous albums. While it and “The Fate of Ophelia” stand out compared to other tracks on this album, overall, the lyrics fail to fully capture the aesthetic or reflect the theme suggested by the album’s title.
Another lyric that contrasts with the epic, poetic style Swift is known for is, “I’ve been dying just from trying to seem cool, but I’m not a bad b*tch, and this isn’t savage.” This line has gone viral online because it challenges the high literary standard fans expect from her. Throughout her discography, Swift’s songwriting is often compared to Shakespeare’s for its creativity and depth, yet this album seems to fall short of that standard.
The aesthetic Swift created for the album is undeniably strong, and her fans hold her to incredibly high standards for both her releases and her songwriting. While this album may not fully meet those expectations, it doesn’t signal a decline in her career. Rather, it emphasizes her human side and offers insight into the personal experiences and intentions that shaped the album.