Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the new album, The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift, was released on October 3. Fans across the globe have celebrated with listening parties, fun decorations, and much more. But was this album really everything everyone is making it out to be? Was this album tragically amazing or amazingly tragic?
Full disclosure: I am a Swiftie. I know this is controversial and everyone loves to rave about their hatred for Swift and her fans, but I really don’t care. Her music is fun, emotional, exciting, poetic, and simple! I tried listening to this album with my Swiftie goggles off, and from a true unbiased perspective, which was very difficult.
I started listening to this album and instantly felt the infectious nature of the songs. The overall theme seemed like it was all about falling in love and having fun with the people you love most. After sitting on the album for a day or two, I could not really fall into it. Swift has this power to write poetry intertwined with catchy melodies. The initial “let-down” feeling this album gave so many of us was because of, I think, the simplicity within the lyrics and melodies. We are so used to Taylor Swift speaking in complex terminologies and concepts; her music was gatekept by her deeply philosophical lyricism. This album is not for the poets or the scholars.
All of my friends have been asking me my true thoughts on this album. I can’t lie and say that this album is life changing and is automatically my favorite one ever. However, I can say fully that this album is actually amazing. It is fun! It is for the girlies! For the people who\ love and enjoy having fun. I think we all looked for the depth and deeper intentions within this album, but it is very clear and straightforward. Taylor is in love and she wants everyone to know about it. Songs like “Opalite,” “Wi$h Li$t,” and “Honey” all describe her beautiful love life. There is no deeper meaning or metaphors that lie within these songs. They are just fun and full of life. I think haters have been hooked on the “cringyness” of this album, but they don’t have to be. My advice is to just enjoy this album from the perspective of simplicity and love.
My favorite song right now is track 4, “Father Figure.” Swift sampled from George Michael’s 1987 song “Father Figure.” The premise of this song is about how she is the mentor and her mentee has forgotten where they began. She talks all about how she is the expert in this dynamic relationship. I love the sample she used and I think this song is just so fun. Taylor Swift has really played into this “bad guy” persona that the media likes to push on her. She is playing with her audience and with all of the haters.
Overall, I really did like this album. You hear a lot about highs and lows throughout certain albums, this one has just the highs. All the fun moments of being in love and being with your friends. It is a record full of anthems that celebrate joy and excitement. My advice is to not read too deeply into any of the lyrics or concepts, just have fun! We are all just showgirls deep down.
