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MORE THAN MUSIC: WHY TAYLOR SWIFT SPEAKS TO GENERATIONS OF GIRLS

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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UC Berkeley chapter.

Taylor Swift is without a doubt one of the most influential and iconic artists of all time. From her catchy tunes that have become classics, to the extravagant Eras Tour, she has made a major impact on the music industry and beyond. 

Personally, I cannot remember the last time a day has passed without Taylor Swift blasting from my Spotify. My parents would definitely say the obsession began the night I watched the “You Belong with Me” music video. At the tiny age of five, it was genuinely a transformative experience to watch and listen to this song that felt so grown up and filled with so much angst and yearning (not that I knew what either of those feelings really were at the time). The music video was set in high school, which to me at the time was lifetimes ahead of me. Now, looking back on my second year of college, I love the song just as dearly and equally as I did in kindergarten. It is so special that generations of girls have been able to grow up with Taylor Swift, with each album representing a different era in their lives. Further, each album and song has an entirely unique story for each individual. I think this is why so many people resonate with Swift’s music, as there truly is a song for every situation, thought, and feeling. When I want to scream on the top of my lungs, 1989 and Fearless are my go-to’s. However, when I need a good cry I know Folklore and The Tortured Poet’s Department have my back. 

Each of Taylor Swift’s songs have the special ability to tell an entire story in the span of three minutes, which I have never experienced before. Everytime I listen to one of her songs, I feel immediately transported into a new universe, which I attribute to her lyricism. Swift has the ability to piece words together in such a beautiful yet effortless way. Her songs are able to focus on even just one event, and in return, countless memories are flooded back for the listener. Taylor Swift songs perfectly encapsulate girlhood and all of its ups and downs. The rawness and personal touch of her songs have the ability to be a great source of comfort in hard times or the perfect source of celebration and happiness. This versatility is what sets Swift apart from the rest. 

Further, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has completely taken the world by storm for the past two years now. With over 6 million tickets sold, it is undeniable to say that this tour is unlike any other. I can personally attest to that, as when I got to see the show in Los Angeles, my life was changed. Swift performed for over 3 hours, but it genuinely felt like 20 minutes which shows how captivating she is as a performer. Each era was perfectly celebrated and honored throughout the show, leading up to arguably the most exciting part, the surprise songs. The surprise songs are such a fun part of Swift’s tour, as everyone tunes in every show to guess what songs will be performed that night. This contributes to Taylor Swift’s reputation of being a “mastermind”, and always having surprises in store for her fans. With Taylor Swift, the surprises and new music never seem to cease, and I think I speak for many when I say I hope she never stops!

Kassidy Leem

UC Berkeley '27

Kassidy is a sophomore at UC Berkeley, double majoring in English and Psychology. She loves to write because she believes words and stories can beautifully express complex thoughts, feelings, and emotions. She views reading and writing as fully immersive experiences that have the ability to connect individuals together on a deeper level. When she is not reading or writing, she loves spending time with her friends and family, going to concerts, and sunset walks.