Taylor Swift has been a role model to me since I was nine. I can remember singing her songs aloud on the radio. I would listen to them when I was sad, happy, confused, or excited. She knows how to catch somebody’s attention with just one song. Taylor continues to show who she is to her fans by her original songs and social media presence.
I would often listen to her songs about love and heartbreak at nine years old, not experiencing any of that, but somehow create meaning to the lyrics. Now, I can hear the same music I did at that time and take the words in differently. She has always been my favorite artist, and for that, I always listen to her music when feeling different emotions. Her powerful lyrics have meaning for her and hold different meanings to me. That’s what being a talented artist is: having songs that can fit into many people’s minds and keep meaning to all different types of people no matter their circumstances in life.
Here are five ways I perceive Taylor Swift’s songs.
1. “I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me” – New Romantics, Taylor Swift
Not everyone is kind. Everyone has experienced hate, bullying, or the feelings of sadness. People often let pain consume them and many have yet to learn how to turn their emotions into something useful, perhaps a castle! Taylor is the best example of this, she has gotten an enourmous amount of hate and has been through awful heartbreak and humiliation, but always looked to what she knows best to guide her, which is music. Taylor Swift has built a huge castle and continues to build it even bigger.
2. “The road not taken looks real good now” – Tis The Dam Season, Taylor Swift
Sometimes good comes out in the worst circumstances. My cat was extremely sick and almost died but she stayed strong and now she lives with me in Florida. If she never would have gotten sick she would not be with me right now, This is called a blessing in disguise. The worst things happen to the best people (or animals) to give them strength in life, and most likely… life looks real good now.
3. “You paint me a blue sky then go back and turn it to rain / And I lived in your chess game, but you changed the rules every day” – Dear John, Taylor Swift
People will add so much happiness to your life, and then their actions will take the pleasure away… only if you let them. Do not rely on others to make you happy; let others add enjoyment to your life, but create happiness in what you love, like animals, music, or art. Sometimes you have to speak up, so people can not tear you down.
4. “People are people, and sometimes we change our minds / But it’s killing me to see you go after all this time” – Breathe, Taylor Swift
Everybody changes their mind in life, whether in relationships, in majors, or anything you can think of. Changing your mind can have an effect on others. You must live for yourself and that means sometimes doing what’s best for you and not looking back is what’s best for everyone.
5. “It was enchanted to meet you” – Enchanted, Taylor Swift
Now and then, you may feel enchanted. The smallest things can spark this feeling. A car with someone you have no idea in the driver seat letting you drive before they can give you an enchanted feeling. A compliment from a stranger in a store can make you feel enchanted. Looking at yourself in the mirror after putting on makeup can make you feel enchanted. Meeting a person you feel a connection with can make you feel enchanted. Loving life can make you feel enchanted. A million moments in life can cause you to feel enchanted.
Taylor Swift gives a voice to people who may not be strong enough to have one for themselves. She is passionate about her music and her fans definitely feel that passion. Taylor never goes out of style because she is original, unapologetic, an activist, and never gives up. She is a role model to people all around the globe. These are just a few out of hundreds of lyrics to put meaning into.
