As Taylor Swift dropped her 13th album on October 3, fans are eager to learn more about the meaning behind each song. Swift premiered her Official Release Party of The Life of a Showgirl at movie theaters from October 3 to October 5.
The new album is composed of 12 tracks: The Fate of Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor, Opalite, Father Figure, Eldest Daughter, Ruin the Friendship, Actually Romantic, Wi$h Li$t, Wood, CANCELLED!, Honey, and The Life of a Showgirl featuring pop artist Sabrina Carpenter. The album falls into the pop and soft rock music genres.
“My favorite song on this album is Opalite, but Elizabeth Taylor has been stuck in my head a lot. I love that she presents a new era each album, but still expresses her core singer-songwriter no matter what the genre is,” says English teacher, Mrs. Meghan Benson.
The movie showed a deeper understanding of the purpose and meaning of each song. As she writes all of her own songs, Taylor writes with a purpose and portrays her feelings through her lyrics.
Junior Krystyna Schuld went to the Eras Tour and states, “The Eras Tour was so much fun and definitely her best tour. I really enjoyed how this new album was inspired by Taylor’s experiences at the Eras Tour.”
The Eras Tour was Swift’s largest tour, including 149 shows spanning across 21 countries. This tour expanded her image and had a significant impact on the future of her career.
“Writing, rehearsing, directing, and shooting the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia” was the thrill of a lifetime because I got to be reunited with my Eras Tour Family!” Swift says.
The Life of a Showgirl won the fastest-selling album of all time on its first day of release. With 2.7 million copies sold on its first day and 100 million in total RIAA-certified album sales. This makes her the first female artist to reach this record.
Some songs on the album are based on her feelings towards fiancé, Travis Kelce. Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, proposed to Swift in August of this year. This built her fans’ excitement and anticipation for the new album. Though many focused on her relationship, others are based on the behind-the-scenes of her Eras Tour, her emotions, and the difficulties she has faced as an artist.
The style of The Life of a Showgirl differs from her prior album, The Tortured Poets Department. Through this, she has shown versatility in music and lyric style.
Benson states, “I think that it [the new album] is very pop and fun but still holds on to the lyricism of her more indie work if you can dig past the beats.”
