Taylor Swift is known and loved by many. The multiple Grammy award winner’s music is loves because of the relatable lyrics and the multiple types of genres she has dipped her toes in.
Swift has been able to do amazing things with her music and the lyrics she has written. Many people look at her as being one of the best lyricists in contemporary pop. One of the reasons her songs are looked at so highly is her ability to tell stories through her music.
In some cases, stories Swift creates transcend across multiple different songs like three songs on her album Folklore.
The songs “Cardigan,” “Betty,” and “August” share a story about a teenage love story that goes downhill. “Cardigan” is sung from the perspective of a girl named Betty who’s gotten her heart broken by her first love, James.
The song “Betty” is written from the perspective of James, apologizing for cheating and hurting Betty. He wants to apologize for what he did and the whole song is him guessing what the result of his apology will be, though he hopes it is acceptance.
The last song, “August,” is written from the perspective of a girl who fell in love with James, even though he had a girlfriend. Her song explains how she loved James even though she knew she shouldn’t and knew it was never meant to last.
Another song on the Folklore album that tells a story is “The Last Great American Dynasty.
This song tells the story of the previous owner of Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island home.
The song tells the story of Rebekah Harkness who married a man who then died after seven years of marriage.
She proceeded to throw parties in the big Rhode Island home and live her best life for her remaining years. Many people in the town looked down on her for what she did. Swift makes a connection to what the people might have said about Harkness to what people might say about her.
Another song that tells a powerful story with a punch is “All too Well” on Swift’s album, Red, but specifically the ten minute version which was released almost nine years after the original.
This song tells a story of a failed relationship recalling the good moments and the anger that might come from the aftermath of a breakup.
Taylor Swift’s music isn’t just something to listen to, it’s an experience. She creates narratives with her lyrics and that is what makes her songs connect with so many of her fans. It doesn’t matter if she is singing about personal experiences, fictional characters, or hypothetical scenarios, there’s always a deeper meaning.
Listening to her songs is fun, but there is also enjoyment in finding hidden messages, connecting songs, and finding something new with every listen. Taylor Swift isn’t just writing songs she is creating she creates stories, and that’s what keeps fans coming back for more.
