THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL IS THE BEST THEMATIC ALBUM.
I know this is a very delayed reaction but let me present to you: TLOAS as a conversation between Old World Order & New World Order of Taylor Swift albums.
Old World Order: Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, RED, 1989, reputation, Lover, folklore, evermore, Midnight, TTPD, TLOAS
New World Order: Taylor Swift, reputation, Lover, folklore, evermore, Fearless (Taylor's Version, RED (TV), Midnight, Speak Now (TV), 1989 (TV), TTPD, TLOAS
The Fate of Ophelia: Taylor Swift & Taylor Swift. Debut album that stays on the first spot because Taylor got her back before she needed to release Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version), though she did the re-recording already. Tis locked inside my memories and only you possessed the key. No longer drowning and deceived. All because you came for me. Taylor Swift, all this time sitting alone in the tower AND honing her power.
Elizabeth Taylor: Fearless & reputation. The sixth album becomes the new second album now that Fearless (Taylor's Version) and her sibling (Taylor's Version) albums have been number one on the chart. Fearless OG was number one too and Kanye made Taylor think Hollywood hated her, so let reputation be her NY. Don't you ever end up anything but mine was Taylor casting spell that she would get both Fearless and reputation masters back. And she got them both back at the same time. Been number one but she never had two, because she did not have to make reputation (Taylor's Version). Also, reputation is very Karlie Elizabeth Kloss album by Taylor. Do you think it's forever?
Opalite: Speak Now & Lover. The Sparkly Duo whose order got shuffled due to all the (Taylor's Version)s. Third album conceding to seventh with nothing but sheer joy. Making Speak Now was a lonely exercise. Taylor had to make her own sunshine as the sole songwriter on it. But now the sky is opalite on the Lover album cover. Speak Now could've been HAUNTED. Spark Fly in full-on rainstorm. But Taylor swore to be dramatic and true which, I believe was clearly shown in all the vault tracks on Speak Now (Taylor's Version).
Father Figure: RED & folklore. From losing out on awards as she transitioned from country to pop music, Taylor was finally being taken seriously as a brilliant storyteller and songwriter when folklore dropped. The fourth album got taken over by the eight. 4 as synonym of death in Japanese (very yakuza, very sleeping with the fishes if betrayed) and 8 as infinity sign sideway. Turns out Taylor's dick is bigger than whoever told her to abridge All Too Well to a respectable 4-minute radio play. Post-Lover, The Man who protects the family has always been Taylor who wrote short film into a song since she was 22.
Eldest Daughter: 1989 & evermore. The birth year and forgotten sister. The fifth to make us weep and the ninth that should not have to take her place in the New World Order. All dressed up as wolves Out of the Woods. And looked fire with Bad Blood. The trolling and rickrolling is forevermore. What do you mean "must've been about eight or nine" eight was folklore. Evermore is nine! Never gonna leave you out my ass. Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you. But Woodvale wasn't real hide-and-seek, but fake-out. Booooooo
Ruin the Friendship: reputation & Fearless (Taylor's Version). In sixth place together, just like they were at number two. Such a sad full-circle moment. Fearless and reputation never should've had to trade places. Yet here we are. Feeling smaller than we felt at fifteen. Abigail showed up again cuz homegirl gotchu. Even in tragedy. Here Taylor is giving advice (after advising us to never take advice from someone who's falling apart) to ruin the friendship, better that then to ask "are you ready for it?" all your life. Lemme answer the question: Yes, kiss the girl. Turn that poison ivy to daisy, would ya?
Actually Romantic: Lover & RED (Taylor's Version). No man has ever love All Too Well (10-minute version) like Swifties. How many times has your boyfriend say "I bet you think about ME!" The new seventh album, RED TV got the OG (4th album) that came before the OG seventh, Lover, actually. We're happy, free, confused in the best way. I don't know about you but I NEVER forgot that OG albums existed. I just paused listening to them until Taylor's Version came out. And now I get to listen to ALL versions. Really gotta hand it to Taylor.
Wi$h Li$t: folklore & Midnight. 8 & 10. One led to Taylor being taken seriously as a songwriter, another got released as crown jewel of the Eras Tours, proving that Taylor Swift is a brilliant performer. The whole package deal. I'd like to say I HAVE ADULT MONEY NOW. TAKE THEM. Taylor told swifties to leave her old music alone and we did. We only listened to Taylor's Version. Until she made enough money to buyback all her masters. Her wish list. And, hey, Taylor Swift (debut) and reputation the albums can be besties so hot they don't need re-release. Be the one. The only one. Just like folklore and Midnight get to be. (But I would LOVE the vault tracks. Pretty, pretty please, with cherry on top of a very hot best friend)
Wood: evermore & Speak Now (Taylor's Version). Duking it out for number 9. Maybe one of them goes upside down? 69. Hehe. High key unhinged. I CAN SEE YOUR HAIRPIN DROP, FRIENDS OF DOROTHEA. Ain't gotta knock on wood. You're so not sorry. But there's nothing to forgive. Wait, i take that back. It's understood that Woodvale was MADE UP to hide folklore and evermore in production. I'm still upset. I clowned GENUINELY for secret third twin. When Emma Falls In Love is as Timeless as Long Live, though. So I guess I'll continue to be gay, do (no body, no) crime of wordplays.
CANCELLED: Midnight & 1989 (Taylor's Version). Not here for judgement, just Vigilante Shit. Got it. Anti-Hero on speed-run. Squad with matching scars assembled. 10 out of ten would NOT do it again, please no. Let the bodies out the attic. I know places on steroid to the arts of never getting caught.
Honey: TTPD. All by her lonesome at the eleventh hour. Double length of a normal album, though. So she's fine. Kicking in door, gimme more. Very imposter-syndrome in public and horny for romance in private. She contains multitudes.
The Life of A Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter): the 12th song on the 12th album with a total of 12 songs. No more, no less. And she brought a friend. I must admit I bawled my eyes out at this song. Taylor chose this life with eyes wide open. And she made it. And she helped someone else make it, too. Thank you, Kitty, for being softer than a kitten and married the hustle anyway. Pretty, witty, and rich. That's Taylor Swift, through and through.
No more confusing order. From now on, all her songs and her masters are one and the same. Thank you for this utterly glorious experience.
