The Last Great American Dynasty
“We were both young when I first saw you, I close my eyes and the flashback starts I’m standing there…”
The nostalgic melody and the plucking of the guitar strings are enough to awaken the butterflies in my stomach. A perfectly crafted love story written by an exceptional storyteller. It has been years since the world was given the privilege to listen to the song that would redefine the whole country music genre. It was the turning point for a country girl who will sweep the whole world up its feet.
Sources: Teen Vogue & Pinterest
Fifteen years ago, a young girl wearing cowboy boots and brandishing an acoustic guitar entered the music industry, not knowing how big she’ll become. With her songs centering around relatable teenage love stories, high school sweethearts, and a small girl with big dreams trying to fit in a bigger world – she was a breath of fresh air amidst the rising popularity of hip-hop music.
Do you ever wonder what would it be like if the young girl with luscious blond locks and striking electric blue eyes that encapsulates complex emotions and intense passion never had a breakthrough?
Taylor Swift. One of America’s greatest musical artists. Eleven Grammy Awards. Thirty-two American Music Awards. More than 50 million albums sold since her debut. Artist of the Decade. Her lyrical genius continues to leave everyone in awe, but what is still in store for us?
Beyond her brilliance and artistry, Taylor Swift is an icon of reinvention. In every diaristic song and personal lyrics, she unravels a piece of herself, never before seen by others. Her extremely intimate songs made her a prey. Growing up with the media ready to pounce on her every move, she mastered tearing herself down and bringing herself back up.
Entering the music industry at such a young age was like watching one’s death unfold before her eyes. Taylor Swift was subjected to a lot of mockery and invalidation. She was seen as a joke; as someone who is delusional. She was undermined by her fellow musicians because she was just a young country girl. Her achievements were deemed underserved.
Out of all the female artists in the United States, Taylor Swift had her reputation trampled and sullied the most. She was dubbed as a serial dater and a playgirl because of her alleged hunger for dating men. She was mocked for writing songs about her former lovers despite the fact the other male musicians do too. However, she did not let it get to her – she used the media’s words to her advantage. She used her made-up persona they created – she became the predator. Then, Taylor Swift wrote one of her most iconic songs; a satirical pop song entitled Blank Space. Not one soul in the world would not know the lines “I’ve got a blank space baby, and I’ll write your name.”
But the flame of success could only last for so long – she got torn down again. After the Blank Space era, Taylor Swift had to reinvent herself. The once loved country girl who was considered as America’s sweetheart was hailed as a snake. This was her turning point, not just as an artist but as a person. No one physically saw her for a whole year – she was simply gone with the wind. She went on hiatus, deleted all her social media accounts and posts. To put it simply, the symbol of reinvention struggled to reset and restart.
During her year-long break, Taylor Swift had to deal with her inner struggles. She acknowledged her neglect for her body; she realized the immense pressure she has been putting on herself just to meet the beauty standards set by society. She found the love she had been seeking since she started singing about high school love stories. She found a lover worth sharing her sentiments and heartaches with. But most of all, Taylor Swift chose herself. She prioritized her mental health; she burned down the bridges between her and her toxic relationships. She neither stayed as the prey or the predator – she became the hunter.
Taylor Swift also developed the courage to finally speak her mind. Ironically, she was robbed of her freedom to speak out about her own opinions, beliefs, and advocacy due to the fear of being shut down. She was terrified that once the general public becomes aware of her own stand whether it may be on political or social issues, it would cause the downfall of her career. But Taylor Swift regained her voice – it was louder than ever. She advocated equality over genders and explicitly supported the LGBTQ+ community.
After a year of respite, free from the eyes of the media, Taylor Swift re-activated her accounts, and she posted a video of a snake – it was a teaser! A sneak peek at her new self. Once again, she made use of the thing they used to insult her and she turned it into a masterpiece. She released an album called Reputation, focusing on how the media undermined and outcasted her. She shared with the world how she found the love of her life; she professed how it will be different from her past relationships. The album itself is the manifestation of her genius mind; it became one of the best albums produce in the history of her career.
Alas, the queen of reinvention sits on the throne unbothered by the threats of future events. Taylor Swift can confidently battle them head-on; she wields the sword.
Gone are the days when her life was told from the point of view of others, she is now the storyteller. Her latest albums, Lover, Folklore, and Evermore exhibit how Taylor Swift can flourish and shine in the industry without having the need to reinvent herself. She started making up dream-like worlds and literary masterpieces through her songs. She finally reached the peak of her career but it does not stop there. Taylor Swift will continue to shine – she will not stop gleaming. She will not turn into a supernova because she is the cosmos itself.
“Who knows, if I never showed up what could've been.” - Spoken like a true ruler. She came like a whirlwind; she swept up the world by storm – she left a mark. She is made for greatness; meant to be in the spotlight. She wears the crown on top of her head, oozing with elegance, brilliance, and insurmountable skills. Taylor Swift is the last great American dynasty.
