CONTRIBUTING WRITER – VALERIA CANTU
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT 4, 2023
Groundbreaking global superstar, artist, advocate, and writer Taylor Swift has swept the world and music industry by storm once again in 2023. Jet-setting her career in 2005 as a Country singer, Swift has successfully transitioned through a variety of musical genres. From Country Alternative, Folk, and Pop, Swift has debuted her immense talents across these styles. Fans have either grown up with her or followed her throughout her phenomenal progressions. Following the success of her career, Swift announced the Eras Tour, a three-hour show that showcased songs and performances from her 13 albums. In this tour, fans get to experience the nostalgia of an album that they grew up with or connected with emotionally. All in one night, fans were allowed to experience both their childhood and adulthood intertwined. This tour played a significant role in musical history by shifting society’s culture tremendously; Swift’s tour has brought communities together, fulfilled childhood dreams and created a universal safe space.
Due to the pandemic, the world completely shut down. People around the world had to adapt to this drastic change and temporarily say goodbye to their loved ones. It fostered the fear of isolation and individuals turned to social media to form connections. During that time Swift had to cancel her debut tour for “Lover” and her following albums. In an article for the Rolling Stones, Swift expressed her concerns about her decision, “I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to see you in person as soon I wanted to… I miss you terribly and can’t wait ‘til we can all safely be at shows together again” (Spanos 2021). During the Pandemic, Swift released both “Folklore” and “Evermore,” which blew up on social media.
Individuals who had never listened to Swift immediately fell in love and connected with others over her debut albums. Senior political science major, Natalia Bustamante was interviewed to talk about her experience with Taylor during the Pandemic. Bustamante was one of the many fans who connected with Swift during the lockdown. “I have always been a big fan of Taylor Swift growing up, but I think my interest memorably heightened during the release of her two albums. Her storytelling in both records was comforting,” Bustamante said. She pointed out her formed emotional connection to Swift’s music, “You appreciate storytelling in scary times, Taylor offered a beacon of hope for everyone who thought there was no chance of being out in the world again.” In one night, Swift allowed fans to live and celebrate life despite unfortunate times. Kids, teenagers and adults all praise lyrics that describe their experiences. One of the largest cultural impacts she achieved was forming a union. The Eras tour became a safe space regardless of race, gender or viewpoint, all worries are relieved upon one’s entrance. Head of the English Department, Dr. Doty expressed his view of the Eras tour, “People are drawn to her in a way that gives [them] a sense of community that most of us tend to have lost.” After discussing reasons for attending the tour, Doty shared a comforting response to all listeners of Taylor Swift: “You have people who [are] clamoring to be a part of the Eras tour, to be a part of something bigger if only for a moment, to meet people that you know for certain that you share something [with], and that is your love for Taylor Swift.”
For many fans, their favorite lines from Swift comes from the song “Long Live.” In the song’s bridge Swift recites the lines, “…if you have children someday, when they point to the pictures, please tell them my name. Tell them how the crowds went wild, tell them how I hope they shine.” Millions around the world screamed these lyrics during the tour show how far Swift has come as a person. many people attended the tour because they wanted to be a part of an event that goes down in musical history. Swift is shifting society by creating communities and environments where anyone can feel welcome to thrive. Here is to the woman who has stolen the hearts of millions around the world, to the woman who has written lyrics that encapsulated universal human experiences: Taylor Swift has taken the crown as the woman who has changed the course of music history forever.