In recent years, avoiding Taylor Swift It has been almost impossible. She seems to be everywhere — whether it's in TV ads promoting Diet Coke and Capital One credit cards, in Toyota commercials in China, or in her much-talked about appearance at the 2024 Super Bowl. There are now also several Taylor Swift movies out there. , and we talk about much more thanks to a new studio contract. But what really propelled Swift to global fame, of course, was her exceptional musical talent.
Since the release of their debut album Taylor Swiftin 2006, she consistently released new music at an almost alarming rate, releasing an album almost every two years for a total of fifteen. Remarkably, despite such an extensive discography – a situation that often leads to at least a few mediocre or subpar releases – each of Taylor Swift's albums has been a success. However, I was genuinely surprised when Time magazine named her Person of the Year for 2023. Not that I doubted her popularity warranted consideration, but I simply never made the leap into her catalog. A lot has changed and so have I, as a result.
I'm a Taylor Swift Newbie and I Wish I Had Started Earlier
When I heard Swift for the first time, I was surprised by her talent
I've loved music for as long as I can remember and I'm far from being a musical purist. I'm open to a lot of genres – if it sounds good I'll give it a try, but country music has never resonated with me. So when Taylor Swift emerged as a country-pop star in 2006, I initially dismissed her music. Even though all the awards and accolades she received made it clear that she was talented, I remained somewhat isolated from her work. In truth, As of December 2023, I couldn't name a single Taylor Swift song. I may have heard one in the background without knowing it, but I wouldn't have recognized it as hers.
That's why it was such a mystery to me that she could be named Person of the Year. Regrettably, I was cynical and, famously, I wasn't alone for a while, given the fact that Kanye West once called Taylor Swift a fake. But before jumping to conclusions, I knew I at least needed to listen to some of his music. After soliciting recommendations from family and friends — many of whom were shocked that I'd never actively listened to a Taylor Swift song — I settled on “Shake It Off,” a single from her 2014 album. 1989as my first foray into Swift's discography.
I admit that after listening to it for the first time, I was genuinely impressed. I always thought of Taylor Swift as a country music singer, but “Shake It Off” ended up being an infectious, jubilant dance song that leaned more toward hip-hop than country. What impressed me even more was Swift's voice. Despite the horns, the beats and the layered background music, her voice — strong, distinct and versatile — always stood out.. It was immediately clear that Swift was a talented vocalist, and I couldn't “shake off” the feeling that I was missing out. I wish I had started listening to it much earlier than December 2023.
Why I Can't Get Enough of Taylor Swift Right Now
A friend who recommended some Taylor Swift songs as an introduction warned me that once you heard a few, it would be hard to stop. In other words, I was likely to become a fan – or at least an admirer. In the end, my friend's warning was accurate. After “Shake It Off,” I wanted to hear more — not just as a “heat check,” but because I was genuinely intrigued by Swift’s whole vibe. She doesn't exude the quirkiness of artists like Michael Jackson, Prince or Billie Eilish. Instead, she seems… normal. However, the more of her songs I listened to, the more fascinated I became by her.
What attracted me was the impressive variety in every aspect of Taylor Swift's music.. Their musical styles, for example, present a remarkable diversity. Consider “Tim McGraw,” a single from her 2006 debut album—a quintessential country song that aligns with my initial perception of her as a singer. However, songs like “Shake It Off” or “Cruel Summer” (2019 Lover album) and “Anti-Hero” (2023 Midnight album) demonstrate a bold departure from her country roots, highlighting Swift's versatility and artistic evolution, and her ability to experiment with multiple genres.
Each album is so distinct that one can't be blamed for thinking Taylor Swift isn't someone who likes repeating herself. What makes her work even more notable is that Swift writes all of her own music. From the beginnings of country music to the indie rock/folk era and its pop/hip-hop phases, Swift's musical genius encompasses a significant part of the contemporary music scene. She is a true one-woman musical movement.
Why Taylor Swift is a good choice for all music lovers
All these aspects of music converge into one voice to govern them all. Undeniably, Swift's most apparent genius is in her voice. His remarkable ability to adapt seamlessly to various musical styles – from the country twang of “Tim McGraw” to the pseudo-soul rap bass of “…Ready for It?” of her year 2017 Reputation album – is a rare talent. It also serves as strong evidence that the “exceptionalism” that many fans attribute to their favorite style or genre of music is misguided. Swift demonstrates that country singers can rap, just as she would probably agree that rappers can sing country music.
While not everyone can be a fan—I wasn't until recently—Taylor Swift's remarkable ability to evolve as an artist, resonate with audiences through her music, and leave a lasting cultural impact makes her a compelling figure in music. In fact, Taylor Swift deserves Times'Person of the Year Awards. Certainly, all music fans could benefit from listening to his music.