By: Lily Morris
September 13, 2023
“When I listen to a song, I don’t say, ‘Oh my gosh, that vocal line she sang was the best thing I ever heard.’ I’m thinking, ‘That lyric just moves me. That lyric just said what I feel better than I could say it myself.’”
American Songwriter The Craft of Music
– Taylor Swift
Suppose you have yet to hear about the icon Taylor Swift. In that case, you have not experienced some of the most influential writing of our generation. Taylor Swift is not just a singer, but a storyteller. Every lyric that is sung and every song that is produced tells a story. Mackenzie Leighton at the Groover Blog conducted an analysis of storytelling and how to build a universe around a musical project. In the music industry, connecting with your audience is very important for them to relate and empathize with the narrative or message you are trying to convey. She says, “Storytelling is an art. More than just a process, a method, or a technique, storytelling is the art of narration. As musicians, this consists of building a unique universe and telling a story to promote your project.”
“I feel the emotion that life conjures up and the songs I write get me closer to my feelings and realising who I am. It’s a natural process.”
AZ Quotes
– Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is a mastermind when it comes to her craft. She continually improves her writing style, and as the music industry evolves, so does she. Her music tells stories about love, loss, internal struggles, and the battles we face daily. According to Gloria Strettell at the NYC Museum Gallery, “Many people are drawn to the familiar scenes and pictures painted by her poetic lyrics. Her songs are timeless because they describe emotions and experiences that anyone can relate to and sympathize with.” We, as her audience, are drawn into her songs and the stories she tells because we can relate to them.
If you have not gathered by now, I love Taylor Swift. I love her stories, the poetic words she uses, and the symbolism she strategically adds to every song. This is the media professional that I am continuously inspired by. All my life, I have loved to write, and I especially love poetry. I love the concept of telling a story, the meaning behind each word you choose, and when someone else can relate to the content you are putting down on paper. When I decided to write, I got a lot of inspiration from her songs. Her music is influential, her voice is strong, her words are enlightening, and the way she carries herself is inspirational to so many young women worldwide. Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with both in and out of the music industry, and I predict she will be around enlightening young women for a long time.