Recently, USA Today posted a job listing for a Taylor Swift reporter who can proficiently cover and write about Swift’s music and cultural influence. This is not the first time that Taylor Swift has been the subject of professional and academic interest. For instance, New York University’s Clive Davis Institute created a course dedicated to Taylor Swift, taught by Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos, and awarded Swift with an honorary doctorate in fine arts, citing her as “one of the most prolific and celebrated artists of her generation”. Several other universities have also developed their own courses centered on Swift, such as “The Psychology of Taylor Swift”, “The Taylor Swift Songbook”, and “Literature: Taylor’s Version”. Although celebrities have always piqued our curiosity, it is rare for them to receive such personalized attention. Taylor Swift’s career is impressive and can be studied from various perspectives, including marketing, fandom, business, and songwriting, among others.
What makes Taylor Swift stand out in the music industry? Well, for starters, she’s shattered numerous records. Take Spotify, for instance: last month, she became the first female artist to garner 100 million monthly listeners on the platform. And let’s not forget her impressive 12 number one albums on Billboard, which has earned her the title of the woman artist with the most number one albums, beating out Barbra Streisand earlier this year.
Swift’s musical talent has also been recognized by the Grammys, where she’s won Album of the Year three times as a solo artist – something no other woman has accomplished. What’s remarkable is that each of these albums (Fearless in 2009, 1989 in 2015, and Folklore in 2020) belong to different genres, showcasing her versatility and ability to appeal to different audiences.
But it’s not just her musical prowess that sets Swift apart. As a female artist, there’s an added expectation to constantly reinvent oneself – something Swift acknowledged in her Netflix documentary Miss Americana. She’s certainly done that throughout her career, seamlessly transitioning from award-winning country singer to one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Each of her 10 studio albums boasts a unique theme and aesthetic, which she’s brought to life on her sold-out Eras Tour.
And speaking of the tour, it’s set to go down in history as the highest grossing of all time. Not only does this add to Swift’s already-impressive resume, but it also boosts local economies; a recent report estimates the tour could bring in a whopping $5 billion worldwide.
All in all, Taylor Swift’s musical achievements, ability to adapt, and economic impact make her an undeniable force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Although Taylor Swift is primarily known for her music, her impact extends far beyond the realm of entertainment. She has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the music industry, advocating for better compensation for artists and challenging record labels and streaming services. In 2015, Swift wrote an open letter to Apple Music, leading to changes in its payment policies. Additionally, she made headlines when she took on her former label, Big Machine Records, after it refused to sell her the rights to her original master recordings. While Swift’s actions may be seen as those of a privileged artist, she has sparked important conversations about contracts and the value of music, providing a path for emerging artists to follow. It’s clear that Swift’s impact on the music industry will continue to be felt for years to come.
With the aim of taking back control of her earlier music, Swift has recently announced that she intends to re-record her initial six albums. Each album is set to include previously unreleased tracks and material from her personal vault that didn’t make it onto the original versions. Along with this, a strong promotional campaign has been launched with new merchandise and limited-edition versions of each release for fans to add to their collections. As the halfway point of this process has been reached with the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), it is evident that it has been a big success. Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version) and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) have all exceeded the success of their predecessors, largely thanks to the unwavering support of her fans, known as “Swifties”. These devoted fans have embraced the new recordings while criticizing anyone who still listens to the original “stolen” versions.
Swifties, the devoted fan base of Taylor Swift, are renowned for their enthusiastic involvement and imaginative contributions. They have invested considerable time in crafting custom outfits for her concerts and engaging in elaborate discussions online. Swift has a knack for dropping hints, or Easter eggs, in her song lyrics, music videos, social media posts, and interviews. These clues have inspired fan accounts dedicated to scrutinizing these Easter eggs, dissecting numerical patterns, and interpreting phrases to unveil predictions of what Swift might do next.
Swift and her management team’s branch, Taylor Nation, incentivize fans to engage in these actions by offering rewards for their involvement.
