A few weeks ago, Taylor Swift overtook the the musical spotlight with the release of her new album, 1989. Released as a pop album, the album immediately hits the listener with heavy producing and pop instrumentation. Critics instantly attacked the change, saying that Taylor completely re-identified her sound with the absence of any country mandolin or banjo. Over the course of a few years, Taylor strategically segued into the pop market with her last half-country, half-pop album, Red. But with the fade of her signature curly locks, cowgirl boots, and country appeal, Taylor has been constant throughout her evolution with one component: her songwriting.
Whether you are bawling to, "Dear John," in your room or jamming to, "I Knew You Were Trouble," with friends in a car, Taylor has continued to sing the words we are too scared to say. In 1989, she continues baffling her audience with lyrics that are as prominent and powerful as her front bangs. So take a moment to reflect and analyze the most potent and lyrically genius messages Taylor has left us with from her new album.
"Welcome To New York"
"Took our broken hearts put them in a drawer/Everybody here was someone else before." Taylor openly throwing her old-self behind, setting the tone for the rest of the album.
"Blank Space"
"Darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a dream." Taylor accepting her psycho-girlfriend reputation means its completely normal for the rest of us to be just as crazy.
"Style"
"I got that red lip classic thing that you like." In the wise words of Lindsey Lohan in The Parent Trap, Taylor's real message in this song: "I have class and you don't."
"Out Of The Woods"
"I said 'I’m setting you free'/But the monsters turned out to be just trees." As a harder lyric to decipher, considering this song is almost entirely metaphoric, the song has been rumored to be about Harry Styles. Interpret how you please.
"Shake It Off"
"Cause the Haters gonna hate // I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake it off." Main message: dance as carelessly as Taylor at an award show.
"Bad Blood"
"Rub it in so deep/Salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me." A rather gruesome and dark lyrical style for Taylor, but still following the theme of the album accompanied by unfitting, pop, upbeat instruments.
