The biggest pop star on the planet has released another record. On October 3rd, The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift was released to the public. The album explores Taylor’s life in the public eye and her romance with the popular football player, Travis Kelce. It’s received a good deal of praise, as well as a large amount of criticism.
Over the past couple of weeks since the release of Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, the internet has had extremely different opinions. Some say that this record is a money-grab with trashy lyrics with comments like “Taylor’s songwriting is lazy.” from Zack on the Medium. Others are fawning over it, loving the more unserious, upbeat tracks. “I love the entire album. I think she wears ‘I’m in love’ well, and I’m here to listen to it on repeat.” User allabouteve1313 wrote on Reddit.
The album opens up with the track, “The Fate of Ophelia”, my personal favorite, inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet character, Ophelia who tragically drowns after an emotional collapse because of her father and Hamlet’s harshness. Creating a twist on the classic story, Swift describes that someone, who fans have speculated to be Travis Kelce, ‘saved my heart from The Fate of Ophelia’. This song along with others on the album such as, “Opalite”, “Wi$h Li$t”, “Wood”, and “Honey”, are pop anthems with themes of being saved by a significant other, anthems I am loving with the catchy dance tunes that these songs emit.
Swift then takes a turn into the darker times in her past. “Eldest Daughter” is a slower piano ballad about putting up a false persona growing up until somebody lets you be your true and whole self. I was really anticipating this one to be my favorite, but it didn’t stick with me because of the rushed feeling of the lyrics.
Next is “Ruin the Friendship” is about her late childhood best friend, Jeff Lang, who unexpectedly passed away in 2010.“My advice is always ruin the friendship, better that then regret it for all time.” explaining that she should’ve kissed him because now she will never have the chance. The meaning behind this song is very bittersweet and it has grown on me because I can feel Taylor’s classic style in this song.
Reflecting the album’s theme, the tracks “Father Figure”, “CANCELLED!”, “Elizabeth Taylor”, and “Actually Romantic” unfolds the life and struggles (e.g. cancel culture, corrupted label records, celebrity drama) of being a famous pop star. I didn’t love any of these tracks because I think she is trying to be a little too ‘hip’. They are super catchy, but I think she shouldn’t have chosen such ‘cringe’ slang.
Finally, the closing song, “The Life of a Showgirl ft. Sabrina Carpenter” encompasses all of the topics previously mentioned into a four minute track. I am a huge fan of Sabrina Carpenter, so I think it was the right choice to have her featured on this song.
I have been a Swiftie ever since I can remember, so of course I was stoked for her 12th album, but I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I’d be and I wish she had utilized more of her talent in lyricism, since it’s her trademark. Don’t get me wrong I am still obsessed with most of the songs! But overall, I think this record is super catchy, but low in the lyrics department. But the album leaves Swifties to wonder whether Taylor will continue with her music after this or not.
