Taylor Swift is a global superstar known for her catchy pop tunes and storytelling/ Throughout her career, she has sparked a wide range of opinions about her art. Some, including me, view her as a talented songwriter who pours her heart, feelings, and emotions into her music, while others critique her for being overrated or overly mainstream/basic. This leads to the question: Is the perspective people hold on Taylor Swift reflective of reality?

Taylor’s supporters will always make the argument that she is a gifted lyricist who writes about relatable, emotional experiences. Over her 18-year career, she has released eleven original albums with songs ranging from her early country roots to more pop, pop-rock and folk genres. The themes throughout her discography often center on personal relationships, growth, and reflection, and her vulnerability has resonated with millions of fans. Swift has also faced public challenges, such as breakups and feuds, yet she has continued to top the charts and stay relevant.
Swifties can be found anywhere. Luke Erbacher, a high school student at Santa Rosa Academy, shared “I listen to her music every morning when I wake up, she’s my alarm. And every night I go to bed and every second in between…” To her fans, Swift is seen as genuine and relatable, with a public persona that mirrors her private day-to-day life.
On the other hand, Swift has her critics. Some claim that her music caters to a narrow number of people, often suggesting that she primarily appeals to teenage girls.
Hamilton states, “I do not agree with some of her decisions, and it seems so like her music, some of them are guided by a mindset of a young girl going through relationships, or as some put it, ‘middle school drama’. Others criticize her for being manipulative or claim that she only writes about trivial matters like, as a student claims, “middle school relationships.”
Critiques have surfaced about Swift’s environmental impact and her strategic approach to maintaining her public image. Despite these criticisms, it is important to assess whether these views are based on fact or personal bias.
To gather more insight into opinions at Santa Rosa Academy, I conducted a small survey of 30 students. On a scale of 1-10 what is your opinion on Taylor Swift? How many times a week do you think you listen to her or hear her music? If you dislike her, give me 3 reasons why.
The responses were largely in the 1-5 range, with the majority of participants being women. Interestingly, despite the claim that Swift’s music primarily appeals to teenage girls, many students at the school seemed to have negative views. This raises questions about how widespread Swift’s influence truly is among her target demographic, despite her large following.
A common argument from her detractors is that Kanye West “made her famous,” referencing the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident when West interrupted her acceptance speech. While this moment brought her significant media attention, it is worth noting that prior to this event, Swift already had three billion streams on her first two albums, Taylor Swift and Fearless. This suggests that her rise to fame was well underway before the incident with West.
Ultimately, the perspective people have on Taylor Swift varies, and it is shaped by personal preferences and cultural context. While some see her as a genius storyteller with an emotional connection to her music, others perceive her as overrated or formulaic, even blaming the Kansas City Cheifs Super Bowl win to her. However, her undeniable success in the music industry, backed by record-breaking albums, sold-out stadium tours, and a dedicated fanbase, shows that Swift has made a long lasting impact.
Whether or not one appreciates her music, it is clear that she is one of the most influential artists of her generation. Taylor Swift may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s undeniably made her mark in this industry. Like Miss Swift said, “I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me.”