The phrase “I don’t like Taylor Swift” can cause more chaos and pandemonium than the most controversial political statement you can possibly think of. One of my favorite things I used to do was to drop this lovely little line in front of Swifties and then sit back and relax as they lose their minds. However, when I said this phrase, I wasn’t being entirely honest; the truth is, I just don’t like Taylor Swift’s music. I have no issue with Taylor Swift as a person—and how could I really, she seems absolutely lovely—but I have fallen into a trap that many people do without realizing it and that is to equate an artist with their work as if they are one and the same. Because Taylor Swift makes “girl” music, her talent and success is often belittled by those who don’t enjoy her sound, including myself, which has caused me to reflect on myself and wonder, am I being a “pick me”?

Taylor Swift is a giant in the music industry - her wildly successful Eras Tour made her an estimated 305 million dollars while the theatrical release of her concert film of the Eras Tour made a record 96 million dollars in its opening week. She’s been releasing music for over 10 years and has maintained cultural relevance and popularity while changing her sound and content quite a bit over her career. To say that Taylor Swift is a household name is an understatement. I honestly believe that she is on par with the likes of Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley in terms of cultural impact and notoriety. Now you may be wondering, if I have such a high opinion of her and her success, why would I say I don’t like her music? Well, my music taste or my distaste for her fanbase has nothing to do with how I feel about Taylor Swift as an individual or as a cultural icon. 

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that in the past, I may have unconsciously used my dislike for Taylor Swift’s music and her rabid fans as a way to separate myself from others and to seem different from other girls my age. Taylor Swift is a talented artist and, from what I can tell, a good person. Am I upset I no longer have a shot at Travis Kelce? Obviously. Do I want to drive my car into a ditch when her song “Shake it Off” comes on the radio? Also yes. But what I’ve come to realize as I’ve matured, especially as a woman, is that Taylor makes music that speaks to the hearts of millions of girls and young women and that is a beautiful thing. I recently saw Lana Del Rey in concert, one of my all-time favorite artists, and I was screaming and crying incoherently for the entire concert. Just because someone isn’t my “cup of tea” doesn’t mean I can’t understand how their fans might feel about them and their music, or appreciate that an artist can make a real difference in their fans' lives with their art. In our world today which is filled with so much negativity towards femininity and the more soft, romantic aspects of womanhood, Taylor Swift stands as an icon of being her true, feminine self. She sings about love and heartbreak and things that really resonate with young girls, while also fighting for the rights to her own music and being a witness to standing up for yourself in a tough world. So, in short, I don’t like Taylor Swift, I love her. 

November 2023