Whether you love or hate her, Taylor Swift is one of the biggest names of our generation. But what makes her so popular? Why her?
Early Career
It’s important to know that Taylor started out as a country star; moving to Nashville at 13 to pursue her passion for music. Given her standout songwriting abilities and support from her parents, she was able to launch her career at a very young age. She signed her first publishing deal at 14 with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and her first record deal at 15 with Big Machine Records. Her debut album released in 2006, making her a country music star at just 16!
Fearless
Fearless was Taylor’s second studio album. While she was still recognized as a country singer, pop elements in her songs became the key component to her growth in the music industry. Hits like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” exploded the charts in 2009, as well as the album being named Album of the Year at The Grammys. Fearless became known as her breakout album, propelling her into stardom at just 18.
1989
Known as the album which marked Taylor’s shift from country to pure pop, 1989 is credited with changing Taylor’s brand forever. This was the first album with truly historical hits like “Shake It Off”, “Blank Space”, and “Style”, each dominating the charts of 2014. With once again winning Album of the Year at The Grammys, it’s success clearly helped in the growth of her fame, but it was the harsh rebranding that helped her build the fanbase she has now.
Folklore & Evermore
I could talk about other definitive eras like Reputation or Lover, however I believe that it was Folklore and Evermore, her two sister albums released during quarantine, that made the most lasting effects on her fanbase and brand. Vastly different from her previous work, these albums introduced her to a large market of indie and folk music fans. In addition, her lyrical complexity and metaphorical storytelling helped change the public’s view on her artistry, making her known as more than just a pop star. I see this as the shift in her fanbase which made her name one worth defending, a major milestone for any “legendary” artist. Also Folklore won Album of the Year at The Grammys too.
Conclusion
With a touch of luck (the right people in the right place at the right time), and a talent for storytelling, lyricism, and music, Taylor was able to breakout in the industry and headline tours, the most important step in any artist’s career. Her genre diversity and lengthy discography helped her songs reach an extensive audience and build a broad fanbase. The relatability and artistry of her lyrics built her a loyal and devoted following, one which sold out tours like highest grossing tour of all time, The Eras Tour. In conclusion, lots of factors went in to Taylor’s fame, but it’s her definitive fanbase, probably the most recognizable among any other, which I’ll credit to her renown.
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