Taylor Swift’s new record-breaking pop album, inspired by The Eras Tour, has people talking. The Life of a Showgirl was released on streaming platforms on Oct. 2, and listeners are expressing their opinions, many taking to social media. Users on TikTok have criticized the album for being lyrically meaningless and musically boring, while others praise it for its upbeat tracks and vibrant energy. I have mixed feelings about the overall album.
On my first listen, the songs “Elizabeth Taylor” and “Opalite” stuck out the most, both having danceable beats and purposeful lyrics that match the mood. The beat drop in “Elizabeth Taylor” reminds me of the bold, vengeful feel of Swift’s album Reputation and gives off the same energy as the song “I Did Something Bad.” The line “And if you’d never come for me/ I might’ve drowned in the melancholy” in the song “The Fate of Ophelia” alludes to the depressed, sorrowful tone of Swift’s last album, The Tortured Poets Department, and references her relationship with Travis Kelce ‘saving’ her from that era of her life.
My first impressions differed for other tracks like “Eldest Daughter” and “Wood.” The lyrics in “Eldest Daughter” felt cringeworthy and embarrassing, with lines like “Every joke’s just trolling and memes” and “But I’m not a bad b*tch/ And this isn’t savage.” Some listeners argue that “Eldest Daughter” is meant to be cringe, as it addresses how eldest daughters have to play it cool to protect themselves, but the lyrics come off as unintentional and annoying to me, making the song feel cheap. “Wood” is filled with explicit innuendos and double meanings and feels very similar to music by Sabrina Carpenter like the song “Taste,” both of which make crude references. To me, the song felt like a big joke compared to the lyricism we’ve seen from Swift in her past albums.
More than a few of the lyrics in The Life of a Showgirl feel random, and the underlying theme of mainstream pop in the album is overwhelming. However, at the same time, the shift to a brighter, happier feeling for this album is essential. Swift’s musical style is constantly evolving, and the way her art connects to her life is truly unique.
Swift has reached many milestones in recent months, and the best parts of her life are visible in the new album. Even without Swift’s usual technique of deep, lyrical writing, the overarching themes of joy and optimism complete the album, showcasing that Taylor Swift truly is a showgirl at heart.
