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Through the Eras, How Taylor Swift Has Escaped Expiration Dates
When I was eight years old, I received my first physical Taylor Swift: Fearless. I vividly remember unwrapping the CD case and shrieking with excitement. I had been routinely listening to Taylor Swift’s debut album since its release in 2006; I even had the “Our Song” music video downloaded on my iPod Nano.
More than a decade later, I am still a steadfast fan, also known as a “Swiftie” in the realm of Taylor Swift-obsessed people. While my loyalty to her music has remained, Taylor Swift’s discography has veered far away from my early favorite country songs about young teenage heartbreak. In more ways than one, I grew up with Taylor Swift. My music taste changed and developed alongside her as she strayed away from her country music, a genre she was successful and comfortable with, and into the pop music world. My friends would often ask me if I was still a fan of Taylor Swift despite her music changing, as most of them said they only liked her “old music.” For me, though, I was infatuated with Taylor Swift as a person just as much as a musician. The genre of her music was a small detail in my overall love for a smart, independent and creative role model.
Thankfully, I’m not the only one who sees Taylor Swift’s impact beyond the music industry. In the first episode of 1989 to Forever, we will explore how she has escaped expiration dates by pivoting her music, all while garnering fan loyalty and respect. Even if you aren’t a “Swiftie” like me, 1989 to Forever will undoubtedly shine a light on how Taylor Swift has set herself apart from the rest and has made an impact on American history, not just the music industry.
Explore Taylor Swift through the Eras with me in Episode 1 of 1989 to Forever during Season 4 of Podcasts for Aggies, available on Apple Music and Spotify.
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