By Sarah Amador

On the night of October 3, millions of excited fans anticipated the release of American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl,” her 12th album. The initial announcement in August came as a shock to listeners around the globe, as Swift recently wrapped up her Eras Tour in December of 2024, which lasted almost two years. 

Swift, who began releasing music in 2006, grew her fanbase and gained popularity through her relatable lyrics. While listeners are drawn to both her melancholic tunes filled with symbolism and poetry, many also enjoy screaming the lyrics to her freeing and fun upbeat songs, which resemble the best times of life. 

“She is an artist I’ve grown to forever love, no matter the subject of song she releases,” senior Oscar Gaytan said. “Whether it’s about family, heartbreak, love or friends, I always love whatever she puts out.”

“The Life of a Showgirl” was teased to be a “glittery” and “energetic” synth-pop album, with upbeat instrumentals. Fans around the globe who set their hopes high for the pop star’s newest album were not disappointed.

The album starts off strong with “Opalite,” a metaphor often used to symbolize transformation and authentic joy. Amidst the steady keyboard beats, Swift reflects on the rewarding journey of resilience and the means of choosing your own happiness with lyrics like, “You had to make your own sunshine / But now the sky is opalite.” The bridge concludes with the same message: “This is just a temporary speed bump / But failure brings you freedom.”

Another fan-favorite is track five: “Eldest Daughter.” To Swifties, track five melodies are infamous for being touching, to both Swift and listeners, while simultaneously relaying gut-wrenching, poetic and hard-hitting lyrics. 

Swift relays the nostalgic and whimsical tones of an innocent childhood through storytelling when she sings, “You know the last time I laughed this hard was / On the trampoline in somebody’s backyard / I must’ve been 8 or 9.” She then transitions into straightforward and honest telling as the difficulty of life takes its toll with lyrics like “Pretty soon I learned cautious discretion.” The song voices the difficulty most eldest daughters face: growing up and maturing too quickly. 

“It portrays eldest daughters, such as myself, as having levels of complexity to their personality beyond their given role in the family – levels they aren’t often credited for,” Macalalad said. 

Staying consistent with the melancholic tones, “Ruin the Friendship” is Swift’s personal reflection of the opportunities she failed to take in her youth; decisions she made due to her fear of change. Beginning in a brighter tone, she quickly transitions into a deeper pitch as she sings, “Staying friends is safe / Doesn’t mean you should”, establishing her regret. To conclude the song, Swift provides listeners with wise advice: “And my advice is always answer the question / Better that than to ask it / All your life”. Her words are bittersweet and vulnerable, yet add a meaningful ending to the song. 

Beneath the glitter and glamour, the pop star shows she is unafraid to take her career to new feats, even as she continues to grow as an artist. Though Swift confirmed she will not be going on tour for this album, her standing in the music industry stays unwavering. Although “The Life of a Showgirl” reflects Swift’s new perspective on life through optimistic and powerful lyrics, she stays consistent with her emotional storytelling and melodramatic concepts and reflections.