Taylor Swift: Through the Eras

Her Debut 

Taylor Swift's debut album, released in 2006, marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would inspire fans around the world and would change the music industry forever. The album titled “Taylor Swift” peaked at number 5 on Billboard’s 200 and stayed in the top 200 for 275 weeks.

This album was a beautiful introduction to her undeniable talent for storytelling within her lyrics. The album features several hits that have helped build the foundation of her career and shine the spotlight on her. Her heartfelt songs about love, heartbreak, and growing up touched the hearts of thousands and she was able to quickly grow a devoted fan base.

One of her top songs on the album is “Teardrops on My Guitar” which won Song of the Year and achieved RIAA Digital Platinum at the start of 2008. Swift sings about a personal experience of being in love with someone already interested in another, so she must keep her feelings a secret. 

Fearless

Released in 2008, Taylor Swift's second album, "Fearless" showed the world that she could go beyond her country roots. Blending together pop and country, Swift was able to show her abilities as not just a songwriter but also a performer.

“Fearless” won several awards Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the Grammys. It reached number one on the Billboard 200 list and was the top-selling album in the US in 2009. Two of the songs on the album both peaked on the Billboard Hot 100  chart. The lead single “Love Story” peaked at number 4 and “You Belong With Me” peaked at number 2.

This album gave Swift her first headlining concert tour. The concert grossed over $63 million and paved the way for future consents. Not only was Swift able to perform for fans, she released a documentary for the tour that was aired on television and fans were later able to purchase it on DVD.

Speak Now

“Speak Now” was released in 2010 and Swift’s third album. This album marks the first time that Swift wrote each of the songs entirely herself. The songs display her ability to write about a variety of emotions that stem from her personal experiences. The album sold over 1 million copies within the first week of its release and peaked at number 1 on Billboard 200 for six weeks.

This is the first album we see that covers a few of her past relationships including John Mayer, and Taylor Lautner as well as a few hints to Joe Jonas. “Back to December” is said to be an apology ballad to a former lover and some consider this song to be one of her most emotional and heart-wrenching songs.

Her song “Mean” won her Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance in 2012. It has never been confirmed who or what the song is about, however, it is rumored to be about a critic who reported on a performance at the 52nd Grammys. Unfortunately, this was not one of Swift’s better performances, and the critic called her "too young and dumb to understand the mistake she made.” Fortunately, Taylor Swift did not let this bring her down and has continued to rise throughout the years.

Red

Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, "Red" was released in 2012 and this marks a turning point in her career from country to a more pop-infused sound. This caused a wide amount of controversy between fans and critics about her transition away from her original genre. Regardless of the controversy, the album hit number one on the Billboard 200 and remained there for seven weeks.  

Following the release of this album, Swift became the first female in the industry to have three consecutive albums spend six weeks at number one, the only other artist to achieve this has been The Beatles. Additionally, the album has been certified seven times Platinum by the RIAA.

“22” was one of the top songs on the album and is said to be about Ashley Avignone, Dianna Agron, Claire Winter Kislinger, and Selena Gomez. The lyric “happy, free, confusing, and lonely at the same time” speaks of a time when many people are graduating college and getting ready to start their lives as adults in the working world.

1989

“1989” is Taylor Swift's fifth album and was released in 2014. Named after the year she was born, the album mixes the synth-pop sounds of the 1980s with Swift’s iconic voice and talent. The album spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and made Swift the first female solo artist to win Album of the Year twice at the Grammys.

"Shake It Off" and "Blank Space" are two tracks that stand out and not only dominated the charts but also showcased Swift's ability to craft catchy and exciting pop hits. “Shake It Off” inspires fans to shake off the haters and be proud of who they are. “Blank Space” is about the reputation the media has portrayed her as and she shines a light onto her rougher edges.

During this era, Swift removed her entire collection from Spotify due to the company’s issue with compensating its artists. Furthermore, she released a letter to Apple Music criticizing them for not paying their artists during the company's free trial period. Apple Music later announced it would start paying artists during the trial period, revealing the influential power that Taylor Swift holds within the music industry.

Reputation

“Reputation” is Taylor Swift's sixth album and was released in 2017. This marked a bold and unapologetic departure from her previous works since it reflects Swift's response to the intense media scrutiny and public perception surrounding her personal life during that period. It combines dark electropop with elements of synth-pop and R&B which showed the world that Swift is not afraid to experiment with new sounds.

The album remained at the top of the Billboard 200 charts for four weeks and sold more than 1.21 million copies in its first week of sales. She broke her original record for the highest-grossing US tour by a woman with her Reputation Stadium Tour sold more than two million tickets and grossed about $266.1 million

Taylor Swift further embodies the person that the media makes her out to be with "Look What You Made Me Do." However, makes it clear that karma will come back around. "Delicate" and "End Game" seem to reveal a more vulnerable side of desiring a romantic relationship and how Swift wants something that will last forever.

Lover

Taylor Swift's seventh studio album, "Lover," released in 2019, seems to take a turn back to her roots while embracing a more mature sound. With a mix of pop, synth-pop, and a touch of country, the album explores themes of love, nostalgia, and self-discovery. It emphasizes a more positive and hopeful tone compared to some of her previous works, reflecting a newfound sense of contentment and personal growth.

Each song on the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the same week, allowing Swift to set a record for the most simultaneous entries by a woman. Furthermore, the album was the world's best-selling solo studio album of 2019 and sold about 3.2 million copies. The album also has 3 nominations at the Grammys, 3 VMAs, and 6 AMAs.

The title track "Lover" is an anthem for positive love and healthy relationships. Where her past songs tend to talk about the heartbreak of a painful breakup, “Lover” shows the happy aspects of a relationship.

Folklore

Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, "Folklore" represents a captivating departure from her previous pop-centric sound. This album introduces a more stripped-down, indie-folk aesthetic that complements Swift's introspective storytelling. "Folklore" dives into a more mature and contemplative side of Swift, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

The album hit number one on the Billboard 200 and had eight non-consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. It also earned 5 nominations at the Grammys and sold about 846,000 copies.

One of the top tracks of the album is "Cardigan" which describes first love and first heartbreak during the teenage years. Even with the sadness in the song, there is a sense of hopefulness that eventually the pain will just become a feeling of the past

Evermore

The sister album to “Folklore”, “Evermore” is Swift’s ninth album and continues the exploration of indie-folk and alternative sounds. Produced in collaboration with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff, "Evermore" maintains the introspective and reflective tone of “Evermore”

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold more than one million copies. It was nominated for Album of the Year and won the American Music Award for Favorite Pop Album in 2021.

Tracks like "Willow" and "Champagne Problems" dive into themes of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of human connection. “Willow” dives into the world of wanting someone and the desire to be with them. “Champagne Problems” describes a couple whose family is celebrating their engagement, even though the proposal wasn’t a success.

Midnights

Released in 2022, “Midnights” is Taylor Swift's most recent album and is her tenth studio album. She has talked about it as a concept album about her deeper thoughts inspired by her sleepless nights.

The album has won several awards including three Grammys and it was the best-selling album of 2022. “Midnights” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 list and sold 1.14 million copies.

Two of the most popular songs on the album are “Anti-Hero” and “Karma.” “Anit-Hero” dives into Swift’s insecurities and anxieties that she faces in her day-to-day life. “Karma” talks about the feeling when good things are happening in life and thinking that it’s a reward for doing the right things.

Taylor Swift has been creating masterpieces since she was 16 years old. From her country beginnings to her bold forays into pop, Swift's albums serve as time capsules, capturing the essence of different phases in her life and career. Swift's ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, coupled with her musical versatility, has solidified her as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music.