The Taylor Swift Phenomenon

The pop music community is experiencing controversy as Taylor Swift’s 2023 flight itinerary has been revealed. Many people are criticizing her for the resulting carbon emissions, and some are even extending their criticism to her music

And not only ordinary people like you and me have done this. Some mainstream pop music figures have also criticized her, saying her music contributes nothing to the genre. One outspoken critic is Neil Tennant, singer of the Pet Shop Boys. Discussing Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, he expressed his confusion about her immense popularity. He indicated that Taylor’s music didn’t meet his expectations and was more direct with his criticism:

I have listened to Taylor Swift’s album. Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing. But then when I listen to the records, and we both have the same feeling actually, that for a phenomenon as big [as she is] … where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?

There’s some truth to this criticism. Swift’s songs often lack the complexity and powerful impact found in hits by legendary pop stars. Take, for example, one of the greatest pop songs ever written:

This song has an infectious dance rhythm and lyrics that provoke strong reactions. It’s even featured in an iconic Reservoir Dogs scene discussing its meaning. I doubt a Taylor Swift song could achieve that same level of cultural resonance.

But the question remains: why is she so famous? Why do so many people -mainly teenage girls- flock to her concerts? One theory is that Taylor’s popularity surged when the world learned of her hard-fought battle with her former record label to reclaim ownership of her songs. She had to re-record several albums in order to regain control of her work, and from that point, she gained even more admiration from her fans, causing her fanbase to explode.

This, along with other similar situations, elevates her as a figure within the women’s empowerment movement.