It’s safe to say that Taylor Swift is NEVER going out of style after the release of her 10th highly successful album last year. Over the past decade, Taylor Swift has become a household name in the music industry.  She has broken records, won countless awards and created a cult fan following. 

But what is it about an artist that makes us so drawn to them? Think about some of your favourite songs of all time. Are any of the songs ones that you’ve known since childhood that you can recite off the top of your head? The possibility is high. When a song is that important to us, it will stick with us for life. 

So, what separates a fad from an icon? Taylor is definitely not a one hit wonder. Nor is she a fad. During her career, people have tried to pin that label on her but after a decade of smashing hits, I think she is far beyond that now.  

So, how has Miss Swift managed to remain relevant for so long? 

At the core of her success is her undeniable musical talent. She is a gifted singer, songwriter and musician who has always been admired for her ability to write lyrics that speak directly to her fans, the ‘Swifties’. Her song writing skills are constantly compared to those of long-time music icons as she is one herself. Her song writing has always been the star of the show since her first releases, such as “Our Song” and “Picture to Burn”, solidifying Taylor as a song writing icon in the coming years. She continued her success in her next album, featuring her hit songs “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me”, surprising fans with iconic, heartfelt and exhilarating performances.  

Many people express themselves through painting, drawing, or dancing, but Taylor Swift has always been dedicated to being honest in her writing. Part of that involves singing her own words and this has remained prominent throughout her career. In a recent article for Harper’s BAAZAR, Swift says “… that’s the purest part of my job. It can get complicated on every other level, but the song writing is still the same uncomplicated process it was when I was 12 years old writing songs in my room.” Oh, so that’s why there aren’t any albums that don’t lyrically “feel” like Taylor. In each song that she releases she has pieces of herself flowing through it. Maybe that’s why many artists who don’t write their own songs fall under the one hit wonder category.  

Taylor has a reputation of writing about heartbreak, love, fantasies and old memories, essentially instilling humanity in her composition. She leaves an impact on her fans by incorporating relatable themes, catchy tunes and her own personal experience. Her fans continue to sing her tunes because her lyrics are relatable, making them feel understood and less alone. Almost everyone experiences these universal emotions at some point in their life, and by writing from her own perspective, Taylor has written about experiences that are universal. She may be an icon, but she is just like the girl next door, going through the same thoughts, emotions and everyday struggles as the rest of us.  

Even in 50 years, I can still imagine singing along to her tunes. In an electric car with passenger robots, relating back to my experiences… What about you?