Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl has only just landed, yet it’s already fueling a wave of debate online. Fans on TikTok are pointing out striking musical similarities between her latest tracks and hits by the Jonas Brothers, Post Malone, The Jackson 5, and even the Pixies. Is this a case of plagiarism—or simply the nature of pop music echoing itself?
Fans Spot Troubling Similarities
It began with Swifties comparing the album’s title track, a duet with Sabrina Carpenter, to the Jonas Brothers’ Cool. One TikTok user wrote, “I knew this sounded familiar,” while placing clips of the two songs side by side. Others chimed in, claiming the melody reminded them instead of Beyoncé’s Halo or Jordin Sparks’ No Air.
But the online detective work escalated when TikTok creator @jarredjermaine posted a breakdown highlighting multiple parallels:
- Actually Romantic vs. Where Is My Mind? by the Pixies
- Wood vs. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
- Opalite vs. Circles by Post Malone
The comparisons have racked up millions of views, adding momentum to the growing speculation.
@jarredjermaine Taylor Swift “The Life Of A Showgirl” songs that sound similar to other songs #taylorswift #swifttok #swiftie #music ♬ original sound – jarred jermaine
The Role—and Legitimacy—of Interpolation
Part of the confusion lies in the concept of interpolation, a practice increasingly common in modern pop. According to The Independent, interpolation means re-recording or reinterpreting a portion of an existing melody or lyric. Unlike sampling, which uses the original audio, interpolation still requires clearance from the creators.
On Genius.com, Taylor’s song The Life of a Showgirl openly credits Cool by the Jonas Brothers under the tag “interpolations.” Swift has used this technique before, notably acknowledging George Michael’s Father Figure on the same album.
In other words: some similarities may be intentional and legally approved—but not all of them.
Why Choose Cool? An Unexpected Decision
One detail is raising eyebrows: two of Swift’s longtime collaborators—Max Martin and Shellback—have worked with the Jonas Brothers in recent years. Martin co-produced Who’s In Your Head in 2021, while Shellback helped craft Only Human in 2019. Their familiar fingerprints could explain the melodic overlap.
Still, as Glamour points out, Swift’s choice to interpolate a Jonas Brothers track is “intriguing,” given her brief relationship with Joe Jonas back in 2008. For a star known for weaving autobiographical hints into her work, fans are reading every breadcrumb.
Coincidence, Influence, or Something More?
Music experts often note that the pop landscape is built on recurring chord structures, shared influences, and creative cross-pollination. Sometimes what seems like copying is simply the byproduct of a genre running on familiar patterns.
But with fans meticulously dissecting every note—and Swift’s history of precision and intention—questions are inevitable.
Is Taylor Swift borrowing too freely from the past? Or is she using pop’s shared DNA to craft something new?
For now, the verdict remains open, but one thing is certain: the internet is listening closely.
