Taylor Swift met with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to celebrate the debut of her highly anticipated twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl” (Read the review).
In the interview, the American superstar spoke about the new creative approach that led her to embrace irony as an expressive key, telling how she is experiencing the first reactions of fans to this new chapter of her career.
THE INTERVIEW
This album, for my personality, was more fun. It's like it came after The Tortured Poets Department. The character traits I wanted to highlight in that writing process were much more serious, sensitive, introspective — often more sincere and stoic, typical of a poet. This one, however, is different: showgirls are fun, scandalous, sexy, witty, flirtatious, hilarious.
Taylor Swift talks about song “Eldest Daughter”
Sometimes I use specific language to be satirical. The entire first verse of “Eldest Daughter” is a person trying to figure out how to say things they read on the internet — like “apathy is sexy,” or references to memes and trolling — and how to keep up with the way we're supposed to talk to show how little we care, when in reality everyone cares about something.
Then, in the pre-chorus, I go back to my voice and say: “I've been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness. I've been dying just from trying to seem cool.”
Now, that's the point. In a way, everything I say in the first verse is an attempt to conform to how the culture tells us to be. And it's strange, because, going back to the showgirl concept, they're strong in an old-fashioned way — the kind of strength that makes them smile on the outside even as a storm rages on the inside.
Taylor Swift talks about how tough the life of a showgirl is
It's that kind of strength that I've tried to cultivate for the last two and a half years of my life as I prepared for and carried out this grueling tour.
But there is also a cultural aspect, today, in which we talk a lot about vulnerability, sadness, pain… yes, we talk about these feelings, but it is not accepted to express the desire for love, to want something or someone. There's almost an aversion to appearing needy. You should find love “by chance”, go on holiday “by chance”.
Taylor Swift on how her relationship with Travis inspired 'Wi$h Li$t'
When I met Travis, I began to feel like a person capable of having romantic impulses and dreams. The song “Wi$h Li$t” reflects this: the verses were a lot of fun to write, but in the chorus it becomes very sincere.
I don't know if you've ever seen the movie Happy Gilmore: he has a “happy place” where he takes refuge, a sort of utopia that represents everything he wants, a place where the mind escapes in moments of stress, pressure or chaos. Well, the chorus of that song is precisely the description of my “happy place”.
Taylor Swift talks about the fans' affection
The fans are incredible. I don't even know how to thank them for everything they did this week, for how much they loved this music and how they understood it immediately.
Taylor Swift talks artistic legacy and reactions to 'The Life of a Showgirl'
I welcome chaos. The rule of show business is, if in the first week of my album release you're saying my name or the title of the album, you're helping me. And when it comes to art, I deeply respect subjective opinions. They are not the “art police”: everyone is free to feel what they want. Our job, as artists, is to be a mirror.
Often an album is a wild way to look inside yourself. What you are experiencing in your life will influence how you relate to my music, at any time. I like to see fans say: “I used to not recognize myself in Reputation, but now, after some experiences, it's my favorite album.” Or: “I used to be a Fearless girlie, but now I'm obsessed with Evermore.” We do all this to leave a mark. When I create music, I think a lot about the concept of legacy. I know what I accomplished, I know how much I love it, and I know that — just like the showgirl theme — this is all part of it.
Taylor Swift talks about “Easter eggs” in her art
I had a list of more than a hundred Easter eggs to include in that video, and I ticked them off one by one as we proceeded with the set design. It's a lot of fun, and it's thanks to the fans — because they know that every detail points to something: present, past or future art. This is the point of Easter eggs. The fact that they care so much about my artistic journey, the albums I've made or future projects honors me deeply. And it seems to me that they are still having fun: as long as that is the case, I will continue to enjoy planning them too.
Taylor Swift tells Apple Music what she takes away from writing 'The Life of a Showgirl'
Creating this album is something I've wanted my whole career, because I've always wanted to have fun this way — to play, to be ironic, to be provocative and show that side of my personality. It's a huge part of me.
Many people who know me in person are surprised: I often seem very serious, and I'm known for my sad, cathartic, breakup songs — and I love writing them — but that's not the moment I'm living in anymore. With this record I left something that really shows who I am now and pays homage to the most important moment of my life: the exuberance and electric energy of The Eras Tour.
I'm proud of this writing, the melodies, the lyrics, the stories, and how I move in and out of characters, playing with styles and language. I often keep a tape recorder on while writing: with Max (Martin) and Johan (Schuster (Shellback)) we work in a very instinctive, stream-of-consciousness way: “You sing this line, I'll sing the next. Wait, wait, what did you say two minutes ago? That second note was better, let's go back!”
I even posted some voice notes from those sessions on iTunes, because you can hear how ideas are born, in real time, spontaneously — and it's crazy. I'm really lucky to be able to experience all this with people like them, who I consider geniuses, and every time we work together I feel inspired and “elevated”.
THE VIDEO
THE FORMATS
The album is available in physical vinyl, CD + poster and cassette formats. At the time of the announcement, the artist revealed four variant covers available for a limited time in Deluxe CD format: “Sweat and Vanilla Perfume”, “It's Frightening”, “It's Rapturous” and “It's Beautiful”.
THE TRACKLIST
The Fate of Ophelia
Elizabeth Taylor
Opalite
Father Figure
Eldest Daughter
Ruin The Friendship
Actually Romantic
Wi$h Li$t
Wood
CANCELED!
Honey
The Life of a Showgirl feat Sabrina Carpenter
