Joshua Reichard, Staff Writer
“The Life of a Showgirl”, Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, was released on Oct. 3, and immediately, it was heavily criticized online. Clips of negative opinions, reaction to “cringe lyrics” and overall annoyance with the album flooded social media. However, diehard fans of Swift came to the artist’s defense, saying that she could “do no wrong” and refused to be critical of her work. I’ve decided to approach this album somewhere in between those two positions. Even though I’m a fan, I’m not unable to criticize and I understand why people have issues with much of the album.
The main criticism people shared of this album is that it’s too childish. People think the lyrics are too simple, joking that she wrote it this way so her fiance, Travis Kelce, could understand it. People found many of the album’s lyrics to be “cringe” and not thoughtful. This is an interesting switch up from her last album, “The Tortured Poets Department”, where people complained that it was too long, too complex and that the average listener couldn’t understand it. Now, she’s done a 180 degree turn, and people still aren’t happy. To them, it seems, her new album is not long enough, not complex enough and boring.
My opinion is that “The Life of a Showgirl” is not perfect. It’s not as concise as I would have liked. It feels choppy and off-theme at points, and even has a song or two that are unlistenable to me. However, Taylor Swift doesn’t have to make everyone happy. She doesn’t have to be a bastion of taste and excellence in music. She can be playful, experiment with new things and even be a little cringe. Many times, her surface-level, playful songs are some of her best. Before forming an opinion, I encourage you to listen to the album. I’ve listed some of my favorite songs from the album below, and after listening to them, you might even add one or two to your fall playlist.
Opalite
Opalite is a fun, upbeat song. It has everything you can ask for from a Taylor Swift pop song. It has a catchy hook, and is easy to dance to. Swift has explained that this song is about needing to create your own happiness to be truly happy, and I think that is a fitting description of its contents.
Favorite lyric: I had a bad habit / Of missing lovers past / My brother used to call it / “Eating out of the trash”
Honey
Honey is easy to listen to. This song is quick and catchy. I can’t help but smile when I hear it come on. Swift sings about being called “Honey” in a genuine way, as opposed to in a degrading way. Nobody likes being talked down to, and now there’s an anthem that can relate to that feeling.
Favorite lyrics: If anyone called me “Honey” / It was standing in the bathroom, white teeth / They were saying that skirt don’t fit me / And I cried the whole way home
Ruin The Friendship
A classic, quieter Taylor Swift song, “Ruin The Friendship”, is about wishing we said something to someone when we had the chance. In this song, Swift sings about a high school friend who she had a crush on but never did anything about. Her friend later passed away, and she reflects on what she wished she did.
Favorite lyrics: My advice is always ruin the friendship / Better that than regret it for all time
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor feels like a song off of Swift’s 2017 album, “Reputation”. It starts off quiet, then has a punchy chorus that is hard to ignore. It’s playful, but feels mature. The song is a nod to the 20th century actress of the same name, who Swift compares herself to. They both faced heavy scrutiny throughout their years in the spotlight.
Favorite lyric: Be my NY when hollywood hates me / You’re only as hot as your last hit baby
CANCELLED!
This is one of the most heavily criticized songs on this album for a certain “cringe” lyric, but I can’t help but laugh. That’s exactly what this song is about – Swift not caring about what her haters are trying to cancel her for. This song is fun and witty. It feels like a return to Taylor’s younger self, not musically, but through its attitude. Taylor can never be good enough, neither can her friends, and that’s just the way she likes it.
Favorite lyric: Can’t you see my infamy loves company? / Now they’ve broken you like they’ve broken me / But a shattered glass is a lot more sharp
The Fate of Ophelia
The lead single of the album, this song is a hit. Swift sings about how her fiance brought her up out of her sadness, and metaphorically “saved her heart” from the fate of Ophelia, Shakespeare’s character from Hamlet who dies from drowning after many tragic events occur. I also suggest watching the music video that accompanies this song, as it is a fun watch.
Favorite lyric: And if you’d never come for me / I might’ve drowned in the melancholy / I swore my loyalty to me, myself, and I / Right before you lit my sky up