Taylor Swift
One summer, the kids and I started going to Skaters at Eltham in Melbourne. It was fun. They could all skate well enough to enjoy themselves and I was taken back to Friday night in the mid-70s at the National Fitness Centre in Oakey where we skated to all the great songs of the day – like ‘Fox on the Run’, ‘Billy Don’t be a Hero’ and a variety of Suzy Q numbers.
I liked that, up at Eltham, music was still a big part of the skating scene, but I didn’t recognize any songs, unless they were covers, which by then were covers of artists covering artists covering the original.
By sheer fluke one of the kids took this photo of Anna and me under some pop star. The song playing was catchy enough in that poppy sort of way – and innocuous. “Who’s that?” I asked Anna, who was then about to start Grade 2.
“Da-aad, it’s Taylor Swift,” she explained.
“Oh, that’s Taylor Swift,” I replied. “What’s the song?”
“’Shake it off.’”
I had heard of Taylor Swift, sort of, but didn’t have a clue who she was or what she sang. I was more familiar with Bruno Mars.
“Whadya like about Taylor Swift?” I asked.
“I just like her music,” Anna said.
And so the years have gone on with me taking no interest in Taylor Swift, but recognising her name from time to time. The kids, however, have followed her closely, and play her music all the time.
When it was announced that Tay Tay (I believe that’s the diminutive) would be touring Australia, of our three kids, it was Anna who was most determined to go, engineering ways of securing a ticket to one of the Melbourne concerts.
With the assistance of her wonderful cousin Zoe, she snagged a ticket, and has been counting down the days since. Well, we’re now one day out, and we’re about to jump in the car and head from the Barossa to Melbourne.
I started hearing and reading about Taylor Swift about three weeks ago – you couldn’t get out of the way of it all. And I started to take a bit of an interest.
“Two billion people claim to be fans of Taylor Swift,” Theo said. “That’s not just recognizing her, that’s being an actual fan.”
I asked Anna to send me Taylor’s most famous songs – she sent about five. I listened. Read the lyrics on the net.
Then I asked Anna to send me her favourite songs. One overlapped with the first group. I read those lyrics. I got a bit more involved.
Late one night, seven eighths through a bottle of Rockford’s Moppa Springs, I was listening to a bit of Eva Cassidy on Youtube and, after following a few of those links that bob up, I was suddenly watching Tay Tay doing chat shows. I noticed two things: she drinks wine quickly and she can hold her own against any of the practiced hosts, and their guests.
But was my fascination with what she was saying, or just the intrigue of her mega-fame. And are they linked?
That took me to her Commencement Speech for New York University where the students were besotted, and the faculty was just as besotted. It was an engaging and included some good advice, nothing out of the ordinary, but it was Taylor offering it. It was big themes, which applied to everyone in the room.
She’s definitely a story-teller.
Then she was at the Superbowl supporting Travis, and of course the Chiefs won.
I’m running out of time because Anna is calling and I have to get in the car, but I find the cult of her interesting. But I am definitely going to explore her lyrics in the coming days.
I’m not going to the concert, but Anna will have a million stories herself of this road trip and this weekend. I think we’re playing Tay Tay all the way – or at least until the Test from the WACA comes on.
Anyway, I’m interested in what people are making of it…
Road trip.
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About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is publisher and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He appears (appeared?) on ABCTV's Offsiders. He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to The Handicapper and has three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Taylor Swift is so famous that I couldn’t name one of her songs.
I’m a big fan, for a number of the reasons you have noted JTH. I got hooked back in 2010 when I heard the song Mean. It was a catchy tune, her voice is stunning and the lyrics, simple yet clever as. That already marked her as an above average song-writer. So I kept listening and liking what I heard. As she has matured as a person and an artist her songs and albums have just kept getting better (with a bit of a slip with Reputation). She balances wit, whimsy and self-depreciating observations with frank and cutting views of love, lust, relationships and how to be yourself. As most great writers, she keeps on considering the world through her prism, without getting self absorbed. This concert (and yes, I’m going and excited as) has already blown audiences away across the world. I was playing the setlist as I drove around today and was almost shaking thinking how good it will be (despite being held at the G – perfect footy ground, shithouse music venue).
Back in the 90s, I was working at a SkillShare (another excellent ALP initiative to assist people transition from unemployment to a job). I was the Youth Officer. I couldn’t count the number of parents that brought their teenagers in for advice, concerned that their kids were getting indoctrinated by The Simpsons. Truth. My response was, if they are engaged with The Simpsons they’re gunna be okay. Same goes for TS.
The real shame is how many people who have grown up with RnR who have cloth in their ears re Swift’s music. Her catalogue is impressive (which is what this tour is about) and she is a true music artist. Same as Beyonce and Kendrick. Bruno excellent as well. And if you want an absolute classic, which I’m sure Anna has already been telling you, listen to All Too Well (the 10 minute version). She’s the real deal.
I’m a massive Taylor Swift fan. I have 3 CDs of her albums Fearless, Speak Now and her style titled album, Taylor Swift.
My favourite Taylor Swift songs are Love Story, You Belong With Me and Forever & Always. In fact, every song on her Fearless album I enjoy listening to.
Unfortunately, I missed out on getting tickets to any of her MCG concerts.
Her idol growing up was Shania Twain, whom I am also a massive admirer of.
Carn The Mighty Taylor Swift!
Hearing Taylor Swift (or Pink for that matter) always reminds me of driving down the Yarrawonga Benalla Road heading back to Melbourne after our regular January holiday because that’s what the kids wanted to hear as we motored home. Hour after hour of Swift. Because she doesn’t do 8 track CDs she does 16 track CDs.
She has her formula. Her lyrics. Not sure who puts the music around it. It’s pop. Classic teen angst pop though it might grow up as she does.
I can listen to Swift. For a little while anyway. Some good insightful lyrics and stories bound up in toe tappin melodies.
Good luck to her. I don’t quite get the craziness around it all but I never have.
Prefer Pink myself.
JTH: quite a different road trip than the ‘confessions of a 13th man’ tour!
Mrs Hansen is meeting Sophia & Eliza in Melbourne this weekend. Staying at a cousin’s place, 20 mins on the train to the ‘G, apparently. Heidi’s brother lived in Albert Park, a short walk to the athletics facility, for many years. Selfishly, he moved to Brisbane late last year. Something about marrying a Brisvegas girl.
The girls are going to the concert on Sunday night.
My favourite concert – the Oils in Alice Springs.
I am familiar with your skating song ‘Shake it up’ – little else.
The Origin match at the MCG this year, and a road trip to Melbourne, does interest me though. In a big way.
Enjoy.
I understand members of the American indie band of long-standing, The National have written and produced songs for Miss Swift. Not sure I would pigeonhole her into the teen pop music category. As an aside, The National are touring next month with concerts in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Excellent photo!
I wonder how she maintains any sort of perspective at the centre of this whirlwind, JTH.
I’ve been a big fan since the 1989 album – all her stuff – everything.
Check out her Miss Americana doco from pre-covid on Netflix. Personal, insightful, psychological (people pleaser, fans, rejection), political (Big P and little p), and creative.
Yesterday I wrote about sharing a city with Taylor Swift on a substack site I recently started.
It’s here FWIW. https://open.substack.com/pub/eregnans/p/sharing-a-city-with-taylor-swift?r=2lkgud&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
We’re going on Sunday. Very excited. (We’ve bought outfits).
Imagine Taylor at centre half forward.
Creative, ball winner.
She will play to advantage, bring teammates in & make everyone around her look better.
The MCG is perfect for her.
You make some great points, E. regnans.
I would go even one step further and imagine Taylor Swift as Captain Coach. She is a great leader and would get the best out of her players and she would make sure they were all well paid.
She would come up with a great game plan and her team would play attractive football, in tune to what she’s saying. She would get also get input from her boyfriend, who recently won an NFL premiership with Kansas City.
Also, imagine if she was able to have private ownership of a 20th AFL Club. They would be called The Swifties, known for their fast pace and quick ball movement. If there were no salary cap, she would go out and attract the best players available and also get the best players out of contract at other clubs.
They wouldn’t need a home ground as she would get a share of gate receipts from every packed stadium they play at. Their theme song would be “Shake It Up”.
Most importantly, all her players will be on song!
Another great point E. regnans made was Taylor Swift’s album 1989, the year she was born.
Of course, with his other Taylor Swift comparison to the MCG, it’s worth noting that the 1989 Grand Final was one of the best Grand Finals ever played at the MCG, regardless of which team you support.
Predominately, she appeals to females around her age and in their twenties, teens and even younger. Of course, there are exceptions.
She writes all these songs herself, many about breakups and her target audience can relate to it. That’s what the craziness around her involves, as well as the way she sings these songs and the glamour and entertainment in her concerts. Her exceptional videos for the songs in her albums has also helped. She is extremely talented, approachable and the complete package, which is very unique.
There’s a reason why she is currently the most popular pop star in the world.
Thanks for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully. Your comments are very interesting.
Just quickly, as we’re about to jump in the car to start the trip back…
Rick, Anna’s favourite song is ‘All Too Well’.
Anna and her crew had a brilliant time. I will encourage her to write about it.
I’ve added a pre road trip pic to the piece.
Like you I new absolutely nothing John, so out of curiosity we watched a doco on Netflix to gain some perspective. It was filmed around the lead up to Trump’s presidency and she bravely came out and spoke against the anti-abortion laws in Tennessee, her home state. She seems very kind and generous on top of her obvious talents. There’s never been a frenzy like it in Melbourne since the Beatles. Hope the kids had a ball. Cheers
Well John, it seems like a road trip that you both will retain fond memories of. Well done.
I’m a bit like Tony Taylor I didn’t think i could name any of her songs. But that “Shake It Up” song rings a bell. If it’s the one I think it is then I know at least one tune.
Though I know near to nought about her songs I appreciate her efforts to have fellow Americans enrol to vote. In a country like the USA the reality of voting being optional is not pleasant. I recall reading about the Freedom Rides in the 1960’s, the role of those who were able to encourage Afro-Americans to enrol to vote. This was a time when the KKK,and other nefarious groups were openly able to stop that section of American society from voting.
More than half a century later it seems there are still many Americans not on the voting roll. Hopefully the work of Taylor Swift and others can encourage them to engage in the democratic process. No wonder Donald Trump, & his MAGA crowd, disdain Taylor Swift.
Well John I’d imagine you and Anna are safely back in the Barossa Valley. I look forward to the next installment of the musical Road Trip(s).
Glen!
This is a real feel-good piece, JTH. Loved it.
Taylor Swift is a star: musician, performer, singer, songwriter, story-teller, a real professional.
I really enjoyed the Folklore album, it was the first time I had ever done a deep-dive into her music.
Lovely work John.
I’ve two daughters going to Singapore to see TS.
Sadly I wasn’t invited!