There’s more to Taylor Swift than meets the eye. Yes, she’s a global pop phenomenon with a career spanning 18 years, but she’s also a songwriter, a music video and film director, and an actress. To celebrate her Eras tour finally coming to Wales, Gosia Buzzanca uses letters of the alphabet – Swift’s foremost creative tool – to dissect Taylor Swift’s career, from A-Z.
A — All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Kicking off this Taylor Swift A-Z is the original version of a song that debuted on Swift’s fourth album Red and in the process of re-recording her stolen albums (see K) she decided to release its 10-minute version. All Too Well one of the most powerful moments on the Eras tour, with entire stadiums singing every lyric.
B — Billionaire
Taylor Swift officially became one in 2024. Yes, it’s incomprehensible, even unethical, that they exist. Still, even her biggest critics must admit that the strength of one’s songwriting is impressive, especially amongst the tech bros and warmongers.
C — Cruel Summer
A song from Swift’s seventh studio album, Lover, and one that wasn’t initially released as a single but gained popularity thanks to TikTok around the time the Eras tour began. When it did get the single treatment, the synthpop track hasn’t left the Billboard HOT 100 list since its first appearance and is still, with its iconic bridge, a highlight of the tour.
D — Debut
The self-titled album by Swift in 2006, and possibly the most essential entry on this A-Z of Taylor Swift. Some of the biggest hits on this country release were written when Taylor was only 14, and for many fans, it’s her most anticipated re-recording. Despite being a star-making beginning, it still has no representation on the Eras tour.
E — The Eras Tour
The biggest and most-record-breaking tour in history is still far from finished: the Cardiff date will be the 103rd show since it began on Fri 17 Mar 2023, and it’s set to continue to December. Each evening sees three and a half hours of top hits and fan faves, surprise sets, and incredible staging. No ticket? No problem! The Eras tour film is available for streaming on Disney+.
F — Folklore
Taylor Swift’s eighth studio album was a surprise release in July 2020. Inspired by the silence of lockdown, Swift wrote about fictionalised characters and turned them into songs. Co-produced with Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner, Folklore – the most alternative of her records to date – won her a Grammy.
G — Girlhood
In Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve, Swift sings “Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first,” and it’s heartening to see generations of women who grew up with her music, as well as vast numbers of new fans alike, reclaiming, rediscovering and healing their own girlhood experiences in the runup to the Eras tour.
H — Hate
One could say it comes with the territory of fame, but in the case of Swift, the majority of hate she receives comes from deeply ingrained misogyny. She’s been criticised for the men she dates, the duration of her relationships, the topics she chooses to write songs about, and more.
I — I Can Do It With a Broken Heart
This track, from newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is a beautiful example of the duality of Swift’s songwriting. Though musically upbeat, the lyrics are devastating, talking about the difficulty of performing on the tour amidst personal turmoil and mental health struggles.
J — Jack Antonoff
Taylor Swift’s friend and co-producer since 1989, Antonoff is partly responsible for her shift to pop.
K — Karma
The final song performed on the tour, which is from the Midnights album. Although never confirmed by Swift, the song seems to be a dig at long-time nemesis Scooter Braun – her former manager who purchased the masters of her records up to Reputation, allegedly without her knowledge. Since then, Taylor has been re-recording these albums, which go on to outperform the originals Braun owns. Karma, indeed.
L — Love Story
Keep an eye on your surroundings if you’re at an Eras show – this is the song you’re most likely to witness a proposal during.
M — Marjorie
A song from the Evermore album, named after Taylor Swift’s maternal grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, herself an opera singer. A touching sample of her voice can be heard throughout, so keep the tissues handy!
N — New York
Taylor Swift’s adopted hometown and often a source of inspiration for her music, from Welcome To New York through Cornelia Street to Cardigan.
O — Olivia Benson
One of Swift’s cats, named after the Law & Order character. A famous cat lover, Swift also owns Meredith Grey and Benjamin Button, who modelled with her on Time’s 2023 ‘Person Of The Year’ cover.
P — Pennsylvania
Taylor Swift’s home state. A beautiful description of her childhood can be found in song seven of Folklore: “I was high in the sky,” she sings, “with Pennsylvania under me / Are there still beautiful things?”
Q — Quill Pen
Swift is known for using different types of pens to write different types of songs — glitter pens for bops like You Need To Calm Down, quill pens for songs that contain period-specific references like Evermore and fountain pens for modern yet nostalgic songs like Maroon.
R – Reputation
Swift’s sixth studio album, from 2017 and perhaps her most underappreciated on release. Reputation came out after she disappeared from the public eye following her fallout with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West over that phone call; since then, it’s become another fan favourite.
S — Swifties
It wouldn’t be the A-Z of Taylor Swift without them. From diving into the weeds of every Swift sighting for musical Easter eggs to obsessing over her personal life to the point of causing disturbances, Swifties are a force to be reckoned with. Swift’s relationship with her fans seems to have changed over time, too, illustrated recently by swapping Long Live from the setlist of the Eras tour 2.0 in May with the satirical But Daddy I Love Him. Love them or hate them, one thing is certain: there wouldn’t be Taylor Swift without the Swifties.
T — The Tortured Poets Department
Taylor Swift’s newest album came out on Fri 19 Apr, accounting for nearly 10% of record sales in the US this year so far. Lyrically, it’s her most ambitious yet: full of midtempo melodies and heartbreaking revelations, becoming the newest addition to the Eras tour setlist. Swift calls it “Female Anger – The Musical”, so watch out…
U — Unhinged
I asked Swifties what word beginning with ‘U’ they associate with their idol, and with a fit of laughter, this was their answer. It tracks. After all, keeping up with every new song abbreviation (TSMTEL? YOYOK?) and Tay-lore is a full-time job.
V — Vault Tracks
Each of Swift’s re-recorded albums comes with extra songs written during that original era that didn’t make the original cut.
W — Wales
Taylor Swift played her first (and only previous) concert in Wales at Swansea’s Singleton Park in May 2018. Part of BBC’s Biggest Weekend programme of shows across the UK, tickets were considerably cheaper than those for her upcoming sold-out date in Cardiff. After Swift namedropped Dylan Thomas on the title track of her newest album, can we expect her to play it in tribute in the Welsh setting during her usual surprise song set?
X — X, formerly known as Twitter
The social media platform blocked searches for Taylor Swift in January after AI-generated explicit pictures went viral. Naturally, this caused widespread disgust at non-consensual abuse of privacy, leading US politicians to call for new laws criminalising such use of deep fake images.
Y — You’re On Your Own, Kid
Coming to the Eras tour? You better have your friendship bracelets at the ready. The tradition of fans trading the multicoloured beaded jewellery was inspired by lyrics from this song from the Midnights album. Listen as you craft!
Z — Zoo
Finishing this A-Z, Taylor Swift is a huge fan of zoos and often visits them during her travels. There’s something adorable yet sadly poetic about imagining her hanging out with caged koalas and kangaroos…
WELSH SWIFTIES SPEAK…
Charlotte, 28, Cardiff
What is your favourite era, and why? Folklore. Taylor expanded her music genres and her writing and lyrics are incredible.
Favourite TS memory? TTPD release day. Soon it will be The Eras Tour!
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? You’re On Your Own, Kid
Where do you think Taylor should visit while in Cardiff? My house…
Emma, 31, Wiltshire
What is your favourite era, and why? TTPD. It’s the most relatable album for me and I love its aesthetic!
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? The Lakes
Alice, 28, south Wales
What is your favourite era, and why? 1989. I feel like the songs really spoke to me and what I was going through. Out Of The Woods is my absolute favourite.
Favourite TS memory? Hearing Love Story for the first time on the radio when my mam used to take me to school.
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? Out Of The Woods
Where do you think Taylor should visit while in Cardiff? Cardiff Castle – would be so sick for her to do a show there.
Zeta, 21, Cardiff
What is your favourite era, and why? Folklore, because it helped me through lockdown and the songs are stunning. I listen to them so much.
Favourite TS memory? Her Reputation tour. I couldn’t get tickets but the entire tour was incredible. Also her TTPD album. It’s nice to get a new era to listen to!
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? Better Than Revenge so I could FaceTime my sister – we used to sing it together all the time.
Where do you think Taylor should visit while in Cardiff? I would recommend Taylor and her team to go to Winter Wonderland whenever it’s on and to see Bute Park lights as it’s stunning and they’d have so much fun.
Olivia, 14, south Wales
What is your favourite era, and why? Fearless! It resonates with me so much at the minute because it’s just the life of a teenager…
Favourite TS memory? Waking up to see that she announced 1989 Taylor’s Version, I was so excited.
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? Exile or The Tortured Poets Department would be so good.
Rhiannon, 42, Devon
What is your favourite era, and why? I love the story telling and gentility of Evermore.
Favourite TS memory? Going to the cinema to see the tour film with my daughter as she’s not coming to the tour. We traded bracelets with people, dressed up and it was like the real thing for her.
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? I Bet You’re Thinking About Me or ME!
Where do you think Taylor should visit while in Cardiff? Castle Arcade.
Holly, 21, Tonypandy
What is your favourite era, and why? Folklore – I can relate to the album and find it really calming.
Favourite TS memory? Dancing on my bed when I was given Red, aged 10!
What ‘surprise song’ are you hoping for in the Cardiff set? Guilty As Sin?
Taylor Swift, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Tue 18 June.
Tickets: £86-£190 (sold out). Info: here
words GOSIA BUZZANCA
