Taylor Swift's popularity and influence make her an on-going phenomenon. We tend to think of a phenomenon as a fact or event that is defined by a brief moment experienced through our senses. Since appearing as an independent singer/songwriter in 2006 at the age of 16, Taylor Swift has become a true phenomenon, and at the age of 33 in 2023, she shows no signs of slipping into the natural sabbatical between albums or concerts that even superstar artists experience.
Swift’s "Eras” tour is so big that it impacts the economy of every city and state she stops in. Her influence over her vast fan base is immeasurable. Taylor Swift broke her silence on politics during the midterm elections in 2018 when she publicly endorsed two Democrats in her home state of Tennessee. While both those candidates did lose in the deep red state, the number of young people who registered to vote spoke volumes as to her power and influence.
Recently, MSNBC's Ari Melber argued that Taylor Swift may have the power to sway the 2024 presidential election. Melber pointed out that cable news reaches from 4 to 10 million people per night, and Taylor Swift's streaming reaches 100 million, and she bonds with tens of millions more through her social media.
Taylor Swift has become more than a wildly popular superstar - she has risen to the point of being a power pop culture force with influence transcending into politics.
Since she began as a country music singer/songwriter, Swift was adopted by the conservative movement in America and at one point was used as the face for white supremacy. Revolting against that gross misrepresentation, Taylor Swift has endorsed Democrats and bonded with President Biden. She denounces racism and has become an advocate for the LGBTQ community. No doubt - there are many teenagers in America who disagree with the political ideology of their parents thanks to the guidance of Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift does not overtly express her politics on stage, but in interviews and on social media she is determined to be true to herself. Her confidence to stay true to herself in a judgmental world is one of many signs that Swift is a powerful icon.
Unlike many artists,Taylor Swift writes her own songs, and her lyrics reflect life, not only for teenagers but also for adults. Her songs express realities about love and life, and her songs about break-ups show that you don't have to be emotionally destroyed by a break-up.
At 5'11" Swift presents an image of strength both physically and emotionally. The international popularity she enjoys shows that the human experience transcends cultures and nationalities.
As exceptional as she is as a singing/songwriting talent, Swift is equally as talented as a marketing genius. Navigating through the age of the Internet, she has established a prototype for success. In an article in the Wall Street Journal titled "How to Succeed in Business Like Taylor Swift," writer Anne Steele says "At 33 years old, pop star Taylor Swift is one of the world's most influential business leaders. She has outmaneuvered music executives vying to control her song rights, sparred with tech giants and sold record numbers of albums."
I invited Ashley Hollier, promotions director for Audacy New Orleans and on-air talent for our sister station Bayou 95.7 to join me on my talk show today to talk about her experience of going to the Taylor Swift concert in Houston.
Ashley said she was not a "Swiftie" until she researched Taylor Swift before the concert, and then witnessed the incredible 4-hour affair. Her concerts are indeed 4 hours, and consider that in many cities she does 4 hour concerts 3 nights in a row. But Ashley said that Taylor Swift does change up each concert slightly so they are not exactly the same. I'm sure she does this to keep herself fresh as well as the audience.
Regardless of whether you love or even appreciate her music, Taylor Swift has earned the respect she commands. To a young generation, she is as big as Elvis or The Beatles, and her ability to reinvent herself and produce unique and conceptional albums that comment on life through her eyes make her an on-going phenomenon that is currently the most powerful force in pop culture.
