Which Taylor Swift era matches which genre of film?
With the recent news of the upcoming release of Taylor Swift’s newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, all the Swifties are buzzing with excitement.
But with each new album released, it’s important we don’t forget those that came before it.
Each of Taylor’s albums has their own gripping meanings behind them, ones that can be attributed to certain feelings and emotions.
Music News Blitz writer Evie Scroggie has matched each album to the genre of film that she believes embodies its mood perfectly.
Taylor Swift (Debut, 2006)
Coming-Of-Age, eg. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
Taylor Swift, the debut album captures pure teenage innocence.
The drama of growing up in a small town, first loves, finding your own identity, all the qualities you would want in your typical growing-up movie.
This album is the perfect embodiment of a coming-of-age film.
Fearless (2008)
Teen Romance, eg. A Cinderella Story
“Love Story”, “You Belong With Me”, the songs on this album are your typical soppy romances.
They have that sort of fairytale flair that echoes teenage love. The love that seems dreamy, idealistic - the type of love that sweeps 16-year-old schoolgirls off their feet.
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Speak Now (2010)
Musical, eg. Moulin Rouge
Speak Now is, without a doubt, Taylor’s most theatrical album yet.
It’s riddled with dramatic declarations, secret confessions, bold storytelling, exactly what you would expect to see on a Broadway stage.
Red (2012)
Romantic Drama, eg. La La Land
Red is an emotionally volatile album. It captures that feeling of almost love, but not quite. The feelings are unsteady and unsustainable.
It describes the type of heartbreak that hurts so much because of what it could have been, rather than what it actually was.
It takes you through the true heartbreak of a deep connection with an inevitable ending.
1989 (2014)
Women Empowerment, eg. The Devil Wears Prada
1989 embodies true female confidence. It’s sleek and stylish, that type of powerful girl finding her way in the big city vibe.
It’s filled with self-love, glamour, and personal reinvention. It’s bold, it’s unbothered, and has the perfect amount of witty sarcasm running throughout.
Reputation (2017)
Revenge Thriller, eg. Gone Girl
Reputation was Taylor’s revenge arc. It’s completely vengeful.
It’s all about reclaiming her power and reshaping her identity that was tainted at the hands of others.
It’s dark and it's gripping, you can’t help but keep listening.
Lover (2019)
Cheesy Rom-Com, eg. 13 Going on 30
Lover is whimsical, it’s colourful, it’s wholesome, and it's absolutely drenched in idealistic romance.
It represents the truest form of love and the strongest emotional connections.
It explores all of the excitement that comes with falling in love: handwritten letters, self-made gifts, acts of service. It’s bubbly, a little awkward, but truly romantic.
Folklore (2020)
Indie drama, eg. Little Women
Folklore is artistic, it’s lyrical, melancholic literature. It’s incredibly atmospheric and introspective.
It has this deep sense of slow, meaningful storytelling that is just echoed completely throughout indie movies.
It’s one that really makes you consider the deeper connotations behind everything said and done.
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Evermore (2020)
Mystery, eg. The Secret Garden
Evermore basically acts as Folklore’s darker, colder twin sister. It has more of an eerie, gothic style to it.
It is emotionally layered with twisted mysteries that the audience desperately wants to unpack.
Midnights (2022)
Psychological drama, eg. Euphoria (I know it’s a TV show not a film but it’s just perfect!)
Fragmented confessions are sprinkled all throughout the Midnights album.
It taps into the listener's emotions, creating extreme tension but somehow managing to do it in the most stylish way possible.
Midnights truly is a psychological work of art.
The Tortured Poets Department (2024)
Tragedy, eg. Marriage Story
The Tortured Poets Department is centred around heartbreak, disillusionment, self-sabotage, and the total collapse of an identity once had.
It’s emotionally raw and truly poetic in a deeply melancholic way. It explores the breakdown of love in some of the most painful descriptions, leaving the listener with feelings of emptiness and quiet devastation.
With the soon approaching release of her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, I believe it’s about time Taylor gives us an album that radiates a lot more happiness.
We definitely deserve some upbeat feelings after the past few soul-destroying songs we’ve had to deal with.
She’s currently in her loved-up era once again with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, so let's hope he’s inspired some magical music that can give us the same feelings of those beautiful movie moments that leave us feeling all fuzzy inside.
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