Before I begin the review, I would like to preface a few points. I have been a Taylor Swift fan ever since I was little (I’d say around 8), and my favorite albums are Reputation and Midnights, with my favorite song ever being “You’re on Your Own, Kid.” I have seen Taylor Swift four times, twice on the Reputation Stadium Tour at Gillette Stadium and twice at the Eras Tour at Gillette Stadium. I have also had a couple of interactions with Taylor Swift’s management team (Taylor Nation) on both X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. I have also had one interaction with Taylor Swift herself on Tumblr. 

 Now for the actual review

I believe that this album is truly one of her best, although the media isn’t necessarily a big fan of it. I personally think that this album truly encapsulates her post-Eras tour era. If I were to give it a rating, I would obviously give it a 13/10. She told everyone that she was releasing a strict pop album, and she did just that. I think everyone was looking for the sad, mopey songs on this album, but considering it’s a strict pop album, I am not sure what everyone was expecting when it comes to the sad songs. I think that it is one hit after another with no songs that have a slow rhythm. If I were to compare this album to her other albums, I would say it’s Reputation, Midnights, and Lover’s more mature older sister. Let’s review the tracks! 

Track 1: The Fate of Ophelia

This track would fit right into the Lover album, in my opinion! The meaning behind this song is actually so romantic, and how Travis saved her from the “Fate of Ophelia.” Meaning that Ophelia goes crazy trying to please the men in her life, all the while Hamlet ends up killing her father (by accident), which ultimately leads to her drowning herself. In Taylor’s context, Travis saved her from the fate of being driven mad by love. I can see this winning best pop solo performance at the Grammys. For me, it’s on repeat constantly! 

Track 2: Elizabeth Taylor 

My favorite track, absolute banger, Taylor knew exactly what she was doing here. This track could totally slide into reputation, which may be the reason why I like it so much. But who is Elizabeth Taylor? Elizabeth Taylor started as a child star who ended up winning a 1961 Academy Award for Best Actress. Taylor also mentions that she relates herself a lot to Elizabeth Taylor, as in her day, Elizabeth was the biggest showgirl there was, but now, it’s Taylor Swift. But more importantly, Elizabeth Taylor got married eight times and got divorced seven times. During the song, Taylor seems to be asking Elizabeth, Do you think that this will last forever? In referring to her and Travis’s relationship. Between the beat drop, the lyrics, and the tune, this song truly has it all.

Track 3: Opalite 

This track is also catchy, and the meaning behind it is actually beautiful. Taylor mentioned how Travis’ birthstone is an opal and how an opalite is a man-made opal, just as love and happiness are made. This song could slide right into the Midnights or Lover album, I feel. This song has a great beat, and is so easy to dance to. This song definitely screams pop, and I think that it gives listeners a bouncy vibe. 

Track 4: Father Figure

This song is about Taylor and a music mentor she had growing up, but someone that can’t be named. This mentor mentioned how they would take care of the “protégé,” only asking for loyalty in return. For this song, she reached out to the George Michael team to get permission for the title of this song and to use some of the melody from the original song, for which they gave her full permission. This song does a great job of mentioning and almost dissing the relationship she had with this mentor and how, at the end of the day, it may all be about profit, which should not be the case. Taylor may be seen as the “father figure” because of the profit she is bringing in. 

Track 5: Eldest Daughter 

Ok, so this track… (not my favorite, who said that!). I feel like there was so much potential with this one. It is good, do not get me wrong, let’s get that straight, but considering it’s a track 5 (IYKYK), it could have been more melancholy and heavy. I just feel that the songwriting is not her best work. Does it have a good meaning? Yes! Do I understand what she is trying to say? Yes! But I don’t know, something is just off. I will say the more I listen to it, the more it grows on me, so who knows, ask me again in a month, and I may have a different answer, but as of right now, not my personal favorite. 

Track 6:  Ruin the Friendship 

Definitely has a nice beat, and I feel like on the first listen, I was like Wow, this is really good without understanding the full meaning. Now that I know the full meaning of this song, it gets even better and becomes more of a lesson for everyone listening to it. The lyrics are beautifully written, and many people don’t know that it is actually relatively sad. It is Taylor reminiscing on her high school years and a crush, with him unfortunately passing away. This song provides a lesson to all listeners being, take the chance and live life to the fullest with no regrets. 

Track 7: Actually Romantic

Ooo this one. Wow. Rumor has it this song is Taylor Swift clap backing to Charli XCX and the song she wrote about Taylor called “Everything is Romantic”. Charli XCX and Taylor Swift were actually friends, and even so Charli XCX opened up for Taylor on the reputation stadium tour. Charli XCX however, ruined that one by talking bad about Taylor behind her back, and ultimately she found out. This song is definitely one of my favorite songs but I will say it wasn’t at first but it has grown on me quite a bit. I do agree with the concept of the song and that being when people may dislike you so much they can’t stop talking about you, it is actually romantic. 

Track 8: Wi$h Li$T

This track is honestly so cute and I think the title gives rap and main character energy. However, this is somewhat the case but I wouldn’t say completely. The song gives cute and bouncy energy and the meaning behind the song is even cuter, it’s everything that Taylor wishes for in a man and for her future, such as her best friend and a house with a basketball hoop. This song is adorable and definitely on repeat! 

Track 9: Wood

She isn’t knocking on wood anymore for a good man, because she’s found one! This song has very high energy.

Track 10: CANCELLED! 

I feel that this song goes hand and hand with her reputation era and would have been a great asset to reputation, maybe this song was considered a vault track? The world may never know! I also feel like this song and Elizabeth Taylor have the same energy too. One of my favs!

Track 11: Honey

Talk about a cute, bouncy love song! This song is truly it! When I was watching interviews, she was doing about this album, and when the interviewer asked her a question about this song, her face lit up, which just goes to show how proud of this song she is! I also feel like this is a life lesson for listeners, being that things can change and connotations of words can change depending on the context!

Track 12:  The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) 

Chef’s kiss on this one. Immaculate. Great song! When I saw that they were doing a collaboration together, I knew it was going to be great, and boy, it is. This is a perfect song to complete the album! When I first listened to the song, it sounded so much like a broadway/musical theatre song, and I think they may have done this on purpose to show that back in the day, the “Showgirls” were the ones on the stage giving performances. 

Thank you all for reading! Remember to stream The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift!