Swift speaks to many of us in ‘Speak Now’

Taylor Swift’s third album, Speak Now, is aptly named, seeing as Swift does just that, singing songs about everything from her love life to the incident with Kanye West at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. There are numerous “classic” Swift tracks, such as Mean and Better Than Revenge, where she takes shots at past boyfriends, but we also get to see a new side of Swift when she takes the blame in Back to December. Speak Now shows the transition of Swift from a teen queen to a more mature, adult songwriter.

Most of the tracks on Speak Now are love songs about fairytale romances or crushing heartbreaks, but she slows down on Innocent to achieve some closure from the Kanye West incident at the Sept. 13, 2009, MTV Video Music Awards. While Swift was accepting her Female Video of the Year trophy, West interjected, saying Beyoncé’s video deserved to win instead of Swift’s. In Innocent, Swift sings, “Time turns flames to embers, you’ll have new Septembers, every one of us has messed up, too,” essentially letting West know that she understands that everyone makes mistakes, and she has forgiven him.

In Back to December, Swift is the one looking for forgiveness, singing, “So this is me swallowing my pride standing in front of you saying I’m sorry for that night.” It is rumored to be about Swift’s relationship with Taylor Lautner, a relationship that she regrets ending, saying, “I go back to December turn around and make it all right … I go back to December turn around and change my own mind.”

Junior Lexi Fannin likes the new approach Swift takes on Speak Now. Fannin also  notices the maturity in Swift’s voice. “The songs are different than what she usually sings,” said Fannin. “I love it.”

Fannin’s favorite song, the title track Speak Now, has a very “fun and carefree” feeling to it, but also a sarcastic quality, comparing a bridesmaid’s dress to “a gown shaped like a pastry” and the wedding march to “a song that sounds like a death march.” It’s the little details such as these, that when combined with the bigger idea of Swift’s dream man leaving the wrong woman at the altar to be with Swift, puts together a relatable daydream for girls everywhere. “I like how Swift represents everybody. She says what everyone is feeling but too afraid to say,” said Fannin.

However, the Taylor Swift phenomenon isn’t for everyone. Junior Sophie Stockum isn’t a fan of her music. “I think she’s overrated,” Stockum said, “and she doesn’t live up to the hype.”

But Stockum can see how she’s gotten so popular. “She’s probably a sweet girl, and she has OK voice ,which is why I think so many people like her. But for the music industry, she’s completely mediocre,” said Stockum.

Obviously, I’m one of those people who like Swift. Actually, what I feel for Taylor Swift is probably better categorized as an obsession. I love that I can find a Swift song for almost any mood I’m in, especially with the new additions from Speak Now.

Senior Brandon Fannin, Lexi’s brother, agrees. “I’m never not in the mood for Taylor Swift.”

Yes, that’s right … men listen to Swift, too. “Swift’s music makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside,” said Brandon Fannin.

And I would just like to say to all those boys out there who have yet to embrace all that Swift has to offer: Give it a chance. I know everyone has moments after meeting someone new when they feel Enchanted, just like Swift does on track nine, “praying that this was the very first page not where the story line ends.”

Swift has come a long way from the cowboy boot-wearing country girl that she started as. She has matured vocally and lyrically and is beginning her journey into adulthood, a journey that I hope will lead to another album that so perfectly portrays and articulates the trials and tribulations facing those of us who can’t write lyrics or guitar chords to a song to save our lives.