While it is true that Taylor Swift writes amazing breakup anthems (“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” anyone?) as well as heartfelt love ballads, not all of her songs are about romantic relationships. In fact, many of Taylor’s best-known songs have nothing to do with a love interest. Instead, they’re about self-confidence and girl power. It’s time we recognize Taylor for her empowering songs that aren’t about a guy. Here are our favorites:
1. “Shake It Off”
“Shake It Off” is Taylor’s response to her haters, and we have to say, the catchy tune is pretty inspiring. “I’ve learned a pretty tough lesson that people can say whatever they want about us at any time, and we cannot control that,” Taylor said before premiering the song. “The only thing we can control is our reaction to that.” Have truer words ever been spoken?
2. “Welcome to New York”
“Welcome to New York” is all about following your heart and achieving your dreams. The line, “And you can want who you want/Boys and boys and girls and girls” shows Taylor’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, she is donating all of the proceeds from the single to the NYC Department of Education. Now that’s empowering.
3. “22”
“22” is the perfect song for a girls’ night out. It’s fun, upbeat, and sassy, and it encourages girl power. Taylor dedicated the track to her close friends Dianna Agron and Selena Gomez, because who needs a SO when you’re busy having fun with your besties? Taylor talked to Billboard about being 22, saying, “I like all the possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. You still know nothing, but you know that you know nothing. You're old enough to start planning your life, but you're young enough to know there are so many unanswered questions.”
4. “New Romantics”
In a similar fashion to that of “Shake It Off,” “New Romantics” addresses the criticism aimed at Taylor and her fans. It also references the pop culture movement known as New Romanticism. In the song, she puts a positive spin on teenage heartbreak. Taylor sings, “We are too busy dancing/To get knocked off our feet.” We couldn’t agree more.
5. “Mean”
Before “Shake It Off,” there was “Mean.” This song is Taylor’s original answer to those critics who doubted her. In a video preview, Taylor explained: “There’s constructive criticism, there’s professional criticism, and then there’s just being mean. And there’s a line that you cross when you just start to attack everything about a person… And dealing with that is all that you can control, how you handle it. This song is about how I handle it.” The track aims to prevent bullying, and it encourages self-empowerment.
6. “Long Live”
“Long Live” is a triumphant song about the importance of cherishing meaningful moments. It’s about making memories, and it’s also about being remembered. The song is applicable to many significant events in a collegiette’s life, from homecoming to graduation.
7. “Change”
Taylor wrote “Change” about her dreams of success, despite the fact that she was signed to the smallest record label in Nashville. And just look where she is now! Things definitely did change for Taylor. The song was later chosen as a 2008 Summer Olympics theme, and Taylor donated all proceeds to the United States Olympic team.
Taylor Swift: empowering collegiettes everywhere.