There are only a few albums that motivate me to get up earlier to run before the sun’s up, sneaking in exercise before an early meeting. Okay, there’s only one artist I do this for. I’m not a “music person” but I have always been a Taylor Swift person. No shame, no hate, she is the soundtrack of my youth and somehow still of my present. Her new album Lover dropped today and it’s been making my day. I listened to the album for the first time running on the greenbelt and I have been so easily happy all day, playing the new music on repeat, soaking up Taylor’s in-love lyrical magic.
Taylor forecasts my future. She’s two years older and the timing of her albums means she’s usually writing the songs when she’s my age. Her song “Fifteen” came out right before I turned fifteen. Her song “22” released just in time to be the anthem of my twenty-second year. While I didn’t identify as much with her most recent album Reputation, I am connecting effortlessly with her music today.
She’s happy, I’m happy, there’s some lyrics that cut just right reminding me of the old Taylor.
When I clean the house, I listen to Taylor Swift on shuffle. When I need to pump up I listen to Taylor Swift. When I need to cry I go to her too. I swear I listen to other music too, but not with the same permanence or emotion.
I don’t really like concerts, don’t think about them much, but I would see Taylor if I had the chance. I hope to with this album.
I’ll never find another like you, Taylor. Thanks.
With Love,
Natalie