20 Taylor Swift Songs That, Surprise, Aren't About Boys
Start writing a post
Entertainment

20 Taylor Swift Songs That, Surprise, Aren't About Boys

She is so much more than a few breakup songs.

8048
20 Taylor Swift Songs That, Surprise, Aren't About Boys
PlayBuzz

Last week, the news broke that Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris had split. While this isn't life-changing news, it did give many news outlets and people all across social media to play another round of "Let's Make Fun of Taylor Swift." It really feels like she can't get a break. She does write songs about ex-boyfriends and that has earned her a reputation, but she's hardly the first songwriter to take inspiration from relationships. In fact, look at any male singer or group's tracklist, and chances are, most if not all of their songs will be about a girl. Maybe Taylor Swift gets a bad rap because she's more open about it, but it's also hard to ignore the insidious sexism that permeates most conversations about her.

She's sold over 40 millions albums and won ten Grammy awards, among many other awards and nominations. She is the youngest person to win Album of the Year, and is the only woman to win in this category more than once. It's time to stop pretending her only claim to fame are break up songs. Her music spans across five albums and several unreleased songs and singles, and a majority of them are actually not about relationships at all.

1. "Blank Space," 1989

Rolling Stone

Though it describes a relationship and the eventual breakup, "Blank Space" actually is not about a specific person. Instead, it's a satirical take on the image the media has created of her, and does not represent who she actually is.

2." The Lucky One," Red

She wrote this showstopper based off her experiences and the lives of other famous country stars.

3. "Innocent," Speak Now

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F06%2F04%2F636006457183080045-224399463_images%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQavMB11EVZEJKyGGaE7fjfoxiYagQRz8M4vepqPhPbUmI970VH&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=230&h=314918b38bca0c50241f5a6145d26b938f0ab374bb0abbdd7cd432b02a0303de&size=980x&c=3742469608 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F06%252F04%252F636006457183080045-224399463_images%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQavMB11EVZEJKyGGaE7fjfoxiYagQRz8M4vepqPhPbUmI970VH%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D230%26h%3D314918b38bca0c50241f5a6145d26b938f0ab374bb0abbdd7cd432b02a0303de%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3742469608%22%7D" expand=1 original_size="1x1"]

Taylor wrote this song in response to Kanye West's infamous interruption of her acceptance speech at the VMAs in 2009. Instead of being angry, she wrote this song about forgiveness. "Life is full of little interruptions," read the lyrics' secret message.

4. "Mean," Speak Now

This song was written in response to a critic, and has become an anthem against bullying.

5. "A Place In This World," Taylor Swift

This song is from her first, self-titled album, and describes her struggle to find acceptance, which she eventually found through music.

6. "The Best Day," Fearless

This song is about her family, her mother Andrea in particular.

7. "Eyes Open" and "Safe & Sound," The Hunger Games Soundtrack

Both of these were written for the first movie in The Hunger Games series. "Safe & Sound" was written with The Civil Wars and won a Grammy.

8. "Ronan"

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F06%2F04%2F636006480964722223-167187205_220px-Taylor_Swift_%2522Ronan%2522_SVG_Cover.svg.png&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=421&h=c307ccbe39a41f35da68d819e07298de35f1d188447631ca71a5c89563cc9fb1&size=980x&c=1583619739 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F06%252F04%252F636006480964722223-167187205_220px-Taylor_Swift_%252522Ronan%252522_SVG_Cover.svg.png%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D421%26h%3Dc307ccbe39a41f35da68d819e07298de35f1d188447631ca71a5c89563cc9fb1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1583619739%22%7D" expand=1 original_size="1x1"]

This song was written for four year old Ronan Thompson, who died from cancer in 2011. She used quotes from his mother Maya's blog, and has only performed it live twice, once at the Stand Up To Cancer event in September 2012, and again during the 1989 World Tour in Glendale, Arizona, where Maya Thompson was present. All the sales from this song go towards cancer charities.

9. "Welcome To New York," 1989

The opening track off her latest album, this song is about the singer's move to New York and how beneficial it was for her.

10. "22," Red

This song is about having fun with her friends and being carefree.

11. "Shake It Off," 1989

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F06%2F04%2F636006502539162003773674711_tumblr_inline_naiw66eK6Z1rssoy1.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=55&h=f6f323c3adc9e6a5bebae6e4d358f0f83c63f57e86118e9d2776f343f01ff26a&size=980x&c=3673960247 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F06%252F04%252F636006502539162003773674711_tumblr_inline_naiw66eK6Z1rssoy1.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D55%26h%3Df6f323c3adc9e6a5bebae6e4d358f0f83c63f57e86118e9d2776f343f01ff26a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3673960247%22%7D" expand=1]

This was the first single released from "1989," and is about ignoring all the negative people in your life and doing your own thing.

12. "Long Live," Speak Now

She wrote this song about her band and her fans who have stuck by her. She said she was inspired by the fans cheering during the Fearless tour and the support they have given her.

13. "Never Grow Up," Speak Now

This song describes her fears of moving out on her own and adulthood, fears we all have. Now she dedicates it to her godson, Leo (model Jaime King's son).

14. "Tied Together With A Smile," Taylor Swift

She dedicated this song to her childhood friend who struggled with bulimia.

15. "Didn't They," Unreleased

YouTube

This is an unreleased track that Taylor wrote in response to the 9/11 tragedy.

16. "New Romantics," 1989

Ultimate Music

This is another song written for her friends and for her fans.

17. "Fifteen," Fearless


This song was inspired by her high school experience and her friend Abigail Anderson, who is mentioned in the song.

18. "Clean," 1989


This song is written about getting through a dark time. Before she performed this song on the 1989 World Tour, Taylor spoke candidly to fans about lessons she's learned and how much she loves her fans and how strong they are.

19. "Change," Fearless


This is a hopeful song about the future and her hope for her generation.

20. "Starlight," Red

Finally, Starlight was written about Ethel and Robert Kennedy. Taylor dated Connor Kennedy a few years ago, and wrote this song based on his grandparents' relationship.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain

Michigan rain vs. California rain (at Calvin College).

95
Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain
ifunny

SO, I've just recently had the fortunate experience to be reminded just how Michigan rains. Now, before you roll your eyes at me, I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAIN (in regards of the the popular joke that Californians haven't). However, I have to agree; after experiencing one of Michigan's thunderstorms (with my college's sirens blaring in the background), it comes to mind just how different "rain" is between the two states:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

3291
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

23267
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

9006
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

9773
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments