What dads need to know to bond with their kids over Taylor Swift

Is your kid a diehard Taylor Swift fan? From her music and style to relationships and philanthropy, here’s everything you need to know about the megastar.

Melbourne is in a Taylor Swift frenzy as the megastar heads down under later this month, and your household may be no exception.

From her music and style to relationships and philanthropy, here’s everything you need to know about the country turned pop star.

Who is Taylor Swift?

Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter. The 34-year-old began writing songs at the age of 14.

Swift is one of the world’s best-selling musicians with more than 200 million records sold over her career. She also holds the crown as the first billionaire with music as the main source of income.

Swift is the most-streamed woman on Spotify and Apple Music and was named the 2023 Time’s Person of the Year.

Swift is one of the world’s best-selling musicians. Picture: Getty Images

The Eras Tour and its accompanying concert film became the highest-grossing tour and concert film of all time.

She has won countless awards including 13 Grammys, a Primetime Emmy Award, 40 American Music Awards, 40 Billboard Music Awards and 23 MTV Video Music Awards.

Where is Taylor Swift from?

Swift was born in 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvania.

Her father is a former stockbroker and her mother was a stay-at-home mum.

The pop star’s younger brother, Austin, is an actor.

She is of German, Scottish and Italian descent.

The songs you need to know

Swift first signed with Big Machine Records in 2005.

Swift released six albums under the label – Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), Reputation (2017).

The first four albums explored country pop, some infused with rock influences and electronic elements. Her most popular songs from these albums include ‘Love Story’, ‘You Belong with Me’, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ and ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’.

Swift moved away from her country image in the albums 1989 – a synth-pop album – and Reputation – a hip-hop influenced album. Chart-topping songs included ‘Blank Space’, ‘Shake It Off’, ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Look What You Made Me Do’.

Swift first signed with Big Machine Records in 2005. Picture: Getty Images

Swift then signed with Republic Records in 2018 and released albums Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020) and Midnights (2022). Popular songs from these albums include ‘Anti-Hero’, ‘Cruel Summer’, ‘You Need to Calm Down’ and ‘Lavender Haze’.

What are ‘Swifties’?

‘Swifties’ refers to the devoted fanbase of Taylor Swift.

They mostly consist of young people, but also adults as well who love her music and personality.

Swifties follow the star’s every move and analyse her lyrics and videos for hidden messages, referred to as “Easter eggs” by fans.

They also staunchly defend her from any hate or criticism and are very active on social media, including on Tik Tok, Twitter and Instagram.

The word Swiftie(s) was officially added to the Oxford Dictionary last year.

Swifties follow the star’s every move. Picture: Jason Edwards

What the Swizzle is an Era?

Swift has released a stellar line-up of award-winning albums – 10 in total, not including her re-records.

She is known to “reinvent” herself by changing up her hairstyle, outfit and aesthetic with each new album release, beginning with the frizzy curls of young Tay Tay to the 70s-inspired, shimmery aesthetic of Midnights.

These phases are what Swifties dub the popstar’s “eras”, each easily recognisable to the keen eye of a fan just by its colour palette. Most tour-goers are opting to recreate just one era in their concert look.

What does TV mean?

Remember we mentioned re-records? Swift does not own the masters of her first six albums since leaving record label Big Machine Records after owner Scott Borchetta sold the rights to Swift’s enemy Scooter Braun.

But friend Kelly Clarkson suggested Swift should re-record her old albums with brand new art and incentives so that fans wouldn’t purchase the now called “stolen versions”.

Swift has done exactly that, with every old song she re-records and releases getting a fresh “(Taylor’s Version)” stamp next to it, so fans know she owns the song.

So far, she has re-recorded Fearless, Red, Speak Now and 1989, with all that’s left to claim back from her ex-label her reputation and her name.

With every Taylor’s Version record, Swift releases numerous “vault tracks” – intended for the original albums but didn’t make the cut.

Why are people obsessed with Taylor Swift?

As one of the most successful and influential artists of all time, Swift’s popularity stems from her ability to storytell and connect with fans.

Swift is considered a good role model for young fans. Picture: David Caird

Her songs are relatable, personal and honest, including ‘Speak Now’, which is about crashing weddings, ‘Bad Blood’, which speaks to friendships breaking down and ‘Betty’, a song about a teenage love triangle.

The megastar interacts with her fans, particularly by leaving them with “Easter eggs” mystery to solve and encouraging them to speculate about her next project.

Why Taylor Swift is a good role model?

Swift is considered a good role model for young fans as her main message in songs is to be confident, proud and expressive.

She also teaches them to be resilient. Swift herself has faced various setbacks in her career and personal life including sexism, bullying, lawsuits and breakups.

She also supports various causes and charities that help people in need.

To name just a few, during the pandemic Swift donated to the World Health Organisation and Feeding America and supported independent record stores.

Swift donated to food banks at every stop of the Eras Tour last year and directly employed local businesses throughout the tour. She gave $55m in bonus payments to her entire crew.

In 2020 and 2023, Swift donated $1m for Tennessee tornado relief.

She is a staunch activist for LGBTIQ+ rights, equality and gun control reform in the United States.