Since Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” dropped on Oct. 3, there has been much discourse online. This album has perhaps divided the swifties –– one side professing their love toward the album and the other half feeling unsure. For those who may need a little help diving into this album and hearing Swift’s messages, here is your unofficial listening guide.
The Album’s First Three Songs
Upon my first listen, I really loved Swift’s first track, “The Fate of Ophelia.” Listening to this upbeat first song was reminiscent of “reputation”’s “End Game” –– the second song on the album, but the first non-single. I had the same sense of thrill that I had during “reputation”’s release in 2017. The beat in “The Fate of Ophelia” along with Swift’s reference to William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” create a more intellectual pop song –– that perhaps needs a bit of research.
The character Ophelia’s actual fate is drowning in a brook after a spiral into madness. Perhaps Swift is referring to her life prior to meeting her fiance, Travis Kelce. Between her two break ups in 2023 (Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy) and dedicating her life to The Eras Tour for two years, Swift experienced a lot emotionally. Maybe this spiral into madness was what her last album, “The Tortured Poets Department” was documenting.
She is also blending together Shakespearean images and language with 2020s slang, according to “The Fate of Ophelia – Track by Track” by Swift. This connects Ophelia’s tragedy with modern heartbreak –– but also that love saved Swift from this fate.
Next, we have “Elizabeth Taylor.” Rhythmically, this song has a slow beat that really breaks during the chorus when Swift sings, “I’d cry my eyes violet/ Elizabeth Taylor.” The chorus is catchy, while still having a deeper meaning. Swift is comparing her life to Elizabeth Taylor’s, an actress during the mid 1900s. Taylor’s life was open to the public, as is Swift’s today. She explains in this song that both of their lives have been manipulated by public and media perception.
Then, we have “Opalite,” another catchy song. I really love this song because it’s about making “man-made” happiness. In Swift’s interview on “Capital Breakfast,” she explains that opalite is man-made opal, which is a colorful gemstone. Therefore, this song is telling listeners that you can create your own happiness and that it’s not just necessarily in the universe’s hands.
“Father Figure”
This song makes me want to wear a tie and pretend I like dark liquor. “Father Figure” is discussing the concept that Swift is the ruler of the pop industry. In my opinion, she is playing into the public’s perception that she is the one to grant these up-and-coming artists the key to the “pop city.” Moreover, she pokes fun at this notion that she covers up scandals and makes deals with important people in the industry.
Many users on social media have speculated that this song is about Swift’s influence on Olivia Rodrigo, and how they don’t work together or speak about each other anymore. But, I believe this song is more about what the media thinks happened than what really transpired between the two.
A Classic Track 5, “Eldest Daughter”
Now stick with me here people –– I know. This song was definitely not my favorite during my first listen. But, I feel like I’ve been able to find this song’s purpose and meaning, at least from my perspective. Yes, Swift does use the words “memes” and “hot-take” in the first verse. But overall, she is explaining the cruelty of social media in 2025. And as much as people think that she doesn’t see the things that are written about her, she does.
The lyric, “I’ve been dying just from trying to seem cool,” is very raw and honest, and something I can definitely relate to as an eldest daughter. Swift is explaining this in terms of the public’s perception, but I also think that the eldest daughter in the family feels this way, too. The eldest daughter is the big sister, the one who tries things first, the one who is supposed to be an example to their younger siblings. They inherently carry this load on their backs to be the impressive one –– the one everyone is in awe of. The one who is supposed to be “cool.”
The second verse is probably my favorite part. This image of being on a trampoline as a child with your friends giggling is so nostalgic. Then we get to that bridge. I mean, it makes me emotional just listening to the way she sings it. I really love her use of the word “timelapse” in the bridge, as she reflects.
So, I implore you to try listening to “Eldest Daughter” again, and try to see these connections.
Tracks 6 Through 11
These songs are the epitome of pop with a deeper meaning. That is something I have always loved about Swift –– she knows how to write a catchy song that is nuanced at the same time. Sometimes I feel bored of pop songs these days, with their simplistic meanings. Yes, while they are catchy, so many of them are just about boys and breakups.
But, Swift wrote a song about her biggest hater actually just being obsessed with her. She wrote a song about not having to rely on luck and superstitions anymore. And she wrote a song about being called honey passive aggressively and then meeting someone who changed the word’s connotation.
So you can dislike some songs on this album, but you definitely can’t call it boring.
“The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)”
I won’t lie, I was worried that this song would be similar to “Snow On The Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey)” –– when we could barely hear Del Rey in the background. But thank god, we got a true duet between Swift and Carpenter.
This is such a lovely song that illustrates the pros and cons of being a pop star. This was such a perfect song to end on –– its catchy, its detailed, and tells the story of Swift and Carpenter’s start.
So, what did you think of Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl”? What song particularly resonated with you? Let me know by emailing me at gingerlyons23@gmail.com 🙂
Educated Guesses 