Suffocating, Christopher Miniucci……………………………………………………………280 Swiftie, Abbie Elsie

Swiftie

Abbie Elsie

The term “swiftie” will be defined differently depending on who you ask. In lament terms, the word is defined as someone who is a fan of Taylor Swift. As a swiftie myself, I feel as though the meaning of the word runs more deeply than this. The assumption made by outsiders, is that a swiftie is someone who is obsessed with Taylor Swift, to the point of creating social media accounts, and analyzing her every move in depth. Although this can be true, the term swiftie is something that people can identify with and connect to. It means being a part of a fanbase, and therefore a community made up of other swifties, all of whom find comfort and solace in Taylor Swift and her music. The term comes from Taylor’s surname, Swift, and was created around the time in the early 2000s when fanbases were becoming more popular, and fans were naming themselves based on their favourite celebrities, books, and tv couples. Although I was able to find the exact date it gained popularity, “swiftie” has been around as long as Taylor Swift has been realizing music, which was since the year 2006. Being a swiftie is something that millions of people identify with around the world. Due to this, we are able to understand the experiences of young people based off of their appreciation for Taylor Swift and her music. One of the main reason Taylor Swift possess such a large fanbase is because of her unique storytelling and lyricism. She’s also released albums under multiple genres, likely having something for everyone’s taste. Within the swiftie community, you can understand a lot about a person based off of their favourite song. People have grown up with Taylor. She writes about experiences and stories that people can connect to because they cannot put the feeling into words themselves. When I think of the concept of having personal connection with a song, I think of the Inside Lives readings we discussed in class. I see Taylor Swift and her music as a container for her fans. Similar to how a mother can contain her child’s

emotions and makes sense of them for them, Taylor Swift exhibits this in her song writing. She writes about her own experiences, as well as creates new stories in her songs, all of which her fans see themselves reflected in. She makes sense of our emotions and thoughts, and words them in a way that not only makes sense, but makes you feel understood and less out of place. I have heard stories of fan’s explaining that Taylor Swift saved their life, solely because they found her songs to resonate so deeply with them that they felt like they belonged. Taylor Swift writes for those experiencing heartbreak, who have been in love, who are struggling in the working world, and more. Being a swiftie is about more than being a fan of Taylor Swift. It is about finding a place in a community where you are understood and not judged for who you are. This is incredibly important when it comes to youth and their well-being because every teen needs a safe space where they are allowed to feel vulnerable and not alone. Swiftie’s take a lot of pride in being such dedicated fans, and as one myself, I can say that it is a community where I feel appreciated and accepted for who I am. Academic Source:

1. Inside Lives Chapter’s 3, 5 & 7: Waddell, Margot. (2002). Inside Lives: Psychoanalysis and the Growth of the Personality (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429475979

2. An article that demonstrates how Taylor Swift’s music can have an emotional effect: Volpe, Mila. “Music’s Powers: Embodiment & Flourishing with Taylor Swift.” Contemporary

Music Review, vol. 40, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 60–77, doi:10.1080/07494467.2021.1945228

Non-Academic Source:

1. Urban Dictionary’s definition of “Swiftie”: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Swiftie

2. An explanation behind the song Mirrorball by Taylor Swift: https://www.tiktok.com/@velsjournal/video/7137139043686452507?is_from_webapp=1&sende r_device=pc&web_id=7162983325756769797

3. A swiftie connecting to the song Nothing New by Taylor Swift: https://www.tiktok.com/@sadyoungadult/video/7040193157723770118?is_from_webapp=1&se nder_device=pc&web_id=7162983325756769797

4. This is Me Trying by Taylor Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bdLTPNrlEg