Taylor Allison Swift was born in 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Swift started playing guitar, writing songs, and singing at a young age. Her debut album was named Taylor Swift, which she dropped in 2006 at just 16, and included the famous singles “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “Tim McGraw,” which became a country radio hit that launched Swift’s fame. She began to gain a huge following after she dropped her next two albums Fearless and Speak Now. (Unfortunately, the only song she’s singing from Speak Now during her current Eras Tour is “Enchanted.”) These two albums feature heartbreak songs, upbeat feel-good melodies, and creative lyrics that are still popular to this date.

Next, Tay dropped her well-known album Red, which was her big departure from her country roots to the city girl era. Red included “We are Never Getting Back Together (WRNGBT),” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “Red.” This album is one of the main faces of Taylor Swift because “WRNGBT” became Swift’s first #1 Billboard Top 100 hit. Her next album was 1989 (the year she was born) with unforgettable hits like “ Wildest Dreams,” “Style,” “Blank Space”, and many more unique songs.

Despite her many successes, Swift has also faced her fair share of controversies over the decade. She is constantly criticized for her relationships, political statements, and her weight. In response to this, Taylor ushered in her Redemption Era by writing her Reputation album as a response to the media’s portrayal of her. She wanted to show that there was more to her than what the media was saying. The albums Lover, Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights (her newest) followed Reputation.

Swift is also in the process of re-recording all of her albums up until Lover because of powerhouse music manager Scooter Braun, who in 2019 sold Swift’s masters to another company for a reported $300 million. Swift is rerecording her music in order to regain rights over her own art.

All of these albums are beautifully and creatively performed on her “Eras Tour” which consists of the multiple “eras” she’s gone through over the years and the albums that go along with them. The sound on TikTok, “Omg, I LOVE your eras outfit” comes from Swift fans dressing up as their favorite “Era.” Unfortunately, Swift’s catalog is so deep she only has time to play a limited number of songs, but she has a surprise song or two every concert, with people hoping she will perform their personal favorite at the show they attend.

Stay tuned for Part II!