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When asked what artist has defined the past decade of pop, only one name
comes to mind, in giant 100-point, bold-font orange glitter. Taylor Swift. She has
set the pop world on fire since her shift from country pop to mainstream pop with
the release of 1989 in 2014. I had the chance to see her live on the 1989 Tour
and again for the Eras Tour, both in Nashville. There isn’t another show like
Swift’s. The artistry, the production, the music, the fans. It’s an experience I will
never forget. And to perform for three hours, in the pouring rain? Now that’s
dedication.

Swift has reinvented her sound and image with each era. While staying in the
pop lane her songs are often infused with different elements from other genres.
After losing the rights to her music, Swift took it upon herself to re-release her
entire catalog for fans, calling them “Taylor’s Version”. Her remake of 1989 sold
over two million copies, which is even more than the original release. Swift’s
music has a strong storytelling aspect to it that is authentic, drawing people in.

Her fans span across multiple generations, with almost as many male fans as
female. In all my years working in the industry, I have never encountered an
artist with such a dedicated fanbase. They continue to grow with her, multiplying
with every chapter. Swift has been called a marketing mastermind, known for
hiding “Easter Eggs” in music videos and posts, hinting at future projects. With
the release of The Life of a Showgirl, major brands embraced the new era, taking
to social media to post their logos in glittery orange and green.

Swift is a great role model for kids, sharing a special connection with them.
Giving out the 22 hat at each stop on the Eras tour was the sweetest thing to
watch on social media. Her contributions to charity and visits to children’s
hospitals are heartwarming to see.

In July Madame Tussauds unveiled 13 new Taylor Swift wax figures (one for
each era) in locations across the country. Nashville has the Evermore figure, and
Swifties come from all over the world to see her.

The influence doesn’t stop there. She’s had record-breaking sales for 1989,
Midnights, and The Life of a Showgirl. The Life of a Showgirl has become the
second biggest in first-week sales in U.S. history (2.7 million plus on the first
day). The Eras Tour is the highest-grossing tour ever (over $1 billion).
Need futher proof? The American Music Awards awarded Taylor Swift Artist of
the Decade back in 2019. The sky is the limit for Swift as we are “dancing
through the lightning strikes” she keeps throwing down.