casperoa@lopers.unk.edu

Who knew writing songs about awful breakups, revenge and love could have such a powerful influence on our society? For as long as I can remember Taylor Swift has been my go-to heartbreak and “OMG I love him so much” songs since I was a 4th grader with my first iPod.  

When Taylor’s “Fearless” album was released in 2008, I was only 7-years-old. However, when I started listening to her music, I was about 10-years-old. When I was 12-years-old I went and saw her “Red” album in concert and it has been a core memory ever since. 

Just like her song, “Fifteen,” Taylor tells her young teenage audience that we aren’t supposed to know who we are yet. Throughout the rest of my teenage years, she continued to release music. She was teaching me, in my head, how to love… kind of, as much as a 15-year-old freshman can be in love. 

Taylor has stayed relevant in our generation, at least for me, for 11 years and more to come. She dropped a huge bomb on her fans when she re-released her “Fearless” album and added “Taylor’s Version” to the name. 

This was absolutely INSANE for me. Last year, when this was released, I was in a completely different stage in life compared to when I first started listening to her “Fearless” album. This re-release showed her fans and me how far in life we have come and shot me into a nostalgic moment listening to those songs again. 

Taylor then dropped another bomb on her fans and me when she announced she is releasing another new album on Oct. 21, called “Midnight,” with a total of 13 songs. I CANNOT wait! 

Although I am much younger than her, I feel like I have watched her grow, and she has been there for me as I grew up as well. Taylor has taught me to be “Fearless,” to “Speak Now” and to live “Red,” so thanks Taylor.