Write like Taylor Swift
Love her or hate her, Taylor Swift is a great writer. There is no question about that. Her ability to weave complicated narratives into catchy pop tunes has sparked discussions in both music and literary circles.
Swift was born in 1989 in Pennsylvania and has evolved from a country music star to a global pop sensation. According to Bloomberg, as of April 2024, Swift's net worth is estimated to be a staggering $1.1 billion.
I'm not a big fan of her songs; the music is just too poppy for my taste, but the lyrics, oh, the lyrics, are so good.
For example, check out these two lines from her new song, I can do it with a broken heart, from her album The Tortured Poets Department. (How cool is this album title?)
"I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art
You know you're good when you can even do it
With a broken heart"
I wonder whether productivity expert Ali Abdaal agrees that you can still be productive with a broken heart.
In the video below, Writing expert David Perell analyzed Taylor Swift’s writing and realized that she follows the classic three-act structure driven by five specific plot points, which is the secret ingredient to the song that made Taylor famous, You belong with me” song that to this day, is one of the most successful pop songs of all time.
The traditional three-act structure includes the following parts:
Act I – Setup: This act introduces the exposition, the inciting incident, and the first plot point, setting the stage for the narrative.
Act II—Confrontation: This act is characterized by rising action. It reaches a midpoint climax, followed by a second crucial plot point that intensifies the conflict.
Act III – Resolution: The narrative builds to a pre-climax, reaches its zenith in the climax, and concludes with a satisfying resolution.
This structured approach to storytelling is evident in her music, perhaps why her songs resonate so deeply with a wide audience.
Perell is not the only fan of Swift; others, like Shapkspear scholar Jonathan Bategush, gush about her lyrics
In this piece, Bate admits to being a "Swiftie" after attending a Taylor Swift concert. He's impressed by her energy, charisma, and the sheer number of songs she performs. While initially skeptical of her pop music background, he finds her lyrics clever and insightful, referencing her song Love Story as an example. He compares her use of the balcony scene to how Shakespeare's work has been adapted over time.
He also discusses his own teenage daughter's love for Taylor Swift and how her music served as a teaching tool for Shakespearean references. He acknowledges a shift in his own taste, admitting he wasn't a fan of her earlier work but found the Folklore album intriguing. This album, he discovers, contains references to the Romantic poets and even Ernest Hemingway, showcasing her literary depth.
P.S. Taylor has a new song called Manuscript. As a writer, how can you not love Taylor Swift?
What’s your favorite Taylor Swift song?
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