Music Review: The Life of a Showgirl

Following the extremely successful Eras Tour, Taylor Swift released her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. I have had the pleasure of seeing the Eras Tour once, featuring a couple of songs from each album with the set, costumes, and choreography matching the essence of each album. The tour had a remarkable run of 21 months, spanning from March 17, 2023, to December 8, 2024, during which Swift performed 149 shows across five continents. Many fans were distraught to hear the news of the tour's closure, but this album offers hope for future live performances. The album features multiple upbeat songs, returning to her pop roots. The album's name is inspired by her life during the Eras Tour and throughout her time as a sensation. Her songwriting is filled with the ups and downs of the industry, with the pressure of the public eye contrasting with the love from her fans. But that is not all that the album has to offer. She also includes songs about defending friends, creating one's own happiness, and relationships. The song "Elizabeth Taylor" uses the iconic actress to exemplify the loneliness and scrutiny that come with fame, and how entertainers are often misunderstood by the public. By referencing Elizabeth Taylor, Swift is expressing how long this treatment has gone on for, while also depicting the tension between glamor and vulnerability. Lastly, track 10, named “Cancelled!”, discusses defending her friends from the public.