What Poets Can Learn from Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is one of the most iconic, versatile, and bold artists of our time. The musician’s vulnerability, determination, honesty, and creativity have garnered her both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Whether performing a pop anthem or telling a timeless, flawlessly written heartbreak story, Taylor remains true to her voice and vision. Ultimately, she’s a skilled writer dedicated to her craft—a poet in her own right—which is why poets should consider following her journey (universities have even created courses that study her songwriting). From her use of literary devices to her authenticity, here’s what poets can learn from Taylor Swift.
Use of literary devices and creative storytelling
Throughout her discography, Swift has often employed literary devices to tell a story or convey the complexities of a specific emotion, skills poets can apply to their own writing.
Her most recent albums in particular, such as folklore, evermore, and The Tortured Poets Department, include metaphors and descriptive imagery, which create detailed scenes that immediately captivate the listener. Additionally, her signature use of rhyme and creative word choice add depth to her writing. Furthermore, poets who wish to expand their craft by incorporating narrative can learn much from Taylor’s storytelling songs. A song like “no body no crime”, for example, demonstrates how a writer can tell an entire complex story from beginning to end in a short format.
Turns pain into art
From pushback for experimenting with genres, to harsh media criticism, to losing her masters, and other personal struggles, Taylor channels her pain into her art. She embraces her flaws and applies her individual experiences to universal ones, particularly evident throughout several of her songs, in tracks like “my tears ricochet” and “it’s time to go”, for example.
Aspiring and established poets alike can find endless inspiration from this. Sharing one’s authentic self and experiences and embracing vulnerability and honesty in one’s poetry helps the writer heal while resonating with others.
Unafraid to experiment and innovate
During her career, Taylor has moved throughout different genres, experimenting with country, pop, indie folk, and alternative pop sounds. Even her eras tour, which includes songs from her eleven studio albums, is a unique, innovative exploration of her career thus far.
She follows her creativity, a lesson poets can apply to their own work by experimenting with different forms and mediums to tell their stories.
Incorporates social commentary into her work
Throughout literary history, some of the most widely beloved writers have made social justice statements in their art, helping advance change by shifting opinions and perspectives, and Taylor is no different.
Taylor has incorporated social commentary into her work, specifically regarding sexism and gender issues, most notably in pop songs like “You Need to Calm Down” and “The Man”, or more poetic tracks like “mad woman” and “The Albatross”. Poets can find encouragement and strength from this approach—using one’s voice to help create change will build a better, more inclusive world.
Builds community
Through her authenticity and generosity, Taylor Swift has grown a wide-reaching fan base. She has engaged with fans by posting on social media to promote her work, directly commenting on fan posts, and responding to fan theories. She’s even brought the internet into the real world by hosting album events with fan guests chosen through social media, most memorably during her home gatherings.
Creating community, specifically through social media, is essential to building one’s poetry career. Poets can take inspiration from Taylor’s strategies by regularly communicating with followers, which can help expand one’s audience.
We hope this list helps you to consider how Taylor, and artists in general, can inspire your poetry. For even more poetry and music inspiration, check out our many album pairings.
