REVIEW
TAYLOR SWIFT AND GENDER IDENTITY
Ana Paula Priego Guarneros
It is no secret that Taylor Swift has covered a wide variety of topics in her discography. With a career that spans 10 original albums and over 16 years, there's a handful of unforgettable hits that cover every topic under the sun. In this article, we’re focusing on, and ranking, songs of hers that describe gender identity or the perception of men and women.
5. mad woman - (2020)
To start off this list, we’re covering “mad woman” from Swift’s eighth album, folklore. In this song, Swift sings about how scheming and continuous abuse of a woman has left her “mad”. The song mentions how people will continuously try to bring women down and when the moment comes and that woman decides to defend herself or fire back, society deems her crazy and unprofessional. This song is one of many of Swift’s that covers gender bias.
4. no body, no crime (feat. HAIM) - (2020)
Our next on the list is “no body, no crime” featuring the girl trio, HAIM. This song, from Swift’s 9th studio album, narrates the story of how a woman’s suspicions of her husband being unfaithful to her led to her disappearance. After her disappearance, her husband suffers no consequences, which is why her best friend decides to take matters into her own hands and impart justice. In this tragic yet inspiring tale, we see a reflection of our society, in which cases of aggression/abuse directed at women get pushed under the rug.
In this tragic yet inspiring tale, we see a reflection of our society, in which cases of aggression/abuse directed at women get pushed under the rug.
3. the last great american dynasty - (2020)
Our number three on this list is no other than “the last great american dynasty”. In this track off of folklore, Swift talks about Rebekah Harkness, the woman that used to own Swift’s now home. The song talks of the gossip and criticism that surround Harkness as a result of her lavish and promiscuous lifestyle. And how that judgment that surrounded Harkness is similar to the scrutiny Swift herself faces.
2. The Man - (2019)
At number 2, we have “The Man”. In this song, Swift fantasizes about what her life would be like if she identified as a man. The song shines a light on gender biases mentioning behaviors that are seen as unappealing in women, which are then praised when carried out by men. The song is a catchy and upbeat way to highlight this gender inequality.
1. Blank Space - (2014)
With over 930 million streams on Spotify, it’s no wonder that “Blank Space” is at the top of this list. In this song, Swift creates a clever storyline based on the image that tabloids attached to her, of her being a “serial dater”. Swift managed to create a satirical anthem and reclaimed the bad reputation her love life was given. This song is the epitome of a woman taking what society has deemed her to be and shamelessly twisting it to make it a source of empowerment.