Taylor Swift is a true icon in this generation. With lyrics that touch hearts, music that moves, and business savvy that is unmatched, Taylor is an incredible example for women and girls of all ages.

What is so special about Taylor Swift? If you look into her life, you’ll see that there is so much more to her than just sparkles and cat memes. She once said in her documentary Miss Americana:

“I want to love glitter and also stand up for the double standards that exist in our society. I want to wear pink and tell you how I feel about politics. And I don’t think those things have to cancel each other out.” 

Don’t most of us ladies feel that way? Like there are multiple sides of us? We have opinions, experiences, desires, and talents that can’t always be wrapped up neatly.

That’s why so many people relate to Taylor Swift. She’s changed boyfriends, friends, homes, countries, labels, fashion, and music genres. She tells her own vibrant, diverse story through inspiring lyrics that pull at the hearts of all listeners. We see the many facets of ourselves in the many facets of her.

Taylor Swift Lyrics That Inspire Us

Let’s dive into some of Taylor’s songs that showcase strong messages for females today. These songs are poetic and relatable for so many people, both young and old. This list is not exhaustive (she’s got hundreds of songs, so that’s not surprising), but it’s a good place to start.

The Man

We have to start this list with “The Man” from the Lover album. This entire song is about the double standards between men and women. Taylor’s dealt with that problem at a professional and personal level, and many women in America today could say the same thing.

“I’m so sick of running as fast as I can
Wondering if I’d get there quicker
If I was a man.”

We’ve made huge strides in equality for women, but many of us still feel the sting of unfair treatment. Maybe one day we’ll all feel as powerful as “the man.”

Marjorie

This song from the evermore album is about Taylor missing her grandmother, Marjorie. It’s full of lessons Taylor learned from her grandma.

One of these lessons is to “never be so kind, you forget to be clever, never be so clever, you forget to be kind.” And later, she sings, “never be so polite, you forget your power, never wield such power, you forget to be polite.”

May we all find wisdom in the women around us (especially grandmas)!

Bejeweled

Many of us are people-pleasers, and this song is for us! “Bejeweled” from Midnights is about knowing your own worth and sticking to boundaries. The line “puttin’ someone first only works when you’re in their top five” is a great reminder to choose who we love and trust carefully.

Another great line from this song is “Don’t put me in the basement when I want the penthouse of your heart.” It’s so important to teach girls and young ladies to strive for relationships that reciprocate love and support.

Clara Bow

The Tortured Poets Department is full of heartwrenching songs that encapsulate deep, nuanced feelings. Clara Bow is one of those songs. It shows how the hope and excitement of growing up and achieving stardom can fade when you factor in the hard lessons along the way.

“Beauty is a beast that roars
Down on all fours
Demanding ‘more’
Only when your girlish glow
Flickers just so
Do they let you know
It’s hell on earth to be heavenly
Them’s the breaks
They don’t come gently”

Isn’t this a message many of us can relate to? We work so hard for a goal, but in the process we discover unpleasant truths.

One of those truths is how replaceable we are in society. Clara Bow used to be the ultimate “it girl.” Now it’s Taylor. Eventually, it’ll be someone else. It’s an important perspective for all of us.

Tied Together With a Smile

We all know how it feels to put on an act. We say we are fine when we are really falling apart inside. That’s what this song, from Taylor’s debut album, is all about. Written during Taylor’s high school years, it’s easy to see how this can apply to young girls. But, it can also apply to those who experience ongoing mental health issues.

“Hold on, baby, you’re losing it
The water’s high, you’re jumping into it and letting go
And no one knows
That you cry, but you don’t tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one
And you’re tied together with a smile
But you’re coming undone, oh”

From this we can learn how important it is to have friends and loved ones who really see us. We need these people to look into our souls and create safe spaces for us to be ourselves. We can’t always pent everything up; we need to let it out before we start “coming undone.”

If you want another song like this, you’ll love “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” from the Tortured Poets Department album.

Shake It Off

We can’t forget to include “Shake It Off” on this list! This was the first single from the 1989 album, and it’s a bop that everyone knows!

While it’s obviously catchy and fun, it also has a message for us all. Haters are going to hate. Some people find joy in being mean. We shouldn’t let those people bother us – we can’t change them if they don’t want to change themselves.

Focus on what you can control and shake off all those who don’t offer you love and support.

Mirror Ball

This song, from the folklore album, was written during the COVID pandemic and highlights Taylor’s introspection as a people-pleaser and a performer, but also as someone who wants to connect with others. That’s something many of us have felt, especially during the isolation of lockdowns.

“I want you to know
I’m a mirrorball
I’ll show you every version of yourself tonight”

Here’s another message from this song. Mirrorballs – or disco balls – reflect back dozens of reflections at the same time. Each of us is made up of dozens of pieces, all important and beautiful and worthy. Some pieces may seem clearer or brighter than others, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t special parts of our identities. We should happily embrace the many sides of ourselves.

Taylor is a Girl’s Girl

Maybe you don’t jam to T-Swizzle, and that’s ok. You don’t have to like her music or consider yourself a Swiftie to respect Taylor and her work. While she used to be shamed for her “girl squad,” we now see the importance of women having solid friendships with other women. Taylor cheers on her friends in their endeavors, sings along to other artists at award shows, and is by most accounts a truly kind person (did you see how much she tipped the servers at a Chief’s game)?

All in all, that’s a wonderful example for ladies. Let’s be more like Taylor, shall we?