Taylor Swift believes that receiving genuine feedback on her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, is beneficial and could even have a romantic touch.
“I embrace the disorder,” Swift, 35, shared during a conversation on Tuesday, October 7, with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “The show business rule states that if it’s the first week of my album launch and you mention either my name or the album title, you’re contributing positively.”
The 14-time Grammy winner, who unveiled her 12th studio album on Friday, October 3, expressed her deep appreciation for “subjective interpretations of artistry.”
“I’m not here to judge art,” she remarked with a grin. “Everyone is free to feel however they wish, and our mission as entertainers is to reflect that back to them.”
Swift noted that “an album can often provide a wild perspective on oneself,” mentioning that her current life experiences, like being newly engaged to her fiancé Travis Kelce and concluding the most extensive worldwide tour in history, may not resonate with every listener.
“The circumstances you’re facing in life will influence how you connect with the music I’m releasing at any moment,” she explained.
The bulk of The Life of a Showgirl was penned during the European leg of her Eras Tour last year, with production by Max Martin and Shellback, both of whom have collaborated with her on Red, 1989, and Reputation. The album features tracks such as “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Opalite,” and “W$sh Li$t,” which delve into her relationship with Kelce, 36. There are also songs like “Wood,” full of suggestive references regarding the NFL star’s notable endowment.
The Life of a Showgirl achieved remarkable sales, moving 2.7 million physical copies within the first 24 hours of its release, marking it as the second-largest sales week for any album in the modern era. Additionally, her concurrent film, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl—which includes the premiere of the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia,” behind-the-scenes footage, and song explanations from Swift—topped the box office despite only being in theaters for three days.
However, reviews have been mixed among critics and fans alike. Publications like Variety and Rolling Stone commended the album, while others like The Guardian and The London Standard offered more scathing critiques, with the latter suggesting the album was filled with “penis metaphors and tales of poor little rich girls.”
In her chat with Lowe on Tuesday, Swift reassured that immediate feedback regarding The Life of a Showgirl didn’t concern her. “I maintain a focus on my legacy when creating music,” she remarked. “I know what I have produced. I know that I cherish it.”
In her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, October 6, Swift expressed gratitude to her fans for “having fun with the album and embracing a side of myself that I don’t often reveal.”
“I enjoy highlighting the more intense facets of my personality,” she reflected. “Tortured Poets Department, my previous album, focused on showcasing the earnest and genuine aspects of my writing, the raw emotions that come with it. Now, with this project, I wanted to tap into the character of a showgirl. It’s all about exploring those parts of oneself that are playful, flamboyant, and a little daring and cheeky.”
The Life of a Showgirl is now available to listen to.
