PART THREE: I BET YOU THINK ABOUT ME

Let us focus on Miss Swift for this post. If she was a chef, her speciality dish would be revenge: let's face it, revenge is a dish best served in the form of song.

Swift's lyrical development for such songs has become one of her signature moves: even to a point fans were scared for Joe Alwyn when the release of 'The Tortured Poets Department' was announced (So Long, London). Swift has an extremely clever way of not only targeting her ex-boyfriends, but also making the songs slightly impersonal enough that the listener can relate them to their own life. There have been two key albums in her discography that I consider to be revenge albums, as well as one song that tops it all off as one of my all time favourites.

2017:

In 2017, Swift's best known revenge and empowerment era was born. The release of 'Reputation' followed media scrutiny faced by the singer, and appeared as a point to be proven at the time that she is a strong woman who is her own boss: she won't be walked all over - she has her own heels for that. The album is full of powerful beats, sassy lyrics (one of my personal favourites? 'I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I've put them') and a killer collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Future. The album itself feels very targeted with a slightly venomous tone, reflected in the snake motif throughout videos and live performances. It is interesting to see Swift present herself this way, starting as a very sweet country girl, but it is a real time example of how experience shapes a person and what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

2024:

'The Tortured Poets Department' is another significant revenge style album. It is interesting to see the contrast between these two albums 7 years apart. Swift released TTPD after coming out of her six year relationship with actor Joe Alwyn. Although unquestionably a dig at him, the album itself is presented in a very mindful and mature manner, with subtle nods that lead to catastrophic blows. The lyricism is very calculated here in songs such as 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me' and 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' - softly spoken, poison arrows that seamlessly pierce through emotions.

The album is a sign of the times: a state in Taylor's life where she can handle scrutiny, heartbreak and herself in a calculated and classy manner. That shows strength.

SO Happy International Women's Day. From one unapologetic writer and one unapologetic lyricist. There are strong female role models everywhere: you just have to listen, and in their own way, they will guide you.

P.S.

I BET YOU THINK ABOUT ME: an honourable mention.

From the 'Red' era, one of the greatest tracks of Swift's entire collection was born. Predating both of these albums, IBYTAM is a track that is not only anecdotal, but riddled with some golden nuggets of reminiscant relationship revenge. No further explanation needed, I'll just leave you with a few lines:

But you know what they say, you can't help who you fall for

And you and I fell like an early spring snow

But reality crept in, you said we're too different

You laughed at my dreams, rolled your eyes at my jokes

Mr. Superior Thinkin'

Do you have all the space that you need?

I don't have to be your shrink to know that you'll never be happy

And I bet you think about me

I bet you think about me, yes

I bet you think about me

Oh, block it all out

The voices so loud, sayin'

"Why did you let her go?"

Does it make you feel sad

That the love that you're lookin' for

Is the love that you had

Now you're out in the world, searchin' for your soul

Scared not to be hip, scared to get old

Chasin' make-believe status, last time you felt free

Was when none of that shit mattered 'cause you were with me

But now that we're done and it's over

I bet it's hard to believe

But it turned out I'm harder to forget than I was to leave

And, yeah, I bet you think about me