I’m pausing my Decades installment on the year 1986 to write about the new album of an artist born in 1989.
Yes, I figured I might as well strike while the iron is still relatively hot and post my take on Taylor Swift’s 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl.
This has been Swift’s most polarizing release in years, with some critics and fans alike disappointed in the superficial goofiness of many of its lyrics. Others have hailed it as another triumph. And of course it’s breaking new sales records every day.
My first impression of Showgirl after a handful of listens is very positive. While I agree this is not Swift’s best set of lyrics, I love the sound (courtesy of producers Max Martin and Shellback, re-teaming with Swift for the first time since 2017’s Reputation).
The album is mostly split between love songs about fiancee Travis Kelce and poison darts aimed at people who’ve wronged her. I prefer the former, as I’ll make clear when I count down the album’s track in order of preference this week. Let me get to that…
#12. ‘CANCELLED!’
While I like the ominous stomp of this track’s chorus, it’s a bit tired to hear Swift singing about cancellation in such superficial terms. The lyric seems to be mostly about good friend Blake Lively, as well as Swift’s own brushes with bad publicity, but the bad girl persona is ill-fitting.
#11. ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
The title track includes the album’s only guest appearance, by pop princess Sabrina Carpenter. That’s appropriate given that this is Swift’s most sexually explicit album and at times she’s practically channeling Carpenter’s wide-eyed sexpot persona. This song, the album’s closer, is fine but unmemorable.
#10. ‘Father Figure’
With a chorus that interpolates George Michael’s hit of the same name, ‘Father Figure’ finds Swift tearing into a backstabbing music exec, presumably Scott Borchetta. Borchetta signed Swift at 15 and had a paternal role in her life through many a major hit before eventually selling her masters to Scooter Braun in 2018. This song has grown on me. I particularly like the melancholy menace of the post-chorus.
When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold
Pulled up to you in the Jag’, turned your rags into gold
The winding road leads to the chateau
“You remind me of a younger me,” I saw potential
[Chorus]
I’ll be your father figure, I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger
This love is pure profit, just step into my office
I dry your tears with my sleeve
[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me, I protect the family
Leave it with me, I protect the family
[Verse 2]
I pay the check before it kisses the mahogany grain
Said, “They wanna see you rise, they don’t want you to reign”
I showed you all the tricks of the trade
All I asked for is your loyalty, my dear protégé
[Chorus]
I’ll be your father figure, I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger
This love is pure profit, just step into my office
They’ll know your name in the streets
[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me, I’ll protect the family
[Bridge]
I saw a change in you (I saw a change, saw a change in you)
My dear boy
They don’t make loyalty like they used to (Not like they used to)
Your thoughtless ambition sparked the ignition
On foolish decisions, which led to misguided visions
That to fulfill your dreams
You had to get rid of me
I protect the family
[Chorus]
I was your father figure, we drank that brown liquor
You made a deal with this devil, turns out my dick’s bigger
You want a fight? You found it, I got the place surrounded
You’ll be sleeping with the fishes before you know you’re drowning
Whose portrait’s on the mantel? Who covered up your scandals?
Mistake my kindness for weakness and find your card cancelled
I was your father figure, you pulled the wrong trigger
This empire belongs to me
[Post-Chorus]
Leave it with me, I protect the family
Leave it with me, I protect the family
Leave it with me
[Outro]
“You know, you remind me of a younger me”
I saw potential
Meet Me In Montauk 
As the least Swiftie of the family, I’m the only one who has not listened to the whole album. Perhaps I’ll remedy that on my plane ride to Nashville this week, though I probably should keep brushing up on Jason Isbel ahead of his Saturday show at the legendary Ryman.
Either way, I do appreciate your timely review and highlighting of the record this week. I have heard “Canceled” and thought it was rather clever and catchy.
I really don’t know anything about her music so I will be interested in hearing about her new album and listening to the songs.
I’ve listened to the album a few times and really like it overall. Not crazy about some lyrics, but overall the sound and feel of the album is pretty solid all the way through. So far, I haven’t found a standout track, but that’s okay.