“Now I know the life of a showgirl, babe.” This lyric is from the song “The Life of a Showgirl” by Taylor Swift. Swift recently released her 12th album titled The Life of a Showgirl, or abbreviated to TLOASG. All 12 songs on the album have landed on the Billboard Hot 100 within the first week. No artist has achieved this feat before. Swift has been producing music since 2006, and she has explored many different genres from country, pop and indie folk. Most recently TLOASG includes a disco, soft rock feel.
“I’ve always been a Taylor Swift fan. As a kid, I would listen to her music, but I’ve been a Swiftie for two or three years,” Ainsley Jenkins ‘28 said.
The Life of a Showgirl explores how Swift navigates being a celebrity on tour, with references to famous characters and celebrities in the past in the first two songs, “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Elizabeth Taylor.” This album was a surprise for Swift fans because Swift released The Tortured Poets Department in April 2024, and was on her famous Eras Tour from March 2023 to December 2024.
“I think it’s a good album. I like “Opalite” and “Eldest Daughter.” I think “Eldest Daughter” is a sad song that I can relate to and connect with. But Opalite’s just fun and shows hard times and shows darkness to light,” Addison Schopp ‘27 said.
TLOASG was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback. Swift’s most recent albums have been written by Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, but she didn’t work with them to make TLOASG. The Life of a Showgirl was recorded during the European part of Swift’s tour. The album has been out since October 3, 2025 and the responses on social media, the internet and around the world have varied. Some people have loved this style of music and have given a positive response. Others have had more mixed opinions.
“I like some Taylor Swift songs, but I wasn’t a huge fan of this album. The girls I babysit love it though so I listened to it a lot. I couldn’t really determine where one song started and another began,” Paige Neighbors ‘27 said. “I think if I had to choose a Taylor Swift album to listen to, this one would be my last choice. It’s just not very dynamic. I also thought “Wood” was strange. But my favorite of the songs was “Opalite,” it was pretty catchy and the one that stuck out to me the most.”
The Guardian has recently published their review of the album. They liked the exceptional chorus in “Elizabeth Taylor,” key changes on “Wi$h Li$t” and the heart-tugging lyrics in “Ruin the Friendship.” However, they are disappointed in the lack of hooks and melodies. Online, there has been much speculation about what different songs on the album are actually about. Some claim that “Actually Romantic” is a diss track to Charli XCX. People think Swift is referencing President Trump, Blake Lively and Brittany Mahomes in “CANCELLED!” They also believe “Wood” is a misstep because it is very similar to The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” in terms of rhythm and melody. Similarly, the messaging behind the song has left many fans scratching their heads, and frankly feeling uncomfortable. It also imitates Sabrina Carpenter’s style of music. Many agree that although TLOASG isn’t horrible, it also isn’t Swift’s best album and the production of the album just feels rushed.
“I think people can think what they want to think, because everyone has a different type of music that they like, and that’s okay, but I think it gets to a point when people are hating on other people for liking it. And hating on Taylor, it’s fine if they don’t like it but the threats and all that kind of things are really unnecessary,” Jenkins said.
October 3rd through October 5th, Swifties were invited to celebrate the album release by going to their local movie theater to see a 90 minute film. This movie included the making of the music video “The Fate of Ophelia,” an explanation of all 12 songs and all the lyric videos. Fans dressed up in costumes, took pictures by photo booths and sang along to the album.
“I went the first night it was available with my friend, Kate. I thought it was really good. Some parts surprised me, and it was interesting to see all the background and what she did to make the music videos and lyrics,” Schopp said.
Swift is a celebrated, accomplished artist. She has produced 12 unique record-breaking albums of all different genres. While The Life of a Showgirl isn’t the #1 fan-favorite, Swift still has many accomplishments and a multitude of fans who will support her no matter what.
“I definitely think it’s a different type of album than what she’s put out, but I still think she’s a good songwriter and I will continue to listen to her,” Jenkins said.
