It has officially been six months since Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, The Life of A Showgirl, and I think it’s pretty safe to say that the album had some mixed reviews.
From what I’ve heard, you either really love the new songs, or you really don’t. I happen to be absolutely obsessed with the album. It’s upbeat, electric, and “OG Taylor” backtracks are such a good time. I do have to say that it is probably one of my favorite albums she’s ever released.
Now, some people might say I’m biased because I’m a certified “Swiftie,” but that’s not the case with all Swift fans. After the release, Taylor received immediate backlash from fans saying that the lyrics were too childish, they felt let down, and that it’s time for her to stop making new albums.
I didn’t understand where these opinions were coming from, because I loved it from the first note of track one, “The Fate of Ophelia”. So I think it’s about time that my honest review of each song from the whole album comes to light! 
The Fate of Ophelia: The opening track of the album immediately gets stuck in my head when I hear it. The lyrics paint such vivid imagery, drawing you into a narrative that feels both like a Disney story and personal memories. The emotional weight of the song is perfect, and builds in a way that keeps me captivated and singing along from start to finish. This song is a great example of Swift’s ability to blend her pop artistry and poetic lyricism with a powerful vocal performance to make the story resonate with almost anyone.
Elizabeth Taylor: This song is an absolute standout to me. The music and beats are sharp, and the lyrics are insightful and cinematic. The descriptive story makes me feel like I’m literally living in a life of glamour and fame. The melody is infectious, and makes it a truly unforgettable song on the album for me.
Opalite: Without a doubt my favorite song on this album! I tried my best not to be biased and just give every song a perfect score, but this one is undeniably deserving of a ten out of ten. It is a lyrical masterpiece, with verses that are fun, catchy, and moving at the same time. The vocals and vibe of the song are mesmerizing, and remind me of a song that I would have listened to when I was a little girl.
Father Figure: I love the unique sort of charm that this song gives. Taylor’s strength in descriptive songwriting truly comes to light throughout this track. The analogies, hidden meanings, and the interesting key change at the end, all come together to form a song of Swift’s that really doesn’t sound like anything I’ve ever listened to before. I never get bored of this song, especially the mind blowing bridge.
Eldest Daughter: Dare I say Swift’s most vulnerable and relatable song yet. This one hits close to home for me, but for some reason is one of the most publicly hated songs on the album. It is known throughout the Swiftie community that every track 5 on a Taylor Swift album will be one of the most heartbreaking. With this expectation in mind, many fans felt let down, saying that the lyrics are childish, shallow, and have no character to them but I completely disagree. The whole point of the song is to show that she is not perfect like everyone thinks she is, that she feels pain, disappointment, and fear. The sentimental lyrics, raw vocals, and somber instrumentals in the background really come together to form a beautiful song, and for some reason nobody can seem to accept that.
Ruin the Friendship: The push and pull format of this song is what makes it stand out on the album. Taylor’s knack for storytelling collides with playful and witty lyrics and upbeat acoustics. I will be honest and say that this song was not one of my favorites at first because it just didn’t seem like classic “pop princess” Swift which was what I was expecting out of this song. But over time, it has grown into one of my top three on the album. I am obsessed with Swift’s effortless runs as she sings, and she slightly changes the melody at the end of the song to include some bits of her own advice which I really love.
Actually Romantic: Oh, how I missed “pop-rock” Taylor Swift! This track welcomed the return of strong guitar riffs and a compelling edge which fans haven’t heard from Taylor’s songs since her Reputation album. I love a good juicy message behind a song (I’ll never get over the “Drivers License,” “Skin,” and “Lie Lie Lie” love triangle between Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Joshua Basset). So, “Actually Romantic” is fun to listen to, especially knowing that it’s not so secretly about Charli xcx.
Wi$h Li$t: One of the perks of being in the Swiftie club is that we are constantly getting new songs and album drops. After the Scooter Braun incident, Taylor revealed that she would be re-recording all of her original six albums as a way of stating that her music was hers and hers to keep. Something that she started doing with these re-releases was also giving fans songs that were “From The Vault,” meaning they were written at the same time as the songs we knew and loved but never made the final cut to be released with them. Wi$h Li$t sounds like it was taken straight “From The Vault” of Lover. The pure joy and innocence of this song is angelic and dreamy, just like her 2019 classics such as Lover, “Paper Rings,” and “Cornelia Street”. It goes through all stages of a relationship, longing, hope, and the pursuit of dreams. The shimmering synths and delicate melody all together creates a sense of calm that sits right in the heart of The Life of a Showgirl.
Wood: Right off the bat this song starts out with clever wordplay. Taylor talks about daisies, pennies, stepping on a crack, black cats, and then knocking on wood. All things that have to do with luck. Wood is another song yet again proving that Taylor is a one of a kind, lyrical genius. The quirky beat and instrumentals mixed with her wide range of vocals, made a fan favorite song on album number 12.
Cancelled!: Bold and unapologetic. Taylor is no stranger to the public eye, so she knows public perception, reputation, and personal growth, all too well. Her lyrics speak for themselves, encouraging us to thrive in the controversy, and to stop being afraid of confrontation. After listening to this song I always have a mix of feelings, something in between vulnerability, defiance, and self reflection. Reclaiming the narrative and finding strength in the face of adversity seems to be what primarily compelled Taylor to write this song.
Honey: I immediately fell in love with this song from the second I heard the first note. Then it progressively got better and better as it reached the chorus and bridge which I found hard to believe. It’s sweet, comforting, warm, and pleasant. The message seems simple, but is probably more in depth than you think. Emotional honesty and appreciating the little things in life are only possible when you are in the correct relationship. When Taylor was stuck somewhere she didn’t want to be, she was accepting the bare minimum. But now that she is happily engaged to Travis Kelce, she finds herself being treated better than she ever thought possible. It sends a good message to young girls – there are good men out there who will treat you right, so never settle for less than you deserve!
The Life of a Showgirl ft. Sabrina Carpenter: This was the only song other than Opalite that I gave a solid ten out of ten. Several factors contribute to the perfect score. Multiple inspiring themes are hinted at in this track, such as perseverance through each performance, and the constant challenges that come with life in the spotlight. The overall production of the song really resonates with me, as it sounds like the grand finale of a musical or movie. Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter are two of my favorite pop singers ever so having them collaborate with each other was the highlight of my year (just ask my Spotify wrapped!)
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