Top Five Favourites from The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift

The Life of a Showgirl might be a LOT of things, but the life of a swiftie is never dull.

As a Bengali, I was already in a festive mood with Durga Puja shenanigans right before the album release. But I would not deny the fact that I was more excited for the album than I was for Durga Puja this year.

First of all, when the tracks were declared and the fifth track of the album stared at me, I could almost hear it say, “It’s me. Hi! I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Taylor Swift admitted to placing her most “vulnerable, personal, honest, emotional” song as Track 5 on her albums in 2019 when the fans spotted that pattern. Of course, I was eagerly waiting to be wrecked by a song. Again.

In India, the album was released at 9:30 in the morning and I only got out of bed after listening to all the songs. With TLOAS being the shortest TS album till date, it took me just an hour to go through them all (yes, I might’ve listened to a few of them multiple times). I loved some songs immediately and others might’ve taken some time to gel with. After that 31-songs double album which was heavier than expected, I was relieved that The Life of a Showgirl is full of upbeat and lighter songs (except maybe two).

This time, I did not listen to the album in the order TS wanted us to. I went rogue and hit play on Eldest Daughter first. And somehow each song led me to the next one either through the lyrics or by the essence. It was almost like following an invisible string. It became a very personal experience and now I’m ready to share my top five favourites from the album.

1. Eldest Daughter

Hand on my heart, I did not expect to cry. Yes, I was expecting a hard-hitting song, but to be honest, the lyrics are not that sharp. They don’t cut you the way some songs on The Tortured Poets Department, or Midnights, or folklore do. And yet, I was sobbing to the song because it felt like someone could see right through me without having to explain anything. Of course, she captures the weight of being an eldest daughter in the song, but then I started to question why she included this in an album which is supposedly about the life of a showgirl. And I knew the answer even before I could utter that question out loud. Every eldest daughter is a showgirl in a sense only we can understand.

Favourite lines:
“When you found me, I said I was busy
That was a lie
I have been afflicted with a terminal uniqueness
I’ve been dying just trying to seem cool.”

2. Opalite

I loved how the song starts. That metaphor "eating out of trash" had me laughing out loud. I loved this song so much because of its chorus. It's also a quite positive spin on her song You're On Your Own, Kid from Midnights. I have been listening to this song on loop. It makes me shimmer and feel better almost instantly. In her radio interviews on the album release day, she has been saying that this is Travis's favourite track from the album. She revealed that Travis's birthstone is opal, and it's no longer a guess to figure out what the song is about. Nevertheless, this is what I love about art - you are free to interpret a song in your own way, and you can take the lyrics and fit them into whatever situation you want to relate them to.

Favourite lines:
"This is just
A temporary speedbump
But failures bring you freedom
And I can bring you love, love, love, love (love)
Don't you sweat it, baby, it's alright,
You were dancing through the lightning strikes,"

3. CANCELLED!

Taylor Swift has a habit of picking up popular phrases and terms and including them in her lyrics. Remember You Need To Calm Down? Well, so that's why I figured this song would be about the many times she had been cancelled or rather just an overall experience of being a popular person (especially women) who can never do everything right in the eyes of the audience. People will always find a reason to cancel you, no matter what you do. But when I listened to the song, I absolutely fell in love with it. Not just because of its peppy beats but because this song is so much about friendship. Being aware of the whole situation with Blake Lively (one of Taylor's best friends) and her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, I could not help but wonder if this song is about their friendship. For me, the song really spoke to me and made me realise how real friendships don't always need to be showcased in front of everyone.
Favourite lines:
"Welcome to my underworld where it gets quite dark
At least you know exactly who your friends are
They're the ones with matching scars."

4. Ruin The Friendship

My favourite part of music is always the lyrics. I listen to the lyrics as if it's a story. Taylor Swift has always emphasized how she loves storytelling. Her chosen medium is songs and in many such songs, you will find a well-defined story lying within to enthrall you and entertain you at the same time. This particular song from The Life of a Showgirl does exactly that. It felt like I was reading a novel and the ending made my jaw drop. I am completely mesmerized by how TS takes sad situations and turns them into a positive one, and in some songs like this one, she ends up with a twist that you'll not expect (thanks to the tune of the song).
Favourite lines:
"It was not an invitation
But I flew home anyway
With so much left to say
It was not convenient, no
But I whispered at the grave
'Should've kissed you anyway'."

5. The Life of a Showgirl

What I loved about this album is that it did not match my expectations. With a title like The Life of a Showgirl and all her promo snippets, the entire vibe of the album as presented by her, I was expecting a grand album. But I forgot that she mentioned this is mostly about what goes on behind the stage in the life of a showgirl. So, except one track, I was pleasantly surprised by every track by her. The final song of the album is all about how it's not as glamorous as it seems, but doing it anyway for the love of it. She does say in an interview that it happened to her. Someone once adviced her against it but she did it anyway. Being a writer, I could relate to it a hundred percent. People have been warning me, advising me against being a writer ever since I fell in love with all of it. And once again, I get comfort in knowing that someone was in the same position and she did what she wanted to do despite all the hurdles.
Favourite lines:
"Thank you for the lovely bouquet
I'm married to the hustle
And now I know the life of a showgirl, babe
Pain hidden by the lipstick and lace
Sequins are forever
And now I know the life of a showgirl, babe
Wouldn't have it any other way,"

Those are my top five favourite songs from The Life of a Showgirl. I obviously like a few other songs as well. There are some that did not speak to me at all and that's okay. We do have a huge cornucopia of songs to play. While I go play 'Eldest Daughter' and 'Opalite' on loop, and rewatch the music video of The Fate of Ophelia, you tell me which songs did you love from this album?