An Open Letter to Taylor Swift.
Dear Taylor Swift,
I would like to formally apologize to you, Miss Swift. I’ve spent years railing against you and mocking your taste in men. I’ve been the first person to make fun of your songs- though the mixed metaphors in Love Story still upset me; is it Romeo and Juliet or The Scarlet Letter, Taylor?!- but I’ve had a few epiphanies lately.
First- with the need for you to recreate your albums after the Scooter Braun fiasco, I realized that much of my dismay with you may have honestly been your production team and how you were packaged, not you at all. Even with slight changes only, your music is better made to your specifications than it ever was under someone else’s helm.
Second- whereas before, I could find maybe one song per album that I enjoyed (always have loved Style and Delicate!), now that I’m getting older, I find more of your catalog way better. More relatable as I’ve grown as a person. Suddenly, Blank Space is an incredible bop after a literal shit storm of exes and situationships in rapid fire succession. I see now where I used to poke fun at your poor choice in men, that it wasn’t entirely your fault. With much more experience under my belt, I see that strong, independent, creative women are targets for men looking to break a woman like a wild animal. Continue to be a wild animal, Taylor.
Third- and I mean this with love, you’ve grown and matured, too. I’ve seen character development out of you that I never would have predicted. The Taylor Swift that released Tim McGraw would have never ever ever (see what I did there?) released The Man. Are you perfect? No. Are you trying to be? No. And I see you, girl. I see you, and respect every bit of it.
So, I’m sorry Taylor Swift. I may still poke fun here and there (your songs are just so easy to parody!), and I may not jam to your every track in the car, but I was wrong about you, and happy to admit it. Keep standing up for yourself; keep being a blond haired angel badass. And don’t you ever stop rooting for yourself; I’ll be rooting, too.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Timberlake