It’s no surprise that Forbes included Taylor Swift on its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world, alongside names like Kamala Harris and Ursula von der Leyen. Born in 1989, she has managed to become the true voice of her generation, with politicians, especially presidential candidates, seeking her endorsement.
„Swiftonomics”, „Swifties”, „swiftology” and „Taylor effect”
Taylor's concerts have a tangible impact on local economies, and her influence on economic potential has even earned a special term — “Swiftonomics.” The value of the empire she has built is estimated at around a billion dollars, according to PAP.
Analysts and experts in the hospitality and restaurant industries talk about the "Taylor effect," which causes a surge in hotel bookings and packed restaurants wherever the American star performs. Her fans even have their own name.
“Swifties” are not just teenage fans of Taylor Swift. Among her loyal followers, you can find older individuals, and her lyrics have gained recognition even in academic circles, with courses in "Swiftology" being offered at universities.
At Harvard, students can take a course titled “Taylor Swift and Her World.” The syllabus for the course dedicated to the artist’s work notes that “her songwriting spans half a dozen genres.”
“We will look at her precursors, from Dolly Parton to the Border Ballads, and at works about her (such as the documentary Miss Americana). We will also read literary works important to her and works about song and performance, including novels, memoirs, and poems by Willa Cather, James Weldon Johnson, Tracey Thorn, and William Wordsworth,” reads the course description.
Taylor Swift: The voice of a generation with a deeper, unconventional artistic persona
Karolina Sulej, writer, reporter, and author of the book The Era of Taylor Swift, told Polish Radio that one key aspect of Swift’s phenomenon is the personal and well-crafted lyrics that Taylor writes herself, reports Radio Poland.
“She is an artist who has become the voice of her times. In my opinion, she resonates with her audience through her lyrics, which are very emotional. We especially need such a person in today’s culture,” said Karolina Sulej to Polish Radio 24.
“Taylor Swift may seem like a pleasant, approachable, and 'easy-to-digest' songwriter, but in reality, she embodies the archetype of a different, strange, and out-of-place woman whose artistic experience has grown out of misunderstanding,” admits the author of a book dedicated to the artist’s work.
The most recent album in the pop star's discography, The Tortured Poets Department, released in April, is her 11th and came out two years after her Grammy-winning album Midnights (Swift has won 14 Grammys over her career). The "Eras" tour promotes not just her latest album but all of Taylor Swift's records - according to PAP.
Source: PAP/Polskie Radio 24/Radio Poland/Harvard
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