Nine Years of ‘1989’: Celebrating Taylor Swift’s Pop Revolution

Guess what’s turning 9 this year? It’s ‘1989’! In 2014, Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album, ‘1989’, which showcased a shift in her sound from country to pop music. The album included numerous hit songs, five of which are highlighted below.

‘Shake It Off’ – This upbeat and catchy song quickly became a fan favourite upon its release. The song’s message is one of empowerment, encouraging listeners to ignore negativity and criticism and just be themselves. The music video, which features Taylor dancing in various styles, is also a crowd-pleaser.

‘Blank Space’ – This song, which was released as the second single from ‘1989’, is a satirical take on Taylor’s public image as a serial dater. The music video portrays Taylor as a wealthy and possessive girlfriend, poking fun at the media’s portrayal of her as a crazy ex-girlfriend.

‘Bad Blood’ – This high-energy pop song is rumoured to be about Taylor’s feud with fellow pop star Katy Perry. The music video, which features a star-studded cast of Taylor’s celebrity friends, including Selena Gomez and Kendrick Lamar, is an action-packed visual representation of the song’s revenge-themed lyrics.

‘Style’ – This mid-tempo song, which features a catchy synth riff, is an ode to a past relationship. The song’s lyrics suggest that despite the end of the relationship, the memories of it still linger and influence Taylor’s current relationships.

‘Wildest Dreams’ – This dreamy and romantic song was released as the fifth single from ‘1989’. The song’s lyrics describe a passionate but fleeting romance, with Taylor singing, “Say you’ll remember me / Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset / Babe, red lips and rosy cheeks / Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams.”

Overall, Taylor Swift’s 2014 album ‘1989’ showcased her versatility as an artist, and each of these five songs became fan favorites and chart-toppers.

– Riya Sohini