Every Time Taylor Swift Sang About Being a Showgirl

Taylor Swift has been a showgirl long before her newest album.

Oftentimes throughout her career, the 14-time Grammy winner sang about bright lights and big cities, along with the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Swift, 35, even name-dropped some celebrities such as James Dean, Clara Bow, and Elizabeth Taylor (who has a song named after her among the tracks for The Life of a Showgirl, and was also mentioned in a Reputation track alongside her lover Richard Burton).

Most recently, her Tortured Poets Department track “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” had a costume change skit that was Las Vegas-inspired with sparkling costumes, feathers and top hats.

It became even more iconic when Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, joined her onstage for it during a London Eras Tour stop.

However, Swift has also analyzed the darker side of fame and the baggage that comes with living in the spotlight, mainly in her album Reputation and a few more recent tracks. That’s just showbiz, baby.

The Life of a Showgirl, Swift’s upcoming 12th studio album, is sure to dazzle fans just as much.

The special edition vinyl variants dropped, teasing what imagery and storytelling fans can expect in her next era with titles such as Baby That’s Show Business and Tiny Bubbles in Champagne.

Keep reading for all of Swift’s previous showgirl references!

“Hey Stephen” (2008)

Swift sings about her songwriting prowess in this Fearless track — something that sets her apart from other girls. Apropos of nothing, the song isn’t about Stephen Colbert, for those wondering.

“Hey Stephen, I could give you 50 reasons / Why I should be the one you choose / All those other girls, well, they’re beautiful / But would they write a song for you?”

“White Horse” (2008)

In this track five, Swift compares a relationship to a Hollywood movie where happy endings are typical. “This ain’t Hollywood, this is a small town,” the mournful chorus goes.

“Better Than Revenge” (2010)

Many fans believed this Speak Now song was about her ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas and his girlfriend at the time, the actress Camilla Belle. “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think / She’s an actress, whoa.”

Following criticism, Swift switched the song lyrics when releasing Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in 2023 from “She’s better known for the things that she does / On the mattress, whoa,” to “He was a moth to the flame / She was holding the matches, whoa.”

“I was 18 when I wrote that,” she told The Guardian in 2014 about the original lyrics. “That’s the age you are when you think someone can actually take your boyfriend. Then you grow up and realize no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.”

“Innocent” (2010)

The Speak Now track references an impactful exchange during her meteoric rise, when Kanye West interrupted her 2009 MTV VMAs speech for Best Female Video to congratulate Beyoncé. The brief moment launched a feud between the two that lasted for years.

“I think a lot of people expected me to write a song about [West],” she told New York in 2010. “But, for me, it was important to write a song to him.” 

“It’s alright, just wait and see / Your string of lights is still bright to me, oh / Who you are is not where you’ve been / You’re still an innocent,” she sings. “It’s okay, life is a tough crowd / Thirty-two and still growing up now/Who you are is not what you did”

“Long Live” (2010)

The final Speak Now track is a love letter to her fans who helped her achieve the level of showgirl they know and love. “This song is about my band, and my producer, and all the people who have helped us build this brick by brick,” she wrote on her blog.

“The fans, the people who I feel that we are all in this together, this song talks about the triumphant moments that we’ve had in the last two years.”

She added: ” ‘Long Live’ is about how I feel reflecting on it. This song for me is like looking at a photo album of all the award shows, and all the stadium shows, and all the hands in the air in the crowd. It’s sort of the first love song that I’ve written to my team.”

“I said, ‘Remember this moment’ / In the back of my mind / The time we stood with our shaking hands / The crowds in stands went wild,” Swift sings. “We were the kings and the queens / And they read off our names / The night you danced like you knew our lives / Would never be the same.”

“The Lucky One” (2012)

Many lyrics in this Red song allude to living in Los Angeles, where many flock to seek fame and fortune. “New to town with a made-up name / In the angel’s city, chasing fortune and fame / And the camera flashes make it look like a dream,” Swift opens the song.

“Another name goes up in lights / Like diamonds in the sky,” she sings in the prechorus.

Later on, Swift harps on the cyclical nature of being the ingenue of the moment. “Now, it’s big black cars and Riviera views / And your lover in the foyer doesn’t even know you / And your secrets end up splashed on the news front page,” Swift sings on a verse.

“And they tell you that you’re lucky, but you’re so confused / ‘Cause you don’t feel pretty, you just feel used / And all the young things line up to take your place.”

“Style” (2014)

Many fans think this 1989 track is about one of Swift’s most famous exes, Harry Styles, whom she dated from November 2012 to January 2013.

When discussing the song during an appearance on On Air with Ryan Seacrest in October 2014, she played coy about who exactly the song was about.

“The two people are trying to forget each other and they both [have] been out with other people and they both tried to forget the other,” she explained. “And so it’s like, ‘Alright, I heard you went off with her and you came back and well, I’ve done that too.’ ” 

Who the third person was, Swift remained mysterious. “We’ll be talking about an individual person and people will write headlines about it,” she said.

“This song is about my life … but the song kind of speaks for itself.”

“You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye / And I got that red lip classic thing that you like,” Swift sings, referencing silver screen icon James Dean — and, of course, her signature red lipstick.

“Wildest Dreams” (2014)

Perhaps one of the most glaring showgirl references is the music video for “Wildest Dreams.” Swift channels Elizabeth Taylor for the 1989 track’s video, which sees the 14-time Grammy winner portray a silver screen icon in the golden age of Hollywood.

The cinematic clip features spotlights, jewels, glamorous costumes and a starry movie premiere.

…Ready For It? (2017)

In the opening Reputation track, Swift references the iconic movie star couple, who were married twice, from 1964 to 1974, and again from 1975 to 1976. They were known for their lavish lifestyle and for appearing alongside each other in 11 films, along with their constant arguing.

“Even though there were rough times, I wouldn’t give up one minute of my time with Richard Burton,” the actress wrote in her autobiography.

“And he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor / Every love I’ve known in comparison is a failure,” Swift sings.

“Delicate” (2017)

The fifth track of Reputation examines Swift being constantly criticized in the court of public opinion. She also references her feud with Kanye West over the 2016 “Famous” lyrics and alleged phone call leaks.

“This ain’t for the best /My reputation’s never been worse, so / You must like me for me,” she starts the song.

“Look What You Made Me Do” (2017)

The lead single from Reputation and its over-the-top music video appear to be Swift’s response to criticism over the years. The extravagant music video ends with Swift standing around her previous alternate personas from eras past.

As for the most iconic line from the song? “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now/Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead”

“King of My Heart” (2017)

Swift mentions the lifestyles of the rich and famous by cleverly rhyming cars with, well, a luxury car brand’s name. ” ‘Cause all the boys and their expensive cars / With their Range Rovers and their Jaguars / Never took me quite where you do,” she sings in the prechorus.

Fun fact: her ex, Calvin Harris, did indeed have a Range Rover.

“This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” (2017)

Here, Swift paints a picture of an excessive and luxurious soiree while again alluding to her Kanye West feud elsewhere in the song.

“It was so nice throwin’ big parties / Jump into the pool from the balcony / Everyone swimmin’ in a champagne sea,” Swift croons on the Reputation track.

“And there are no rules when you show up here / Bass beat rattling the chandelier / Feelin’ so Gatsby for that whole year.”

“the 1” (2020)

Another delicious reference to Hollywood films and happy endings. “You know the greatest films of all time were never made,” she sings in a verse of folklore‘s opening track.

“the last great american dynasty” (2020)

Swift sings about the late composer Rebekah Harkness and mixes details of their lives together in a whimsical narrative about a home on the Rhode Island coast. In another verse, Swift muses about the lifestyle of the rich and the famous and rubbing shoulders with artists.

“Flew in all her Bitch Pack friends from the city / Filled the pool with champagne and swam with the big names/And blew through the money on the boys and the ballet/And losing on card game bets with Dali.”

“Dorothea” (2020)

In the evermore track, Swift muses about a ficitional character named Dorothea who moves away from her hometown to seek fortune and fame.

“You got shiny friends since you left town / A tiny screen′s the only place I see you now/And I got nothing but well wishes for ya,” Swift sings.

“Marjorie” (2020)

Swift pays homage to her late maternal grandmother, Marjorie, who was an opera singer, with this evermore track. It’s clear that music is in Swift’s genes: Marjorie won a talent contest on the ABC network show Music With the Girls, which allowed her to tour around the world. She also had her own television program.

“And if I didn’t know better / I’d think you were singing to me now,” sings Swift, who includes Marjorie’s own voice into the track for a hauntingly beautiful tribute.

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)

Fans have speculated who the actress mentioned in the extended version of the 2012 ballad “All Too Well” is. Though Swift never revealed their identity, fans believe that it’s either Jennifer Aniston or Anne Hathaway.

“The idea you had of me, who was she? / A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you / Not weepin’ in a party bathroom / Some actress askin’ me what happened, you,” Swift sings in the hit, which is rumored to be about Jake Gyllenhaal.

“Bejeweled” (2022)

The music video for the track is packed with fairy tale magic star power, including Dita Von Teese, who Swift hailed as “one of the most iconic performers.” They dance in dazzling costumes that are similar to the ensembles Swift has worn in artwork for The Life of a Showgirl.

“What’s a girl gonna do? / A diamond’s gotta shine,” Swift quips.

“Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” (2024)

Swift calls out those who, well, call out and criticize her and her love life, in the Tortured Poets Department track.

“The who’s who of ‘Who’s that?’ is poised for the attack,” she kicks off the song, referring to being scrutinized while in the spotlight.

“I was tame, I was gentle ‘til the circus life made me mean / Don’t you worry folks, we took out all her teeth,” she sings. “Who’s afraid of little old me? Well, you should be,” she sings at another point.

“I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” (2024)

The music video for the song takes fans behind the scenes of the Eras Tour, which was when Swift wrote and recorded The Life of a Showgirl. “There in her glittering prime / The lights refract sequin stars off her silhouette every night,” she sings, alluding to her life on tour.

Again, she sings about being constantly in the spotlight with all eyes on her. “All the piеces of me shatterеd as the crowd was chanting, ‘More / I was grinnin’ like I’m winnin’ / I was hittin’ my marks / ‘Cause I can do it with a broken heart,” she says in the pre-chorus.

Swift also mentions the shoes she performs in for three hours each night of the Eras Tour concerts. “Lights, camera, bitch, smile / In stilettos for miles,” she sings in the cheeky lyric.

“Clara Bow” (2024)

Throughout the Tortured Poets Department track, Swift namedrops silent film star Clara Bow, Stevie Nicks — and herself. The main character has dreams of life in a big city as a star, and also examines the darker side of fame.

“This town is fake, but you’re the real thing / Breath of fresh air through smoke rings / Take the glory, give everything / Promise to be dazzling,” she sings in the chorus.

“Beauty is a beast that roars / Down on all fours, demanding more,” Swift muses in the bridge. “Only when your girlish glow flickers just so, do they let you know / It’s hell on earth to be heavenly.”

“thanK you aIMee” (2024)

Fans think that Swift wrote this song about Kim Kardashian, which would explain why three letters are capitalized in the song title. Aimee is portrayed as a school bully-type character who puts Swift down. However, the musician can dedicate her legacy to their storied feud.

“I wrote a thousand songs that you find uncool / I built a legacy that you can’t undo,” Swift sings in the bridge. “But when I count the scars, there’s a moment of truth / That there wouldn’t be this if there hadn’t been you”

The Life of a Showgirl is out on Friday, Oct. 3.

For more on Taylor Swift, pick up PEOPLE’s newly updated special edition Taylor Swift A to Z: A Showgirl’s Life, now available for pre-order.