I’ve always loved writing about music and doing album reviews and I was thinking about a way I could do this on Patriot Press and I came up with the idea for “Max’s Movies and Music”. Basically every week I’ll write a review on an album or a movie, it’s pretty simple honesty. I was trying to think of a great way to start it, and as a massive Taylor Swift fan I feel like there was no other option than to start with my thoughts on ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ 

The Fate of Ophelia 

This one is my favorite song from the album. In case you’re aware of the story of Ophelia, long story short she was driven into madness, which led to her death. Swift in this song is basically talking about how someone saved her from this madness (I’m pretty sure she is referring to Travis Kelce here because she mentions the lyric “Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes” multiple times in the song, which reminds me of football). I think this is a very good opening to the album and ties into the showgirl theme very well. 

Elizabeth Taylor 

The second track of the album is titled Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor is an actress that began acting in the early 1940’s, and I believe Swift mentions her in this song because Elizabeth Taylor has been married several times, and received criticism for it. This song talks about struggling to find “the right guy” and ties into the showgirl theme of the album talking about “show life”. I really liked this one, it’s very catchy and the slower opening definitely caught my attention. 

Opalite

The third track of the album is called Opalite. Opalite is a manmade material, it’s hard to explain but it’s white with a bit of a shine to it. It’s also often related to stress relief which may be relevant to this song? I’m not sure about that one. I think this one is also one of my favorites from the album. It’s so catchy and I love the cute-upbeat feel to it. 

Father Figure

The fourth track of the album is Father Figure. This song talks about a student-mentor relationship, something Swift said she has experienced both sides of. It samples the song “Father Figure” by George Michael it in as well, which is a touch I really liked. There is one specific lyric in this song that really caught me off guard the first time I heard it, but now it just makes me laugh. 

Eldest Daughter

The fifth track of the album is called Eldest Daughter. Swift has a reputation for the fifth track of her albums always being the saddest and while I wouldn’t say this is one of her better track fives, I’d say it’s still a good one. It obviously talks about the experience of being the oldest daughter and trying to relate to that feeling of “being cool” and also talking about the feeling of really wanting to find someone (which is a common theme in this album). This track really did grow on me, the bridge especially.

Ruin The Friendship

The sixth track of the album is called Ruin The Friendship. This song is about exactly what you’d think it is, ruining a friendship. It talks about her relationship from someone in the past and how she wishes she would’ve acted on her feelings for him. If you know the song “Forever Winter”, I believe this song is about the same person. The song in the beginning is simple but toward the end it definitly takes a very sad turn I wasn’t prepared for. 

Actually Romatic

The seventh track of the album is called Actually Romatic. This song talks about someone in Swift’s life who has been talking about her behind her back and Swift’s reaction it it, saying she finds it sweet how much time the person has spent talking about Swift. Supposedly this song is about singer Charli XCX, which as a Charli and Taylor fan I don’t know how to feel. The song itself is good, just a little simple and I feel like some of the lyrics could be a little better. 

Wi$h Li$t

The eighth track of the album is called Wi$h Li$t. It’s basically comparing what other people want with their lives verus what she wants with her life. It’s very catchy and cute (I know I keep saying this but truly you cannot listen to a bunch of love songs and not think they are cute). I don’t really have much to add here other than I enjoyed this one.

Wood

The ninth track of the album is called Wood. In all honestly I do not want to go into detail with the meaning behind this song, I suggest just googling it. It’s catchy, I like the wood sound effects in it when she says “Knock on wood”. In all honestly I can’t take this seriously, and it reminds me a lot of something Sabrina Carpenter would write.

CANCELLED!

The tenth track of the album is called CANCELLED!, and obviously it’s about being canceled. Swift has had her own experiences with being canceled (the biggest one being between 1989-reputation eras) and how she doesn’t judge people for being canceled. There is one lyric I hate so much in this song and it drives me crazy she left it in. Despite some of the lyrics this song is good, once again the bridge is my favorite part.

Honey

The eleventh track of the album is called Honey. This song is about how she’s been called pet names like “honey” and “sweetheart” a lot in a mocking way, but she doesn’t mind when the person she’s talking to calls her that (once again it’s referring to Travis Kelce). Once again it’s simple but its a cute idea, like “oh i’ve finally found the one!!!”. It’s refreshing to hear so many love songs on this album compared to her other recent songs

The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) 

The twelfth and final song of the album is called The Life of a Showgirl (aka the name of the album). This song follows a fangirl and a performer named ‘Kitty’. A fangirl goes to see Kitty preform and ends up meeting her where Kitty gives her some advice, and as the song progresses we see the fangirl eventually take her advice and become a showgirl herself. I really liked this one, I’m a big fan of both artists and their voices blended very nicely together. Overall a very good end to the album, and I especially liked at the end it included a recording from the eras tour of Swift saying goodnight and the crowd cheering. 

Overall I really liked this album, and it’s been on repeat for me the entire past week. I know a lot of people didn’t like it but I feel like it’ll grow on a lot of people. It is a bit different to her past music but that’s what I liked a bit, she’s happy and in love and this album reflects it.