Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 to pursue a career in country music. She broke into the country music scene with her eponymous self-titled debut studio album, Taylor Swift in 2006, which included the singles "Teardrops on My Guitar" and "Our Song". Swift also released the holiday album, Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection, later titled as The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection in October 2007.
Swift rose to mainstream prominence with her sophomore studio album, Fearless (2008), a country pop record with crossover appeal. Aided by the top-five singles "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me", Fearless was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Swift's third studio album, Speak Now (2010), blended country pop with elements of rock and featured the top-ten singles "Mine" and "Back to December".
Drawing inspiration from various pop, rock, and electronic genres, Swift's fourth studio album Red (2012) saw her transcending her country roots. She completely moved to pop with her synth-pop fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), and expanded the electropop sound on her next two studio albums, reputation (2017) and Lover (2019), which respectively embraced urban and retro styles. The four albums spawned a string of international top-five singles, including "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", "I Knew You Were Trouble", "Shake It Off", "Blank Space", "Bad Blood", "Look What You Made Me Do", "ME! (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco)", "You Need to Calm Down", and "Lover".
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift experimented with folk and alternative rock on her eighth and ninth studio albums, folklore and evermore (both 2020), whose lead singles "cardigan" and "willow" topped charts around the world. She also released the critically acclaimed documentaries Miss Americana and Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions that year. Swift's tenth studio album, Midnights (2022), marked her triumphant return to pop after two folk albums. The album set the record for biggest first day and first week ever on Spotify, spawned the hits Anti-Hero and Lavender Haze, and sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week becoming not only the biggest debut of the decade but also Swift's biggest debut ever. She would make history by becoming the first artist to occupy the entire top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 with tracks from Midnights.
Additionally, Swift began re-recording her back catalog in November 2020 as a result of a publicized dispute with talent manager Scooter Braun and her former label Big Machine, regarding the acquisition of the masters of her back catalog. In April 2021, Swift released a re-recorded issue of her 2008 album Fearless, titled Fearless (Taylor's Version). It debuted at number one in the US. Swift continued releasing re-recorded versions of her back catalog in November, 2021 with the release of Red (Taylor's Version), a 30 track re-issue of her 2012 critical smash. The album debuted at #1 in the US, spawned the #1 hit All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault), and broke the record at the time for biggest first day for a female album on Spotify. Red (Taylor's Version) was a critical and commercial hit, and proved that Swift's ambitious plan to re-record her first 6 albums was well worth it.
Along with the release of Red (Taylor's Version) came All Too Well: The Short Film (2021), Swift's filmmaking debut. The 15 minute romantic drama was based on the lyrical content from Swift's 2012 fan favorite "All Too Well" starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien. It had a limited theatrical release in major cities, and Swift held special screenings of the film throughout 2022 at various film festivals. In December, 2022 Taylor announced that she would be making her feature directorial debut with Oscar-winning studio Searchlight Pictures.
Following the release of Midnights, Swift would embark on her first tour in five years, The Eras Tour.
Swift has released several songs for film soundtracks. She co-wrote two songs for the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack— "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home" and "Crazier", and contributed two songs to the Valentine's Day soundtrack, including the single "Today Was a Fairytale", which was her first number one on the Canadian Hot 100, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. She also contributed two original songs to The Hunger Games soundtrack album: "Safe & Sound - from The Hunger Games Soundtrack", co-written and recorded with The Civil Wars and T-Bone Burnett, and "Eyes Open". "Safe & Sound" won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. In 2013, Swift recorded "Sweeter than Fiction", a song she wrote and produced with Jack Antonoff for the One Chance film soundtrack, which received a Best Original Song nomination at the 71st Golden Globe Awards. Swift and English singer Zayn Malik, mononymously known as Zayn, released a single together, "I Don't Wanna Live Forever", for the soundtrack of the film Fifty Shades Darker (2017). She also recorded an original song called "Beautiful Ghosts", which she wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Cats's soundtrack (2019). In 2020, Swift's documentary Miss Americana featured the song "Only the Young" which was written after the 2018 United States elections. In 2022, she released an original song titled "Carolina" for Where The Crawdads Sing (2022) inspired by the novel written by Delia Owens.
With sales of over 200 million records worldwide, Swift is a best-selling music artist. Her accolades include 12 Grammy Awards (including three Album of the Year wins), two Brit Awards (including a Global Icon award), an Emmy Award, 28 [https://guinnessworldrecords.com/]Guinness World Records, 32 American Music Awards (the most wins by an artist), and 23 Billboard Music Awards (the most wins by a woman). She ranked eighth on Billboard's Greatest of All Time Artists Chart (2019) and was listed on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time (2015). Swift has been included in various power rankings, such as Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2010, 2015 and 2019) and Forbes Celebrity 100 (placing first in 2016 and 2019). She was named Woman of the Decade (2010s) by Billboard and Artist of the Decade (2010s) by the American Music Awards.
Who I've Always Been
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
shinning boots and your pull out band
smile on your face and nothing your hand
singing songs you got memorized
with what ever talent …
show polish … right through your hands
but don't ruin yourself i ain't your competition
don't flatter yourself that was never my intention
i wanna talk about it of what you are i ain't
let's talk about what you do that i can't
let's talk about me and you and an empty room and who wins
let's talk about of what you did to get here
let's talk about of blood and sweat and tears
let's talk about of what you wanna be girl and who i've always been
i walk in here with a beat up case, the same guitar i've always played
and the verse i wrote down on a page,
when i was 12 years old a small town brace
you tell the crowd to pay in dues, i've tell them this is what i do
and it's what i put my life into, as i … the smoke and she perfume
and say life on musical road is rough conditions
… the easy ride was never my ambition
wanna talk about it of what you are i ain't
let's talk about what you do that i can't
let's talk about me and you and an empty room and who wins
let's talk about of what you did to get here
let's talk about of blood and sweat and tears
let's talk about of what you wanna be girl and who i've always been
let's talk about your job hood daisy
with a prom queen i was on the stage
so where's that crown gotten you these days
when it's me and you in the same damn games
so what have you got that i ain't
what do you do that i can't
let's put me and you in an empty room and see who wins
let's talk about of what you did to get here
let's talk about blood and sweat and tears
let's talk about of what you wanna be girl, who i've always been.
In Taylor Swift's song "Who I've Always Been," the lyrics explore a sense of competition and comparison between two individuals in the music industry. The song begins by describing one person as a talented musician, with a smile on their face and a polished performance. However, the singer asserts that they are not the competition, and it was never their intention to flatter or compete with this person.
The singer then shifts the focus to themselves, highlighting their own journey and dedication to music. They enter the room with a beat-up guitar case, playing the same instrument they have always played. The verse they wrote at the age of 12 symbolizes their early passion for music. They contrast themselves with the other person, emphasizing that while they may tell the crowd about paying dues, music is what the singer has dedicated their life to, even in rough conditions. They never aspired for an easy ride, as their ambition lies in the music itself.
Continuing the conversation, the singer challenges the other person's achievements and status. They question the impact of the other person's crown and fame, suggesting that they are both playing the same game. The lyrics express a desire to compare themselves directly, to see who will come out on top in an empty room. The singer asserts that they have put in the same effort, with blood, sweat, and tears, to be who they truly are, while wondering what the other person has that they don't.
Through these lyrics, Taylor Swift explores the theme of competition and self-assurance in the face of comparison. It delves into the idea of staying true to oneself and finding validation within their own journey, rather than seeking it from external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
you rocking here with your guitar man
You are performing confidently with your guitar.
shinning boots and your pull out band
Your appearance is polished, and you have a backup band.
smile on your face and nothing your hand
You seem happy, but you don't possess anything meaningful.
singing songs you got memorized
You are performing songs that you have memorized.
with what ever talent …
Utilizing whatever talent you possess...
show polish … right through your hands
Your performance appears polished and flawless.
but don't ruin yourself i ain't your competition
Don't destroy yourself, I am not your rival.
don't flatter yourself that was never my intention
Do not be conceited, as it was never my intention to praise you.
i wanna talk about it of what you are i ain't
I want to discuss how different you are from me.
let's talk about what you do that i can't
Let's discuss the abilities you possess that I lack.
let's talk about me and you and an empty room and who wins
Let's consider a scenario with just the two of us and determine who comes out on top.
let's talk about of what you did to get here
Let's discuss the actions you took to reach your current position.
let's talk about of blood and sweat and tears
Let's have a conversation about the hardships you endured.
let's talk about of what you wanna be girl and who i've always been
Let's discuss your aspirations and my true nature.
i walk in here with a beat up case, the same guitar i've always played
I enter with a worn-out case and the same guitar I've always used.
and the verse i wrote down on a page
Referring to the lyrics I wrote down.
when i was 12 years old a small town brace
During my younger years in a small, supportive community.
you tell the crowd to pay in dues, i've tell them this is what i do
You encourage the audience to pay their dues, while I declare that this is my passion.
and it's what i put my life into, as i … the smoke and she perfume
I dedicate my life to this craft, even amongst the challenges and distractions.
and say life on musical road is rough conditions
Acknowledging that a career in music is filled with hardships.
… the easy ride was never my ambition
An easy journey was never my ambition.
let's talk about your job hood daisy
Let's discuss your role as the hometown sweetheart.
with a prom queen i was on the stage
Reflecting on my time as a popular figure during prom.
so where's that crown gotten you these days
Questioning the impact and current status of your former popularity.
when it's me and you in the same damn games
When we are both participating in the same endeavors.
so what have you got that i ain't
What do you possess that I don't?
what do you do that i can't
What can you do that I am incapable of?
let's put me and you in an empty room and see who wins
Let's create a scenario where it's just the two of us and determine the victor.
let's talk about of what you did to get here
Let's discuss the actions you took to reach your current position.
let's talk about blood and sweat and tears
Let's have a conversation about the hardship and sacrifices you endured.
let's talk about of what you wanna be girl, who i've always been
Let's discuss your desires and aspirations, along with my true nature.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Washington
If you ( Taylor ); record / re - record,
this song ( On: A ' Re - Recorded ' ...
Version, of: Your, ' Debut; Album '...
Which, was... ' Self ' - Titled: " Taylor
Swift " )!!!... I have; ' No - Doubt ' ...
It will; be a hit ( Like; the musical; group: " No Doubt " )!!!
I LOVE YOU, TAYLOR!!!
( I LOVE YOU, BABY ) BABE!!!
Jose Lajuan Washington
Your, ' LOVER ( YOUR, MAN ) !!! '
' Midnight's '... And; Much more
( beyond )!!!
Continued, Success ( " Midnights " )!!
P.S. - I love you, Gorgeous ( Taylor )!!!
The time; now, is: 11:49pm.
Keith the Cat
Songs like this make me wonder how many songs she has written that have never been leaked or released. There’s got to be thousands in the vault that no one will ever hear.
Lisa Matute
I was wondering the same thing.
CaptainAyaAya28
Yeah. I can’t wait to hear some of those vault songs. (Also I want to hear All The Girls and Need but since she doesn’t need to re-record Lover I doubt they would ever be released.)
Georgia Lewis
at least we are getting a few more with the rerecordings!
madelyn
SHE NEEDS TO PUT THIS ON THE DEBUT RE-RECORDING
Genesis Parel
maybe she won't cuz the song sounds like she was telling a story about how she had to gain the approval of a woman that gets to decide if she gets signed as an artist. Feminism thing
Annabeth Chase
@Emily true
Emily
@Annabeth Chase It would be on vault
Hayley Mysliwiec
IF THIS IS NOT ON IT, I AM SUING
Susan Carson
YES