Finding Resilience in Lyrics: The Positive Impact of Taylor Swift's Music

By Matthew Durrington, Excel Psychology Receptionist

As Taylor Swift wins her 13th grammy (woohoo!) and announces her 11th studio album (woohoo!!), let’s talk about the positive impact Taylor Swift has had in the lives of her listeners. 

Many of us have grown up with Taylor’s music and commonly share a feeling of deep connection and comradery through Taylor’s powerful lyrics and personal growth. With each new album we get a window into that period of her life and often see many of our own feelings and experiences reflected back to us.

Taylor’s expansive repertoire and expert storytelling truly gives us a song for every occasion. Heartbreak? Joy? Revenge? Love? Empowerment? She’s got a song for them all - and then some! Knowing that we are not alone in our emotional experiences, and that someone else understands what we’re going through can really help relieve some of the weight from our shoulders, making it easier to cope and heal. 

Taylor Swift really inspires friendship, empathy and equality. As the record breaking and ground shaking (literally) Eras Tour continues, Swifties globally craft friendship bracelets to be traded and shared with others at the concerts. We use these tokens to share our love for certain lyrics, songs and albums, inspiring passion and joy. The positive impact this sense of community and reciprocity has had for so many is a movement of its own. 

While Taylor’s lyrics and the Swifty fandom are not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment, they can be powerful tools to help you on your journey. 

So if you’ve got a Blank Space in your schedule or You Need To Calm Down with some heartfelt music, here are my recommendations!

Heartbreak: All Too Well (10 minute Version)

Joy: Shake It Off, Bejewelled, Style

Grief: Bigger Than The Whole Sky

Anger: I Did Something Bad, Mad Woman, Karma 

Anxiety: Nothing New, Out Of The Woods

Love: Lover, Paper Rings, Lavender Haze