Study Reveals Linguistic Patterns Behind Taylor Swift’s Songwriting

LONDON: (Showbiz Desk) – Although Taylor Swift has reinvented her sound and image across different musical eras, a new academic study suggests that her songwriting has maintained remarkably consistent language patterns throughout her career.

Researchers analyzed more than 123,000 words from 247 songs spanning Swift’s career, from her 2006 debut to The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, released this year. The research examined recurring symbols, imagery, themes and linguistic patterns in her lyrics.

According to the study, one of the strongest themes across Swift’s songwriting is her awareness of how she is viewed by other people. Her lyrics frequently explore public perception, criticism and the pressure of being in the spotlight.

The research found that Swift often adopts the perspective of an observer or outsider when addressing her public image. Songs including Shake It Off and Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? use sarcastic or defensive language to engage with public commentary and media attention.

Colour is another recurring feature of Swift’s lyrics. While words associated with colours such as red, maroon, lavender and gold appear prominently across her catalogue, the study found that “grey” is the most frequently used colour term, appearing in songs including Coney Island and Evermore.

The study also highlighted Swift’s frequent references to the human body. Words describing body parts such as eyes, lips, hands, shoulders and faces often appear in lyrics dealing with relationships, memories and emotional experiences.

Clothing is another recurring element, with references to cardigans, blue jeans, sports shirts and little black dresses often used to convey identity, nostalgia and emotional states.

Researchers also examined what they described as counterfactual thinking — imagining what might have happened under different circumstances. Swift’s lyrics frequently explore alternative outcomes, missed opportunities and situations that could have unfolded differently.

The research was based on a bespoke database known as the Taylor Lyric Corpus (TaLyCo). Despite the major changes in Swift’s musical styles and visual eras over nearly two decades, the analysis suggests that her underlying approach to language has remained notably consistent.

The findings indicate that themes such as public scrutiny, physical imagery, clothing, colour and alternative versions of events form recurring elements of Swift’s songwriting across her extensive catalogue.