Life of a Showgirl: The ultimate debate of TS12

Kelsey Sweet, News Chief

October 21, 2025

Taylor Swift’s album cover “The Life of a Showgirl” courtesy of Deadline.

Even after hearing the phrase “they tortured the poet out of her” countless times in the hallway after her newest album release, I can confirm that I am still a Swiftie through and through. Taylor Swift never changed, her approach on this new album just happened to take a different spin.

“The Life of a Showgirl” demonstrates a shift in her life to the new person she is becoming. This album is a beautiful, personal piece of work, revealing vulnerability and character regarding Swift’s life.

Swift was able to showcase all of the ups and downs she faced during “The Eras Tour,” making the personal connections to her life more evident. This album has been highly anticipated by fans, and because of this, countless CDs and merch have been sold on the Taylor Swift Official Website.

From her website updates to hiding different items around the world, Swift is known for her elaborate Easter eggs. Swifties are speculating that the most recent Easter egg is different colored doors appearing all over the world’s biggest cities.

According to The Tennessean, an orange door has popped up in Greimey’s Record Store in Nashville. With that, more have been seen in 12 other cities, including New York City, Monica, London, Berlin, Chicago and other places around the world.

Attached to these doors are QR codes that reveal one word of a phrase. After piecing all the words together, the doors revealed the phrase “You must remember everything but mostly this: the crowd is your king.” While fans are very dedicated to this Easter egg hunt, Swift has not acknowledged the fact that this is going on, adding to the mystery of it all.

Overall, Swift did an amazing job telling stories through her music in “The Life of a Showgirl.” If you have decided to turn away from the album, I encourage you to give it another chance. Every time I relisten to the album, I find more highlights from each song that resonate with me, and below, are my takeaways from every track.

TS12 Song Reviews

“The Fate of Ophelia” - 3:46

The opening to “The Fate of Ophelia” made me think that this song was going to have a very different feel, something simpler and more somber. However, once the beat dropped, I was able to vibe with the undertones of the music. This song was very empowering because she used lyrics like: “I swore my loyalty to me, myself and I / right before you lit my sky up.” Swift talks about the fact that the world she lives in is her and she should never have to fall into line with someone else.

This is also a very strong piece because Swift reflects off of the fact of how she never needed a “someone” to keep her happy, but once she found love, it was nice. “I sat alone in my tower / you were just honing your powers / now I can see it all.”

“Elizabeth Taylor” - 3:28

Swift connects this song to the famous actress, Elizabeth Taylor. I feel this song reveals what Swift's struggles were like during her time on tour and how there were many rude comments made about her. Elizabeth Taylor was known for her big heart, and like Swift, they both had a hard time dealing with public perception.

“Elizabeth Taylor” also suggests fear of the possible “what ifs” to losing her fiancé, Travis Kelce, or losing her career. The lyricism shows how she is trying to make the things that matter to her most come into the spotlight. “All white diamonds and lovers are forever / don’t you ever end up anything but mine.”

“Opalite” - 3:55

The word, Opalite, refers to being calm and how good it feels to have inner peace, which is part of the healing process and very important to her personal journey. “Opalite” is a beautiful reference to what it is like to experience heartbreak, and how wonderful it can feel when you find someone who makes you feel seen.

Swift’s lyrics use a lot of imagery which helps her listeners grasp the story behind her words, like in the lyrics: “You were dancing through the lightning strikes / sleepless in the onyx night / but now the sky is opalite." Swift reflects on how much her life has changed, both with the people she shares it with, as well as experiences.

“Father Figure” - 3:32

This catchy melody was also heard in George Michael’s hit song “Father Figure,” which compliment both songs very well. I personally did not know Michael’s hit song, but after I listened to Swift’s, I immediately felt like I had to educate myself on his first publication. Some believe that Swift created this song as a reflection of taking over her career, where she was able to buy back her masters.

When I first heard this song, I thought it was going to be about her dad, but I was wrong. When I think of this song, my mind immediately goes to the fact that she wants to be a mentor for others, and how she focuses on the ones she cares most about. “This love is pure profit, just step into my office / I dry your tears with my sleeve / leave it with me / I will protect the family.”

“Eldest Daughter” - 4:06

Swift captures fans’ attention by this interesting title, since not many fans know about her younger brother, Austin. This song not only informs her unknowing fans, but also has an emotional meaning behind it.

Throughout the song, Swift was trying to reveal her feelings about the fact that the oldest daughter has to carry emotional burdens on her shoulders and always look strong for her family to see. “Eldest Daughter” is a connection to Swift’s younger self, an individual scared of being vulnerable, and how she got into a powerful and safe relationship, giving her the option to go back to her childhood.

“Ruin the Friendship” - 3:40

This happens to be one of my favorite songs on the album. It sticks out to me because this song has to do with Swift’s friend who passed away. Swift sings “Should have kissed you anyway,” reflecting on how strong their connection was. The song expresses now having to live with the dread and guilt that she missed out on so many opportunities to tell him how she really felt.

“Actually Romantic” - 2:42

Followed by another personal favorite, this is a realization point for Swift where she realizes she has finally found the love that she always wrote about wanting to find. “But it’s actually sweet / all the time you’ve spent on me / it’s honestly wild / all the efforts you’ve put in / it’s actually romantic” Swift sings. This song has a special connection to me.

I remember how excited I was when I found out there was a new album coming out, and she was in love. With this, I bought the “Actually Romantic” gift set that came with the necklace, featured CD, and additional pictures. Many have said that this song is sarcastic, responding to Charli XCX’s song “Sympathy Is A Knife," making a joke about how XCX is so obsessed with taunting Swift.

“Wi$h Li$t” - 3:26

Romance and love songs are something that I am connected to. “Wi$h Li$t” features Swift’s plans with Kelce. She mentions all of the experiences she wants to have with him, including turning a house into a home and raising a family. “I just want you / have a couple kids / got the whole block looking like you,” Swift sings.

This song contrasts Swift's primary themes that she sings about, the downfalls of relationships. Just like her new album, this adds to her new journey and start of her life.

“Wood” - 2:30

This song is very creative. “Wood” reminds me of Sabrina Carpenter’s type of music, leaving me wondering if Carpenter has contributed to Swift’s writing ideas. Many listeners also expressed that they could hear her “vibes” and the way she performs through “Wood.” She talks a lot about certain details that lean towards her intimate life.

“CANCELLED!” - 3:31

Swift sings strongly about what it is like to be cancelled giving many nods to her older works, I mean, hello “Reputation.” I also like to believe that Swift wrote this song for the people who have been cancelled, recognizing how it can take a toll on someone emotionally. "Welcome to my underworld / where it gets quite dark /at least you know exactly who your friends are / they’re the ones with matching scars,” Swift sings.

“Honey” - 3:01

Like the name, this song connects to living a sweet life, and trapping yourself in something so great that you don't want to escape. This song suggests that in previous relationships, there were people that made her feel sweet and attached to, calling her “sweetheart,” “honey,” and other pet names that made her feel loved, when in reality, she gave her all and received nothing back from her significant others.

Swift expresses that in her current relationship, she has gotten everything she wanted, making a full 360 from her previous relationships and albums. “You can call me honey if you want/ because I’m the one you want,” Swift sings.

“The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)” - 4:01

This song is one that stuck out to me. Swifties and Carpenter’s fans have come together to fan-girl over this song. “But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe/ and you're never gonna get it,” The pop-duo sings. They connect the song to the life behind a showgirl’s glitter and sparkles. This lyric talks about how performers often don’t share too much of their personal life, wanting to maintain that showgirl attitude.

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About the Contributor

Kelsey Sweet, News Chief

This is Kelsey’s second year on the editorial board and her third year on the Lancer Spirit staff. Being the News Chief for the 2025- 2026 school year, you are more than likely to catch her at many school events. She is also involved with many activities, including co-president of WTA, Latin President of Foreign Language National Honor Society, and holding the position of Class Historian for the class of ’26. In addition to writing, she has a love for music and enjoys her time spent in the music department at LHS. She’s looking forward to working with this amazing group of writers and wants to make sure that Lancer Spirit always has coverage of important news and the amazing events revolving around Lancer Nation.

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