Lights, camera and action. “The Life of a Showgirl,” Taylor Swift’s 12th album, released Oct. 3 at 12 a.m. ET. This 12 track album, with a run time of 41:40, gained much attention, especially after Swift herself declared the songs are “bangers.”
Swift’s last album, 2024’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” sold $2.61 million in its first week, according to Billboard, and this album is set to beat that. In fact, the album has a chance to become the album with the highest first-week sales in the United States, since Adele’s 2025 album, “25,” which sold 3.378 million copies, according to Nielsen Music. “The Life of a Showgirl” already beat the record held by “TTPD” of the most pre-saves on Spotify; “TTPD” beat that record a day before its release, and “The Life of a Showgirl” beating that record a week before its release. With day one of release, this album has become the number one streamed album for all of 2025 so far on Spotify.
When making this album, Swift decided to work with Max Martin and Shellback, the same producers for 2012’s “RED,” 2014’s “1989” and 2017’s “Reputation,” some of the fan favorites in the Swiftie community. This collaboration is also part of why the hype was so big for this album.
Now, here is each song on the track list, with my quick thoughts upon the fourth listen:
“The Fate of Ophelia” This song sets the stage for the album, with the album cover being inspired by a painting of Ophelia in the water. It has fun vibes, but it also tells an entire story within the song.
“Elizabeth Taylor” This is possibly one of my favorites on the album. Elizabeth Taylor was an actress whose career started at the age of 10 and lasted decades, winning two Oscars, both for Best Actress, and a Golden Globe. This is not the first time Swift included a reference to someone from “old Hollywood,” as she did the same thing in “TTPD” with Clara Bow. I think this song was added because Swift possibly relates to her, with Swift’s career beginning at 15.
“Opalite” I do not know how to feel about this song; it has fun vibes, and it makes me think of someone running down the street with chaos around them. It is about her fiancé, football player Travis Kelce. She confirmed this on the show, “Capital FM Breakfast.” Calling “Opalite” a “cool metaphor,” she also said, “It’s a man-made opal, and happiness can also be man-made. That’s what the song is about. The juxtaposition of those two.”
“Father Figure” I like this song; I think it holds the vibes of a real showgirl. It was a tribute to the late musical artist George Michael, who debuted in 1987 and died in 2016. His team posted on social media, “We were delighted when Taylor Swift and her team approached us earlier this year about incorporating an interpolation of George Michael’s classic song ‘Father Figure’ into a brand-new song of the same title to be featured on her forthcoming album. When we heard the track, we had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists, and we know George would have felt the same. George Michael Entertainment wishes Taylor every success with ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ and ‘Father Figure.'”
“Eldest Daughter” Not that this is necessarily a sad song, but it gives me those vibes. I do like it being on the album, though. I think it says that being a showgirl is not always glamourous. A lot of people do not know that Swift has a younger brother, Austin Swift, so this song is theoretically about being in the role of being a loving older sister.
“Ruin The Friendship” I feel like there is something to read into with this song. It is about regret, but I feel like there is more to the song – unless I am just overanalyzing it. I have seen people saying that this song is about Blake Lively, but I honestly do not see it. I have also seen many people say it is about Jeff Lang, a high school friend of Swift’s that died in her early 20s. Abigail Anderson, one of Swift’s best friends from high school and still a close friend, is also mentioned in this song, so I feel like this connection makes a lot more sense.
“Actually Romantic” At this point, this song is my favorite track on the album. I think it is cute and joyful. People have also said this song is inspired by Charli XCX, especially with beginning with “Boring Barbie,” but I do not know. I suppose I see it.
“Wi$h Li$t” I think this is Swift saying what she wants in her life, to an extent, as she talks about settling down and having kids. I think that it is her just thinking about what she wants for her future.
“Wood” This track is the shortest song on the album, but it has many playful nods towards Kelce. It even calls out his podcast, “New Heights.” That is all I have to say about this one for now.
“CANCELLED!” I have to say, after listening to this, my mind instantly thought of Blake Lively, which is something I have seen a lot of people say too, and I love the call out, although it is not confirmed that it is about Lively. I think to understand the reference, you need to know the court case drama with Lively. I also think this song is about knowing how it feels to be cancelled.
“Honey” This is another really cute song. It is about pet names changing for Swift. And, again, that is all I have to say about this one for now.
“The Life of a Showgirl” (featuring Sabrina Carpenter) I think this is the two saying what it is like to be famous and the price of fame. The flow of the song is nice, and the ending, with them giving thanks and taking a final bow, is a good way to end the album.
Overall, I really enjoyed this album. I do not think a lot of people expected it to be what it actually is; it was not what I was expecting. That being said, I think that the songs meet the showgirl vibes. A lot of theories that I have heard about the album and the songs either are a reach or track well, but I think that it will be interesting to see what Swift may confirm or deny. I also think that, once I really listen to the lyrics closely, my thoughts will change. I think there are many easter eggs still to find. This album is a 5/5 from me!
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