But here’s where the signals often get crossed - as a result of lazy media and tabloid gossip, Swift has earned a reputation for her past relationships and even been labeled a “serial dater” (because God forbid a woman dates in her late teens and early twenties). Swift’s music often focuses on the love she experiences in her life. But in recent years, it’s been a matter of something different: specifically, a fear of being associated with the stereotypically feminine topics typically present in Taylor Swift’s music. So what’s so embarrassing about teenage girls that the world would rather miss out on genius and high-quality music than be associated with our interests? In decades past, it’s been a matter of fear of being associated with the female fangirl population. Seriously, the awkward shuffle, the “Uhhh”, the pretending to forget the name of “Love Story” even though every member of Gen-Z knows the whole song by heart: It’s a whole routine. I watch as my male friends discuss a popular TikTok song on their For You pages, only to see their faces drop when I reveal that it’s the bridge to Taylor Swift’s “cardigan.” And I’ve never seen anyone more embarrassed than a teenage boy asked what his favorite Taylor Swift song is. But for a period of time, the band was “nothing more than noise” to the majority of listeners, who just couldn’t support a band associated with “mostly 14- to 15-year-old girls.” And nowadays, I see it still. The Beatles may have eventually reached a wider fanbase, becoming appreciated by nearly the whole world. elementary school idea of “that’s for girls, this is for boys.” As long as teenage girls were screaming their poodle skirts off for Elvis, no “respectable” teenage boy or adult person could be seen enjoying the same music. Once again, it all goes back to the primal, B.S. Yet when they back off and find a new artist to appreciate, society is suddenly able to give credit where credit is due and recognize a “great” - just with no appreciation to the group that carried them to stardom in the first place and stood by them when the rest of the world wouldn’t. But I am saying that once teenage girls express an interest in something, that thing becomes embarrassing to the rest of the world. I’m not saying that teenage girls are a superior brand of humans with impeccable taste. But now? You better believe I can’t get through a car ride with my dad without at least one play of “Suspicious Minds.” It’s not like middle-aged dads were jumping to be first in line for an Elvis or Beatles concert at the time of their initial successes. But what I find most interesting here isn’t necessarily teen girls’ role in boosting the music industry, but society’s reactions to their involvement. From Frank Sinatra to Elvis to the Beatles, teen female fans have played pivotal roles in locating “greats” and single-handedly elevating their career. Taylor Swift definitely isn’t the first artist to be carried to stardom by the masses of teenage girls. And who could respect an artist who panders to that audience? But if there’s anything I’ve noticed, it’s that Taylor Swift has a reputation (no pun intended) as someone who makes music for teenage girls - writing songs about love and boys. So why, then? Why did I feel so uncomfortable admitting something that wasn’t embarrassing? Why do I still fight the urge to preface my interest in Taylor Swift’s music with a “hear me out,” when I talk to men or to adults? It’s not like she’s suffering from a lack of success. And in my eight-year-old eyes, music I thought was for teenage girls just didn’t seem respectable. My favorite song of all time was “You Belong With Me.” So why did I always feel the need to lie (especially to the boys in my class) about something I knew I liked? I was embarrassed to admit what I enjoyed out of fear that boys would laugh at me, or that they wouldn’t take me seriously. During the early 2010s (arguably the peak of “not like other girls”-ism), I would constantly tell people I just didn’t like Taylor Swift. Honestly, I can trace all this back to my elementary school years. But as weird as some of these things may be, no one has ever scoffed or rolled their eyes at me the way they do when I tell them I love Taylor Swift. I love children’s movies with adult jokes (and celebrity voice actors, of course) and planning my obscure Halloween costumes 11 months in advance. I love overpriced lattes and Spider-Man movies. Before we start, let me make a few things clear.
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