New Books Network Christa Anne Bentley et al, eds., "Taylor Swift: The Star, The Songs, The Fans" (Routledge, 2025)
Sep 27, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Christa Anne Bentley, a musicology professor, shares her expertise on Taylor Swift's acoustic performances. Alongside her, Paula Harper delves into queer interpretations and fan practices, while Kate Galloway explores the pandemic's influence on Swift's music. The trio examines Swift's evolution from teen sensation to adult icon, the intricacies of her public persona, and the impact of gender dynamics in fandom. They also unpack the eco-sonic themes in her recent albums, revealing the multi-layered significance of her artistry.
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Pandemic Sparked Scholarly Momentum
- The editors launched Taylor Swift studies from a pandemic Zoom backchannel into a full conference and then a book.
- The project grew as more scholars and practitioners wanted Swift scholarship taken seriously.
Why Swift Scholarship Lagged Behind
- Misogyny and genre expectations delayed sustained academic attention to Taylor Swift.
- Critics praised Swift's lyrics before seriously engaging her as a musician.
Discipline And Fandom Shaped Priorities
- Discipline and audience shaped who gets studied: Beyoncé drew multi-discipline attention earlier than Swift.
- Swift's mainstream, relatable persona and girl-fanbase were historically dismissed by critics.
