Unless you’ve been hiding out in the wilderness, Taylor Swift released her long-awaited latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, with a surprise double album subtitled The Anthology, on April 19th. It’s an impressive 16-track record (31 including the second album) that has garnered praise from devoted fans and critics alike. Swift’s album racked up an astounding 1.5 million in sales in its first week, 700K of those sales were vinyl records. It also quickly became Spotify’s most-streamed album in less than 12 hours after releasing.
Taylor Swift's Influence on Travel
Music has the incredible ability to transport us to different places and times, even those we've never visited. Taylor Swift's storytelling excels at this, with her ability to create vivid landscapes filled with emotional and personal narratives.
However, her music doesn't just inspire these emotional frontiers that resonate with fans. Swift’s music significantly affects local economies through her concert sales and travel. Her fans often travel great distances to attend her concerts, packing stadiums, and connecting deeper with the lyrical tales she has penned as well. We'll keep hoping that Swift will decide to make a tour stop in Duluth in a future era.
In the meantime, for the Swifties with a penchant for road trips or those wanderers looking to add to their current playlists we have selected 5 songs which speak to those who like to blast music in the car, create a mixtape (that’s still a thing, at least in spirit right?), or want to light a spark for their next adventure.
For those willing to dig a little deeper in Taylor Swift's songbook (including collaborations, and covers by fellow artists), you can find a curated playlist for your next drive up to the North Shore.
Then discovered (then discovered)/
The rest of the world was black and white/
But we were in screaming color
Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version)
1989 Era
Loosely inspired events which transpired on a ski trip, the repeating refrain in Out of the Woods is backed by an energetic, synth-driven track making it perfect for cruising down the many branching backroads you’ll find on the North Shore with tall trees staring you down.
The light of freedom on my face
Getaway Car
Reputation Era
Similar to the previous track, Getaway Car trembles with synthesizers and a steady drumbeat. Swift scatters pop-culture references throughout which range from a Dickensian twist to a Bon Jovi shoutout. The most obvious of these references amongst these is the song's namesake for Prohibition-era, doomed and the infamous couple Bonnie and Clyde. Add this one if you're looking to make a breakaway for a weekend girls trip.
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you/
I was screaming, "Long live that look on your face"
Long Live (Taylor’s Version)
Speak Now Era
A more contemporary country anthem, Long Live stands out as an upbeat, earnest track that plays out like a graduation song as one moves from one phase of life into another. Its lyrics are filled with mythical dragons slayed, adventures had, and adventures to come with stories to be shared in the future, not unlike memories which are made on unforgettable trips with loved ones.
You take my hand and drag me head first/
Fearless
Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
Fearless Era
With a great hook from the first line, Fearless encapsulates love and the risk of putting oneself right in the middle of an adventure. A twangy country electric guitar backs the track which is rounded out with mandolin fills and lyrics that capture the moments where love slips in. It almost breathlessly stirs the heart, firing emotions up with the subtlest change to like after a storm — which makes you confident enough to get up and “dance in a storm, in your best dress.”
The beautiful kind, makin' up for lost time
Everything Has Changed (Taylor's Version) (feat. Ed Sheeran)
Red Era
With Sheeran’s comforting acoustic tone and a track cared for by legendary singer-songwriter and producer Butch Walker, Everything Has Changed evokes the moment a single spark ignites a fire in one's heart (similarly to Fearless). The song makes it the perfect selection to add for a spontaneous road trip and those open to exploring new places, meeting new people, and unforgettable experiences on the open road — alone or together.
