This scholarly analysis of the music of Taylor Swift identifies how and why she is one of the early 21st century's most recognizable and most popular stars. By the age of 13, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift had already inked a development deal with a major record label. This early milestone was an appropriate predictor of what accomplishments were to come. Now a superstar artist with an international fanbase of millions and several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, Swift has established herself as one of the most important musicians of the 21st century. This accessible book serves Taylor Swift fans as well as students of contemporary popular music and popular culture, critically examining all of this young artist's work to date. The book's organization is primarily chronological, covering Taylor Swift's album and single releases in order of release date while also documenting the elements of her music and personality that have made her popular with fans of country music and pop music across a surprisingly diverse age range of listeners. The chapters address how Swift's songs have been viewed by some fans as anthems of empowerment or messages of encouragement, particularly by members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been bullied or been seen as outsiders, and emerging artists. The final chapter places Swift's work and her public persona in the context of her times with respect to her use of and relationship with technology—for example, her use of social media and songwriting technology—and her expressions of a new type of feminism that is unlike the feminism of the 1970s.

Get inside the head of one of the most influential musicians of our time with this collection of her most inspiring and revealing quotes. The quotations in this book have been carefully curated from Taylor Swift’s numerous public statements—interviews, op-eds, social media posts, and more. It’s a comprehensive picture of her meteoric rise to the top, her ever-savvy business sense, and her increasingly forthright perspective on the music world and beyond. Swift’s catchy, chart-topping songs have propelled her to become one of the bestselling musicians of all time. But in the more than fifteen years she’s been making music, she has also amassed enough power to buck the norms of an industry notorious for controlling the images of its often very young female artists. She’s stood up for herself and for other artists, championing their rights to fair royalties, and inspired tens of thousands of fans to register to vote. Swift’s achievements have earned her spots on both Forbes’s Most Powerful Women and Time’s 100 Most Influential People lists. Now, for the first time, you can find her most inspirational, thought-provoking quotes in one place.

Encyclopaedic in its scope, this is the ultimate tribute to the life and music of Taylor Swift. No need for glossy images here, the narrative says it all - a chronological account of her mercurial rise to fame; the stories that inspire the songs; an in-depth look at those much-publicised battles with the media, music industry and fellow artists, and all recounted with well-chosen words from the artist herself and dozens of others who have played a part in her incredible story. Put together, we have the definitive record. If not already a fan, reading this may very well change your opinion. "I really do try to be a nice person...but if you break my heart, hurt my feelings, or are really mean to me, I'm going to write a song about you" This is how Taylor Swift once explained the meaning behind one of her earliest songs. Never one to mince her words when it comes to sharing her thoughts, she has achieved legendary status in the music world with a career built largely on her personal feelings, ever since the day one particular teenage boy made her cry. Now barely into her third decade, her songs have taken her fans on an emotional journey that encompasses both the elation of young love and the heartbreak of fallen relationships. As always, fame courts controversy, and Taylor has had her fair share - long-standing feuds with fellow artists; harrowing claims of sexual harassment; deeply personal accusations over her own authenticity, and those headline-making, all-too public breakups with a catalog of celebrity lovers - all subjects covered in detail within these pages. This book strips away the sometimes-mythical veneer of superstardom and lays bare the real Taylor as the songwriting genius she was born to be; a young woman who, after all, is as human as the rest of us, doing amazing things as well as making incredible gaffes. But with dogged determination and staying true to herself, she has been able to drive her own destiny. Love her or hate her (maybe, better to love her), she has inspired a generation of young fans across the globe, not only with her music, but with heartfelt words of wisdom. Taylor's girl-next-door public image remains intact, at least for now, and she stands firm by one of her own mantras: "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind". For a simple good lesson in life, that ain't bad.

(Big Note Personality). Big-note arrangements of a dozen top tunes from this crossover sensation: Fearless * Fifteen * Forever & Always * Hey Stephen * Love Story * Our Song * Picture to Burn * Should've Said No * Teardrops on My Guitar * White Horse * You Belong with Me * You're Not Sorry.

(Big Note Personality). Big-note piano arrangements of a dozen megahits from Ms. Swift: Back to December * Begin Again * Enchanted * I Almost Do * I Knew You Were Trouble * Mean * Mine * Red * Starlight * Stay Stay Stay * Today Was a Fairytale * We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

A valuable resource for James Taylor fans and a fascinating read for anyone interested in autobiographical popular music of the past 50 years. What kinds of unusual musical forms and lyrical structures did American singer-songwriter James Taylor incorporate into his songs? What role did Taylor play in the introspective singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s? How did Taylor write and record songs that were inspired from his own experiences in life that touched so many other people? The Words and Music of James Taylor explores these specific topics and provides detailed critical analysis of the songs and recordings of this well-known musical icon, examining his melodic writing, his use of harmony, and his often-unappreciated tailoring of musical form to enhance his lyrical messages. The book is organized chronologically, primarily around Taylor's studio albums from 1968 to 2015, and offers an introduction, a summary of Taylor's career and importance, as well as an annotated bibliography and discography. The final section of the book presents an overview of Taylor's importance and lasting impact, an analysis of themes that run through his songs, and an explanation of how Taylor's treatment of these themes changed over the years as he matured and as the world around him changed.

This fourth edition was prepared in 2015-2016 as a supplementary text for a graduate music cataloging course. This edition is rewritten to a large extent to conform to the new instructions and paradigms represented in Resource Description and Access (RDA). RDA instructions for printed music, recorded music and music video are accompanied by advice, examples, illustrations and complete catalog records, including versions in MARC21 format. Consistent with RDA, the chapter on form and choice of access points found in earlier editions is gone, replaced with a chapter on authorized access points. The concept of “uniform title” has evolved into the concept of the “preferred title,” as part of an authorized access point, which might require manipulation and addition of some elements for disambiguation and collocation. Only three chapters are used for description of printed music, sound recordings and video recordings. Many of the older LP examples were removed as were VHS video recordings. Multimedia packages are now rare in the marketplace, but streaming audio and video are quite evident so examples now include those media. Facsimile examples from the third edition have been retained and many new examples have been added. Most catalogers today are using RDA in combination with MARC21. Accordingly, in an appendix, we have rendered each example in MARC21 format using the OCLC Connexion approach to MARC21 record formatting.A lengthy bibliography in earlier editions has been replaced by a brief list in the introduction, with pointers to online resources that are both current and constantly updated by working catalogers.

The Complete Poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition) presents the full range of Coleridge's poetic works, showcasing his mastery of the romantic genre. From the dreamlike ballad 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' to the introspective musings of 'Kubla Khan,' this collection highlights Coleridge's innovative use of language and powerful imagery. The poems are presented in their original form, with detailed annotations providing insight into their historical and literary context. This illustrated edition enhances the reader's experience by pairing the poems with artworks inspired by Coleridge's visionary verses. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a leading figure in the romantic movement, was known for his lyrical style and exploration of the supernatural and mystical. His personal struggles with addiction and spiritual yearning influenced his poetic themes, adding depth and complexity to his work. Through his poetry, Coleridge sought to capture the beauty of nature and the depths of human experience, making him a revered figure in English literature. I highly recommend The Complete Poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge to both seasoned poetry enthusiasts and newcomers alike. This anthology offers a comprehensive look at Coleridge's poetic genius, providing a window into the mind of one of the most influential poets of the romantic era.

(Easy Guitar). 23 of Taylor's finest from her country and pop career for easy guitar with standard notation and tablature. Includes: Blank Space * Cardigan * Fifteen * I Knew You Were Trouble * Love Story * Mean * Picture to Burn * Shake It Off * Teardrops on My Guitar * We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together * You Belong with Me * and more.

A book about Taylor. Made with love. By fans. For fans. “Delightful...A rich and exhaustive production...Swifties have gotten their bible.” —The New Yorker Ten years ago, an unknown sixteen-year-old released a self-titled debut country album. A decade later, Taylor Swift has reached record-breaking, chart-topping heights. A ten-time Grammy winner, Swift has been hailed for her songwriting talent, crossed effortlessly from country to pop, and established herself as a musician who can surprise, delight, and inspire, all while connecting with her fans in a way that only she can. Amazingly, after all these years, there is no great, comprehensive book about Swift for her fans. Until now. This book, a fan-generated celebration of Swift’s first decade as an artist, collects the best writing and images from the past ten years in one gorgeous volume. From prefame interviews with Swift in local Pennsylvania newspapers to major profiles in The New Yorker and Rolling Stone; from album reviews by top critics such as Robert Christgau, Sasha Frere-Jones, and Ann Powers to essays by beloved novelists like Maggie Shipstead; from Tavi Gevinson’s classic ode to Swift in The Believer to Q&As with Chuck Klosterman and humorous analysis from McSweeney’s and The Hairpin; from album-themed crossword puzzles and adult coloring pages to profiles of Taylor’s biggest fans; from an excerpt of the soon-to-be-published novel Taylor Swift: Girl Detective to a “book within a book” of Swift’s most inspiring quotations titled (naturally) The Tao of Tay, this book is the vital collection of all things Taylor. Here, finally, is the must-have book for every Swiftie and every music lover. For, as Klosterman wrote in GQ, “If you don’t take Swift seriously, you don’t take contemporary music seriously.” * This book is a tribute to Taylor Swift, but she was not involved in its creation. *