Platinum. Taylor Swift’s new album “1989” is the first album of the year to go platinum, and it’s November. It sold 1.287 million copies in the first week of sales. Her first song that was released, “Shake it Off”, immediately became number one on the billboards and maintained that spot for two weeks. Since the release of her CD in stores, as well as her digital album on iTunes, fans have gone crazy. “I haven’t listened to any other type of music since it came out,” said junior Sydney Pierce.
As I walked down the hall last Tuesday afternoon, and noticed my friend Reilly Wisdom had her ear buds in, I asked her what she was listening to. She replied, “Something from Taylor Swift’s new album of course.”
This album has become a teen sensation. One of the favorites, “Blank Space,” has reached number three on iTunes top songs. Its music video was the second released from the album and had over nine million views within the first day. “I listen to Blank Space and Shake it Off rather religiously, as embarrassing as that is,” said senior Payton Frisinger.
Swift has made many albums in the past, but in my opinion, this is her best one yet. It is the type of album that whenever you feel like listening to music, you press shuffle on the entire album, because every song is that good. I have never really been a person to bring headphones to school or listen to music in class, but this has changed. Since this album has been released, I’ve played its intriguing words every day during school. Most people who like Taylor Swift would agree that this is her best album as a whole. “I’ve always loved her songs and albums, but this one is the best yet. I highly recommend it,” said junior Kennedy Huggins.
“I was on the way to school and Kimble (my boyfriend) called me. I was like Kimble I am listening to Taylor Swift, please no,” said junior Nabila Dewey. She spoke about her love for the new album and how Swift has completely taken over her time that she spends within her car. She will not let it be interrupted, even if it is her boyfriend calling her to check in.
“I’ve rooted for T-Swift since she was singing Teardrops on my Guitar and Tim McGraw.” said Frisinger, “I also went to one of her first concerts and she signed my napkin and she said that she liked my headband. So yeah, you could pretty much say were best friends.”
Whether it’s about break-ups or falling in love, I think every girl can connect with the feelings that Taylor sings about in at least one of her songs. In her songs, Swift goes in and out of positive and negative emotions, almost always discussing her good and bad times with boys. She states in an interview with Times magazine that she writes about her life and her experiences. Swift is young, so her expressing her feelings through song lyrics draws in crowds of girls ranging from above her age to children. “A lot of her songs on this album are relatable for me and I’m proud of her for breaking her country roots,” said Frisinger.