Exploring Taylor Swift's Self-References in Songs: Decoding '22' and Beyond

Every Time Taylor Swift Has Referenced Herself in the 3rd Person on a Song

Taylor Swift. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Billboard

Taylor Swift has always been open about including herself in her song lyrics. She doesn't shy away from mentioning her own name in a line or two.

In 2009, Swift playfully referenced herself for the first time. She collaborated with T-Pain for the CMT Awards, creating a country-style rap called "Thug Story" as a parody of her hit track "Love Story." Along with the rap, they made a music video featuring Swift dressed as a rapper in an oversized t-shirt and baseball cap.

"T Swift and T Pain spitting bars together," Swift rapped excitedly. "It's a cool collaboration, can you vibe with that?"

Later on, Swift playfully referenced herself in one of her songs. In the track "22," the award-winning singer slyly mentioned her full name.

A bored teenager mocked Taylor Swift in the background, saying, "Who's Taylor Swift, anyway? Ew," on the track.

During her Reputation era, Taylor Swift openly reflected on her actions in more than one song.

"I've been fortunate to have a career making music and performing for enthusiastic crowds. However, I've also experienced my mistakes being used against me, my heartbreaks turned into entertainment, and my songwriting dismissed as 'oversharing,'" Swift explained in November 2017, revealing her inspiration for the album. "We may think we know someone, but in reality, we only see the version they choose to show us. No further explanations are needed, just reputation."

If you keep scrolling, you'll find instances where Swift unapologetically references herself in her music.

Every Time Taylor Swift Has Referenced Herself in the 3rd Person on a Song

Taylor Swift. Fernando Leon/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

‘Thug Story’

Swift channeled her inner rap persona in her collaboration with T-Pain and even gave herself a hip-hop-inspired name.

T Sweezy and T Pain Collaboration

"You can call me T Sweezy now I’m a rap star / Hey it’s a thug story now tell them who you are,” the duo rapped. “Singer

Swift playfully mocked herself during the Eras Tour with a T-shirt featuring the lyrics "Who's Taylor Swift, anyway? Ew" from the Red track.

‘Look What You Made Me Do’

In her song "Reputation," Taylor Swift famously announced that the old version of herself was no longer alive.

She boldly stated, "I’m sorry, But the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead."

Are You Prepared?

In the song, Taylor Swift makes a reference to the relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. However, instead of using the full name, Swift only mentions the actress as Taylor, cleverly including herself in the reference.

She sings about a scenario where if she is a thief, he can join the heist. They would then move to an island together, with him being her jailer, similar to Burton and Taylor. She expresses that every love she has experienced before feels like a failure in comparison. The names of her past loves have faded from her memory, and she feels tamed. She believes that she will never be the same again.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's unabashed self-referencing in her lyrics is a testament to her authenticity and vulnerability. By incorporating her own name and experiences into her music, she blurs the lines between personal and artistic expression. This approach allows her to connect with her fans on a deeper level, fostering a sense of intimacy and relatability.

Swift's early playful references to herself, such as in "Thug Story" and "22," showcased her self-awareness and sense of humor. However, as her career progressed, her self-references became more introspective and nuanced. In "Reputation," she grapples with her public image and the scrutiny she has faced. Through her music, she confronts her critics and asserts her own narrative. Moreover, her clever use of symbolism, such as Elizabeth Taylor's name in "Are You Prepared?," adds depth and resonance to her lyrics.