Swifties: Who are they? What do they do?
Taylor Swift is more than just a pop superstar; she's a cultural phenomenon that has captivated millions of fans around the world with her music, persona, and storytelling prowess. Unless you have been living under a rock, you have likely heard of Taylor Swift, the singer, songwriter, and performer that is selling out major stadiums in under 5 minutes. But what makes Taylor's fans keep coming back for more?
The Music
Taylor Swift is one of the most successful and influential artists of the 21st century. She has sold over 150 million records worldwide, won numerous awards, and earned a devoted fanbase that spans generations and genres. Why and how does her fan base continue to grow? Due to the strong connection with her fan base and their unwavering support, Taylor’s transition from country to pop was one of the easiest transitions in music history. Her fans' ability to adapt to the new genre and continue to know her lyrics, word for word, just goes to show the loyalty of her fans. Much of the connection is based in her ability to craft songs that are both relatable and catchy. Her lyrics often draw from personal experiences ad emotions, but also tap into universal themes and feelings that resonate with her fans. Whether she's singing about love, heartbreak, friendship, or self-empowerment, Taylor Swift has a way of capturing the essence of a moment or a mood in a few words and a memorable melody. If you listen to her newer music compared to her older music, you can tell how much she has grown as a singer and songwriter. Except for changing genres, her music continues to tell stories. Take her song "15" for example. It tells a story of her from Freshman year in high school and talks about liking a boy. It also goes into some more detail with the phrase "And Abigail gave everything she had; To a boy who changed his mind; And we both cried". This is something that the teen generation can possibly relate to which is why she included it in her song. There are many more hidden reasons and themes in her songs that make the fans keep coming back for more.
The Swifties
The term "Swiftie" is a
nickname given to fans of Taylor Swift. The origin of the term can be traced
back to the early days of Taylor Swift's career, when her fanbase was growing
rapidly, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Tumblr. The
term "Swiftie" is believed to have first been used by Taylor Swift
herself in a tweet from 2009, where she referred to her fans as
"Swifties." The term quickly caught on and became a popular way for
fans to identify themselves and their love for Taylor Swift's music. The fans had a debate on whether it was
Swiftie or Swifty (5), but it was quickly determined that it was “Swiftie” and
to make certain that it remained, Taylor trademarked the term. Some fans get
called Tay Tay fans which to all is a big no! As a Swiftie myself, I refuse to
be called anything else. Over time, the term "Swiftie" has
become more than just a fan nickname. It has become a symbol of the strong
connection that Taylor Swift has with her fans and the sense of community that
exists among Swifties around the world.
Many Swifties proudly identify themselves as such and often use the hashtag
#Swiftie on social media to connect with each other and share their love for
Taylor Swift's music and persona. Taylor Swift has also embraced the term
"Swiftie" and has shown her appreciation for her fans' dedication and
support. In interviews and on social media, she often acknowledges her Swifties
and thanks them for their role in her success. Overall, the term
"Swiftie" has become a beloved part of the Taylor Swift fandom and a
testament to the power of music to bring people together. Now that you
understand the lingo behind Taylor Swift and her fans, let's get into some of
their behavior.
Dressing Up
Swifties incorporate clothing in creative and elaborate ways when they attend Taylor Swift concerts, often using it as a way to show their love and support for the artist and connect with fellow fans. One popular trend is to wear custom-made, or DIY outfits inspired by Taylor Swift's music videos, album covers, or iconic fashion moments. These outfits can range from colorful tutus, sparkly dresses, and cowboy boots to handmade t-shirts, hats, and jewelry that feature lyrics, quotes, or images related to Taylor Swift. I remember being at the Reputation concert in Pittsburgh and someone was dressed up as a banana. I still don’t understand why, but they were recognized by Taylor and the individuals around them.
Another way Swifties incorporate clothing in concerts is by using
clothing as a way to express their creativity and individuality, experimenting
with different styles, trends, and accessories that reflect their personality
and taste. With her upcoming “The Eras Tour” tour, Swifties are sure to
represent! Much planning is going into coordinating their outfits with their
friends or other fans, creating group themes or color schemes that reflect
their favorite Taylor Swift eras or albums, including country to pop to even
electropop/RNB. This can be seen in the form of matching t-shirts, hats,
accessories, or even full costumes that evoke a sense of camaraderie and
excitement among the fans. They often share their outfits and fashion ideas on
social media, using hashtags such as #TSwiftStyle or #SwiftieFashion to connect
with other fans and showcase their love for Taylor Swift.
There are many more boards like this on Pinterest, but the big question is, which Era are you going to dress in? Myself, I am going as her Lover album with the following outfit:
Merch
Every good Swiftie needs to have the merch to represent their love and support of Taylor Swift and every good artist must have merch at their concerts. Taylor Swift's tour merchandise prices can range from around $20 for smaller items such as stickers, keychains, and wristbands, to over $100 for larger items such as hoodies, jackets, and limited-edition collectibles. While her merch can be expensive, it doesn’t stop her fans from selling out her merch truck at most concerts. Looking at the official merch website for the Taylor Swift Eras tour, you can see the options and price points for most items (3). Because of the long wait times at the concert, the website was created to help fans have access to her tour merch. But, as any loyal fan knows, there are items sold ONLY at the concerts, so don’t miss out! At other concerts, she has sold perfume, bracelets, t-shirts, sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, etc.
Taylor Swift's merchandise is known for its high quality,
unique designs, and attention to detail, which can contribute to the higher
price points. Many fans are willing to pay a premium for the opportunity to own
a piece of merchandise that reflects their love and admiration for the artist
and her music.
I have a perfume that I got at her Speak Now concert called Wonderstruck.
It was $20 and people are now reselling it for $50-$60.
Fans also make their own
merch and sell it. This is normally what happens when fans want to be unique
and make some money.
Bead Bracelets
Even if you don't have a bracelet, other fans bring their own beaded bracelets to the concerts and will exchange them or give you one as a symbol of friendship and unity. The bracelets often feature colorful beads, charms, and personalized messages that reflect the fan's individuality and fandom. The bracelets are also used to commemorate the concert experience and create a sense of belonging among the fans. Many fans keep their bracelets as a souvenir or wear them as a reminder.
Most of the bracelets that are made are either a quote from Taylor herself that she has said unironically or lyrics from a song. Some of the more popular ones are the colors that all her albums represent, Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Fearless (Taylor Version), Red (Taylor Version), and Midnights.
Chants
One of
the most important things to know about what the Swifties have been doing for
years is the different chants during her different songs. One example is during
the opening of the song "Delicate". Taylor sings, "We can't make
any promises now can we babe? But you can make me a drink". Then the fans
respond with, "1, 2, 3, lets go bitch!" (4).
This specific chant has no meaning behind it except for pumping up Taylor to sing her heart out for this song. Some examples of popular chats during Taylor Swift concerts include "So it goes" (in reference to one of her songs), "We love you Taylor!" or simply "Taylor, Taylor, Taylor!" Other chants are about raps and other people that have sung with her. Taylor Swift herself has acknowledged the chats during her concerts and has expressed her appreciation for the energy and enthusiasm of her fans. She has even incorporated some of the chats into her own performances, such as the "So it goes" chant, which she sometimes includes in her live performances of the song with the same name. If you want to learn more about the chants and their meaning, click here. These chants often involve the entire audience and are a fun and interactive way for Taylor Swift fans to connect with each other and show their love and support for the artist. They add to the excitement and energy of the concert experience and create a sense of community and belonging among the fans.
Conclusion
Taylor Swift has established herself not only as a pop icon
but also as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for her fans. Her music,
fashion, and performances have captured the hearts and minds of millions,
creating a dedicated fanbase known as "Swifties." Through their
creative expressions of love and support, Swifties have not only enriched the
Taylor Swift fandom but also created a vibrant community of like-minded
individuals. From beaded bracelets and coordinated outfits to energetic chats
and emotional sing-alongs, the fandom has become a celebration of love, unity,
and creativity. As Taylor Swift continues to evolve and inspire with her music
and message, the fandom is sure to follow, ready to support and celebrate every
step of the way.
References
(1) Behnke, M. (2023, April 30). Why are Taylor Swift's fans exchanging Friendship Bracelets at the eras tour? CINEMABLEND. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.cinemablend.com/television/why-are-taylor-swifts-fans-exchanging-friendship-bracelets-at-the-eras-tour
(2) P, K. (2023, April 15). 31 Eras Tour Ideas in 2023: Taylor Swift Tour outfits, Taylor Swift Concert, Taylor Swift outfits. Pinterest. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.pinterest.com/kellpeter3/eras-tour/
(3) Taylor Swift: The eras tour collection. Taylor Swift Official Store. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://store.taylorswift.com/collections/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-collection
(4) Utley, R. (2023, April 12). Why are people screaming 'Taylor, you'll be fine'? A guide to all of Taylor Swift's eras etiquette. CINEMABLEND. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.cinemablend.com/television/why-are-people-screaming-taylor-youll-be-fine-a-guide-to-all-of-taylor-swifts-eras-etiquette
(5) When did fans start calling themselves swifties? Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/comments/yyrcjz/when_did_fans_start_calling_themselves_swifties/
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