Here is your official guide to staying informed about all the references and discussions your pre-teen or teenager will be having.

Key Takeaways

• Taylor Swift’s latest album features more sophisticated themes that could prompt thoughtful inquiries from younger audiences.
• Certain lyrics are more explicit compared to previous albums, making it beneficial to listen to them and discuss together.
• Sharing music in this way can serve as a meaningful method for children and adults to bond during major pop culture events.

My t-shirt that says, “I’m Not Your Average Teen, I’m In My 40s,” constantly gets a roll of the eyes from my pre-teen daughter, Mila. However, I know she secretly loves having a mom who’s still a big fan at heart. After all, I used to camp out for concert tickets and even invited New Kids on the Block to mybat mitzvah. (I am certain that their failure to respond was because the invitation was lost in the mail).

So, I secretly enjoy the fact that Mila is now old enough for us to share significant pop culture experiences. Although she hasn’t forgiven me for not using her college fund forEras Tour tickets, we’ve discovered shared enthusiasm for Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated 12th album.

For over twenty years, October 3rd was associated withMean GirlsDay, but Swifties around the globe will concur that it has now been overshadowed by the release ofThe Story of a Performer. This album marks Swift’s first as an engaged woman and her first since theErasthe tour ended in December 2024.

It’s also the first album where I’m looking forward to some honest discussions and deeper questions with Mila, who is10 years oldand during fifth grade, spends more time listening toThe Story of a Performerand tries to uncover the significance in the words. I was raised in the ’90s, when most of my CDs came with a “Parental Advisory Explicit Content” label on the cover. My parents never restricted my music selection, and I don’t impose such restrictions on Mila.

With that in mind, Mila and I got up early to listen toThe Story of a Performerand let it envelop us, song by song, in unison.

Taylor Swift, Now a Mature Woman

Since I am aware that not every parent is a Swiftie, I feel it’s my responsibility to inform you that the new album represents Swift’s most mature phase yet, regardless of what we may have previously mentioned aboutThe Tortured Poets Department. You could also refer to it as her most controversial, reflective, or daring period, as well.

This is not something to worry about. With every new Swift album, she has become more influential and increasingly controversial when addressing topics such as love, romance, heartbreak, fame, friendship, and feminism. It’s her witty wordplay and allusions that make Taylor Swift’s lyrics engaging and easy to connect with.

Let’s not overlook the fact that when Taylor Swift’s self-titled first album came out in October 2006, she was still a16-year-old, innocent country singer. Her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” was a gentle request from a girl hoping her ex-boyfriend would remember her every time his favorite Tim McGraw song played.

Fast forward 20 years, and Swift is no longer a young girl, nor is her music focused on childish infatuations and concerns. Now 35, she has finally discovered the “Love Story” she longed for in her earlier records. She is currently engaged to Travis Kelce, a Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, she has experienced high-profile breakups, public criticism, and legal disputes over the years, all of which have made her more resilient, knowledgeable, and, of course, the mostfamous pop star in the world. 

The Words Your Teen Might Be Discussing

With all that in mind, here’s what you should be aware of regarding some specific songs and lyrics that your teenagers will likely be talking about or asking you about as they explore more deeply.The Story of a Performer!

‘Elizabeth Taylor’

Swift shared on Z100’s Elvis Duran Show that the song honors the legendary actress and how she connects with her.

“She has always been someone I admired as being very glamorous and well-liked, but for some reason, a controversial figure, which I also found myself in,” she said to Duran.

Although there’s nothing particularly controversial here, don’t be surprised if your teenagers or young adults suddenly feel a desire to watch notorious Elizabeth Taylor films such asCleopatra or Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

‘Father Figure’ 

Comparable to Swift’s song “The Man” from herLoveralbum, “Father Figure” examines the impactmen wield in society. Swift is recognized for confronting influential men who have tried to intimidate her.

The song might be seen as a reflection on individuals such as Scott Borchetta, the former leader of her record label, who sold her master recordings. Although strong, the song includes a bold lyric in the chorus: “I can make deals with the devil because my d*ck is bigger.”

‘Actually Romantic’

This track is a tribute to an opponent whom Swift believes could be fixated on her. It’s speculated that the rival might actually be singer Charli XCX. The alleged conflict originated from Swift’s short-lived relationship with Matty Healy, a member of “The 1975,” who is now married to George Daniel, a bandmate of Charli’s.

Although Swift has not confirmed anything, she mentioned it in herOfficial Launch Event for a Showgirlmovie, describing the song as “kind of a love letter to someone who dislikes you.” This feeling is emphasized by lines such as: “It sounded bad, but it feels like you’re teasing me. I’ll keep to myself, God is my witness that I don’t start it. It’s kind of turning me on.”

“If nothing else, The Story of a Performerproves one thing: Taylor is maturing—and so are our children. And I’m grateful to have her as the background music to my parenting journey!

Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal

‘Wood’

If “Dress” from Reputationis Swift’s most sensual song, featuring lines such as “Say my name and everything just stops/I don’t want you like a best friend/Only bought this dress so you could take it off,” followed by “Wood,” which is the more explicit sibling.

Although the song has a lively and energetic tune, it contains unexpectedly explicit lyrics like “It ain’t hard to see / His love was the key / That opened my legs” and “Girls, I don’t need to catch the bouquet / To know a tough rock is coming.”

Like every Swift album, The Story of a Performeris filled with humor, sincerity, and instances that could lead to more significant discussions with your children than anticipated. Whether you’re a long-time Swiftie or simply trying to catch up on the references, this album offers an opportunity to connect with your kids on their level. If nothing else,The Story of a Performershows one thing: Taylor is maturing—and so are our children. And I’m grateful to have her as the background music for my parenting journey!

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