Taylor Swift’s long awaited twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” is finally here. This record takes us behind the scenes to look at the life that all singers and performers have when they are not on camera. This includes the good and the bad. After the release of this album, Taylor has taken over the Billboard Top 100 making a new world record for the most streams on day of release at 250,000,000. That’s a lot of streams. No doubt there are both people that thoroughly enjoyed and loved the album and others that have criticized it. But this is my complete and honest review and rankings of each of the twelve songs on the album “The Life of a Showgirl.”

CANCELLED!

So after listening to this song for the first time, it was very fun and enjoyable. The problem with it that made me put it in last place was that it lacks that little bit of Taylor’s usual lyrical pizazz. Some of the lyrics like, “Did you girl boss too close to the sun” feel very out of place especially after the lyrical masterpiece of “The Tortured Poets Department.” Sadly, because of the lack of good lyricism and overall overused melody, this song ranks number twelve for me.

Wi$h Li$t

This is a song that I started off really liking and still do. It’s a very cute song about Taylor just wanting a normal life with her fiance, Travis. It goes into things like wanting kids and wanting a “Driveway with a basketball hoop.” Even though this song is really cute, I find it quite boring after a few listens compared to the rest of the album. Again, the lyrics are missing a little bit of that lyrical flair she usually has. Nonetheless, it gets eleventh place on my list.

Eldest Daughter

I absolutely ADORE this song, The song goes through different events in Taylor’s life. It talks about always feeling different and is really a great song. But when comparing track fives, such as “So Long, London” on Taylor’s prior album “TTPD”, it just doesn’t feel as sad, alas it gets tenth place on my list.

Actually Romantic

I have very mixed feelings about this song. I think that it is much different from the rest of Taylor’s discography and brings out a more angsty side of her that I love. This song has lines that throw punches at other celebrities such as Charli XCX and Kim Kardashian. This is why I love it, but also why it is this low on my list. Some of the lines seem kind of petty especially since Taylor is a much bigger artist than Charli. Even though the punches are well deserved, I can see why people find them to not be the kindest. For that reason, and that reason alone it gets number nine on my list.

Wood

“Wood,” where do I start with “wood?” This is such a catchy upbeat poppy song that I’ve been waiting to hear something like this from Taylor after the depressing masterpiece of TTPD. I absolutely love the beat and feeling of the song. The one problem is the lyrics. The lyrics aren’t half bad. She has good use of metaphors, but I believe it was a little too PG-13 for my liking. I know she is a 35 year old woman, but it was just not what I expected. Because of that, even though I love the song, I’m ranking it here. 

Opalite

This is an absolutely amazing song that brings 80s disco and pop vibes and just had me dancing around my room on first listen. It is unlike anything else Taylor has ever released. It has amazing lyrics, especially in the bridge, “This is just a storm inside a teacup so shelter here with me my love.” It’s such a perfect love song and deserving of seventh place on my list. 

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor was my favorite song on first listen and still remains relatively high on my overall ranking. The song starts off with a moody, almost sad beat and speed, but as soon as the chorus hits, the beat drops and the song just ascends you into heaven. It’s very punchy and fast, and it definitely gives vibes of Taylor’s past albums such as “Reputation” and “Midnights.” All of the references to Elizabeth Taylor, a famous actress, were so perfectly placed, like “All my white diamonds and lovers are forever.” Elizabeth’s famous love for white diamonds is well-known. Overall this song deserves its spot at sixth place on my list.

The Life of a Showgirl (ft. Sabrina Carpenter)

This is possibly my favorite title track of any album ever. First of all, we got the long awaited collab of Taylor and another huge pop star, the one and only Sabrina Carpenter. I can’t say I had high expectations for this song because I didn’t think that their voices would blend well together, but boy was I wrong. Somehow when singing together they both complement each other’s voices so well. Sabrina wasn’t just a good pick for this song because of her voice, but she very much embodies the meaning of the song, and the struggle of living, “The Life of A Showgirl.” This is an absolutely perfect title track, and gets fifth place on my list.

The Fate of Ophelia

This song is one of the best if not the best lead single and introduction to an album ever created. The song starts off with a quiet piano. Then it goes into a deep almost chilling voice, and next transforms into a faster paced but still almost melancholy beat with absolutely amazing lyrics. The references to Shakespeare’s Hamlet mixed with modern day ideology was absolutely ingenious, and just really set the mood for the rest of the album, especially on the first listen. One of my personal favorite parts is the slower quieter bridge that leads to a long higher note right into the high tempo chorus. This song is true pop perfection and deserving of fourth place.

Ruin the Friendship

“Ruin the Friendship” has a happy sound with high school nostalgia vibes, but don’t let that fool you. This song and its meaning are absolutely heartbreaking. In the song, Taylor talks about her high school experience and her friendship with a close friend she had always liked. A line that is used multiple times throughout the song is, “Should have kissed you anyway.” At first listen it seems rather innocent like she just regretted never being with him, and wishes they were more than friends today. The song takes a quick turn at the bridge, after the line, “I whispered at the grave, should have kissed you anyway.” This line reveals that this song is about Taylor’s high school friend who sadly died by suicide at a young age. This song is almost like a sequel to her first song about him, “Forever Winter,” which I suggest you listen to. “Ruin the Friendship” gets number three on my list, because of its upbeat sound, amazing lyrics, and storytelling.

Honey

“Honey” brings a new, funky, jazzy vibe to Taylor’s discography that I have never heard from her before. This is my personal favorite love song on the album. I find it the most fun to listen to no matter if you are single or in a relationship. The beat is so different and amazing. The change in her voice in the second half of the chorus when she says, “You touch my face” just gives me chills. It’s so good. This is the kind of song I have been looking for from her. I’m glad to see that she’s trying out new kinds of music that she has never really done before. For all of these reasons, “Honey” gets a well deserved number two on my list. It’s also the least streamed song on the album as of right now, so please go make that change!

Father Figure

Finally, my overall favorite song on the album and the most unique, fun, and catchy one is “Father Figure.” Words cannot describe how much I love this song, but I will try my best. The song starts off with subtle drums and immediately goes into an almost gang or mafia setting paints the narrator, or Taylor, as a sort of mob boss or “Father Figure” to a child that they found on the street. This song goes through  raising  the child then the betrayal by them. There are many ways to look at this song, and that is what I love so much about it. It’s such a powerful song that really feels like a comeback song from her. It’s about a bunch of people that she either felt she was a father figure to or she felt were father figures to her. Either way, this song is absolute perfection and is a must listen for everyone. It gets the number one spot on my list.

In conclusion, this album is pop perfection and is a must listen for any pop listeners or enjoyers. I get it may not be everyone’s personal favorite, but you have to admit that the beats and vocals of this album are absolutely amazing. Even if you don’t like the songs, you should be able to appreciate them and the work and dedication that was put into the creation of the album. So there you have it, my thorough ranking of “The Life of a Showgirl” by Taylor Swift.