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←Replaced content with '{{Infobox musical artist | name = Zac Barnett | image = American Authors.jpg|alt=American Authors | image_size = | caption = American Authors | background =...'
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Zac Barnett is the lead singer for the [[American Authors]] who's song Best Day Of My Life is currently

'''Taylor Alison Swift''' (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Raised in [[Wyomissing, Pennsylvania]], Swift moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]] at the age of fourteen to pursue a career in [[country music]]. She signed with the independent label [[Big Machine Records]] and became the youngest songwriter ever hired by the [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing|Sony/ATV Music publishing house]]. The release of Swift's [[Taylor Swift (album)|eponymous debut album]] in 2006 established her as a country music star. "[[Our Song (Taylor Swift song)|Our Song]]", her third single, made her the youngest person to single-handedly write and perform a number one song on the [[Hot Country Songs|country chart]]. She received a [[Best New Artist]] nomination at the [[2008 Grammy Awards]].

Swift's second album, ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'', was released in 2008. Buoyed by the [[Crossover (music)#Crossover country|pop crossover]] success of the singles "[[Love Story (Taylor Swift song)|Love Story]]" and "[[You Belong with Me]]", ''Fearless'' became the best-selling album of 2009 and was supported by an [[Fearless Tour|extensive concert tour]]. The record won four [[52nd Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]], with Swift becoming the youngest ever [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] winner. Swift's third album, 2010's ''[[Speak Now]]'', sold over one million copies in its first week of US release and was supported by the [[Speak Now World Tour]]. The album's third single, "[[Mean (song)|Mean]]", won two Grammy Awards. Swift's fourth album, ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'', was released in 2012. Its opening US sales of 1.2 million were the highest recorded in a decade, with Swift becoming the only female artist to have two million-plus opening weeks. The singles "[[We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together]]" and "[[I Knew You Were Trouble]]" were worldwide hits. The [[Red Tour]] is visiting worldwide venues in 2013 and 2014.

Swift is known for her narrative songs about her experiences as a teenager and young adult. As a songwriter, she has been honored by the [[Nashville Songwriters Association International|Nashville Songwriters Association]] and the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]. Swift's [[List of awards and nominations received by Taylor Swift|other achievements]] include seven Grammy Awards, twelve [[Billboard Music Awards]], fifteen [[American Music Award]]s, eleven [[Country Music Association Awards]] and six [[Academy of Country Music Awards]]. She has sold over 26 million albums and 75 million digital single downloads worldwide. ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that she is worth over $220 million. In addition to her music career, Swift has appeared as an actress in the ensemble comedy ''[[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|Valentine's Day]]'' (2010) and the animated film ''[[The Lorax (film)|The Lorax]]'' (2012). As a philanthropist, Swift supports arts education, children's literacy, natural disaster relief, [[LGBT]] anti-discrimination efforts, and charities for sick children.

==Early life==
Taylor Alison Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="widdicombe1">{{cite news|last=Widdicombe|first=Lizzie|title=You Belong With Me|url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe?currentPage=all|accessdate=2011-10-11|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=October 10, 2011}}</ref> Her father, Scott Kingsley Swift, is a [[Bank of America Merrill Lynch|Merrill Lynch]] financial adviser.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2010/sep/swift092309.html|title=Taylor Swift's father is a Blue Hen|publisher=Udel.edu|date=September 23, 2009|accessdate=2012-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1909249 |title=4.1.13: LIZ SMITH: I'm a Taylor Swift "Groupie." |publisher=New York Social Diary |date=2013-04-01 |accessdate=2013-12-14}}</ref> Scott was raised in Pennsylvania and is the descendant of three generations of bank presidents.<ref name="widdicombe1"/><ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08">Rolling Stone Interview: The Unabridged Taylor Swift, December 2, 2008</ref> Her mother, Andrea (née Finlay), is a homemaker who previously worked as a [[mutual fund]] marketing executive.<ref name="marieclaire1">{{cite web|last=Cutter|first=Kimberly|url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/taylor-swift-quotes-2|title=Taylor Swift's Rise to America's Sweetheart|page=2|work=Marie Claire|date=June 2, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-19}}</ref>
Andrea spent the first ten years of her life in Singapore, before settling in Texas; her father was an oil rig engineer who worked throughout Southeast Asia.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> Swift has a younger brother, Austin, who attends the [[University of Notre Dame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yardbarker.com/backyard/articles/pop_star_taylor_swift_sides_with_notre_dame/3171826 |title=Pop star Taylor Swift sides with Notre Dame |publisher=Yardbarker.com |date=September 4, 2010 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> She and her brother were raised in the [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)|Presbyterian]] faith and attended [[Vacation Bible School|bible school]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://raretaylorswift.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=175759985 |title=Article about Taylor's dad - Rare Taylor Swift |publisher=Raretaylorswift.webs.com |date=2013-03-07 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>[http://words-of-whimsy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/taylor-swift-was-my-bff.html words of whimsy: Taylor Swift Was My BFF]. Words-of-whimsy.blogspot.co.uk (2011-04-19). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref> She spent the early years of her life on an eleven-acre Christmas tree farm in [[Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Cumru Township, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uWUlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8qYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2689%2C4515063 |title=New golf course is no picnic |last=Reinbrecht |first=Steve |publisher=''Reading Eagle'' (via Google Books) |date=October 7, 1996 |accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> She attended preschool and kindergarten at the Alvernia Montessori School, run by [[Franciscan]] nuns,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://readingeagle.com/articlephotos.aspx?id=195866 |title=Photos Students at Alvernia Montessori School sending Taylor Swift a valentine |publisher=Readingeagle.com |date=2010-02-13 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> and was later educated at the [[The Wyndcroft School|Wyndcroft School]], a co-ed private school.<ref name="readingeagle1">{{cite web|last=Hatza|first=George|url=http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=116460|title=Taylor Swift: Growing into superstardom|publisher=Readingeagle.com|date=December 8, 2008|accessdate=2012-04-17}}</ref> When Swift was nine years old, the family moved to a rented house in the suburban town of [[Wyomissing, Pennsylvania]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Lauren Mennen, Philly.com |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/classifieds/real_estate/Taylor_Swifts_Wyomissing_childhood_home_on_the_market_for_799500.html |title=Taylor Swift's Wyomissing childhood home on the market for $799,500 |publisher=Philly.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> where she attended West Reading Elementary Center and [[Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2010/01/wyomissing-schools-get-swift-gift-taylor-made-for-them.html|title=Wyomissing Schools get Swift gift Taylor made for them – Lehigh Valley Music Blog|publisher=Blogs.mcall.com|date=January 13, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-17}}</ref> Swift summered at her parents' waterfront vacation home in [[Stone Harbor, New Jersey]] and has described it as the place "where most of my childhood memories were formed."<ref name="vogue4">{{cite web|last=Van Meter|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life/?mbid=syn+d_omg#4|title=Taylor Swift: The Single Life – Magazine|page=4|work=Vogue|date=January 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-17}}</ref>

Swift's family owned several [[American Quarter Horse|Quarter horses]] and a [[Shetland pony]] and her first hobby was [[English riding|English horse riding]].<ref name=instyle>InStyle June 2011</ref> Her mother first put her in a saddle when she was nine months old and she later competed in horse shows.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20175197_2,00.html|title=Taylor Swift: A Date with Grammy?|publisher=EW.com|date=|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> At the age of nine, Swift became interested in musical theatre. She performed in many Berks Youth Theatre Academy productions and traveled regularly to Broadway for vocal and acting lessons.<ref name="whirl">{{cite web|url=http://www.whirlmagazine.com/nineteen-now/|title=Teen Spirit|work=WHIRL Magazine|accessdate=2012-04-17}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Brittany Joy Cooper|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-acting-emma-stone/|title=Taylor Swift Opens Up About a Future in Acting and Admiration for Emma Stone|work=Taste of Country|date=April 15, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-17}}</ref> Swift then turned her attention to country music; [[Shania Twain]]'s songs made her "want to just run around the block four times and daydream about everything."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oct/18/taylor-swift-want-believe-pretty-lies Taylor Swift: 'I want to believe in pretty lies' | Music | The Guardian<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> She spent her weekends performing at local festivals, fairs, coffeehouses, karaoke contests, garden clubs, Boy Scout meetings and sporting events.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/><ref name="marieclaire1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=DeLuca|first=Dan|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-08/news/29864618_1_taylor-swift-local-angle-show-woman|title=Taylor Swift works crowd, local angle smoothly|publisher=Articles.philly.com|date=August 8, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-19}}</ref> At the age of eleven, after many failed attempts,<ref name="albuminfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1546980/when-she-thinks-tim-mcgraw-taylor-swift-savors-payoff.jhtml|title=When She Thinks "Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift Savors Payoff: Hardworking Teen to Open for George Strait Next Year|date=December 1, 2006|first=Edward|last=Morris|publisher=CMT|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> Swift won a local talent competition by singing a rendition of [[LeAnn Rimes]]'s "[[Big Deal (song)|Big Deal]]", and was given the opportunity to appear as the opening act for [[Charlie Daniels]] at a [[Strausstown, Pennsylvania|Strausstown]] amphitheater.<ref name="whirl"/> This growing ambition began to isolate Swift from her middle school peers.<ref name="widdicombe1"/>

After watching a ''[[Behind the Music]]'' episode about [[Faith Hill]], Swift felt sure that she needed to go to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a music career.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news|author=Nisha Lilia Diu|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8421110/Taylor-Swift-I-wont-do-sexy-shoots.html|title=Taylor Swift: 'I won't do sexy shoots'|work=Daily Telegraph|date=April 3, 2011|accessdate=2012-04-17|location=London}}</ref> At the age of eleven, she traveled with her mother to Nashville for spring break to leave a demo of [[Dolly Parton]] and [[Dixie Chicks]] karaoke covers with record labels along [[Music Row]].<ref name="CMT 2008-11-26">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1600309/cmt-insider-interview-taylor-swift-part-1-of-2.jhtml|title=News : CMT Insider Interview: Taylor Swift (Part 1 of 2)|publisher=CMT|date=November 26, 2008|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She received label rejections and realized that "everyone in that town wanted to do what I wanted to do. So, I kept thinking to myself, I need to figure out a way to be different."<ref name="americansongwriter2">{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/|title=Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine|publisher=American Songwriter|date=May 2, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> At the age of twelve, Swift was shown by a computer repairman how to play three chords on a guitar, inspiring her to write her first song, "Lucky You".<ref>{{cite web|last=Rollo|first=Sarah|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a185076/computer-repairman-taught-swift-guitar.html|title=Showbiz – News – Computer repairman taught Swift guitar|work=Digital Spy|date=November 3, 2009|accessdate=2009-12-30}}</ref> She had previously won a national poetry contest with a poem titled "Monster in My Closet" but now began to focus on songwriting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postrock/2008/02/her_song_talking_taylor_swift_1.html|title=Her Song: Talking Taylor Swift – Post Rock|work=The Washington Post|date=February 28, 2008|accessdate=2012-04-19}}</ref> In 2003, Swift and her parents started working with New York-based music manager Dan Dymtrow. With Dymtrow's help, Swift modelled for [[Abercrombie and Fitch]] as part of their "Rising Stars" campaign, had an original song included in a [[Maybelline|Maybelline Cosmetics]] compilation CD and took meetings with major record labels.<ref name="americanbar">{{cite web|title=americanbar.org PDF|url=http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/Forums/entsports/PublicDocuments/oppositionbrief.authcheckdam.PDF|accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref> After performing original songs at an [[RCA Records]] showcase, the eighth-grader was given an artist development deal and began making frequent trips to Nashville with her mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31032270/ns/dateline_nbc-newsmakers/t/tour-taylor-swift/|title=On tour with Taylor Swift - Dateline NBC - Newsmakers - msnbc.com|publisher=MSNBC|date=May 31, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref>

When Swift was fourteen, her father transferred to the Nashville office of Merrill Lynch and the family relocated to a lakefront house in [[Hendersonville, Tennessee]].<ref name="widdicombe1"/> "My parents took all the pressure off by saying, ‘We’re just moving because we love the area, so don’t worry.’ They knew nothing about the industry and had no involvement in entertainment, but I was obsessed with it and so they did their research and read up about it to help me in every way they could. They’re amazing people."<ref>{{cite web|author=Lina Das |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2218012/Taylor-Swift-Men-hand-inspiration-plate.html |title=Taylor Swift: 'Men hand me inspiration on a plate' &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=2012-10-29 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> In Tennessee, she attended [[Hendersonville High School (Tennessee)|Hendersonville High School]] for her freshman and sophomore years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1648575/taylor-swifts-high-school-names-auditorium-in-her-honor.jhtml|title=News : Taylor Swift's High School Names Auditorium in Her Honor|publisher=CMT|date=September 23, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref> Later, to accommodate her touring schedule, Swift transferred to the Aaron Academy, a private Christian school which offered homeschooling services. She earned her high school diploma in 2008, having completed her final two years of course work in twelve months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022703749.html|title=Taylor Swift Puts The Kid in Country|publisher=Washingtonpost.com|date=February 27, 2008|accessdate=2012-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=By&nbsp;Vanessa Grigoriadis |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-very-pink-very-perfect-life-of-taylor-swift-20090305 |title=The Very Pink, Very Perfect Life of Taylor Swift &#124; Music News |work=Rolling Stone |date=March 5, 2009 |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref>

==Music career==

===2004–08: Career beginnings and ''Taylor Swift''===
Swift moved to Nashville at the age of fourteen. As part of her artist development deal with RCA Records, she had writing sessions with experienced [[Music Row]] songwriters such as [[Troy Verges]], [[Brett Beavers]], [[Brett James]], [[Mac McAnally]] and [[The Warren Brothers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/3/|title=Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine|publisher=American Songwriter|date=May 2, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref><ref name="sonydeal">{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234444|title=Songwriter Taylor Swift Signs Publishing Deal With Sony/ATV|publisher=BMI.com|date=May 12, 2005|accessdate=2012-04-20}}</ref> She eventually formed a lasting working relationship with [[Liz Rose]]. Swift saw Rose performing at an RCA songwriter event and suggested that they write together.<ref name="americansongwriter1">{{cite web|last=Kosser|first=Michael|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2010/06/liz-rose-co-writer-to-the-stars/|title=Liz Rose: Co-Writer to the Stars|work=[[American Songwriter]]|date=June 3, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-19}}</ref> They began meeting for two-hour writing sessions every Tuesday afternoon after school.<ref name="majorlyindie1">{{cite web|url=http://www.majorlyindie.com/enewsletter/oleSpecialEditionNov08P2.cfm?storyid=350|title=How Liz Rose and Taylor Swift Wrote the Hits|publisher=Majorlyindie.com|date=November 20, 2008|accessdate=2012-04-19}}</ref> Rose has said that the sessions were "some of the easiest I've ever done. Basically, I was just her editor. She'd write about what happened in school that day. She had such a clear vision of what she was trying to say. And she'd come in with the most incredible hooks."<ref>Blender, April 2008, page 54</ref> Swift also began recording demos with producer [[Nathan Chapman (record producer)|Nathan Chapman]].<ref name="americansongwriter1"/> After performing at a [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] Songwriter's Circle showcase at [[The Bitter End]], New York,<ref name="sonydeal"/> Swift became the youngest songwriter ever hired by the [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing|Sony/ATV Tree publishing house]].<ref>{{cite web|last=DeLuca|first=Dan|title=Focused on `great songs' Taylor Swift isn't thinking about "the next level" or Joe Jon as gossip|url=http://articles.philly.com/2008-11-11/news/25256467_1_big-machine-records-joe-jonas-country-music-association-awards|page=1|publisher=philly.com|accessdate=2012-04-17|date=November 11, 2008}}</ref> Swift left RCA Records when she was fifteen; the company wanted her to record the work of other songwriters and wait until she was eighteen to release an album, but she felt ready to launch her career with her own material.<ref name="albuminfo"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Taylor Swift's Road to Fame – The chipmunk years|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20176102_2,00.html|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|page=2|date=February 5, 2008}}</ref> She also parted ways with manager Dan Dymtrow, who later took legal action against Swift and her parents.<ref name="americanbar"/> "'I genuinely felt that I was running out of time," Swift later recalled. "I wanted to capture these years of my life on an album while they still represented what I was going through."<ref>{{cite web|author=Rock and Pop Music|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/5202294/Taylor-Swift-the-19-year-old-country-music-star-conquering-America-and-now-Britain.html|title=Taylor Swift: the 19-year-old country music star conquering America – and now Britain – Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> At an industry showcase at Nashville's [[Bluebird Cafe]] in 2005, Swift caught the attention of [[Scott Borchetta]], a [[DreamWorks Records]] executive who was preparing to form his own independent record label, [[Big Machine Records]]. She became one of the label's first signings, with her father purchasing a three per cent stake in the fledgling company at an estimated cost of $120,000.<ref>Rolling Stone, October 25, 2012, Taylor in Wonderland by Brian Hiatt, page 39</ref><ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/06/26/toby-keith-cowboy-capitalist-countrys-500-million-man/2/ Toby Keith, Cowboy Capitalist: Country's $500 Million Man - Forbes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As an introduction to the country music business, Borchetta arranged for Swift to intern as an artist escort at the [[CMA Music Festival]].<ref name="marieclaire2">{{cite web|last=Reuter|first=Annie|url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/taylor-swift-interview|title=Taylor Swift Interview|publisher=Marie Claire|date=June 22, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref>

[[File:taylor Swift.jpg|thumb|Swift performing at the Maverick Saloon & Grill in [[Santa Maria, California]] in 2006|alt=Taylor Swift sits and leans over her oak guitar while picking a string]]
Swift began working on her [[Taylor Swift (album)|eponymous debut album]] shortly after signing her record deal. After experimenting with veteran Nashville producers, Swift persuaded Big Machine to hire her demo producer Nathan Chapman. It was his first ime to record a studio album but Swift felt they had the right "chemistry."<ref name="albuminfo"/> Swift wrote three of the album's songs alone, including two singles, and co-wrote the remaining eight with writers such as Liz Rose, [[Robert Ellis Orrall]] and [[Angelo Petraglia]].<ref name="liner">{{cite album-notes|title=Taylor Swift |bandname=Taylor Swift |year=2006 |format=CD|publisher=Big Machine Records|publisherid=BMR120702}}</ref> Musically, the album has been described as "a mix of trad-country instruments and spry rock guitars."<ref name=albumguide>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/taylor-swift/albumguide|title=Taylor Swift: Album Guide|work=Rolling Stone|publisher=[[Jann Wenner]]|accessdate=2011-04-15}}</ref> ''Taylor Swift'' was released in October 2006. ''[[The New York Times]]'' described it as "a small masterpiece of pop-minded country, both wide-eyed and cynical, held together by Ms. Swift's firm, pleading voice."<ref name="nytimes2">[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/arts/music/07cara.html A Young Outsider's Life Turned Inside Out] By Jon Carminica, ''[[The New York Times]]'' dated September 5, 2008.</ref> ''[[The New Yorker]]'''s [[Sasha Frere-Jones]] described the sixteen-year-old Swift as a "prodigy." He noted that "[[Our Song (Taylor Swift song)|Our Song]]" "stop[ed] me in my tracks" and praised the lyrics: "He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel, the other on my heart."<ref>{{cite web|last=Frere|first=Sasha|url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2008/11/10/081110crmu_music_frerejones?currentPage=all|title=Prodigy|publisher=The New Yorker|date=|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described Swift as "bright-eyed but remarkably seasoned," and admired "Our Song"'s "insanely hooky sing-song melody that's as [[Britney Spears|Britney]] as it is [[Patsy Cline|Patsy]]."<ref name=albumguide/>

[[File:Taylor Swift at Yahoo crop.jpg|left|thumb|Swift performing at [[Yahoo!]] HQ in [[Sunnyvale, California]] in 2007|alt=Taylor Swift, wearing a white dress and sunglasses, plays an acoustic guitar while standing at a microphone stand]]
Big Machine Records was still in its infancy upon the release of the lead single "[[Tim McGraw (song)|Tim McGraw]]" in June 2006, and Swift and her mother helped "stuff the CD singles into envelopes to send to radio."<ref name="EW1">{{cite news|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Taylor Swift's Road to Fame|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20176102_3,00.html|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|page=3|date=February 5, 2008}}</ref> She spent much of 2006 promoting ''Taylor Swift'' in a radio tour and later commented, "Radio tours for most artists last six weeks. Mine lasted six months."<ref name="albuminfo"/> Swift baked cookies and painted canvases to gift to radio station programmers who played her music.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2009-03">Rolling Stone, March 2009</ref> She made many television appearances, including on the [[Grand Ole Opry]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cFIJKat0Z0&lr=1|title=Taylor Swift performs "Teardrops On My Guitar" at the Grand Ole Opry|publisher=YouTube|date=|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> ''[[Good Morning America]]'',<ref name="taylorjoinstour">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1543489/taylor-swift-joins-rascal-flatts-tour.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Joins Rascal Flatts Tour|date=October 18, 2006|work=CMT News|publisher=Viacom|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> and ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/318549/trl-embraced-me-for-who-i-am.jhtml#id=1599439|title=TRL Embraced Me for who I Am|work=[[MTV]]|publisher=Viacom|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> Swift, a self-described "kid of the internet," used [[Myspace]] to build a fanbase.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=John|title=Taylor Swift comes to VanAndel Arena this week on Fearless Tour|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/09/taylor_swift_comes_to_vanandel.html|publisher=mlive.com|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> This was, at the time, "revolutionary in country music."<ref name="Caramanica 2008-11-07">{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|title=My Music, MySpace, My Life|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/arts/music/09cara.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|work=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 7, 2008}}</ref> Borchetta has said that his decision to sign a sixteen-year-old singer-songwriter initially raised eyebrows among his record industry peers but Swift tapped into a previously unknown market: teenage girls who listen to country music.<ref name="Caramanica 2008-11-07"/> Following "Tim McGraw", four further singles were released throughout 2007 and 2008: "[[Teardrops on My Guitar]]", "Our Song", "[[Picture to Burn]]" and "[[Should've Said No]]". All were highly successful on the Billboard [[Hot Country Songs]] chart, with "Our Song" and "Should've Said No" both reaching number one. "Our Song" made Swift the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a number one country song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/cda/article_print/0,3008,GAC_26063_5769818_DS-ARTICLE-RIGHT-RAIL,00.html|title=Taylor Swift No.&nbsp;1 on iTunes|date=December 19, 2007|work=Great American Country|publisher=Scripps Networks Interactive|accessdate=2010-07-05}}</ref> "Teardrops on My Guitar" became a minor pop hit; it reached number thirteen on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="billboard">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=taylor swift|chart=all}}|title=Teardrops on My Guitar – Taylor Swift|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|work=Billboard|accessdate=2010-12-15}}</ref> The album sold 39,000 copies during its first week of release<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Harris|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599721/20081119/swift__taylor.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Scores First Chart-Topping Debut With Fearless|date=November 19, 2008|work=MTV|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> and, as of March 2011, has sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taylor-swift-tops-20-million-in-record-sales-118987324.html|title=Taylor Swift Tops 20 Million in Record Sales|date=March 31, 2011|publisher=[[Big Machine Records]]|accessdate=2011-04-15}}</ref> Swift also released a holiday album, ''[[Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection]],'' in October 2007 and an EP, ''[[Beautiful Eyes]]'', in July 2008.<ref name="cst">{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=1947|title=Taylor Swift owns top of country chart|accessdate=2008-12-26|work=Country Standard Time}}</ref><ref name="gac">{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5903580_,00.html|title=Wal-Mart "Eyes" New Taylor Swift Project|accessdate=2008-07-24|work=[[Great American Country]]}}</ref>

Swift toured extensively in support of ''Taylor Swift''. In addition to her own material, Swift played covers of songs by [[Beyoncé]], [[Rihanna]], [[John Waite]], [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] and [[Eminem]].<ref name="CMT 2007-11-12">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/20-questions/1574118/20-questions-with-taylor-swift.jhtml|title=News : 20 Questions With Taylor Swift|publisher=[[Country Music Television|CMT]]|date=November 12, 2007|accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1893502,00.html|title=Interview with Taylor Swift|publisher=TIME|date=April 23, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.mcall.com/2007-02-10/features/3716545_1_orpheus-chamber-orchestra-swift-string-orchestra|title=The Week in Review – Morning Call|publisher=Articles.mcall.com|date=February 10, 2007|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She conducted meet-and-greet sessions with fans before and after her concerts; these lasted for up to four hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5735572,00.html|title=Taylor Swift Embraces the Meet & Greet|publisher=Gactv.com|date=October 31, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> As well as festival and theater dates, Swift performed as an opening act for several country artists' concert tours. In late 2006, she opened for [[Rascal Flatts]] on the final nine dates of their Me & My Gang Tour, after the previous supporting act [[Eric Church]] was fired.<ref name="taylorjoinstour"/> Swift later sent Church her first gold record with a note: "Thanks for playing 'too long' and 'too loud' on the Flatts tour. I sincerely appreciate it. Taylor."<ref>{{cite web|last=Burch|first=Cathalena E.|url=http://azstarnet.com/entertainment/blogs/caliente-tuned-in/article_61cb6c52-5bd1-11e0-88bd-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Eric Church's Taylor Swift story : Welcome to StarNet – Tucson, Arizona|publisher=Azstarnet.com|date=March 31, 2011|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> In 2007, she served as the opening act on twenty dates for [[George Strait]]'s tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1546137/taylor-swift-joins-george-straits-2007-tour.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Joins George Straits 2007 Tour|date=November 17, 2006|work=CMT News|publisher=Viacom|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> several dates on [[Kenny Chesney]]'s Flip-Flop Summer Tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/20-questions/1574118/20-questions-with-taylor-swift.jhtml|title=20 Questions With Taylor Swift|publisher=CMT|date=November 12, 2007|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> selected dates on [[Brad Paisley]]'s Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1549598/brad-paisley-plans-tour-with-three-opening-acts.jhtml|title=Brad Paisley Plans Tour With Three Opening Acts|date=January 9, 2007|work=CMT News|publisher=Viacom|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> and several dates for [[Tim McGraw]] and [[Faith Hill]]'s joint [[Soul2Soul II Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1561014/taylor-swift-joins-tim-mcgraw-faith-hill-on-tour.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Joins Tim McGraw, Faith Hill on Tour|date=June 1, 2007|work=CMT News|publisher=Viacom|accessdate=2010-03-11}}</ref> Swift again opened for Rascal Flatts on their Still Feels Good Tour in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrymusic.about.com/od/concertreviewsm1/a/RFlattsConc08.htm|title=Rascal Flatts & Taylor Swift in Concert – Sacramento, CA – April 10, 2008|first=Shelly|last=Fabian|work=About.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=2010-06-22}}</ref> Swift and [[Alan Jackson]] were jointly named the [[Nashville Songwriters Association International|Nashville Songwriters Association]]'s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2007, with Swift becoming the youngest person ever to be honored with the title.<ref>{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Cooper |coauthors=Aronin, Ivan|title=It's writers' turn to be honored for songs|url=http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071015/ENTERTAINMENT01/710150367|publisher=[[The Tennessean]]|date=October 15, 2007|accessdate=2011-09-24}}{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> She also won the [[Country Music Association]]'s Horizon Award for Best New Artist,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/pictures/taylor-swift/photo-gallery/2389485/2657043/artist_photo.jhtml|title=Photos : All Taylor Swift Pictures : Horizon Award Winner Poses in the Pressroom|publisher=CMT|date=September 7, 2007|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> the [[Academy of Country Music Awards]]'s Top New Female Vocalist award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/pictures/43rd-annual-acm-awards-onstage-winners/1587677/2970629/photo.jhtml|title=Photos : 43rd Annual ACM Awards – Onstage: Winners : Acceptance Speech|publisher=CMT|date=May 18, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> and the [[American Music Awards]]'s Favorite Country Female Artist honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/taylor-swift-rascal-flatts-carrie-underwood-score-@-2008-ama-awards|title=Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood Score at 2008 AMA Awards|publisher=Roughstock.com|date=November 24, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> She was also nominated for a 2008 [[Grammy Award]] in the category of [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]], but lost to [[Amy Winehouse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20173658_20177270,00.html|title=Amy Winehouse Wins Best New Artist, Kanye West Pays Tribute to Mom – Grammy Awards 2008, Grammy Awards|publisher=People.com|date=October 2, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref>

===2008–10: ''Fearless'', VMA controversy and Grammy backlash===
Swift's second studio album, ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'', was released in November 2008. Swift wrote seven of the album's songs alone, including two singles, and co-wrote the remaining six with songwriters Liz Rose, [[John Rich]], [[Colbie Caillat]] and [[Hillary Lindsey]].<ref name="BMRATS0250">{{cite album-notes|title=Fearless Platinum Edition|bandname=Taylor Swift|year=2008|format=CD|publisher=[[Big Machine Records]]|publisherid=BMRATS0250}}</ref> She co-produced the album with Nathan Chapman.<ref name="BMRATS0250"/> Musically, it has been said that the record is characterized by "loud, lean guitars and rousing choruses," with the occasional "bit of fiddle and banjo tucked into the mix."<ref name="rosen1">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Jody|title=Albums Reviews – Fearless|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fearless-20081113|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 13, 2008}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Swift as "one of pop's finest songwriters, country's foremost pragmatist and more in touch with her inner life than most adults."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/arts/music/21cara.html?_r=1|title=Sounds of Swagger and Sob Stories|date=December 19, 2008|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-12-20|first=Jon|last=Caramanica}}</ref> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' felt she displayed "preternatural wisdom and inclusiveness," "masterfully avoiding the typical diarist's pitfalls of trite banality and pseudo-profound bullshit."<ref>{{cite web|last=Love|first=Josh|title=Taylor Swift's Teenage Country-Star Tales, Spiked With Actual Wisdom|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-11-19/music/taylor-swift-s-teenage-country-star-tales-spiked-with-actual-wisdom/|work=[[The Village Voice]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 19, 2008}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' described her as "a songwriting savant with an intuitive gift for verse-chorus-bridge architecture" whose "squirmingly intimate and true" songs seemed to be "literally ripped from a suburban girl's diary."<ref name="rosen1"/> Music critic [[Robert Christgau]] characterized Swift as "an uncommonly-to-impossibly strong and gifted teenage girl."<ref name="RobertChristgau">{{cite web|title=Robert Christgau: CG: taylor swift|url=http://robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=taylor+swift|publisher=robertchristgau.com|accessdate=2012-05-15}}</ref> Swift promoted ''Fearless'' heavily upon its release. An episode of ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' was dedicated to the album launch and Swift appeared on many other chat shows.<ref name="Caramanica 2008-11-07"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Keel|first=Beverly|url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081109/TUNEIN/105260003/Taylor-Swift-Regular-teenager-country-star|title=Taylor Swift: Regular teenager, country star|publisher=The Tennessean|date=November 9, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> She communicated with fans using social media platforms such as Twitter and personal video blogs.<ref name="Caramanica 2008-11-07"/> The lead single from the album, "[[Love Story (Taylor Swift song)|Love Story]]", was released in September 2008 and became the second best-selling country single of all time, peaking at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=taylor swift|chart=all}}|title=Love Story – Taylor Swift|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2011-03-05}}</ref> Four more singles were released throughout 2008 and 2009: "[[White Horse (Taylor Swift song)|White Horse]]", "[[You Belong with Me]]", "Fifteen" and "[[Fearless (Taylor Swift song)|Fearless]]". "You Belong with Me" was the album's highest-charting single, peaking at number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267724/black-eyed-peas-jason-mraz-tie-records-on-billboard-hot-100|title=Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz Tie Records On Billboard Hot 100|last=Ben-Yehuda|first=Ayala|date=August 13, 2009|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 Album Chart with sales of 592,304 and has since sold over 8.6 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5939337,00.html|title=Taylor Swift's Fearless Makes History With No 1 Debut On Billboard's Top 200 All-Genre Album Sales Chart|date=November 20, 2008|publisher=TOP 40 Charts|accessdate=2008-12-24}}</ref> It was the top-selling album of 2009 and brought Swift much [[Crossover (music)#Crossover country|crossover success]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74364/chart-watch-extra-20-years-of-top-albums/|title=Chart Watch Extra: 20 Years Of Top Albums|first=Paul|last=Grein|date=May 12, 2011|work=Yahoo! Music|publisher=Yahoo!|accessdate=2011-06-10}}</ref>
[[File:FearlessPrudentialCentMay2010.jpg|thumb|left|Swift performing in [[Los Angeles]] during the [[Fearless Tour]] in 2010]]

Swift carried out her first headlining tour in support of ''Fearless''. As part of the 105-date [[Fearless Tour]], Swift played 90 dates in North America, six dates in Europe, eight dates in Australia and one date in Asia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Herrera|first=Monica|title=Taylor Swift Announces Second Leg Of 'Fearless' Tour|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267140/taylor-swift-announces-second-leg-of-fearless-tour|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=October 8, 2009}}</ref> She sang a cover of [[Justin Timberlake]]'s "[[What Goes Around... Comes Around]]" nightly, intertwined with her own "You're Not Sorry".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/29/arts/music/29swift.html|title=She's a Little Bit Country, a Little Bit Angry|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 28, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29|last=Pareles|first=Jon}}</ref> Swift invited [[John Mayer]], Faith Hill and [[Katy Perry]] to perform one-off duets with her at various dates during the North American tour, while [[Justin Bieber]], [[Kellie Pickler]] and [[Gloriana]] were the support acts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift FEARLESS TOUR 2010|publisher=Ticketek|url=http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TAYLORSW10&searchId=464a7869-8d63-4190-a249-e63b830df60d|accessdate=2010-01-08}}</ref> The tour was attended by more than 1.1 million fans and grossed over $63 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mapes|first=Jillian|title=Taylor Swift Announces 'Speak Now' World Tour|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/950374/taylor-swift-announces-speak-now-world-tour|work=Billboard|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 23, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Taylor Swift: Journey to Fearless]]'', a concert film, was aired on television and later released on DVD and Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.discovery.com/us/hub/programs/taylor-swifts-journey-fearless|title=Taylor Swift's Journey to Fearless : Programs : The Hub : Discovery Press Web|publisher=Press.discovery.com|date=|accessdate=2011-10-10}}</ref> Swift also performed as a supporting act for [[Keith Urban]]'s Escape Together World Tour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Urban Tours With Taylor Swift, Sugarland + More|url=http://www.theboot.com/2008/12/02/keith-urban-tours-with-taylor-swift-sugarland-more/|work=The Boot|accessdate=2012-05-15|author=Stephen L. Betts|date=December 2, 2008}}</ref> In addition to tour dates, the singer paid tribute to a number of fellow artists in televised performances. She performed a cover of Alan Jackson's "[[Drive (For Daddy Gene)]]" at the ''CMT Giants: Alan Jackson'' event, took part in a [[Taylor Swift and Def Leppard|joint, televised concert]] with rock band [[Def Leppard]] in Nashville, and performed a cover of George Strait's "[[Run (George Strait song)|Run]]" at a televised ACM event honoring Strait as the Artist of the Decade.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gerome|first=John|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-04-07-strait-decade_N.htm|title=Stars salute Strait as ACM's Artist of the Decade|publisher=Usatoday.Com|date=April 7, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> Swift sang her song "Fifteen" with [[Miley Cyrus]] at the [[51st Grammy Awards]] and performed a self-penned rap skit with [[T-Pain]] at the CMT Awards.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Kreps|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-raps-with-t-pain-rocks-with-def-leppard-at-cmts-20090617|title=Taylor Swift Raps With T-Pain, Rocks With Def Leppard At CMTs|work=Rolling Stone|date=June 17, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> Swift also recorded a number of side-projects. She released a cover of [[Tom Petty]]'s "[[American Girl (Tom Petty song)|American Girl]]" through [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] in 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,gac_26063_5944409_,00.html|title=News : Headlines : Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift: New Songs Coming|publisher=Gactv.com|date=June 29, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> and made her stage entrance to Petty's recording of the song until 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2011-06-09-taylor-swift-lyrics-on-arm_n.htm |title=Taylor Swift arms herself with lyrics onstage |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> She contributed backing vocals to John Mayer's "[[Half of My Heart]]", a single featured on his [[Battle Studies (album)|fourth album]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=John Mayer Talks Taylor Swift Collaboration 'Half Of My Heart'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625724/john-mayer-talks-taylor-swift-collaboration-half-my-heart.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 6, 2009}}</ref> She co-wrote and recorded "[[Best Days of Your Life]]" with Kellie Pickler<ref>{{cite news|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=Carrie Underwood tops Idol downloads; Adam Lambert on the rise|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/06/carrie-underwood-tops-idol-downloads-adam-lambert-on-the-rise/1|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=June 23, 2010}}</ref> and co-wrote two songs for the [[Hannah Montana: The Movie (soundtrack)|''Hannah Montana: The Movie'' soundtrack]] – "[[You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home]]" and "[[Crazier (Taylor Swift song)|Crazier]]" – with [[Martin Johnson (musician)|Martin Johnson]] and Robert Ellis Orrall, respectively.<ref name="prod">{{cite web|url=http://www.visualhollywood.com/movies_2009/hanna_montana/notes.pdf|title=Hannah Montana The Movie Production Notes|work=[[Walt Disney Pictures]]|publisher=VisualHollywood.com|accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> Swift also provided vocals for [[Boys Like Girls]]'s "[[Two Is Better Than One]]", written by Martin Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boys Like Girls Dish on Taylor Swift|url=http://www.seventeen.com/cosmogirl/boys-like-girls-jingle-ball|work=[[Seventeen (magazine)|Seventeen]]|publisher=seventeen.com|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=December 15, 2009}}</ref> She contributed two songs – including "[[Today Was a Fairytale]]" – to the [[Valentine's Day (soundtrack)|''Valentine's Day'' soundtrack]]<ref name="slate">{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/browbeat/archive/2010/01/28/track-of-the-week-taylor-swift-today-was-a-fairytale.aspx|title=Track of the Week: Taylor Swift, "Today Was a Fairytale"|first=Jonah|last=Weiner|coauthors=Jody Rosen|date=January 28, 2010|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|publisher=[[The Washington Post Company]]|accessdate=2010-06-21}}</ref> and recorded a cover of [[Better Than Ezra]]'s "Breathless" for the ''[[Hope for Haiti Now (album)|Hope for Haiti Now]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630485/better-than-ezra-honored-by-taylor-swifts-breathless-performance.jhtml|title=Better Than Ezra 'Honored' By Taylor Swift's Performance Of 'Breathless' At Haiti Telethon|publisher=MTV.com|date=January 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref>

[[File:StaplesCenterFearless.jpg|thumb|Swift performing in [[Los Angeles]] during the [[Fearless Tour]] in 2010]]
Swift became the first country music artist to win an [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] when "You Belong with Me" was named [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] in 2009.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web|title=Kanye calls Taylor Swift after 'View' appearance|work=[[Associated Press]]/MSNBC|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=2009-09-16|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32861800/ns/entertainment-music/}}</ref> Her [[Kanye West MTV Video Music Awards controversy|acceptance speech was interrupted]] by rapper [[Kanye West]], who had been involved in a number of other [[Kanye West#Award shows|award show incidents]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sorry, MTV VMA queen Taylor Swift: Kanye West is king of award-show tantrums|url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/09/mtv-vma-video-music-awards-kanye-west-taylor-swift-music-news.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> In the event's press room, Swift, a fan of West's music,<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=Taylor Swift Talks Acting, College And A Dream Collaboration With 'Amazing' T.I.|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599659/taylor-swift-talks-acting-college-dream-collaborations.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 18, 2008}}</ref> denied having "any hard feelings" towards him.<ref name="Beyonce1">{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift Thanks "Gracious" Beyonce for Inviting Her Onstage After Kanye Stunt at VMAs|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-thanks-gracious-beyonce-for-inviting-her-onstage-after-kanye-stunt-at-vmas-20090914|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift Speaks Out on Kanye Incident|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/taylor-swift-2009149|publisher=UsMagazine.com|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> The incident received much media attention and inspired many [[Internet meme]]s.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2009-10-03|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos/|title=Kanye West's VMA Interruption Gives Birth To Internet Photo Meme|work=MTV|date=September 16, 2009|author=Anderson, Kyle}}</ref> A few days later, Swift told an interviewer that West offered her a personal apology, which she accepted: "He was very sincere."<ref name=msnbc.msn.com/> She refused to discuss the incident in subsequent interviews so as not to make a "bigger deal" of it: "It happened on TV, so everybody saw what happened ... It's not something I feel like we need to keep talking about."<ref>{{cite web|author=Marianne Horner|url=http://www.theboot.com/2009/09/19/taylor-swift-seeks-clarity-amidst-story-that-just-wont-die/|title=Taylor Swift Seeks Clarity Amidst Story That Just Won't Die|publisher=The Boot|date=September 19, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> It has been said that the incident and subsequent media attention turned Swift into "a bona-fide mainstream celebrity."<ref name="montgomery1">{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Why You Shouldn't Hate On Taylor Swift|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631093/why-shouldnt-hate-on-taylor-swift.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=February 2, 2010}}</ref>

Swift won four [[52nd Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]] in 2010, from a total of eight nominations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Calvin|title=Taylor Swift Nets Eight Grammy Nominations|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1627496/taylor-swift-nets-eight-grammy-nominations.jhtml|work=CMT|accessdate=2012-02-13|date=December 3, 2009}}</ref> ''Fearless'' was named [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Country Album|Best Country Album]], while "White Horse" was named [[Grammy Award for Best Country Song|Best Country Song]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance|Best Female Country Vocal Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Beyonce, Taylor Swift Dominate 2010 Grammy Awards|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-taylor-swift-dominate-2010-grammy-awards-20100201|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=2012-02-13|date=February 1, 2010}}</ref> She was the youngest ever artist to win Album of the Year.<ref name="NYTgrammy">{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|title=For Young Superstar Taylor Swift, Big Wins Mean Innocence Lost|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/arts/music/02taylor.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=February 1, 2010}}</ref> During the ceremony, Swift sang "[[Rhiannon (song)|Rhiannon]]" and "You Belong with Me" with [[Stevie Nicks]]. Her vocal performance received negative reviews and sparked a widespread media backlash.<ref name="montgomery1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Taylor Swift's Label Lashes Out at Critics of Grammy Performance|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swifts-label-lashes-out-at-critics-of-grammy-performance-20100204|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=February 4, 2010}}</ref> Her vocals were described variously as "badly off-key," "strikingly bad" and "incredibly wretched."<ref name="EWduet">{{cite web|last=Collis|first=Clark|title=Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks' Grammys duet: Out of sight, or out of tune?|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/01/31/tayor-swift-and-stevie-nicks-grammys-duet-out-of-sight-or-out-of-tune/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=January 31, 2010}}</ref><ref name="thebootgrammy">{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Gayle|title=Taylor Swift & Stevie Nicks' Grammy Performance Invites Critics, Defenders|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/02/02/taylor-swifts-grammy-performance/|work=The Boot|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=February 2, 2010}}</ref> While ''The New York Times'' found it "refreshing to see someone so gifted make the occasional flub" and described Swift as "the most important new pop star of the past few years,"<ref name="NYTgrammy"/> music analyst [[Bob Lefsetz]] predicted that her career would end "overnight." He publicly appealed to Swift's father to hire a "crisis publicity agent" to manage the story because "Taylor's too young and dumb to understand the mistake she made."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/02/01/grammys/|title=Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Grammys|publisher=Lefsetz.com|date=January 29, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/02/04/saving-taylor-swift/|title=Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Saving Taylor Swift|publisher=Lefsetz.com|date=March 22, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> Stevie Nicks, writing in ''Time'', defended the singer: "Taylor reminds me of myself in her determination and her childlike nature. It's an innocence that's so special and so rare. This girl writes the songs that make the whole world sing, like [[Neil Diamond]] or [[Elton John]] ... The female rock-'n'-roll-country-pop songwriter is back, and her name is Taylor Swift. And it's women like her who are going to save the music business."<ref name="nicks1">{{cite news|last=Nicks|first=Stevie|title=The 2010 TIME 100 – Taylor Swift|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984940_1985536,00.html|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=April 29, 2010}}</ref> ''Fearless'' won many [[List of awards and nominations received by Taylor Swift|other accolades]] and has become the most awarded album in country music history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Marc|title=Taylor Swift Named Billboard Woman of the Year|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466285/taylor-swift-named-billboard-woman-of-the-year|work=Billboard|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> Swift became the youngest ever artist and one of only six women to be named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association.<ref name="CMA2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/11/11/taylor-swift-wins-cma-entertainer-year/|title=Taylor Swift Wins CMA Entertainer of the Year|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=2010-04-17|date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> ''Fearless'' also won the Association's Album of the Year award.<ref name="CMA2009"/> Swift was the youngest ever artist to win the Academy of Country Music's Album of the Year honor.<ref>{{vcite web|url=http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20090406/CL9518106042009-1.html|title=Taylor Swift Wins Album of the Year at Academy of Country Music Awards|date=April 6, 2009|publisher=Big Machine Press Release|accessdate=2009-04-07}}</ref> The American Music Awards honored Swift with [[American Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] and Favorite Country Album plaudits.<ref>{{vcite web|last=Ditzian|first=Eric|title=Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson Big Winners At American Music Awards|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626845/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-big-winners-at-american-music-awards.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2012-05-15|year=2009}}</ref> She was awarded the [[Hal David]] Starlight Award by the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{vcite web|title=Taylor Swift Will Receive Hal David Starlight Award for Songwriting|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1638866/taylor-swift-will-receive-hal-david-starlight-award-for-songwriting.jhtml|publisher=CMT|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=May 11, 2010}}</ref> and was named Songwriter/Artist of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association.<ref>{{vcite web|last=Richards|first=Kevin|title=Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, and Wynn Varble Win Big at NSAI Awards|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2009/10/taylor-swift-toby-keith-and-wynn-varble-win-big-at-nsai-awards/|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=October 19, 2009}}</ref> ''Billboard'' named her 2009's [[Billboard Music Award#Artist of the Year awards|Artist of the Year]].<ref>{{vcite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266432/2009-artists-of-the-year|title=2009 Artists Of The Year|publisher=Billboard.com|date=December 10, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> Swift was included in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2010.<ref name=autogenerated4>{{vcite news|last=Nicks|first=Stevie|title=The 2010 TIME 100 – Taylor Swift|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984940_1985536,00.html|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=April 29, 2010}}</ref>

===2010–12: ''Speak Now'' and world tour===
Swift released her third studio album, ''[[Speak Now]]'', in October 2010. She wrote all fourteen songs alone and co-produced the record with longtime collaborator Nathan Chapman.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/arts/music/24swift.html?_r=1|title=Taylor Swift, Angry on 'Speak Now' - NYTimes.com|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|publisher=The New York Times|date=October 20, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-23}}</ref> Musically, it has been said that the album "expands beyond country-pop to border both alternative rock and dirty bubblegum pop."<ref name="LAT">{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/album-review-taylor-swifts-speak-now.html|title=Album review: Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now'|last=Powers|first=Ann|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 25, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-25}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' described the album as savage, musically diverse and "excellent too, possibly her best."<ref name="NYT"/> ''The Village Voice'' remarked that the album demanded "a true appreciation of Swift's talent, which is not confessional, but dramatic: Like a procession of country songwriters before her, she creates characters and situations—some from life—and finds potent ways to describe them."<ref name="Voice">{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-03/music/the-iceberg-songs-of-taylor-swift/|title=The Iceberg Songs of Taylor Swift|last=Weber|first=Theon|publisher=[[The Village Voice]]|date=November 3, 2010|accessdate=2010-11-03}}</ref> Music critic Robert Christgau found the album's songs "overlong and overworked" but remarked that "they evince an effort that bears a remarkable resemblance to care—that is, to caring in the best, broadest, and most emotional sense."<ref name="RobertChristgau"/> ''Rolling Stone'' described Swift as one of the best songwriters in "pop, rock or country": "Swift might be a clever Nashville pro who knows all the hitmaking tricks, but she's also a high-strung, hyper-romantic gal with a melodramatic streak the size of the [[Atchafalaya Basin|Atchafalaya Swamp]]."<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/45342/225745|title=Speak Now by Taylor Swift|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|work=Rolling Stone|date=October 26, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-26}}</ref> Swift carried out an extensive promotional campaign prior to ''Speak Now'''s release.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/arts/music/04country.html?_r=1|title=Taylor Swift Album Is a Sales Triumph|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 3, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-15}}</ref> She appeared on various talk shows and morning shows, and gave free mini-concerts in unusual locations, including an open-decker bus on [[Hollywood Boulevard]] and a departure lounge at [[JFK airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/taylor-swifts-speak-now-moves-back-7466108.html?cat=33|title=Taylor Swift's '˜Speak Now' Moves Back to Number One on Billboard's Hot 200, Finishes Third for Year|publisher=Yahoo! Voices|date=October 25, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-10}}</ref> She took part in a "guitar pull" alongside [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Vince Gill]] and [[Lionel Richie]] at LA's [[Club Nokia#Nokia Theatre and Club Nokia|Club Nokia]]; the musicians shared the stage and took turns introducing and playing acoustic versions of their songs to raise money for the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Randy|title=Taylor Swift joins Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Lionel Richie and Emmylou Harris at Country Hall of Fame benefit|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/09/taylor-swift-kristofferson-country-hall-fame.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Taylor Swift, Kris Kristofferson Bond at Country Music Hall of Fame Fundraiser|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1648666/taylor-swift-kris-kristofferson-bond-at-country-music-hall-of-fame-fundraiser.jhtm|publisher=CMT|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=September 24, 2010}}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref> The album's lead single, "[[Mine (song)|Mine]]", was released in August 2010 and five further singles were released throughout 2010 and 2011: "[[Back to December]]", "[[Mean (song)|Mean]]", "[[The Story of Us (song)|The Story of Us]]", "[[Sparks Fly (song)|Sparks Fly]]" and "[[Ours (song)|Ours]]".<ref name="leak">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1645091/taylor-swifts-new-single-mine-shipped-to-country-radio-after-leak.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift's New Single, "Mine," Shipped to Country Radio After Leak|date=August 4, 2010|publisher=[[Country Music Television]]|accessdate=2010-08-04}}</ref> ''Speak Now'' was a major commercial success, debuting at number one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart. Its opening sales of 1,047,000 copies made it the sixteenth album in US history to sell one million copies in a single week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-may-29-2011-albums-gaga-goes-on-sale.html;_ylt=AqOEt7KYQdzC3QBgrfX7_xsPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFmcXBwOGY0BG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxMzIEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ0luZGV4;_ylg=X3oDMTFvcGs0cnBnBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3|publisher=Yahoo! Music|title=Week Ending May 29, 2011. Albums: Gaga Goes On Sale|first1=Paul|last1=Grein|date=June 1, 2011|accessdate=2011-12-18}}</ref> As of February 2012, ''Speak Now'' has sold over 5.7 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockrants.com/2011/09/21/taylor-swift-to-release-speak-now-world-tour-live-concert-cddvd-cdblu-ray-set-on-november-21st.html|title=Taylor Swift to Release SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR – LIVE, Concert CD/DVD & CD/Blu-Ray Set, on November 21st|publisher=StockRants|date=September 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-03-19}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2011/09/20/taylor-swift-celebrates-nashville-homecoming/|title=Taylor Swift Celebrates Nashville Homecoming|first=Sarah|last=Wyland|date=September 20, 2011|work=[[Great American Country]]|publisher=[[Scripps Networks Interactive]]|accessdate=2011-09-23}}</ref>
[[File:Taylor Swift 2011crop.jpg|thumb|left|Swift performing in [[Newark, New Jersey]] during the [[Speak Now World Tour]] in 2011|alt=Taylor Swift, wearing a purple dress, plays a blue acoustic guitar while sitting on a stool]]

Swift toured throughout 2011 and early 2012 in support of ''Speak Now''. As part of the thirteen-month, 111-date [[Speak Now World Tour|world tour]], Swift played seven shows in Asia, twelve shows in Europe, 80 shows in North America and twelve shows in Australasia.<ref name="billboard1">{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Bob|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/touring/hot-tours-taylor-swift-george-strait-cirque-1006619952.story|title=Hot Tours: Taylor Swift, George Strait, Cirque Du Soleil|publisher=Billboard.biz|date=March 29, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-10}}</ref> Swift invited many musicians to join her for one-off duets during the North American tour. Appearances were made by [[James Taylor]], [[Jason Mraz]], [[Shawn Colvin]], [[Johnny Rzeznik]], [[Andy Grammer]], [[Tal Bachman]], [[Justin Bieber]], [[Selena Gomez]], [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Nelly]], [[B.o.B]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Flo Rida]], [[T.I.]], [[Jon Foreman]], [[Jim Adkins]], [[Hayley Williams]], [[Hot Chelle Rae]], [[Ronnie Dunn]], [[Darius Rucker]], Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney.<ref>{{cite web|last=Glazer|first=Eliot|title=Watch Taylor Swift Duet With Shawn Colvin|url=http://www.vulture.com/2011/10/taylor_swift_shawn_colvin.html|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|publisher=vulture.com|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=October 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roland|first=Tom|title=Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/464865/taylor-swift-billboards-woman-of-the-year|work=Billboard|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> During the North American tour leg, Swift wrote different [[Speak Now World Tour#Arm lyrics|song lyrics on her left arm]] for each performance and has said that the lyrics should be viewed as a nightly "mood ring."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2011-06-09-taylor-swift-lyrics-on-arm_n.htm|title=Taylor Swift arms herself with lyrics onstage|author=Brian Mansfield|publisher=usatoday.com|date=June 9, 2011|accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref><ref name="Rolling Stone 2011-08-18">Rolling Stone, August 18, 2011, page 28, Q&A: Taylor Swift by Austin Scaggs</ref> Swift performed [[Speak Now World Tour#Acoustic cover versions|many acoustic cover versions]] during her North American tour. In each city, she paid tribute to a homegrown artist.<ref>{{cite web|last=Perpetua|first=Matthew|title=Videos: Taylor Swift's Coast-to-Coast Cover Songs|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/videos-taylor-swifts-coast-to-coast-cover-songs-20111116|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=2012-05-15}}</ref> She has said the cover versions allowed her to be "spontaneous" in an otherwise well-rehearsed show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roland|first=Tom|title=Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/464865/taylor-swift-billboards-woman-of-the-year|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=2|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> The tour was attended by over 1.6 million fans and grossed over $123 million.<ref name="billboard1"/> Swift's first live album, ''[[Speak Now World Tour: Live]]'', featuring all seventeen performances from the North American leg of the tour, was released in November 2011.<ref name="SpeakNowLiveAlbum">{{cite web|url=http://www.taylorswift.com/news/o1287965052241?post=taylor-to-release-live-cd-dvd#o1287965052241|title=Taylor Swift News and Blog|publisher=Taylorswift.com|date=September 21, 2011|accessdate=2011-09-21}}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Taylor Swift Sydney.jpg|thumb|Swift performing in [[Sydney]] during the [[Speak Now World Tour]] in 2012]]

At the [[54th Grammy Awards]], Swift's song "Mean" won Best Country Song and [[Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance|Best Country Solo Performance]].<ref name="54th Grammys">{{cite web|last=Wyland|first=Sarah|title=Taylor Swift Takes Home Two GRAMMYs at Tribute-Filled Show|url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2012/02/12/taylor-swift-takes-home-two-grammys-at-tribute-filled-show/|publisher=[[Great American Country]]|accessdate=2012-02-13|date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> She also performed the song during the ceremony. Bob Lefsetz, one of the most vocal critics of her 2010 Grammy performance, believes the song is addressed to him.<ref name="wired1">{{cite news|last=Raftery|first=Brian|url=http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/mf_lefsetz/all/1|title=Who the Hell Is Bob Lefsetz?|publisher=Wired Magazine|date=February 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2012/06/08/sales-3/|title=Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Sales|publisher=Lefsetz.com|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Lefsetz had previously been a supporter of the singer's career,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2007/08/25/taylor-swifttim-mcgraw/|title=Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Taylor Swift/Tim McGraw|publisher=Lefsetz.com|date=August 25, 2007|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> and Swift and Lefsetz had corresponded occasionally by email and telephone.<ref name="wired1"/> ''Time'' felt she "delivered her comeback on-key and with a vengeance"<ref>{{cite news|last=Suddath|first=Claire|title=Taylor Swift, "Mean" &#124; The Best and Worst of the 2012 Grammys|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/02/12/the-best-and-worst-of-the-2012-grammys/slide/taylor-swift-mean/#taylor-swift-mean|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> while ''USA Today'' remarked that the criticism in 2010 seemed to have "made her a better songwriter and live performer."<ref>{{cite news|last=Deerwester|first=Jayme|title=Adoration for Adele: 6 Grammys|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/story/2012-02-12/live-grammys-story-2012/53063460/1|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Swift won various [[List of awards and nominations received by Taylor Swift|other awards]] for ''Speak Now''. She was named Songwriter/Artist of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association in both 2010 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Gayle|url=http://www.theboot.com/2012/04/17/alan-jackson-country-radio/|title=Alan Jackson Keeps It Country|work=The Boot|date=April 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hazel Smith|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/hot-dish/1672997/hot-dish-taylor-swift-sings-alan-jacksons-masterpiece-at-nashville-songwriters-celebration.jhtml|title=News : HOT DISH: Taylor Swift Sings Alan Jackson's Masterpiece at Nashville Songwriters Celebration|publisher=CMT|date=October 24, 2011|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> She was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in both 2011 and 2012<ref>{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift wins ACM entertainer of the year|url=http://news.yahoo.com/taylor-swift-wins-acm-entertainer-025913684.html|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo! News|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=April 1, 2012}}</ref> and was named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=CMA Awards 2011: Taylor Swift wins entertainer of the year|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57321901-10391698/cma-awards-2011-taylor-swift-wins-entertainer-of-the-year/|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 9, 2011}}</ref> Swift was the American Music Awards's Artist of the Year in 2011, while ''Speak Now'' was named Favorite Country Album.<ref>{{cite news|title=American Music Awards 2011: Taylor Swift wins artist of the year|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57328407-10391698/american-music-awards-2011-taylor-swift-wins-artist-of-the-year/|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2012-05-15|date=November 20, 2011}}</ref> ''Billboard'' named Swift 2011's Woman of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roland|first=Tom|title=Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/464865/taylor-swift-billboards-woman-of-the-year|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=2012-05-15|page=1|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref>

While Swift was completing her fourth album in the summer of 2012, James Taylor invited her to appear as a special guest during his [[Tanglewood]] set; they performed "[[Fire and Rain]]", "Love Story" and "Ours" together.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_20994725/taylored-please-jt-swift-bring-generations-fans-together|title=Taylored to please: James Taylor and Taylor Swift bring generations of fans together – Berkshire Eagle Online|publisher=Berkshireeagle.com|date=|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> Taylor, who first met Swift when she was eighteen, has said that, "we just hit it off. I loved her songs, and her presence on stage was so great."<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Mary M.|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304050304577375872042368612.html|title=James Taylor Talks About Songwriting, Addiction and His New Friend Taylor Swift|publisher=online.wsj.com|date=May 2, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref><ref name="post-gazette1">{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/preview-james-taylor-talks-new-tour-taylor-swift-early-touring-days-641185/|title=Preview: James Taylor talks new tour, Taylor Swift, early touring days – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|publisher=Post-gazette.com|date=June 20, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> During this period, Swift also contributed two original songs to [[The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond|''The Hunger Games'' soundtrack album]]. "[[Safe & Sound (Taylor Swift song)|Safe & Sound]]" was co-written and recorded with [[The Civil Wars]] and [[T-Bone Burnett]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Monica Herrera|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-arcade-fire-talk-hunger-games-20120315|title=Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire Talk 'Hunger Games'|work=Rolling Stone|date=March 15, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-10}}</ref> [[John Paul White]] has said working with Swift was "a revelation ... It truly was a collaboration."<ref>{{cite web|author=Ed Power|url=http://www.hotpress.com/8900799.html?new_layout=1&page_no=2&show_comments=1|title=Keep It Civil|publisher=Hotpress.com|date=|accessdate=2012-05-10}}</ref> It was released as the album's lead single and, as of January 2013, has sold over 1.4 million copies in the United States.<ref name="deadline.com">{{cite web|last= |first= |url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-golden-globe-nominated-hunger-games/ |title=Swift's Poetry Turns Into Globe-Nominated Tune |publisher=Deadline.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> It won Best Song Written For Visual Media at the 2013 Grammy Awards and was nominated for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] at the [[70th Golden Globe Awards]].<ref name="Golden Globes">{{cite news|last=Labrecque|first=Jeff|title=Golden Globe nominations: 'Lincoln' leads with 7 nods|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/12/13/golden-globe-nominations-announced-nbc/|accessdate=2012-12-13|date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> Swift's second contribution to the album, [[Eyes Open (song)|"Eyes Open"]], was written solely by the singer and produced by Nathan Chapman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-top-30-digital-singles-the-week-of-april-11-2012|title=Country Chart News: Top 30 Digital Singles: The Week of April 11, 2012}}</ref> In addition, Swift contributed vocals to "[[Both of Us]]", a [[Dr. Luke]]-produced single from B.o.B's second album ''[[Strange Clouds (album)|Strange Clouds]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=B.o.B Explains Origins Of Taylor Swift Collaboration "Both Of Us"|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19471/title.bob-explains-origins-of-taylor-swift-collaboration-both-of-us|publisher=HipHop DX|accessdate=2012-05-15|author=Steven J. Horowitz|date=April 20, 2012}}</ref>

===2012–present: ''Red'' and media scrutiny===
Swift's fourth studio album, ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'', was released in October 2012.<ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|last=Willman|first=Chris|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/scott-borchetta-taylor-tim-martina-band-perry-personalized-005314825.html|title=Scott Borchetta on Taylor, Tim, Martina, the Band Perry... and the Personalized Machinery of Big Machine|publisher=music.yahoo.com|date=June 13, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She wrote nine of the album's sixteen songs alone. The remaining seven were co-written with [[Max Martin]], [[Liz Rose]], [[Dan Wilson (musician)|Dan Wilson]], [[Ed Sheeran]] and [[Gary Lightbody]]. Nathan Chapman served as the album's lead producer but [[Jeff Bhasker]], [[Butch Walker]], [[Jacknife Lee]], [[Dann Huff]] and [[Shellback (producer)|Shellback]] also produced individual tracks. Chapman has said he encouraged Swift "to branch out and to test herself in other situations."<ref name="usatoday2">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/17/taylor-swift-red-interview/1637307/|title=Taylor Swift sees 'Red' all over|work=USA Today|date=October 17, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> Musically, while there is experimentation with [[heartland rock]], [[dubstep]] and dance-pop, it is "sprinkled among more recognisably Swiftian fare."<ref>{{cite web|author=Alex Macpherson |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oct/18/taylor-swift-want-believe-pretty-lies |title=Taylor Swift: 'I want to believe in pretty lies' &#124; Music |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref><ref name="slantmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/taylor-swift-red/2900 |title=Taylor Swift: Red &#124; Music Review |work=Slant Magazine |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> Jon Caramanica of ''The New York Times'' found ''Red'' "less detailed and more rushed than her usual fare"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/arts/music/no-more-kid-stuff-for-taylor-swift.html?_r=0 |title=No More Kid Stuff for Taylor Swift |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |publisher=''The New York Times'' |date=October 24, 2012 |accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> but placed it at number two on his end-of-year list, characterizing it as the album on which Swift "stops pretending she’s anything but a pop megastar, one with grown-up concerns, like how two bodies speak to each other and how taste in records can be a stand-in for moral turpitude."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/arts/music/jon-caramanicas-top-10-albums-of-2012.html|title=Bright Colors, Grown-Up Concerns and Bruises: Jon Caramanica’s Top 10 Albums of 2012|author=Caramanica, Joe|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' praised her "sublime" lyrics, particularly those on the "brooding" "All Too Well".<ref>{{cite web|title=Pop, Rock & Jazz, Oct 21|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/music/pop_and_rock/article1150472.ece|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=October 21, 2012}}{{subscription required}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' enjoyed "watching Swift find her pony-footing on Great Songwriter Mountain. She often succeeds in joining the Joni/[[Carole King]] tradition of stark-relief emotional mapping ... Her self-discovery project is one of the best stories in pop."<ref>{{cite web|last=Dolan|first=Jon|title=Red - Album Reviews|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/red-20121018|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=October 23, 2012}}</ref>
[[File:RedStLouis.png|thumb|left|Swift performing in [[St. Louis]] during the 2013 [[Red Tour]]]]

As part of the ''Red'' promotional campaign, representatives from 72 worldwide radio stations were flown to Nashville during release week for individual interviews with Swift.<ref name="haruch1">{{cite web|last=Haruch |first=Steve |url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2012/10/12/dear-papa-john-taylor-swift-is-psyched-you-can-buy-her-new-album-with-your-pizza |title=Dear (Papa) John: Taylor Swift Is Psyched You Can Buy Her New Album With Your Pizza |publisher=Nashvillescene.com |date=October 12, 2012 |accessdate=October 23, 2012}}</ref> She also appeared on many television chat shows and performed at award ceremonies in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Australia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bernstein |first=Alyssa |url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/10/all-access-nashville-with-katie-couric-a-special-edition-of-2020-airs-friday-october-26-at-9-pm-et-on-abc/ |title="All Access Nashville with Katie Couric" A Special Edition of "20/20" Airs Friday, October 26 at 9 PM ET on ABC |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=October 16, 2012 |accessdate=October 23, 2012}}</ref> The album's lead single, "[[We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together]]", became Swift's first number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480315/taylor-swift-scores-first-hot-100-no-1|title=Taylor Swift Scores First Hot 100 No.&nbsp;1|author=Trust, Gary|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|date=August 22, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref> Six further singles have been released: "[[Begin Again (Taylor Swift song)|Begin Again]]" (for country radio), "[[I Knew You Were Trouble]]", "[[22 (Taylor Swift song)|22]]", "[[Everything Has Changed]]", "[[The Last Time (Taylor Swift song)|The Last Time]]" (all for pop and international radio) and "[[Red (Taylor Swift song)|Red]]" (for country radio). ''Red'' debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 with first-week sales of 1.21 million copies; this marked the highest opening sales in a decade and made Swift the first female to have two million-selling album openings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474400/taylor-swifts-red-sells-121-million-biggest-sales-week-for-an-album-since-2002 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Red' Sells 1.21 Million; Biggest Sales Week for an Album Since 2002 |work=Billboard |date=September 14, 2009 |accessdate=2012-11-07}}</ref> As of May 2013, ''Red'' had sold over 6 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-to-play-stadiums-on-australian-tour/story-e6freeuu-1226637858626 |title=Taylor Swift to play stadiums on Australian Red tour |last=Adams |first=Cameron |publisher=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|''The Advertiser'' (Adelaide)]] |date=May 9, 2013 |accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> In her career, as of November 2012, she had sold in excess of 26 million albums and 75 million song downloads.<ref>{{cite web|author=Frith, Maxine |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/love-story-how-harry-styles-became-taylor-swifts-romeo-8389144.html |title=Love Story: how Harry Styles became Taylor Swift's Romeo - London Life - Life & Style - London Evening Standard |publisher=Standard.co.uk |date=December 6, 2012 |accessdate=February 25, 2013}}</ref>

The North American leg of Swift's [[Red Tour]] ran from March to September 2013. She played 66 dates across North America, including thirteen stadium shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontrowking.com/ticket-news/17-01-2013/taylor-swift-adds-metlife-stadium-red-world-tour-2013-tickets-now.html |title=Taylor Swift Adds MetLife Stadium To RED World Tour 2013 – Tickets Available Now! |publisher=Frontrowking.com |date=January 17, 2013|accessdate=February 25, 2013}}</ref> The Red Tour visited stadiums across New Zealand and Australia in December 2013, and will visit England and Germany in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-to-play-stadiums-on-australian-tour/story-e6frfn09-1226637858626|title=Taylor Swift to play stadiums on Australian Red tour}}</ref> In Australia during the Red Tour Swift became the first female artist to sell out Sydney's Allianz Stadium. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc27.com/story/24146114/taylor-swift-is-first-female-artist-in-history-to-sell-out-sydneys-allianz-stadium |title=Taylor Swift Is First Female Artist In History To Sell Out Sydney's Allianz Stadium - abc27 WHTM |publisher=Abc27.com |date= |accessdate=2013-12-14}}</ref>

[[File:Taylor Swift TIFF 2013.jpg|thumb|150px|Taylor Swift at the premiere of ''One Chance'' at the [[2013 Toronto International Film Festival]].]]
Swift invited special guests such as [[Carly Simon]], [[Tegan and Sara]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Luke Bryan]], [[Patrick Stump]] of [[Fall Out Boy]], [[Ellie Goulding]], [[Nelly]], [[Sara Bareilles]], [[Cher Lloyd]], B.o.B, Gary Lightbody, [[Train (band)|Train]], [[Neon Trees]], [[Rascal Flatts]] and [[Hunter Hayes]] to duet with her on various nights of the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/watch-nelly-and-taylor-swift-perform-in-st-louis |title=Watch Nelly and Taylor Swift Perform in St. Louis |publisher=Complex |date=2013-03-21 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> Swift has collaborated with a number of other artists in the ''Red'' era. She co-wrote "[[Sweeter Than Fiction]]" with [[Jack Antonoff]] for the ''[[One Chance (film)|One Chance]]'' movie soundtrack and received a nomination [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] at the [[71st Golden Globe Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Baz Bamigboye |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2406205/Taylor-Swift-pens-song-Paul-Potts-film-charting-Britains-Got-Talent-stars-rise-unlikely-maestro.html |title=Taylor Swift pens song for Paul Potts film charting Britain's Got Talent star's rise to unlikely maestro &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Jeff Labrecque |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/12/12/golden-globe-nominations-2013/ |title='12 Years a Slave' and 'American Hustle' lead Golden Globe nominees |publisher=ew.com |date=2013-12-12 |accessdate=2013-12-12}}</ref> She provided guest vocals for a [[Tim McGraw]] song titled "[[Highway Don't Care]]", featuring guitar work by [[Keith Urban]]; the trio performed the song live on three occasions.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bonaguro, Alison |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-offstage/1700782/offstage-tim-mcgraw-wanted-to-make-taylor-swift-duet-an-event.jhtml |title=News : OFFSTAGE: Tim McGraw Wanted to Make Taylor Swift Duet an Event |publisher=CMT |date=January 25, 2013|accessdate=February 25, 2013}}</ref> She performed an acoustic version of "Red" with [[Vince Gill]] and [[Alison Krauss]] at the 2013 CMA Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/10/21/taylor-swift-invites-special-guests-to-cma-awards/ |title=Dave Grohl, Jason Mraz join CMA Awards lineup, Taylor Swift to perform with Alison Krauss, Vince Gill & more &#124; Tune In Music City &#124; The Tennessean |publisher=Blogs.tennessean.com |date=2013-10-21 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> Swift performed "[[As Tears Go By (song)|As Tears Go By]]" with [[The Rolling Stones]] in Chicago as part of their [[50 & Counting]] tour.<ref>{{cite web|author=Doyle, Patrick|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-to-join-the-rolling-stones-onstage-tonight-20130603|title=Taylor Swift Rolling Stones Chicago &#124; Music News |work=Rolling Stone|date=June 3, 2013|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> She also joined [[Florida Georgia Line]] on stage during their set at the 2013 [[Country Radio Seminar]] to sing "[[Cruise (song)|Cruise]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-florida-georgia-line-perform-cruise/ |title=Taylor Swift Joins Florida Georgia Line Onstage for ‘Cruise’ |work=Taste of Country |date=March 2, 2013 |accessdate=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Swift won three [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] in 2012, including the honors for Best Female and Best Live Act.<ref>{{cite web|last=McGovern|first=Kyle|title=MTV EMAs 2012: Taylor Swift Is Popular in Europe, Too|url=http://www.spin.com/articles/mtv-emas-2012-taylor-swift-justin-bieber-video|work=[[Spin (magazine){{!}}Spin]]|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=November 12, 2012}}</ref> She was named Best Female Country Artist at the 2012 American Music Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift AMA Awards 2012: Pop Star Performs 'I Knew You Were Trouble' (VIDEO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/taylor-swift-ama-performa_n_2158758.html|work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=November 19, 2012}}</ref> The Nashville Songwriters Association's Songwriter/Artist Award went to Swift for the fifth and sixth consecutive years in 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hackett|first=Vernell|title=Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Adds Mary Chapin Carpenter and More|url=http://www.theboot.com/2012/10/08/nashville-songwriters-hall-of-fame-mary-chapin-carpenter/|work=The Boot|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was nominated for Record of the Year at the [[2013 Grammy Awards]] while "I Knew You Were Trouble" won [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] at the [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |author=EW Staff|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/08/25/vmas-winners-list/ |title=VMAs: The 2013 Winner's List |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=2013-08-25 |accessdate=2013-08-25}}</ref> At the 2013 [[American Music Awards]], Swift won four awards including Artist of the Year, marking her third winning the category and the most times an artist has won the category.<ref>{{cite web |author=PIYA SINHA-ROY|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/25/entertainment-us-americanmusicawards-idUSBRE9AO01P20131125 |title=Taylor Swift sweeps top prize at American Music Awards |publisher=Reuters |date=2013-11-24 |accessdate=2013-11-25}}</ref>

In the ''Red'' era, Swift's romantic life became the subject of intense media scrutiny. ''[[Gawker]]'' remarked that Swift had dated "every man in the universe."<ref>{{cite web|author=12/05/12 6:09pm 12/05/12 6:09pm |url=http://gawker.com/5965470/who-has-taylor-swift-dated-a-brief-history-of-all-the-men-in-the-universe |title=Who Has Taylor Swift Dated: A Brief History of All The Men in the Universe |publisher=Gawker.com |date=2012-11-19 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> The [[Westboro Baptist Church]] protested Swift's concerts, labelling her "the whorish face of doomed America," while Abercrombie and Fitch marketed a slogan t-shirt with a "slut-shaming" Swift reference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/06/taylor-swift-slut-shaming-continues.html |title=The Taylor Swift Slut-Shaming Continues - The Cut |publisher=Nymag.com |date=2013-06-28 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' asserted that her "dating history has begun to stir what feels like the beginning of a backlash" and questioned whether Swift was in the midst of a "quarter-life crisis."<ref>{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Bee-Shyuan|title=Taylor Swift Gets Some Mud on Her Boots|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/for-taylor-swifts-image-erosion-is-a-danger.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=March 15, 2013}}</ref> ''The Village Voice'' suggested that Swift's embrace of "traditional femininity" was the cause of the backlash: "She's young, she can be contentiously dramatic, she puts herself in the center of her stories, and obviously she's dated a lot of famous people in a relatively short amount of time. But none of that is exceptionally rare."<ref>{{cite web|last=Winkie|first=Luke|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2013/06/adam_levine_taylor_swift.php|title=Breakup Songs: Why is Adam Levine a Hero Where Taylor Swift is a Punchline?|publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com|date=June 3, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> At the Golden Globes award ceremony, comediennes [[Tina Fey]] and [[Amy Poehler]] poked fun at Swift's serial dating reputation, with Fey warning her to "stay away" from young men in the audience: "She needs some 'me' time to learn about herself." Swift was later asked about the incident in a ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' profile: “I was just sort of like, Oh well, you know, I can laugh at myself. But what it ended up adding to was this whole kind of everyone jumping on the bandwagon of ‘Taylor dates too much’—which, you know, if you want some big revelation, since 2010 I have dated exactly two people.” Elsewhere in the article, whilst discussing what the journalist describes as "the Golden Globes, and mean girls in general," Swift approvingly quoted [[Madeline Albright]]'s remark that ‘There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.’<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/04/taylor-swift-cover-story|title=Taylor Swift’s Telltale Heart|publisher=Vanity Fair|accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref>

Swift began writing songs for her fifth album in July 2013. While she hopes to re-team with some past collaborators,<ref>{{cite web|last=Talbott |first=Chris |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/taylor-swift-talks-next-album-cmas-and-ed-sheeran |title=Taylor Swift talks next album, CMAs and Ed Sheeran |publisher=Bigstory.ap.org |date=2013-10-12 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> she also has "a really long list of the people I admire and I would really love to go and contact."<ref>{{cite web|author=By&nbsp;Patrick Doyle |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-looking-ahead-to-next-album-20130715 |title=Taylor Swift Looking Ahead to Next Album &#124; Music News |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2013-07-15 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> In November 2013, ''Billboard'' reported that Swift has been "doing much of her work with Max Martin again."<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/183214886/Billboard-Magazine-16-November-2013-pdf pg 21]</ref> Also that month, Swift told ''Billboard'' that, "There are probably seven or eight [songs] that I know I want on the record. It's already evolved into a new sound, and that's all I wanted."<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5800742/taylor-swift-talks-next-album-at-amas-we-got-a-lot-already#orz0YlbTrebdscmh.99 Taylor Swift Talks Next Album at AMAs: 'We Got A Lot Already']. Billboard. Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref>

==Artistry==

===Influences===
One of Swift's earliest musical memories is listening to her maternal grandmother, Marjorie Finlay (née Moehlenkamp), sing at church.<ref name="readingeagle1"/><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1600309/cmt-insider-interview-taylor-swift-part-1-of-2.jhtml |title=News : CMT Insider Interview: Taylor Swift (Part 1 of 2) |publisher=CMT |date=2008-11-26 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> In her youth, Finlay was a television host in [[Puerto Rico]] and performed in operas in [[Singapore]] and [[Thailand]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://raretaylorswift.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=175760002 |title=Taylor's grandma's obituary - Rare Taylor Swift |publisher=Raretaylorswift.webs.com |date=2013-03-07 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> As a very young child, Swift enjoyed Disney movie soundtracks: "My parents noticed that, once I had run out of words, I would just make up my own."<ref name="CMT 2008-11-26"/><ref name="theaustralian1">{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/swift-rise-of-the-anti-diva/story-e6frg8n6-1111119032411|title=Swift rise of the anti-diva|first=Dan|last=Cairns|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=March 5, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref> Later, her parents exposed her to artists including [[James Taylor]], [[Simon & Garfunkel]] and [[Def Leppard]].<ref>{{cite web|author=October 26, 2010; Written by Alison Bonaguro|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-blog/1650869/taylor-swift-says-to-love-what-you-loved-when-you-were-6.jhtml|title=News : Taylor Swift Says to Love What You Loved When You Were 6|publisher=CMT|date=October 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Mary M.|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304050304577375872042368612.html|title=James Taylor Talks About Songwriting, Addiction and His New Friend Taylor Swift - WSJ.com|publisher=Online.wsj.com|date=May 2, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Swift has said she owes her confidence to her mother, who helped her prepare for class presentations as a child.<ref>{{cite web|author=Peter Kramer, Associated Press – Ap|url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/12149446.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1PciUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoaEYY_1Pc_bDaEP7U|title=Music: OMG! Taylor's senior year|publisher=StarTribune.com|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She also attributes her "fascination with writing and storytelling" to her mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.aol.com/sessions/taylor-swift-change-sessions/|title=Taylor Swift, 'Change' (Sessions)|publisher=AOL Music|date=|accessdate=2012-08-17}}</ref> Swift enjoyed both reading and writing poetry and was particularly drawn to the works of [[Shel Silverstein]] and [[Dr. Seuss]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/0228taylor.html|title=Taylor Swift breathes fresh life into music|publisher=Azcentral.com|date=February 28, 2008|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She remains interested "in any writing from a child's perspective" and has cited ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' as one of her favorite books.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2009-03"/>

{{multiple image
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| image2 = Stevie Nicks 2.jpg
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Swift was introduced to country music by "the great female country artists of the '90s ... [[Shania Twain|Shania]], [[Faith Hill|Faith]], the [[Dixie Chicks]]."<ref name="CMT 2007-11-12"/><ref name="USAWEEKEND1">{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=McCafferty|title=Taylor's Swift rise|url=http://159.54.226.237/08_issues/080413/080413taylor-swift.html|date=April 13, 2008|work=[[USA Weekend]]|accessdate=2012-04-17 }}</ref> She was drawn to both the sound and storytelling of country music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=4649|title=Swift starts world tour in Asia, pushes "Speak Now' in NY|publisher=Countrystandardtime.com|date=October 23, 2007|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Shania Twain, both as a songwriter and performer, was her biggest musical influence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1893502-1,00.html|title=Interview with Taylor Swift|publisher=TIME|date=April 23, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Faith Hill was Swift's childhood role model and she tried to copy "everything she said, did, wore."<ref name="nashvillelifestyles1">{{cite web|url=http://nashvillelifestyles.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DN&Date=20110830&Category=NL&ArtNo=108310802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=8|title=Nashville Lifestyles|publisher=Nashville Lifestyles|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref><ref name="billboard2">{{cite web|author=Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year|url=http://m.billboard.com/entry/view/id/34293?KSID=fe503967eb288380dc86fafe5bd2be00|title=Billboard – News – Taylor Swift: Billboard's Woman of the Year|publisher=M.billboard.com|date=December 2, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-01}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> Swift admired the Dixie Chicks's defiant attitude and their ability to play their own instruments.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.instyle.co.uk/news/instyle-meets-country-singing-sensation-taylor-swift-26-10-10|title=InStyle meets country singing sensation Taylor Swift|publisher=Instyle.co.uk|date=October 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> The band's "[[Cowboy Take Me Away]]" was the first song Swift learned to play on the guitar.<ref>{{cite web|author=July 25, 2011; Written by Alison Bonaguro|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-offstage/1667840/offstage-taylor-swift-plays-dixie-chicks-for-a-dixie-chick.jhtml|title=News : OFFSTAGE: Taylor Swift Plays Dixie Chicks for a Dixie Chick|publisher=CMT|date=July 25, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She then began to explore the music of older country stars, including [[Patsy Cline]], [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Tammy Wynette]] and [[Dolly Parton]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/><ref>Blender, April 2008, page 52</ref> Lynn's "[[Fist City]]" is one of Swift's favorite country songs.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> She believes Parton is "an amazing example to every female songwriter out there."<ref name="billboard2"/> Other mainstream country influences include [[Miranda Lambert]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/24/taylor-swift-miranda-lambert-contrast-country-styl/ |title=Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert a contrast in country styles - Las Vegas Sun News |publisher=Lasvegassun.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> [[Dwight Yoakam]],<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG4o3ieW0bg |title=Taylor Swift Covered Back Of Your Hand by Dwight Yoakam 10/11/11 |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> [[George Strait]],<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> [[Garth Brooks]],<ref name="CMT 2007-11-12"/> [[Kenny Chesney]],<ref name="billboard2"/> [[Reba McEntire]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Reuter|first=Annie|url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/taylor-swift-interview|title=Taylor Swift Interview – Taylor Swift Q&A|publisher=Marie Claire|date=March 7, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> [[Alan Jackson]],<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> [[Martina McBride]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OZEjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iaMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=britney-spears%20taylor-swift&pg=2793%2C1049370|title=Moving swiftly towards stardom|date=July 4, 2004|accessdate=2012-07-06|first=Tracy|last=Rasmussen |newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]]}}</ref> [[LeAnn Rimes]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Hirschberg|first=Lynn|title=Little Miss Sunshine|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/t-magazine/womens-fashion/06well-swift.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2012-04-22|date=November 23, 2009}}</ref> [[Tim McGraw]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/06/news/en-swift6 |title=Ready to take wing – Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=February 6, 2008 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> and [[Brad Paisley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/taylor-swift-on-brad-paisley-a-great-first-boss.html|title=Taylor Swift's lessons learned from Brad Paisley - latimes.com|publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com|date=June 27, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> Swift also admires [[alt-country]] artists such as [[Ryan Adams]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20434320_2,00.html |title=Taylor Swift Goes Record Shopping with EW |publisher=EW.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Patty Griffin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Taylor-Swifts-Favorite-Music |title=Taylor Swift's Favorite Music |publisher=Oprah.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Lori McKenna]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Widdicombe |first=Lizzie |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe?currentPage=all |title=Taylor Swift Makes Primness Lucrative |publisher=The New Yorker |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> and [[Bon Iver]].<ref name="itunes.apple.com">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/taylor-swift/id400219681 |title=Taylor Swift's Playlist by Various Artists – Download Taylor Swift's Playlist on iTunes |publisher=Itunes.apple.com |date=October 25, 2010 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>

Swift has been influenced by many artists outside the country genre. As a pre-teen, she enjoyed [[bubblegum pop]] acts including [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] and [[Britney Spears]]; she still has "unwavering devotion" for Spears.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myspace.com/taylorswift/blog/466034953 |title=While I was in LA, my mom re-arranged my bathroom. van Taylor Swift op Myspace |publisher=Myspace.com |date=January 24, 2009 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> In her high school years, Swift listened to [[emo]] bands such as [[Dashboard Confessional]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-dashboard-confessional-picture/ |title=Taylor Swift Tweets Her Love of Dashboard Confessional |publisher=Tasteofcountry.com |date=April 1, 2011 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Fall Out Boy]],<ref>{{cite web|author=August 10, 2011; Written by Alison Bonaguro |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/cmt-offstage/1668771/offstage-taylor-swift-covers-fall-out-boy.jhtml |title=News : OFFSTAGE: Taylor Swift Covers Fall Out Boy |publisher=CMT |date=August 10, 2011 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[The All-American Rejects]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Allison Glock |url=http://deltaskymag.delta.com/taylorswift.aspx |title=The Sweet, Charmed Life of Taylor Swift, Favorites, Extras &#124; Travel destinations, blogs, contests and offers from Delta Sky Magazine + deltaskymag.com |publisher=Deltaskymag.delta.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> and [[Jimmy Eat World]].<ref name="amazon.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R3KJDDFGLD295R |title=See Taylor Swift's List of Music You Should Hear |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> She was also a fan of contemporary female singer-songwriters including [[Michelle Branch]],<ref name="amazon.com"/> [[Pink (singer)|Pink]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Townsend |first=Allie |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2058946_2059109_2059108,00.html |title=Taylor Swift – The 140 Best Twitter Feeds of 2011 |publisher=TIME |date=March 28, 2011 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Alanis Morissette]],<ref name="chicagotribune1">{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-18/entertainment/chi-taylor-swift-red-20121018_1_taylor-swift-comfort-zone-songs |title=Taylor Swift talks about Red – Chicago Tribune |publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com |date=October 18, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Ashlee Simpson]],<ref>Us Weekly: Taylor Swift Inside My World,"What's on my iPod?", page 24</ref> [[Kelly Clarkson]],<ref name="usatoday.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-11-10-taylor-swift-iPod_N.htm |title=Taylor Swift is listening to ... |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=November 12, 2008 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> [[Fefe Dobson]]<ref name="amazon.com"/> and [[Avril Lavigne]].<ref name="usatoday.com"/> Swift closely followed the [[Music supervisor|musical supervision]] on the television dramas ''[[Music on The O.C.|The O.C.]]'' and ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'', downloading "every" song featured.<ref name="itunes.apple.com"/> She was a fan of [[hip hop music]], particularly the rhyming patterns used by artists such as [[Eminem]]: "Pride [in a lifestyle] is something that both country and hip-hop share."<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> Swift also drew inspiration from the catalogues of veteran artists. She describes [[Stevie Nicks]] as a "hero" who "has inspired me in so many ways."<ref name="deadline.com"/><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.shineon-media.com/2010/05/05/taylor-swift-time-100-gala/ |title=Taylor Swift: TIME 100 Gala |publisher=Shine On Media |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> [[Tom Petty]], she has said, "is on a pedestal for me."<ref name=instyle/> She is "obsessed" with Sixties acts like [[The Shirelles]], [[Doris Troy]] and [[The Beach Boys]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 2011-08-18"/><ref name="autogenerated1">Delta Sky, November 2012, [http://deltaskymag.delta.com/taylorswift.aspx "The Sweet Charmed Life of Taylor Swift"]</ref> Influence also came from older female [[pop rock]] singers including [[Pat Benatar]],<ref name="usatoday.com"/><ref name="k955fm.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.k955fm.com/news/entertainment/celebrity-news/taylor-swift-talks-about-women-who-rock/nChW7/|title=Taylor Swift Talks About Women Who Rock|publisher=K955fm.com|date=May 24, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-29}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> [[Melissa Etheridge]],<ref name="k955fm.com"/> [[Sarah McLachlan]],<ref name="chicagotribune1"/> [[Shawn Colvin]]<ref name="Up for Discussion">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/953737/taylor-swift-the-billboard-cover-story|title=Taylor Swift: The Billboard Cover Story|publisher=Billboard.com|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> and [[Linda Ronstadt]].<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|author=Austin Scaggs |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-with-taylor-swift-20100204 |title=Taylor Swift Opens Up About Her Biggest Year Yet &#124; Music News |work=Rolling Stone |date=2010-02-04 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20434320_2,00.html |title=Taylor Swift Goes Record Shopping with EW |publisher=EW.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

Swift lists [[Paul McCartney]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Kris Kristofferson]] and [[Carly Simon]] as her career role models: "They've taken chances, but they've also been the same artist for their entire careers."<ref name="Up for Discussion"/><ref name="newyorker2">{{cite web|last=Widdicombe|first=Lizzie|url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe?currentPage=all|title=Taylor Swift Makes Primness Lucrative|publisher=The New Yorker|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref><ref name="usatoday1">{{cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-10-22-taylorswift22_CV_N.htm|title=Taylor Swift learns to 'Speak Now,' reveal her maturity|publisher=Usatoday.Com|date=October 23, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> McCartney, both as a [[The Beatles|Beatle]] and a solo artist, makes Swift feel "as if I've been let into his heart and his mind": "Any musician could only dream of a legacy like that."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20567076,00.html|title=Rolling in the Trophies? – Adele|publisher=People.com|date=February 6, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> She admires Springsteen because he is "so musically relevant after such a long period of time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20434320_2,00.html|title=Taylor Swift Goes Record Shopping with EW|publisher=EW.com|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> She aspires to be like Harris as she grows older: "It’s not about fame for her, it’s about music."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2008/11/02/our-interview-with-taylor-swift/ |title=Our Interview with Taylor Swift &#124; Channel Guide Magazine |publisher=Channelguidemagblog.com |date=2008-11-02 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> Swift says of Kristofferson: "He shines in songwriting ... He's just one of those people who has been in this business for years but you can tell it hasn't chewed him up and spat him out."<ref>{{cite web|last=Van|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life/#1|title=Taylor Swift: The Single Life – Magazine|publisher=Vogue|date=|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> She admires Simon's "songwriting and honesty": "She's known as an emotional person but a strong person."<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Cameron|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-is-happy-to-be-your-break-up-musician/story-e6frfn09-1226644234716|title=Taylor Swift is happy to be your break-up musician|publisher=News.com.au |date=May 16, 2013|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref>

===Peer recognition===
[[File:YouTube Presents Taylor Swift.jpg|thumb|upright|Swift speaking during a [[YouTube]] interview in 2011|alt=Taylor Swift speaks into a microphone, wearing a navy polka-dot dress and red heels]]
Swift's work has received praise from veteran artists. [[Neil Young]] describes her as "a great writer": "I like Taylor Swift. I like listening to her. I kind of like watching her respond to all the attacks. I like the ways she's defining herself. So I keep my eye on it."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gold|first=Adam|url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2011/06/16/neil-young-talks-about-a-treasure-the-international-harvesters-taylor-swift-and-more-the-cream-interview|title=Neil Young Talks About A Treasure, The International Harvesters, Taylor Swift and More|publisher=Nashvillescene.com|date=June 16, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Cory|last=Stromblad|url=http://www.theboot.com/2011/06/24/neil-young-taylor-swift/|title=Neil Young Gives Props to Taylor Swift|publisher=The Boot|date=June 24, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> [[Stephen Stills]] has defended Swift's confessional writing style: “How many times do people want to make fun of [her] for writing a song about getting dumped? I’m sorry, that’s what you do as a songwriter ... Wear your heart on your sleeve, then just write about it. Fuck ‘em. If I was young, I would be one of Taylor Swift’s conquests because I would stalk her.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/01/crosby-stills-and-nash-there-and-back-again/2/ |title=Crosby, Stills and Nash: There And Back Again &#124; Page 2 of 2 |publisher=American Songwriter |date=2013-01-02 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/stephen-stills-im-a-little-like-taylor-swift-news |title=Stephen Stills: "I'm a little like Taylor Swift" |publisher=Uncut.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/reverb-blogpost.aspx?post=c4c0329d-a0db-46e5-b2e1-b551c2185a0f |title=Stephen Stills carries on |publisher=Social.entertainment.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[James Taylor]], who has performed with Swift on two occasions, has said that "we just hit it off. I loved her songs, and her presence on stage was so great."<ref name="autogenerated3"/><ref name="post-gazette1"/> [[Judy Collins]] points to Swift as an example of a current star who is continuing on the lineage of being an independent-minded artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/dec/13/judy-collins-is-still-looking-to-the-fut/?newswatch |title=Youngstown News, Judy Collins is still looking to the futureSFlb |publisher=Vindy.com |date=2012-12-13 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Kris Kristofferson]] claims that "she blows me away. It's amazing to me that someone so young is writing such great songs. She's got a great career ahead of her."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Randy|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-taylor-swift-20101024,0,5164888,full.story|title=Taylor Swift: the next chapter |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 24, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2012/may/20/billboards-begin-justin-bieber----stunnigly----win/|title=Live from Billboard Music Awards: Stevie Wonder closes with 'Superstition'; Adele wins 12 awards|newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|first=John|last=Katsilometes|date=May 20, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> [[Janis Ian]] notes that Swift "changed the face of music, songwriting and guitar playing for girls ... There is an authenticity there."<ref>{{cite web|author=Janis Ian: Echoes of Endurance and Evolution 7 Feb |url=http://musicconnection.com/janis-ian-echoes-endurance-evolution/ |title=Janis Ian: Echoes of Endurance and Evolution |publisher=Musicconnection.com |date=2013-02-07 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Stevie Nicks]] believes Swift writes "songs that make the whole world sing, like [[Neil Diamond]] or [[Elton John]] ... It's women like her who are going to save the music business."<ref name="nicks1"/> She remarked that the younger singer's "Today Was A Fairytale" has "stayed in my heart forever. And it just reminds me of me in a lot of ways."<ref>{{cite web |title= Stevie Nicks On Fleetwood Mac's Reunion Tour, Rihanna, Kanye West & Her Early Years In Music |date=December 3, 2012 |publisher=Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/stevie-nicks-fleetwood-mac-reunion-rihanna-kanye_n_2220029.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment?ncid=dynaldusaolp00000250}}</ref> [[Steven Tyler]] of [[Aerosmith]] believes she is "beyond talented."<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted on Mar 15th 2013 9:30AM by Natasha Young |url=http://blog.music.aol.com/2013/03/15/steven-tyler-wants-taylor-swift-collaboration/ |title=Steven Tyler, Taylor Swift: Aerosmith Rocker Wants to Collaborate! - Potent Quotables - AOL Music Blog |publisher=Blog.music.aol.com |date=2013-03-16 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Jon Bon Jovi]] describes her as "the real deal in every way, shape and form. She's a writer, she's a singer, she's a beautiful girl ... Like, she's going to be around."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1012/09/lkl.01.html |title=CNN.com - Transcripts |publisher=Transcripts.cnn.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Dolly Parton]] is "extremely impressed with her, especially with her songwriting .... I'm real impressed with the depth of her sometimes. She's got the qualities that could last a long time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1607426/cmt-insider-interview-dolly-parton.jhtml|title=News : CMT Insider Interview: Dolly Parton|publisher=CMT|date=March 20, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/parton-admires-smart-beautiful-incredible-swift_1186116|title=Dolly Parton – Parton Admires 'Smart, Beautiful, Incredible' Swift|date=November 24, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-29|publisher=Contactmusic.com}}</ref> [[Melissa Etheridge]] remarks: "I love her soul, her spirit. I think she’s going to surprise people and I think she’s going to be around for a long time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://melissaetheridgeradioshow.com/tag/taylor-swift/ |title=taylor swift |publisher=The Melissa Etheridge Radio Show |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Terez |first=Sarah |url=http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/10/melissa-etheridge-i-almost-didnt-put-come-my-window-my-album |title=Melissa Etheridge: "I Almost Didn't Put 'Come to My Window' on my album" |publisher=AfterEllen.com |date=2012-11-01 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref>

Swift has also received songwriting praise from contemporaries. [[John Mayer]] was a supporter of Swift's early career; the duo recorded a duet and performed in concert together on two occasions: "You could put her in a time machine in any era and she would have a hit record."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957722/taylor-swift-among-diverse-honorees-at-songwriters-hall |title=Taylor Swift Among Diverse Honorees At Songwriters Hall |publisher=Billboard |date=2010-06-18 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> She has also received praise from [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631278/drake-hed-be-down-taylor-swift-collaboration.jhtml |title=Drake Says He'd Be 'Down' For A Taylor Swift Collaboration - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV.com |date=2010-02-04 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Alicia Keys]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/aliciakeys/status/243505052122226688 |title=Twitter / aliciakeys: Look who I'll be sitting next |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> [[Tegan and Sara]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Reese |first=Nathan |url=http://www.refinery29.com/tegan-and-sara |title=Tegan And Sara Interview 2013 - Heartthrob LP |publisher=Refinery29.com |date=2013-01-25 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newmusiclive.ca/video/pid/129218/newmusiclive-tegan-and-sara/ |title=New.Music.Live. - Tegan and Sara &#124; Video &#124; New.Music.Live |publisher=Newmusiclive.ca |date=2013-03-25 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Grimes (musician)|Grimes]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://everguide.com.au/music/gigs-and-festivals/interview/grimes.aspx |title=Grimes |publisher=Everguide |date=2012-11-29 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Kesha]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628237/keha-would-totally-collaborate-with-taylor-swift.jhtml |title=Ke$ha Would 'Totally' Collaborate With Taylor Swift - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV.com |date=2009-12-14 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Katy Perry]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/473939/katy-perry-qa-billboards-woman-of-the-year-2012 |title=Katy Perry Q&A: Billboard's Woman of the Year 2012 |publisher=Billboard |date= |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> Kelly Clarkson<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/arts/music/14play.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1344348891-JFUd0hyRx+sEZdVd9fLu8w|title=An 'Idol' Trains Her Ear Across Pop Soundscape|last=Miller|first=Winter|publisher=''The New York Times''|date=June 12, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> and [[Lady Gaga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sugarscape.com/node/519641|title=Lady Gaga loves Taylor Swift, too!|publisher=Sugarscape|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> [[Ryan Adams]] has said that "every tune of hers is like the one you wait a whole lifetime to write."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TheRyanAdams/status/241565781182279680 |title=Twitter / TheRyanAdams: I am totally blown away by |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> [[Kathleen Hanna]] is "totally into Taylor Swift. I think she has super-clever lyrics, and I love that she writes her own music."<ref>{{cite web|last=Sykes |first=Tom |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/13/punk-rock-feminist-pioneer-kathleen-hanna-on-her-sxsw-doc-more.html |title=Punk Rock-Feminist Pioneer Kathleen Hanna On Her SXSW Doc & More |publisher=The Daily Beast |date=2013-03-13 |accessdate=2013-03-29}}</ref> [[Shirley Manson]] remarked that she is "exceedingly talented at songwriting ... She drew her own door and walked right through it. We should applaud her balls for bucking the system. That's what artists are supposed to do."<ref>[http://www.novafm.com.au/article/shirley-manson-defends-taylor-swift Shirley Manson defends Taylor Swift | NovaFM<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Lena Dunham]], the creator and star of HBO's television series ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'', has described Swift as her "artistic kindred spirit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/gd/gd101222lena_dunham/|title=Lena Dunham – Guest DJ Project on KCRW|publisher=Kcrw.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-11}}</ref>

===Lyrical themes and style===
Thematically, ''The Guardian'' has noted that Swift was "fantastically good at regarding teenage life with a kind of wistful, sepia-toned nostalgia" over the course of her first two albums.<ref name="guardian1"/> ''New York Magazine'' has remarked that few singer-songwriters have written "great records so explicitly about their teens ... Her nearest antecedent might be sixties-era [[Brian Wilson]], the one true adolescent auteur before she came along."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/68796/index1.html|title=Taylor Swift on Her Third Album, 'Speak Now' – New York Magazine|publisher=Nymag.com|date=October 18, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Comparisons have also been drawn with [[Janis Ian]].<ref name="newyorker2"/> Fairytale imagery featured on Swift's second album, ''Fearless''. She explored the disconnect "between fairy tales and the reality of love."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=James|url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/taylor-swift-writing-her-124301.html|title=Taylor Swift: Writing her own songs – and rules|publisher=accessAtlanta|date=August 26, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-30}}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Lindsey Roznovsky|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1599049/taylor-swifts-fascination-with-fairy-tales-comes-through-on-new-album.jhtml|title=News : Taylor Swift's Fascination With Fairy Tales Comes Through on New Album|publisher=CMT|date=November 10, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-12}}</ref> Her third and fourth albums addressed more adult relationships.<ref name="usatoday1"/> In addition to romance and love, Swift's songs have discussed parent-child relationships ("The Best Day", "Never Grow Up", "Ronan"), friendships ("Fifteen", "Breathe", "22"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2009/dec/30/microwaving-tragedy-marriage-romance-and-romantici/|title=Microwaving a tragedy: The marriage of romance and romanticism in '00s pop|publisher=Las Vegas Weekly|date=|accessdate=2012-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rotman|first=Natalie|url=http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=154886|title=Colbie Caillat has 'Breakthrough' with sophomore CD|publisher=Readingeagle.com|date= January 9, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-17}}</ref> alienation ("The Outside", "A Place In This World", "Tied Together with a Smile", "Mean") and career ambitions ("Change", "Long Live", "The Lucky One").<ref name="sessionsinterview">{{cite web|url=http://music.aol.com/sessions/taylor-swift-change-sessions/|title=Taylor Swift Sessions Interview|first=Melinda|last=Newman|date=December 19, 2008|work=[[AOL]]|publisher=[[Time Warner]]|accessdate=2011-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creme.co.nz/features/94/|title=Swifty's secret song stories... – Features – Creme Magazine|publisher=Creme.co.nz|date=|accessdate=2012-08-17}}</ref> Her defining quality as a songwriter, it has been said, is "a determination to register and hang onto fleeting feelings and impressions, a pre-emptive nostalgia for a present (and sometimes even a future) that she knows will some day be in the past."<ref>{{cite web|last=Fox|first=Jesse|url=http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/jun/29/you-must-remember-this-taylor-swift-built-mega-sel/|title=You Must Remember This: Taylor Swift Has Built a Mega-Selling Career Out of Carefully Observed Moments|publisher=Metro Pulse|date=June 29, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-12}}</ref> Swift frequently includes "a tossed-off phrase to suggest large and serious things that won't fit in the song, things that enhance or subvert the surface narrative."<ref name="villagevoice2"/> ''The New Yorker'' has said that her songs, "though they are not subversive, have a certain sophistication ... Sentimental songs are laced with intimations of future disillusionment."<ref>{{cite web|last=Widdicombe|first=Lizzie|url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe#ixzz1zDY1yXgh|title=Taylor Swift Makes Primness Lucrative|publisher=The New Yorker|date=|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref>

Structurally, ''Slate'' notes that Swift has "effortless, preternatural mastery of pop conventions: Very few songwriters can build better bridges than she does."<ref>{{cite web|last=Keefe|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2012/08/single-review-taylor-swift-we-are-never-ever-getting-back-together/|title=Single Review: Taylor Swift, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"|publisher=SlantMagazine.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-16}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' has described her as "a songwriting savant with an intuitive gift for verse-chorus-bridge architecture."<ref name="rollingstone2">{{cite web|author=Jody Rosen|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fearless-20081113|title=Fearless|work=Rolling Stone|date=November 13, 2008|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> ''The Village Voice'' has noted that Swift uses third-verse POV reversals frequently.<ref name="villagevoice2">{{cite web|author=Theon Weber|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-03/music/the-iceberg-songs-of-taylor-swift/|title=The Iceberg Songs of Taylor Swift |location= New York|publisher=Village Voice|date=November 3, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-12}}</ref> She has a tendency to use the same images repeatedly. In the words of ''The Guardian'', "she spends so much time kissin' in the rain that it seems a miracle she hasn't developed [[trenchfoot]]."<ref name="guardian1"/> However, "to Swift's credit, she explores new lyrical motifs over the course of [her fourth] album."<ref name="slantmagazine.com"/> ''[[American Songwriter]]'' describes Swift as "a great songwriter, who writes with an unmatched and almost unnatural acuity ... Even her earliest material is characterized by thoughtful – perhaps meticulous – word choice and deliberate melodic construction, with nary a lazy rhyme or aimless tune to be found."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/6/|title=Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine|publisher=American Songwriter|date=May 2, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/3/|title=Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine|publisher=American Songwriter|date=May 2, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> While reviews of Swift's work are "almost uniformly positive," ''The New Yorker'' has said she is generally portrayed "more as a skilled technician than as a [[Bob Dylan|Dylanesque]] visionary."<ref name="newyorker2"/>

{{Quote box|width=30em|align=right|quote="For a female to write about her feelings, and then be portrayed as some clingy, insane, desperate girlfriend in need of making you marry her and have kids with her, I think that's taking something that potentially should be celebrated — a woman writing about her feelings in a confessional way — that's taking it and turning it and twisting it into something that is frankly a little sexist."|source=— Swift in response to criticism of her songwriting<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Zach|title=Taylor Swift: I'm Not a "Clingy, Insane, Desperate Girlfriend"|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/taylor-swift-im-not-a-clingy-insane-desperate-girlfriend-201353|publisher=UsMagazine.com|accessdate=June 19, 2013|date=March 5, 2013}}</ref>}}
Swift uses autobiographical detail in her work.<ref>{{cite news|last=Farley|first=Christopher John|title=Taylor Swift's Solo Act|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304510704575562401576663866.html|accessdate=2012-05-24|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 22, 2010|location=Nashville, Tenn}}</ref> Listening to music as a child, she felt confused "when I knew something was going on in someone's personal life and they didn't address it in their music."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/arts/music/09cara.html?pagewanted=all|title=My Music, MySpace, My Life|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 7, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-28|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|location=Chattanooga, Tennessee}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' believes that "righting wrongs is Ms. Swift's raison d'être."<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/arts/music/24swift.html?pagewanted=all|title=Taylor Swift Is Angry, Darn It|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 20, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-02|first=Jon|last=Caramanica}}</ref> In her songs, Swift often addresses the "anonymous crushes of her high school years" and, more recently, fellow celebrities.<ref name="nytimes1"/> John Mayer, the presumed subject of "Dear John", has said the song "humiliated" him: "I think it's kind of cheap songwriting. I know she's the biggest thing in the world, and I'm not trying to sink anybody's ship, but I think it's abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, 'Wait till he gets a load of this!'"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-taylor-swifts-dear-john-song-humiliated-me-20120606|title=John Mayer: Taylor Swift's 'Dear John' Song 'Humiliated Me'|work=Rolling Stone|date=June 6, 2012|accessdate=2012-06-24}}</ref> ''The Village Voice'' has downplayed this aspect of Swift's songwriting: "Being told What Songs Mean is like having a really pushy professor. And it imperils a true appreciation of Swift's talent, which is not confessional, but dramatic."<ref>{{cite web|author=Theon Weber|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-03/music/the-iceberg-songs-of-taylor-swift/|title=The Iceberg Songs of Taylor Swift – Page 1 – Music – New York|publisher=Village Voice|date=November 3, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''New York Magazine'' believes the media scrutiny over her decision to use autobiographical detail "is sexist, inasmuch as it’s not asked of her male peers": "It’s a relief to see Swift, the ur-nice-girl, refuse to give the [[mea culpa]] that many journalists she's talked to have sought."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2012/11/stop-asking-taylor-swift-to-apologize.html |title=Stop Asking Taylor Swift to Apologize for Writing Songs About Ex-Boyfriends - The Cut |publisher=Nymag.com |date=2012-11-16 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> The singer herself has said that all her songs are not factual<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postrock/2008/02/her_song_talking_taylor_swift_1.html|title=Her Song: Talking Taylor Swift – Post Rock|publisher=Voices.washingtonpost.com|date=|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> and are often based on observations.<ref name="amazon1">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Swift/dp/product-description/B000VUFJ4Q|title=Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift: Music|publisher=Amazon.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-17}}</ref> Aside from her liner note clues, Swift tries not to talk specifically about song subjects "because these are real people. You try to give insight as to where you were coming from as a writer without completely throwing somebody under the bus."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/magazine/the-many-insecurities-of-taylor-swift.html The Many Insecurities of Taylor Swift - NYTimes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Musical and vocal style===
Swift's music contains elements of country, country pop, pop and pop rock.<ref name="rollingstone1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/taylor-swift/biography|title=Taylor Swift &#124; Bio, Pictures, Videos|work=Rolling Stone|date=|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref><ref name="rollingstone1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Ann Powers|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/album-review-taylor-swifts-speak-now.html|title=Album review: Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now' - latimes.com|publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com|date=October 25, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> She self-identifies as a country artist.<ref name="independent2">{{cite news|last=Mclean|first=Craig|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/taylor-swift-maybe-i-should-just-lighten-up-2112052.html|title=Taylor Swift: 'Maybe I should just lighten up' – Features – Music|publisher=The Independent|date=October 24, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' asserts that, "she might get played on the country station, but she's one of the few genuine rock stars we've got these days."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/women-who-rock-the-50-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120622/taylor-swift-speak-now-19691231|title=Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time: Taylor Swift, 'Speak Now'|work=Rolling Stone|date=|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> Swift's own definition of country music "is really pretty simple. It's when someone sings about their life and what they know, from an authentic place ... One guy will write about how he grew up on a farm and fell in love and raised kids on that same farm. Some people sing about how, when they get sad, they go to the bar and drink whiskey. I write songs about how I can't seem to figure out relationships and how I'm fascinated by love."<ref name="independent2"/> She has said there will be "a huge temptation" to make an alt-country record as her career progresses.<ref name="nytimes2"/> ''The New York Times'' notes that, "There isn't much in Ms. Swift's music to indicate country – a few banjo strums, a pair of cowboy boots worn onstage, a bedazzled guitar – but there's something in her winsome, vulnerable delivery that's unique to Nashville."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/arts/music/pop-and-rock-listings-july-22-28.html|title=Pop and Rock Listings July 22 – 28|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-12}}</ref> ''The New Yorker'' believes she is "considered part of Nashville's country-pop tradition only because she writes narrative songs with melodic clarity and dramatic shape—Nashville's stock-in-trade."<ref>{{cite web|last=Frere|first=Sasha|url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2008/11/10/081110crmu_music_frerejones?currentPage=all|title=Prodigy|publisher=The New Yorker|date=|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' has said that Swift "cranks melodies out with the pitiless efficiency of a Scandinavian pop factory."<ref name="guardian1">{{cite web|author=Alexis Petridis|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/mar/06/taylor-swift-fearless-album-review|title=Pop review: Taylor Swift: Fearless|publisher=The Guardian|date=|accessdate=2012-06-24}}</ref>

Swift's voice has been described as "sweet but soft."<ref name="schillaci1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/taylor-swift-at-staples-center-227968|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Sophie A.|last=Schillaci|title=Taylor Swift at Staples Center: Concert Review|date=August 25, 2011}}</ref> In studio recordings, the ''Los Angeles Times'' identifies Swift's "defining" vocal gesture as "the line that slides down like a contented sigh or up like a raised eyebrow, giving her beloved girl-time hits their air of easy intimacy."<ref name="LAT"/> ''Rolling Stone'', in a ''Speak Now'' review, remarked: "Swift's voice is unaffected enough to mask how masterful she has become as a singer; she lowers her voice for the payoff lines in the classic mode of a shy girl trying to talk tough."<ref>{{cite web|author=Rob Sheffield|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-now-20101026|title=Speak Now|work=Rolling Stone|date=October 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> In another review of ''Speak Now'', ''The Village Voice'' noted that her phrasing was previously "bland and muddled, but that's changed. She can still sound strained and thin, and often strays into a pitch that drives some people crazy; but she's learned how to make words sound like what they mean."<ref name="Voice"/>

In a live setting, Swift, according to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', "does her best, but certainly doesn't have the pipes to go toe-to-toe with the likes of [[Christina Aguilera]] or [[Carrie Underwood]]."<ref name="schillaci1"/> Her live vocals have been described as "flat," "thin, and sometimes as wobbly as a newborn colt."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/2009/11/17/taylor-swift-fearless-or-tone-less/|work=Reuters|date=November 17, 2009|title=Taylor Swift – "Fearless" or tone-less?|accessdate=2012-07-02|first=Jill|last=Serjeant}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/11/12/cma-awards-best-worst/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=November 12, 2009|title=CMA Awards best and worst, starring Taylor Swift, the ghost of Kanye West, and Carrie Underwood's purple sequined hot-pants|first=Ken|last=Tucker}}</ref> However, Swift has received praise for refusing to correct her pitch with [[Auto-Tune]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/10/24/taylor_swift_comes_into_her_own_with_speak_now/|work=The Boston Globe|first=James|last=Reed|title=Swift's ascent continues with arrival of new album|date=October 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/11/20/idINIndia-44133520091120|work=Reuters|title=Taylor Swift's dream year brings out naysayers|date=November 20, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/keys-to-taylor-swifts-success-every-artist-can-learn-from|title=Keys to Taylor Swift's Success Every Artist Can Learn From « Saving Country Music|publisher=Savingcountrymusic.com|date=|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> In an interview with ''The New Yorker'', Swift characterized herself primarily as a songwriter: "I write songs, and my voice is just a way to get those lyrics across."<ref name="widdicombe1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=DeLuca|first=Dan|title=Focused on `great songs' Taylor Swift isn't thinking about "the next level" or Joe Jonas gossip|url=http://articles.philly.com/2008-11-11/news/25256467_1_big-machine-records-joe-jonas-country-music-association-awards/3|page=3|publisher=philly.com|accessdate=2012-04-17|date=November 11, 2008}}</ref> Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records has conceded that Swift is "not the best technical singer" but describes her as the "best communicator that we've got."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/02/01/taylor-swift-has-mixed-reviews-from-grammy-night/|title=Taylor Swift gets mixed reviews at Grammys|publisher=[[The Tennessean]]|date=February 1, 2010|accessdate=2012-06-24}}</ref> Swift's vocal presence is something that concerns her and she has "put a lot of work" into improving it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/953737/taylor-swift-the-billboard-cover-story|title=Taylor Swift: The Billboard Cover Story|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 15, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29|first=Tom|last=Roland}}</ref> It was reported in 2010 that she continues to take vocal lessons.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/arts/music/24swift.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|title=Taylor Swift Is Angry, Darn It |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 20, 2010|accessdate=2012-06-24|first=Jon|last=Caramanica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=James|url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/taylor-swift-writing-her-124301.html|title=Taylor Swift: Writing her own songs – and rules|publisher=accessAtlanta|date=August 26, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref> She has said that she only feels nervous performing "if I'm not sure what the audience thinks of me, like at award shows."<ref>'Country Strong', Teen Vogue, August 2011</ref>

===Public image===
[[File:5.3.10TaylorSwiftByDavidShankbone.jpg|thumb|upright|Swift at the 2010 [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] Gala, where she was honored|alt=Taylor Swift stands in a Time press area, wearing a black, strapless dress and curled hair]]
Swift has high [[Q Score]] and [[Davie-Brown Index]] ratings, reflecting a high level of public awareness (90 percent) and popularity (80 percent) in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012/10/30/taylor-swifts-appeal-soars-with-her-album-sales/ |title=Taylor Swift’s appeal soars with her album sales &#124; Tune In Music City &#124; The Tennessean |publisher=Blogs.tennessean.com |date=October 30, 2012 |accessdate=2012-11-07}}</ref> The singer considers it her "responsibility" to be conscious of her influence on young fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/news/la-heb-taylor-swift-role-model-20111118|title=Taylor Swift weighs in on being a role model|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 18, 2011|accessdate=2012-04-18|first1=Jeannine|last1=Stein|first2=/|last2=For}}</ref> A ''Rolling Stone'' journalist who profiled Swift in 2009 remarked upon her polite manners: "If this is Swift's game face, it must be tattooed on because it never drops."<ref name="Rolling Stone 2009-03"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Kreps|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-the-story-behind-rolling-stones-cover-story-20090217|title=Taylor Swift: The Story Behind Rolling Stone's Cover Story|work=Rolling Stone|date=February 17, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> In 2012, ''Rolling Stone'' remarked upon Swift's "ease with glad-handing ... it's not hard to imagine her running for office someday"<ref>Taylor in Wonderland by Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, page 34, October 2012</ref> while ''The Hollywood Reporter'' referred to her as "the Best People Person Since [[Bill Clinton]]."<ref>{{cite web|author=Willman, Chris|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swift-tapes-vh1-storytellers-379446 |title=Taylor Swift Tapes VH1 'Storytellers' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2012-10-17 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> It has been said that she is "the kind of driven, intensely ambitious person who’d thrive regardless of her profession."<ref>{{cite web|last=Tucker |first=Jeremiah |url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/lifestyles/x691728681/Jeremiah-Tucker-Adulthood-takes-toll-on-Swift-s-songwriting |title=Jeremiah Tucker: Adulthood takes toll on Swift’s songwriting » Lifestyles » The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO |publisher=Joplinglobe.com |date=2012-11-02 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> A 2012 ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' cover story described Swift as "clever and funny and occasionally downright bawdy" in person.<ref name="voguep1">{{cite web|last=Van Meter|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life/#1|title=Taylor Swift: The Single Life – Magazine|page=1|work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=January 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref> ''[[Grantland.com|Grantland]]'' describes Swift as "dorky" and "openly neurotic in a way you'd never see from a blonde country princess like Faith Hill or Carrie Underwood. She is more like [[Diane Keaton]] in ''[[Annie Hall]]'': overly gracious and eager to please but full of a nonstop, nervous, fluttering energy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/42556/lana-taylor-and-michelle|title=Lana, Taylor, and Michelle – Hollywood Prospectus Blog|publisher=Grantland|date=February 1, 2012|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> There has been much media commentary about Swift's surprised reactions when she is recognized at award ceremonies.<ref name="schutte1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swift-shocked-awards-ama-264645|title=Did Taylor Swift Fake Surprise for AMAs Win? The Backlash Begins (Video) |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-30|first=Lauren|last=Schutte}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-11-21/taylor-swifts-best-surprised-faces-photos/|title=Taylor Swift News – Taylor Swift's Best Surprised Faces (PHOTOS)|publisher=Celebuzz|date=November 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-30}}</ref> Swift laughingly noted that "people make so much fun of me." Although she sometimes tries to act blasé, "it's just hard when you get excited about stuff. It's like, if you win an award, isn't that crazy? ... How do you sit there and be like 'Oh, another Grammy. I guess I'm gonna get that now'?"<ref>{{cite web|last=Hogan |first=Marc |url=http://www.spin.com/articles/taylor-swift-o-face-nightline-interview |title=Taylor Swift Defends Her 'O' Face to 'Nightline' &#124; SPIN &#124; Newswire |work=Spin |date=2012-10-03 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

In the early years of her career, Swift's signature look consisted of sundresses and cowboy boots.<ref name="newyorker1">{{cite web|last=Widdicombe|first=Lizzie|url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe?currentPage=all|title=Taylor Swift Makes Primness Lucrative|publisher=The New Yorker|date=|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vernell Hackett|url=http://www.theboot.com/2009/07/29/taylor-swift-talks-daydreams-come-to-life/|title=Taylor Swift Talks Daydreams Come to Life|work=The Boot|date=July 29, 2009|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> This fashion style is still copied by many of the young fans who attend her concerts.<ref name="newyorker1"/><ref name="vogue1">{{cite web|last=Van|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life/#2|title=Taylor Swift: The Single Life – Magazine|work=Vogue|date=January 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> At formal events, Swift became known for "sparkly, beaded dresses."<ref name="newyorker1"/> Her naturally curly hairstyle is replicated by fans, and Swift has remarked: "I remember straightening my hair because I wanted to be like everybody else, and now the fact that anybody would emulate what I do? It's just funny."<ref name="vogue1"/> She was asked by ''Vogue'' to cut bangs for a cover shoot in late 2011, and now straightens her hair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/videos/behind-the-scenes-taylor-swift-cover-shoot/?mbid=nl_VO_VOG_Edit_SUB_Taylor_011712|title=Behind the Scenes: Taylor Swift Cover Shoot – Video|publisher=Vogue|date=|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> Swift favors [[Retro style#Retro fashion|retro style]] and it has been said that she has the look of "a nineteen-thirties movie siren ... red lipstick, thick mascara."<ref>{{cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Megan|url=http://www.refinery29.com/2012/07/33891/taylor-swift-interview?page=2|title=Taylor Swift Interview – Eyes Open Singer Covergirl Ads|publisher=Refinery29.com|date=July 9, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Widdicombe|first=Lizzie|url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_widdicombe#ixzz1xcCraHXK|title=Taylor Swift Makes Primness Lucrative|work=The New Yorker|date=October 10, 2011|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> She was named an Icon of American Style by ''Vogue'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holt|first=Emily|url=http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/american-idols-icons-of-stateside-style/|title=American Idols: Icons of Stateside Style – Vogue Daily|work=Vogue|date=July 1, 2011|accessdate=2012-06-15}}</ref> She has named [[Françoise Hardy]], [[Jane Birkin]], [[Brigitte Bardot]], and [[Audrey Hepburn]] as her own style inspirations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/12/taylor-swift-clothes-beauty-accessories_slideshow_inspirations_5#slide=5 |title=Taylor Swift’s Favorite Clothes, Beauty Products, Accessories, and More |work=Vanity Fair |date=2012-03-21 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

==Product endorsements==
While promoting her self-titled debut record, Swift appeared as a spokesmodel for [[l.e.i. (clothing company)|l.e.i.]] jeans and as the face of [[Verizon Wireless]]' Mobile Music campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.stylelist.com/2008/05/15/taylor-swift-for-l-e-i-jeans/|title=Taylor Swift for L.E.I Jeans – StyleList|publisher=Main.stylelist.com|date=May 15, 2008|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5677660,00.html|title=News : Headlines : Taylor Swift at Top for Fourth Week : Great American Country|publisher=Gactv.com|date=August 20, 2007|accessdate=2012-07-03}}</ref> In the ''Fearless'' era, she launched a [[L.e.i. (clothing company)|l.e.i.]] sundress range at [[Wal-Mart]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/ready-to-wear-sportswear/taylor-swift-does-dresses-1955844|title=Taylor Swift Launches Sundress Line – Ready-to-Wear and Sportswear – Media|publisher=WWD.com|date=January 29, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> and designed [[American Greetings]] cards and [[Jakks Pacific]] dolls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-11-18-swift-greeting-cards_N.htm|title=Taylor Swift to have greeting card line|work=USA Today|date=November 18, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Gina|last=Serpe|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b66141_taylor_swift_gets_all_dolled_up.html|title=Taylor Swift Gets All Dolled Up|work=E! Online|date=October 29, 2008|accessdate=2010-09-20}}</ref> She became a spokesperson for the NHL's [[Nashville Predators]] and [[Cyber-shot|Sony Cyber-shot]] digital cameras.<ref>{{cite web|author=RSS feed|url=http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/03/taylor-swift-is-the-newest-nhl-celebrity-spokesperson/|title=Taylor Swift: NHL's New Spokesperson|publisher=NHL FanHouse|date=February 3, 2009|accessdate=2010-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/digital_imaging/digital_cameras/cyber-shot/archive/57135.html?archive=1|title=Sony Electronics News and Information|publisher=News.sel.sony.com|date=April 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> She performed in a commercial for the [[Band Hero]] video game, with [[Rivers Cuomo]], [[Pete Wentz]] and [[Travis Barker]] appearing as her backing band.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617571/taylor-swift-shares-her-rock-star-life-band-hero.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Shares Her Rock-Star Life In 'Band Hero' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News|publisher=MTV.com|date=August 4, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> In the ''Speak Now'' era, Swift became a [[CoverGirl]] spokesmodel,<ref>{{cite web|author=Anne Bratskeir|url=http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-shopping/shop-talk-1.811931/taylor-swift-a-new-covergirl-1.1893202?qr=1|title=Taylor Swift, a new CoverGirl|publisher=Newsday.com|date=May 3, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> launched two [[Elizabeth Arden#Elizabeth Arden today|Elizabeth Arden]] fragrances, [[Wonderstruck (fragrance)|Wonderstruck]] and Wonderstruck Enchanted, and released a special edition of her album through [[Target Corporation|Target]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/09/13/daily35.html|title=Target lands Taylor Swift exclusive – Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal|publisher=Bizjournals.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref>

While promoting her fourth album ''Red'', Swift offered exclusive album promotions through Target,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/344779/first-look-taylor-swift-flies-high-in-new-target-commercial |title=First Look Taylor Swift Flies High In New Target Commercial |publisher=Uk.eonline.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> [[Papa John's]]<ref name="haruch1"/> and Walgreens.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hampp |first=Andrew |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/branding/taylor-swift-teams-with-walgreens-for-exclusive-1007975172.story |title=Taylor Swift Teams With Walgreens For Exclusive Store To Promote 'Red' |publisher=Billboard.biz |date=October 9, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> She became a spokesmodel for [[Diet Coke]] and [[Keds (shoes)|Keds]] sneakers,<ref>{{cite web|last=Nisita |first=Lexi
|url=http://www.refinery29.com/2012/10/37870/taylor-swift-keds |title=Taylor Swift Collaborates With Keds On Red Sneakers |publisher=Refinery29.com |date=October 11, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref> released her third Elizabeth Arden fragrance titled ''Taylor by Taylor Swift'', and continued her partnerships with Sony Electronics and American Greetings. She also maintains an unofficial brand tie-in with [[Ralph Lauren Corporation|Ralph Lauren]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2012/10/12/Taylor-Swift-Red-Brand-Partners-101212.aspx |title=Simply Red: Taylor Swift Partners With Keds, Papa John's to Promote New Album |publisher=Brandchannel.com |date=October 12, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>

==Acting career==
[[File:TaylorSwiftApr09.jpg|thumb|upright|Swift at the premiere of ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]'' in 2009|alt=Taylor Swift, wearing a strapless dress, looks directly at the camera. Her hair is tied back, with a few curly tendrils loose]]
Swift made her acting debut in a 2009 episode of CBS's ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'', playing a rebellious teenager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b103119_wild_card_american_idol_holds_off.html|title=Wild Card American Idol Holds Off Taylor Swift CSI|publisher=E! Online|date=March 6, 2009|author=Joal Ryan}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' noted that the character allowed Swift to be "a little bit naughty, and credibly so."<ref>{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/omg-taylor-swift-does-csi/|title=OMG! Taylor Swift Does 'CSI'! - NYTimes.com|publisher=Artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com|date=March 6, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-07}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' felt she "held her own" and "does a good job with the script"<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Kreps|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-hits-the-small-screen-as-murdered-teen-on-csi-20090306|title=Taylor Swift Hits the Small Screen as Murdered Teen on CSI|work=Rolling Stone|date=March 6, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-07}}</ref> while the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' said she "acquits herself well."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/03/csi-taylor-swift.html|title=Taylor Swift appears in an engrossing 'CSI' investigation – The Watcher|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 4, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-07}}</ref> Later that year, Swift both hosted and performed as the musical guest for an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/taylor-swift-monologue/1173589/|title=Clips from the November 7, 2009 episode of ''Saturday Night Live'' at|publisher=Nbc.com|date=December 18, 2010|accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described her as "this season's best Saturday Night Live host so far," noting that she "was always up for the challenge, seemed to be having fun, and helped the rest of the cast nail the punchlines." Proving "admirably resilient in a wide variety of sketch roles," "Swift inspired more of a female, girly-in-the-best-sense sensibility in SNL than it's shown since the [[Tina Fey]]-[[Amy Poehler]] days."<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett|first=Annie|url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/11/08/taylor-swift-saturday-night-live/|title=Taylor Swift hosted the best 'Saturday Night Live' of the season so far... really!?!|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 8, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-07}}</ref>

Swift made her feature film acting debut in the 2010 ensemble comedy ''[[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|Valentine's Day]]'', playing the ditzy [[Valley girl|Valley]] girlfriend of a high school jock.<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of 'Teen Choice 2010' Awards Announced; Teens Cast More Than 85 Million Votes|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/08/08/winners-of-teen-choice-2010-awards-announced-teens-cast-more-than-85-million-votes/59453?utm_campaign=WP-TWITTER&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' felt the performance suggested "serious comedic potential"<ref>{{cite web|author=Betsy Sharkey|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/12/entertainment/la-et-valentines-day12-2010feb12/2|title=Review: 'Valentine's Day' – Page 2 – Los Angeles Times|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 12, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> while the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' found her "very funny."<ref>{{cite web|author=Mick LaSalle, Chronicle Movie Critic|url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Review-Happy-Valentine-s-Day-3273334.php|title=Review: Happy 'Valentine's Day'|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=February 12, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''Time'' remarked that Swift portrayed her character "rather charmingly";<ref>{{cite news|last=Pols|first=Mary|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1963839,00.html|title=Valentine's Day Review: A Soggy Love Note|work=TIME|date=February 12, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' described her as "adorably dorky."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/02/12/romantic_comedy_delivers_a_bouquet_of_big_names_but_not_much_else/?page=full|title='Valentine's Day' movie review – 'Valentine's Day' showtimes – The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston.com|date=February 12, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' asserted that she was "one of the few actors not wasted in "Valentine's Day". Her overgrown-pixie look and odd, widely set eyes lend her a little bit of [[Marilyn Monroe|Marilyn]] and a little bit of [[Lucille Ball]]: She's Taylor-made for comic greatness."<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Hehir|first=Andrew|url=http://www.salon.com/2010/02/12/valentines_day_3/|title=Sitcoms|publisher=Salon.com|date=February 12, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> However, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' found her "entirely undirected ... she needs to find a skilled director to tamp her down and channel her obviously abundant energy."<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942089/|title=Valentine's Day – Film Reviews|publisher=Variety|date=February 7, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref> The ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' described her performance as "painfully clunky" while ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' found her "unwatchable."<ref>{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Weitzman|url=http://events.nydailynews.com/reviews/show/141665-review-valentines-day|title=Review of Valentine's Day – NY Daily News|publisher=NY Daily News|date=|accessdate=2012-07-30}}</ref><ref name="Slant">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2012/08/single-review-taylor-swift-we-are-never-ever-getting-back-together/|title=Single Review: Taylor Swift, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"|date=August 15, 2012|author=Jonathan Keefe|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> In 2012, Swift voiced the character of Audrey, a tree lover, in the animated film ''[[The Lorax (film)|The Lorax]]''. In 2013, Swift made a brief cameo on the sitcom ''[[New Girl (TV series)|New Girl]]''. In 2014, she will co-star in the [[The Giver (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[The Giver]]'' alongside [[Jeff Bridges]] and [[Meryl Streep]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/09/27/taylor-swift-the-giver-movie/|title=Taylor Swift will co-star in long-awaited adaptation of 'The Giver'|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 27, 2013|author=Busis, Hillary}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Swift's philanthropic efforts have been recognised by the [[Do Something Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1669376/taylor-swifts-rehearsal-concert-wins-award.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift's Rehearsal Concert Wins Award|publisher=[[Country Music Television|CMT]]|date=August 19, 2011|accessdate=2011-11-05}}</ref> The Giving Back Fund<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7569-giving-back-fund-announces-top-30-celebrity-charity-donations-for-2011|title=Giving Back Fund Announces Top 30 Celebrity Charity Donations For 2011|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> and the Tennessee Disaster Services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/taylor-swift-receives-2012-honorary-100000501.html|title=Taylor Swift Receives 2012 Honorary Star of Compassion Award – Yahoo! Finance|publisher=Finance.yahoo.com|date=June 11, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-30}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> In 2012, [[Michelle Obama]] presented Swift with The Big Help Award for her "dedication to helping others" and "inspiring others through action."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-kids-choice-awards-michelle-obama/|title=Taylor Swift to Receive 'Big' Honor From Michelle Obama at Kids' Choice Awards|publisher=Tasteofcountry.com|date=March 27, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> Also that year, [[Kerry Kennedy]] of the [[Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights]] presented Swift with the Ripple of Hope Award because of her "dedication to advocacy at such a young age ... Taylor is just the kind of woman we want our daughters to be."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGCj_NpC3__yibr26VeeBtxhAOZw?docId=CNG.79e55df3401a2cb91a3a2f8222d0f6f1.141|title=AFP: Kennedys honor Taylor Swift with 'social change' award|publisher=Google.com|date=July 13, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taylor-swift-honored-with-rfk-centers-ripple-of-hope-award-182081831.html |title=Taylor Swift Honored With RFK Center's Ripple Of Hope Award - NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ |publisher=Prnewswire.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

Swift is a supporter of arts education. In 2010, she donated $75,000 to Nashville's Hendersonville High School to help refurbish the school auditorium's sound and lighting systems.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/09/23/taylor-swift-becomes-namesake-of-hendersonville-high-school-auditorium/|title=Taylor Swift becomes namesake of Hendersonville High School auditorium|publisher=Blogs.tennessean.com|date=September 23, 2010|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=2011-05-29}}</ref> In 2012, she pledged $4 million to fund the building of a new education center at the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]] in Nashville.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mckinley|first=James C.|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/taylor-swift-donating-4-million-to-country-music-hall-of-fame-and-museum/|title=Taylor Swift to Donate $4 Million to the Country Hall of Fame - NYTimes.com |location=Nashville (Tenn)|publisher=Artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com|date=May 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> The 7,500-square-foot building is scheduled to open in 2014 and will facilitate new programs and workshops for teenagers and senior citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/recent-press-releases/view/1910|title=Superstar Taylor Swift pledges $4 million to fund new education center at the country music hall of fame and museum|date=May 12, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8666209|title=Taylor Swift donates $4M for country music education|publisher=abclocal.go.com|date=May 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> The space will include three classrooms and an exhibit space, and will house interactive activities such as a musical petting zoo and a "wet" classroom space to make concert posters and other art projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/488365/taylor-swift-donates-4-million-to-country-hall-of-fame|title=Taylor Swift Donates $4 Million to Country Hall of Fame|last=Talbott|first=Chris|publisher=Billboard.com|date=May 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> Museum officials have decided to name it The Taylor Swift Education Center and the singer will be involved in an advisory capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012/05/17/taylor-swift-pledges-4-million-to-country-music-hall-of-fame-and-museum/|title=Taylor Swift pledges $4 million to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|publisher=blogs.tennessean.com|date=May 17, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> Also in 2012, Swift partnered with textbook rental company [[Chegg]] to donate $60,000 to the music departments of six US colleges.<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-10-01/taylor-swift-vh1-storytellers-harvey-mudd-college/ And The Taylor Swift VH1 Storytellers Contest Winner Is... Harvey Mudd College! – | VH1 Tuner<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/names/2012/10/01/horace-mann-school-for-the-deaf-allston-gets-personal-gift-from-taylor-swift/GDs3zPxWK5XO2msI1JxirJ/story.html |title=Horace Mann School for the Deaf in Allston gets a personal gift from Taylor Swift |publisher=Boston.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>

Swift promotes children's literacy. In 2009, she donated $250,000 to various schools around the country that she had either attended or had other associations with. The money was used to buy books, fund educational programs and help pay teachers' salaries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sanz|first=Cynthia|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20326948,00.html|title=Taylor Swift Gives Big as She Turns 20 – Good Deeds, Taylor Swift|publisher=People.com|date=December 14, 2009|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> In 2010, she took part in a live webcast, ''Read Now! with Taylor Swift'', broadcast exclusively in US schools to celebrate [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]'s Read Every Day campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oomscholasticblog.com/2010/10/read-and-rock-out-with-taylor-swift.html|title=Read (and rock out!) with Taylor Swift!|publisher=Oomscholasticblog.com|date=October 27, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scholastic-unveils-global-literacy-campaign-read-every-day-lead-a-better-life-105169059.html|title=Scholastic Unveils Global Literacy Campaign |location=New York|publisher=Prnewswire.com|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> In 2011, Swift donated 6,000 Scholastic books to [[Reading Public Library]], Pennsylvania<ref>{{cite web|url=http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=339089|title=Taylor Swift donates 6,000 books to Reading Library|publisher=Readingeagle.com|date=October 14, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> and, in 2012, she donated 14,000 books to [[Nashville Public Library]], Tennessee.<ref name="tasteofcountry1">{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swifts-donates-14000-books-nashville-public-library/|title=Taylor Swift Donates 14,000 Books to Nashville Public Library|publisher=Tasteofcountry.com|date=Fenruary 2, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> Most of the books were placed in circulation; the rest were given to children from low-income families, preschools and daycare centers.<ref name="tasteofcountry1"/> In 2012, she co-chaired the [[National Education Association]]'s Read Across America campaign and recorded a [[Public service announcement|PSA]] encouraging children to read.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nea.org/home/50724.htm|title=Millions will join NEA's Read Across America Day celebration on March 2|publisher=NEA|date= February 8, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> Also in 2012, Swift promoted the "power of reading" in a second live Scholastic webcast, broadcast directly to US classrooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scholastic.com/readeveryday/taylor-swift-live-webcast.htm |title=Taylor Swift Live Webcast &#124; Read Every Day, Lead a Better Life |publisher=Scholastic.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> In 2013, through the [[Reach Out and Read]] initiative, she donated 2,000 Scholastic books to the Reading Hospital Child Health Center's early literacy program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/Taylor-Swift-Scholastic-donate-books-to-Reading-Hospital/-/121418/18185568/-/6m2plgz/-/index.html |title=Taylor Swift, Scholastic donate books to Reading Hospital &#124; Regional: Berks - Home |publisher=Wfmz.com |date=2013-01-18 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

Throughout her career, Swift has donated money to help victims of natural disasters. In 2008, she donated the proceeds from her merchandise sales at the Country Music Festival to the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]]'s disaster relief fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/863-taylor-swift-gives-her-vote-to-charity|title=Taylor Swift Gives Her Vote To Charity|date=June 4, 2009|publisher=Look to the Stars|accessdate=2009-03-27}}</ref> Later that year, she donated $100,000 to the Red Cross to help the victims of the [[Iowa flood of 2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20218079,00.html|title=Taylor Swift donates $100,000 to victims of Iowa Flood|date=August 9, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|accessdate=2009-09-09}}</ref> In 2009, Swift supported the [[Black Saturday bushfires|Victorian Bushfire Appeal]] by joining the lineup at Sydney's [[Sound Relief]] concert,<ref>{{cite news|last=Writer|first=Entertainment|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/kylie-leads-mega-star-mercy-mission/story-fna7dq6e-1111119064914|title=Kylie to play at Sound Relief with Coldplay, Midnight Oil|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph (Australia)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date=March 8, 2009|accessdate=2009-12-30}}</ref> reportedly making the biggest contribution of any artist to the Australian [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tunebinder.com.au/2009/03/14/new-taylor-swift-love-story-live-at-sound-relief-sydney/|title=New Taylor Swift|date=March 14, 2009|publisher=Tune Binder|accessdate=2009-03-15}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> In 2010, she took part in the [[Hope for Haiti]] telethon; she performed and answered phone calls from viewers wishing to donate money.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gayle Thompson|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/01/21/taylor-swift-haiti-benefit/|title=Taylor Swift 'Passionate' About Helping People of Haiti – The Boot|publisher=Theboot.com|date=January 21, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> She also recorded a song for the ''[[Hope for Haiti Now (album)|Hope for Haiti Now]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630485/better-than-ezra-honored-by-taylor-swifts-breathless-performance.jhtml|title=Better Than Ezra 'Honored' By Taylor Swift's Performance Of 'Breathless' At Haiti Telethon – Music, Celebrity, Artist News|publisher=MTV.com|date=January 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> In response to the [[May 2010 Tennessee floods]], Swift donated $500,000 during a telethon hosted by [[WSMV]].<ref name="Talbottflood">{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/taylor-swift-donates-500k-to-nashville-flood-victoms-201075|title=Taylor Swift Donates $500K to Nashville Flood Victims|date=May 7, 2010|publisher=[[Us Weekly]]|author=US Weekly staff|accessdate=2010-05-07}}</ref> Later that year, she donated $100,000 to help rebuild a playground in Hendersonville, Tennessee which was damaged by floodwater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/08/27/taylor-swift-hendersonville-playground-donation/|title=Taylor Swift Gives $100,000 to Help Hometown Kids|publisher=Theboot.com|date=August 27, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29|last=Hughes|first=Donna}}</ref> In 2011, Swift used the final dress rehearsal for the North American leg of her Speak Now tour as a benefit concert for victims of [[April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak|recent tornadoes]] in the United States, raising more than $750,000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Randy|title=Taylor Swift benefit concert raises more than $750,000 for tornado victims|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/05/taylor-swift-benefit-tornado-nashville.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2012-04-18|date=May 23, 2011}}</ref> She also donated $250,000 to [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama football]] coach [[Nick Saban]]'s charity, Nick's Kids, to aid in the tornado relief efforts of West Alabama.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/07/taylor_swift_alabama_tornado_donation.html|newspaper=Alabama Local News|date=July 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-24|first1=Izzy|last1=Gould|first2=Tuscaloosa|last2=Bureau|location=Alabama|title=Taylor Swift donates $250,000 to Nick's Kids for Alabama tornado relief}}</ref> In 2012, Swift supported [[Architecture for Humanity]]'s Restore the Shore MTV telethon in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref>[http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-hurricane-sandy-restore-the-shore/ Taylor Swift Sends ‘Love and Support’ to Hurricane Sandy Victims, Asks Fans to Help ‘Restore the Shore’<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Swift opposes [[LGBT]] discrimination. Following the 2008 [[murder of Larry King]], she recorded a [[Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network]] PSA to combat hate crimes.<ref name="eonline1">{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/59855/portia-joins-ellen-to-stop-the-hate|title=Portia Joins Ellen To Stop The Hate&#124; E! Online|publisher=Uk.eonline.com|date=March 10, 2010|accessdate=2012-07-12}}</ref> On the first anniversary of King's death, Swift told ''Seventeen'' that her parents taught her "never to judge others based on whom they love, what color their skin is, or their religion."<ref>{{cite web|last=Koday|first=Dan|url=http://www.seventeen.com/college/advice/mission-taylor-swift|title=Taylor Swift's Mission: Take a Stand Against Hate! – Seventeen|publisher=Seventeen.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> In 2011, the music video for Swift's anti-bullying song "Mean" dealt in part with homophobia in high schools; the video was later nominated for an MTV VMA social activism award.<ref name="Hawgood 2010-11-05">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/fashion/07ANTHEM.html|title=For Gays, New Songs of Survival|last=Hawgood|first=Alex|publisher=''The New York Times''|date=November 5, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queerty.com/is-taylor-swifts-new-anti-bullying-video-simply-gay-washing-for-pink-dollars-20110519/|title=Is Taylor Swift's New Anti-Bullying Video Simply "Gay-washing" For Pink Dollars? / Queerty|publisher=Queerty.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/04/idINIndia-58624620110804|title=MTV adds social activism category to VMAs|publisher=Reuters|date=August 4, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' believes she is part of "a new wave of young (and mostly straight) women who are providing the soundtrack for a generation of gay fans coming to terms with their identity in a time of turbulent and confusing cultural messages."<ref name="Hawgood 2010-11-05"/>

The singer is involved with a number of charities which provide services to sick children. In 2008, she donated a pink Chevy pick-up truck to the [[Victory Junction Gang Camp]]; the truck is used to transport sick children from the airport to the camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/500-musicians-start-the-year-with-generosity|title=Musicians Start The Year With Generosity|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=January 10, 2008|accessdate=2012-05-29|first=Tim|last=Saunders}}</ref> In 2009, after performing at the [[Children in Need|BBC Children in Need]] annual telethon, she donated $20,000 to the cause.<ref>{{cite news|author=Charlotte Spratt|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1229635/Children-In-Need-Taylor-Swift-donates-13-000-JLS-perform-fans-Doctor-Who-sneak-peek.html|title=Children In Need: Taylor Swift donates £13,000, JLS perform and fans get Doctor Who sneak peek|work=Daily Mail |location=UK|date=November 20, 2009|accessdate=2009-12-30 }}</ref> In 2011, as the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year, Swift donated $25,000 to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]], Tennessee. This figure was matched by the Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2011/06/13/taylor-swift-and-acm-lifting-lives-present-50000-to-st-jude/|title=Taylor Swift and ACM Lifting Lives present $50,000 donation to St. Jude|publisher=Tennessean.com|date=June 13, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-29|author=Tennessean Music Team}}</ref> In 2012, Swift participated in the [[Stand Up to Cancer]] telethon, performing "[[Ronan (song)|Ronan]]", a song she wrote in memory of a four-year-old boy who died of [[neuroblastoma]]. The song was made available for digital download, with all proceeds donated to cancer-related charities.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/taylor-swift-debuts-ronan-at-stand-up-to-cancer-benefit-20120908 |title=New and Hot Video: Taylor Swift Debuts 'Ronan' at Stand Up To Cancer Benefit |work=Rolling Stone |date=September 8, 2012 |accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref> Swift has met with many sick fans through the [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.makeawishna.ca/wishes/alexis-wish|title=Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta – alexis' wish|publisher=Makeawishna.ca|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mainewish.org/wishes_abby-f.asp|title=Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine: Wishes|publisher=Mainewish.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Payroll-giving-helps-workers-donate-to-charity/tabid/421/articleID/247083/Default.aspx|title=Payroll giving helps workers donate to charity – Story – Business – 3 News|publisher=3news.co.nz|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.wish.org/index.cfm?cdid=12730&pid=10473|title=Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island|publisher=Mass.wish.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> She has also made private visits to hospitals such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the [[Walter Reed Army Medical Center]], the [[Ronald McDonald House Charities|Ronald McDonald House]], [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]], [[Children's Hospital & Medical Center]] and [[Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt|Vanderbilt Children's Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/south_middleton_girl_buys_toys.html|title=South Middleton girl gets toys for fellow patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital|publisher=PennLive.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1006/swifts_soldier_visit.html|title=Swift's soldier visit|author=Kiki Ryan|publisher=Politico.com|date=August 27, 2010|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sparklyflower.posterous.com/taylor-swift-at-the-ronald-mcdonald-house-nyc|title=Taylor Swift at the Ronald McDonald House NYC! – sparklyflower.com|publisher=Sparklyflower.posterous.com|date=December 22, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vinson, Christina|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-extends-kind-gesture-to-car-accident-victims-family/|title=Taylor Swift Extends Kind Gesture to Car Accident Victim's Family|work=Taste of Country|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Loinaz, Alexis L.|url=http://au.eonline.com/news/396658/taylor-swift-visits-young-cancer-patient-in-nebraska-before-start-of-red-tour|title=Taylor Swift Visits Young Cancer Patient in Nebraska Before Start of Red Tour &#124; E! Online UK |publisher=Au.eonline.com |date=March 12, 2013|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift performs at Vanderbilt children’s hospital, in pictures|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2009/12/25/taylor-swift-performs-at-vanderbilt-childrens-hospital-in-pictures/?repeat=w3tc|work=[[The Tennessean]]|accessdate=June 10, 2013|date=December 25, 2009}}</ref>

Swift has encouraged young people to volunteer in their local community as part of [[Global Youth Service Day]]<ref name="Hardiman 2007-04-07">{{cite web|author=Tim Hardiman|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1557662/taylor-swift-encourages-teen-volunteers.jhtml|title=Taylor Swift Encourages Teen Volunteers|publisher=CMT|date=April 20, 2007|accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> and has promoted The @15 Fund, a social change platform underwritten by [[Best Buy]], which gives teenagers the opportunity to direct the company's philanthropy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=BBY:US&sid=aRLs7Adz0oc0|title=Taylor Swift Lends Support to @15|date=February 9, 2009|publisher=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=May 24, 2012|work=Business Wire |location=Minneapolis}}</ref> In 2007, she launched a campaign to protect children from online predators, in partnership with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.<ref name=swift>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/09/21/taylor_swift_warns_kids_about_internet_c|title=Taylor Swift Warns Kids About Internet Crime|publisher=Starpulse.com|date=September 21, 2007|accessdate=2012-05-22}}</ref> Also in 2007, she supported an [[Allstate]] campaign which promotes safe teenage driving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/channels/news-releases-teen-driving/releases/Country-Music-Star-Taylor-Swift-Rewards-Top-Holiday-Carolers-at-Smart-Driving-Competition|title=Country Music Star Taylor Swift Rewards Top Holiday Carolers at Smart Driving Competition – Teen Driving – Allstate Insurance Digital Newsroom|publisher=Allstatenewsroom.com|date=|accessdate=August 30, 2012}}</ref> In 2009, Swift recorded a Sound Matters PSA to make listeners aware of the importance of listening "[[Hearing impairment|responsibly]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundmatters.org/taylorswift.php|title=Sound Matters: Celebrity Profile-Taylor Swift|accessdate=2009-02-08}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> She appeared in a [[Got Milk?]] campaign in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Join Taylor Swift As A Got Milk Model|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/4685-join-taylor-swift-as-a-got-milk-model|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=July 2, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-29}}</ref> Swift has donated auctionable items to a large number of charities, including the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sys-con.com/node/1732440|title=19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, Hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Raised Nearly $4 Million for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS|publisher=Sys-con.com|date=|accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> the [[UNICEF Tap Project]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-unicef-tap-project-initiative/|title=Taylor Swift Teams Up With UNICEF Tap Project Initiative|publisher=TasteOfCountry.com|date=March 17, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> [[Oxfam International]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/3800-more-stars-join-charitybuzz-heal-haiti-auction|title=More Stars Join Charitybuzz Heal Haiti Auction|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> [[Habitat for Humanity]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/2103-stars-sign-hardhats-for-charity-auction|title=Stars Sign Hardhats For Charity Auction|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> [[MusiCares]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rttnews.com/1677082/taylor-swift-among-participants-in-musicares-back-to-school-charity-auction.aspx|title=Taylor Swift Among Participants In MusiCares Back To School Charity Auction|publisher=Rttnews.com|date=July 28, 2011|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> and [[Feeding America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/1664-feed-america-with-george-clooneys-bowl|title=Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl|publisher=Looktothestars.org|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> She has also performed at a number of benefit concerts, including for the [[Food Bank For New York City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.z100.com/pages/events/jingleball09/artists.html|title=Z100's Jingle Ball 2009 – Z100 – New York's Hit Music Station|publisher=Z100|date=|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> the Reading, Writing & Rhythm Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1556598/20070406/wright_chely.jhtml|title=News : Chely Wright Invites Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift to Fundraiser|publisher=CMT|date=April 6, 2007|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> Christmas for Kids,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1566672/taylor-swift-rodney-atkins-will-sing-for-kids-christmas.jhtml|title=News : Taylor Swift, Rodney Atkins Will Sing for Kids' Christmas|publisher=CMT|date=August 8, 2007|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> [[Shriners Hospitals for Children]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.cmt.com/tag/shriners-hospital-for-children/|title=Shriners Hospital For Children|publisher=blog.cmt.com|date=October 19, 2009|accessdate=2012-08-07}}</ref> and [[Centrepoint (charity)|Centrepoint]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514029/Prince-William-sings-stage-Taylor-Swift-Jon-Bon-Jovi.html/|title=What queen of pop Taylor Swift thought of Prince William... before he jumped on stage for a sing-along with her and Jon Bon Jovi|date=November 26,2013|accessdate=2013-11-27}}</ref>

==Personal life==

===Wealth===
[[File:Watch Hill Harbor.jpg|thumbnail|A view of the harbor in [[Watch Hill, Rhode Island]], where Swift owns a summer home]]
Swift lives between a three-bedroom duplex penthouse in Midtown Nashville, Tennessee<ref name="widdicombe1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shine.yahoo.com/haven/a-glimpse-inside-taylor-swifta-s-swanky-new-nashville-penthouse-581156.html|title=A glimpse inside Taylor Swift's swanky new Nashville penthouse|publisher=Shine.yahoo.com|date=February 5, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-10}}</ref> and a three-bedroom cottage in [[Beverly Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://realestalker.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/country-queen-taylor-swift-does-it.html |title=The Real Estalker: Country Queen Taylor Swift Does it Again |publisher=Realestalker.blogspot.com.au |date=April 21, 2011 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> She owns an eight-bedroom summer home in coastal [[Watch Hill, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://realestalker.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/taylor-swift-spends-big-in-rhode-island.html |title=The Real Estalker: Taylor Swift Spends Big in Rhode Island |publisher=Realestalker.blogspot.com.au |date=April 27, 2013|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> In addition, Swift purchased a four-bedroom mansion in [[Belle Meade, Tennessee]] for her parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://realestalker.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/taylor-swift-does-it-again-in-nashville.html |title=The Real Estalker: Taylor Swift Does It Again in Nashville |publisher=Realestalker.blogspot.com.au |date=August 22, 2011|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> She owns a [[Dassault Falcon 900]] private jet and an airport hangar at [[Nashville International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classichits.co.nz/auckland/whatshot/thegoss//taylor-swift-arrives |title=Taylor Swift arrives - What's Hot - The Goss - Classic Hits - 80s 90s Today, Competitions, Listen Live, Videos and the latest Entertainment News |publisher=Classic Hits |date= |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/clearskyphotography/4587639284/ |title=Taylor Swift's Falcon 900 &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date=2010-05-07 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2012/3/14/2871669/peyton-manning-on-the-ground-in-nashville-to-meet-with-the-titans |title=Peyton Manning On the Ground in Nashville to Meet with the Titans |publisher=Music City Miracles |date= |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://thevivant.com/taylor-swift-private-jet/ | title=Everything You Need to Know About Taylor Swift’s Private Jet: From the Significance of "13″ to Who Flies With Her | publisher=The Vivant | date=10 December 2012 | accessdate=14 September 2013 | author=Cain, Spencer}}</ref>

According to ''[[Forbes]]'''s Celebrity 100 list, released annually in the month of May, Swift earned $18&nbsp;million in 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/53/celebrity-09_Taylor-Swift_2OIN.html|title=#69 Taylor Swift&nbsp;– The 2009 Celebrity 100|publisher=Forbes.com|date=June 3, 2009|accessdate=2011-07-17}}</ref> $45&nbsp;million in 2010,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/22/lady-gaga-oprah-winfrey-business-entertainment-celeb-100-10_land.html|work=Forbes|title=The World's Most Powerful Celebrities|date=June 28, 2010}}</ref> $45 million in 2011,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2011/12/14/the-top-earning-women-in-music-lady-gaga-taylor-swift-katy-parry-alicia-keys/|work=Forbes|title=The Top-Earning Women In Music|date=December 14, 2011|accessdate=2012-07-15}}</ref> $57 million in 2012<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/taylor-swift/|title=Taylor Swift|publisher=Forbes|date=April 18, 2012|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> and $55 million in 2013.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/06/26/guess-who-tops-forbes-celebrity-100-list/2458999/ Guess who tops 'Forbes' Celebrity 100 list?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Relationships===
Swift dated singer [[Joe Jonas]] from July to October 2008,<ref>{{cite web|last=Caplan|first=David|title=Scoop|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20230694,00.html|work=People (magazine)|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=September 8, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rizzo|first=Monica|title=Scoop – Couples, Camilla Belle, Joe Jonas|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245498,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=November 24, 2008}}</ref> and actor [[Taylor Lautner]] from October to December 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor & Taylor Romance Was Overblown, Says Source|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20333466,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|author1=Michael Y. Park |author2=Nicole Sia}}</ref><ref name="USW">{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/taylor-swift-taylor-lautner-split-20092912|title=Exclusive: Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner Split!|work=[[US Magazine]]|accessdate=2010-11-12}}</ref> She was romantically linked to musician [[John Mayer]] from late 2009 until early 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift Sings Along with Keith Urban and John Mayer – in the Audience!|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20339714,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=January 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Danielle|title=RoundUp|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20408604,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=September 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift on Her 'Stalker' Moment with John Mayer|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198607,00.html|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|accessdate=2012-03-06|author1=Mary Margaret |author2=Stephanie Rygorsky|date=May 8, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=John Mayer Talks Taylor Swift Collaboration 'Half Of My Heart'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625724/john-mayer-talks-taylor-swift-collaboration-half-my-heart.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=November 6, 2009}}</ref> She dated actor [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] from October to December 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/taylor-swift-jake-gyllenhaal-go-apple-picking-20102610|title=Taylor Swift, Jake Gyllenhaal Go Apple Picking|publisher=UsMagazine.com|date=October 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hammel|first=Sara|title=Taylor Swift & Jake Gyllenhaal Break Up: Source|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20454920,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=January 4, 2011}}</ref> Following their break-up, they were seen together in January and February 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Kay|title=Taylor Swift & Jake Gyllenhaal: Back Together Again?|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20459183,00.html|work=People|accessdate=2012-03-06|date=January 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hammel|first=Sara|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20469689,00.html|title=Taylor Swift, Jake Gyllenhaal's Oscar Run-In|work=People|date=February 28, 2011|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> Swift dated political heir Conor Kennedy from July to September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Don|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/beautiful_music_by_rfk_kid_swift_ZlQJVWd0fPa1IRyGiKsodJ|title=RFK grandson Conor Kennedy spends weekend with singer Taylor Swift at Kennedy compound in Massachusetts|publisher=New York Post|date=July 25, 2012|accessdate=2012-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Taylor Swift |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20642336,00.html |title=Taylor Swift, Conor Kennedy Split; Couple Break Up |publisher=People.com |date=October 30, 2012 |accessdate=2012-11-07}}</ref> She dated [[One Direction]] singer [[Harry Styles]] from October 2012 to January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/taylor-swift-harry-styles-one-direction-photograph/ |title=Taylor Swift + Harry Styles of One Direction Photographed Together |publisher=Popcrush.com |date=2012-12-02 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/taylor-swift-harry-styles-break-up-what-went-wrong-201381 |title=Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Break Up: What Went Wrong |publisher=UsMagazine.com |date=2013-01-08 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref>

Musicians including Jonas and Mayer have written songs about Swift.<ref>{{cite web|author=by POPSUGAR Celebrity |url=http://www.popsugar.com/Joe-Jonas-Insults-Taylor-Swift-Much-Better-3252634 |title=Joe Jonas Insults Taylor Swift in "Much Better" |publisher=Popsugar.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/06/track-review-john-mayer-gets-meta-on-paper-doll/ |title=Track Review: John Mayer Gets Meta On "Paper Doll" |publisher=American Songwriter |date=2013-06-18 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref>

===Politics===
Swift says she registered to vote on her eighteenth birthday.<ref>{{cite web|last=Orloff|first=Brian|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20232932,00.html|title=Taylor Swift Ready to Vote for the Very First Time&nbsp;– Taylor Swift|newspaper=People|date=October 14, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5877810,00.html|title=Taylor Swift Casts a Vote & Gives to Charity|publisher=[[Great American Country]]|date=June 2, 2008}}</ref> During the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]], she supported the Every Woman Counts campaign, aimed at engaging women in the political process, and was one of many country stars to record a [[public service announcement]] for the Vote (For Your) Country campaign.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephen L. Betts|url=http://www.theboot.com/2008/10/10/reba-martina-taylor-making-sure-every-woman-counts/|title=Reba, Martina,Taylor Making Sure Every Woman Counts|publisher=The Boot|date=October 10, 2008}}</ref> She stated: "I don't think it's my job to try and influence people which way they should vote."<ref name="Rolling Stone 2008-12-08"/> Following President Obama's inauguration, she told ''Rolling Stone'' that she supported the president: "I've never seen this country so happy about a political decision in my entire time of being alive. I'm so glad this was my first election."<ref>{{cite web|last=Grigoriadis|first=Vanessa|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-very-pink-very-perfect-life-of-taylor-swift-20090305|title=The Very Pink, Very Perfect Life of Taylor Swift|work=Rolling Stone|date=March 5, 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, former U.S. President [[George H. W. Bush]] attended the taping of a Swift television special in [[Kennebunkport, Maine]],<ref>{{cite news|author=A.J. Jacobs|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1306922/Taylor-Swift-premieres-new-song-Mine-unlikely-fan--U-S-President-George-H-W-Bush.html|title=Taylor Swift premieres new song Mine and has an unlikely fan... former U.S. President George H.W. Bush|work=Daily Mail|date=August 28, 2010|location=London}}</ref> and later described Swift as "unspoiled" and "very nice."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/meaning-of-life-2011/george-hw-bush-quotes-0111-2|title=George H.W. Bush Jimmy Carter Quotes&nbsp;– George Bush on Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush|work=Esquire|date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, Swift was presented with a [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards|Kids' Choice Award]] in recognition of her charitable work by [[Michelle Obama]], who praised her as someone who "has rocketed to the top of the music industry but still keeps her feet on the ground, someone who has shattered every expectation of what a 22-year old can accomplish."<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Hilary|url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2012/04/michelle-obama-honors-taylor-swift.html|title=Michelle Obama Honors Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift So Honored|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=April 2, 2012|accessdate=March 6, 2013}}</ref> Swift later described the First Lady as "a role model."<ref>{{cite web|last=Pacella|first=Megan|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-michelle-obama/|title=Taylor Swift Reflects on Meeting First Lady Michelle Obama|work=Taste of Country|date=April 15, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-15}}</ref> In a 2012 interview, Swift remarked that, although she tries to keep herself “as educated and informed as possible,” she doesn’t “talk about politics because it might influence other people."<ref>Macsai, Dan (October 19, 2012). [http://entertainment.time.com/2012/10/19/taylor-swift-on-going-pop-ignoring-the-gossip-and-the-best-worst-nickname-shes-ever-had/?iid=ent-main-lede "Taylor Swift on Going Pop, Ignoring the Gossip and the Best (Worst) Nickname She’s Ever Had"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Times]]''.</ref> She has spoken of her interest in American history and has read books about [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[John Adams]], the [[Founding Fathers]] and [[Ellis Island]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-reveals-newfound-obsession-with-american-history-20110804|title=Taylor Swift Reveals Newfound Obsession With American History|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> Swift is a friend of the [[Kennedy family]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Eggenberger|first=Nicole|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/conor-kennedys-grandmother-ethel-we-should-be-so-lucky-to-have-taylor-swift-in-our-family-201218|title=Conor Kennedy's Grandmother Ethel: "We Should Be So Lucky" to Have Taylor Swift in Our Family! –|newspaper=[[Us Weekly]]|date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> and has spoken of her admiration for [[Ethel Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Van Meter|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life/#6|title=Taylor Swift: The Single Life&nbsp;– Magazine|page=6|work=Vogue|date=January 14, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-15}}</ref><ref name="youtube2">{{cite web|author=CELEBScom|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dmmm5vkS18|title=Ethel & Rory Kennedy talk Taylor Swift and "Ethel" at the Celebs.com Studio at Sundance|publisher=YouTube|date=January 31, 2012|accessdate=2012-04-15}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Taylor Swift}}
Swift has been the recipient of seven [[Grammy Award]]s, fifteen [[American Music Awards]], eleven [[Country Music Association Awards]], six [[Academy of Country Music Awards]], and twelve [[Billboard Music Awards]]. As a songwriter, she has been honored by the [[Nashville Songwriters Association International|Nashville Songwriters Association]] and the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]. In 2013 she became the second person (and first woman) to receive the Country Music Association's Pinnacle Award. <ref>{{cite web|author=Thu, November 7, 2013 12:36pm EST by Emily Longeretta |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/11/07/taylor-swift-cma-awards-pinnacle-music-icon/ |title=Taylor Swift Wins Pinnacle Award At CMA Awards — Why She Deserved It |publisher=Hollywood Life |date=2013-11-07 |accessdate=2013-12-14}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Taylor Swift discography|List of songs recorded by Taylor Swift}}
* ''[[Taylor Swift (album)|Taylor Swift]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Speak Now]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'' (2012)

==Concert tours==
* [[Fearless Tour]] (2009–10)
* [[Speak Now World Tour]] (2011–12)
* [[Red Tour]] (2013–14)

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience]]''
| Herself
| [[Cameo appearance|Cameo]]
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]''
| Herself
| Cameo
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|Valentine's Day]]''
| Felicia
| Film debut
|-
| 2012
| ''{{sortname|The|Lorax|The Lorax (film)}}''
| Audrey
| [[Voice acting|Voice only]]
|-
| 2014
| ''[[The Giver (film)|The Giver]]''
| Rosemary
| Filming
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2009
| ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]''
| Haley Jones
| Episode: "Turn, Turn, Turn"
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Herself
| Host/musical guest
|-
| 2013
| ''[[New Girl (TV series)|New Girl]]''
| Elaine
| Episode: "Elaine's Big Day"
|}

==See also==
{{Wikipedia books|Taylor Swift}}
* [[List of Billboard Social 50 number-one artists]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Taylor Swift}}
* {{Official website|http://www.taylorswift.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|2357847|Taylor Swift}}

{{Navboxes
|list={{Taylor Swift}}
{{Taylor Swift singles}}
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2010s}}
{{Big Machine Records}}
{{YTMAs}}
}}
{{Authority control|VIAF=88580701}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Swift, Taylor
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Swift, Taylor Alison
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singer and songwriter
|DATE OF BIRTH = December 13, 1989
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swift, Taylor}}
[[Category:Taylor Swift| ]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century pianists]]
[[Category:Activists from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Actresses from Nashville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Actresses from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American country banjoists]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American female country singers]]
[[Category:American female guitarists]]
[[Category:American female pop singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American pianists]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American ukulele players]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:Big Machine Records artists]]
[[Category:Child pop musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award-winning artists]]
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States]]
[[Category:Mezzo-sopranos]]
[[Category:Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Reading, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:People from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Singers from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Tennessee]]

{{Link GA|ar}}

Revision as of 23:46, 20 December 2013

Zac Barnett
American Authors
American Authors
Background information
Genrespop,
InstrumentVocals

Zac Barnett is the lead singer for the American Authors who's song Best Day Of My Life is currently

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