It’s no question that Taylor Swift is one of the most influential and idolized teen celebrities of our time. But why is that? Why is she so great? What makes her so popular?
    From a young age, Taylor was talented. She grew up writing poetry and songs, teaching herself to play the guitar, and singing for crowds everywhere. In the year 2006, her career started to take off with her multi-platinum album titled Taylor Swift. With singles like “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops on my Guitar,” her popularity grew overnight.
    What really started the Taylor craze was the release of her second album, Fearless in 2008. This was the first album for which she wrote all of the songs by herself. It immediately sparked interest with songs like “Forever & Always,” “Hey Stephen,” and “Love Story.” It’s not only her soft and unique voice that intrigued all listeners, it’s her lyrics. They were such detailed songs; some with harsh feelings, and others with happiness and infatuation. Everyone began to wonder who she could possibly be writing about. Later, it was discovered that if you look inside her lyric book that accompanies the CD, you can decode a secret message in every song. In some, she even tells you the name of the person that she wrote about. Her blatant honesty made her a star.
    Everyone wants to know more about celebrities’ lives. I know I do! Isn’t that why we read all of the gossip magazines and watch reality TV? We want to feel like we are a part of their lives and that we know them personally. Taylor made it possible for us to learn the intimate details about her personal life, home life, and celebrity life without us having to dig. The great thing is her life is definitely not a boring one. 
    While Taylor’s voice is soft and unique, no one is really listening to the singing; they’re listening to the words. That’s why, in 2010, her third album, Speak Now, sold over a million copies in just the first week. This time, fans were ready to hear who and what she had to talk about. Undoubtedly her most outspoken album yet, she didn’t hold anything back. This time, giving names, dates, and even more hints hidden in the lyrcs.
    It’s no secret that Taylor’s dating record hasn’t been so stellar. However, I don’t see too many fans complaining because that’s the basis for her song-writing. She tells us about the men who have treated her badly, who have broken her heart, and those whom she loved. Most of the time, these men are movie stars and other singers as well. Just by listening to her songs, I have found myself listening to less John Mayer, disliking Joe Jonas, and absolutely loving Taylor Lautner. Her most explicit song, titled “Better than Revenge” was written about Camilla Belle, a girl who supposedly stole Joe Jonas from Taylor.  Her lyrics include “She’s not a saint/And she’s not what you think/She’s an actress/She’s better known for the things that she does/On the mattress” and “She should keep in mind/There is nothing I do better than revenge.” I simply cannot imagine what it would be like to be on the other end of those words, but for us listeners, it’s great! She gives us a little inside peek on what Hollywood is really like. 
    Taylor Swift is the most talented singer/song-writer that I have ever listened to. While most stars seem to stay “opinionless,” she speaks out about her thoughts and isn’t afraid who hears it. Taylor is a true teen idol, and I’m sure everyone (myself included) is excited to hear more about the people and events in her life in her next album, and her many albums to come.