Staff Picks: Taylor Swift's 'Lover' is a grown-up take on the Taylor fans love

Taylor Swift has returned to the story-telling, love-song songwriter fans fell in love with more than 10 years ago with her new album "Lover."

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2019, 4:03 PM

Updated 1,712 days ago

Share:

Staff Picks: Taylor Swift's 'Lover' is a grown-up take on the Taylor fans love
By Abby Del Vecchio/Digital Producer
Taylor Swift has returned to the story-telling, love-song songwriter fans fell in love with more than 10 years ago with her new album "Lover."
Nearly two years ago, Swift released her sixth studio album "Reputation," a dark tale of her life in 2016 when she felt the whole world was against her. (You may remember the Kim Kardashian and Kanye West versus Taylor Swift feud that forced Swift into the shadows for a year -- and with that "Reputation" was born).
"Lover" brings back the light-hearted Taylor. The love-song singing, feel-good Taylor who somehow manages to write what nearly every person is feeling or has felt at some point in their lives -- whether it be songs about being in love or songs about intense heartbreak.
The album starts with "I Forgot That You Existed," where Swift sings of finally letting go of someone who hurt her. It's a light, fun way to open the album, and her new chapter.
Title track "Lover" is said by some fans to be the best, most romantic song she has ever written. Swift sings about finding the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with. The bridge has a wedding-theme vibe to it, with "Ladies and gentlemen will you please stand?" and "I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover." Swift said she wanted this song to feel timeless. It'll probably be played at many Swifties' weddings in years to come. And maybe even some non-Swifties -- it's that good.
"Lover" has some political undertones other Swift albums did not have. The single, "You Need to Calm Down" is about her support of the LGBTQ community and how hating someone for who they are will never stop that person for being themselves. The line "'Cause shade never made anybody less gay" is a reminder to haters to take a seat. "Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince" takes place in a fictional high school setting, but it's really about the state of the United States today. "I'm feeling helpless, the damsels are depressed. Boys will be boys then, where are the wise men? Darling, I'm scared," seems to be about the way women are treated in the world. Some fans think Swift is acknowledging the audio tape that was released in 2016 of then presidential candidate Donald Trump saying "he can do anything" to women because he is a star.
"Soon You'll Get Better" features the Dixie Chicks. It details Swift's feelings as her mother goes through cancer treatments. The bridge, "And I hate to make this all about me, but who am I supposed to talk to? What am I supposed to do if there's no you?" can bring tears to just about anyone's eyes.
The lead single "ME!" is probably the most boring song on the album -- in typical Swift fashion. She always releases a fun, catchy song as her lead single, but it's never her best.
It's hard to pick a favorite off of "Lover." A few that I personally love(r) are, "Daylight," "Paper Rings," "Cornelia Street" and "Afterglow."
"This album is a love letter to love itself -- all the captivating, spellbinding, maddening devastating red, blue, gray, golden aspects of it (that's why there are so many songs)," Swift writes in the forward of the album. "I want to be defined by the things I love -- not the things I hate, the things I'm afraid of, or the things that haunt me in the middle of the night...We are what we love."
Is "Lover" Taylor Swift's best album? It may be too soon to tell (I have a tendency to think everything is the best upon immediately receiving it). But something tells me it is. It's Taylor Swift, the way we once knew her, but all grown-up. So I think "Lover" just may be the best we've ever seen her.


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:01
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

0:20
Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

0:27
White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

0:35
 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:31
Car drives into Whoo's Bar and Grill in Newburgh forcing its closure

Car drives into Whoo's Bar and Grill in Newburgh forcing its closure

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

2:15
Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:56
Homeless man arrested for 20th time in Ulster County for possessing stolen items

Homeless man arrested for 20th time in Ulster County for possessing stolen items