The Life Of A Showgirl – Ranked based on the opinion of a Radio host

It’s been one week since Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, The Life Of A Showgirl. With varying reviews and opinions upon release, the new album has seen a lot of success nonetheless, with this being predicted to be her bestselling album ever. Though this album has not been as praised for its lyricism as The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology was.

This album is meant to be a look into Swift’s life during her record-breaking Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour as she falls deeper in love with her now Fiancé, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. As well as moments that disrupted her life off stage. This 12-song album truly encapsulates the life of this showgirl.

Note that from this point forward, I will be referring to this album as “Showgirl.”

12) Honey

Song 11 on the album, Honey, is a song that talks about how she has been called nicknames such as sweetheart and honey, but she never asked to be called that. It felt “passive-aggressive”. But when someone she loves calls her “Honey,” it gives her butterflies. Swift has said that this song, along with the rest of the album, is a complete representation of where she is now, even though she wrote and recorded this music while on tour in 2024. Though this is a very well-written and produced song, I just am not the biggest fan of nicknames in relationships, and therefore, this song doesn’t sit right with me.

11) Actually Romantic

Song 7 on the album, Actually Romantic, is a song that Taylor wrote about how someone can be criticizing you and your actions, your job, or literally anything. And even though this is all coming from a negative and insecure place from that other person, they are still giving you attention, and it’s like they are obsessed and loving you so much that it is romantic. This song, as well as “Honey,” could be interchanged in my opinion, as I just can’t get behind either song. I find that lyrically, this song doesn’t rhyme the way some of her other songs do, and it’s just not something I personally like.

10) Wi$h Li$t

Song 8 is Wi$h Li$t. This song talks about how everyone else in and around her wants a rich, posh, spoiled lifestyle with bright lights and gems everywhere, but all Taylor wants is to settle down and have a family with her beloved. She talked in her interview with Jimmy Fallon that this song, and specifically the chorus, is her happy place and her dream utopia. I don’t mind this song, and maybe down the line in my life, I will relate to this song more if I ever feel the way Taylor does right now, but at the moment, I don’t.

9) Wood

Along with being song 9 on the album, I am placing the song in the same spot for my ranking. Wood is about how Taylor was previously superstitious about love, and that she used to have to “knock on wood” when she would say something that could maybe lead to the relationship ending. Though she said in an interview that she went into this writing session with a very innocent idea for the song, anyone who listens to it will know that that got derailed. This song is a cool concept, but it’s just not my cup of tea.

8) The Life Of A Showgirl (Feat. Sabrina Carpenter)

This is the final song on the album and the title track. This song really narrows in on the themes of the hidden life of a showgirl as well as the life that’s in the spotlight. Swift has talked about how, to a degree, we all have a social life and we all have to learn to manage our relationships from romantic to friendships, to family, to everything. She also stated that once the song was coming together, her one thought was “Sabrina Carpenter.” How Sabrina is a quintessential showgirl, and that she also wrote the second verse (Sabrina’s verse) with her in mind. This song is interesting to me as there are parts that don’t rhyme the way that my ear likes, but the instrumental interests me.

7) Opalite

As song number 3 on the album and a crowd favourite, I was hoping to have this song higher in my ranking. This song talks about how Opalite is a man-made opal, and happiness can also be man-made. How you can take control of your joy in this world and make it happen for yourself. This song is just too happy and upbeat for me, and what I like. It reminds me a lot of the “Lover” album, which isn’t one of my favourites.

6) Ruin The Friendship

Ruin the Friendship is a song that Taylor wrote about a high school crush she had, but never wanted to try and make it more than a friendship, because she didn’t want to ruin what good they already had. Flash forward a year later, Taylor gets the call that this friend has passed, and now she wishes she could go back and ruin their friendship. This song makes me think back to my high school days and how there are friendships that I now 1) wish I still had and 2) that I would have ruined them when I had the chance.

5) The Fate Of Ophelia

As the opener to the album, this song comes on strong. This talks about how if her lover, Travis Kelce, saved her from the fate of Ophelia. This is the song that has been labeled as her first single off the album, and I can understand why. It’s catchy, it’s energetic, but not too energetic, and it currently has a dance from the music video that is going everywhere on TikTok. This is a fun song, and I won’t be mad when I hear it on the radio on repeat.

4) Eldest Daughter

This song dives into the sort of hidden life and emotions that women who are the eldest daughter go through. Such as putting on a fake face, saying “I’m okay,” and how we are the first ones on the chopping block, but we’ll never tell anyone that we are suffering. This song hits home for me as I am the oldest daughter, granddaughter, and niece. There are times when I will where the bad guy title just to save others, and this song truly represents that.

3) Father Figure

Father Figure is a song about how the apprentice has now become the master and can even outdo their master’s work. How this person’s teacher wasn’t willing to make the big baller moves, but they are. I love that this song is all coming from a place of being like, “You don’t think I will or can do it? Let me show you. Let me prove you wrong.” Which, in this society, is, in my opinion, very encouraging for women to let them know that we can make the big move and they can be the big dog on top.

2) Elizabeth Taylor

This song is from the perspective of Swift asking Elizabeth Taylor if being known for being a serial dater and always being known for being with a man is her fate. I love songs that are from the perspective of asking someone a question, even though they can’t answer, as it’s asking for a sign. This song really hits home for me, and let’s face it, the instruments are insanely good.

1)CANCELLED!

Cancelled is a song about how the only way to know who your true friends are is to look for the ones who have matching scars. For Swift, these scars are being cancelled by the media and being framed as the villain, even when you didn’t do anything wrong. This song is truly an eye-opening song about the inner workings of relationships in the life of a showgirl or anyone in the show business. But this also applies to everyday life. This song can easily be turned into looking at someone’s life who has lost all of their friends and is alone, all because they got close to the wrong people. This song is as much as it is a story, this song is also a lesson for people to learn.

I will give you a lovely bouquet if you made it this far, and I want to thank you for sticking around. Reach out to me to let me know how your ranking matches or doesn’t match mine, and just remember that these are solely my opinions.

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