For higher or worse, “The Lifetime of a Showgirl,” Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, is not like something the megastar has finished earlier than.
On the 12-track album, which dropped Friday to blended essential reception, Swift is uncharacteristically risqué and, for presumably the primary time, indulges her interior theater child with out reservation. In that sense, a lot of the pop document is daringly new.
Nonetheless, on every observe are sonic echoes from the 14-time Grammy winner’s decades-spanning discography — from the verve of “Popularity” to the romantic whimsy of “Lover.”
Swifties are positive to be taking part in “The Lifetime of a Showgirl” on repeat at this time. But when that will get a bit tiresome after the thirteenth time, here’s a listing of Swift sister songs to strive as an alternative, primarily based in your favourite observe from the brand new album.
(Some tune pairings are primarily based on sound, whereas others are primarily based on shared themes.)
“The Destiny of Ophelia”
“Showgirl’s” opening observe has a sultry groove and low pulse that might simply be the soundtrack to a flirty nightcap or the sequence finale of a darkish comedy.
Discover the identical alluring melody with an additional sprint of spice in “I Can See You,” a vault observe from 2023’s “Converse Now (Taylor’s Model).” And for bonus factors, head to the music video for a dose of the Swift-signature theatricality dripping from “The Lifetime of a Showgirl.”
“Elizabeth Taylor”
This allusive observe boasts the album’s most sweeping refrain, anchored by Swift’s mesmeric alto and a masterfully orchestrated rhythm that makes use of moments of quiet to its benefit.
“Popularity‘s” slow-burn hit “Don’t Blame Me” follows an analogous playbook, utilizing a killer choral backing to attain the identical hymnal high quality that advanced vocal layering creates on “Elizabeth Taylor.”
Plus, each songs share a secret weapon: Swift’s irresistible enunciation of the phrase “child.”
“Opalite”
An instantaneous inductee into Swift’s “Glitter Gel Pen” tune Corridor of Fame, “Opalite” is for dancing round your kitchen with a glass of orange wine in hand.
Gas that infectious pleasure with essentially the most twirl-worthy — and arguably most underrated — observe of Swift’s profession, “Sweeter Than Fiction.” Swift launched this shimmering tune in 2013 for the “One Probability” movie soundtrack, and true to its title, it’s candy as a peach.
Honorary mention: If you happen to want a tambourine to a synth, strive “Lover” B-side “Paper Rings,” maybe extra appropriate for kick-stepping than spinning however nonetheless one other “Opalite” lookalike.
“Father Determine”
The pure alternative right here can be “The Man,” one other tune whereby Swift adopts a masculine persona to show simply what a boss she is.
However I’ve no extra sage recommendation than to go to George Michael’s authentic “Father Determine” (1987), which not too long ago acquired a streaming enhance after being featured within the 2024 erotic thriller “Babygirl.” Swift used an interpolation of Michael’s tune in her observe of the identical title — with a gleeful sign-off from the late singer’s property.
“After we heard the observe we had no hesitation in agreeing to this affiliation between two nice artists and we all know George would have felt the identical,” George Michael’s property wrote Thursday on his official Instagram.
“Eldest Daughter”
It doesn’t really feel totally truthful to match these two — particularly given one among them has Phoebe Bridgers and the opposite one has the road “I’m not a nasty b—, and this isn’t savage” — however “Eldest Daughter” and “Nothing New (Taylor’s Model)” share the identical grief for a youthful self {that a} girl in her 20s is aware of greatest.
If you happen to want a great cry, these two are right here for you.
“Destroy the Friendship”
Talking of debilitating nostalgia, this one may really feel a bit misplaced on this album’s universe, nevertheless it’s a heartrending gem nonetheless.
For the same remorseful journey into the previous, minus the boppy bass line, strive “We Had been Comfortable,” a vault observe from “Fearless (Taylor’s Model)” about younger love misplaced.
“Really Romantic”
Whereas this alleged Charli XCX diss observe could also be extra scathing than typical for Swift, the singer is not any stranger to shade, as evidenced in “Popularity” B-side “This Is Why We Can’t Have Good Issues” — an ideal pairing for “Really Romantic.”
In each songs, Swift is unapologetically petty, providing her foes a metaphorical bouquet of flowers thick with thorns.
These tracks aren’t everybody’s pace, however each misfit has its followers. And within the case of “Really Romantic,” Nicki Minaj appears to be one among them.
“Wi$h Li$t”
Showcasing this album’s gentler facet, “Wi$h Li$t,” which Swift mentioned could also be her private favourite, is a young tribute to her fiancé Travis Kelce, backed with ethereal synth sounds and mushy vocalization from a clearly smitten showgirl.
“I simply need you” can also be the mission assertion of “Glitch,” a brief and candy pop quantity from 2022’s “Midnights.” Flip this one on, and very quickly you’ll end up swaying facet to facet, daydreaming concerning the love you by no means anticipated however can’t think about letting go.
Honorary point out: For a extra upbeat possibility, go for “Beautiful,” a bubblegum–pop anthem simply as swoonworthy because the aforementioned tracks.
“Wooden”
This raunchy disco observe had jaws dropping throughout the globe upon its launch, and for good motive.
Whereas not as excessive on shock issue, Swift’s “I Assume He Is aware of,” a lesser-known observe from “Lover,” is equally dancy and down unhealthy. On high of that, it’s famously set at an ideal strutting tempo. What extra might you ask for?
“CANCELLED!”
That is the second tune in Swift’s oeuvre that includes a title with an exclamation level (we’ll get to that later), and it’s not the perfect one.
However should you just like the darkish vitality Swift has happening right here, you will get lots extra of it in her dwell rock ’n’ roll model of “We Are By no means Ever Getting Again Collectively,” which she pulled out for the 1989 World Tour and hasn’t performed since.
Right here’s hoping the nation crossover artist has one other style hop in her.
“Honey”
True to its title, “Honey” is a welcome salve for a few of this album’s extra bitter numbers and shares hanging sonic similarities with Swift’s greatest tune adorned with an exclamation level, “‘Slut!’”
The “1989 (Taylor’s Model)” vault observe, like “Honey,” makes use of a name-calling motif to color a rosy portrait of her romantic associate. Neither is lyrically advanced, but when “‘Slut!’” is any indication, “Honey” is certain to wind up a real fan favourite.
“The Lifetime of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)”
Discovering a tune that feels like “The Lifetime of a Showgirl” is a tall order, if not an not possible one.
So for a theme-based pairing, strive fellow album nearer “Clara Bow,” which caps off the unique version of “The Tortured Poets Division” (2024) with a mournful commentary on the fixed churn of younger feminine stars.
As Swift and Carpenter say, “You don’t know the lifetime of a showgirl, babe, and also you’re by no means gonna wanna.”
Honorary point out: For an additional Swift observe concerning the pitfalls of fame, strive “The Fortunate One,” off 2012’s “Crimson.”
