Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” debuted at midnight Oct. 3 and students at GCSU have anticipated its release. The album brought out familiar listening traditions, new record purchases and connections for fans on campus.
Staying up for a midnight release has become a shared tradition among Swift fans, also referred to as “Swifties.” GCSU students have continued that pattern with the debut of “The Life of a Showgirl.”
“I stayed up until midnight Thursday night to listen with one of my roommates, but nothing crazy,” said Savannah Carley, a senior graphic design major. “I have always stayed home and waited up late in order to listen, so it is sort of a tradition now.”
Others said they preferred listening alone, allowing them to take in every detail.
“I had it playing on my phone with my iPad opened up to the lyrics on the Genius website,” said Caitlyn Balcom, a senior psychology major. “I enjoy listening on my own for the full experience.”
Freshman early childhood education major Aubrey Meadows kept her approach simple.
“Normally, I do a listening party, but this year I just listened on my own. I love Taylor, but a girl needs her sleep.”
Physical copies of the album have also proved to be a major draw among GCSU students. Several collect vinyl records and CDs, adding a layer of value that online streaming cannot provide.
“I love having a physical version of things in a digital world,” Meadows said.
For some, the purchase was more about continuing a collection.
“I bought the vinyl from Target as soon as it came out,” said Kaitlyn Baty, a freshman creative writing major. “Target has a special edition that is pink and sparkly and I wanted to add it to my collection. I’ve been collecting records for a few years now, and I have all of her albums. I was able to pre-order a signed CD, which I’m very excited about.”
The release of “The Life of a Showgirl” has also served as a way for students to connect with others.
“My aunt and I went to the Eras Tour together, so any new thing Taylor does means we are texting each other more frequently than usual,” Balcom said. “Since she lives so far away, this bond is nice to have.”
Through livestreams, fan accounts or even apps, Swifties have found ways to connect online to share their listening experiences together.
“I connected with my fellow Swifties on Swift Alert to play their album guessing game, which thousands of fans participated in,” Balcom said.
Each new era of Swift’s music often aligns with personal milestones, allowing students to tie the music to their own lives.
“Listening to her music with my sisters, cousins and mom has always been an experience I hold close to my heart. It also marks the chapter of life I’m currently living,” Carley said.
Many students also pointed to the visual aspects of the album as a notable feature of “The Life of a Showgirl.”
“Visually, this album is very appealing to me,” Balcom said. “There is a lot more artwork and a lot more photographs for this album than in the past, and many special copies for vinyl records with photos and poems.”
Swift’s recent experiences on tour seem to reflect many of these visual tie-ins.
“I definitely think this album focuses on her life as a performer, since she wrote it while on The Eras Tour,” Carley said. “I think the themes explore both the glamour and the challenges of living the ‘life of a showgirl.’”
With the album now available, GCSU students are engaging with “The Life of a Showgirl” across campus through streaming, purchasing physical copies and shared fan activities.