Taylor Swift

By Jason Lundquist

Biography

Taylor Alison Swift was born on Dec 13, 1989 in Pennsylvania

The only daughter from her parents Scott and Andrea

She has one younger brother named Austin

Fun Facts

Thirteen is her lucky number She plays a twelve-string guitar Very Competitive Loves crime dramas Obsessed with high heels 5’11” Currently dating Taylor Lautner

Career

Taylor Swift’s career technically started when she was five years old.

Signed with Big Machine Records Moved to Nashville, Tennessee At age sixteen she had her first big hit (Tim

McGraw) Taylor Swift also Models and Acts Winner of many music awards and her songs have

reached to the top of music charts

Influences Grandmother (Majorie

Finlay) opera singer Parents (Scott and

Andrea) Shania Twain LeAnn Rimes Even her life and what

has happened in her past

Multi-Dimensional

Songs and Music Composition

“Back to December” “Love Story” “Mine”

“Back to December”

(4:53) Co-Producer Nathan Chapman Released in October of 2010 as a promotional

single for her new album. Song written in the form of an apology From the album Speak Now Reached number six on Billboard’s top 100

“Love Story”

(3:53) Released in September of 2008 Of the album Fearless This song is about a guy Taylor was dating and it

describes their relationship This song boosted her career Number four on Billboard’s top 100

“Mine”

(3:50) Co-Producer Nathan Chapman Released in August of 2010 Was released two weeks earlier than expected

due to a leakage on the internet From the album Speak Now This song is about a crush Taylor had and it

reflects her feelings

Listening Guide

“Back to December” “Love Story” “Mine”

“Back to December”

Intro 00:00 – Starts off with music including a guitar and some type of synthesizer. Verse (1) 0:14 – This is where Taylor Swift starts to sing. Instruments are a little

more subtle and go to a guitar with a violin in the background. Chorus 0:55 – The tune starts to pick up here and get louder (forte). It begins with

the percussion but that ends quickly. Instrumental Melody 1:28 – All the instruments are combined here playing a

melody to get you into the next verse. Verse (2) 1:42 –This verse is similar to verse (1) with the similar instruments. Chorus 2:22 – This is the exact same chorus as the one before. Verse (3) 3:09 – This verse also has the same instruments as the other ones. Chorus 3:50 – This chorus starts with a slower beginning and not as loud. It picks

up quickly and goes back to moderato with its’ upbeat rhythm. Ending 4:31 – The ending is the same as the instrumental melody we had earlier

after the first chorus.

“Love Story”

Intro 00:00 – Right off the bat it is a conjunct melody with multiple acoustic guitars. Verse Intro 0:16 – This is just Taylor Swift and the guitar at their best. Verse (1) 0:33 – The tempo grows here and goes a bit faster. Chorus 1:03 – The intro to the verse and the verse were only build-ups for the chorus. Verse (2) 1:24 – We’re back to the start. This verse is very subtle. Again with just Taylor

Swift, the guitar, and the synthesizer. Chorus 1:55 – Once again the chorus is built up and it is the same as the other chorus. Post Chorus 2:13 –This part is a little different. It comes right off of the chorus. It’s the same

melody as the chorus just different words. Instrumental Melody 2:29 – After such a long increase, an instrumental melody was needed

for everything to cool down and relax. Verse (3) 2:44 - Everything settles down a bit and most of the instruments exit. Verse 4 (Variation of Chorus) 3:00 – This part is like a mixture between the verse

and the chorus. Ending 3:35 – To end the song it goes to drums, guitar, and the main instrument you

can hear is the violin.

“Mine”

Intro 00:00 – This song starts with Taylor Swift doing some (uhhuh ohhhs) I think to showcase her voice.

Verse (1) 0:18 – When the verse starts it limits itself going to only one guitar only playing chords and the drummer with a little beat.

Chorus 0:50 – When the chorus starts it immediately intensifies and all the other instruments are back in.

Verse (2) 1:10 – Once again the verse is like the first one and is moderato. Chorus (Repeats itself with variation) 1:42 – The chorus is the exact same as

before, but this time right after it will then repeat itself. Verse (3) 2:20 – This verse is still carrying on a little bit from the chorus. All

the other verses were a bit moderato, while this one is forte as like the choruses. Verse 4 2:56 – In this verse it starts andante and goes into moderato. Ending (Lines fade) 3:31 – The song is closing by Taylor Swift singing ending

lines. She is doing her (uhhuh oooohs) as she did at the beginning of the song.

Citations

http://countrymusic.about.com/od/taylorswift/p/taylorswiftpr.htm

http://www.people.com/people/taylor_swift/biography http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/11/

taylor_swift_facts.php#werewolf_beau http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/swift__taylor/bio.jhtml http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2357847/bio Ferrin, Craig E. Listen to the Music. Kendall Hunt

Publishing Company, 2009. Swift, Taylor. “Back to December, Love Story, Mine