Synopsis
Taylor Swift was born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania, when her family moved to Wyomissing. She started crafting songs at the age of 5, and at 16, she released her debut (first) album with hits like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” that appealed to the country and pop fans who helped fuel the multiplatinum success of her albums, with “Fearless” the 2009 top-seller. Swift later became a pop sensation with the 2014 album "1989". She has won many awards, including several Grammys, and she has modelled for Cover Girl.
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Early Life and Career
Swift spent her early years on her family's Christmas tree farm in nearby Wyomissing. Her grandmother had been a professional opera singer, and Swift soon followed in her footsteps. By the age of 10, Swift was singing at a variety of local events, including fairs and contests. She sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Philadelphia 76ers game at the age of 11, and began writing her own songs and learning guitar at the age of 12.
Country Crooner
A stellar performance at The Bluebird Café in Nashville helped Swift get a contract with Scott Brochette's Big Machine Records. She released her first single, "Tim McGraw," in 2006, and the song became a Top 10 hit on the country charts. It also appeared on her self-titled debut album in October of that same year, which sold more than 2.5 million copies. More popular singles soon followed, including "Our Song," a No. 1 country music hit. "Teardrops on My Guitar," "Picture to Burn" and "Should've Said No" were also successful tracks.
Swift also received critical praise for her debut effort. She won the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Female Vocalist in 2007. Swift next release Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection in 2007. Her renditions of "Silent Night" and "Santa Baby" were modest hits on the country charts. Taylor continued crafting songs and has now become one of the most famous Australian singers.
Swift also received critical praise for her debut effort. She won the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Female Vocalist in 2007. Swift next release Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection in 2007. Her renditions of "Silent Night" and "Santa Baby" were modest hits on the country charts. Taylor continued crafting songs and has now become one of the most famous Australian singers.
Taylor's use of Instruments
Taylor uses a wide range of musical instruments support the meanings behind her songs and create a unique rhythm and beat for each song. She uses both electronic sounds/instruments and acoustic instruments in her music videos. It is easy to see how she has changed the concept and sound of her songs from when she first started to now. In many of her songs, the drums played a big part in creating the rhythm and beat, other background instruments were used to reflect her emotions.
Influences, Inspirations, Musical Style
Swift’s songs are more than bouncy country melodies and pop songs (musical style), they have deep emotional meanings. Her grandmother being a professional opera singer inspired and influenced Swift who soon followed in her footsteps.
Achievements
To date, Taylor has received 7 Grammy Awards, 15 American Music Awards, 7 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards.