Article originally published for The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity Connecting with Culture blog
This August, Taylor Swift returns to London to complete her record-breaking eight nights at Wembley Stadium, in addition to her fortnight of other UK concerts. From being the mastermind of the highest-grossing tour in history to speculation that her endorsement could swing the US presidential election, Swift’s global dominance is undeniable.
Swift is clearly an exceptionally talented performer and songwriter. And as an audience member, I can attest to the exhilarating spectacle of the Eras show. However, there’s more to the Swift phenomenon than mere talent. I think there are two cultural zeitgeists that Swift has come to embody: individualism and liberation.
First, our culture idolises individualism and the expression of our idiosyncrasies. Swift expresses individualism in bejewelled style. From having different surprise songs in every concert to releasing a new album (and ‘era’) partway through her world tour, Swift is fearless in putting her authenticity on show.
As Christians we ought to praise God for our individuality and celebrate gifted individuals. However, contrary to individualism, our ultimate meaning comes not from self-expression but through placing our identity within God’s overarching story. We are most ourselves when we are enchanted by God’s tune, not our own.
Second, the Eras show is permeated by the narrative of liberation. Songs like ‘The Man’ and ‘You Need to Calm Down’ explicitly address justice for oppressed minorities. In addition, The Eras Tour is set against the backdrop of Swift re-releasing the ‘Taylor’s Versions’ of her early albums, following a dispute with Scooter Braun, who bought Swift’s record label in 2019. The closing song of the Eras show, ‘Karma’, appears to be about her bad blood with Braun and her victory over the man who tried to oppress and possess her.
Justice and liberation are core biblical themes and the global injustices that we are all too well familiar with should spur Christians into action. However, it’s oversimplistic to dichotomise society into oppressor and oppressed, for the tendency to oppress others runs through every sinful human heart. Salvation is necessary because there’s a hero and anti-hero within all of us.
In sum, there’s much to admire, enjoy, and celebrate about Swift and The Eras Tour. And yet, Swift’s dominance lies partly in her encapsulation of some powerful cultural narratives that followers of Jesus should carefully consider. Our call is to live as people whose significance comes not from self-expression nor participation in social justice, but by being bit players in God’s great love story.
PS: Did you spot the 12 hidden Eras Tour song titles in this article?
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