1. Taylor Swift
By:Felicia Soth

2. Bibliography Born on December 13, 1989 in Wyoming, Pennsylvania.
Named after James Taylor (a famous singer/song-writer).
Started writing songs at the age of 5 and released her first album when she was 16 years old.
She lived with her family on a Christmas tree farm.
One of Swift’s first hobbies was horseback riding.
Swift’s grandmother was a famous opera singer and swift was soon to follow in her footsteps.
Taylor Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. She was named after James Taylor (a famous singer/song-writer). She started writing songs at the age of 5 and released her first album when she was 16 years old. She lived with her family on a Christmas tree farm. One of Swift’s first hobbies was horseback riding. Her mother put her in her first saddle at 9 months old. She later competed in horse shows. Swift’s grandmother was a famous opera singer and swift was soon to follow in her footsteps.

3. Where Swift First Started to Sing
At the age of 9 Swift found an interest in musical theater.
She performed at the Berks Youth Theater Academy, in “grease”, “Annie”, “Bye, Bye Birdie”, and “The Sound of Music”.
At the age of 10 she started singing at local events in her town.
At the age of 11 she sang the national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Philadelphia 76iers game.
She began learning guitar at the age of 12.
At the age of 9 Swift found an interest in musical theater. She performed at the Berks Youth Theater Academy. She performed in “grease”, “Annie”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, and “The Sound of Music”. At the age of 10 Swift started singing at local events in her town. For example fairs and contests. At the age of 11 she sang the national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Philadelphia 76iers game. She began learning guitar at the age of 12.

4. How Swift Became a Country Singer
To pursue her dream she visited Nashville, Tennessee (the country music capital).
She tried to co-write and she tried to get a recording contract. Her parents decided to move to Hendersonville, Tennessee to help further Swift’s career.
She started playing at café’s and doing small performances around Tennessee.
Scott Borchetta , from Big Machine Records, Saw one of her performances and loved it.
Swift signed a contract with him.
In November of 2009 Swift became the youngest artist ever. She was 1 out of only 6 women to ever be named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Country Music Association.
Taylor wanted to become a country singer. To pursue her dream she visited Nashville, Tennessee (the country music capital) as often as possible. She tried to co-write and tried to get a recording contract. Her parents saw how dedicated she was and they decided to move to Hendersonville, Tennessee to help further Swift’s career.
Taylor Swift started playing at café’s and doing small performances around Tennessee. She did an amazing performance at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. Scott Borchetta , from Big Machine Records, Saw her performance and loved everything about her. Swift signed a contract with him.

5. Popular Songs and Albums
Taylor Swift released her first single in It was called “Tim McGraw”. It became one of the top 10 on the country charts
She released her first Album “Taylor Swift” in It sold over 39,000 copies the first week of being out.
In 2008 she released her second album “Fearless” which contained her second single “Love Story”. It became the second best selling country single of all time. It was number 4 on the Billboard hot 100 chart.
4 more singles were released during They were “white horse”, “Fifteen”, “You Belong with Me”, “Fearless”.
“You Belong with Me” was the highest charting single, It was number 2 on the Billboard hot 100.
The “Fearless” album was ranked number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart.
In 2009 “You Belong with Me” was named the best female video, making Swift the first country music artist to win an MTV music award.
Swift then released her 3rd album “Speak Now” in October She wrote every song in the album herself.
Swift toured during to support her latest album. She did shows in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. The shows were inspired by Broadway musical theater.
Swift released her 4th album “Red” in October She wrote 9 of the songs all by herself. This album relates to drama filled relationships.
Taylor Swift released her first single in It was called “Tim McGraw”. This song became one of the top 10 on the country charts. She released her first Album “Taylor Swift” in It sold over 39,000 copies the first week of being out. In 2008 she released her second album “Fearless” which contained her second single “Love Story”. It became the second best selling country single of all time. It was number 4 on the Billboard hot 100 chart. 4 more singles were released during They were “white horse”, “Fifteen”, “You Belong with Me”, “Fearless”. “You Belong with Me” was the highest charting single, It was number 2 on the Billboard hot The “Fearless” album was ranked number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart and it brought Taylor Swift great success. In 2009 “You Belong with Me” was named the best female video, making Swift the first country music artist to win an MTV music award. In November of 2009 Swift became the youngest artist ever. She was 1 out of only 6 women to ever be named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Country Music Association. Swift then released her 3rd album “Speak Now” in October She wrote every song in the album herself. Swift toured during to support her latest album. She did 7 shows in Asia, 12 shows in Europe, 80 shows in North America, and 12 shows in Australia. The shows were inspired by Broadway musical theater. Swift released her 4th album “Red” in October She wrote 9 of the songs all by herself. This album relates to drama filled relationships.

6. Films Taylor Swift has Appeared in
She played Audrey in the animated film “The Lorax”.
“Valentine’s Day”
“CSI: Crime scene Investigation”.
She made 2 songs from the “Hunger Games”.
Swift has even begun to make an appearance in famous movies. She played Audrey in the animated film “The Lorax”. She also appeared in “Valentine’s Day” and “CSI: Crime scene Investigation”. She even made 2 songs from the “Hunger Games”.

7. History of 4 Songs

8. Tear Drops on My Guitar Taylor Swift wrote this song.
This song was based off of a true experience that Taylor Swift had in high school, she had a crush on a boy who was one of her friends. The problem was that he did not feel the same way because he already had a girlfriend who was truly in love with. He used to brag about her all the time to Swift not knowing that she liked him a lot.
His name was Drew.
About two years later after the album was released Drew showed up on Swifts driveway explaining that he heard the song and he broke up with his girlfriend. Swift told him he was too late and that he should have shown up right after the song came out.
Teardrops on my Guitar- Taylor Swift wrote this song. This song was based off of a true experience that Taylor Swift had in high school, she had a crush on a boy who was one of her friends. The problem was that he did not feel the same way because he already had a girlfriend who was truly in love with. He used to brag about her all the time to Swift not knowing that she liked him a lot. His name was Drew. About two years later after the album was released Drew showed up on Swifts driveway explaining that he heard the song and he broke up with his girlfriend. Swift told him he was too late and that he should have shown up right after the song came out.

9. Our Song This song was also written by Taylor Swift.
She wrote during her freshmen year of high school for her talent show.
She wanted to write a song that would relate to everyone.
She was dating a boy at the time and they didn’t have a song that they could relate their relationship to so she wrote a song. People would still talk to her about the song months after she sang it at her talents show.
Our song- This song was also written by Taylor Swift. She wrote during her freshmen year of high school for her talent show. She wanted to write an upbeat song that would relate to everyone. She was dating a boy at the time and they didn’t have a song that they could relate their relationship to so she wrote a song. People would still talk to her about the song months after she sang it at her talents show. Some would even sing parts of it to her. At that point she thought she had something good going for her.

10. Love Story Swift also wrote this song.
This song was also based off of personal experience. When Swift was young her parents and she had an argument over a boy she liked a lot. They thought he was creepy and she thought he was the one. She did realize late that he was a creep.
She worked on the song in her bedroom one her bedroom floor.
Love Story- Swift also wrote this song. Like the two above and almost all of her songs it’s based off of a personal experience. When Swift was young her parents and she had an argument over a boy she liked a lot. They though he was creepy and she though he was the one. She did realize late that he was a creep. She worked on the song in her bedroom on her bedroom floor.

11. Mean
Taylor wrote this song based off of all the people that have said negative things to her throughout her life.
When she became famous the “critics” became harsh and hurtful. It became harder to have a high self-esteem.
This song is to prove that people are just being mean but no matter how mean someone is to you, you just need to brush it off because you still have so many other things to be happy about.
Unlike most of Swifts songs this song doesn’t have anything to do with a boy.
Mean- Taylor wrote this song based off of all the people that have said negative things to her throughout her life. When she became famous the “critics” became even harsher and their comments became even more hurtful. It became harder to have a high self-esteem. There are different types of criticisms that Taylor Swift can take well such as constructive criticism but there is a fine line between constructive criticism and just being plain rude. This song is to prove that people are just being mean but no matter how mean someone is to you, you just need to brush it off because you still have so many other things to be happy about. Unlike most of Swifts songs this song doesn’t have anything to do with a boy.

12. Listening guide

13. Teardrops on My Guitar
0:00 Introduction, Melody is being played by a guitar and is conjunct. Rhythm is nicely balanced and the beat is a 1,2,3,4 count and the beat is on every 2 and 4. No words just guitar. Dynamics is ascending. Timbre is great, the guitar sounds smooth.
1:26 Timbre: guitar makes a unique sound. It has an arched sound.
1:31 Verse 3 begins. It sounds the same as chorus 1 and 2.
1:59 Chorus of voice begins again. It is still following the rhythm of the guitar. Texture: Guitar and voice sound very together.
0:14 Verse 1 begins. Dynamics is quite to medium volume. Timbre: voice sounds full and no awkward sounds and guitar sounds smooth. The overall texture sounds good together.
2:16 voice stops and guitar continues to play melody. Rhythm: beat is on every other count. Guitar plays major notes that make the song light.
0:33 Chorus of voice starts to follow the rhythm of guitar. Texture of voice and guitar sound good and follow the rhythm of each other.
2:26 Melody: guitar makes notes in an inverted arch style.
2:37 Voice comes back in. verse 4 begins. It sounds the same as choruses 1, 2, and 3.
0:42 Timbre: guitar plays a note with a unique sound. Adds style to music.
2:47 Chorus of voice begins again. Voice follows rhythm of guitar.
Verse 2 begins. Sounds the same as chorus 1. Both choruses are arched.
3:16 Last verse starts. It sounds the same as choruses 1, 2, 3, and 4.
1:11 Chorus of voice starts again. Still following the rhythm of the guitar. Texture: guitar and voice blend together really well.
3:22 Dynamics descend. Melody and rhythm slow down. Timbre and texture fade away. Voice slows down and slow fades away. Song ends.
Teardrops on my Guitar
0:00 Introduction, Melody is being played by a guitar and is conjunct. Rhythm is nicely balanced and the beat is a 1,2,3,4 count and the beat is on every 2 and 4. No words just guitar. Dynamics is ascending. Timbre is great, the guitar sounds smooth.
0:14 Verse 1 begins. Dynamics is quite to medium volume. Timbre: voice sounds full and no awkward sounds and guitar sounds smooth. The overall texture sounds good together.
0:33 Chorus of voice starts to follow the rhythm of guitar. Texture of voice and guitar sound good and follow the rhythm of each other.
0:42 Timbre: guitar plays a note with a unique sound. Adds style to music.
Verse 2 begins. Sounds the same as chorus 1. Both choruses are arched.
1:11 Chorus of voice starts again. Still following the rhythm of the guitar. Texture: guitar and voice blend together really well.
1:26 Timbre: guitar makes a unique sound. It has an arched sound.
1:31 Verse 3 begins. It sounds the same as chorus 1 and 2.
1:59 Chorus of voice begins again. It is still following the rhythm of the guitar. Texture: Guitar and voice sound very together.
2:16 voice stops and guitar continues to play melody. Rhythm: beat is on every other count. Guitar plays major notes that make the song light.
2:26 Melody: guitar makes notes in an inverted arch style.
2:37 Voice comes back in. verse 4 begins. It sounds the same as choruses 1, 2, and 3.
2:47 Chorus of voice begins again. Voice follows rhythm of guitar.
3:16 Last verse starts. It sounds the same as choruses 1, 2, 3, and 4.
3:22 Dynamics descend. Melody and rhythm slow down. Timbre and texture fade away. Voice slows down and slow fades away. Song ends.

14. Our Song
0:00 Introduction, Melody: violin begins to play and then guitar comes in. Rhythm: Beat happens on every count. Timbre the violin makes a beautiful introduction. Texture violin created an introduction that the guitar could follow in after. Good layout.
0:12 Voice comes in. verse 1 begins. Dynamics: medium sound. Rhythm: two small beats and one big beat. Melody: voice is upbeat and guitar plays major notes.
0:33 Drums are heard. Texture: Pause of voice and guitar. Chorus of voice begins. Timbre: Guitar comes in strong. Texture: moments where violin plays.
0:52 melody of voice slows down.
1:00 all music pauses and only voice continues. Music starts again.
1:08 verse 2 begins. It sounds the same as chorus 1.
1:13 Guitar makes a unique sound.
1:29 chorus of voice begins again.
1:57 Voice pauses and violin does a solo. Timbre: the violin plays major chords. Dynamics: chords are descending. Then guitar come in for a solo and plays a medium sound. Voice comes back for verse 3.
2:21 Dynamics: guitar does some sort of fading out then comes back. Chorus starts again.
2:50 Voices does a mixture of holding notes. Melody of guitar stays the same.
3:05 Last verse begins. Guitar starts playing deeper notes and drums back off slowly. Voice slows and music fades. Voice fades. End of song.
Our Song
0:00 Introduction, Melody: violin begins to play and then guitar comes in. Rhythm: Beat happens on every count. Timbre the violin makes a beautiful introduction. Texture violin created an introduction that the guitar could follow in after. Good layout.
0:12 Voice comes in. verse 1 begins. Dynamics: medium sound. Rhythm: two small beats and one big beat. Melody: voice is upbeat and guitar plays major notes.
0:33 Drums are heard. Texture: Pause of voice and guitar. Chorus of voice begins. Timbre: Guitar comes in strong. Texture: moments where violin plays.
0:52 melody of voice slows down.
1:00 all music pauses and only voice continues. Music starts again.
1:08 verse 2 begins. It sounds the same as chorus 1.
1:13 Guitar makes a unique sound.
1:29 chorus of voice begins again.
1:57 Voice pauses and violin does a solo. Timbre: the violin plays major chords. Dynamics: chords are descending. Then guitar come in for a solo and plays a medium sound. Voice comes back for verse 3.
2:21 Dynamics: guitar does some sort of fading out then comes back. Chorus starts again.
2:50 Voices does a mixture of holding notes. Melody of guitar stays the same.
3:05 Last verse begins. Guitar starts playing deeper notes and drums back off slowly. Voice slows and music fades. Voice fades. End of song.

15. Love Story
0:00 Dynamics: Guitar comes in quite. Rhythm: beats are hard, soft, soft. Melody: guitar starts to play then voice comes in.
0:17 Verse 1 begins. Voice is arched. Timbre: voice and guitar play high notes. Texture: light and high pitch.
0:49 Chorus for voice begins. Rhythm: Drums are hitting on every other count. Timbre: the sound of the drums helps keep the speed of the voice on track.
1:22 voice pauses: Guitar and drums continue. Verse 2 begins.
1:41 Chorus of voice begins again.
2:31 voice pauses and guitar takes a solo. The solo is the Melody the guitar played throughout the whole song. Dynamics: Guitar volume ascended.
2:45 Verse 3 begins. Timbre: Guitar does slow strums and the Drums. Dynamics: drums are played very soft. Harmony between voice and guitar were great. It flows together really well.
3:18 Chorus begins again. Music slowly ends and voice holds out one long note. Song ends.
Love Story
0:00 Dynamics: Guitar comes in quite. Rhythm: beats are hard, soft, soft. Melody: guitar starts to play then voice comes in.
0:17 Verse 1 begins. Voice is arched. Timbre: voice and guitar play high notes. Texture: light and high pitch.
0:49 Chorus for voice begins. Rhythm: Drums are hitting on every other count. Timbre: the sound of the drums helps keep the speed of the voice on track.
1:22 voice pauses: Guitar and drums continue. Verse 2 begins.
1:41 Chorus of voice begins again.
2:31 voice pauses and guitar takes a solo. The solo is the Melody the guitar played throughout the whole song. Dynamics: Guitar volume ascended.
2:45 Verse 3 begins. Timbre: Guitar does slow strums and the Drums. Dynamics: drums are played very soft. Harmony between voice and guitar were great. It flows together really well.
3:18 Chorus begins again. Music slowly ends and voice holds out one long note. Song ends.

16. Mean
0:00 Introduction, voice automatically comes in with guitar. Texture: strong entrance with voice and guitar together. Dynamics: volume is medium/ loud. Rhythm: beat goes hard, soft, soft. Melody is smooth and upbeat. Verse 1 begins.
0:37 Chorus for voice begins. Dynamics: medium sound. Rhythm: Beats are dragged out. Drums. Timbre: Clap noise in background.
1:06 verse 2 begins. Same as verse 1. Dynamics: guitar plays quietly. Beats from the drums are well heard. Timbre: claps in background begin again. Texture: Claps and guitar add unique welcoming to join in and clap or tap. Violin comes in.
1:44 Chorus voice begins again. Violin added some Timbre: unique sounds. Clapping continues.
2:10 voice pauses. Guitar does a solo. Guitar is played at medium/fast speed. Timbre: guitar plays high chords. Verse 3 begins.
3:04 Chorus for voice begins. Clapping stops, guitar continues to play. Dynamics: guitar Plays quietly. Rhythm: beats are soft, hard, soft, hard.
Chorus is played 3 times then music fades out and last note of voice is held. End of song.
Mean
0:00 Introduction, voice automatically comes in with guitar. Texture: strong entrance with voice and guitar together. Dynamics: volume is medium/ loud. Rhythm: beat goes hard, soft, soft. Melody is smooth and upbeat. Verse 1 begins.
0:37 Chorus for voice begins. Dynamics: medium sound. Rhythm: Beats are dragged out. Drums. Timbre: Clap noise in background.
1:06 verse 2 begins. Same as verse 1. Dynamics: guitar plays quietly. Beats from the drums are well heard. Timbre: claps in background begin again. Texture: Claps and guitar add unique welcoming to join in and clap or tap. Violin comes in.
1:44 Chorus voice begins again. Violin added some Timbre: unique sounds. Clapping continues.
2:10 voice pauses. Guitar does a solo. Guitar is played at medium/fast speed. Timbre: guitar plays high chords. Verse 3 begins.
3:04 Chorus for voice begins. Clapping stops, guitar continues to play. Dynamics: guitar Plays quietly. Rhythm: beats are soft, hard, soft, hard.
Chorus is played 3 times then music fades out and last note of voice is held. End of song.

17. Work Cited "Biography." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
I-Love-Everything79. "Teardrops On My Guitar - Taylor Swift [Lyrics]." YouTube. YouTube, 2 June Web. 7 Oct
Louise, Emma. "Love Story - Taylor Swift Lyrics." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Oct Web. 7 Oct
"Love Story by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Love Story by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
"Mean by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Mean by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
Pang, Daphnne. "Taylor Swift Our Song with Lyrics." YouTube. YouTube, 26 Jan Web. 7 Oct
"Story Behind the Song: ‘Our Song,’ Taylor Swift." The Boot. N.p., 5 Mar Web. 7 Oct
"Taylor Swift Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 7 Oct
"Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
TheSwifttaylor123's Channel2. "Mean-Taylor Swift (Lyrics)." YouTube. YouTube, 2 Dec Web. 7 Oct
Works Cited
"Biography." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 7 Oct
I-Love-Everything79. "Teardrops On My Guitar - Taylor Swift [Lyrics]." YouTube. YouTube, 2 June Web. 7 Oct
Louise, Emma. "Love Story - Taylor Swift Lyrics." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Oct Web. 7 Oct
"Love Story by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Love Story by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
"Mean by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Mean by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
Pang, Daphnne. "Taylor Swift Our Song with Lyrics." YouTube. YouTube, 26 Jan Web. 7 Oct
"Story Behind the Song: ‘Our Song,’ Taylor Swift." The Boot. N.p., 5 Mar Web. 7 Oct
"Taylor Swift Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 7 Oct
"Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Songfacts." Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Songfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct
TheSwifttaylor123's Channel2. "Mean-Taylor Swift (Lyrics)." YouTube. YouTube, 2 Dec Web. 7 Oct