Why the World Needs Taylor Swift

I'm pretty sure that if we were to comprise a list of people who ruled the world Taylor Swift would be pretty high on the list. Talk about motivating the masses to buy music and at times everyone is talking about her. Of course, with success comes backlash, and the ever popular 'she can't really sing' or 'I'm just so tired of her and her blatant, candy-coated optimism.' I used to have torn feelings about Taylor Swift and I would definitely agree that her voice isn't her strongest suit (but then again, neither is Katy Petty or Ke$ha's). But, after having listened to her new album 'Speak Now' about a hundred times, I have to come to terms with the fact that I really do appreciate Taylor Swift and no longer ashamed to admit it.

'Speak Now' is the kind of album that is like a buffet of material. Not only does Swift stick to what she does best, singing about storybook love and making it seem like it really is possible, she has branched out from singing about heartache to singing about other things, like losing one's innocence by growing up. I feel like she has expanded and grown and her songs are more mature. She's sometimes angry, sometimes hopeful, and sometimes wise beyond her years.

I feel a sort of sisterly kinship with Taylor. She's about four years younger than me, the same age as my brother, and I can relate to a lot of the things she has gone through. It's one of those, 'been there, done that, sister' kind of things. Surprisingly, even though she's constantly photographed and has a list of celebs she's been involved with, her reputation is fully in tact as a girl who just wants to love and enjoy life.

The other thing I like about Taylor is that she's not afraid to speak her mind, whether it's lamenting about how much pain she's in, pointing out flaws in others, or how much she herself has messed up. The album is so personal, yet so out there in the public. I think the thing I like most about the her is her bravery. The world needs people like her to speak for all of us when we are hurting or joyful. That's really why the world needs music to begin with.