History of Taylor Swift in Timeline
Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her autobiographical lyrics, artistic flexibility, and substantial cultural influence. As one of the best-selling music artists globally and the highest-grossing touring artist, she's also the wealthiest female musician and the first billionaire whose primary income source is music. Her impact spans across the music industry and popular culture, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in contemporary entertainment.
December 13, 1989: Taylor Swift's Birth
On December 13, 1989, Taylor Alison Swift was born. She is an American singer-songwriter known for her songwriting, artistic versatility, and cultural impact.
1989: Collaboration with Joseph Kahn
From 2014 to 2018, Taylor Swift collaborated with director Joseph Kahn on eight music videos, four each from her albums 1989 and Reputation.
1989: Transition to Synth-Pop
In 1989, Taylor Swift released the album '1989' and recalibrated her image from country to pop with the synth-pop set.
1989: Synth-pop direction and album release
In 1989, after debates around Red's eclectic styles, Taylor Swift chose 1980s synth-pop as a defining sound for her pop artistry, influenced by Phil Collins, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, and Madonna. Her album, 1989, incorporated electronic arrangements with synthesizers and drum machines. It caused some rock critics to view her move as an erosion of her country music songwriting authenticity.
1989: Electronically processed vocals
On Taylor Swift's album 1989, her vocals are electronically processed to accompany the pop production.
1989: Positivity on '1989'
Taylor Swift embraced nostalgia and post-romance positivity on her 1989 album.
1991: Luminate tracking US Music Sales
In 1991, Luminate began tracking US music sales. In 2023, Taylor Swift had five of the 10 best-selling albums in the US, the best record since Luminate began tracking music sales.
2003: Collaboration with Dan Dymtrow
In 2003, Taylor Swift and her parents began working with talent manager Dan Dymtrow, leading to modeling opportunities and inclusion of an original song on a Maybelline compilation CD.
2004: First Meeting with Scott Borchetta
In 2004, Taylor Swift first met Scott Borchetta.
2005: Signing with Big Machine Records
In 2005, Taylor Swift signed with Big Machine Records, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
2005: Attention from Scott Borchetta
In 2005, at an industry showcase in Nashville, Taylor Swift caught the attention of Scott Borchetta, who was forming Big Machine Records.
June 2006: Release of 'Tim McGraw'
In June 2006, Taylor Swift released her lead single 'Tim McGraw' and she and her mother helped promote the song by packaging and sending CDs to country radio stations.
October 2006: Taylor Swift Album Peak
In October 2006, Taylor Swift's debut album 'Taylor Swift' peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200.
2006: Debut Album Release
In 2006, Taylor Swift debuted as a country singer with her self-titled album 'Taylor Swift'.
2006: Promoting Taylor Swift with a Radio Tour
In 2006, Taylor Swift promoted her self-titled album with a radio tour and television appearances and she opened for Rascal Flatts on select dates during their tour.
October 2007: Release of The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection
In October 2007, Taylor Swift released 'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection' EP.
2007: Partnership with Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police
In 2007, Taylor Swift partnered with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police to launch a campaign aimed at protecting children from online predators.
2007: Nashville Songwriters Association Award
In 2007, Taylor Swift received the Nashville Songwriters Association's Songwriter/Artist of the Year award.
2007: Touring with a live band
Since 2007, Taylor Swift's performances frequently incorporate a live band, with whom she has played and toured.
July 2008: Release of Beautiful Eyes EP
In July 2008, Taylor Swift released 'Beautiful Eyes' EP.
November 2008: Fearless Album Release
In November 2008, Taylor Swift's second studio album 'Fearless' was released in North America.
2008: Early performance review by Sasha Frere-Jones
In 2008, Sasha Frere-Jones of The New Yorker called Taylor Swift a "preternaturally skilled" entertainer with a vibrant stage presence, noting her professionalism since the age of fourteen.
2008: Dating Joe Jonas
In 2008, Taylor Swift briefly dated singer Joe Jonas.
2008: Iowa Flood Relief Donation
In 2008, Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the Red Cross to aid victims of the Iowa flood.
2008: Fearless Album Release
In 2008, Taylor Swift released her second album, 'Fearless', continuing her career as a country singer.
March 2009: Fearless Album Release in Other Markets
In March 2009, Taylor Swift's album 'Fearless' was released in markets outside of North America.
October 2009: Dating Taylor Lautner
While shooting Valentine's Day in October 2009, Taylor Swift dated co-star Taylor Lautner.
2009: Red Cross Donation and Sound Relief Concert
In 2009, Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the Red Cross for Iowa flood victims and performed at Sydney's Sound Relief concert for bushfire and flood relief.
2009: Billboard top artist
In 2009, Taylor Swift was on the year-end Billboard top artists list, beginning a record of topping the list in three different decades (2009, 2015 and 2023).
2009: MTV Video Music Awards Controversy
In 2009, Taylor Swift won Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards for 'You Belong with Me', but her acceptance speech was interrupted by Kanye West, leading to controversy and widespread media coverage. She also won five American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year and Favorite Country Album. Additionally, Billboard named her the 2009 Artist of the Year.
May 2010: Donation to Tennessee Flood Relief
In May 2010, Taylor Swift donated $500,000 in response to the Tennessee floods, supporting relief efforts.
October 2010: Speak Now Album Release
In October 2010, Taylor Swift's third studio album, 'Speak Now', was released.
2010: Speak Now Album Release
In 2010, Taylor Swift incorporated rock elements into her third studio album, 'Speak Now'.
2010: Singles Released from Fearless
In 2010, Taylor Swift released singles 'White Horse', 'Fifteen', and 'Fearless' from the album Fearless.
2010: Release of Today Was a Fairytale
In 2010, Taylor Swift wrote and recorded "Today Was a Fairytale" for the soundtrack of Valentine's Day and made her acting debut in the film.
2010: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2010, Time included Taylor Swift on its annual list of the 100 most influential people, recognizing her early impact.
February 2011: Speak Now World Tour Start
In February 2011, Taylor Swift began the Speak Now World Tour.
2011: Concept and treatment for 'Mean'
In 2011, Taylor Swift developed the concept and treatment for her music video, "Mean".
2011: Identifies as a songwriter first
In 2011, Taylor Swift said that she identifies as a songwriter first, and her voice is simply a way to get those lyrics across.
2011: Speak Now Tour Benefit Concert
In 2011, Taylor Swift used a dress rehearsal of her Speak Now tour as a benefit concert, raising over $750,000 for tornado victims in the US.
2011: Donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
In 2011, as recipient of the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift donated $25,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee.
March 2012: Speak Now World Tour End
In March 2012, Taylor Swift concluded the Speak Now World Tour.
October 2012: Red Album Release
In October 2012, Taylor Swift released her fourth studio album, 'Red'.
2012: Stand Up to Cancer Telethon and "Ronan" Performance
In 2012, Taylor Swift participated in the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, performing the charity single "Ronan", which she wrote in memory of a four-year-old boy who died of neuroblastoma.
2012: Partnership with Chegg for Good
In 2012, Taylor Swift partnered with Chegg for Good to donate $10,000 to the music departments of six US colleges, demonstrating her support for music education.
2012: American Music Award for Best Female Country Artist
In 2012, Taylor Swift received an American Music Award for Best Female Country Artist.
2012: Red Album Release
In 2012, Taylor Swift released 'Red,' incorporating electronic elements into her music.
2013: World's Biggest Pop Star
In 2013, Jody Rosen of New York magazine dubbed Taylor Swift the "world's biggest pop star," highlighting her impact on the music industry.
June 2014: Red Tour Completion
In June 2014, Taylor Swift's Red Tour concluded, becoming the highest-grossing country tour at the time.
2014: Collaboration with Joseph Kahn begins
From 2014 to 2018, Taylor Swift collaborated with director Joseph Kahn on eight music videos, four each from her albums 1989 and Reputation.
2014: Global Ambassador for New York City
In 2014, Taylor Swift became the global ambassador for New York City, enhancing her brand endorsements.
2014: 1989 Album Release
In 2014, Taylor Swift transitioned from country to pop with the synth-pop album '1989'.
2014: Global Recording Artist of the Year
In 2014, The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Taylor Swift as the Global Recording Artist of the Year.
2015: DoSomething's "Gone Good" List
In 2015, Taylor Swift ranked first on DoSomething's "Gone Good" list for her dedication to helping others.
2015: Billboard top artist
In 2015, Taylor Swift was on the year-end Billboard top artists list, continuing a record of topping the list in three different decades (2009, 2015 and 2023).
2015: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time
In 2015, Taylor Swift was recognized as the youngest person on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time, highlighting her songwriting achievements.
2015: Emmy Award for AMEX Unstaged
In 2015, Taylor Swift won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program for the interactive app AMEX Unstaged: Taylor Swift Experience.
2015: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2015, Time included Taylor Swift on its annual list of the 100 most influential people, acknowledging her continued influence.
2016: 64th BMI Awards
At the 64th BMI Awards in 2016, Taylor Swift was honored as the first woman to receive an award named after its recipient, marking a significant milestone in her career.
2016: Highest-Paid Female Musician
In 2016, Forbes named Taylor Swift the top-earning female musician with $170 million, a feat recognized by Guinness World Records.
2016: Louisiana Flood Relief and Dolly Parton Fire Fund Donations
In 2016, Taylor Swift donated $1 million to Louisiana flood relief efforts and $100,000 to the Dolly Parton Fire Fund.
2016: Grammy Award for 'Bad Blood'
In 2016, Taylor Swift won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Bad Blood".
2016: Dispute with West
In 2016, Taylor Swift's dispute with West (Kanye West) contributed to a narrative of her being "calculated" and manipulative of her image, according to detractors.
2017: Hurricane Harvey Relief
In 2017, Taylor Swift donated to food banks after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston.
2017: Reputation Album Release
In 2017, Taylor Swift released 'Reputation', a hip-hop-infused album inspired by media scrutiny.
2017: Time Person of the Year
In 2017, Taylor Swift was spotlighted as one of the "Silence Breakers" by Time magazine as Person of the Year for speaking up about sexual assault.
2018: Collaboration with Joseph Kahn ends
From 2014 to 2018, Taylor Swift collaborated with director Joseph Kahn on eight music videos, four each from her albums 1989 and Reputation.
2018: Reputation Stadium Tour concert documentary
In 2018, Taylor Swift Productions is credited with producing all of her visual media, starting with the concert documentary Reputation Stadium Tour.
2018: Donation to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
In 2018, Taylor Swift donated to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, showing her commitment to supporting victims of sexual violence.
2018: Switch to Republic Records
In 2018, Taylor Swift shifted to Republic Records, marking a new phase in her career.
2019: Billboard's Greatest of All Time Artists Chart
As of 2019, Taylor Swift had sold over 37.3 million albums in the US, leading Billboard to place her eighth on its Greatest of All Time Artists Chart.
2019: WorldPride NYC Performance
In 2019, Taylor Swift performed at the Stonewall Inn during WorldPride NYC, demonstrating her support for LGBT rights.
2019: Lover Album Release
In 2019, Taylor Swift released the electropop album 'Lover'.
2019: Highest Annual Earnings for a Female Musician
In 2019, Taylor Swift surpassed her own record, earning $185 million and becoming the highest-paid female musician.
2019: Global Recording Artist of the Year
In 2019, The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Taylor Swift as the Global Recording Artist of the Year. Also by 2019, Swift had amassed over 50 million album sales and 150 million single sales.
2019: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2019, Time included Taylor Swift on its annual list of the 100 most influential people, marking her consistent impact.
2020: Tennessee Tornado Relief Donation
In 2020, Taylor Swift donated $1 million for Tennessee tornado relief.
2020: Folklore and Evermore Album Releases
In 2020, Taylor Swift explored indie folk styles in the albums 'Folklore' and 'Evermore'.
2020: Voter Registration Advocacy
In 2020, Taylor Swift urged her fans to check their voter registration ahead of elections, resulting in 65,000 people registering to vote within one day. She also endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 US presidential election.
2020: Inspiration for 'Folklore' and 'Evermore'
In 2020, Taylor Swift was inspired by escapism and romanticism to explore fictional narratives on her albums Folklore and Evermore. She imposed emotions onto imagined characters and story arcs, which liberated her from tabloid attention and suggested new paths for her artistry.
2020: Exploration of indie styles with 'Folklore' and 'Evermore'
In 2020, Taylor Swift's alternative albums Folklore and Evermore explored indie styles of rock and folk. Both incorporated a subtle, stripped-back soundscape with orchestration, synthesizers, and drum pads. Evermore experimented with varied song structures, asymmetric time signatures, and diverse instruments. Critics deemed the indie styles a mature representation of Swift's artistry as a singer-songwriter.
2021: Global Music Streams and Chinese Digital Music Income
By 2021, Taylor Swift had accumulated 78 billion streams globally and earned CN¥ 159,000,000 on Chinese digital music platforms, marking significant achievements in her career.
2021: Top-Earning Female Musician
In 2021, Forbes named Taylor Swift the top-earning female musician.
2021: Donation to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
In 2021, Taylor Swift donated to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, continuing her support for victims of sexual violence.
2021: Songwriter Icon Award
In 2021, Taylor Swift received the Songwriter Icon Award from the National Music Publishers' Association. They remarked that no one is more influential when it comes to writing music today.
2021: All Too Well: The Short Film Release
In 2021, Taylor Swift released 'All Too Well: The Short Film'.
May 18, 2022: Honorary Doctorate and Commencement Speech at NYU
On May 18, 2022, Taylor Swift received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University and served as its commencement speaker.
2022: Top-Earning Female Musician
In 2022, Forbes named Taylor Swift the top-earning female musician.
2022: Global Ambassador for Record Store Day
In 2022, Taylor Swift became the global ambassador for Record Store Day, showing her support for music retailers.
2022: Criticism of US Supreme Court Abortion Decision
In 2022, Taylor Swift criticized the US Supreme Court's decision to end federal abortion rights, showing her pro-choice stance.
2022: Midnights Album Release
In 2022, Taylor Swift experimented with subdued pop genres on her album 'Midnights'.
2022: Global Recording Artist of the Year
In 2022, The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Taylor Swift as the Global Recording Artist of the Year.
2022: Songwriter-Artist of the Decade
In 2022, the Nashville Songwriters Association International named Taylor Swift Songwriter-Artist of the Decade.
March 2023: The Eras Tour begins
In March 2023, Taylor Swift started the Eras Tour, a tour that covered all of her studio albums. Media outlets covered the tour's global cultural and economic impact extensively, and its US leg broke the record for the most tickets sold in a day. Ticketmaster was criticized for mishandling the tour's ticket sales.
October 13, 2023: Release of The Eras Tour concert film
On October 13, 2023, The Eras Tour concert film was released in theaters worldwide. The film grossed over $250 million, making it the highest-grossing concert film. It also received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
October 2023: Billionaire Status
In October 2023, Taylor Swift became a billionaire, making her the world's first musician to achieve the status solely based on her songs and performances.
October 27, 2023: Spotify Streaming Record
On October 27, 2023, Taylor Swift received 260 million streams on Spotify in one day, setting a new record.
December 2023: Cease and Desist Letter to Jack Sweeney
In December 2023, Taylor Swift's lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to American programmer Jack Sweeney over tracking her private jet, citing stalking and safety risks.
2023: Ubiquitous success
From 2023 onward, Taylor Swift experienced an unprecedented height of popularity with the successes of her re-recordings, the Eras Tour, its concert film, Midnights, and The Tortured Poets Department, significantly increasing her net worth. Also in 2023, she began dating Travis Kelce.
2023: The Eras Tour
From 2023 to 2024, Taylor Swift undertook the Eras Tour, which became the highest-grossing tour of all time. Also in 2023, she released the concert film 'The Eras Tour'.
2023: Endless stamina on the Eras Tour
In 2023, Adrian Horton of The Guardian noted Taylor Swift's "seemingly endless stamina" on the Eras Tour, and i critic Ilana Kaplan called her showmanship "unparalleled".
2023: Most streamed artist and Billboard chart success
In 2023, Taylor Swift became the most streamed artist on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, marking a significant achievement in her career. Additionally, she was the first artist to top the year-end Billboard top artists list in three different decades (2009, 2015 and 2023). Five of her albums were among the 10 best-selling albums of 2023 in the US, the best record since Luminate began tracking US music sales in 1991.
2023: Tennessee Tornado Relief Donation
In 2023, Taylor Swift donated $1 million for Tennessee tornado relief.
2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time
In 2023, Taylor Swift ranked 102nd on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Rolling Stone noted that recent releases such as Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights officially settled the argument regarding her inclusion on the list.
2023: Time Person of the Year
In 2023, Taylor Swift was named Time Person of the Year, the only individual from the arts to receive this honor.
2023: Time Person of the Year and Rolling Stone's 200 Best Singers of All Time
In 2023, Taylor Swift was named Time's Person of the Year for her cultural domination and Rolling Stone ranked Swift at 102 on their list of 200 Best Singers of All Time.
January 2024: AI-generated images controversy
In January 2024, AI-generated fake pornographic images portraying Taylor Swift were posted to Twitter and spread to other social media platforms, leading to criticism and calls for legal reform.
February 2024: Donation to family of shooting victim
In February 2024, Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the family of a woman who died in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade, providing support during a tragic time.
February 2024: Sale of Private Jet
In February 2024, it was reported that Taylor Swift had sold one of her two private jets.
April 19, 2024: Release of 'The Tortured Poets Department'
On April 19, 2024, Taylor Swift's eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released. The album topped charts globally and broke numerous records. It amassed 1 billion Spotify streams in a week and sold 2.6 million units in its first week in the US. Swift also became the first artist to monopolize the top 14 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 10 of Australia's ARIA Singles Chart. The album spent 17 weeks atop the Billboard 200. The lead single, "Fortnight", featuring Post Malone, became Swift's 12th number-one song on the Hot 100.
July 2024: Death threats and tragic stabbing
In July 2024, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce received death threats from a stalker in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Also in July 2024, three children were killed in a stabbing attack at a Swift-themed workshop in Southport, England, which led to civil unrest in the UK.
October 2024: Richest Female Musician
As of October 2024, Forbes estimates Taylor Swift's net worth at $1.6 billion, making her the richest female musician in the world.
November 29, 2024: Release of 'The Eras Tour Book'
On November 29, 2024, The Eras Tour Book was released. In its first week alone in the US, it sold over a million copies.
December 2024: Highest-Grossing Touring Act
As of December 2024, Taylor Swift remains the world's highest-grossing touring act ever, with cumulative ticket sales at $3.12 billion, according to Pollstar.
December 2024: Donation to Operation Breakthrough
In December 2024, a week before Christmas, Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to Operation Breakthrough, with the funds directed to workforce development, childcare, and early learning programs.
2024: Endorsement for 2024 Election
For the 2024 election, Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
2024: Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton Relief Donations
In 2024, Taylor Swift donated $5 million toward the relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
2024: The Tortured Poets Department Album Release
In 2024, Taylor Swift released 'The Tortured Poets Department', continuing to explore and evolve her musical style.
2024: Billboard Power 100 Ranking
In 2024, Taylor Swift topped Billboard's annual Power 100 ranking of the top music industry executives, highlighting her savvy business acumen.
2024: Artist of the Year and most streamed artist
In 2024, Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Additionally, she was Spotify's most streamed artist once again in 2024.
2024: Kitty Empire on Swift's artistry
In 2024, critic Kitty Empire opined that Taylor Swift is "a profoundly old-fashioned artist", whose songs "tell a story, in succinct, emotive ways that often scan meticulously".
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