On October 3, Taylor Swift released her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. The album’s second track, titled “Elizabeth Taylor,” has quickly become a focal point for fans, drawing a parallel between Swift’s life and the legacy of the iconic Hollywood actress. The song is a reflective piece that uses Taylor’s world as a mirror to examine Swift’s own experiences with love, fame, and the relentless glare of the spotlight.
Who Was Elizabeth Taylor?
Elizabeth Taylor was a legendary film star who began her career as a child actress. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and became one of the most famous women in the world, as famous for her professional accomplishments as for her intensely public personal life. She was married eight times to seven different men, and her romances, particularly her two marriages to actor Richard Burton, were constant front-page news. Taylor was also a noted philanthropist who co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research. She was widely known for her stunning violet-colored eyes, her legendary collection of fine jewelry, and her successful White Diamonds perfume line.
The Core Meaning of the Song
In the song, Swift speaks directly to the late actress, using her life as a framework to explore her own relationship with fame and her search for a lasting love. The central question Swift asks throughout the chorus is, “Elizabeth Taylor, tell me for real, do you think it’s forever?” This plea seeks advice from a woman who truly understood the challenge of building a lasting relationship under the watchful eyes of the world.
The lyrics suggest that while Swift has had past relationships with “all the right guys” who promised to stay, they ultimately “withered away” under the pressure of the “bright lights.” In contrast, the song’s subject—widely believed to be her fiancé, Travis Kelce—is the one who “blooms” in that same environment. The track captures the duality of immense success and personal vulnerability, with Swift singing, “oftentimes it doesn’t feel so glamorous to be me.”
A Breakdown of Key Lyrics and References
The song is filled with specific Easter eggs and references to Elizabeth Taylor’s life, which enrich its meaning.
- Portofino and the Plaza Athénée: Swift sings, “That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée.” Portofino is the Italian village where Richard Burton proposed to Taylor, and the Plaza Athénée is a luxury hotel in Paris where the couple famously stayed. These locations symbolize epic, romantic moments.
- “Cry my eyes violet”: This line is a direct nod to Elizabeth Taylor’s most famous physical feature: her striking violet eyes. It is also a reference to one of her perfume brands.
- Trading Cartier for Trust: The lyric, “I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust,” touches on Taylor’s famous collection of exquisite jewelry, including pieces from Cartier. Swift highlights that despite material wealth, what matters most is genuine connection.
- Musso & Frank’s: The line “We hit the best booth at Musso & Frank’s” references Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, a classic haunt where Elizabeth Taylor was known to dine.
- “White diamonds and lovers are forever”: This powerfully ties together Taylor’s legacy through her “White Diamonds” perfume and her many celebrated romances. Swift observes that both become a permanent part of a star’s public narrative, “in the papers, on the screen and in their minds.”
Fan and Public Reaction
The release of the song has been met with enthusiasm from fans and those connected to Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy. In an earlier interview, Taylor’s son, Christopher Wilding, shared his positive feelings about Swift’s tribute.
He told TMZ that Swift is a “rare, positive role model for young girls,” and added that it would be “great” if the song introduced younger fans to his mom’s movies.
On social media, fans have been dissecting every line, sharing the historical connections, and celebrating the clever parallels Swift has drawn between two women from different eras who have both uniquely experienced the extremes of global fame.
Also Read: Taylor Swift’s New Album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Is Out Now
