One of the most controversial songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” is her track five, entitled “Eldest Daughter.” Regardless of the backlash the song has received, it still means something to the girls who grew up as both a mother figure and a protector. VALLEY wants to give recognition to any eldest daughter who feels recognized when hearing this song play.
Decoding Taylor’s Lyric Choices
TikTok has had quite a lot to say about this song and its meaning. Most people frame the song as cringeworthy or having terrible lyrics, but there is something that Taylor is trying to speak about behind these lyrics. In the first verse, she talks about people’s actions on the internet, seeming punk or cool and being cutthroat in comment sections. The eldest daughters want to seem cool, so they use cringy words like savage. This is true, as they often want to fit in.
“I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness, I’ve been dying just from trying to seem cool” – Taylor Swift
The True Role of an Eldest Daughter
When listening to this song, it’s clear that Taylor Swift is trying to show how hard eldest daughters may have it. Mentioning that she’s “never gonna let you down, I’m never gonna leave you out,” shows that the oldest gets left out of things sometimes because the focus is on a middle or youngest sibling. The sad truth is that eldest siblings get brushed past because their parents know that they’ll be okay and can figure it out themselves.
One of the most significant lines in the song that truly encapsulates all eldest daughters’ experiences is “every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter and we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire.” Oldest siblings are the first to go through every trial and tribulation for their younger siblings, running through the hoops of fire so that they can walk.
This song isn’t for everyone, and it may not be for some of the eldest daughters out there. Opinions aside and with her knowledge and background of being an eldest daughter, Taylor tries to make all eldest daughters feel something or feel acknowledged with this song. No matter how it may be portrayed, it’s another hit to add to her long-lasting legacy as an artist.
What are your thoughts on the song or the album as a whole? Tell us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag!
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