Taylor Swift's "Fifteen" Hits Home Today
I'm pretty sure there will be a video for Taylor Swift's "Fifteen" someday. And I'm also pretty sure that I could've shot it this morning, when my daughter put on her crisp new uniform, took a deep breath and walked through the doors of her high school on her very first day. I definitely saw her trying to stay out of everybody's way. And I think I saw senior boys wink at her and smile and say, "You know I haven't seen you around before." It. Killed. Me. And that Swift song just makes it all worse because she knows what really happens in high school.
I'm trying to convince myself that high school will be four years of friendships, memories, good teachers and necessary preparations for a life of independence. But I know it will also be full of boys who have cars and will tell her they love her and then change their minds. I'm all for that first kiss, but not so crazy about the idea of the first heartbreak.
Swift's music talks to her generation. There's no disputing that. But this song, especially on a day like today, seems to go beyond and connect with anyone who has a teenager in their life. I was a teenager once, a hundred years ago, so I get what these next four years will bring. And I get that sometimes holding on means letting go. I hate it. But I get it.
So she's off to school, tennis team pictures, a pool party and then to the Freshman Mixer. Then before I know it, she'll be leaving for college and I'll be blogging about Kenny Chesney's "There Goes My Life."
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trink says:
Great blog Allison. I’m 54 and can still remember that feeling walking thrugh that door. Then feeling it when my daughter did. It’s a great song and I’m sure it will be a great video can’t wait.
Destiny Butterfly says:
haha i feel sorry for your duaghter i still have 2 weeks of summer holiday left :)
AC says:
Wonderful blog Alison. I had that feeling two years ago but it still feels like it happened yesterday. Swifts words really do hit home. Keep up the good work! :)
goldie says:
yes those words really hit hard don’t they, my daughter is graduating college in december, but I remember the high school years they are the best and worst days to get through but in my opinion the doors of comunication be left open which I am sure you no! taylor’s words in this song and others help alot of teens and parents get threw these years at try and understand them a little better!!
star says:
great blog can’t wait for the video iam sure it will be awsome just like the rest of taylor’s video’s!!!!!
drdjwu says:
Just a GREAT, wonderfully-written blog, Alison. Very heartfelt, and so right on the money as to WHY Swift is important. Although FEARLESS is just packed with unforgettable mega-hits, it is “15″ that just LEAPS off the album, the first time you hear it, and makes you wonder, “Whoa! How does anyone write this kind of timeless classic at 17 or 18?” And then you realize: ONLY someone 17 or 18 (and extremely talented) COULD have written it!
By the way , my wife and I just had a daughter go off to college recently. We’re very proud of her, but those High School years had their moments! (How does anyone survive?) These days, mother and daughter are closer than Gilmore Girls, but they had some real interesting battles of will during HS. Now I think my wife would blog about the song,”You’re Gonna Miss This”.
Always Right says:
Grow up people. Seriously.
Sierra says:
Hey Taylor Swift, How are you today?I have all of your C.D.S and your ringtone on my cellphone. I will be going to your concert with my whole family. I have to say one more thing you are a very great singer and a dancer.
Buy,
See Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meg says:
I’ll be going to that on Tuesday! Im so nervous!
allie says:
Even though I am not the biggest fan of your blogs or taylor Swift, it is very well written both this blog and that song are well written.
Justin Byrd says:
taylor just did the music video for the song before she left for london
Destiny Butterfly says:
did she?
Justin Byrd says:
yea, also my website for my country music career is justinbyrd.net
snl says:
yes great blog can’t wait for the video!!!!!!!!
JEH says:
My 15 year old daughter is in the video. They shot it last week. We can’t wait to see it!
music city says:
they are going to re-record this album. so that taylors singing partner is in it, they are re recording it in october
Kristina says:
I went through that feeling last year, my freshmen year of high school. I went into high school thinkin it’d be like a Disney show: nothing would ever go TOO wrong, calling people “idiots” would be the worst I’d hear, and that I’d always have my friends by my side, so nothing would go TOO wrong. I was in for a shock. I thought I could avoid the heartbreak by dating a “nice” guy. But you’re going to have to get your first heartbreak sometime. The thing that I like to think about is everytime we fall down and get our heartbroken, once we get up, we are one step closer to falling in love in a REAL relationship, that will last forever.
star says:
taylor just sang 15 on the cma festival and was awsome!!!!! and taylor sang love story and ybwm were great to!!!! wow wat to go taylor, you are just getting better better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
snl says:
yes taylor is great. she sang so wonderful on the cma festival it was so nice to hear taylor singing!!taylor is great!
cassie says:
i love you songs and i love you song 15 thatg in spired me the most and i just love you your so pretty thank you for doing what you do 4 witting songs i love so much
cassie says:
i love you so much your so good at what you doing i love to sing to you songs the most i love you your so pretty and wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!