Taylor Swift has directly name-dropped and referenced Elizabeth Taylor in the second track off her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. The singer draws numerous comparisons between herself and Elizabeth Taylor throughout the song, weaving a narrative based on Easter eggs that are referenced in the song. Swift uses the lyrics in the song to draw focus to Elizabeth Taylor’s love life under the spotlight, which seems to mirror Swift’s own romantic experiences.
Why is a song on Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl named after Elizabeth Taylor?
Taylor Swift previously referenced Elizabeth Taylor in the opening track of her album Reputation. In that track, she mentioned Elizabeth’s romance with Richard Burton. In her recent album, Swift named a song “Elizabeth Taylor.” She seemingly drew a connection between herself and the actress, as well as their love lives under the spotlight.
Fans have closely followed Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce from the start, and she is no stranger to having relationships under intense media scrutiny. Notably, the media coverage of Elizabeth Taylor’s high-profile romances helped to set the precedent for the level of attention celebrity relationships receive today.
Elizabeth Taylor famously had a long relationship with Richard Burton that ended in marriage, divorce, remarriage, and a second divorce. She also had a famous affair with Eddie Fisher. Taylor Swift focused on this aspect of the actress’s fame primarily in her song.
Some references in the lyrics of “Elizabeth Taylor” include “That view of Portofino was on my mind,” referencing the village where Burton proposed to her, and “When you called me at the Plaza Athénée,” referencing the Parisian hotel Taylor stayed at with Burton.
The song also references Elizabeth Taylor’s fame, which affected her love life, something Swift has experienced herself. Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, is out now.
