After a whirlwind year on her record-breaking Eras Tour, being named Time’s Person of the Year and releasing two Taylor’s Version re-records, Taylor Swift today marks another milestone.
Born on December 13, 1989 Swift is celebrating her 34th birthday with the release of her Eras Tour Concert Film on streaming platforms across the world. And while fans will be thrilled that they can now enjoy songs not seen in the cinema release, we thought it would be fitting to revisit Swift’s own thoughts.
Here are 13 of Taylor Swift’s best quotes on everything from love and song writing to failure and growing up.
9. “It was you, and the people who love you, who put you there.”
“I want to say to all the young women out there: There are going to be people along the way who try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. But if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday, when you get where you’re going, you will look around and you will know — it was you, and the people who love you, who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world.” - 2017 Grammys speech | Getty Images for MTV
10. “Trying and failing and trying again and failing again is normal.”
“Trying and failing and trying again and failing again is normal. It may not feel normal to me because all of my trials and failures are blown out of proportion and turned into a spectator sport by tabloid takedown culture (you had to give me one moment of bitterness, come on). BUT THAT SAID, it’s good to mess up and learn from it and take risks.” - Elle, 2019 | AFP via Getty Images
11. “Make the right choices that feel right for you...”
“You have to give yourself permission to fail, I try as hard as I can not to fail because it’s embarrassing, but I do give myself permission to and you should too. Go easy on yourselves and just make the right choices that feel right for you. And someday someone might think that you’ve been innovative. Thank you so much for this.” - iHeartRadio Awards, 2023 | Getty Images for Billboard
12. “Be like a snake—only bite if someone steps on you.”
“Being sweet to everyone all the time can get you into a lot of trouble. While it may be born from having been raised to be a polite young lady, this can contribute to some of your life’s worst regrets if someone takes advantage of this trait in you. Grow a backbone, trust your gut, and know when to strike back. Be like a snake—only bite if someone steps on you.” - Elle, 2019 | AFP via Getty Images