My first official post. To my surprise, the artist I am reviewing is the artist who inspired me to start this blog in the first place. Why I'm surprised is because I never would have thought I would ever write about Ms. Taylor Swift. Before you think "ah, Taylor Swift, she's everywhere, I'm leaving," hear me out. I am in no way a "Swiftie" or whatever her fandom calls themselves. Fans that intense are a little scary to me. However, I have always enjoyed hearing her hit songs on the radio, and her song Haunted from her Speak Now album is one of my all time favorite songs. But... I was weary of her genre change-up from country to pop. Curiosity got the best of me, and I PURCHASED, and downloaded her album, the night it came out, and listened to the entire thing before bed. I have to say, she nailed it. Not a "filler" song on the album. My favorite song by far is "CLEAN." This song is co-written by Imogen Heap, which is a genius collaboration. I know nothing to describe the technical side of music, but I love the instrumental part of the song. However, what put this song on repeat, like all songs I replay again and again, was the lyrics. Two lines that are lyrically beautiful: 1. "Rain came pouring down when I was drowning, That's when I could finally breathe." Whether you're going through a break up, or just a really bad time in life, these words are words you can relate to. You see in the movies (or real life) situations where someone is just crushed by life, and they're crying, and sometimes they're even crying in the rain, and they seem to be drowning in life, and then there is that moment where they get a look in their eyes and they have realized they are going to be okay, and they take that first breath, and they stand up, and they begin their fight to win their happiness back. These lyrics should be playing in all those movie scenes, and in the minds of any individual who has dared to give in to life's hardships. 2. "10 months sober, I must admit, Just because you're clean don't mean you miss it." Powerful. Love is an addiction. Feeling loved is an addiction. And life is it's enabler. (That sounded good. I should write a song.) I have nothing else to say about this line except for it is the perfect way to go into that last hook. Long story short, Taylor's 1989 album is great. You should give it a shot. If you still aren't convinced, at least go download "Clean." I guarantee you when you are feeling down, you can play this song and Taylor will sing you through it. Cheesy, but hey, that's what music is for. Because life without music, well, I would rather not live. ~J Lyn~