Taylor's Version

The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift

By: Stephanie Burt

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

An original exploration and celebration of Taylor Swift, the world's biggest music star, as taught at the world's most prestigious university.

One of the biggest stars in the world, Taylor Swift became so popular for many reasons - but first and last thanks to her songs. In Taylor's Version, award-winning literary critic Professor Stephanie Burt charts the extraordinary journey from Swift's teen country debut to her most recent record-breaking achievement as the highest-grossing touring artist in the world. Based on her Harvard University course, Taylor Swift and Her World, Burt offers the first serious study of Swift that pays close attention to her talent as a songwriter first and foremost.

Drawing from musical and cultural criticism, poetry, economic theory, American history, as well as personal experience, Burt presents an insightful and heartfelt critical appreciation of Swift that delves into her life, her celebrity and her artistry. She explores how Swift's musical and public persona reflect her life and her craft, at once intimate and relatable. She considers the international community Swift's work has fostered, and she shows what makes Swift's body of work so important across styles, genres and generations.

Tracing a path through the Eras, Taylor's Version is a literary deep-dive into Swift's particular form of genius, revealing the remarkable impact of her career and showing how her songs - how music itself - can change lives.©2025 Stephanie Burt

Critic reviews

Taylor Swift treats her own life as worthy of artistic obsession and grandeur; Stephanie Burt treats her oeuvre as worthy of academic and poetic attention. In Taylor's Version, Burt not only articulates the force of Swift's songwriting genius, but - perhaps more importantly - makes the case for her place in the literary tradition. A provocative, sharp, well-argued book for any Taylor Swift fan - or skeptic (Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties)

In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking tour of all things Taylor Swift, Stephanie Burt deftly balances the perspectives of fan and critic, diving deeply into each of Swift's albums, and tracing her remarkable evolution as an artist and cultural icon. Whether you're a diehard Swiftie or a casual listener, this insightful and illuminating book will send you back to the songs themselves with a fresh appreciation for where they came from, how they work, and why they mean so much to so many people (Tom Perotta, New York Times-bestselling author of LITTLE CHILDREN)

Depending on your feelings toward Ms. Swift, you may or may not want to like this book. Too bad, it's going to make you like it, and see the phenomenon in a way you never have before (Catherynne M. Valente, New York Times-bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING)

Taylor Swift is lucky to have a fan, a listener, and a writer as open to her music and as acute to its internal and emotional rhythms, Swift's craft and her audience's response, as Stephanie Burt. With unfailing lucidity, empathy, and wit, she takes a reader through the songs, until you can hear, all over again, how they really work (Greil Marcus, music journalist)

An outstanding look at one of the world's most beloved entertainers . . . a smart, incisive look at the singer-songwriter who has captured the world's imagination (Kirkus (starred))

The book is an absolute riot - it is a joy to dive into such detailed exploration of the songs that defined my adolescence (Prospect)

Both seasoned Swifties and complete novices and neutrals to Swift will find something of interest here . . . Overall, Taylor's Version is hugely entertaining and fascinating, and will be especially for literature geeks and pop-culture fans (Buzz)

Burt repays close attention. The rigour of her intellectual inquiry is delivered in a generous, open style. Her frame of reference is wide and deep (Observer)

If you're at all interested in the world of Swift beyond the headlines, then you'll love Taylor's Version. The book is academic yet approachable, and Burt's writing is thoughtful and engaging. This book is for Swifties and non-Swifties alike - for anyone who wants to know what went into making the biggest musical artist in the world. Are you ready for it? (Loverboy)