Think You Know Everything About Taylor Swift? Here’s a Guide, from A to Z
A new Special Issue from PEOPLE celebrates everything to know about the singer (if you didn’t know it all already!)
From singing the national anthem at local sporting events as a child to selling out stadiums around the globe on her record-breaking Eras Tour, Taylor Swift is experiencing a major career moment.
The singer, who has humble Pennsylvania roots, first entered the music industry in 2006 when she scored her first Top 40 hit with “Tim McGraw,” a song from her self-titled debut album.
Over the past 18 years, Swift has thoughtfully penned lyrics to 11 studio albums, won 14 Grammy Awards and boasts more than 85 billion streams.
As PEOPLE celebrates her incredible career in a new Special Issue (available now on newsstands and Amazon), explore Swift’s life and career in photos, from A to Z.
A is for …
“All Too Well,” the longest song ever (with a play time of more than 10 minutes!) to top the Billboard Hot 100.
B is for …
Beyoncé. The two singers have been friends since 2009 and supported each other’s world tours in 2023.
C is for …
CPR. The tempo of the title track on Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, features the precise amount of beats per minute (110) for correct hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
D is for …
Directing. The singer/songwriter helmed the striking video for her single “Fortnight,” from The Tortured Poets Department album, featuring Post Malone.
E is for …
The Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert ever which will likely make Swift a double billionaire when it wraps in December 2024.
F is for …
Fans! Swifties are devoted fans who dress up and show up for the singer no matter the distance, waiting time, merchandise lines or ticket price.
G is for …
Guitar, an instrument Swift loves to play on tour, especially during the acoustic set in the Eras Tour in which fans are treated to two surprise songs.
H is for …
Happy. After breaking up with Joe Alwyn, her boyfriend of six years, at the beginning of the Eras Tour, Swift found happiness with Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce.
I is for …
Interview. In her very first interview with PEOPLE, Swift talked about how she ruled out dating and skipped her high school prom to tour with Brad Paisley.
J is for …
Java. Swift is often spotted with a caffeinated drink in her hand. It takes a whole lot of energy to conquer the music industry!
K is for …
“Karma,” a song from her 2022 album, Midnights, which features rapper Ice Spice.
L is for …
Looks! The artist is known for being fashion-forward and always walks the red carpet looking fierce.
M is for …
Marjorie Finlay, Swift’s maternal grandmother who loved to sing and inspired her to pursue a music career. A song on Swift’s 2020 album Evermore is named after Finlay.
N is for …
National anthem. In 2002, a 12-year-old Swift sang the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers games to practice singing in front of large crowds.
O is for …
Opening act. Before Swift conquered the world and sold out stadiums, she started out as an opening act for a spate of country singers.
P is for …
Producers. Swift has worked with Bleachers musician and producer Jack Antonoff, a former member of the pop band fun., for nearly half her career. In 2020, she added producer Aaron Dessner to the mix. The three collaborated on Folklore, Evermore, Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department.
Q is for …
Quills. The global music artist sorts her chart-topping lyrics into four categories based on what writing tool she imagines having in her hand while writing the words. “Quill Lyrics” include songs with antiquated words and phrases.
R is for …
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Swift will be eligible for induction into the museum as soon as 2031, once her career reaches 25 years.
S is for …
Shout-outs. Many of Swift’s long-time friends like Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran and Drake have nothing but good things to say about the pop singer.
T is for …
The Tortured Poets Department, Swift’s 11th studio album which was released in April 2024 and includes songs detailing her relationships with Alwyn, Kelce and the 1975 lead singer, Matty Healy.
U is for …
University. Colleges around the world have started offering their students classes digging into Swift’s lyrics, career, brand and economic impact.
V is for …
Versions. Since 2021, Swift has been releasing re-recorded versions (dubbed as “Taylor’s Version”) of her first six albums after the rights to her original recordings were sold to Scooter Braun against her wishes.
W is for …
‘Who’s that song about?’ The queen of pop music leans into writing songs about different people in her life, and fans love finding Easter eggs to figure out who they are about.
X is for …
‘X-Files.’ Swift once told PEOPLE love is “so unpredictable that I will never figure it out. I write songs about it constantly.”
Y is for …
Yum! On an episode of NFL By NBC, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid revealed the singer surprised the whole team with homemade Pop-Tarts.
Z is for …
Zodiac. Born on Dec. 13, 1989, Swift is a Sagittarius who is a “force to be reckoned with,” according to astrologer and author, Lisa Stardust.
