Title: Analyzing Taylor Swift’s Lyrics: A Statistical Overview

Taylor Swift is often in the spotlight for her catchy tunes and vocal talent, but it’s her lyrical development that's the subject of our analysis. Through a statistical lens, we explore the evolution of her lyrics across her discography, providing insights into her songwriting progression.

Increased Use of Explicit Language

Our analysis starts with a clear trend: the increased use of explicit language in Swift's later albums. While early albums such as "Taylor Swift" and "Fearless" feature almost no explicit language, there’s a noticeable jump in later works, with "Reputation" and "The Tortured Poets Department" showing a significant rise in the use of profanity. This could indicate a shift towards more adult themes and a rawer form of expression.

Vocabulary Broadening

The number of unique words used in Swift’s albums has grown substantially, from 629 unique words in her first album to 1,920 in "The Tortured Poets Department." This indicates a broader range of vocabulary, suggesting a development in her songwriting complexity and a move to explore new themes and narratives.

Sentiment Analysis

A sentiment analysis of her lyrics shows a change in the emotional tone of her albums. Early works feature a balance of positive and negative sentiments. "Reputation" marks a peak in negativity, possibly reflecting the challenges and media scrutiny she faced during that period. The latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," displays a resurgence of positive sentiment, albeit with the presence of negative tones, pointing to a more nuanced emotional mix.

Gender Pronoun Usage

Swift's use of gender pronouns in "The Tortured Poets Department" reveals an increase in gender-neutral pronouns like "they/them." This change might reflect a conscious effort to align with more inclusive language, potentially responding to societal conversations about gender identity.

Linguistic Complexity

Looking at the average length of words used, there’s a gradual increase from her early albums to her latest work. The average word length in "Taylor Swift" is 5.02 letters, rising to 5.74 in "The Tortured Poets Department." This suggests that Swift is choosing more complex language as her songwriting matures.

Conclusion

Statistically, Taylor Swift's lyrics have undergone a significant transformation. The data points to her use of more varied vocabulary, complex language, and inclusive pronouns, alongside a shift in emotional tone. This progression mirrors her growth as an artist, as she adapts to new themes and responds to the changing landscape of music and society.