Who would have thought a modern pop icon and a Golden Age Hollywood legend would find common ground through music? Taylor Swift recently shared a charming story. She revealed how the family managing Elizabeth Taylor’s estate reacted to a song on her new album. It turns out, they were more than just okay with it.
Swift, 35, told the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on October 6th that the estate members were “charming” about the whole thing. She explained that artists usually need to let a person or their heirs know if they use their name in a song. This is especially true if they are real public figures. She followed the proper steps to get their blessing.
The Song’s Inspiration
The song in question is the second track on Swift’s twelfth studio album, ‘Life of a Showgirl’. It’s simply titled ‘Elizabeth Taylor’. This tune speaks to the endless spotlight that comes with huge fame. It’s a feeling both Swift and Taylor knew well. Swift sings, “It often doesn’t feel so glamorous being me.” She also mentions how “all the right boys promised they would stay.” She observes that “Under the bright lights, they withered, but you bloomed.”
Then, Swift poses a direct question. “Elizabeth Taylor / Do you think it will be forever?” She asks again, “Tell me truly, do you think it will be forever?”
Both Swift and Taylor have faced intense public focus on their romantic lives. Elizabeth Taylor passed away in March 2011 at 73. Her love life was legendary. She married eight times to seven different men. This included marrying Richard Burton twice. Her other husbands included hotel heir Conrad Hilton and Eddie Fisher. Eddie Fisher was the father of the late Carrie Fisher.
The Estate’s Embrace
The Taylor estate did more than just give their approval. They seemed to fully embrace the song. They even released special merchandise on their website. It’s a limited-edition orange collegiate crewneck sweatshirt. The front proudly displays “Elizabeth Taylor.” The orange color is a clever nod to Swift’s style. It matches the orange used during Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ promotional tour. It also matches the orange lettering on the album’s cover. This new orange sweater is a variation of their classic black one. That original black version features Taylor’s name in purple letters.
Swift has been busy promoting her album since its release on Friday, October 3rd. She gave fans a peek behind the scenes on Instagram on Monday, October 6th. She shared photos of the album’s creation. “Being in the studio and creating these songs was an unforgettable experience,” Swift wrote. She added that she recorded while writing. This allows her to revisit the process and give fans a glimpse of how the songs came to be. They can hear the moments when ideas clicked in real time.
One photo shows Swift singing lyrics she wrote on her phone. Producer Max Martin plays the piano nearby. In another shot, Swift is at the piano. Martin, 54, appears to direct her with his hands.
That same Monday, Swift announced a special new release. She launched ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ (DELUXE Alone In My Tower Acoustic Version). It was available on iTunes for just 24 hours. This deluxe edition included ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ with “original songwriting voice notes.” These were split into Act 1 and Act 2. It also featured ‘The Fate of Ophelia (Alone in My Tower Acoustic Version)’ and ‘Eldest Daughter’ (Now You’re Home Acoustic Version).