Good morning. I’m Erin Anderssen, happiness reporter at The Globe filling in for Danielle Groen. As of today, Canada becomes the heart of Swiftiedom. We’ll have more about what her fans can teach us about joy, as well as another round of appointments from Donald Trump as Republicans achieved the governing trifecta. But first:
Today’s headlines
- Nearly 14,000 international students applied for asylum so far this year, according to data obtained by The Globe
- In a rare public acknowledgment of growing unease, Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for “prevention” after attack kills 35 in Zhuhai
- A white-knight bid for Japan’s Seven & i could thwart Alimentation Couche-Tard offer
An estimated 300,000 fans will travel from across the country and beyond to see Tay Tay.Illustration by Nada Hayek
Happiness
The joy of Swiftiedom
For the record, I’m not a Swiftie, or much for fandoms in general. Yet I find Taylor Swift fans fascinating. What’s driving all their passion and energy? For a Globe story, I wanted to know more. But I didn’t expect to learn wisdom from the most exuberant, glittery and powerful fandom in the world.
Let’s get misconceptions out of the way
If you believe the online haters, Swifties are THE WORST: silly, young women obsessed with a mid-talent pop star who writes revenge songs about ex-boyfriends. (Of course, love and loss are the muses of every songwriter ever, so if you smell something, it’s misogyny.)
The haters weren’t right about her fans either. Far from silly, Swifties were self-aware and reflective in interviews. They’d clearly thought deeply about the music they love – songs that, according to Katharina Paxman, a Canadian philosopher at Brigham Young University, explore serious themes such as self-compassion, authenticity and our responsibility to others.
Beyond break-up songs
Incidentally, among the dozen or so Swifties I spoke to at length for the story, not one picked a popular break-up song as their favourite. To my disappointment, they were also far more interested in interpreting lyrics than gossiping about Travis Kelce, Swift’s football star boyfriend. They praised her business savvy, feminism and philanthropy – but, contrary to their critics, more like a role-model, big sister than a cult leader.
Abby Van Schaik, 23, whose mom has started Tay It Forward, a national food bank fundraiser tied to the Canadian concerts on the Eras Tour, described how debating Swift’s music gave her family a shared interest to bond over. Edie Gauntlett, 13, told me her favourite lyric was “live for the hope of it,” because it was about how, even when things go bad, you have to keep going. (A reminder to be resilient through adversity. So very problematic.)
On-the-ground reporting
To truly immerse myself in Swiftiedom, I went to a club night organized by TSwift Dance Party, a company started by two millennial fans. It was the most effortlessly joyful dance I’ve ever attended. The mostly female crowd sang with abandon from the first song and didn’t stop for four hours, deep cuts included. A few friends who came with me marvelled at the hugs they received while exchanging friendship bracelets.
These dance parties, Swifties said, are the closest they can get to the vibe of an Eras concert. Edie is going on the sixth night in Toronto with a friend her age. Her mom will be waiting outside the Rogers Centre with her dad. But Jenny Gauntlett, who calls herself an “honorary Swiftie,” said that there was probably no other concert she’d let her daughter attend without an adult. “It’s women supporting women and the vibe is just so supportive.”
Maybe we’re just jealous
Like most Swifties’ moms, Gauntlett considers Swift to be a good influence. “I was thinking about how when I was 13 or 14, we didn’t have anyone like Taylor,” she says.
I tried to think back myself. I copied Madonna’s fashion. I danced to Cyndi Lauper. I admired Annie Lennox from a distance. Of course, Gen X-ers didn’t have social media. We had to tape songs off the Top 40 and then write the words down. But, despite all that effort, I don’t remember studying lyrics for meaning and advice. Certainly, I didn’t have one “big sister” pop star guiding me through those rocky teenager years, and celebrating girl power. But if she’d existed, I suspect I would have been a Swiftie too.
So here’s my Swiftie lesson
We underestimate (especially when we’re older) how simply having fun and, yes, being silly, can lead to meaningful relationships and create community.
Swiftiedom isn’t perfect. Swift’s fans can be toxic and judgmental, mainly online. But at their best, they’re having a blast, while strengthening family bonds and friendships, connecting with strangers, reflecting on identity and purpose, and even performing acts of altruism.
The Eras Tour ends in Vancouver in December. If Swifties can keep their happiness going, and maybe share some with the rest of us, then let the haters hate. To quote my new favourite Swift line: Step into the daylight, and let it go.
Want more? Read The Globe’s guide to Taylor Swift in Canada and brush up on the basics with this glossary.
The Shot
‘Welcome, welcome back’
President Joe Biden meets with president-elect Donald Trump before a roaring fire in the Oval Office.Evan Vucci/The Associated Press
President Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump and met for the first time since Trump won back the White House and both men promised a smooth transfer of power in January. Meanwhile, Trump continued stocking his cabinet with loyalists he believes can execute his agenda, like Matt Gaetz as Attorney-General and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. And Republicans have now won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: Federal ministries advise against releasing names of alleged Nazi war criminals to support Ukraine
Abroad: Post-election protests shut down Mozambique’s crucial border with South Africa as police crackdown kills dozens
Sharing wealth: Nine wealthy families, foundations commit $405-million over next decade to Canadian climate action
Mental health: Can Canada’s psychedelic drug developers shake off the sector’s bad trip?