Taylor Swift Biography and Origins
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Born on December 13, 1989, Taylor Swift was singing and playing guitar at a very early age. At 14 years old, she became the youngest artist to be signed by her label, and her debut album hit number one on the country charts. This was followed by album number two, and several popular singles which broke both country and pop chart records. Her third record debuted at number one, making Swift one of country pop music's most successful artists. In this http://www.WatchMojo.com video, we take a look at the musical origins of Taylor Swift.
Early Musical Interest
Taylor Alison Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. By the age of 10, she was already learning to play the guitar and soon after, began performing at local events in her hometown.
Nashville and Single #1
When she was fourteen, her family moved to a Nashville suburb to help with her burgeoning career. There, she was eventually discovered and signed to country label, Big Machine Records. Her first single was 2006’s “Tim McGraw,” and the video for that song later won her a CMT Music Award.
Debut Record
A few months later, her self-titled debut album hit number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It spawned several successful singles, such as “Teardrops on My Guitar”, and “Our Song”. This was followed by a holiday compilation entitled Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection released late the next year.
"Beautiful Eyes EP"
By mid-2008, Swift released her Beautiful Eyes EP. It debuted on the top spot of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, right ahead of her first album, which was sitting in position number two.
Crossover Success with "Fearless"
Swift’s sophomore record, Fearless, came out in November 2008. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, it ultimately became the best-selling album of 2009. Fearless’ lead single, “Love Story,” was a crossover success, as it became a hit on both the country and pop charts. The second single, “White Horse,” won two Grammy Awards and was accompanied by a music video that went straight to number one via CMT’s “Top Twenty Countdown.” The album’s third single, “You Belong with Me,” was her biggest U.S. hit.
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
In 2009, Swift was recognized at the MTV Video Music Awards with a trophy for Best Female Video. However, her acceptance speech was interrupted by rapper Kanye West who disagreed.
Re-Release of "Fearless"
As if 2009 wasn’t busy enough for Swift, Fearless was re-released that year with six new songs as Fearless: Platinum Edition, putting eight of her tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.
Acting Debut
Swift made her acting debut the next year in the movie, “Valentine’s Day,” the soundtrack of which also featured her song, “Today was a Fairytale.”
Third Album
By October 2010, she was ready with album number three, Speak Now. The positively reviewed effort debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was completely written by Swift. Its first single was the song, “Mine”.
Career on the Rise
Her genuine personality and the autobiographical nature of her songs have garnered Taylor Swift many fans. And if she continues to be as honest, ambitious and determined with her career as she has been with her music, then surely her success will keep on growing.
