A Deep Dive into Taylor Swift’s New Music Video
At around 12am this morning, Taylor Swift unveiled the music video for “Elizabeth Taylor,” the third single from her album The Life of a Showgirl. This marks her third music video release this year, following the TikTok-friendly “Fate of Ophelia” and last month’s star-studded “Opalite.” At the time of writing, the music video is only available on Spotify and Apple Music, but that hasn’t stopped fans and critics from diving into its meaning.
A Tribute to a Hollywood Icon
The video appears to be a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, a legendary actress who rose to fame in the 1950s and became the highest-paid actress of the 1960s. While there are few obvious similarities between Swift and Taylor, the video reads like a fan’s montage of the icon, weaving together her film roles with footage from the 1968 documentary about Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Around The World with Mike Todd.
The video opens with scenes from the 1954 film Elephant Walk, where Elizabeth appears to be feeling sorry for herself while looking incredibly glamorous. It then transitions to her 18-year-old self in a traditional wedding dress from Father of the Bride, followed by clips from A Place in the Sun (1951) and Giant (1956).
Next, there’s a close-up of Elizabeth Taylor’s famous violet-colored irises from the 1968 movie Boom!, followed by Suddenly Last Summer (1959) and the critically acclaimed films Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (based on the Tennessee Williams play) and Butterfield 8 — for which she won an Oscar.
The Biggie: Cleopatra
One of the most significant moments in the video is a reference to Cleopatra (1963), which was known as the Titanic of its day. This film was also the set where Elizabeth had an affair with Welsh actor Richard Burton while both were married to other people. The film was a massive hit, and Elizabeth became the first movie star ever paid $1 million for a role. She and Burton went on to marry twice, but their relationship was one of the biggest scandals of the time, especially given Elizabeth’s reputation as a woman who attracted media controversy.
A Shared Journey of Struggle and Success
Elizabeth Taylor was born in England in 1932 and moved to the US in 1939. She got her big break at 12 in the movie National Velvet, about a girl and her racehorse. Interestingly, Taylor Swift began writing original songs at age 12, including The Outside, which appeared on her self-titled debut album.
Another shared experience between the two is their early struggles with creative control. Elizabeth was locked into a contract with MGM Studios for several years and hated it. She wasn’t allowed to choose the roles she wanted and had to churn out films the studio deemed “hits.” This lack of creative freedom led to a deep depression during her teens and 20s.
Personal Life and Public Scrutiny
Elizabeth’s personal life was just as dramatic as her career. She married her first husband, Conrad Hilton Jr., at 18, and the marriage was annulled after just eight months. She went on to marry eight more times, including Eddie Fisher, father of the late Carrie Fisher (Star Wars). He was married to Debbie Reynolds at the time, who was Elizabeth’s best friend. The affair and quick union caused a lot of disapproval in 1950s society.
Eddie Fisher was also the man Elizabeth cheated on with Richard Burton. Between the marriages and affairs, Elizabeth gained a reputation as a dangerous man-stealing harlot, unable to settle down. Despite her success in her career, her personal life was turbulent.
A Message of Heartbreak and Resilience
At last week’s I Heart Radio music awards, Swift thanked her fans for inspiring the “energy” of the album — “happy and strong and confident and free.” While there is some of that in the album, the Elizabeth Taylor music video seems to delve deeper into themes of heartbreak and resilience.
Interestingly, Taylor Swift does not appear in the video at all. While her music videos usually feature her along with Easter Eggs and celebrity cameos, this one feels more like a fan edit celebrating Elizabeth Taylor’s life and legacy rather than adding a traditional Taylor Swift twist.
Symbolism and Meaning
The cover art, a modern rendering of Hamlet’s sister, Ophelia’s suicide by drowning after going insane, is a clear nod to the song’s theme. The lyrics, such as “Hey, what could you possibly get for the girl who has everything and nothing all at once?” suggest that, like Elizabeth, Taylor understands that fame, wealth, and power can feel hollow without romantic love.
Legacy and Influence
Elizabeth Taylor continued to battle multiple health issues throughout her life, including back problems, pneumonia, and drug and alcohol addiction. She was one of the few celebrities in the 1980s who raised money and awareness for the AIDS virus at a time when it was still considered taboo. She also pioneered the celebrity perfume collab with the launch of her fragrance, White Diamonds in 1991, another reference Taylor nods to.
She passed away on March 23, 2011, at the age of 79. One of her best-loved quotes is a fragrance metaphor: “Fame is a bit of perfume coasting on the air. Sniff deeply and walk on.” “What lasts is friendship, partnerships of the soul that keeps you focused and strong and in your place.”
We know Taylor would agree.
Feature image: Getty.
