Taylor Swift’s Country Roots: How They Still Influence Her Music

Taylor Swift’s evolution from a Nashville country darling to a global pop icon is one of the most fascinating journeys in modern music. While she has seamlessly transitioned into pop, indie folk, and alternative genres, her country roots remain deeply embedded in her songwriting, melodies, and artistic persona. Whether through storytelling lyrics, acoustic instrumentation, or the influence she has on new country artists, Swift’s early years in Nashville continue to shape her music today.

A Country Star in the Making

Before she became the world’s biggest pop star, Swift was just a young girl from Pennsylvania with dreams of making it in country music. Rolling Stone notes that her family moved to Nashville when she was 14 so she could pursue a career in country music, a move that ultimately led to her signing with Big Machine Records.

Her 2006 self-titled debut album introduced the world to a fresh-faced teenager with a knack for storytelling. Songs like Tim McGraw and Our Song quickly cemented her as a rising star in country music, blending traditional country elements—like banjos and fiddles—with the relatable experiences of teenage love and heartbreak. Swift’s ability to write from personal experiences became one of her defining characteristics, a skill she honed during her early country years.

The Storytelling Style That Never Left

One of the most defining features of country music is its emphasis on storytelling, and Swift has mastered this element across all of her eras. Billboard points out that even when she transitioned into pop with Red (2012) and 1989 (2014), her songwriting retained the deep narratives, emotional depth, and imagery-driven lyrics reminiscent of her country days.

Songs like All Too Well and The Archer echo the same storytelling depth found in her early country tracks like White Horse and Back to December. Even in her indie-folk era (folklore and evermore), Swift relied heavily on the kind of rich, character-driven storytelling that defines country music.

Collaborations That Nod to Her Country Past

Though she’s now a pop superstar, Swift hasn’t completely left country behind. Over the years, she has collaborated with some of country music’s biggest names. Taste of Country highlights that she wrote Better Man for Little Big Town in 2016, a song that won a CMA Award for Song of the Year

She also teamed up with Keith Urban for That’s When and We Were Happy on Fearless (Taylor’s Version), re-recording her old country material while introducing new generations of fans to her Nashville sound.

The Impact of Re-Recording Her Country Albums

Speaking of her re-recordings, Forbes notes that Swift’s decision to reclaim her masters by re-recording her early albums has brought her country music back into the spotlight.

Her Taylor’s Version releases of Fearless, Red, and Speak Now have reminded fans just how deeply rooted she was in country music. Many younger fans who discovered Swift through her pop albums are now being introduced to her country catalog, showing that her country influence remains relevant even years later.

A Lasting Impact on Country Music

Swift’s country background hasn’t just shaped her music—it has also influenced an entire generation of country artists. Rising stars like Kelsea Ballerini and Ingrid Andress credit Swift as one of their biggest inspirations. Los 40 recently interviewed Spanish singer Mafalda Cardenal, who also grew up listening to Swift’s music and now incorporates country elements into her own songs.

Even in 2024, Swift’s influence on country music is undeniable. Whether through her songwriting, her industry-defining business moves, or the artists she inspires, her Nashville roots continue to shape her legacy.

Final Thoughts

Taylor Swift may be a pop star now, but country music will always be part of her DNA. From her storytelling to her collaborations and her re-recordings, the impact of her early years in Nashville is still felt in everything she creates. As she continues to push musical boundaries, one thing is clear: country music was never just a phase for Taylor Swift—it’s a core part of who she is.