Taylor Swift’s newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, is bold, emotional, and grown-up. It explores glamour, fame, heartbreak, power, sexuality, and resilience—all wrapped in catchy melodies that kids and adults alike want to sing along to.

But some of the lyrics include swearing or mature themes, which can be confusing or uncomfortable for parents of young listeners who’ve grown up dancing to “Shake It Off” or “Love Story.”

Instead of avoiding the conversation, parents can tailor their approach by age. Below are two strategies: one for early childhood (3–6) and another for older kids (6–12).

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🧒 Talking About Taylor Swift’s Lyrics with 3–6 Year Olds

(Preschool & Kindergarten)

At this age, children usually don’t understand or focus deeply on lyrical meaning—they just love the beat, the voice, and dancing along. Still, exposure to explicit language or heavy emotional themes can shape their language use and emotional understanding.

Fun fact: There is a ‘clean version’ of the album available where you get your music. The swear words are removed but some mature themes are still present.

1. Focus on the Music, Not the Meaning

Preschoolers may not need explanations about sexuality, swearing, or deep heartbreak. If your child loves Taylor Swift, it’s perfectly okay to stick to the clean version of the album.

For example, in the title track, Taylor sings:

“Sequins are forever and now I know the life of a showgirl, babe.”

You can keep the conversation light:

“She’s singing about sparkly costumes and dancing on stage!”

This lets your child enjoy the music without focusing on the adult subtext.

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2. Use Simple Explanations for Swear Words

If they ask about words they’ve overheard—like the f-word in “Down Bad” (“F** it if I can’t have him”*)—you can say something like:

“That’s a strong word grown-ups sometimes use when they’re upset. It’s not a kind or polite word, so we don’t use it.”

The goal is not to overexplain, but to give a clear, age-appropriate boundary.

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3. Set Up Listening Rules

Make it clear which songs are okay for family time and which ones aren’t.

• Opt for “clean” versions.
• Skip songs with explicit sexual content, like “Wood” (which includes sexual imagery).
• Use Taylor’s more upbeat or neutral songs as go-tos.

This lets you stay positive—celebrating their love of music—while keeping their exposure age-appropriate.

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4. Connect to Feelings, Not Adult Themes

Taylor sings about intense emotions like heartbreak and betrayal, which can be simplified for younger kids. For example, in “Fortnight,” she says:

“I love you, it’s ruining my life.”

For a preschooler, you could explain:

“She’s singing about feeling really, really sad about someone she loves.”

This helps them connect to emotions in a safe, simple way.

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🧒👧 Talking About Taylor Swift’s Lyrics with 6–12 Year Olds

(Primary & High School)

Older kids are more aware of language, themes, and feelings in songs—even if they don’t fully grasp them. At this stage, the goal isn’t to shield entirely but to guide how they interpret and respond.

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1. Talk About Swearing in Context

By this age, kids have usually heard swear words somewhere. When Taylor uses strong language—like in “Down Bad” (“F** it if I can’t have him”*)—you can explain:

“She’s using a strong word to show how frustrated she feels. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to say it at school or at home.”

This frames language as a choice with consequences, not a “cool” or “taboo” secret.

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2. Explore Imagery and Meaning

Taylor uses sophisticated imagery that older kids can begin to unpack. In “The Fate of Ophelia,” she sings:

“You dug me out of my grave and saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia.”

You might say:

“That’s a reference to an old story about a girl who was really sad. Taylor’s saying someone helped her feel less alone. What do you think she’s feeling in this song?”

This encourages critical thinking and emotional literacy.

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3. Talk About Mature Themes Honestly but Gently

Some songs, like “Wood”, contain sexual imagery. At this age, kids may start to pick up on suggestive lines such as:

“His love was the key / That opened my thighs.”

You can calmly explain:

“That’s a line about grown-up love and intimacy. It’s not something kids need to copy or act out. It’s part of how some adults express their feelings in art.”

The key is to be factual, not shaming or overly detailed.

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4. Use Lyrics to Talk About Values

Another lyric from “The Life of a Showgirl” is:

“All the headshots on the walls / Of the dance hall are of the bitches / Who wish I’d hurry up and die.”

This can open a conversation about why some words hurt, and how artists may use them to express conflict or anger.

“That word can be hurtful. She’s singing about how people can be cruel, but that doesn’t make it okay to call someone that in real life.”

This is a powerful moment to reinforce family values around respect and language.

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5. Listen Together and Set Shared Rules

Older kids can help decide what’s appropriate. For example:

• Clean versions for shared listening.
• Honest talks about lyrics they’re curious about.
• Encouraging them to think about what lyrics mean, not just repeat them.

When kids feel included in setting the rules, they’re more likely to respect them.

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💬 Final Thought

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl isn’t a kids’ album—but many kids will hear it anyway.
With young children, it’s about simplifying and setting clear listening rules.
With older kids, it’s about guiding, explaining, and using the lyrics to build emotional awareness, boundaries, and respect.

Music can be a powerful teaching tool. By meeting your child where they are developmentally, you can help them enjoy the music—and learn a little about language, emotion, and growing up along the way.

Learn more about how to support your kids by watching these ParentTV videos.