Often noted as singer’s “redemption” era, Taylor Swift’s reputation album discusses the ugly sides to fame and how you can’t really trust anyone in Hollywood. The song “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” mentions elaborate parties and overflowing alcohol, similar to a party that Jay Gatsby would throw.
Lyrics like
It was so nice throwing big parties
Jump into the pool from the balcony
Everyone swimming in a champagne sea
And there are no rules when you show up here
Bass beat rattling the chandelier
Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year
Discuss the fantasy of it all and even refer to the mysterious Gatsby himself. As the song continues, we learn that Swift felt betrayed and had to “take away” her materialistic attributes from so-called friends. This concept reminds me of The Great Gatsby in the way that people only valued the man for his wealth and parties, not for himself. In reality, Swift brings a modern rendition to the tale as old as time.