TAYLOR SWIFT'S "EPIPHANY" SONG MEANING IS A DEDICATION TO HER VETERAN GRANDFATHER
In 2020, the world shut down because of the pandemic, but for Taylor Swift, an opportunity was born. After canceling the Lovers Tour because of the mandates, Swifties were treated to her eighth album folklore. Interestingly enough, this album has ties to the military community. The “epiphany” Taylor Swift meaning has many moving parts, but it's the stories of her grandfather that would spark inspiration for the track. Long before the Swift name was selling out arenas, movie theaters, and altering the landscape of NFL fandom, Archie Dean Swift Jr. was serving his country in the hell that was World War II. Related read: Ice Spice is the Real Reason Marines Defend America
What is the Meaning of Epiphany by Taylor Swift?
The “epiphany” Taylor Swift meaning is twofold, but her inspiration for the track was her grandfather, Archie Dean Swift Jr. He served in the Battle of Guadalcanal when he enlisted as a Medic in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Taylor herself didn’t get to spend much time as some with her grandfather, as he died when she was young. Even if she was given the chance to spend time with her grandfather, she might not have heard the story anyway as he did not wish to discuss the events often. But her father and his brothers kept Archie's legacy alive. Scott Kingsley Swift helped inspire the meaning of “epiphany” by Taylor Swift after researching his father’s military career. When it was all said and done, Taylor Swift’s grandfather separated from the service in 1953 as a Lieutenant Colonel. The road to get there was a reminder of the kind of sacrifice necessary for us to live free. Suggested read: Famous Veterans: You'll Never Believe These Celebrities Actually Served
Archie Dean Swift Jr.’s Service Through Unimaginable Conditions
To better understand "epiphany," the Taylor Swift song's meaning, it's necessary to gain some background information about Archie's military service. Finance and banking run deep in the Swift family's blood. Archie would take on a role within the industry following his time playing lacrosse while studying at Princeton University. But in 1938, he enlisted as a Marine and went on to serve in harrowing battles during WWII. The Battle of Guadalcanal was the Allies’ first real step in driving Imperial Japan further back in the Pacific Theatre. This was a grueling six-month conflict in the Solomon Islands after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fast forward to 1945 and it’s the Battle of Okinawa. The Pacific Theater has been a source of conflict and devastation for quite some time. Now, only Okinawa remains as the final major island to conquer before attacking Japan’s mainland. Clearly, neither of these historic battles were anything less than brutal. Combined, the casualty count for Americans crept to around 65,000, and Archie Dean Swift Jr. was a Medic in the thick of it all. Taylor Swift draws from these events, and those of modern times, to create a song that honors her grandfather and modern heroes.
The "epiphany" Taylor Swift Meaning is Multifaceted
For "epiphany," Taylor Swift's meaning was deep-seated and came from her Veteran grandfather, but it also heavily addresses recent events. Crafted toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parallels between troops fighting to save lives on the battlefield and those saving lives in the healthcare industry while facing the unknown are impossible to ignore. In fact, T Swizzle was like most of us, consuming documentaries and other forms of media to pass the time as the world stood still. After watching documentaries on healthcare workers fighting a novel and devastating virus in COVID-19, she was inspired to create the 13th track on folklore. Both the military community and healthcare workers act selflessly for the betterment of our nation. Ultimately, the "epiphany" Taylor Swift meaning makes the song an anthem for all, with a special nod to her grandfather’s service to our nation. Read next: Craig Morgan's Military Career is Getting an Extended Play