University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“Hold on to the memories:” Exploring timbral and fabricated nostalgia in Taylor Swift’s music

Mirabal, Adrianna Eliza

Content Files
MIRABAL-THESIS-2024.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125646

Description

Title
“Hold on to the memories:” Exploring timbral and fabricated nostalgia in Taylor Swift’s music
Author(s)
Mirabal, Adrianna Eliza
Issue Date
2024-07-17
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Silvers, Michael B
Committee Member(s)
Ramirez, Carlos Roberto
Department of Study
Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.Mus.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Timbre
  • Nostalgia
  • Materiality
  • Taylor Swift
Abstract
This thesis examines Taylor Swift’s rerecordings and the formats of her musical releases by positioning them within the context of nostalgia. It includes a critical analysis and autoethnography of Swift’s Fearless rerecording as a mode to understand “timbral nostalgia,” a theory I have coined that combines the nostalgic feeling that is brought upon while listening to a particular timbre. It also includes a critical discussion of the industrial nature of popular music and centers Swift’s participation in creating material media in an increasingly digital age thus fostering what I call, “fabricated nostalgia.” Finally, by combining these two theories—“timbral nostalgia” and “fabricated nostalgia”—it will discuss how Swift’s musical brand benefits and deploys nostalgic ideals for her fans. Taylor Swift’s rerecording endeavor has allowed her to revisit and recreate her musical past. After her old record label sold her first six albums to Scooter Braun, Swift’s plan to rerecord her old work was not only personal but profitable. Swift’s effort to further devalue her back catalog has worked in her favor as she rerecords each album subtitled, ‘Taylor’s Version,’ positioning her with a regained ownership and power over her old music. Simultaneously, Swift has also released entirely new albums that are not only available digitally but materially with exclusive content and aesthetics. In much of Swift’s musical work, and through her successful “Eras Tour,” she continuously participates in nostalgia. Whether that be through the recreation of each era as she releases the rerecording or through her use and implementation of material media, Swift’s push for nostalgic musical experiences cannot be denied. By highlighting my own relationship to Swift, I present this thesis as a vehicle to explore how Swift’s music and brand inspire nostalgic experiences for her listeners.
Graduation Semester
2024-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125646
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 Adrianna Eliza Mirabal

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois