With her amazing talent in songwriting and singing, Taylor Swift was titled by many people, critics, and her fans, Swifties, as the “Music Industry.” Taylor’s shoulders must be aching from having to carry the whole music industry on her back with her impeccable songwriting skills–amassing her song’s streams from thousands to millions to billions.
If you personally know me, you must know how much I love her and her songs. And if you aren’t familiar with her yet, well, let me introduce you to Taylor Alison Swift–the highly-acclaimed American artist who has released 9 studio albums, transitioning from country to pop, to indie folk, and alternative rock genre. Her story-telling-like songwriting technique amazes many, in which–most of the time–is inspired by her own personal life – from heartbreaks, falling in love, or even how she battled how the public eye sees her down.
Her music inspires lots of her fans, including me. Aside from writing about herself, her music empowers and connects her to the people. She uses her talent to vocalize her voice towards pressing issues on women, the LGBTQIA+ community, the youth, and even her political stance. Moreover, she used her music to help, for example, in her “Wildest Dreams” official music video. Everything that she profited from the views of that video went straight to the African Parks Foundation of America (APFA), an organization that works to develop sustainable tourism in some of Africa’s most at-risk areas while also promoting community involvement, and poaching eradication, and nature preservation.
With hundreds of songs she has put up, it’s no surprise that her lyrics can be interpreted in so many ways, even in Scouting. Who would have thought that her lyrics + Scouting can be something, eh? *In Swift’s voice* So you guys, here we are, with the 13 listed lyrics proving her songwriting 🤝 Scouting >>>> everything else, and will make you relate to and remember Scouting.
“I just pretend it isn’t real”
Soon You’ll Get Better
When the pandemic struck the country, everything felt like we were in a printed black and white world, leaving the printer with only black ink. From schools to jobs, to Scouting–everything felt like they were all gone. With the restrictions imposed, no Scouting nor encampment events were continued. And we Scouts felt like we just had to close our eyes, then wake up, pretending that all these are just dark dreams and aren’t real.
“I’d be a fearless leader / I’d be an alpha type”
The Man
Scouting molds Scouts to be better citizens of their country, servants of Him, caretakers of His creation, and become better leaders. Whether you grew up in a silver-spoon gated community, glamorous, shiny, bright Beverly Hills. Or raised on a farm that wasn’t a mansion, you must learn the skills of leadership the same way. Because it’s about uniting even when there are differences, not dividing. Leadership is a crucial skill one must know to become an effective leader, in or outside Scouting. With a leader, a group or many will have their lives and ways of direction. Leadership is not just about leading or decision-making. It’s about getting and giving one another’s trust, respect, and belief. As Swift once said, “In a relationship, each person should support the other; they should lift each other up.” Technically, this is about love, but hey, this is true for any kind of relationship with other people.
“And I never (never) / Saw you coming / And I’ll never (never) / Be the same”
State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)
Scouting happened to us (that’s what happened youuuuuu~ HAHA) in the most unexpected way. What got us into it is the thrill they tell us about. The perception gave us all. But what made our stay was the bond that grew with us over time, the lessons we knew, the experiences we now held, and the memories we now share. Without it, we might not be who we actually are today. Being a Scout is one thing that I will never forget and regret becoming because we may not have that James Dean daydream look in our eyes nor that red lip classic thing that Harry likes but we certainly will never get out of style, because as per our Scout Slogan, “Once a Scout, Always a Scout.” Scouting is something we may or may not have seen coming, but it will always be a turning point in our lives–one that improves us for the better.
“Went home and tried to stalk you on the internet”
Paper Rings
Oh, don’t pretend now. I’m sure you have done this before, being all Sherlock Holmes just to find this mystery scout that you met during an encampment, betting whether they think about you–especially when face-to-face encampments were still allowed. It’s either you saw an inspiring Scout, Scout leader, or person in a jamboree, or you saw a Scout and was enchanted to meet them and wanted to have a conversation with them. On a serious note, don’t just stare, move if you want something to progress. Hey @, just kidding HAHA.
“You need to calm down / You’re being too loud”
You Need To Calm Down
Pretty sure you saw your Crew Leader, not once or twice, but many times, get mad and hot-headed. Handling such a big pack of Scouts on the leader’s head and shoulder indeed is such a challenge and can test their patience. And once the volcano erupts, we’re just like you need to calm down, even though we know for ourselves that it’s clearly our fault. Just remember you guys, don’t trigger the eruption, follow the rules, and the commandments, and everything will go as smooth as butter if you don’t want the lava to burn you.
“Time won’t fly, it’s like I’m paralyzed by it”
All Too Well (10 Minutes Version) (Taylor’s Version)
Every after encampment, memories remain. These memories live within our hearts and we share this with other people. These are the things that we can hold on to forever that will never be gone. Every time we go back to these times, It’s like time won’t fly and you’re just paralyzed by it. We can never go back in time, but we can always recall and retell what happened, and it’s like there you are again in the middle of the night with teardrops on your guitar looking blankly at space, whilst reminiscing your favorite encampment memories. As someone said about the obstacle courses in every encampment, “Ang putik ay mawawala, matatanggal ng ma-dalian. Pero ang alaala at saya ang syang pang-habang buhay na mananahan.” – Anonymous. That’s why, we must hold on tight to these things, so the next generation of Scouts can see the beauty of Scouting, and may aspire to become one.
“I said, “Oh my, what a marvelous tune” / It was the best night, never would forget how we moved / The whole place / Was dressed to the nines / And we were dancing, dancing / Like we’re made of starlight”
Starlight (Taylor’s Version)
“Campfire’s burning, campfire’s burning” indeed. The melody we all know and sing during the campfire night will always remain a top-tier moment in Scouting. Campfire night is, and will always be, the star of every Scouting activity and encampment. The beauty of the burning fire is like the fire within the hearts of Scouts. The joy of singing, like the melody within everyone, pushes them to push for change and world betterment. And the energy of dancing, like the strength of continuing despite odds and challenges. All of these unleash in the very moment of a campfire. And we hope that all of these shall not start and remain only in that moment. May we always keep all of these in our minds all of the time as we dream to achieve a better world.
“Because these things will change / Can you feel it now? / These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down”
Change (Taylor’s Version)
To simply put it, we Scouts are catalysts of change. Creating change is a state of grace, it’s a worthwhile fight to achieve a better world. Doing something, to change something, is not an easy task. Even though we’re always pushed from the precipice, we often climbed right back up the cliff. Long story short, we often survived. Through the Better World Framework and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and many more, we are guided and we have the map to walk through how we can start change, one at a time. These things will change through our collective efforts. But if we just dream and never take action (even the smallest action) to make it a reality, our dreams will just be a sketch. No color, no actualness. But I believe in whatever we can do, and we’ll do anything to see it through because these things will change!
“Maybe we got lost in translation”
All Too Well (10 Minutes Version) (Taylor’s Version)
In every Scouting event, signal activities and fancy drills are never absent. These things, especially the different signal challenges, are crucial especially at times of emergency and disasters. But, it’s inevitable that we make mistakes and translate the commandment and/or signals wrong. So say you’ll remember these signal challenges and bet that these memories would follow you around because it’s very important to listen carefully and be attentive, so we don’t get lost in translation and get it right.
“And darling, it was good / Never looking down / And right there where we stood / Was holy ground”
Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)
Do you know that feeling of becoming a Scout and stepping on a campsite, feeling the Scouting spirit and excitement every time? It feels like you’re stepping on your holy ground, where you belong, where you are welcome, where you are home. That’s what these lyrics remind me of–the joy of partaking in every Scouting or encampment event. Moreover, you just think about what’s in front of you, because you’re in a surrounding where you support and empower one another. You just feel like this is life, this is enough. I’m living it, and I hope it never ends, for I might never walk these roads again.
“F*ck the patriarchy”
All Too Well (10 Minutes Version) (Taylor’s Version)
Women are so sick of running as fast as they can, wondering if they could get quicker if they’re a man. One lesson that Scouting taught us all is equality. That is what men can do, women can as well. Women aren’t just women, they are women–women with capabilities, strength, power, and gorgeousness. Of course, we all know that the Boy Scouts organization around the world is and was designed to cater mainly to males, but through time, change happens, and females are now also welcome within the organization. As they show competence like–and even greater than–men, this became a gateway for women to excel in our organization. And moreover, as Scouts, let’s promote gender equality, as we should. Doesn’t mean our organization is for boys, we should underlook females and have a sexist mindset. Remember, they could build a castle out of all the bricks people throw at them.
“Losing him was blue like I’d never known / Missing him was dark gray all alone / Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you’ve never met / But loving him was red”
Red (Taylor’s Version)
As stated earlier, we didn’t expect Scouting to be this beautiful for our hearts to be attached and remain. Overall attachment to Scouting led us to beautiful and even greater things. We have probably realized soon enough how attached we are to the values that we uphold, but it must’ve been only during and after the pandemic that we were reminded that Scouting isn’t just a happy or thrilling event that makes us get to know new friends. It’s a routine. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we continue to ignite our Scouting spirit, and that enables us to prove that the flames, or should I say the campfire, is still burning. We once believed it would be black and white, but it’s golden.
“I had the time of my life, fighting dragons with you”
Long Live
Scouting, for Scouts like us, is a ride or die. A mixture of fun and games and a taste of challenge. Reaching the peak and looking back on everything that Scouting has done for us–it taught us lots of things, shaped our values, and led us to who we have now become–was indeed a fight against the dragons. Our dragons. Who would have thought that some of us became Eagle Scouts already, TOBS awardees, special award recipients for prestigious titles, or Scout Representatives? It feels like yesterday, we’re just starting and exploring. Then today, we have come so far. Long live, someday we will be remembered. This was the best journey yet.
See? Told ya her music can mean nearly everything. To be honest, writing this article is quite challenging though, as there are so many good lyrics we can use. Aside from that, digging deeper into her words is challenging. After writing this article, I realize that we Scouts are like Taylor Swift. Swift had a very rocky path in her career, as many brought her down, and many storms of challenges had come her way. And to us Scouts, achieving whatever we want, that may either become an Eagle Scout, a Scout Representative, to change something for world betterment, or whatever it may be, was and will never be easy. Day by day, it’s always like entering an obstacle course or a challenging valley. Despite that, we always chose to have a strong heart in order to continue, and achieve our goals.
Before I end this article (before her next song, album, and/or re-recording release, and before you clown with theories on her next plans) let me leave you with a statement from Taylor Swift herself. “There are two ways you can go with pain. You can let it destroy you or use it as fuel to drive you to dream bigger, work harder.”
