Yet another record for Taylor Swift. At 36, she is the youngest woman ever to enter the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the award that celebrates the great authors of American music. The ceremony was held on Thursday 11 June in New York, at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
Surprisingly, Steven Spielberg took the stage to present it, having been invited by Swift herself. The director built his speech by quoting some of Swift's song titles: “In some ways, Taylor knows us all too well,” he said, playing on the title of All Too Well. Then the actual tribute: «She is a unique artist and a true phenomenon, her place in our culture has nothing to envy that of the great authors of American song».
Then it was her turn, with a speech lasting about twenty minutes during which the singer-songwriter appeared visibly moved. He opened by apologizing for his hoarse voice, still felt from cheering on the sidelines during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs. Then she thanked her family for everything they gave up to support her, starting with the move from Pennsylvania to Nashville. Writing, she said, has always come naturally to her: “It was instinctive, no one taught me how to do it.”
Swift then addressed the new generation of artists: “You really have to prioritize what you love, to the core of your being, because you're going to need it.” Shortly before the award ceremony Sombr had paid homage to the singer-songwriter with interpretations of Cardigan And Dear Johnand she reciprocated from the stage: «Sombr is the future, he does everything himself, he doesn't need AI, the kids are fine».
Swift's therefore becomes the female record of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The youngest ever to be awarded remains Stevie Wonder, who entered the roll of honor in 1983, at 32 years old. Together with her, on the same evening, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, Walter Afanasieff, the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss were also entered into the Hall of Fame.
