2014 has been Taylor Swift’s year. The country singer turned pop powerhouse has dominated the charts, taken the Victoria’s Secret show by storm and become the BFF of every A-lister ever. If that wasn’t enough to celebrate, it’s Taylor’s 25th birthday this month and to mark the occasion, Team ELLE has unpacked our favourite inspiring, confidence-boosting and relationship savvy Swifty lyrics.  Happy birthday T-Swizzle!

1.    Shake it Off

‘Cause the players gonna play, and the haters gonna hate, baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, I shake it off’

This chorus doubles as a handy phrasebook.  Boyfriend giving you a hard time?  ‘Players gonna play’  Friends not fans of your new Swifty-blonde bob?  ‘Haters gonna hate’.  Starbucks gave you the wrong coffee?  ‘Shake it off.’    

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2.    22

'We’re happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time’

An acutely observed comment on human nature. Taylor rules, and she feels all the same feelings we do. Bow down.

3.    Better Than Revenge

‘Sophistication isn’t what you wear or who you know or pushing people down to get you where you wanna go’

As if being a living pop legend wasn’t enough, Taylor has tasked herself with imparting wisdom through the medium of song. Thanks bestie. 

4.    Ours

‘People throw rocks at things that shine’

Taylor also wrote ‘I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me’, she knows that sometimes other people conspire to dull your shine. What do we say? Shake it off (see first entry on this list).

5.    Innocent

‘Today is never too late to be brand new’

Think it’s too late to turn over a new leaf? Taylor tansformed herself from country darling to pop maverick in the blink of an eye.  If she doesn’t think it’s too late to change, who are we to argue?

6.    The Last Time

‘This is the last time I’m asking you this, put my name on the top of your list.’

Don’t feel like you’re a priority for those you prioritise? Not OK. Ask for what you want and need.

7.    Trouble

‘Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in.  So shame on me now…’

Intuition is real, people. Got a gut feeling that something just isn’t right? Let your instinct lead.

Words by Josie Ayre