Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a celebration of her fans, past and present. Beyond the musical tracks, the album includes five original poems, each tied to a different variant. Among them, “The Crowd Is Your King” has captured the hearts of longtime Swifties, including Cindy Childs and her daughter Eloise in Indianapolis.
“I woke up to dozens of text messages,” Childs recalled. “Friends were asking, ‘Did Taylor write a poem about you?’”
“The Crowd Is Your King”: A Poetic Tribute
The poem opens with lines that mirror Cindy and Eloise’s personal experiences:
Remember this city? You’ve been here before in another life On another tour Remember her? She’s got a mortgage now Straight teeth where there’d been metal brackets Standing with her 8-year-old daughter… You mouth ‘I know you’…
Childs described her reaction: “I had like an audible gasp. I had so many flashbacks.”
The poem traces nearly a decade of memories, beginning when Swift first noticed Eloise as an infant during an Instagram Live session. Swift jokingly ensured the baby wasn’t disturbed while chatting with Childs for 45 minutes, demonstrating a personal connection rarely seen in pop culture.
Eight years later, mother and daughter attended the Eras Tour in Indianapolis. Swift’s team guided them to the edge of the catwalk, where Eloise was crowned with the iconic “22” fedora—a memory that Childs treasures to this day.
Capturing the Fan Experience
Lines from the poem continue to celebrate the bond between Swift and her audience:
In the millisecond gap in your choreography To you, she will look exactly the same age as the first time you saw her She will always be 14 and a half Remember! Lock right back into the footwork Any missed step is a misstep You must remember everything But mostly this: The crowd is your king
While deeply personal for Cindy and Eloise, the poem also reflects a broader homage to original Swifties, those fans who have followed her career and grown alongside her music.
“It’s not just about us,” Childs explained. “It’s a beautiful tribute to the original Swifties who have seen her evolve. We’ve grown up with her, and she’s grown up with us.”
The Other Poems in the Album
The other four poems included in album variants are:
Sweat and Vanilla Perfume
Shiny Bug
Baby, That’s Show Business
The Tiny Bubbles in Champagne
Together, they read like diary entries, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into Swift’s life offstage. Notably, stars placed over letters in the poems form a numbered sequence that acts as the prologue to The Life of a Showgirl.
Blurring the Line Between Artist and Audience
Swift’s inclusion of poetry reinforces the concept of her 12th era: an immersive experience that draws fans deeper into her creative world. By blending music with written reflections, Swift creates personal connections that go beyond traditional pop culture engagement.
“The Crowd Is Your King” exemplifies this connection, shining a metaphorical spotlight on fans who have been part of her journey. “It gives me goosebumps,” Childs said. “It makes me want to cry. Being part of this, and knowing it’s written down, is incredible.”
A Lasting Legacy
Through her combination of music and poetry, Taylor Swift continues to differentiate herself in the pop world. Her artistry extends beyond albums and tours to moments of personal recognition and shared memories with fans, honoring over a decade of support and loyalty.
For many, the poem isn’t just nostalgia—it’s validation. Swift’s dedication to acknowledging her audience ensures that her fan base feels seen, celebrated, and woven into the narrative of her career.
