Taylor Swift has been circling the globe on her widely successful Speak Now world tour. Somehow during her hectic travels, which included stops in Japan, South Korea, Holland, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as shows all over the United States, the young superstar has found time to work on her fourth studio album, which she says will be unlike anything she has released in the past.
"They're sad, if I'm being honest," she tells the New Yorker of the ten songs she's written so far for the project (quote via MTV.com). The Grammy winner explains her new songs are "about achieving contentment ... you're not always going to be ridiculously happy," adding that one tune "is about moving on."
The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year (and current CMA nominee for the same title) has earned a flood of rave reviews for her live performances, but then there's also the inevitable criticism every now and then. But Taylor keeps her chin up, insisting she's never claimed to be a great singer. "I write songs, and my voice is just a way to get those lyrics across," she simply states.
Scoring more than a dozen Top 10 hits, including 'Our Song,' 'Should've Said No' and 'Back to December,' the Pennsylvania native says fans can expect more mature lyrics on her new album. "Retrospect will tell a lot. Years from now, I'll look back and go, 'I didn't know anything then,'" Taylor reflects. "I had this song called 'Picture to Burn' that's talking about how 'I hate your truck' and 'I hate that you ignored me,' 'I hate you,' " she explains. "Now, the way that I would say that and the way that I would feel that kind of pain is a lot different."
The 21 year old's latest single, 'Sparks Fly,' is an early indication of her more adult-themed lyrics. With lines such as "You touch me once and it's really something / You find I'm even better than you imagined I would be," the tune, which is currently in the Top 10 on the charts, is quickly becoming a favorite for fans of all ages.
Taylor will play tonight (Oct. 5) in New Orleans, La., followed by shows in Texas and Kentucky. Keep track of the blond beauty's tour schedule here.