A Swift History: What the world looked like when each of Taylor's albums dropped
Taylor Swift has been making bangers for so many years, it's easy to forget how long she's been popular.
Her first album, Taylor Swift, was released in 2006, and since then she's been pumping out hit after hit as an unstoppable force in the music industry.
Since 2006, the world and Australia have seen a long list of revolving leaders, fashion trends, charting songs and global news events.
We've also had the pleasure of listening to 11 Taylor Swift albums, with number 12 on the way this week.
Here's what was happening in the world for every album drop, excluding the Taylor's Version rerecords, as we await The Life of a Showgirl.
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Taylor Swift (2006)
When Swift released her first album, John Howard was Australia's Prime Minister in what would be his last term.
The biggest celebrity news story from that year was the wedding of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman; just this week, 19 years on, the couple has confirmed their split.
2006 was also the year Kylie Minogue made a victorious comeback to the stage after her cancer treatment.
The collapse of the Beaconsfield mine in Tasmania, trapping two miners, Todd Russell and Brant Webb underground for 14 days, was the biggest local news story of the year.
They were rescued in an effort that gripped the nation.
I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair) by Sandi Thom was the number 1 charting song on the ARIA charts.
Meanwhile, Y2K fashion was at its absolute peak with low-rise pants all the rage, as well as skinny jeans, layered singlets, oversized belts, capri pants and ugg boots.
The A-listers of 2006 included Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Tom Cruise and George Clooney.
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Fearless (2008)
When Swift's second album, Fearless, was released, Kevin Rudd was Prime Minister of Australia.
The world was in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis, but that didn't stop the album becoming the best-seller of the year.
It sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
The first Twilight film was released in 2008, with the vampire film becoming a global phenomenon, shooting the cast to fame.
The top song on the ARIA charts was Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon, and celebrities like Britney Spears, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Beyoncé were constantly making headlines.
2008 was also historic for other reasons, with Barack Obama making history in the US as the first African-American to be nominated on a major party ticket for the presidential election.
Y2K fashion was still in, with a shift to "scene" and "emo"-style makeup with heavy eyeliner and straightened fringes.
Skinny jeans, gladiator sandals and statement necklaces were all dominating fashion.
Speak Now (2010)
The year Speak Now came out, Julia Gillard made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of Australia.
It was also the biggest news story of the year as Kevin Rudd was ousted by his own party.
In celebrity news, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their royal engagement.
Rihanna's Only Girl in the World was #1 on the ARIA charts.
Fashion started moving into a new era, with everyone dressing business casual (for some reason).
The style included firm-fitting high-waisted skirts and shorts, peplum tops and statement rings.
Major celebrities of 2010 included Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Red (2012)
Red dropped while Julia Gillard was still holding strong as Prime Minister, with her now-iconic misogyny speech being read in Parliament that year.
The biggest international news story was Hurricane Sandy devastating the US's East Coast.
In the celebrity realm, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's engagement and upcoming wedding were making headlines around the world.
Meanwhile, the globe and Australia were dancing to Psy's Gangnam Style, with the K-Pop song topping the ARIA charts.
The first Hunger Games film was released, catapulting Jennifer Lawrence to stardom.
The biggest celebrities of the year included the Kardashian Family, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and, of course, Jennifer Lawrence.
In the fashion world, colour blocking, peplum tops, wedge sneakers and studs and spikes were all the rage.
We also saw the beginning of the athleisure trend.
1989 (2014)
By the release of 1989 in 2014, Gillard had been voted out and Tony Abbott of the Coalition had taken her place as prime minister.
The Ebola crisis was the biggest global news story, as well as massive pop culture moments like the ASL Ice Bucket challenge, in which stars dumped buckets of icy water over themselves to raise awareness and money for motor neurone disease.
Kim Kardashian broke the internet with her naked Paper magazine cover and the world was singing along to Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud.
The song was number one on the ARIA charts.
Kardashian also made headlines when she tied the knot with Kanye West.
Fashion had taken a turn for the toned-down, with crop tops and flannel making a comeback and flower crowns all the rage.
Reputation (2017)
After going into hiding for a year, Swift made a glorious comeback with Reputation, which was the among the biggest celebrity news stories of 2017.
The singer faced intense scrutiny after a public feud with Kim Kardashian and Kayne West over an illegally recorded and leaked phone call recording in 2016, which was later revealed to be edited.
Swift retreated from the spotlight, leaving fans in the dark until she surprise-dropped Reputation.
Internationally, the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency was dominating global headlines. At the same time, the #MeToo movement hit its peak, making huge ripples through Hollywood and other industries.
In Australia, Malcom Turnbull had been elected prime minister, and same-sex marriage became legal in December following a national plebiscite.
In other celebrity news, Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian both announced their pregnancies, and Camila Cabello's Havana was number 1 on the ARIA Charts.
Fashion was in a weird transitional era, with floral off-the-shoulder tops, distressed jeans, ankle boots, boho and puffy coats all in style.
The cast of Stranger Things were extremely famous in 2017, following the success of the Netflix show's first season the year before.
Lover (2019)
When Lover came out in 2019, Scott Morrison was our prime minister.
The international news cycle was focused on the Amazon rainforest fires, while Australia endured its worst bushfire season in recent history, with the Black Summer fires burning over 23.4 million hectares.
Australian singer Tones and I broke onto the music scene with Dance Monkey, which hit number one on the ARIA Charts.
The celebrity news of the year was Swift's feud with Scooter Braun over the rights to her back catalogue, as well as the spilt of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.
Other celebrities making the news included Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande, Lizzo, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Eilish became mainstream with her hit song Bad Guy.
Meanwhile, biker shorts, neon colours, oversized blazers and tie-dye were all in fashion
Folklore and Evermore (2020)
While the world was in lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, Swift coped with the isolation by writing and releasing Folklore.
Also making the international news cycle was the Black Lives Matter movement, after the death of George Floyd sparked a global conversation about police brutality.
Of course, there was also anticipation for the 2020 US election, with Joe Biden running against Trump.
In Australia, Scott Morrison was still prime minister.
Evermore, the sister album of Folklore, was released at the end of 2020.
Joe Biden won the US presidential election with running mate Kamala Harris.
Rockstar by DaBaby was number one 1 on the ARIA charts, with fashion trends limited to what we could wear comfortably inside.
Other celebrities in the news at the time were Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé and The Weeknd.
Australian artist The Kid Laroi was also starting to make waves in the music scene.
All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey took out the top spot on the ARIA charts when Evermore was released.
Midnights (2022)
By 2022, the world had largely returned to 'normal' as almost everyone had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Swift had also returned to her pop roots with Midnights, moving away from the indie-folk vibes of Folklore and Evermore.
Scott Morrison was no longer prime minister, with Anthony Albanese taking his place.
The global news cycle was focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and women's rights issues in Iran, while Queen Elizabeth II's death also dominated headlines.
Locally, everyone was talking about Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic being sent to immigration detention over his vaccine status.
Australia was also in mourning after Queensland police officers Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold were killed in an ambush in Wieambilla.
Pop culture was focused on K-pop group BTS, and Harry Styles' film debut with Don't Worry Darling and the drama surrounding the cast.
2022 fashion focused on Y2K-inspired clothes, as well as bright and fun colours like hot pink, chunky platforms, low-rise pants, oversized knitwear and the resurgence of comfort through athleisure wear.
Unholy by Sam Smith was number 1 on the ARIA charts the week Midnights was released.
The Tortured Poets Department (2024)
When The Tortured Poets Department dropped, Anthony Albanese was still prime minister.
The war in Gaza was the biggest global story of the year, as well as the return to the White House for Donald Trump.
In celebrity news, the budding relationship between Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce was making headlines everywhere – we could not get enough of them as a couple.
Swift was also deep into her record-smashing Eras Tour at the time the album was released.
Beautiful Things by Benson Boone was the number one song on the ARIA charts when the album came out.
The quiet luxury trend was everywhere, with minimalist and logo-free clothes becoming popular.
Ballet flats, oversized leather jackets and hyper-feminine clothing were all in trend.
The Life of a Showgirl (2025)
As Swift's new album is released, Anthony Albanese remains the prime minister.
The news cycle is heavily focused on the Trump administration, the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the ongoing war in Gaza.
In celebrity news, Swift and Kelce are engaged, and the singer's bestie Selena Gomez is newly married.
Also making headlines is the divorce of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman.
The top song on the ARIA Charts is Golden from the animated Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Fashion trends are shifting dynamically, with several different styles becoming mainstream.
A lot of it includes a focus on feminine but clean and classic designs.
Knee-high boots, leather jackets, and structured shirts are all in, but so are low-waisted pants, camo print and sneakers.
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