Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated twelfth album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” has hit the airwaves, but it’s already generating a buzz online for reasons beyond its musical content. Social media users are actively comparing tracks from the new album to existing songs by other artists, leading to accusations of unoriginality and even outright “theft.”
One viral Instagram post highlighted several potential parallels, drawing comparisons between the title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” and the Jonas Brothers’ “Cool.” The same user also pointed out similarities between “Opalite” and Post Malone’s “Circles,” and “Wood” to the Jackson 5’s iconic “I Want You Back.” The comments section quickly filled with users agreeing with these observations, with some even suggesting other songs that “The Life of a Showgirl” tracks supposedly resemble, such as Colbie Caillat’s “Brighter Than the Sun” and Weezer’s “Beverly Hills.”
However, the criticism hasn’t gone unchallenged. A strong contingent of Taylor Swift’s fanbase has stepped in to defend her work. Many pointed out that similarities are common in pop music, with one user stating, “It’s pop music — it’s going to sound the same after a while.” Another commenter emphasized that melodic similarities are often unintentional or simply a result of the finite combinations of musical notes available. The sentiment was echoed by others who argued that such comparisons are overblown, with one quipping, “Wow, pop songs sound like pop songs.”
Released on October 3, 2025, “The Life of a Showgirl” was written and produced by Swift in collaboration with Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback. Recorded during her Eras Tour in Europe in 2024, the 12-track album delves into themes of love, fame, identity, and the realities of life on the road. The title track even features a guest appearance by Sabrina Carpenter.
Swift herself has described the album as a reflection of the “exuberant, electric, and vibrant” inner world she experienced while touring, a project born from a place of immense joy and personal growth. Despite the online debate, the album’s release underscores Swift’s continued impact on the music industry.