Annie Zaleski Discusses Her Book About Taylor Swift

Annie Zaleski fondly remembers lining up along with thousands of other fans outside what was then Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for Taylor Swift’s 1989 Tour to witness the world-famous singer’s foray into her pop-star era. 

Zaleski, a music journalist, penned the 33 1/3 Series book on Duran Duran’s seminal album “Rio” in 2021 and the Lady Gaga: Applause biography in 2022. So, when it came time to choose her next subject, Zaleski drew on her Swift fandom to pen Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs, which delves into the artist’s rich body of work.

“Her acumen as a songwriter is well-established at this point,” Zaleski says. “There’s so much to her songs, whether that’s the imagery she uses, nods to other artists, the turns of phrase she uses or the way she structures her songs. There’s a lot to dig into there.”

Zaleski studied at Harvard University before moving around the United States for a few years and then returning to where she grew up in the Cleveland area. We talked with Zaleski about how music influenced her life and the connection she found with Swift and her songs.

How did music shape your background and influence your life growing up?
My parents were major music fans. They loved music, and they passed that down to me. Growing up, we always had music playing. My dad loved not just ’70s classic rock, but he loved new wave music like The Cars and U2, and my mom loved Broadway. I have very strong memories of Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” and the “Chorus Line” soundtrack.

Which Taylor Swift era would you say exemplifies you?
On a given day, “Red” is most often my favorite record by her. That album came out in 2012, and that was a very transitional time in my life, in a good way. I had moved back to Cleveland the year before, I was engaged, and I was planning my wedding. It was a transitional album for her, and it came out at a transitional time for me. 

What about this book do you love most and what makes it special to you?
It’s thrilling to be able to write and release a book on an artist who is at the peak of their powers. Being able to spotlight someone’s songwriting and someone who means so much to people of all ages — especially young women and Swifties who’ve grown up with her — really means a lot to me. She’s really legitimized a lot of feelings and emotions that young women have felt over the years and has really been a friend from afar for people. 

For more information, visit anniez.com.

For more Ohio inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters. 

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.