Taylor Swift posing at the Eras Tour Kate Green/Getty Images
Look What You Made Me Stream
JANUARY 13, 2025, 12:00 A.M.
For the third year in a row, Taylor Swift, one of the most influential and iconic pop artists of the 21st century, was crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist, reigning over global playlists and capturing the hearts of millions. Her ability to connect with listeners ensures her songs remain heard through headphones and speakers. The rise of streaming services has played a significant role in this phenomenon, transforming how people engage with music and their favorite artists.
Streaming platforms like Spotify have revolutionized how music is consumed, offering instant access to millions of tracks, curated playlists, and personalized recommendations. For EBHS students, these features transformed music discovery into an individualized experience.
“Taylor Swift is my number one artist on Spotify Wrapped. I think her influence on her Spotify playlists has played a role in her fame. Spotify curates so many custom playlists, and Taylor Swift appears in almost all of mine all the time. A lot of teens relate to her music and have seen a lot of videos on social media about the Eras Tour,” said EBHS Junior Alyssa Buckwald.
As Buckwald mentioned, the seamless integration of social media has amplified artists’ reach. Viral trends like TikTok’s #TSTheErasTour campaign encouraged fans to collect Taylor Swift album-themed beads and profile frames by completing challenges, including following Swift and creating posts with specific hashtags. Swift also re-recorded albums, such as Red (Taylor’s Version), drawing in millions of listeners. These platforms make it easier for teens to engage with artists not only through music, but also visual content, interviews, and live streams.
However, not everyone views these platforms as perfect tools for music exploration. Mr. Good, the EBHS chorus teacher, pointed out a potential downside to Spotify’s algorithm-driven recommendations. “I do think it’s a lot easier to interact with music. However, I believe the algorithm doesn’t allow us to get a fuller picture of different artists. It always suggests similar artists, so you don’t get to explore a broader variety of them,” he said.
Algorithms play a significant role in shaping what users hear. By analyzing listening habits, Spotify’s algorithm prioritizes songs and artists that fit the listener’s existing preferences. While this makes music discovery effortless, it also creates an echo chamber, where smaller, lesser-known artists struggle to break through. Looking to expand your horizons may require extra effort to step outside of these personalized recommendations.
Despite these limitations, streaming services have undeniably made music more accessible than ever before. Students no longer need to buy CDs or download individual songs. Platforms like Spotify have redefined individual listening habits and introduced collaborative playlists, allowing others to share and explore each other’s favorite tracks.
As Taylor Swift continues to dominate streaming platforms and cultural conversations, EBHS students and staff remain engaged and influenced by the evolving ways technology is shaping their relationship with music. Whether through viral social media moments, the algorithm tailoring content to your preferences, or accessible music listening, streaming platforms have reshaped the soundtrack of many lives.
