Taylor Swift has been ruling the music industry since she debuted with her self-titled album in 2006. Her fans have witnessed her evolution in music from her teenage years to adulthood. From songs about heartbreak and teenage angst to embracing femininity and individuality, Swifties swear a lifelong allegiance to her for her impressive body of work. Recently, Stranger Things actress Maya Hawke waxed lyrical about her in an interview.
Maya Hawke has a deeply personal connection to Taylor Swift’s music catalog
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Maya Hawke revealed that Taylor Swift has been a deeply inspirational figure to her. She believes that many young people connect to Swift’s music on a deeply personal level.
“I think she made a generation of young people who listen to music and think, ‘Oh, wow, my life could matter. Like, my feelings could matter,'” Hawke said. “It’s a Chekhovian thing, but I was hugely influenced by her. I have been listening to her music my entire life.”
Hawke appears to know nearly every Swift song by heart, capable of picking up any track mid-verse and finishing it without missing a beat. “You could start any song from any word; I would be able to know where you were and finish it. So it’s an undeniable influence.”
Moreover, Hawke even introduced her father, actor Ethan Hawke, to Swift’s music—turning him into a fan. The story goes that she once played Swift’s song Ours on the guitar for him, and he instantly took a liking to it and wanted to explore more of her music. The father-daughter duo also reportedly attended the Speak Now tour together.
Interestingly, Hawke is an independent singer-songwriter herself, with multiple albums to her name. Her music leans toward folk and indie, with a strong emphasis on lyrical storytelling. For someone who actively writes and performs her own material, her admiration for Swift goes beyond fandom—it reflects the appreciation of a fellow artist.
Hawke released her debut album, Blush, in 2020 and has followed it up with several projects since. Her upcoming album, Maitreya Corso, is set to be released on May 1, and she is currently on a promotional stint ahead of its launch.
