LOS ANGELES, USA – In the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, which saw Donald Trump defeat Kamala Harris, streams of Taylor Swift’s music on Spotify have experienced a significant uptick.
Swift, who endorsed Harris and her running mate Tim Walz in the election, has seen renewed interest in her politically charged tracks and fan favourites from across her catalogue.
On November 6, the day Trump was elected as the 47th president, Swift’s streams soared, particularly for songs that reflect her political and feminist views.
“Only The Young,” a 2020 anthem included in Swift’s documentary Miss Americana, experienced its highest daily streams on Spotify in over two and a half years, with 257,031 streams—a 160 percent increase from the previous day.
The song was originally written after the 2018 U.S. midterm elections and has become a rallying cry for younger generations advocating for change.
📈| "Only The Young" by Taylor Swift once again earned its best day on Spotify in over 2.5 YEARS following the US Presidential election with 257,031 streams [+159.28%]!
—It last peaked following the May 2022 Philippine Presidential election. pic.twitter.com/Cvp9EMWqF5
— SpotifySwiftie (@SpotifySwiftie) November 7, 2024
Swift’s song “The Man,” which delves into themes of gender inequality, also saw a boost, with 613,371 streams on Election Day—its best day in over 10 weeks, according to data shared by the fan account Spotify Swiftie on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Featuring lyrics that challenge gender biases, “The Man” was reportedly used by Harris during her campaign and is considered one of Swift’s more explicitly feminist songs.
Another track seeing renewed interest is “Mad Woman” from her 2020 album Folklore.
Often interpreted as an exploration of female anger, it garnered its highest stream count in over three months with 148,359 listens, rising by approximately 24 percent from the day before.
Beyond Swift’s politically charged songs, her latest album The Tortured Poets Department and its extended release, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, also attracted high engagement.
“The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” saw an increase of 19.14 percent, bringing it to 524,159 streams, while “I Hate It Here” was up by 36.22 percent with 282,904 streams following the election results.
Swift’s endorsement of Harris in September appears to have resonated deeply with her fanbase.
"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" by Taylor Swift was up 19.14% in Spotify streams yesterday following Donald Trump's win in the US Presidential election, with 524,159 streams.
—"THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT" received 11,616,841 streams on Spotify yesterday, up 0.59%.
—"I Hate… pic.twitter.com/67XXWZGRJz
— SpotifySwiftie (@SpotifySwiftie) November 7, 2024
In a social media post, Swift praised Harris as a “steady-handed, gifted leader,” while commending Walz for his long-standing support of LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive freedoms.
Spotify and Swift’s representatives have yet to comment on the streaming surge, but the increase highlights Swift’s influence and the connection her music fosters among listeners in times of political change.
The boost in streams also underscores how artists with a strong political voice can engage listeners well beyond the concert stage.
Swift’s songs, especially her political anthems, have again proven to be a source of comfort and unity for fans navigating the highs and lows of national discourse.
