You Can’t Spell “Taylor Swift” Without “A” And “I”: Getting Lyrical With ChatGPT

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Writer Who Does Not Write The Songs; image by DALL-E…

I decided to put ChatGPT 4 to a creative test, and see how well it can teach. (I know, I should be grading papers, but AI provides so many fascinating new ways to procrastinate.)

With Harvard and other universities now offering courses about a certain pop singer, I decided to hop on the bandwagon.

So I gave ChatGPT a brief prompt: “I want to write song lyrics in the style of Taylor Swift. How should I do that?”

Its response:

Writing song lyrics in the style of Taylor Swift is a creative and expressive endeavor. Taylor Swift is known for her deeply personal, narrative-driven, and emotionally resonant lyrics. Here are some tips to capture that essence:

1. 1. Start with a Personal Story or Emotion: Taylor often draws from her own experiences. Think of a personal story or emotion you want to convey. It could be about love, heartbreak, growing up, or self-discovery.
   2. Use Vivid Imagery: She’s known for her vivid, relatable imagery. Describe settings, emotions, and situations in a way that paints a picture in the listener’s mind.
   3. Incorporate Conversational Tone: Her lyrics often feel like a conversation or a personal diary entry. Use a tone that’s intimate and direct.
   4. Include Catchy Hooks and Choruses: Craft memorable, singable hooks that encapsulate the core emotion or message of your song.
   5. Play with Metaphors and Similes: Use these literary devices to add depth to your lyrics. They make the song more engaging and thought-provoking.
   6. Narrative Structure: Structure your song like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
   7. Emotional Honesty: Perhaps most importantly, be emotionally honest. Her lyrics resonate because they’re authentic and heartfelt.

A bit on the vague side — as a neophyte lyricist, I would need more detailed directions than “vivid” and “memorable.” And those who know me can guess how I feel about the word “authentic.”

But, hey, it’s the AI-era, so why do any creative work myself? Instead, I asked ChatGPT to “create a Taylor Swift song about an adjunct professor.”

The response (which took less than a minute):

Sure, here’s a Taylor Swift-style song about an adjunct professor’s journey, filled with passion, challenges, and the pursuit of dreams:

(Verse 1)

In a world of books and endless dreams,
She walks the halls, a quiet stream.
Papers to grade, coffee in hand,
In the glow of the projector, she makes her stand.

(Chorus)

Oh, she’s the heart of the classroom, the spirit of the fight,
Turning pages in the moonlight, burning like a star so bright.
Dreaming of a lecture hall, where her name’s in shining lights,
But for now, she’s the guiding light, in these students’ nights.

(Verse 2)

Every day’s a new chapter, in her unwritten book,
She’s got wisdom in her glances, knowledge in every look.
Office hours running late, but she never minds,
In every question they ask, a piece of herself she finds.

(Chorus)

She’s the unsung hero, in the academic tide,
Juggling life and ambitions, with a graceful stride.
Pouring her heart into every lesson, every scholarly fight,
In the world of academia, she’s a beacon of light.

(Bridge)

Sometimes the journey’s tough, the path is rough,
But she wears her passion, tough enough.
She’s more than a professor, in the twilight hours,
Among the essays and theories, she discovers her powers.

(Chorus)

In the maze of education, she’s a wandering soul,
With every lecture, she’s nearing her goal.
She’s the magic in the mundane, the story untold,
In the heart of the campus, she’s pure gold.

(Outro)

So here’s to the dreamers, teaching on their own terms,
In the heart of the classroom, where the passion burns.
An adjunct professor, with a world to impart,
In the halls of learning, she’s a work of art.

As only a casual Swift listener, I’m not sure how these lyrics would rank in her discography. Any Swifties reading this want to share their verdict?

Now, as a former adjunct professor, I can say that, thematically, the lyrics are a little light. They need to say more about the financial, political, and personal challenges a typical adjunct faces. After all, there’s a very good chance that many adjuncts will be replaced by AI in the years to come.

On second thought, ChatGPT, let’s channel some Edgar Allan Poe…