“It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well.” Taylor Swift’s haunting lyrics might just capture the essence of the latest philosophical exploration by Dr. Christopher Buford, associate professor of philosophy in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Akron. Buford has ventured into Swift’s lyrical landscape, contributing a chapter to the 2025 book “Taylor Swift and Philosophy – Essays from the Tortured Poet Department.”
Through Swift’s music, Buford explores the tangled threads of memory and identity, questioning how our recollections shape who we are — and how we remember it all too well. He also references this work as part of his classroom teaching.
Buford’s chapter, titled “A Real Lasting Legacy: Memories, Imagination and Taylor Swift,” examines the role of memory and imagination in shaping personal identity — an area of philosophy in which he specializes. “Many of her songs focus on themes of memory and imagination, which isn’t surprising for an artist whose music resonates deeply with listeners,” Buford explains. “Memory plays a significant role in how we form a sense of self and in larger philosophical questions of identity over time.”
Interestingly, he does not consider himself a Swiftie. “I knew who she was and knew that people really liked Taylor Swift, but it was the opportunity to contribute to a paper that brought me into the world of the pop superstar,” he admits. But with lyrics like “I was enchanted to meet you,” even a non-Swiftie can find himself captivated by her storytelling.
His research began with Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm,” where he was struck by the vivid nostalgia and the way she reflects on memory. In his chapter, Buford analyzed a variety of Swift songs, exploring distinctions between different types of memory — episodic, semantic and procedural — as well as the connection between memory and imagination. He also examined how her music aligns with philosophical theories of narrative identity. “We construct a picture of our lives through storytelling,” he says. “Some details get emphasized, while others are left out. The way we remember events impacts our greater narrative. Taylor Swift’s lyrics provide a relatable way to explore these ideas.”
Swift’s knack for storytelling aligns well with philosophical concepts. As Buford notes, her songs often capture the tension between memory and identity. Whether it’s discussing varying character traits in “Mine” or the bitter recounting of a fractured relationship and its impact on her identity in “All Too Well (10-Minute Version),” her lyrics are filled with reflections on how the past lingers and transforms.
Though Buford typically focuses on academic writing, including work on skeptical arguments, definitions of death in bioethics and theories of the metaphysical self, he found writing about Swift’s music to be a unique challenge. “I had never written about pop culture before,” he shares. “It challenged the way I think about writing, making philosophy more accessible to a popular audience.”
In the classroom, Buford embraces Swift’s lyrics as a teaching tool, using them as a launchpad for philosophical discussion. “Using examples that students can relate to helps illustrate complex philosophical ideas,” he explains. “Philosophy is highly relevant to the real world, and examining topics like identity, ethics and memory through pop culture can be a powerful teaching tool.”
So, after all this research, has he become a Swiftie? “No,” Buford says with a laugh, “but I’m not a hater. She’s extremely talented. I like a few of her songs and can appreciate her work.”
Through his contribution to “Taylor Swift and Philosophy,” Buford highlights how philosophical inquiry can connect with everyday life — and how one of the world’s biggest pop stars is already exploring those themes in her music.
Buford’s chapter was part of the Blackwell Philosophy Pop Series, which explores pop culture icons such as Star Wars, The Hobbit, Disney, The Big Bang Theory, Leg, Metallica and others.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476, cboyd@uakron.edu