That's How I Know Taylor Swift

It was the summer of 2009, I was in the 5th grade. My sister had come home for her vacation. Her friend came over to exchange home assignments and also transfer some new music collection to our PC. Those were the days of PCs and pendrives. I had this curiosity to sit by the PC when someone was working on it and observe carefully whatever was being done–the files transferred, the keyboard shortcuts used and the entire technological mechanism seemed enthralling to me since always. As her friend, whom I called Dada (Brother) was doing his work, I kept staring at the monitor and kept tracking all the new music folders that were being pasted on our PC. Dada asked, " Do you listen to Western music? I have some cool collection". My sister was least interested because she was a Hindustani Classical singer and listened to Hindi songs only. My eleven-year old mind was open to some novelty. I said "Transfer whatever new music you have". My sister was crazy about the Twilight movie which was a huge phenomenon back then. She read the novel in her hostel and became a fan of Edward Cullen a.k.a Robert Pattinson. But it was difficult to watch the movie without the subtitles, obviously.

Having exchanged their assignments which was to be submitted to their school after the vacation, Dada left – left me fascinated to explore the brand new music, the Western music!

I was also being trained in Hindustaani Classical music along with my sister but I was always highly intrigued by the west; never quite had any exposure to it....and this was my golden opportunity to unlock the treasure!

I sat down and began my treasure hunt. My sister got busy with her projects and I, opening every folder that was created on the PC on a lookout for the music files. And finally found a folder which contained songs by various Western artists whose names I had never even heard of. There was Akon, Enrique, Owl City, Elvis Presley, Bryan Adams and all these were so, so new to me. I began playing those songs one by one and was so deeply moved by their musicality. But I couldn't comprehend the lyrics. We had BSNL broadband back then which gave 1 GB of data for monthly usage. It was a huge thing, I must say. I Googled and discovered azlyrics.com and lo! My work was half done. I played those songs on Windows Media Player and read the lyrics from the Chrome browser. And that was my entry to the world of Western music.

Akon 's "I'm So Paid" was a regular on-loop on my Philips mp3 player. Also, listened to "Lonely" and other hits by Akon. And then, I grooved to Summer of '69, Blue Suede Shoes, I Want It That Way, Somebody's Me, and several other superhits by various Western artists of the time.

One day, I found a folder that had some songs by female artists. There was a song titled "Butterfly Fly Away" and "I Miss You" by Miley Cyrus. Well, I had no idea who she was but I played those songs anyway. These songs were comparatively easier to understand and sing along. So, reading the lyrics from the browser tab, I began singing along. And that's how I learnt singing Western song!

Now, I was greedy to explore more female artists from the Western world. And then I found a video folder. God I tell you, that was the hidden treasure unlocked!

I found the music videos of Taylor Swift!!!

There were videos of Crazier, White Horse, Teardrops on my Guitar, Love Story, You Belong With Me and a few other. I was so deeply fascinated and enthralled and moved and touched by her voice that I decided she's going to be the Inspiration to my Western singing....and there was no looking back.

To understand her music, I didn't need azlyrics.com because she was so fluent and easy on her diction and pronunciation that I quickly understood and caught up with her songs. The soft melody in her voice and the beauty in her lyricals were just incredible to me. I instantly fell in deep love and admiration for Taylor Swift.

Next up, I began Googling other songs by her– her albums , latest releases and also her photos for my desktop wallpaper! She was my obsession, my guide, my mentor, my friend and most of all, my Guru. She was and is with me through the best of times and the darkest of phases. She has been my constant.

She taught me to be Fearless and to Speak Now without being so conscious of the Reputation built in people's minds. She left a Blank Space in my heart which is only to be filled by her. She inspired me to survive through the darkest Midnights and make it up with any Bad Blood. She has my heart and soul, and I know it All too Well.

Fun fact: I performed her songs playing the guitar in school and college events. Crazier being the first one, followed by Safe and Sound, Red, and several more to go!