In the concluding episodes of her 'Taylor Swift: The End of an Era' docuseries, the global superstar has turned the spotlight onto what may be one of her most profoundly important, yet consistently overlooked, songs: 'Marjorie'.
While chart-toppers like 'The Fate of Ophelia' or the iconic 10-minute version of 'All Too Well' often dominate conversations, it is this poignant track from the 2020 album 'Evermore' that has left many fans, and Swift herself, emotionally shattered. Dedicated to her late grandmother, opera singer Marjorie Finlay, the song explores grief, memory, and enduring connection.
The Heartbreaking Legacy of Marjorie Finlay
Marjorie Finlay was Taylor Swift's maternal grandmother, a classically trained coloratura soprano whose own career in music undoubtedly influenced the superstar's path. Born in Missouri, she won a talent contest in 1950, leading to radio performances, opera tours, and even a television show in Puerto Rico.
The docuseries includes touching home footage of Marjorie teaching a young Taylor to play the piano. Tragically, she passed away when Taylor was just 13 years old, never witnessing her granddaughter's unprecedented rise to fame.
Her legacy is woven directly into the song, with her own operatic vocals hauntingly featured in the melody, creating a duet across generations that echoes through stadiums during the Eras Tour.
A Song That Divides and Unites the Fandom
Critics have long praised 'Marjorie' for its raw storytelling and emotional depth, yet it often remains in the shadow of Swift's more commercially celebrated work. The song has become a notable divider among fans, often placing them in two distinct camps: those reduced to tears and those who dance along, seemingly untouched by its sorrow.
This reaction is partly fuelled by the fan-perpetuated myth that Swift herself undervalues the 'Evermore' album, frequently joked about as the 'lesser-loved sister' of 'Folklore'. This perception, argues the docuseries, has led even casual listeners to miss out on one of her most beautiful compositions.
The documentary highlights the song's powerful impact on those closest to Swift. Her mother, Andrea, is shown becoming tearful, recalling how she told Taylor she didn't know if she could survive crying every night the song was performed. She was particularly moved when fans began spontaneously raising their illuminated phones during the number, creating a 'loving tribute' in the absence of planned choreography.
Emotional Resonance On and Off Stage
The docuseries delves into the song's creation, with Swift describing how writing it 'ripped her apart'. Its resonance extends beyond her personal story, touching her entire team. Bandmate Mike Meadows thinks of his father, while dancer Tamiya Lewis remembers her 'papa'.
Perhaps the most poignant moment captured is related to vocalist Kamilah Marshall, who lost her mother just before the Eras Tour began. In the final shows, Swift is seen choking up after singing 'Marjorie', having looked at Kamilah on stage. Overwhelmed by crowd support, she admitted, 'You have no idea how much it means to me... I'm just having a bit of a moment.'
Despite its deep significance, 'Marjorie' has never broken into the mainstream charts, peaking outside the Top 50. According to data from Kworb, it sits at 118th in her most-streamed songs list, with over 300 million plays—a stark contrast to 'Cruel Summer's' 3 billion.
Yet, its importance is immortalised in Swift's work, with Marjorie's picture featured in the song's visual and family photos included in the 'Speak Now' vault track 'Timeless'. Upon 'Evermore's' release in December 2020, Swift dedicated it to anyone using music to cope with missing loved ones.
The article's author shares a personal testament to the song's power, describing how they and a friend sobbed while singing it in dedication to their own lost friend during the Eras Tour. This collective experience of grief and release, they argue, was a cornerstone of the tour's magic, made even more poignant following the tragic Southport attack.
'Taylor Swift: The End of an Era' is available to stream on Disney+ now. A version of this article was first published on 21 August 2024.
