Music plays a significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly pre-existing music. Iconic artists such as Led Zeppelin, Redbone, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Cat Stevens have contributed to the most memorable moments in the franchise's movies and TV shows, both in diegetic and non-diegetic forms. These songs swiftly establish the desired tone for a movie or an epic scene, while evoking a sense of nostalgia among the audience. Surprisingly, amid the countless Marvel productions, one artist has yet to receive a mention: Taylor Swift.
Whether it's the forgotten Iron Fist or an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Taylor Swift's name has never been dropped, let alone given prominence in an Avengers movie. This absence raises questions about whether Taylor Swift even exists in this universe and the type of music that holds priority in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Musical Landscape
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The tunes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are primarily meant to evoke older time periods. In Guardians of the Galaxy, they reflect Peter Quill/Star-Lord's connection to his Earth home. In Captain Marvel, the songs reinforce that Carol Danvers returns to Earth in the 1990s. The opening song "Back in Black" in Iron Man sets up Tony Stark as a unique superhero protagonist. Even the musical number in Captain America: The First Avenger, the "Star-Spangled Man" set piece, is rooted in vintage musical sensibilities. The TV shows, like WandaVision, also deliver a variety of songs that evoke different eras of television theme songs.
The retro feel of these songs is part of the larger aesthetic approach of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which channels older pop culture eras. This approach serves as insurance for making movies based on less well-known Marvel characters. Audiences may not be familiar with Iron Man or the Guardians of the Galaxy, but they recognize the tunes and genre hallmarks, which entices them to watch the movies. The franchise's musical choices focus on classic artists who are iconic in pop culture.
Occasionally, contemporary pop music is subtly incorporated into these movies, but it is done sparingly. The lengthy production process of a major blockbuster often results in pop culture references, such as those mentioning popular stars like Iron Man or Spider-Man, being forgotten by the time the movie is released. Nevertheless, in Doctor Strange, Beyoncé's presence was acknowledged with a snippet of her song "Single Ladies" playing through Wong's headphones. Additionally, Megan Thee Stallion made a cameo appearance as herself in an extended guest spot on an episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. These instances, however, are the exception rather than the norm, and most of the singers who dominate the modern music charts, including Taylor Swift, are not referenced at all in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why Else Hasn’t Taylor Swift Appeared in the MCU?
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Another factor that has hindered Swift's presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is her initial association with country music. In her early days, songs like "Tim McGraw" or "Our Song" showcased her roots in the country music scene. However, as the 2010s came around, Swift's music started incorporating a more diverse range of tones. Despite her expanding artistic horizons, even in 2012, songs like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" continued to dominate the US Hot Country Songs and US Country Airplay charts.
Collaborating with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban on the popular country song "Highway Don't Care" in 2013 seemed to solidify her affinity for country music. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had little connection to rural areas or country music lovers, making it difficult for Swift's initial tunes to find their place. As she began releasing songs on her 1989 album in 2014, her music gradually disappeared from the country charts, labeling her as a "pop" artist. Yet, transitioning to a broader musical genre alone would not guarantee Swift a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Meanwhile, in the same year, Marvel Studios achieved success with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, which embraced vintage songs in its soundtrack. Swift's career timeline oddly aligned with crucial moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ultimately ensuring that she would not be involved in this franchise.
It should be noted that the Taylor Swift fan base was largely overlooked by the franchise for many years. In the first eight years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, women were seldomly represented, and this issue of gender representation persisted even afterwards. Initially, the focus of the saga was on older superheroes, not the teenagers who flock to Swift concerts. This does not mean that non-female individuals will spontaneously combust if they listen to a few bars of "You Belong with Me," nor does it imply that college graduates could never appreciate her music. However, a significant portion of Swift's fan base consists of teenage girls who deeply connect with her lyrics, and this demographic was not the primary focus of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe properties. It is no wonder that Swift has never been referenced in this franchise.
Will Taylor Swift Show Up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Image via Taylor Swift
In light of various compelling factors, Taylor Swift's absence from the Marvel Cinematic Universe renders her virtually non-existent in this sprawling franchise. It is essential to acknowledge that the Marvel Cinematic Universe strives to emulate our own reality, with the exception of its inclusion of superheroes (even the formidable portrayal of Obadiah Stane by Jeff Bridges couldn't eradicate the existence of The Big Lebowski within this realm). Therefore, it remains plausible for Swift to potentially subsist within this alternate universe. Just because the resounding melodies of "Lavender Haze" do not resonate across the airwaves of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, it does not negate Swift's existence within this meticulously crafted universe. Conceivably, she has perpetually remained hidden in the periphery, artfully evading direct encounters with the prominent Avengers, akin to Charlie in a suspenseful episode of Poker Face.
Taylor Swift, one of the world's biggest modern pop stars, has curiously never been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite its history of featuring renowned musicians in the James Bond movies. This odd fact reflects two cultural phenomena passing each other unnoticed. Surprisingly, there is a connection between exceptional superheroes and Taylor Swift's unforgettable songs. It may sound like an artificial intelligence algorithm's creation, but there is truth in this statement.
Characters such as Spider-Man resonate with audiences because we see ourselves reflected in their struggles. We can relate to their vulnerability and internal conflicts, much like the famous Marvel heroes, Ben Grimm/The Thing and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. They embody emotions that we grapple with daily - feeling like monsters, overwhelmed by the world, or torn in different directions. The brilliance of these superheroes lies in how they allow us to confront profoundly human experiences within the confines of exciting and visually captivating comic books, movies, and TV adaptations. Similarly, Taylor Swift's songs like "Fifteen" or "Snow on the Beach" capture emotions that we have long felt but struggled to articulate. Through her intimate and personal delivery, especially in her re-recordings, it feels like she is singing her songs directly to us. These tunes have the power to alleviate loneliness and help us comprehend complex emotional journeys, just like putting on a song like "the 1" can ease feelings of isolation.
These artworks serve as a reflection of ourselves, enabling us to confront our flaws while holding on to hope. Despite this common attribute, which is not limited to either Swift or comic books based on characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it is quite perplexing that the most renowned modern version of the Marvel characters has never utilized Swift. However, it is possible that this may change in the future. There is speculation that Avengers: Secret Wars may feature a pivotal emotional scene incorporating "The Best Day." If these recent rumors are accurate, Taylor Swift could potentially join the MCU in a different capacity. Those of us who find equal inspiration from witnessing superheroes helping others and listening to Swift sing about internal struggles can only remain hopeful.
The Big Picture
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the films and TV shows predominantly rely on pre-existing music to set the mood and trigger nostalgic feelings among viewers. However, there has been no mention or reference to Taylor Swift in any Marvel production, which has sparked speculation regarding her presence in that particular universe.
The franchise prioritizes classic artists and vintage needle drops, with sparing references to modern pop music. Women and teen demographics were not initially focused on in the MCU.
