The complicated reality of a first-born girl

Being an eldest daughter can be emotionally exhausting. Just ask Taylor Swift.

Following the 12 a.m. ET release of her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Friday, fans flocked to social media to analyze the hidden message behind each track. The immediate dissection of lyrics is typical for Swifties — as is the particular interest they pay to the fifth track of every album. That’s why “Eldest Daughter” has garnered special attention.

OG Swifties know: Track 5 always packs an emotional punch. The Track 5 lore goes back to 2012, when fans theorized that Swift intentionally placed an emotional track in the fifth spot of each album. (Swift has since confirmed this theory herself.) Previous track fives include Red’s gut-wrenching breakup ballad “All Too Well,” Midnights’ introspective coming-of-age anthem “You’re On Your Own Kid,” and The Tortured Poets Department’s bittersweet goodbye “So Long, London.”

On “Eldest Daughter,” Swift proves that she isn’t immune to the pressures of fame — or familial rank. The Life of a Showgirl track seems to reference the “eldest daughter syndrome,” a concept that’s gained popularity on TikTok in recent years.

Though it’s not recognized as a medical diagnosis, the “eldest daughter syndrome” refers to the emotional stress and hardship the oldest girl in a family commonly endures. She’s often saddled with pressures of setting a good example for her younger siblings, doing right by her parents’ sacrifices and living up to their expectations. There’s a sort of misogyny that comes into play as well, as the expectations of an eldest daughter — caretaking and catering to those around her — are often gendered in nature.

Swift, who has one younger brother, Austin, alludes to the loss of identity and softness that comes with being an eldest daughter, as she sings, “Everybody’s so punk on the internet / Everyone’s so unbothered ‘til their not / Every joke’s just trolling and memes / Sad as it seems, apathy is hot.”

Online, some women who identify as having eldest daughter syndrome have praised Swift’s lyrics, saying how deeply it resonates with them.

“A lot of eldest daughters aren’t seen as traditionally cool, because traditionally cool is chill, laid back, go with the flow, vibing,” said Sherri Lu, founder of Eldest Daughter Club, in an Instagram post. “But eldest daughters are typically the planners, type A, making sure that everyone is OK, the group mom.”

The meaning behind Swift’s “Eldest Daughter” also appears to be twofold. While it seems she’s commenting on the familial obligations that come with being the first-born daughter — it’s possible she’s also speaking to the burden of being a metaphorical eldest daughter in the music industry. Swift is no stranger to the pressures of perfectionism and perils of public scrutiny in her professional life.

Swift, as both a mega pop star and first-born daughter, shoulders colossal expectations, as she sings, “Every eldest daughter / Was the first lamb to the slaughter / So we all dressed up as wolves and we looked at the fire.”

Fans have also pointed out that “Eldest Daughter” is, in many respects, a love letter to Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, who is the youngest child in his family. Just as she laments her loss of childhood and the pressures of having to uphold a certain image, both at home and in her career, Swift knows the type of partner she wants to be.

Swift articulates this very fact on the chorus, where she acknowledges her inherent softness and vows to show up for Kelce no matter what: “But I’m not a bad bitch, and this isn’t savage / But I’m never gonna let you down/ I’m never gonna leave you out / So many traitors, smooth operators / But I’m never gonna break that vow/ I’m never gonna leave you now.”

With “Eldest Daughter,” Swift once again delivers a deeply poignant fifth track. She no longer concerns herself with needing to be everything for everyone — and she’s finally prioritizing who she is and who she loves.