As a major “Swiftie” myself, I find myself linking Taylor Swift’s discography to everything in my life. From the clothes I wear to the advice I give—it is all somehow Taylor-related (whether intentional or not). Never in my “wildest dreams” did I think one of the world's most famous and influential people would have any connection to my university in South Bend, Indiana. However, what if I told you that Notre Dame might just be Taylor Swift University?
Swift’s Connection to ND
In the summer of 2009, Austin Swift (Taylor’s younger brother) moved into his dorm on Our Lady’s campus accompanied by his sister and her friend, Selena Gomez. Austin Swift attended Notre Dame for just over a year before he transferred to Vanderbilt University. After just one year at Vanderbilt, he transferred back to ND where he graduated in 2015.¹
Taylor has been to campus quite a few times aside from her brother’s move-in. She has attended a football game and graduation at Notre Dame Stadium, watched her brother’s final play at the Debartolo Performing Arts Center, and even gotten dinner at Rocco’s in South Bend.²
As a “folklore” guy, when I learned that the album cover—the album vinyl hung up in my dorm room—was shot by an ND alum, I was elated. In fact, Beth Garrabrant ‘07 has shot Swift’s last eight album covers. This discovery was quite an “epiphany” for me.
ND Campus as Taylor Swift Songs
Notre Dame Stadium - “You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version)”
Lyrics: But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming 'bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
There’s nothing more electric than spending a Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium watching the Irish play football. In the student section, we wear our “T-shirts” made by The Shirt Committee and “dream about the day” the Irish bring home another national championship. I think it’s time The Eras Tour makes a stop at Notre Dame Stadium.
St. Mary’s Lake and St. Joseph’s Lake - “the lakes”
Lyrics: Take me to the Lakes, where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
Any time of the year, “the lakes” are a perfect place to reflect and pray. On a sunny day, I love going on lake walks with friends to talk about our days and soak up the beauty of campus. T-Swift’s not lying when she says they “look like a perfect place to cry” (I may or may not have done it).
Washington Hall - “Haunted (Taylor’s Version)”
Lyrics: Come on, come on, don't leave me like this
I thought I had you figured out
Can't breathe whenever you're gone
Can't turn back now, I'm haunted
According to a Notre Dame legend, Washington Hall (located next to the Main Building and LaFortune Student Center) is haunted. The hall allegedly contains several spirits that can sometimes be heard walking on the roof late at night. This makes it the most “haunted” building on campus!
Main Building - “Daylight”
Lyrics: I once believed love would be (Burnin' red)
But it's golden
Like daylight, like daylight
Like daylight, daylight
Sitting atop the Main Building is the golden dome. On a bright day, the dome gleams vividly in the “daylight” and can be seen for miles on end. Its shimmer comes from the gold leaf gilded onto the dome and 19-foot statue of Mary.
Hesburgh Library - “The Story of Us (Taylor’s Version)”
Lyrics: Now I'm standin' alone in a crowded room
And we're not speakin'
And I’m dyin’ to know, is it killin' you
Like it’s killin' me? Yeah
During finals week, you will find me in the reading room of Hesburgh almost 24/7. The Beth and Lou Holtz Family Grand Reading Room (located on the 2nd floor) is the perfect spot for quiet while studying. Sometimes it gets so quiet that I think it’s “killin’ me (yeah)”!
Whether you're a Swiftie or not, it's clear that Taylor Swift's music resonates deeply with our campus culture. From the lakes to the library, her lyrics capture the spirit of Notre Dame in ways that feel almost magical. So, in the wise words of Swift herself, “take the moment and taste it, you’ve got no reason to be afraid.”
Go Irish, “forever and always!”
#LoveTheeTaylorSwift
Sources
¹ Wiki, Contributors to Taylor Swift. “Austin Swift.” Taylor Swift Wiki. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://taylorswift.fandom.com/wiki/Austin_Swift.
² Ohnotheydidnt, and Amethyststeam. “Taylor Swift Visits Notre Dame (Again) with Selena Gomez.” LiveJournal, September 5, 2010. https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/50642217.html.
Swift, Taylor. folklore (album cover). Republic Records, 2020.
Paulmbanks. “Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez Attended Notre Dame-Purdue in 2010.” The Sports Bank, February 6, 2024. https://www.thesportsbank.net/college-fball/notre-dame/taylor-swift-selena-gomez-nd-pur/.