Arachnophonia: “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift” by Kevin Evers

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Elina (class of 2029) and features a book about the intersection of Taylor Swift, pop culture, and business. Thanks, Elina!

There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

Finance bros and Swifties (Taylor Swift’s fans) usually don’t mix. One’s busy crying to heartbreak songs, the other’s checking the stock market a bit too much. But the book titled There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers might just bring them together. It’s the rare book that proves that Taylor Swift is not just on top of the charts, but she is also running a billion-dollar brand.

The author Kevin Evers is an editor at Harvard Business Review and this book has been featured in Rolling Stone, People Magazine, US Weekly, USA Today, The Financial Times, and more. The book was named to the Financial Times “What to Read in 2025” list and was also named one of the “Thirty books we’re excited to read in the first half of 2025” by The Sydney Morning Herald.

There’s Nothing Like This unpacks the calculated plan behind Swift’s every move, from re-recording her albums to forming a direct relationship with her fans that beats any thriving company’s customer loyalty strategy. Her fans will love seeing how her methods fit into the business world and anyone interested in marketing or entrepreneurship will be surprised by her strategy.

This book connects two worlds: pop culture and business. It’s written in a way that is fun, easy to follow and you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of marketing to get it. Whether you are a Swiftie who wants to learn more about the behind the scenes of what she does or a finance bro who admires good and successful business strategies, this book shows that Taylor Swift’s success isn’t just luck, it’s a combination of smart moves and understanding of marketing. She truly is a mastermind.

Parsons Playlists – Fall Favorites

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Giuliana (class of 2028) and features some songs for autumn.

Fall Favorites

UR lake and gazebo fall

These are some of my favorite songs to listen to as fall rolls around; they’re perfect for the colder weather!!

Zach Bryan – “Dawns (Feat. Maggie Rogers)”

Arctic Monkeys – “No. 1 Party Anthem”

Hozier – “Jackie and Wilson”

Taylor Swift – “Cardigan”

Steve Lacy – “Dark Red”

Lana Del Rey – “West Coast”

Lana Del Rey – “Salvatore”

Arctic Monkeys – “I Wanna Be Yours”

Good Neighbors – “Home”

Tears for Fears – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”

Phantogram – “Black Out Days (Future Islands Remix)”

Suki Waterhouse – “Good Looking”

Hozier – “Work Song”

Blood Orange – “Champagne Coast”

Zach Bryan – “Something in the Orange”

Noah Kahan – “Northern Attitude”

Lana Del Rey – “Ultraviolence”

Gotye – “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Tory Lanez – “The Color Violet”

Arcy Drive – “Time Shrinks”

Arcy Drive – “Roll My Stone”

Yebba – “Far Away”

The Cranberries – “Linger”

First Aid Kit – “Emmylou”

Boy – “Little Numbers”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyhA0zclL1Ir6JS0PR4aZHi&si=DDtd_n_a-VPbNzW3

Parsons Playlists – “65° and Sunny”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Mia (class of 2026) and features some songs that evoke the coming fall temperatures.

65° and Sunny

Image shows a close up of the ground covered with colorful autumn leaves and twigs with a blurred background

My theme for this playlist was inspired by the upcoming weather. Fall is my favorite season and these songs remind me of when it is 65° and sunny outside 🙂

Σtella and Redinho – “Charmed”

Maggie Rogers – “Love You For A Long Time”

Justin Bieber – “Daisies”

The Marías – “Heavy”

beabadoobee – “Beaches”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Sugar Talking”

Taylor Swift – “So High School”

Hozier – “From Eden”

Chappell Roan – “The Subway”

Jordana & TV Girl – “Better in the Dark”

Clairo – “North”

Omar Apollo – “Evergreen”

Olivia Dean – “Nice to Each Other”

Role Model – “Oh, Gemini”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeygQt9q8vzY8pIwlA7IdGQh&si=w7FVjvzNpAUtG3CF

Parsons Playlists: Train of Thought

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) featuring songs for a long train ride.

Train of Thought

The La’s – “There She Goes”

Miley Cyrus – “Angels Like You”

Coldplay – “Clocks”

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”

Crowded House – “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

Arctic Monkeys – “505”

Taylor Swift – “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

The Cranberries – “Dreams”

The Fray – “Over My Head (Cable Car)”

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2wk1WEb4AA4XvhkHZE2eoW&si=rb1EzDJMzNYP93Ps

Parsons Playlists: Guitar Favorites

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features some guitar songs.

Guitar Favorites

Guitar Favorites

I recently started guitar lessons through an introductory course here at UR, and I have an ever growing list of songs that I’d love to learn one day. Here are some tunes on the guitar that I enjoy!

Taylor Swift – “Come in with the Rain”

Big Thief – “Velvet Ring”

Noah Cyrus – “July”

Lana del Rey ft. Father John Misty – “Let the Light In”

The Beatles – “I Will”

Taylor Swift – “right where you left me”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder”

ROLE MODEL – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Scott Street”

Anna Nalick – “Breathe (2AM)”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Bad Reviews”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2CcOXj0iV7bQRcrvyDRCu6&si=CXx9hYdBncbhmDZ5

Parsons Playlists: Through the Decades

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Rocio (class of 2027). It features a multi-decade selection of songs.

Through the Decades: A Journey Through Time

This playlist spans across many different styles, from rock to soul, from grunge to pop, each representing the distinct culture of its time (1960s – 2020s).

1960s

The Beatles – “Here Comes the Sun”
Genre: Rock/Pop
A perfect track to represent the cultural shift of the ’60s, full of optimism and innovation.

Aretha Franklin – “Respect”
Genre: Soul/R&B
An iconic anthem for empowerment and the civil rights movement.

1970s

David Bowie – “Space Oddity”
Genre: Glam Rock
This track encapsulates the futuristic and experimental vibes of the ’70s.

Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
Genre: Folk Rock
A soft, introspective classic that showcases the band’s emotional depth.

1980s

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean”
Genre: Pop/Funk
One of the defining tracks of the ’80s, with its infectious groove and pioneering production.

The Smiths – “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”
Genre: Indie Rock
A melancholic yet beautiful anthem from the ’80s alternative scene.

1990s

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Genre: Grunge/Rock
A cultural shift to grunge, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the ’90s.

Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop
A blend of soulful R&B and sharp rap lyrics that defined ’90s hip-hop culture.

2000s

OutKast – “Hey Ya!”
Genre: Funk/Pop
A genre-defying hit that blends funk, pop, and dance.

Amy Winehouse – “Rehab”
Genre: Soul/Pop
A modern classic, blending jazz, soul, and pop with sharp lyrics.

2010s

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
Genre: Hip-Hop
An anthem for social change, it captures the political and cultural landscape of the 2010s.

Lorde – “Royals”
Genre: Indie Pop
This minimalist anthem became a defining song of the ’10s indie scene.

2020s

Taylor Swift – “All Too Well”
Genre: Pop/country
A track that redefined mainstream pop with its unique production and style.

Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
Genre: Pop
One of the biggest songs of the 2020s, full of emotional vulnerability and teenage angst.

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezxvxmvyKbScOGaCAawroKq&si=6FIbD3s07_Bu9S3M

Parsons Playlists: Autumn Equinox

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features some of her favorite seasonal music.

Autumn Equinox

One of my favorite ways to welcome a new season is by finding songs that capture the shift in the air. Autumn, my favorite season, always has me waiting with bated breath for the first official day of fall. Then, I can finally pull out my sweaters, enjoy hot coffee, and play songs like “‘Tis Autumn” by the Nat King Cole Trio. Here are a few others I think are perfect for when fall arrives:

Nat King Cole Trio – “‘Tis Autumn”

John Coltrane – “Autumn Serenade”

Neil Young – “Harvest Moon”

Taylor Swift – “cardigan”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Leaves That Are Green”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Homeward Bound”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”

Simon & Garfunkel – “The Dangling Conversation”

Fleetwood Mac – “Sisters of the Moon”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Halloween”

Stevie Nicks – “Crystal”

Fleet Foxes – “Blue Ridge Mountains”

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – “Autumn in New York”

Nat King Cole – “Autumn Leaves”

Caamp – “Fall, Fall, Fall”

Cate Le Bon – “Harbour”

Eliza McLamb – “Glitter”

Sufjan Stevens – “A Running Start”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwj_d-bgFep2V3aSKwkRcEnR&si=AgiDENEkCUUmFKm-

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: End of Summer

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Christine (class of 2025) and features some tunes that capture the vibes of the end of summer.

End of Summer

eos moon

As we near the end of summer weather, trips to the river/beach, and lemonade evenings, there is a both sense of nostalgia and a sigh of reluctance as we prepare ourselves for the upcoming semester. This playlist captures that bittersweet end. Best played at sunset while walking around campus or driving slowly with the windows down.

Sports – “You Are The Right One”

Taylor Swift – “august”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Sunsetz”

The 1975 – “About You”

Eyedress (ft. Dent May) – “Something About You”

Lana Del Rey (ft. Bleachers) – “Margaret”

The Arctic Monkeys – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

Big Thief – “Vampire Empire”

The Sacred Souls – “Weak for Your Love”

Dream, Ivory – “welcome and goodbye”

Harry Styles – “Carolina”

Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”

TV Girl – “Louise”

Lana Del Rey – “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”

Mac DeMarco – “My Kind of Woman”

Current Joys – “Blondie”

Cage the Elephant – “Cigarette Daydreams”

Greer – “Connect the Dots”

Mac DeMarco – “Still Beating”

Sydney Ross Mitchell – “Next Time”

Edie McKenna – “Hail Mary”

The Marías – “Ay No Puedo”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexlRa_pvBvFeCuRacRjqm65&si=6mtPprvffUFqIafQ

and here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Graduation

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features some tunes for upcoming graduation festivities.

Graduation

Graduation

Graduation is here, along with the bittersweet emotions that come with it. Whether you’re thrilled, inconsolable or indifferent, here’s a playlist to remind you how far you’ve come and how much there is to look forward to.

Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”

Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know”

The Head and the Heart – “Rivers and Roads”

Macklemore – “Good Old Days”

Harry Styles – “Canyon Moon”

Hannah Montana – “I’ll Always Remember You”

Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”

ABBA – “Slipping Through My Fingers”

Taylor Swift – “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

Adele – “When We Were Young”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Scott Street”

Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”

Noah Kahan – “You’re Gonna Go Far”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexfNkMoIV2Ip91qkDJqyCij&si=R3y9TrYYMFbPthZW

Parsons Playlists: Study Gems

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) which features some tunes to help you study.

Study Gems

We know everyone listens to music to help them get through a tough assignment or a long study period for a hard exam. But, we also know that some of the music you listen to might be getting old. Here’s a collection of songs I like to study to. Enjoy!

Taylor Swift – “invisible string”

Adam Melchor – “Real Estate”

Wabie – “That’s What Everybody Said”

Wabie – “Love Me Tomorrow”

keshi – “UNDERSTAND”

Ricky Montgomery – “Talk to You” (acoustic)

Glee cast – “What Kind of Fool”

Lennon Stella – “Goodnight”

Mac Ayres – “Easy”

The Walters – “I Love You So” (acoustic)

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s3ZLKjWXdlc2F-wg_xrmVAf&si=4xSQkMDxEaLjYV1x