Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
This Is Taylor Swift's New York Now, We Just Live In It
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 27, 2014
Modified Oct 27, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 27, 2014
Modified Oct 27, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Most of us will never know Taylor Swift's New York—which is paved with glittering cobblestone, bathed in the light of a thousand sunsets, and always smells like baked goods—but what's really unfortunate is that she'll never know a real New York. This is essentially why her "Welcome to New York" anthem was criticized as being tone-deaf by those of us who do not live in a $20 million penthouse in Tribeca. But hey, let's not hate on her for being successful, okay? Taylor Swift is kind of owning New York right now, albeit Tourist New York, and has worked the New York brand to her advantage via a meticulously-planned marketing strategy. As her new album 1989 (which aside from that one song we are actually really enjoying) hits iTunes, here's today's T. Swift headlines, from our inbox:
- "Superstar Taylor Swift to Headline America's Biggest Celebration of the Year" — which is, according to this press release, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest. This makes sense.
- "NYC & Company Announces Taylor Swift as New York City's Global Welcome Ambassador." This makes less sense, but either way, for the next year they'll be running a "Welcome To New York" campaign which "celebrates how welcoming New York City is to everyone, inviting the world to visit New York City and explore its five boroughs. As New York City’s Global Welcome Ambassador, Taylor will showcase the City’s unparalleled vibrancy that inspired her to write 'Welcome To New York,' reinforced by the refrain 'It’s been waiting for you.'" Does this mean Taylor's going to The Bronx?
- "Music superstar Taylor Swift is performing live in Times Square in a special ticketed concert on Good Morning America on October 30th, 2014." Prepare to be engulfed by the screams of All The Tweenagers Times Square can fit this Thursday.
Welcome to New York, Taylor Swift—please put on a disguise at some point and explore it all.
Tagged
Global Welcome Ambassador
taylor swift
welcome to new york
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .