Fifteen years of 'Fifteen' by Taylor Swift

What could be more appropriate for our "Back to School" theme week than a song about freshman year of high school?

"Fifteen" by Taylor Swift is approaching the 15-year anniversary of its debut on Swift's "Fearless" album. The iconic song from Swift's second album details Swift and her best friend Abigail Anderson's respective high school dating experiences, as well as themes of reflection and regret.

In the music video, released 14 years ago this November, Swift and Anderson play themselves, exploring various settings that coincide with the story being told through the lyrics. Interestingly, the video was filmed in the span of two days, with the first day of filming taking place in front of a green screen with sketches as a guide, while the second day was filmed at an actual high school.

Both the song itself and the music video really capture the feeling of being 15, especially with lines like "When all you wanted was to be wanted / Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now." Even the rhythmic way certain words are stressed or rushed authentically captures the feelings involved.

And then there's the later "Taylor's Version" release of the song.

"Fifteen (Taylor's Version)" was released in 2021 as part of Swift's attempt to reclaim the rights to her songs after the 2019 dispute over ownership of her masters. While a new video wasn't produced, the re-recorded vocals showcase Swift's increased level of skill and maturity. Fitting considering the song's reflective lyrics.

"Fifteen" is an iconic ballad, and even those who dislike Swift have to admit that her earlier albums are staples of pop culture. And this particular staple reaches the 15-year anniversary of its album debut on Nov. 11.