Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame – National

Taylor Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday night at the age of 36.

“It was instinctive. Nobody taught me how to do it,” she said of writing songs through a gritty voice that she attributed to screaming along with the night’s performances and Wednesday night’s historic NBA game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

She told the room about her family uprooting their lives to move from Pennsylvania to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was one year old.

“I will never be able to express my gratitude,” the singer-songwriter said, holding back tears – crediting their sacrifice for her career.

She offered young songwriters advice: “You really have to prioritize what you love, to your core. Because you’re going to have to.”

Steven Spielberg introduced Swift with a surprise speech about the power of songwriting. “There’s something undeniable about how songs stick in our souls,” he said, before shifting his focus to Swift. “Somehow Taylor knows us all too well.”

Swift began her speech by acknowledging Spielberg. “Because of examples like Steven’s, I trusted my imagination,” she said.

Gen Z singer Sombr kicked off Swift’s segment by performing Cardigan AND Dear John in front of her.

Swift has brought fresh eyes to this year’s ceremony and has undeniably shaped contemporary pop trends with her songwriting. Swift is the youngest woman inducted, but Stevie Wonder, who began his recording career at age 13, was the youngest ever inducted, it was announced on stage.

It was a standout moment in an evening full of them, which honored Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and many more.

A night with famous singers

Tamar Braxton opened the gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City with a fiery tribute to a young woman — game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart — with one of the biggest songs he’s known for: Beyoncé’s Single Ladies.

He is also responsible for the singer-songwriter RihannaS ‘ parasol, Mariah CareyS ‘ Touch my Body AND Justin BieberS ‘ baby.

Dallas Austin, a songwriter and producer known for his work with Boyz ll Men and Madonna, introduced Stewart. “Think about that catalog,” he said, listing those records that vary widely. “These are cultural moments.”

Stewart thanked God, his family, artists he’s worked with and mentors — giving a special shout-out to Grammy Award-winning music producer Antonio “LA” Reid and iconic singer-songwriter Babyface. “I wanted to be like LA and Baby,” he reflected.

Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley – two and a half years after the band’s farewell – were also recognized for their glam rock classics Rock and Roll All Nite AND I love Loud. Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan covered the first, a fitting introduction for the band. He was joined by Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik for the latter.

Simmons was not present; Stanley said he had a family emergency.

“The songs are the messenger,” he said — the foundation of “every show.”

Soft rock legend Kenny Loggins (Bare feet, Danny’s song) and alt-rock icon Morissette were also inducted.

Brandi Carlile performed for the latter Uninvited alongside SistaStrings, before introducing Morissette.

“Writing for me is not a hobby,” Morissette said, it’s critical. “It’s write or die.” Then she performed Mary Jane AND You should know from her 1995 album Small jagged pill.

For Loggins, Gavin DeGraw performed Danny’s songbefore Loggins told the story behind the tune in his acceptance speech.

Appreciating writers and their hits

Taylor Dayne and Madison Cunningham performed Tina Turner classics written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle in honor of their induction; John Fogerty was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award.

“I got my songs back!” Fogerty said, ending a nearly 30-minute speech, referring to the fact that he acquired the rights to his catalog at age 80. He then went through a medley of his hits: Mary proud, Lucky boyAND Have you ever seen the rain? between them.

Songwriter Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is you) was also recognized, a segment that began with an intro from actor Jeremy Renner and included a monster medley of his biggest hits by R&B singer Sheléa, starting with his Christmas classic six months earlier.

“I wanted to be The Beatles,” he said of falling in love with songwriting in his speech. Sixty years later, I managed to produce Paul McCartney.

An established tradition

British singer-songwriter RAYE received the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award. She concluded her speech by saying that songwriters deserve a cut of the masters’ royalties.

Last year’s inductees included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mike Love of The Beach Boys and Tony Macaulay.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those who create popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs is eligible for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

Some already in the hall include Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins.