Taylor Swift has completely upended the music charts following the surprise announcement and release of her project, "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore". Her new single, "Patient Zero," had debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, officially ending the historic 24-week streak at the top spot held by country artist Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas". Swift simultaneously claimed multiple spots in the top five, including "Cleveland!" at No. 3 and "Babylon" at Number 4.
Oasis Blocks Multi-Million Pound Vault Auction
Britpop icons Oasis have taken swift legal action to halt an unauthorised auction of archival music. The collection contains 63 concert recordings and over 100 hours of rare 1990s rehearsal material. Valued between £1.2 million and £1.6 million, the band's legal team stepped in to prevent the items from going under the hammer.
Glastonbury Sells Out In 42 Minutes
Demand for the legendary Glastonbury Festival reached a fever pitch as tickets officially went on sale. The entire allocation of tickets completely sold out in just 42 minutes, leaving hundreds of thousands of fans in the virtual queue.
Brian May Signals The End Of Queen Touring
In a bittersweet update for rock fans, Queen guitarist Brian May announced that the legendary rock band will likely never hit the road again. May reflected on the band's touring legacy, stating plainly that "50 years is enough".
Macklemore's Benefit Shows Sell Out Instantly
Following his departure from Ed Sheeran's stadium tour, rapper Macklemore announced a brief "Free Palestine" benefit tour. Shows scheduled for Dublin, Paris, and London sold out immediately upon release. 100% of the proceeds are being donated to humanitarian organizations supporting Palestinian aid.
Take That Announces Comeback Album
British pop mainstays Take That have officially announced their next studio album, titled "Dreamers". Frontman Gary Barlow shared his excitement over the project, which is expected to trigger a major tour cycle later next year.
© Jim Liddane
"Patient Swift"
On Top Worldwide
•
Limerick City, Ireland
Well it simply had to happen. Following the the immediate success of Taylor Swift's new US Album "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore"
today's Top Song Worldwide is
"Patient Zero" by Taylor Swift,
having topped the charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Roumania, Singapore Switzerland, UK and the USA.
"Patient Zero" was released on 25 September 2026 as one of four additional tracks on "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore", an expanded edition of Taylor’s 2025 album "The Life of a Showgirl". The song was written by Taylor with Max Martin and Shellback, who also produced it with Swift. The recording features Martin on keyboards and programming, Shellback on drums and programming, Fredrik Burstedt on violin, Anders Pettersson on pedal steel guitar and mandolin, and Andreas Wiberg on acoustic guitar.
As a song, "Patient Zero" is particularly interesting because Taylor has actually given a fairly clear account of the circumstances that inspired it, which is unusual for a song that inevitably invites speculation about one of her former relationships.
The most revealing anecdote concerns the song's actual origin. Taylor explained that she was spending time with a group of friends when one of them said that the new girlfriend of an ex-boyfriend had contacted her to ask whether she had experienced the same behaviour from him. What amused and interested Taylor was that the other women immediately began telling similar stories of their own. Taylor saw a much broader subject in the situation: the strange experience of being contacted by the woman who is now involved with a former partner and being able to recognise, from personal experience, what she is going through. She decided to write the song entirely from the perspective of the former partner receiving that telephone call.
That makes the title "Patient Zero" rather clever. Taylor uses the language of disease metaphorically: she was the first person to contract the "illness" represented by the man's destructive behaviour, while the new girlfriend is now experiencing the same symptoms. The song consequently becomes less a conventional breakup song than a kind of warning passed from one survivor to another. The central idea is not "I had him first", but "I know exactly what you are going through because I was there before you."
There is an interesting irony in the way the song emerged. Taylor and her collaborators Max Martin and Shellback travelled to Sweden to celebrate the extraordinary success of "The Life of a Showgirl". They went to a studio intending, essentially, to reflect on what they had achieved, but Taylor later explained that they did what they tended to do when they were feeling something: they wrote more songs. "Patient Zero" was one of four songs produced during that period, alongside "Pink Clouding", "Babylon" and "Cleveland!".
The song therefore seems to have originated from a genuine conversation rather than from a preconceived attempt to write another autobiographical Taylor Swift "revenge" song. Nevertheless, listeners have naturally tried to identify the man behind it.
There are suggestions that some of its imagery recalls songs associated with Joe Alwyn, particularly the medical imagery of "You’re Losing Me", while other listeners have connected it with other relationships in Taylor's past. There is no confirmation that any particular former partner is the subject, however, and Taylor's own explanation points towards a composite or fictionalised situation rather than a straightforward portrait of one individual.
The recording itself is musically quite interesting. It has a relatively relaxed, shuffling pop rhythm, but the arrangement is decorated with acoustic and country-derived colours, particularly fiddle, mandolin and pedal steel. That gives the song a slightly sinister, almost folk-pop character beneath its contemporary production. It is not a ballad in the traditional sense; Taylor delivers the verses with a conversational, almost conspiratorial quality, as though she is passing on information to someone who has just discovered that her seemingly perfect relationship is not what it appeared to be.
The music video adds another dimension. Taylor plays a woman who is apparently dead and attempts to warn another woman about the man they have both been involved with, while Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell play central roles. Taylor described the video as an opportunity to explore gothic ghost stories, true crime and psychological thrillers, with the decaying house representing the emotional decay of a relationship. The cinematic concept is consequently much darker than the relatively breezy musical surface of the record.
Critically, I would regard "Patient Zero" as an interesting rather than wholly successful Taylor Swift song. Its greatest strength is its premise. The idea of the former girlfriend becoming a kind of unofficial counsellor to the new girlfriend is original, and the phrase "I was patient zero" gives the song a memorable conceptual hook. It also demonstrates one of Taylor's continuing strengths as a songwriter: taking an ordinary conversational situation and finding an unusual metaphor through which to examine it.
I am less convinced by some of the actual writing. Taylor is capable of extraordinarily precise observational songwriting, but here some of the imagery feels familiar and some of the lines appear designed more for immediate recognition than for subtlety. The song occasionally approaches the territory of the Taylor "explanation song" in which the singer makes sure that the listener understands exactly who was right, who was wrong and what the moral of the story is. One prominent critical assessment made precisely this objection, describing the songwriting as recycled and the tone as occasionally smug.
Nevertheless, I think the song has considerable merit. The chorus is catchy without being excessively conventional, the production gives it an attractive rhythmic momentum, and the fiddle and mandolin provide an unusual texture within Taylor's recent pop catalogue. More importantly, the song has a recognisable "point of view". Taylor does not simply sing about being hurt; she transforms the experience into a conversation between two women who discover that they have been caught in the same pattern. That is a more mature idea than the title might initially suggest.
My overall assessment would therefore be that "Patient Zero" is a clever, engaging and musically attractive late-period Taylor Swift song, although not one of her finest pieces of songwriting. Its most significant achievement is probably conceptual rather than melodic: it takes a familiar Taylor subject — romantic damage — and finds a fresh narrative perspective. The fact that the song grew from an actual conversation among friends makes that perspective feel considerably more convincing than it might have done had it simply been constructed as another piece of relationship mythology.
© Jim Liddane
ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967)
internationalsongwriters@gmail.com
The News
Today's Songwriting News
Songwriting and Music Publishing news is widely covered nowadays, even in the mainstream media. Here we present the latest news, covering all musical genres, and assembled hourly from 27 different sources
Today's Songwriter Obituaries
The International Songwriters Association remembers and honours the songwriters, music publishers performers, musicians, record producers, and music industry personnel who have recently died
Todays Record Sales Charts
The top selling songs of today, comprising physical sales, streaming and airplay, compiled daily from a wide variety of reputable sources and encompassing multiple musical genres worldwide
Jim Liddane's Blog
Jim Liddane's daily blog recounts the stories (some of them allegedly true!) behind the great songs, along with advice and anectdotes from top songwriters interviewed by the International Songwriters Association
The Interviews
Below is a brief list of interviews.
To view the full list, click
HERE
Andrew Lloyd Webber Interview
The New York Times have named Andrew "the most commercially successful composer in history" while ISA members have consistently voted "Evita" as the best musical of all time
Richard Addrisi Interview
Richard Addrisi wrote "Never My Love" intending to record it himself. The Association took it, and made it the second most-played song on radio and television of the 20th century in the USA
Dennis Locorriere Interview
He found fame as the voice of Dr. Hook, with hits like “Sylvia’s Mother” while as a songwriter, his work has been recorded by Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson!! His name? Dennis Locorriere
Buck Ram Interview
His songs have been recorded by simply everybody! Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, The Beach Boys, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston etc etc etc!
Jim Lauderdale Interview
A Grammy-winning performer who once backed Fats Domino, before going on to pen hit songs for George Strait, while releasing 36 solo albums to date. His name? Jim Lauderdale
Chip Taylor Interview
What could Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, Cliff Richard, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield and Shaggy have in common? They've all recorded songs penned by Chip Taylor!
Charles Strouse Interview
His first song sold a million. His musical "Annie" became one of the longest-running shows on Broadway. But the song that sold 10 million was by rapper Jay-Z. His name? Charles Strouse
John D Loudermilk Interview
When the first song you've ever written is a Top 10 hit and you yourself get offered an RCA recording contract - well you just have to have it made! Well John D Loudermilk had anyway!
Graham Lyle Interview
Graham penned not only Gallagher & Lyle's "I Wanna Stay with You", "Heart On My Sleeve" and "Breakaway", but also Tina Turner's "What’s Love Got To Do With It". And many more!
P J Proby Interview
He went to Hollywood to become an actor, released records, did demos for Elvis, wrote songs for Ricky Nelson and Johnny Burnette before finally emerging as a full-blown rock star himself
Larry Henley Interview
He scored a #1 as a singer with "Bread & Butter" before writing for everybody from Tina Turner to Wille Nelson, But he's still best known for the classic "Wind Beneath My Wings"
Simon May Interview
Cliff Richard, "EastEnders", The Pointer Sisters, "Howard's Way", Richard Clayderman, "Eldorado", and Ruby Turner all share just one thing in common. Which is? Simon May!
Beth Nielsen Chapman Interview
She's written songs for Tanya Tucker, Bette Midler, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, but has in addition also released several outstanding solo albums
Gary Osborne Interview
His first song was published at age 15. He has had covers ranging from Cliff Richard to Jennifer Warnes - yet is still best known for his co-writing with Elton John and Jeff Wayne!
Jona Lewie Interview
As a teenager, he backed Gene Vincent. Then scored his first hit "Seaside Shuffle" in 1972, going on to produce "Stop The Cavalry" and "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties"
Mitch Murray Interview
The Beatles record your first song, but you're not too impressed. Instead, you go on to pen dozens of hits for other acts, and a country issues a set of postage stamps in your honour!
Wayland Holyfield Interview
To date, he has scored more than forty US Top Ten Country hits, including fourteen Number Ones, and he even got to pen his own state's song - "Arkansas (You Run Deep In Me)"!
Dan Hill Interview
An international singer-songwriting star at 23 whose first hit "Sometimes When We Touch" was covered by more than 130 other singers, Dan Hill is undoubtedly the stuff of legends
Les Reed Interview
When he can pen songs recorded by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, Bing Crosby, Marvin Gaye and Luciano Pavarotti, then Les Reed is clearly no ordinary songwriter!
Chas Hodges Interview
He worked with Joe Meek, backed Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent, played with hit-makers Deep Purple, to finally emerge as one-half of one of Britain's most loved acts - Chas & Dave
Steve Harley Interview
Most often praised for an innovative approach to music, his band, Cockney Rebel and the song "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)", bear testament to a unique musical talent
Guy Clark Interview
A luminary in the realm of American folk and country music, Guy Clark leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who have been fortunate enough to listen to his compositions
Mel Tillis Interview
He has released a hundred singles, scored six Number One hits, and penned million-sellers not just for himself, but also for such luminaries as Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones and Patsy Cline
Bill Anderson Interview
He wrote his very first hit in 1958, his latest was nominated for a Grammy in 2023, and Steve Huey of AllMusic called him "one of the most successful songwriters in country music history"
Eric Woolfson Interview
Starting out as a session pianist during the heyday of Merseybeat, Eric Woolfson emerged as a songwriter of note, before founding what would become the legendary Alan Parsons Project
Mike Read Interview
When you are an iconic BBC DJ, and have edited the "Guinness Book of Hit Singles", what is left to do? Well how about penning a raft of hit songs? Mike Read has done all this. And more
Marty Wilde Interview
Marty Wilde is an iconic singer, songwriter and record producer - one of the tiny number of music personalities to have scored a British hit in every decade from the 1950s to the 2020s
Nik Kershaw Interview
Nik has released 27 singles, and 20 albums. Has worked with everybody from Elton John to Genesis' Tony Banks. And he also performed at Live Aid, alongside Sting, Queen and Bowie!
Jerry Reid Interview
As a singer-guitarist, he is the tops. As a songwriter, well how about his songs for Elvis and Johnny Cash? And as for his acting - well there's always "Smokey & The Bandit". 1, 2 and 3!
Ron Miller Interview
Ron Miller pens hits for Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Ray Charles - yet manages to maintain the lowest profile of any hit songwriter we know. But he spoke to us!
Stephen Schwartz Interview
Stephen Schwartz conquered Broadway at the age of 23 with 'Godspell' and his work includes 'Wicked', 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' and 'Enchanted', winning 3 Grammys and 3 Oscars!
Keith McCormack Interview
Given just how many new songs are released each and every day, what are the chances of a new songwriter penning the best-selling song for any given year? Well Keith McCormack did!
Hank Cochran Interview
He arrived in Nashville on a bus, but within a year, his songs were at the top of the Billboard charts. Since then, every country star of importance, has recorded at least one of his tunes
Mick Hanly Interview
Limerick-born Mick Hanly is the only Irish songwriter to be awarded both the prestigious BMI Most Played Country Song Of The Year Award and the equally prestigious BMI MillonAir Award
Bruce Welch Interview
Bruce Welch co-founded The Shadows who backed Cliff Richard. But then, he went on to pen million-selling songs for Olivia Newton John and to set up his own music publishing company
Guy Chambers Interview
His production and songwriting credits include Queen, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, James Blunt and Kylie Minogue, while his co-writing with Robbie Williams has so far sold fifty million units
Dallas Frazier Interview
He cut his first record at fourteen, and three years later, had his first US Number One as a songwriter. Elvis Presley, Number 1s, Gold Discs and Grammies, Dallas Frazier has done it all
Bill Martin Interview
Bill Martin, the Eurovision-winning writer whose songs have been recorded by everybody from Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Van Morrison & The Bay City Rollers, to country's Waylon Jennings!
Tony Hatch Interview
Tony Hatch has written hits for Petula Clark, Chubby Checker, Jackie Trent, Bobby Rydell and Connie Francis. And of course, he also penned the legendary theme for TV's "Neighbours"!
Janis Ian Interview
Janis wrote and recorded her first Top 20 hit at 14, and since then has had songs covered by Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Joan Baez, Cher, Shirley Bassey, Sheena Easton & Dusty Springfield
Gordon Lightfoot Interview
Gordon remains Canada's greatest singer-songwriter whose songs have been covered by Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, and Olivia Newton John
Gene Pitney Interview
A legendary star in his own right, Gene Pitney was also a talented songwriter who penned several hits for other stars, including Phil Spector, Bobby Vee, Roy Orbison & Ricky Nelson
Roger Cook Interview
Starting out as a pop star, Roger wrote 50+ hits for people like Cliff Richard, before moving to country music, becoming the only British songwriter in the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Mike Batt Interview
Mike Batt introduced The Wombles to TV. Then he discovered, and wrote hits for Katie Melua, penning 'Bright Eyes' for Art Garfunkel, and even setting up his own hit-making record label
Don Black Interview
Don's very first songwriting attempt actually won him an Oscar! He has also written themes for several James Bond movies, and collaborated with Michal Jackson & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Barry Mason Interview
Barry Mason left London for Hollywood hoping to become a movie star. Instead he became a songwriter, selling more than 50 million records for Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones and more!
Lionel Bart Interview
Lionel's first Gold Disc song was written in ten minutes, and he went on to pen the musical 'Oliver' which won a shower of Oscar nominations gaining him the title "King Of Tin Pan Alley"
Johnny Marks Interview
Johnny Marks wrote one of the two most valuable songs of all time, which so far has sold 168 million copies. It is the song which everybody, everywhere, has sung - no matter how badly!
John Spalding Interview
