Taylor Swift scripted history on Thursday night by becoming the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame.
At 36 years old, the pop icon hit the career milestone exactly 20 years after releasing her debut single "Tim McGraw".
Swift was introduced at the New York gala by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. "There is something undeniable about how songs imprint on our souls," he said, before changing his focus to Swift. "Somehow Taylor knows us all too well."
Swift started her speech by acknowledging Spielberg. "Because of examples like Steven's, I trusted my imagination," she said.
"It was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it," she said of songwriting through a raspy voice she attributed to screaming along to the night's performances and Wednesday night's historic NBA game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Swift shared with the gathering how her family uprooted their lives to move her from Pennsylvania to Nashville, Tennessee, as a tween. "I will never be able to express my gratitude," the singer-songwriter said while holding back tears, crediting their sacrifice for her career.
She offered advice to young songwriters: "You really have to prioritise what you love, down to your very core. Because you'll need that."
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Swift has brought new eyes to this year's ceremony and undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends with her songwriting. Swift is the youngest woman inducted, but Stevie Wonder, who started his recording career at 13, was the youngest ever inducted, it was announced on stage.
It was a notable moment in an evening full of them, where Swift, Kiss' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and more were honoured.
Last year's inductees included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys' Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honour those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalogue of songs qualifies 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.
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