“Please welcome up our next performer… Raina!” calls Joshua, the emcee. With my guitar in hand, I step up to the stage. I've been a regular at this coffee shop's open mic night for several months now; having this place to perform motivates me to keep learning new songs and developing my skills as a musician. Tonight I'll be playing “I Know Places” by Taylor Swift, from her album 1989. “I Know Places” is one of my all-time favorite Taylor Swift songs, but it is challenging to sing because it nears the limits of my vocal range on both ends. Just a few months ago, I didn’t think performing this song would ever be possible for me, which makes it all the more exciting—and nerve-racking—that I'm singing it tonight. I feel my hands shaking as I adjust the angle of the microphone. On the album, “I Know Places” begins and ends with the click of a tape recorder, signifying that the protagonists are being watched. It's a simple but powerful way to reinforce the meaning of the song. I’m being watched, too: all around the coffee shop, eyes are fixed on me. I take a deep breath, introduce myself, and begin to play. The first chord, an A minor, sets the tone for the verse. This is a song of anxiety and urgency, and the low notes and minor chords of the verses capture the tension of trying to keep a relationship private. If the public scrutiny becomes overwhelming, the romance will “burn out,” so by staying hidden, the protagonists are protecting their love. When the verse gives way to high notes and major chords in the chorus, the tension resolves and I feel like the “cages” from the first verse have sprung open. I let my voice soar, and as I do, my own anxiety falls away. I’m pleased to see people around the room bobbing their heads to the beat. This chorus is one reason I'd been intimidated by the song for so long. It's difficult to sing so low and so high in one song, but with practice, I've become more comfortable in my higher register. Taylor Swift makes these transitions sound effortless, and learning this song has given me a deeper appreciation for her skill. The most challenging part for me to sing is the high note, an E5, at the end of the second pre-chorus. While the note is in the chorus as well, it's more difficult here because it's a full octave higher than the preceding lines. I can't yet belt the words the way Taylor does, but I hit the note. With the hardest part successfully behind me, I return to the chorus. The eyes watching me are no longer intimidating. Now, they energize me. At the end of the song, I sing both the lead vocal and the “I know places” refrain in the background. With “You know for me, it’s always you” and “I know for you, it’s always me,” Taylor strengthens the song by showing that despite the tension, the singer deeply cares about her companion and that the love they have is something worth protecting. As I play the final chord, I imagine another tape recorder click, ending the song the same way it began. The coffee shop breaks into applause and I step off the stage, feeling exhilarated and proud. I have a new reason to love “I Know Places” now: with this song, Taylor Swift has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and push my limits as a singer.

Reading and writing have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember, so my dream is to put my skills to use by writing articles or blog posts about subjects I already love.