A new Channel 4 documentary, Taylor, offers a fresh look at the early career of superstar Taylor Swift.
The film features songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall, who first worked with a 13-year-old Swift in 2003.
Orrall was immediately struck by her talent and creative vision. “Right from the get-go Taylor directed the session,” he says in the documentary.
Orrall reveals that during their initial sessions, they co-wrote three songs, two of which made it onto her debut album, Taylor Swift.
He then holds up a CD for the camera, containing a collection of her work from that time. “I have tons of these from way back,” he says, revealing a trove of 16 previously unreleased songs from 2003.
“None of those are anything you’ve ever heard.”
The documentary highlights the singer’s relentless drive, even as a teenager. Orrall recalls her father mentioning she had already written another 15 songs on her own.
He credits her with all the creative ideas during their collaborations, calling her a “powerhouse.” Orrall also helped Swift get discovered by encouraging her to perform at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe.
It was there that she caught the eye of Scott Borchetta, who signed her as one of the first artists on his new label, Big Machine Records.
The documentary briefly touches on her public feuds and legal battles, including her well-known dispute with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. It also covers her victory in a sexual assault civil case against DJ David Mueller in 2017.
Swift’s former manager, Rick Barker, is also interviewed, offering his perspective on her career and expressing hope for her future with her fiancé, Travis Kelce.
The documentary Taylor will air on Tuesday, September 30th on Channel 4.
