“In the Loop” is a column by Valerie Fang dedicated to figure skating.
I cannot even describe how much fun I am having as I write this. Finally, this is the time when I merge my identities as a figure skating columnist and a Swiftie and see what happens. So, drop everything now, here is my list of the top three Taylor Swift tunes that can make sparks fly even on ice.
No. 1 — “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)”
The top spot goes to the national anthem of Taylor Nation, “Long Live” from Swift’s timeless classic, Speak Now. Crashing through walls. Holding up trophies. The crowds in stands going wild. Remembering this moment. And, of course, having the best time of life fighting dragons with somebody. So many images and symbolisms from this song fit perfectly into a sports narrative. I can see “Long Live” being skated to in both singles and pair competitions. Given the performative nature of figure skating, “Long Live” can deepen and give new meanings to the bond between the skaters and the audience. In this story, the fans are the ones who fight dragons alongside the skater. The fans are the ones who stand by the skater forever before fate forces them into a goodbye (yes, I mean the inevitable retirement). The fans are the ones who, when they have children someday, will point to the pictures and tell them how the crowds went wild. If I live to see the day when Hanyu Yuzuru skates to the bridge of this song, I will be moved to tears.
No. 2 — “The Man”
Of course, I want to see this one being skated to during women’s single competitions. It would be a nice little comment on the fact that the ISU (International Skating Union) still does not allow women to do quadruple jumps in the short program. Currently, only men are allowed to add one quadruple jump to their short programs. Well, I do not understand the logic here. Why ban female skaters from jumping quads when it has been proven, over and over again, that they are perfectly capable of doing so? I am aware that this rule was set up when no quadruple jump had been landed by women. But it is about time to update that rulebook. It would be amazing if Evgenia Medvedeva, the 2018 Winter Olympics silver medalist known for her artistic prowess, could take on this powerful masterpiece. Her incredible talent for storytelling and emotional expression through skating to music would surely bring out the narrative as intended by Swift.
No. 3 — “Christmas Tree Farm”
Remind me again — what time of the year do we have the most people participating in ice skating? Just listening to this song makes me miss the holiday season already. This very festive piece would be most ideal for skaters to perform at exhibition galas, which happen after all the actual competitions and skaters perform to thank the audience. Skaters are normally under much less pressure and just want to have fun with it. This song will easily hype up the audience because, frankly, it is just too jolly to not vibe with. Another place for “Christmas Tree Farm” to be in style would be at public outdoor ice rinks. Think of The Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Wollman Rink at Central Park in New York City. I am picturing families and friends, hand in hand, skating to this song and around a lovingly decorated Christmas tree with their Santa hats on: “Everything is icy and blue, and you would be there, too.”
The list could go on. “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” “22 (Taylor’s Version),” “the last great american dynasty” and many other songs would all leave us enchanted if performed on ice. Maybe one day I will write a second edition of this column. But that is it from me for now. I hope you had as much fun reading it as I did while writing it. Thank you for staying with me until the end. Ciao.
“In the Loop” runs every other Friday.