Becca (Taylor's Version)

[Taylor Swift Updates 🦋 @swifferupdates]

Taylor recalled the humble beginnings behind her debut album in a newly published 2008 interview with Variety.

When her first single was being sent to radio, Big Machine had just 10 employees and no furniture, so Taylor and her mom sat on the floor helping stuff the CDs into envelopes themselves.

[Taylor Swift Updates 🦋 @swifferupdates]

💬| In a newly published interview with Variety from January 2008, an 18-year-old Taylor Swift spoke about taking control of her own career and future, and here are some stand-out quotes:

“At the end of the day, I want to be here for the next 20 years.”🥹

“If I want to be in charge of my own future, I have to be in charge of my career.” 💪🏼

“I know nothing compared to what I’m gonna know a year from now.”

“We haven’t tapped into half the people we’re gonna tap into.”

“I think you can be grateful for every single thing that happens.” 🫶🏻

“If those people are willing to stand that long, I am too.” This was about fans waiting through her four-and-a-half-hour autograph sessions.

“But I’m gonna continue to do it as long as I can.” Also about meeting fans after shows.

“When I find someone who fascinates me as much as my career, I’m gonna go for it.” 🥰

“Songwriting is the ultimate form of being able to make anything that happens to you in your life productive.” ✍🏼

“I don’t look at it as crossover as much as I look at it as spillover.” On her music beginning to reach pop radio. 🙂‍↕️

Nearly 20 years later, she has become one of the defining artists of her generation!

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when Taylor became the artist with the most GRAMMY wins for Album of the Year and announced THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

📸: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when you watched your first grainy livestream of TS | The Eras Tour? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

📸: Credit John Shearer / Getty Images

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” escaped the vault? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you for the surprise folklore and evermore drops? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when there were five holes in the fence? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when the reputation Stadium Tour started? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

📸: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when Taylor’s Instagram grid looked like this? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when 1989 won Album of the Year? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

📸: Jason LaVeris / Getty Images

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when we entered Taylor’s first official pop era with the release of 1989? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Taylor Nation @taylornation13]

Where were you when Taylor Swift invented fall (released Red)? #20YearsOfTaylorSwift

[Redꕤ⋆.˚ ⸆⸉ @rahafver]

yall are sleeping on this banger

[Averi @indyxdwts]

My literal top four 🙌

[🛒 @tayhader]

Wait I had no idea my king Ezra knew ball… oh we are so getting you that (split with Amber) mirrorball babey

[white woman w/ a yelp account @blakeissweaty]

your hair’s looking a lot like mine

[lia ♡ @madelovelately]

what is wrong with tariq like fr😭😭

[MR. POP @MrPopOfficial]

20 years ago today Taylor Swift released her debut album ‘Taylor Swift’.

[the ttpd roomba @thettpdroomba]

She gave her blood sweat and tears for this #20yearsofTS

[Eggsquisite Armantè M.F.A 🥚 @ExquisiteWill]

She quite literally grabbed a pen and an old napkin and wrote down our song this is crazy