Taylor Swift's music roots are firmly planted in country music and she credits country singers such as Faith Hill and Shania Twain for inspiring her before she was a household name. However, as the years have gone by, the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together' hitmaker has evolved from a country songstress to a crossover superstar. Still, she hasn't forgotten where she started. 

Swift notes that country music graciously allowed her to explore other aspects of music, and she tells Examiner, "I think one of the things that I’m happiest with, in the last year, is the acceptance level in country music for me experimenting and for me trying to evolve and challenge myself musically."

She adds, "I think it’s never felt better to be on that stadium stage performing knowing that everyone’s been so welcoming of change."

Thanks to her widespread, worldwide audience, she has seen huge success with her newest album, 'Red' and even is among the Forbes' 2013 Most Powerful Celebrities, the youngest among icons such as Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

While her music is now quite different from her past hits 'Tim McGraw' or 'Our Song,' which were clearly in the country sector, her current hits still draw on her own personal experiences, inspired by love gained and love lost, with her current single 'Red' standing as the perfect example. Her remarkable ability to be relatable and personable within her songwriting will keep her at the top -- whether there's a banjo or an electric guitar playing along.

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