The Last Great American Dynasty
"The Last Great American Dynasty" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). The life of the American socialite Rebekah Harkness, who once lived in Swift's Rhode Island mansion, inspired her to write the song.
"The Last Great American Dynasty"
July 24, 2020
- Kitty Committee (Los Angeles)
- Long Pond (Hudson Valley)
3:51
- Taylor Swift
- Aaron Dessner
Aaron Dessner
The lyrics recall Harkness's inherited wealth from her husband and her decadent lifestyle, which became the gossip of the town; the final refrain draws parallels between Harkness's life and Swift's, implying how others scrutinized them both for their personal lifestyles. Aaron Dessner co-wrote and, inspired by the sound of Radiohead's In Rainbows (2007), produced the song. "The Last Great American Dynasty" is an indie-oriented folktronica and guitar pop tune featuring an uptempo arrangement of percussions, layered electric guitars, slide guitar, strings, and electronic elements.
Music critics praised Swift's songwriting from a third-person perspective and the production. The publications American Songwriter, Billboard, Pitchfork, and Uproxx ranked it among the best songs of 2020. "The Last Great American Dynasty" entered the top 10 of charts in Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and the top 20 in Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Swift included it on the set list of the Eras Tour (2023–2024).
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Folklore.[47]