Taylor Swift makes history as second-youngest Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee

At 36, Taylor Swift will become the second-youngest honoree ever in the Songwriters Hall of Fame when she is inducted in June. Stevie Wonder remains the youngest inductee at 33 in 1983. 

On Jan. 21, the Songwriters Hall of Fame organizers announced its newest batch of inductees. Along with Swift are Alanis Morissette, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, Kenny Loggins, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten, and Graham Lyle. 

The musical icons will be formally inducted at the 2026 Induction and Awards Gala on June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, as reported by The Guardian. It will not be open to the general public.

Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers expressed his admiration for the newest honorees in a statement.

"The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator," he said. 

"This year's lineup [of inductees] not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres. These songwriters have profoundly impacted the lives of billions of listeners worldwide, and it is our privilege to honor their contributions," Rodgers added. 

How does one get inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame?

According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a songwriter with a significant catalog of songs becomes eligible for nomination 20 years after a song of theirs is first commercially released. Nominations are subject to approval by the artists themselves.

The organization makes sure they consider songwriters for nomination from different musical categories. 

Once they are nominated, they must select five representative songs. This list, accompanied by the songwriter's photo, is sent to about 1,850 industry members for voting. Names are narrowed down to about 12 in each category.

For her five songs, Swift chose All Too Well (10-minute version), Blank Space, Anti-Hero, Love Story, and The Last Great American Dynasty. 

She released her debut single Time McGraw in 2006, just barely making the Songwriters Hall of Fame's 20-year requirement. 

Swift has won 14 Grammy Awards, including four for Album of the Year. Her "Eras Tour," which ran from March 2023 to December 2024, is the first concert tour in the world to ever earn over $2 billion in ticket sales.