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Taylor Swift released her album “Speak Now” near the start of her life as a showgirl, and tracks like “Back To December” and “Mean” quickly became anthems for those navigating changes in their lives. 15 years later, the album still serves as a beacon of support for those who have lost their balance.

Swift was only 20 years old and just figuring out adulthood when the original record was released. But with two albums under her belt, she had already experienced more pressure from the public eye than most would in their lifetime.

In “Innocent” she reflects on the challenges of growing up — which were only amplified by the spotlight. She sings, “Wasn’t it easier in your firefly-catching days? / When everything out of reach / Someone bigger brought down to you / Wasn’t it beautiful running wild ‘til you fell asleep / Before the monsters caught up to you?”

“Innocent” was speculated to have been written as a forgiving response to Kanye West’s belittling reaction to Swift winning an award at the 2009 Video Music Awards. However, these lyrics may resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the pang of loss and anxiety over saying goodbye to childhood and having to face life themselves. Her reference to “someone bigger” could be interpreted as someone who is larger than life, which is what Swift herself became in her rise to fame.

In “Mean,” notions of these cruel judgements from the public linger. But Swift sings of overcoming this criticism and knowing her worth is not defined by others, making for the perfect motivational track with a valuable reminder for all listeners. The twangy strum of a banjo and lively fiddle twine together with Swift’s vocals in a proud reminder of her country roots. While much of the album leans into Swift’s growing pop style — a transition that would fully be made in her later album “1989” — “Mean” allows the singer to reach towards who she was in her debut album while also allowing herself to grow.

Despite granting herself permission to move on, saying goodbye to the past is never easy. This is conveyed in lyrics from tracks like “Back To December,” which, in the soft heartache reflected by piano and guitar, describe a longing to return to something lost — all while knowing that is impossible — and promising to appreciate it more if given the opportunity.

Swift sings, “Maybe this is wishful thinkin’ / Probably mindless dreaming / But if we loved again, I swear I’d love you right / I’d go back in time and change it, but I can’t.”

In those few lines, Swift manages to encapsulate the universal feelings of regret and heartbreaking nostalgia. While “Back To December” references Swift’s past relationship with actor Taylor Lautner, the message can be applied far beyond that.

The song “Long Live” takes a more hopeful approach. With its bright chorus and a growing drum beat that evokes excitement for the next lines of the song, it promises that there are more good memories to come. These ideas are reflected in lyrics like “It was the end of a decade / But the start of an age.”

The end of that chapter of her life certainly did give way to a new era for Swift since releasing “Speak Now” in 2010. Between her re-recording of many original albums, dazzling the world with “The Eras Tour,” gaining ownership of all her music, and her recent engagement to football player Travis Kelce, she has continued to evolve. For every ending she mourned in her 2010 album, there were many more beginnings. The artist has grown to hold control over her own life — something that can be seen in the lyrics of “Dear John.”

In the song, Swift sings, “But I took your matches before fire could catch me / So don’t look now / I’m shining like fireworks over your sad empty town.”

Indeed, she is glowing brighter than before, and has abandoned the haters. But with many new chapters still unfolding for Swift, the messages in “Speak Now” are more relevant than ever.

The same is true for listeners to the album. Change is inevitable — and also excitingly terrifying. That was true 15 years ago and it will be true 15 years from now. Having art to make sense of these changes is essential, and that’s exactly what “Speak Now” helps listeners do.

For those feeling like they can’t keep up with life’s constant motion, they need only remember Swift’s lyrics exactly as she sang them 15 years ago: “Lost your balance on a tightrope, oh / it’s never too late to get it back.”