Taylor Swift could soon rewrite Songwriters Hall of Fame history. With her nomination for full membership, Swift is poised to become the first artist to graduate from the organization’s Hal David Starlight Award—a recognition she received in 2010—to full induction status. It’s a rare distinction that would mark another milestone in her storied career.
Eligibility for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame requires a songwriter to have released their first commercially available work at least two decades prior. Swift just makes the cut, having released her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” in June 2006. Her induction, if confirmed, would occur at the June 11, 2026 gala in New York.
This year’s ballot divides nominees into two categories: 14 non-performing and 13 performing songwriters or teams. Only the top three vote-getters from each group will be inducted.
Among the performing nominees are music legends and chart mainstays. LL Cool J, David Byrne, P!nk, Sarah McLachlan, and Taylor Swift lead a star-studded field. KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are also nominated, their recognition arriving just days after the passing of fellow bandmate Ace Frehley.
On the non-performing side, industry staples like Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey), Christopher “Tricky” Stewart (Beyoncé), and Terry Britten & Graham Lyle (Tina Turner) bring significant hitmaking clout. Several of the candidates already boast Grammy wins and Rock Hall inductions, while others, such as Bob McDill and Jeffrey Steele, are fixtures of the Nashville songwriting scene.
In an effort to honor under-recognized veteran talent, the SHOF is also continuing its “Legacy” initiative, requiring voters to cast at least one of their votes for a songwriter whose first success predates 1970. Ballots that overlook this requirement will be voided.
Voting for the 2026 class closes at midnight ET on December 4, with the final inductee list set to be revealed early next year. Whether or not Swift joins the hall this time, her nomination already marks a significant first—and another lyric in the story of her ever-evolving legacy.
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