Mary Strand isn’t just singing for herself — she’s singing for all of us. With her latest single “For All of Us (Dear Taylor),” released April 4 via Hygh Tension Records/Virgin Music Group, the rising solo artist delivers a thunderbolt of support, resilience, and righteous rage. What started as a casual songwriting prompt during the 2024 Super Bowl — the word “Target” — quickly became something much deeper. As Strand witnessed a firestorm of vitriol aimed at Taylor Swift for her political views and very public support of the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce, inspiration struck hard. The result is a bold and beautiful tribute to one of music’s most influential figures — and a broader message of empowerment for women everywhere.
There’s something about watching an icon like Taylor Swift weather storms that seem to gather solely because she refuses to shrink herself that lit a fire in Strand. A lifelong musician with punk-pop roots and a guitar in hand, she turned that frustration into fuel. “For All of Us” doesn’t hold back. It’s a love letter, a rally cry, and a line in the sand all at once. She sings: “You live each day with a target on your back / And the more you slay, the more they attack.” In just two lines, she captures the absurd dichotomy that powerful women often face — that success itself becomes the reason for scrutiny. But Strand doesn’t dwell in anger; instead, she builds a soaring anthem around strength, grit, and admiration.
Strand’s own musical journey has been turning heads ever since her 2023 debut Golden Girl, a record that laid the groundwork for her signature blend of garage rock, punk attitude, and power pop sweetness. But her upcoming sophomore album I Don’t Need Your Permission promises to crank the volume higher — both musically and emotionally. “For All of Us (Dear Taylor)” is the third single from the album, and if it’s any indicator of what’s to come, we’re looking at a fearless, full-throttle collection that tears through self-doubt and smashes the pedestal of perfection that women are so often forced to stand on.
Backed by her band Mary Strand & The Garage, the track punches through with urgency and clarity. Strand’s vocals are raw and radiant, carrying both the vulnerability of admiration and the power of conviction. Guitarist Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum, The Melismatics) adds glitter and grit with searing riffs and synth textures, while Mark Wade on bass keeps the pulse steady and defiant. On drums, Jack Strand drives the beat with a perfectly calibrated mix of energy and finesse. This isn’t just a band — it’s a sonic family, fusing their talents to craft something unmistakably authentic.
What makes this single land even harder is its timing. In a world where public discourse is louder and more polarized than ever, where celebrities are expected to take stances but then punished for having opinions, Strand’s message is loud and clear: enough is enough. Swift, for all her glamour and global fame, is still a human being who has become a lightning rod for hate. But through Strand’s lens, she’s more than a pop star — she’s a symbol of how to stay standing when the world tries to knock you down.
“For All of Us (Dear Taylor)” may be addressed to one woman, but its spirit speaks to millions. It’s a musical thank-you note to trailblazers, a declaration of solidarity, and a reminder that we’re stronger when we lift each other up. It’s catchy, cathartic, and absolutely unapologetic — just like Mary Strand herself. And if this is what she sounds like with a little fire in her belly, we can’t wait to see what burns through the rest of I Don’t Need Your Permission this summer.
