Taylor Swift's Boots Are Made for Winning
I know why Taylor Swift didn't win Best New Artist at the Grammys. It had to be those damn Jimmy Choos she was wearing. I'm not saying they were bad luck. They just weren't good luck -- the kind she would've had if she'd worn her signature Liberty Boots.
Swift may have been snubbed by fashion police for wearing cowboy boots on the red carpet, but when she wears those boots, good things happen. Have you seen them? The nice people up at Liberty took their Love & Peace boots and Taylorized them. And once she started wearing them with dresses, like some kind of glamorous bohemian cowgirl, she became known as much as a fashion icon as a teenage country sensation.
If it sounds like I'm obsessed with these boots, it's because I am. Not solely because of their looks, but because I believe in the power of adorable boots. I believe that something so out of the ordinary gives you confidence you wouldn't have with Uggs, Birkenstocks, or flip-flops. Everyone else has those. These, though, are rare for two reasons. One, they aren't available at stores everywhere (and there's no Isaac Mizrahi rip-offs of them at Target). And two, they are pricey. Some are in the three-digit range, some way beyond. You have to earn that 2" stacked heel, pointy toe, whip-stitching and hand-tooling.
As a member of the Future Liberty Boot Owners of America, I can tell you that saving for a pair is as easy as giving up Starbucks for a year. Make your own lattes at home and soon you'll be walking a little taller in your own pair of Libertys. That's my plan, anyway. When I start going to concerts in the Rose and Crown boots, the Tattoo You boots, or the 60s Cowgirl boots, I expect a little boot envy at first. But eventually, country fans will get used to these works of art on my legs -- because once I get them, I doubt I'll ever wear anything else.
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mustang sally says:
Those pink boots in the picture are about $800 and then the Taylorized ones I think are about $1600. Thats a lot of cash for boots but they are super cute. :) Any thing woulda been better than designer sandals at the Grammys. She looks good in everything. Taylor should wear what’s comfortable and she didnt look it that night anyway.
me too says:
Ebay has these boots sometimes because I’ve been looking to get them to. The ones with the eagles are only $350, not as cool as the jolly roger ones in the picture but still would be that confidence boots you talked about! Taylors Love boots are very nice in the pic
Jeff says:
I’m a guy so I cant get boots exactly like that but I think Steven Tyler wears that brand too so maybe if I win the lottery I can get a pair like his. I do think boots can have an effect on the way you feel about yourself and Taylors music is a good example of the way she feels. Shes a good role model even though shes rich enough to have multiple pairs of these and those Jimmy Choos.
Joe says:
It’s not like she can’t afford them. And by this, I’m not talking about her recent success. I’m talking about the rich family she grew up in and the father that paid the 500,000-1 million dollar recording session bill for her debut album.
Money can buy anything, including a recording contract.
Lenore says:
Is that true that he bought her a record deal? That is he first time I have heard of that side of the story. Makes you wonder how she got to where shes at now. I though they grew up n a farm in Pennsylvana.
Just Joe says:
Lenore,
Yes, it’s true. It’s also a practice that, according to my friend, is becoming common among new artists. It’s one of Nashville’s many dirty little secrets. Apparently, Taylor’s dad had a tree farm or something in Pennsylvania and made a killing off of it. My friend also told me he’s talked with parents of children who went to school with her in Nashville and they say she’s a rich spoiled little brat.
Rockin’ T from Toronto says:
Hey Joe, lighten up. Sounds like your dad couldn’t buy you one and so you’re bitter.
The girl’s a one in a million talent and as as working musician that’s met her I’ll tell you that she’s the real thing. I don’t believe anyone ever got rich farming in America in the last 100 or so years and heresay (look it up!)isn’t woth anything.
Just Joe says:
Rockin T,
I can’t sing worth crap, but my friend who moved to Nashville can.
Do you even know how much it costs to record an album in Nashville nowadays for a debut artist? My friend told me 500,000-1 million dollars.
How fair is it to him, and the thousands of other people busting their butt in Nashville right now, to get overlooked because they’re “poor?” It’s almost like it’s a class conflict. The “have’s” are getting the deals while the “have-not’s” aren’t.
Just because you met her doesn’t mean that you know her inside out. How long did you meet with her, 5 minutes?
Someone who knows says:
This is bull. She got a record deal because Scott Borchetta fell in love with her voice and her charm. Get a life. Quit picking on gifted 18-year-olds.
Just Joe says:
Someone who knows,
Mr. Swift? Is that you?
Someone who knows says:
Just Joe,
Bitter Uninformed Liar, is that you?
BRIANNA LEASK says:
YOU ROCK LIKE SO MUCH!
A friend says:
Joe is telling the truth. I am from Reading PA and knew Taylor Swift’s family. She grew up on a small horse farm on Freemansville Road, not “Wyomissing, PA” like her bio insists. She moved to Wyomissing later on, right before she moved to Nashville. Trust me - there are NO horse farms in Wyomissing. It’s filled with big, expensive homes and mansions. I’m sure they stated she lived in Wyomissing her whole life because it sounds more “country” (ala like “Wyoming”).
Taylor Swift has indeed always had a luxurious and wealthy lifestyle. Her dad made his millions off being a stockbroker in NYC. Got her some sleazy junior record deal with Sony by the time she was 12, even though she had minimal songwriting experience, if any. A few years later she was getting endorsements by Taylor Guitars and appearing in Abercrombie and Fitch ads, years before she even had a cd out. Her dad also at this time hired Britney Spear’s manager. TRUST ME - SHE ONLY GOT ALL OF THIS BECAUSE HER FAMILY IS LOADED.
Ever wonder why she can’t sing for s— live? Here’s your answer. She also wasn’t country in the beginning. She was attempting to do pop songs until it was recommended by a friend to go the country route.
Just Joe says:
Thank you “A friend.” See people? Don’t ever doubt me again!
AllisonKraussFan says:
I head she was very wealthy too- and that is at least partially how she got her record deal. She went to Britney Spears camp for teens- so that tells me that she was clearly going the pop route originally. She doesn’t sound country at all- and now sheis remixing all her songs for pop radio and MTV. I think she should just go pop and be done with it- she can’t sing live anyway- so she is better suited to pop where she can lip sync with everyone else. She comes off as a spoiled brat to me too- but if she could sing, I would not care that much. She can’t sing- and she is getting by on daddy’s money, her looks, and the cluelessness of the public that thinks “oh how cute- she is 18 and writes her own songs.” They are so mesmerized by your youth and looks that they ignore her very poor singing ability. She would never have even made it to the hollywood rounds on american idol.
Taylor Rocks says:
What a beautiful gal! We are both country girls!
T J says:
How do you people know she can’t sing? You ever been to a concert like I have? Bashers the lot of you - Taylor has now gone double platinum, she is touring with Rascal Flatts (before that George Strait), her videos are in the top ten, her debut CD has spent weeks at number one, she has more myspace friends than Carrie Underwood. She was knocking on Nashville doors when she was 10 years old. I’ll tell you now, you don’t sell close to 3 million CD’s if you can’t sing. So knock off that drivel. It don’t work here!
Daddy’s money - ha! sounds like it was hard work and dedication to me.
If you feel so sorry for poor performers why don’t you sponsor them.
That is an option you know!! Work! so you get yourself a sponsor then you can afford the down payment on your debut CD.
ScottyB says:
Hey, this is Scott Borchetta, the person who signed Taylor when she was 14. All the RIDICULOUS comments about her father spending a million dollars to ‘buy’ her a record deal are absolutely false. I have had the good fortune to work with the biggest of the big in Nashville including Reba, Strait, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Sugarland and now Taylor. If you don’t like her music, that’s your perogative. I can tell you with absolute clarity that she is one of the most talented artists I’ve worked with some 25 years in the biz. Also, when starting the new label Big Machine and watching every dollar, I can factually tell you we made her first record for one-third of what major labels spend. She’s always loved Country music, starting with Leann Rimes. She came to Nashville the first time when she was 11. As far as her vocal talent, she’s unbelievable. Ask a real singer about Taylor’s ability and uniqueness and they will tell you how special she is. So, if you are jealous of her success and you’re looking to tear her down, keeping making this crap up. But, that’s the American Way, create your heroes and then tear them down. We’re making her second record right now and it’s going to blow people away. She’s likely to be a big star for a long time to come so you might be smart to pick a fight you can win and a target you can successfully tear down - this ain’t it…
TomH says:
Scotty, thank god you posted this message above if it was somehow really you posting in a blog. Please note that Scott is completely right. I have been working here in nashville in the music industry for the past two and a half years and have a natural gift for finding talent. Trust Scotty on this, she’s not getting to where she is by paying for it. Paying out money can only get you so far in this industry and she’s way above that level. She has a great songwriting ability and a unique voice that people adore. She just won two awards at the CMT’s that was completely fan based voting! If you’re looking for an example of paying out money and forcing publicity to sell records, take a look at the massive failure of Tila Tequila. She’s made her money off the crapy tv shows and baring photo’s, not music. Her single only sold 13,000 downloads at release time. Tila is selling her “image” not her voice! Just like Paris. So for anyone to take a stab at Taylor is just jealous, don’t be. she’s not shoving her success down your throat like every other star in Hollywood.
Lisia says:
wow
TAYLOR SUCKS says:
HA,
That post by Scotty B. cracked me up. How can anyone take it seriously,when the “jealousy” word gets thrown out there, you know it can’t be legit! This girl is the worst singer EVER…Not since Denna Carter has there been such a blatant “push” of money in the hand fo record executives. Forgoing talent for 13 year olds who buy records for a short, very short time. I guarantee that in a years time the same bunch will have moved on. Taylor won’t always be 17 and she won’t have much to stand on in the end. Good lord, someone get rid of this girl I can’t stand her.
Alex says:
I guess everyone who has trashed Taylor for her voice is conveniently overlooking the fact that she where she is for reasons other than singing ability. What about the fact that she wrote every single song on that triple platinum debut album? And what about the fact that she’s the only female in the history of country music to do so and have such success?
Taylor may not vocally be an American Idol, but in my opinion, she is in a league of her own. She has the whole package. And as for the thing about her daddy “buying” her a record deal, I think it’s pretty absurd. People back in Reading and in Hendersonville have said good things and bad things about the Swift family, and that’s to be expected. But I can promise you that Taylor’s family didn’t buy her the success that she’s earned. Her daddy didn’t pay me to go out and buy her CD. I bought her CD and concert tickets because I identify and connect with her, and I believe that this is probably also the case for the millions of other people that are doing the same.
michael waring says:
How does everyone seem to know more about Taylor than me? I thought I knew a lot but now I know soooo much more~HA!. Did you know that the most expensive album made in Nashville was ‘The Woman In Me’ by Shania and paid in full by Mutt Lange for 500,000$. If Taylor was so rich why did they go without thanksgiving dinner because their stove broke in 2006? I am not saying the Swifts are poor but I am saying Taylor is VERY talented. Now take someone like Carrie Underwood who sold millions of records and just now tried her pen at songwriting! Songwriting is how I judge an artist…if you don’t write you ain’t worth the time it takes you to record someone elses words. Granted when you become famous you don’t have the time to write but the freedom to choose from the best writers. Taylor writes and that proves she will be here as long as she desires. Oh yeah…she is truly nice too…that goes a long way towards the whole package. I’ve noticed when someone disses her she handles it with grace…she dosen’t defend herself but respects everyones opinion. I can say though~give the girl a chance. I for one am very proud of this ambassador for country music! Michael
greg says:
I first saw Taylor Swift on the cover of Blender magazine but before that I had not heard one of Taylor Swift’s songs until I actually looked for them on youtube.
Did Taylor Swift get to where she is on pure talent. not likely.
Considering how much it how much money it must take to put out an album it must be several hundred thousand dollars with no guarantee of any return.
Would Taylor’s songs sell if they where put out by a fat
ugly girl who could sing like a bird. very unlikely. Taylor needs to thank God for daddys money.
There are people who are much more talented that will never get the chance to make an album because they don’t have the money,looks or just the connections that make it happen.
Taylors dad must have money who else could pick up the whole family and move to Nashville so their kid could pursue a recording career.
Taylor and singers like Miley Cyrus put out poppy music that sells to the young pre-teens and teens.
Will they be around singing in a few years? who knows.
511 boots says:
Thank you very much for the great information
greg says:
It seems “A Friend” has it right on the Abercrombie and Fitch promotion
The Abercrombie and Fitch was a promotion article called “Rising Stars” that appeared in the 2004 August issue of Vanity Fair magazine(when Taylor was 14 years old)(The Reagans) are on the cover.
Also an article on a very young Taylor Swift on the Taylor guitars site in their “Wood and Steel” magazine 2004 summer issue which is downloadable.
http://www.taylorguitars.com/news/community/woodandsteel.html
Ashley says:
I would like to say that you are completely wrong. Taylor’s boots have nothing to do with anything. She knows she would have won but it was obviously a stupid reason why she didn’t. So I think you should stop trying to worry about her fashion and leave her alone. She is an amazing singer and a very beautiful girl. I doubt what kind of boots she wears has anything to do with how everyone looks at her, because I know that atleast 90% of girls look up to her.
haddie walkef says:
i have to tell you taylor swift was awsome she is very very talened to me,.rsacals flatts too/taylor reminds me my husband said when i was also 18.which know iam 45 known since 3rd grade 28 years, so so happy he does every thing for me.iam so lucky i wish everyone would be so bessed.haddie walker xoxoxoxo
Guitarluver says:
Ya’ll need to stop making superficial comments like that. I believe Taylor is really a good person, no actually great or amazingly great! Not only talent wise but she has a good heart! Ya’ll that keep making those stupid comments about her being horrible or having no talent are very unfortunate to have minds like that. You are probably just jealous at how amazing she is. One thing in this small New Hampshire town I live in that I’m known for is standing up for what I believe in and I believe that Taylor is truly amazing. If you don’t start being kinder towards her, I send nothing but bad luck, shame and misery towards you.
I says:
I for one love absolutely everything about Taylor Swift. I dont know how she got her record deal signed and I for one dont care. She wrote every song on her first album and those songs have gotten me through everything from just a bad day to a first broken heart. Anyone who says anything bad about Taylor is just jealous…shes gorgeous, talented, and above all original. The last thing we need is another Brittney Spears. P.S. And whoever made that comment about her not being able to sing live obviously never went to one of her concerts…she was amazing. I can’t wait until she tours around here again!
james says:
From what I have heard Taylor Swift opened for Rascal Flatts and almost got booooed off the stage.
I would like someone to confirm this.
FiveKRunner says:
Since when does song writing ability give you a reason to be on the radio? Not a single one of George Strait’s singles were written by him, should we drop him from the air?
Face it, the girl can’t sing. When it comes down to it, what she’s attempting to sing isn’t even country music, it’s confessions from a teenage girl’s diary. Alan Jackson wrote all of the songs on “Good Time” but I don’t see you guys snatching that up like you do for her CDs. The day Swift sings something that’s half the song of “Small Town Southern Man” is the day I’ll change my mind.
It’s sad to see acts like hers make it to the top while Alabama had to call it quits, being unable to get their songs to the top of the charts and guys like Tracy Lawrence struggle to make it big with their independent record labels.
Simply put, it’s Murder on Music Row.
a friend says:
HAHAHA oh man it is funny to come back here and see what people have written….trust me, everything I said was true and maybe sooner or later I will break out more evidence I have that shows you Taylor is indeed a spoiled rich girl simply reaping the benefits of daddy’s money. Right now I don’t really feel like divulging more for the fear of her fans assuming I’m doing it because I’m “jealous” or something ridiculous like that. (As if showing someone to be the fraud they truly are insn’t a worthy cause).I, for instance, still have her dumpy little pop music demo cd (yes, back in her days of “Britney Spears Summer Camp!”) she tried to boost when she was around 11 or so that went nowhere. Why do you think she went to the country route? Which by the way was an idea given to her by her vocal teacher’s mother. (Those vocal lessons obviously didn’t do too much) I know a handful of people that know Scott Swift, her father…one comment I *specifically* remember hearing from a friend of her father was Scott’s offhand remark of “Celebrityville…here we come” when they were whoring out Taylor to the big record labels in Nashville. I can’t help but get a bit steamed when I see quotes in her bio like, “She walked up and down Music Row in Nashville at age 12 knocking on doors to get a record deal” as if she was some little poor country bumpkin with a big dream of hope. I was at a party a few months ago with a mother of a girl who did local plays with Taylor when she was young (the first thing her parents try to sell her into). the first thing she did was roll her eyes and say to me along the lines of, “If I’ve ever seen a form of child abuse of parents shoving their young child into the entertainment industry, it was Taylor’s parents”
lady says:
where did she get her slouchy ones?
i’ve seen them in a magazine. i think that tatto ones are kinda cheesy.
helppppp
greg says:
a Friend
I would like to hear that demo tape that you have of a young Taylor Swift.
It would be interesting to listen to what type of music Taylor was trying to put out before she went country.
james says:
Yes I agree, posting that demo tape somewhere on the net would confirm a lot of peoples suspicion’s.
That Taylor Swift cant really sing.
A Real Friend says:
Well, well, well, I just happen to live in Wyomissing, Pa and I found this blog because I wanted to give my daughter a pair of boots just like Taylor’s. I had no idea that people could be so vicious. I have known the Swifts for years, my daughter also performed with Taylor at BYTA which was a theatre group for kids here. I sat for hours at rehearsals with Taylor’s mom and know their story inside and out. I can tell you that “A Friend” has more than a few of her facts wrong and is a classic example of why the Swifts were so smart to move from this area. And yes, it ALL stems from jealousy. First off, they did live on a farm for many years and then they moved to Wyomissing. When they moved to Nashville, they were living in Wyomissing, in a leased house. It’s no fraud, it happens to be where they lived. Next, Wyomissing is a beautiful neighborhood, but mansions?, there might be a few but there are quite a few more duplexes and quaint little Americana type homes that have been fixed up like the one I live in with my average income family. This is no Beverly Hills. Yes, Taylor’s dad is a stockbroker, but millions? No way. From what I could see he provided for his family and worked long hours. Taylor’s mom drove a minivan like the rest of us. My daughter was in Grease with Taylor when she belted out “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and we all said wow, she sounds country. That was because all Taylor would sing at the karaoke after-parties they had for us, was, yes, country songs. She was a very vocal supporter of country music since I can remember. I also have a copy of that demo since hundreds and hundreds of copies were handed out in an effort to make sure people heard their daughter. It wasn’t pop and she went to perform for the Britney camp as a country singer. I remember that because her mom was telling me she wasn’t sure how the kids at that camp would embrace a country singer. Her mom and dad were the most supportive parents I’d ever seen. I was jealous. So was everyone else. We had to watch Taylor get lead after lead in every musical and it was frustrating. But she was good, very good. Everyone knew she was going to go on to something big, and she did. I heard the stories of going to Nashville when Taylor was 11 or 12. I remember thinking how determined they were to give Taylor a chance at this. If that’s abuse then I would have to guess that there would be thousands, if not, millions of little girls who would sign up for that abuse. Parents who moved their family someplace so you could do what you dreamed of doing your whole life. My daughter and I went to see Taylor this year in Philadelphia. She was magnificent and sound incredible live. My daughter and I feel lucky to have the memories of watching her grow into this unbelievable career. My daughter is in college now and relives her days in youth theatre with the tapes we have to prove that Taylor really was something special even then. Taylor’s record sales are in the millions and you people have nothing else to do but sit on here and comment about people you don’t know. I think I do know who “A Friend” is and let me tell you, THAT was child abuse. This woman wanted her child to be “the STAR” and when she didn’t …well I guess you can see what it did to her.
Peg says:
I saw her live. She puts on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Oh, and I do love her boots, too. This girl rocks!
ScottyB says:
wow… just stumbled back across this blog… my last post was in April where we promised the second album, Fearless, was going to be incredible. Today Taylor has the best-selling album in any genre of music this season and when everyone returns to a new year she will have already sold over two million copies. For all of you who don’t know, yes, it takes a lot of money to launch every artist you’ve ever heard of and every artist you’ve never heard of. This is the big leagues and there’s only room for the best of the best. There are tons of artists that come to town every year with tons of money whether it’s from investors or parents. You can’t buy talent. You can’t buy charisma. You can’t buy songwriting skills. You can’t buy a record deal at Big Machine. I know this won’t burst the bubbles of the bashers but the bashers are commenting without any facts. So, continue your conspiracy theories about ‘why’… they are quite amusing. :) You should know that Taylor has already done what most artists with a successful first album rarely do, follow it up with another great album that people love and have to own. You should also know that I have an advantage over most everyone else - I have all the early demos and I have the joy of making these records and hearing these songs as they are created. Watching the magic happen is a beautiful thing. I would like to personally thank everyone who gets and loves and enjoys Taylor’s amazing music as she is truly extraordinary… and she can’t wait to see all of you in concert next year. We’ve been in production meetings for the tour and Taylor is working overtime to bring you the best show imaginable - fans are going to love it! I hope everyone has a great holiday and a fantastic ‘09. Best - Scott
james says:
Is Scott B Taylor Swifts dad. You sound like a Taylor Swift street team member pumping up Taylors album.
If Taylor Swift has any staying power lets see if she has a career after her teenage fanbase grows up. But then again look at Britney Spears. Shes still around.So I guess you can have marginal talent and still have a career like Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus etc.
Douglassville, PA says:
I too was in BYTA, and I knew Taylor. When she was 13 she had the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music. She was very good (in fact I got her to autograph my program). The cast party was at her house in Wyomissing after the final performance. I remember that her house was very nice (it had a game room, indoor swimming pool w\ hot tub, and elevator). She was very nice. Her parents seemed quite rich, however.
doug says:
Of course she had help look at how fast she went from unknown to big name entertainer no one becomes this successful without big money, backing and big connections.
jes says:
I would think that the truth is somewhere in between the good and bad reviews of Taylor Swift. She probably did get help from her parents being well off but you do have to have at least a little talent in order to get a record deal, right.
But then again, How many parents move the family to Nashville so their kid can MAYBE sing and become successfull? Very few unless you have money.
Taylor Swift LoVer says:
taylor is the most down to earth singer i know
just cuz she has natural talent and you dont doesnt mean you have to be the biggest jerk ive ever heard
scott b thx for clearing this up with the true facts and story
ive been wanting to go to just 1 of hear concerts and now i have the perfect chance when shes on tour in texas
and for all the haters stop being haters
Danielle says:
I am a 40 year old mother that has never seen Ms. Swift in concert. However, I think she is a talented, beautiful, young lady that has a lot of people angry at her for her success and nothing more. It doesn’t really matter if her parents are rich or not. It may get you to the door, but certainly not selling millions of albums. Regardless if she wanted to be pop or country, started when she was 11, 12, or 13, or can sing live like in the studio she is a star.
If you don’t like her start a I hate blog somewhere else. Misery loves company and you will have a few other idiots to ramble on with. For the rest of us…I love her boots and her fashion sense.
jack says:
Danielle you must be out of your mind.
Having rich parents absolutely makes a difference in every aspect of a childs life.Just ask someone who can’t afford to go to college.
Taylor Swift has marginal musical ability but with wealthy parents.
lisa :] says:
why are you guys such haters?
personally, i LOVE taylor swift.
thank you “I” and everyone else who supports this awesome girl. i completely agree you all.
idk how she got her 1st album out but its really good and obviously a lot of people like it.
since when is being rich a crime? and if her dad does have a lot of money then so what? he obviously worked for it and its his to spend however he wants. if he wanted to support his daughter’s dreams then whats so wrong with that?
and she certainly didnt buy her way into a triple platinum album.
and whats wrong with deciding to go country instead of pop? she just realized what she was good at.
and theres nothing wrong with wanting to be like britney spears. back when taylor was 10 or whatever, britney wasnt doing drugs or partying or whatever. she was singing and working hard, which is what taylor aspired to do. and thats exactly where she got.
i understand not everyone has to like her and not everyone does but she has obviously worked hard.
and if you dont like her then you dont have to be so mean. no one wants to hear your negative comments.
stop the hate and increase the peace :]
julia says:
Taylor swift is awesome…even if she really “couldnt” sing (personally, i think she can), or “couldnt” write songs & play guitar, she still has the kind of personality most celebrities are missing today. its nice to see a girl the same age as me writing songs and making video blogs about her everday life. real teenagers do that. also, i am so sick of all the hypersexual and innappropriate music/celebrities out there. its kind of sickening. taylor takes a stand for good girls everywhere, and shows what its like living life on the “good” side.
rock on taylor!!
Michelle says:
All this talk about her background and her bio. I have nothing personal against this young lady, but ScottyB, why can’t you at least admit that her recent live televised performances have been very pitchy and uneven at besd? Kudos to her for her success and her milestones. But … she needs to learn to control her voice live … she sings out of tune and her voice cracks all over the place. If Carrie Underwoood or Martina McBride suddenly sang consistently flat with cracked notes on live television people would be all over them. Why does Taylor get a pass, just because she is young? I think she is a great writer who can probably learn vocal control if she gets vigorous training and isn’t always on the road. Let’s be real here. And before you ask, yes I know what I am talking about. I am a pro singer (happy and not jealous.) who tours with several major artists and does session work. I am just tired of the denial that she is so pitchy and flat live. I LOVE her songs though, and the marketing is brilliant. I just want to see her really sing well live on TV once.
Garth says:
it seems you can’t say anything negative about the “Golden Child” Taylor Swift or your message will be erased.
I read some messages on this board and others and come back later and they are deleted. Maybe its the Taylor Swift street team at work.
jaz says:
go taylor swift!!!!!!!! u rock and roll!!!!! luv ya so much!!!!!!!!!! i love white horse, fearless, and love story!!!!!!!!!!!!
evan says:
there are probably thousands of other much more talented people who will never get a shot at a record deal simply because they don’t have rich parents. Honestly do you believe Taylor Swift got to where she is because of ability.
She does have some talent but the examples of live singing she has put forth on tv have been pretty bad.
tay says:
i love her boots
Eric says:
Ms. Swift may not be the best live singer, but to deny her talent or charisma is ridiculous. She is a strikingly attractive young woman who seems well grounded with strong family ties and convictions. I’m not a true “country” fan but I do confess a certain fondness for the beautiful women in the genre. Taylor Swift is most assuredly one of them. In addition, she writes songs that her fans adore and can relate to. Isn’t that all she needs to do? By the way, I saw her on CSI and was very taken with her. She portrayed the haunted nature of her character extremely well and I sincerely hope she continues to branch out and pursue other interests like acting. Being hateful towards her and her family just sounds a lot like jealousy and sour grapes. Give the girl her due and move on to the next person on your hate list!
Garth says:
Please Eric,Taylor Swift not even close to country.Like Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers are not country.
Taylor Swift is closer to fad bubblegum country manufactured product for young girls to buy.
She is good but she not a “country singer”.
You could probably argue that Shania Twain and Garth Brooks are not country and you would have a point. just listen to their music.
BborB# says:
Well, some people hear pitch and others don’t. Somtimes there’s a sound system that makes it hard to hear yourself, but I think we’ve seen enough of this woman to know that the PA system is not the isssue. By the way, she’s old enough that no one should be giving her a free pass on performance ability. Yeesh…
Sure, country can have twang or yodel, but to do that well takes even greater vocal control. Swift just doesn’t have the “pipes,” doesn’t have the “chops.” End of story. I suspect she’s loved by those who relate because they are also normal people with relatively mediocre voices. Sadly, I also don’t find her songwriting compelling because she writes for her own very limited vocal range - musically uninteresting. Maybe it’s the lyrics people like.
Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, Maria Callas - these people are all different, but they are all vocalists. They are treasures. We need to understand the difference.
Go ahead and enjoy the Emperor’s New Country. She obviously has charisma or whatever. But this gal really should take some voice lessons if she wants longevity. She can’t even sustain notes. It’s not even hating or jealousy. It’s just…sad.
gaetano says:
come on Scotty,money talks loud and clear.How much did you get paid to post that unbelievable statement? You keep talking like that and soon you will be out a job.I hope you make enough money untill then.My God, people, its as plain as a pimple on your face.Of all the great singers in the world,just think about how many of them are booed like Taylor.Every one knows that she can`t sing.Her fathers money and the marketing paid off.Good for her! But it won`t last.She is a prefabricated Money maker.Just like the famous, FABIAN, wHO HAD no TALENT,except good looks.Singing lessons will never help her but a nose job might.
torn fan says:
wow, there’s some really great blog posts here…i personally like taylor, i adore her songs, but i must say, she cannot sing live…its sad really, and i really hope she gets voice lessons once her fearless tour is over. She has charisma and her personality is infectious…marketing is brilliant, i’m a fan, i just hope she sings better live…could this be fixed? could voice lessons really help that much or is singing something you either have or dont have?
make it stop…please!!! says:
Taylor Swift’s songs suck donkey butt. She plays the same two chords over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over AGAIN!!!! She tells the same dumb stories about the same doofus, all she changes are the lyrics and tempo. When I first heard “Love Story” I thought it was great. I should have stopped there. All her other songs are downright crap. She should sue herself for copyright infringement. Only a a**hole with no knowledge of music could consider Taylor as talented. I guess country folks don’t have enough good sense to hear the obvious similarities in her musical arrangements or notice her childish way of repeating the same story. Taylor Swift is a drag! If we pay her will she go away? (And possibly take Miley Cyrus with her.)
Michelle says:
This is for ScottB:
All this talk about her background and her bio. I have nothing personal against this young lady, but ScottyB, why can’t you at least admit that her recent live televised performances have been very pitchy and uneven at besd? Kudos to her for her success and her milestones. But … she needs to learn to control her voice live … she sings out of tune and her voice cracks all over the place. If Carrie Underwoood or Martina McBride suddenly sang consistently flat with cracked notes on live television people would be all over them. Why does Taylor get a pass, just because she is young? I think she is a great writer who can probably learn vocal control if she gets vigorous training and isn’t always on the road. Let’s be real here. And before you ask, yes I know what I am talking about. I am a pro singer (happy and not jealous.) who tours with several major artists and does session work. I am just tired of the denial that she is so pitchy and flat live. I LOVE her songs though, and the marketing is brilliant. I just want to see her really sing well live on TV once.
Taylor Fan says:
I admit I am a taylor swift fan but something about her that i like…and yes i know she can’t sing live…maybe because shes so darn cute!!!
Aaron says:
I can’t believe people actually have to pay for Taylor Swift concert tickets or MP3’s. You should get them for free and then only if you’ve done something really bad, like a murder. What’s all this “Taylor’s a nice person…” crap? If she was nice she’d stop offending our ears. It’s not enough to turn off the radio, just hearing a tiny bit of her voice makes me want to scratch my eyes out. Radio stations should read a disclaimer before playing this garbage. Her voice WILL NOT IMPROVE with age! Have you heard of Leann Rimes? She was 14 or 15 when she started recording and she had an amazing voice. There are adolescents out there with good voices and great voices. Taylor Swift is in a group of her own. Her voice is so bad that their is no one to compare it to. Put some of that production money into artists like Rissi Palmer and Katrina Elam. These two are damn good singers and would never punish us with those ridiculous Taylor Swift lyrics. Okay, the girl is cute (if you like flat chest and no butt). Cuteness aside; we’d be better, to see her fall off a cliff.
yes we get it! says:
Okay, we get it, Taylor can’t sing live. She is generally off key when she sings live. She has the tendency to sing a lot of flat notes caused by singing without breath support or confidence but in her case i think its both. When can we hear her belt out a song like Carey Underwood or Martina McBride? Answer: Never because Taylor cannot go that high in her range, I feel bad for her. :(
M says:
This is for ScottB:
All this talk about her background and her bio. I have nothing personal against this young lady, but ScottyB, why can’t you at least admit that her recent live televised performances have been very pitchy and uneven at besd? Kudos to her for her success and her milestones. But … she needs to learn to control her voice live … she sings out of tune and her voice cracks all over the place. If Carrie Underwoood or Martina McBride suddenly sang consistently flat with cracked notes on live television people would be all over them. Why does Taylor get a pass, just because she is young? I think she is a great writer who can probably learn vocal control if she gets vigorous training and isn’t always on the road. Let’s be real here. And before you ask, yes I know what I am talking about. I am a pro singer (happy and not jealous.) who tours with several major artists and does session work. I am just tired of the denial that she is so pitchy and flat live. I LOVE her songs though, and the marketing is brilliant. I just want to see her really sing well live on TV once.
Hayley says:
torn fan
I think Taylor Swift thinks she can sing.
Hayley says:
hey,Taylor Fan
the reason Taylor Swift has gotten this far is because she is so cute and seems like a nice person. the music is almost secondary.
Jimbo says:
if there’s so many g’damn posts, shes obviously relevant enough for all you people to talk about her..this is what she wants!
Hayley says:
I know Taylor is laughing all the way to the bank!!
Jessie Zimmer says:
Taylor,
Dont worry about what other people say about you. Because all that matters is you have the 3 “F’s” (Family, Friends, Fans.) Im just a small town girl and i really really LOVE YOU!!!! im the only girl out of 2 brothers, and im the middle child. i’ve been on the computer since 4:30p.m. reading about YOU! And so far your a very great person, and would i would LOVE to have a sister 8 years older then me ecspecailly you!!! Because your VERY BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED, and im a REAL COUNTRY GIRL like you!!! And i would LOVE to see you live!!!!!! luv JESSIE!! TAYLOR IS AWESOME, and P.S. Remember ignore bad comments cause all u need is friends, family, and fans (im a fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Jessie Zimmer says:
TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT ROX!!! and u know whats cool we both have b-days in DECEMBER!!
BborB# says:
So I was subjected to my second Taylor Swift song this week - had a hard time avoiding it on the radio. It was the more annoying and cloying grasps for the attention of lovelorn “outcasts” I’ve heard. Ummm - there’s nothing about this girl that indicates she remotely identifies with a person who is really in that position, and as someone who was, I take offense. Oh, so you’re going to pretend to be the ugly girl? Please. “You belong with me” or whatever it is ain’t no “Left of Center” by Suzanne Vega.
And as a side note - I knew it was her immediately because the chord movement was amazingly similar to that “Romeo” song or whatever it is. It actually took me a moment to realize it was a different song.
Why is this Disney-esque fodder making it onto the adult stage? And please - why on earth is she taking a breath in the middle of the phrase “belong with me”? Huh? If it’s a stylistic choice, it’s a bad decision. But most trained singers will recognize it’s probably because she can’t sustain a relatively small run. :(
And she is laughing all the way to the bank. I’ll just make sure not to channel surf anymore. It’s not worth it.
MSHIZZAY says:
shes horrible live and horrible at everything else she does…
bree says:
get lives people. you’re obviously no better than someone you peg as “spoiled” and “untalented” if you can click on a blog and bad-mouth someone. because you hate someone, doesn’t mean everybody else has to.
so how about you get your lazy butt off the computer and do something with yourselves?
your petty little words on a blog are obviously not going to hurt taylor’s feelings, look at how successful she is - and look at where you are. reduced to arguing about the life of an EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL on a blog. is it an attempt to make yourself feel better? is she personally harming YOU?
that’s what i thought.
you’re not convincing anyone. her fans are still going to be her fans reguardless, you can’t take that away from her. you’re not some martyr to country music by having a personal vendetta against her.
and by coming here, taking the time to smack talk an incredibly successful young woman, you’re making everyone else laugh at how pathetic you are.
have a nice day :)