Taylor Swift's Scorching Success Continues
"I really do try to be a nice person ... BUT if you break my heart or hurt my feelings or are really mean to me, I'm going to write a song about you." - Taylor Swift
She made this disclaimer right before her live Unplugged at Studio 330 performance of the smash hit and kiss-off song, "Picture to Burn." It got me to thinking that we've all had a "Picture to Burn" at some point in our lives. I sure know I have. But what I find even more amusing is that some of us, like Taylor and I, have actually gone to the extreme of burning photos of our exes. I even poked out the eyes of the stuffed animal he won me at the country fair. (I know. I really showed him.)
But what I love about this song, even more than our burning coincidence, is that Swift looks and remains classy. Though she's fuming with anger, she's still tasteful. And just when you think her music is about first-loves and Tim McGraw songs, she fires off a scorching hit like "Picture to Burn." I truly think her well-behaved etiquette and personal storytelling have helped ignite this spark of success. I'd like to congratulate this platinum-selling teen. She's truly gone from burning photos to burning the charts.
Side note: As you enjoy her sizzling performance, check out the flaming boots. They're smokin.'
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Cole Edwards (JensBoyfriend) says:
This Unplugged at Studio 330 with Taylor Swift was really good; the aucostic and storytelling atmosphere suits her songs and style well.
I hear so many people saying her music is not country and is not adult enough to be on country radio. However, I think the fact that she doesn’t right about stuff that doesn’t fit her age is what makes her such a draw for fans, young and old.
Taylor Swift has it going on…..big time. :)
B.W. LaRoy says:
Taylor is successful because of who she is. If you believe you are a talented singer and you wanna be famous…you might want to ask yourself if you really are the person people aspire to wanna be like…and if you don’t even sing a lick…you might just maybe wanna ask yourself the same question…every single day of your life…like Taylor probably does…
Jay says:
I think Taylor is a fantastic writer especially for as young as she is although I don’t think she a great voice and it shows in her live shows but she knows how to entertain and that along with her writing will keep her going.
Michael Lilly says:
This gal has gone through the cycles of not so cool events and made writing her way to have an outlet for her feelings. To think she is also a good lyricist as well. Her songs are not purely country. They are life events that already had a massive audience.
A. Fan says:
I agree with Cole. She has it going on and will be around forever. Voices can change and get better with time, but songwriting that cuts through is how you make your mark in country.
Ann says:
I 100% agree with Cole… but is everything about her… I love her to death… but um yea getting sick of her
JCH says:
For her first records, of course the material wasn’t “adult enough” for a segment of the country radio artist - because she was 13 to 15 years old when the tracks were penned. What she did do was recruit a large number of younger fans that might look outside of Taylor and into the rest of country music.
I guess the way I see it, Taylor Swift is only going to get better with age.
kate e. says:
funny, she said that exact thing at country thunder. i didn’t realize she was so scripted
Kate says:
I like the realness that Taylor brings to her music and I love that CMT does these Studio 330 sessions…they’re so raw and entertaining! I also think this is a song that a lot of people can relate to. Thanks for writing about it, Whitney! Keep the good blogs coming!
digginit.us » Hello world! says:
[...] Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler Divvy Credits from GACtv.com [...]
jazzmine long says:
well young or old i think her music is tha bomb, i loe her to death n she is my hero i thin she has a good thing going and no one can change that!!!!!!!!!!
jazzmine long says:
i ment to say love her to death lol
TJ Sarmiento (Manila, Philippines) says:
The song “Teardrops on My Guitar” was my first downloaded track sang by Taylor Swift. At first, I thought of what that song was for I knew I heard that phrase “…teardrops on my guitar…” before. So I played it…I felt a flashback, and goose bumps set in. And as weeks went by, I felt love on that song; I became curious on how that song would be illustrated on video. So I downloaded Taylor’s music video.
I became so much in love with this song because it conveys a message about life, especially the bliss of love. I experienced the same situation before as with the music video; indeed, “I faked a smile so she won’t see.” I remark this song as superbly made! The instruments used (the background music) are truly unified with the lyrics. And because the song is acoustic in nature, the effect is somewhat heavenly and soothing to the heart, that’s why whenever I play it, I feel like pampered by a gentle wind. At times, I literally shed my own teardrops.
The message content inspires me, too. Although loving someone was not a good experience, “Teardrops on My Guitar” has taught me that I have to move my life on, and forget what happened back then. I just put her picture down and had a good night sleep. Also, Taylor’s voice adds up to the comfort of my heart; such sweet voice inspires me to look forward and aim high. Her tone is refined and very well-blended with the lyrics and the accompanying acoustic music.
In general, the effect of “Teardrops on My Guitar” on me is so strong that it gives me motivation to do better in everything I do, and to think more positively despite those sad experiences in the past. In fact, listening to it had enhanced the way I think, particularly in my academic matters. And because I have been playing this song hundreds of times already, there’s no doubt I fully memorize the song, including the music sequences within it!
I say that I am Taylor’s BIG FAN here in the Philippines, and I really love her so much. As a male teen, I cherish her as an inspiration, and seeing her smile and express herself make me smile, too. With this, I wish to God everyday, that I could meet a girl named Taylor Swift.
Thank you!
heather says:
we think taylor is a good singer
Massie says:
kate e.:
she says that EVERY time she sings that song. It’s just what she says before it - lots of other people do the same thing. Get over it.
I <3 Tayyyy
kelsey says:
taylor u rock! u totally burned that guy’s A$$. who ever dump’s you is a total moron. <3 u taylor!!!
K says:
I LOVE her personality…
I think she is a bubbly, sweet, girl who cares deeply for her fans, family, faith, all while keeping her feet firmly on the ground. (:
But, anyone who has an ear for GREAT singers knows she is not the most gifted singer…She is always very pitchy, and her voice becomes way more nasally and girlish live. Some people like that sound, but I think it proves she is probably fixed in the studio… I’m saying she can’t sing at all, she just isn’t that good…
I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt/w this performance because a lot of artists sound AMAZING stripped down, but not on tv…so I THOUGHT she might sound better, but to my disapointment she doesn’t:(
Lee Ann says:
Have you heard Taylor Swift sing live?!? Lord Have Mercy……TERRIBLE…….even on the awards shows……she is NOT good……..She can write, she can play guitar……but unless she is in a recording studio, with all the “magic” they use……..She does not sound good. To me……if an artist can perform live and sound just like their CD……..they have a great voice…..which is why I love country music……..MOST of the artists sound awesome live…..but NOT Taylor Swift…she needs to stay on the POP side…..cuz most of them need the “magic” when performing live. JUST AN OPINION FOLKS!!!!
CJ says:
Lee Ann I totally agree with you. With out the make-up and props she is nothing. I think she should stick to writing. She is way to in your face when she preforms. I think she would do better if she was not on everything you look at. On GAC Videos she is on there way to many times. She gets a write up about giving to the red cross. A lot of stars give much more and they do not have to advertise it.
Lee Ann says:
Thanks CJ!!! Nice to know that there are others out there that share the same opinion!! Everyone talks about how much attention Carrie Underwood gets………but at least she can SING AND SING LIVE!!!! Enough with Taylor Swift and how great she is……..YUCK! Next thing you know….she will be lip synching her live performances!!!
CJ says:
That was really good Lee Amm. That is how my friends and family feel.
Jan says:
I agree 1000% !!!!!!! She needs to write and not sing!!!!
Todd says:
Wow! thank you for finally getting real about Taylor’s pitchy voice! I doubt she can even hear it and doubt she’ll learn how to correct it? You’re born with it or you’re not. Sure modern technology can pitch correct recordings, but live performances are a bit more difficult to cover up. 5 yrs ago she’d not even been considered, let alone signed!
Dave says:
Taylor didn’t change the lyrics on the song on this video like they radio edit version.
geotii says:
Too bad she has limited vocal ability. She is a real cutey.
John Clarke says:
What I’m seeing here is a girl who has been snatched up by a super promoter with lots of money and he/she has made her into a product gullible fans are loving. She can’t sing, I doubt if she does more than chord the guitar, and I’ll bet there are some paid writers backing her up, but she makes a commercial package. Country music owes its performers an apology for buying into this package.