Behind the Scenes at Taylor Swift's "Thug Story" Video Shoot
By now, most of you have seen the music video for "Thug Story," Taylor Swift and T-Pain's rap collaboration that premiered during the opening segment of the recent CMT Music Awards show. And judging by the comments posted on the CMT.com blog, many of you loved it, appreciating the tongue-in-cheek humor behind the song and video. On the other hand, others hated it, suggesting that the collaboration could potentially signal the end of country music as we know it. Well, additional behind-the-scenes footage has now surfaced from the video shoot that took place in the parking garage of Nashville's Sommet Center just a few days before the awards show. In watching it, it strikes me that Swift and T-Pain obviously have a great sense of humor. And regardless of how rich and famous you may be, a sense of humor is something that money can't buy.
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S says:
ENOUGH OF THUG STORY … ENOUGH OF TAYLOR SWIFT!!!
AND YES, I’M SHOUTING!!!
Matt says:
Very fun story and video, interesting to see what went into the collaboration and the creativity and humor that both Swift and T-Pain show, as well as a willingness to not take themselves seriously all the time. I think that ability will stand them in good stead throughout their careers.
Taylor Rocks says:
She has the best sense of humor!!!!!! Get lost S we love Taylor!!!!!!
Jess says:
CAN WE PLEASE FORGET THIS EVER HAPPENED AND MOVE ON WITH REAL COUNTRY MUSIC!! TAYLOR NEEDS TO GET OUT OF COUNTRY MUSIC!
Redmaz says:
To “S” and “Jess”…if you really cared about music, there are plenty of Country Music blogs here. I see neither one of you have contributed or posted anything on the “Charlie Robison” blog, which features 20 or more other Country Music artists, I’m sure you never even heard of. Or how about the “Justin Townes Earle” blog? Or the “Ricky Skaggs” blog? “Sarah Jorsz”? Neither of you have any room to talk. Your hatred for Swift is much stronger than your love for Music. Country or otherwise.
countryiscool says:
That’s probably why few comment on them, because they’ve never heard of the artists. It makes more sense to be familiar with the songs/artists to be able to comment.
Otherwise, it’s just names and titles bandied about.
Redmaz says:
So? You mean no one checks out music they’ve never heard? How do you know if you like it or not? That makes no sense. If I see a name I’m not familiar with, I take time to check them out. That’s what music lovers do.
luckyone says:
noah, you’re showing your obsession. No one said anything about the amazing Carrie except you. Carrie didn’t have to go. Video awards that are fan voted have nothing to do with talent. Carrie has REAL talent and wins awards that are INDUSTRY voted
countryiscool says:
I’m not saying people don’t (shouldn’t)check out new music. I am saying people don’t necessarily go to BLOGS of artists they don’t know because they are not familiar enough with their music to comment.
Redmaz says:
Ignorance is no excuse.
T J says:
Looks like ths was a lot of fun to make…
Entertainers are doing what they are good at: Entertaining!
luckyone, according to what you said, fans that buy music (other than Carrie’s) have no judge of talent.
countryiscool says:
No, the ignorance lies in not checking out the music, has nothing to do with choosing/feeling comfortable enough to blog about it.
Bobby says:
yet ANOTHER “Taylor vs. Carrie” comment section. Geez, when did country music become all about these two?
Samantha says:
I am sorry to everyone who hates “pop” country. I am sorry I cannot bring you back music from people like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline or Merle Haggard. I wish I could. I realize how Country is not how it used to be, but “Complaining” is not going to do it. I like all the different styles of country music. I am sorry to say, but that is “Pop” also. I relate to some of it, and I am not talking just about Taylor Swift=/. I am not much of a fan of Taylor Swift. I grew up listening to Patsy Cline. Everyone should buy her music it is amazing. I wish she was still alive today. I wish I was alive during her time. I am a fan of Carrie Underwood also. I have always admired Carrie and I have always loved her voice. I am sooooo sorry if a majority of people love Carrie and Taylor at the moment. GET OVER IT! Someone will rise over them someday. It is like that with some artists. They are popular, everyone starts to hate them like Taylor or Carrie, and then they die off. I am sorry, I do not agree with country leaving its roots, but I am so tired of people complaining with something they cannot do anything about. I get it..EVERYONE HATES POP COUNTRY!!!!!
star wars says:
Not me I love the new country not to much Carrie she bores me but I never go on her blogs and say that I never click on anything that has to do with her.This video is so funny I can’t help laughing maybe thats why so many watch it everyone needs a laugh.GO TAYLOR!!!!!!!
S says:
I read other blogs but mostly comment on the one’s for Taylor because I feel like she’s being shoved down my throat by CMT. It wouldn’t matter as much if she could really sing but the fact that she can’t sing on-key and tries to make up for it by running around the stage with the microphone stand like a rock-star wannabe or slinging her hair around just irks me to no end! If you guys want to buy her albums and make her rich for having no talent then knock yourself out. But I will NEVER give her a dime of my hard-earned money.
Redmaz says:
Like I said, hating Taylor Swift, and what she represents is much more important to you than any love you have for music, and you seem to be a very weak person if cmt has that much control over you. TS is part of Mainstream Pop Culture, and so are you. You may never give her a dime of your hard earned money, but you give her plenty of your time. What’s more important?
tbird says:
i dont’t understand how some of you can’t like Taylor! Sure in some of her performances( like the Cmt awards this year when she sang You belong with me) she’s a little bit of tune but don’t forget this lovely young lady is only 19 years old and I’m sure she’s still going to get a little nervous from time to time… Have you listened to any of her actual music videos which are amazing she’s never off tune in those.. I would just like to say that I love you Taylor, I love your music and I love what your doing for country music.. Ps Thug Story was a good laugh and I liked it alot
countryiscool says:
tbird, that’s because on CD’s and videos, her voice can be enhanced with technical engineering.
S says:
Tbird said “Sure in some of her performances (like the Cmt awards this year when she sang You belong with me) she’s a little bit out of tune but don’t forget this lovely young lady is only 19 years old.”
I don’t care if someone is 19 or 39, they shouldn’t be where Taylor is today when the only way they can sound good is when the studio digitally enhances their voice. There are a lot of very talented 19 year-olds who have beautiful voices and perfect pitch but can’t get a break in the music business. But I guess it doesn’t have anything to do with talent. It’s all in who you know.
star says:
I thought it was so funny what a great sense of humor taylor has!! you no if some of you don’t want to hear about this why are you always here?????? if anyone else would have done this you people would not bash them!!go taylor you are amazing!!
S says:
I’m beginning to think I need a Taylor Swift fan to English dictionary.
Michelle R says:
Someone tell Taylor that the majority of us watch COUNTRY music awards to hear COUNTRY music. if she wants to sing with a rapper, she can do it somewhere else and post it on her website so people that want to see it can, and those of us who dont want to hear it dont have to mute our TV’s. It wasnt funny, it was annoying. And the fact that she got 3 performances that night really made me mad. There are plenty of other artists who didnt get to perform at all that could have taken those time slots.
Narinda says:
Michelle R, get over it, it was a bloody SKIT!!! it was meant to be an entertainment. Its not her fault her FANS and ppl actually voted for her to win. SHE WON fair and square! Just coz the other country singers are getting expired.
I never listened to country until i came across Taylor Swift okay, who caught my attention. Now i started listening to carrie underwood! Taylor has encouraged me to take time and listen to genres like country!
Janetgijoenurse says:
Come on CMT enough is enough. Why do we have this story on the homepage of CMT. Enough remove it off the homepage.
goldie says:
IF IT WAS CU ALOT OF YOU PEOPLE WOULD NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS BLOG!!!!GO TAYLOR YOUR AWSOME!!
luckyone says:
goldie, at least CU can SING!!!! She has earned her fame, it wasn’t bought for her. No comparison there…you’re nuts if you think Taylor is more talented than Carrie…LOLOLOLOLOLOL
LtColDaddy says:
It’s not a mixture of country with another genere, it’s a mixture of images that is the problem. Look, T-Pain is a disgrace, he creats crap that is about drugs, women/strippers, gang activity, the hood etc… It’s not racist to have this video turn your stomach. I don’t like the image T-Pain promotes for the black community. I’ve served along side, for, and over some of the bravest most disciplined black men and women one could ever imagine.
As a father, Taylor brings something to the table that I can point out to my 17 year old daughter and say “see, it’s OK to be normal, good, and decent, to be close to your family, to place extreme value in your physical self and not shamelessly spread it around for the entire world.”
Look how many things we parents have had go bad for us over the years. Role models that did start out good, like Brittney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, and going back some years, even Madonna. God, their are 1000’s of examples both recent and past. Teenage celebrities caught by the paparatzi smoking cigeretetes and drinking underage, doing drugs, going way beyond being attractive and even dare I say sexxy to the point of just being slutty. Then their is the majority of pop culture which never even tries to be a good role model, they sell it as scandelous right out of the box.
I don’t know if Taylor’s people really thought this out. She crosses boundries and appeals to more than country music fans, but she will lose some fans if she sells out. Will she pick up enough from the “dark side” to make up for it or even exceed that? I don’t know.
We love Taylor! This is not meant as an insult or a put down, but if you push aside what one likes about her image, and her personality, she carry’s a tune right at middle average. Not a lot of, super long impossible singing feats when one really examines the mechanics of what she does. But we love her because it’s “light” and she’s a good girl, and her lyrics hit those regular good girls accross America right smack in the heart, they can relate to what she has to say in her songs.
She is a human being. She IS going to make mistakes, hey, look at Milley, but she’s hanging in there. But I sure hope she stays with the image she started out with, and does it because that truely is who she is.
And for the sake of disclosure, I’m a widowed father, a single dad. My wife did not survive my frequent deployments these past 8 years, I was the one who guided the ship, and in my absense she slipped into behaviors that went back to before I met her, drugs, booze, driving. Bad combo. Now she’s gone and I’m having to do my best. This is why I’m so sensitive to young womens issues, and the potential pitfalls that are out there for my kid.
luckyone says:
but ltcol, would you spoil your kids by PURCHASING that fame for them? That’s what Daddy Swift the stockbroker and major stockholder in BMR did. Do you honestly think someone with her voice would get as far as Taylor has without major bucks? Of course not. Taylor is spoiled and gets everything she wants. She even said so in this parody. Remember, her “dreams”…she expects everything she wants because she is so used to getting it.
goldie says:
TAYLOR IS A MUCH BETTER ENTERTAINER ON STAGE THAN CU!!!! I HAVE SEEN TAYLOR 2 LIVE AND 1 CU AND DURING CU PERFORMANCE ABOUT 90% OF THE PEOPLE WALKED OUT SHE WAS LOOKING AT HERSELF AND NOT US SHE WAS WAY OFF AND SHE WOULD NOT SIGN ANYTHING EVEN AFTER THE SHOW, IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME GO TO COUNTRY THUNDER LAST YEAR AND YOU WILL READ IT!THEY SAID TO THAT TAYLOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE HEADLINER AND DADDYS MONEY DID NOT BUY THAT IT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE FOR YOU ALL TO READ! TAYLOR IS THE BEST ROLE MODEL OUT THERE TODAY!!!
luckyone says:
goldie, your information is 100% WRONG. Carrie is a huge draw and that is why she is INVITED to open, and doesn’t push herself on anyone. She was FAN VOTED entertainer of the year. And please tell me how someone can look at themselves on stage. And I’m so sorry you didn’t get a CU autograph…it’s probably because the line was too long. Carrie is a phenomenal talent….3 times BEST voice in both the ACM and CMA…and these were industry awards!!! You sound like a bitter teenager. Grow up.
goldie says:
no my info was not wrong I was there and I no what I saw!! I was stating what they said in the review!! and I really don’t care what you or anyone else says! you were not there!Iam a 45 year old, and maybe you should grow up and back to the other persons site (cu) and for your information I did NOT want a autoghraph from her I got one from the artist I wanted to taylor!!plus I didn’t say cu was not a good draw I was stating a fact on what happened that night.
luckyone says:
Um, I was there as well, and you are not giving an accurate statement. And are you aware that Taylor can’t carry a tune in a bucket? If you are 45 years old and still into teenybopper music, I feel sorry for you. There is actually some good music out there. Are you trying to re-live your childhood thru Taylor? That’s sad.
Michelle R says:
Narinda, how can you say other country singer are getting expired when you said yourself you only just started listening to country. I do not appreciate being called out, and this is the first time I have ever responded to someone else by name in a post, because I think its a rude thing to do, but I am not going to let you tell me to “get over it” when I have the right to my own opinion! I would appreciate next time if you would just post your own opinion in the STORY and not my opinion, because I AM aloud to have one.
drdjwu says:
LtColDaddy’s concern for Taylor not following the path of other teen superstars is reasonable — SO MUCH ADULATION, SO YOUNG — enough to turn anyone’s head!
But I can’t see anything offensive in this video — “you out clubbin’, I baked Caramel Delight!” — this doesn’t seem likely to corrupt anyone. I think the video is really cute, really clever, and its typical of Taylor’s energy and imagination that she put this idea together and wrote the rap lyrics so quickly. Amazing stuff!
I think we should learn to trust this young lady is as grounded as she appears in her interviews, and that she takes seriously the importance of being a good role-model to younger fans. I believe she has very good instinct. Instead of Taylor joining the dark side, maybe the reverse will happen — maybe T-Pain will go wholesome!
I read a piece in “Tennessee Voices” by Tony Zizza who suggested that maybe the pop culture was tiring of the celebrity sewer it had become. In his opinion, Taylor was Country first and foremost; it wasn’t her who needed to cross over into Pop. It was Pop Culture that demanded Taylor.
Redmaz says:
To drdjwu, and Tony Zizza, Pop Music is NOT an individual genre of music. It is an industry consisting of many genres including Country, but Pop Music also includes Rock, Rap, Adult Contemporary, Hip Hop, R&B, etc. So for someone to say “Taylor was country first and foremost, it wasn’t her who needed to cross over to Pop.”, makes no sense at all. TS has been a Pop Act from day one. She is only recognized in 10% of today’s music scene. The Pop music scene. That’s all.
goldie says:
facts don’t lie luckyone look them up you will see I am 100% right!
S says:
I’m not a Carrie Underwood fan. I did vote for her on American Idol and think she can sing but I’m just not really into the kind of music that she performs. But, I think she’s 100% better than Taylor Swift. At least Carrie earned her spot in the music industry and didn’t have it bought and paid for by daddy. If Taylor tried out for American Idol I have a feeling that Simon would tell her she’s a cute girl but needs to get vocal lessons.
I saw both CU and TW at the CMA Music Festival a couple of years ago and have to admit that Taylor moves around on stage more than Carrie, but in my opinion she does it to make up for the fact that she can’t sing. I think it’s the same reason she always has a big production on the awards shows because she’s hoping it will distract viewers from the fact that she can’t sing on-key.
diamond says:
why do people always bring up ai, taylor did not need that she and her mom drove around to places and she got her record deal on her own with no show I think that takes a very strong young girlat that time. taylor went about getting into country music the way she wanted, taylor even told a record label no because they would not let her wirte her own songs that is much better than just going on a show! Iam glad taylor did it that way I and all the people I no have more respect for taylor because of that and much more too long to list it all!!
star says:
love taylor and love the skit on the cmt awards!!!!
luckyone says:
goldie, I don’t need to look up anything. I have it right here in photos. I was there. Sorry kiddo, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
drdjwu says:
Redmaz, Your response OPENED by saying “pop music is not an individual genre of music”, noting it includes rock, rap, etc. as well as country. Fine, agreed. Then you ENDED by calling Taylor a “pop act since day one … only recognized in 10% of today’s music scene … the POP MUSIC scene”. You do understand you just completely contradicted yourself, right?
Now, as for your comments: Sorry, Taylor began as a Country artist — check the Country album charts, you’ll see her there. She has a few Country Music awards to her credit too, and they usually give those to Country artists for some reason.
And where did you get this “10%” music scene recognition? Just make up some number that sounds good? Listen, “Fearless” dominated the Billboard 200 like no album has in years, and that chart represents one heckuva lot more than 10% of the music industry’s sales! Who was the top-selling Billboard artist IN ANY GENRE last year? Why, Taylor Swift!
barb b says:
goldie do you hate carrie that
much or is it because carrie is
beautiful and smart college
educated dont hate her she is
only doing what she likes to do;
goldie says:
I do not hate cu I just don’t care for her. I did go to college not that I have to tell you anything and Iam pretty good looking myself(people tell me I look alot like vanna white)I just like taylor over cu. and barb why are you such a taylor hater? ( besides we all no you think taylor can’t sing) give us or me something else that’s old.
luckyone says:
goldie, Taylor is spoiled. She is used to getting anything she wants….even said so on the CMT preshow…”It’s my dream, i expect it”. LOL. Daddy has bought her a lot of fame and fortune, but he’ll never buy this person. I have better taste in music than kiddie songs about school crushes sung by a very poor vocalist.
barb b says:
it is people like you you are always comparing
taylor and carrie you make us not like taylor
let me ask you a question are you related to taylor
keep your remarks to your self and you wont hear from
me unless you talk about carrie than i will defend her
goldie says:
the truth hurts doesn’t barb. and Iam not the one that first brings both of them up I just continue with what others say, I will defend taylor because she is worth it unlike cu In my opinion and alot of others! that’s all got to go work have a great day!!!
gaetano says:
I don`t believe any one ever bought an albaum of taylor swift except maybe a few kids under 10 years old .I think her father has bought every cd that she made. People are not stupid.This Girl cannot and will never be able to sing.She is hurting the country music busness for other good country singers. Country fans are not paying attention to country any more because of TAYLOR SWIFT.
star says:
that is a bunch of crap, taylor has brought sooooooooooo many people to country music fans are talking about how they did NOT like country music before taylor came around!! and for one thing you can read just about any review it will state those facts!!
LtColDaddy says:
We were talking about this topic over dinner tonight. Perhaps the answer is that she can bring some “Taylor goodness” to the rest of the industry. The public is starving for decency.
BUT, as we were saying over our steaks tonight, it’s really tacky to market yourself as “good” JUST BE IT, and do not comment on what other people do. Nothing worse than someone on a soap box. JUST LET YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK!
My daughter listens to so many different styles of music, as do I, and YES, much of it we both know is terrible. Such as lady gaga (gaga is a slang term for cocaine and she’s admited to being heavily under the influence at times). But it has a good beat, if one could ignore the lyrics and image lady gaga projects, it’s good dance music.
The whole idea is to talk about things with each other, hey, sometimes bad examples have a purpose. It’s just nice that Taylor brings out another side of the story, rounds out the debate.
Again, we are hyper sensitive due to our own lives and experiences. I’ll never forget the deadness in my wifes eyes each time she told me “no” when I tried to get her help between deployments, she was lost and didn’t want to find her way out. I lost the love of my life, and my daughter lost her mother, because of one bad choice way back when, somebody passed her something and she did it, and it set off a series of progression that even after a long term change in her behavior, in the end resulted in her death. Not everybody has lived the lives we have, and I apologize for being overly concerned.
I’m glad we’ve had Taylor to share as a family. I may not be able to be there for my daughter one day, I’m throwing off blood clots due to injurys I received from an IED explosion in 06. They are taking my right leg to move the odds up to 50/50 that I’ll be able to one day hold a grand baby in my arms. Every bit of goodness in this world is a blessing, including Taylor
Love CMT says:
gaetano as a matter of fact my friend’s 15 year old sister bought her album and so did like half the seniors on the school and also the juniors and the juniors start at 13 years so your facts are clearly wrong.
also is your name pronounced gay tano?
LtColDaddy you are so sweet lol im glad there are stil some nice people left =)
star says:
as for just teens buying taylor’s cd’s that is 100% wrong! my relation from texas bought over 200 of taylor’s new cd fearless and 140 of the first cd and they are not teen’s they range in age from 27 to 78 years old!!! so you people who think that are just jealous and or wrong!! and one more thing there friends (my cousins and others) went and bought taylor’s cd too there were about 250 to 350 people, and they are going to the concert in dallas!!!taylor puts on a great show and sings great also!!!!!!!!
taylor country star says:
You guy dising on taylor are stupid. For one shes a awsome singer and song writter. For two shes a young girl going for something she loves and cairs about.That a lot more then i can say about some teens know days. If you think your so all that, then you get up and go throw what she has to do every day to fullfill her dream. you can dis it out but when it really comes to stepping out to the plate your all chicken shit. I can think of many country star way worse then her.
taylor country star says:
LtColDaddy your awsome. the world needs more people like you
taylor country star says:
like LtColDaddy said, taylor is a blessing and we need more good influents in this world like her. this world is mest up in wars and vilents. every decent and good thing that comes around is a blessing from god. why try to tair it down. If you dont cair for her just dont lisen and let the joy stay for other.
diamond says:
taylor is a great young star who will be around breaking records and singing country for a long tome, so get used to it!!!!
taylor rules says:
well how about u sing for us “S’ id bet u would suck because taylor is realy blessed ok!!!??? we are tired about your stupid coments “S” like LtColDaddy said we need more people like her on the planet!!!!!!!
Kathy says:
lmao. you gotta love T-Pain’s BIG ASS CHAIN and then Taylor swift has all these little tiny ones that are pretty hard to see but lol. <33 yay TS!!
o says:
taylor should sell this on itunes
Annie says:
OMG HATE IT!!! She can either be a country singer or a pop/rap singer not both!! T-Pain was aewsome but Taylor was terrible!!!!It was not good, Tayor if you are reading this, i have somthing to say ’sorry, but face the facts hunny, you arent a good rapper and most of your songs are really crap and corny!!!
Jay says:
Annie, I agree!!
Lisa says:
Mee too! I used to really like you and your songs but that song, just killed it! Its not just for me!! its for heaps of my friends 2!!!!!!! I agree with Annnie !!!
Ebony says:
Go getano!!!!!!!!!!! I agree aswel as Annie!!!!!!!
rock says:
rotfl i think its ment as is a funny song, love you taylor keep doing what your doing idc if your next cd is all rap ill still buy it