Taylor Swift on Dancing With the Stars
She doesn't two-step. She doesn't shake her booty. She doesn't bust a move. Really, other than throwing her head around when she plays guitar and occasionally skipping across the stage in concert, Taylor Swift never tries to do much dancing to her own music. So why, oh, why are there people gliding across the dance floor in formal wear?
Oh, that's right. This is Dancing With the Stars. And whether or not a song calls for it, they will dance. For me, it just seemed like a disconnect to watch a couple dancing to Swift's great new song, "Jump Then Fall." And almost a little distracting. I think if you invite a singer onto the show, you should just let her sing and let the songs shine. But whatever. The "do-or-die dance off" show last night (Oct. 27) featured two Swift performances -- "Love Story" and the new one.
I'd never heard the new song before, so I may not have heard all the lyrics right. But this one sounds less like a break-up song and more like a song about the feeling you get when you're just starting to fall in love. While Swift seems to be abandoning her dress-and-cowboy-boots style, she still looked glamorously adorable (if that's even possible) in a mini-dress, pumps, curls and her acoustic guitar. And I was happy to see that even Swift's fiddle/mandolin player had traded in her stretch pants and combat boots for a nice dress.
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carrietruidol says:
What a terrible performance last night, and I’m not the only one saying so! My elderly Mom that watches DWTS every week, called me and asked me who that was, and I told her TS..she then says she doesn’t sing the song she talks it..lol. Go read the Dancing message board, everyone made a comment about it.
chevyfan says:
Hopefully her fans could hear how bad she was. If not then they are totally deaf.
dominique22 says:
She was great, I love the way she sings.
Jessi Tara says:
I am a fan of Taylor and I have to say, last night was a bad performance. I think that lately, Miss Swift has been making herself and her songs sound very Pop. It’s one thing to have natural success on the pop charts as a country artist, it’s a totally different story to purposely try and have success in Pop. She needs to stick with the people who gave her her start. That’s COUNTRY.
observer says:
Haters, always will be when your on top and she is def. above the stars.
chevyfan says:
I don’t think it’s haters. I think it’s people who can actually HEAR. Even the reports on DWTS talk about how bad she was. Sorry fans, you might love her, and she might be a star, but she really, truly can’t sing well.
Syds says:
I would love for once to just come on CMT, go on a Taylor post, and not have “people who can HEAR” on here. No, Taylor is not the best singer in the world. Even as big of a fan as I am, I can admit that. She has had her fair share of vocally bad performances and sometimes it is hard to watch. I have seen Taylor live three separate times. Once in ‘07, once in ‘08 and once in ‘09. She has gotten immensely stronger in her vocal ability each time around. She may not be able to sing as well as other artists but it does not mean you have to say negative things about her. I enjoy Taylor’s music ALOT. I like it because it’s catchy, relatable, and each song has a great meaning behind it. Even more than her music though, I love Taylor as a person.
I am proud to be a fan of such a wholesome, sweet, caring artist. So, at the end of the day, I can honestly say that I could careless about how well Taylor Swift did on Dancing With The Stars because all that matters to me is the music and the wonderful person Taylor is growing up to be. Sorry if that is so hard for people to understand.
AJfanBecky says:
She was terrible, it has nothing to do with hating her. She is probably a very sweet girl and a good role model. My granddaughters love her but it doesn’t change the fact that she has an awful singing voice. It made me cringe. And she is not country by a long shot.
bkb says:
swift does not have time to dance because she is too busy tossing her head and trying to play the guitar. she also uses the panio as a diverson from her not being able to sing. i have no doubt that swift is a very nice and smart girl, but people please admit that she cannot sing!
levonc says:
What is wrong with you people?
Taylor is an extremely talented singer, musician, and songwriter. How often is it in this day and age to find a young artist that is able to write meaningful songs like the ones Taylor’sand then deliver them as beautifully as she manages to? Not too dang often. Keep it up Taylor, you’re amazing!
Syds says:
“but people please admit that she cannot sing!”
I’m pretty sure I just admitted that she is not the best singer in the world. And this is coming from a HUGE fan. So, there ya go.
Lily says:
Taylor is extremely talented songwriter and great entertainer. Extremely popular. She has the wow factor. Extremely lovable, likable, extremely sweet and gorgeous. I like her songs a lot. That’s where the “extremely” ends.
Modest singer and musician (I won’t mention best or great) or a musician. She can strum the guitar and play the piano but not to a high level to call is a real musician.
I am not a hater. I love her and I like her songs. Very glad that she’s that successful. I think she’s very much like Madonna (as an artist) and wish all the best.
MR says:
Comment from msnbc:
With a song, Swiftly: Taylor Swift, who does not really benefit from being heard live, opened the show, befitting her status as one of the better-known musical guests they’ve ever landed for the filler show. When she returned for her second song, her performance wasn’t any better. Swift may be a very popular artist, but she is not a strong live singer — the rare moment in which an appearance on “Dancing With The Stars” may actually be a negative.
WHO CARES??????? says:
I am glad more and more people are learning taylor swift has no talent!!!
moopowerx says:
Uh…no talent? C’mom. Let’s be serious. The girl was/is a gifted poet/arts person. She grew up winning literary awards and performing in dramas. That is why she just won more songwriting awards from the songwriters in Nashville. She is a very talented, gifted writer and performer. She is a fair singer and yes not the best but she is a very entertaining performer. Meaning she gives her all and brings out all that she meant when writing those songs. She may never win a “vocalist of the year” award but definitely she is and will win more album, more song, more singles awards as well as yes a “Entertainer of the Year” award. She deserves those awards.
swiftly says:
Taylor Swift’s new song “Jump Then Fall” is currently sitting in the number one position on the iTunes singles list, passing Lady Gaga’s new single “Bad Romance,” which is currently #3. Both were released yesterday.
Swift currently holds half of the top 10 songs on iTunes. ‘Jump Then Fall’ at #1, ‘Untouchable’ at #4, “Other Side of the Door” at #5, ‘SuperStar’ at #7 and ‘Come in With The Rain’ at #10.
Taylor had this to say on her Twitter when she found out the news yesterday: “I can’t BELIEVE it!! Thanks guys!”
Congratulations to Taylor Swift!
swiftly says:
TAYLORS FANS HAVE SPOKEN !!!!!!!!
flower says:
taylor was amazing!!!! the first song was a little low but then she picked it up in the middle and at the end, love story was awsome great job taylor!!!!
theonlyone says:
Not according to the printed reviews. Even msnbc said it was a bad vocal performance. Sorry tay-fans, the public has spoken~
T J says:
Awesome singing last night Taylor! You did a magnificent job of Jump The Fall!
And an even better version of Love Story!
WHO CARES??????? says:
awesome singing???????????????? are you deaf???????????
peter says:
ever been on stage
you intent to get a hell of an adrenaline rush and get emotional when people start chanting your name so thats probably why shes not that great live.
WHO CARES??????? says:
EXCUSES, EXCUSES!!! JUST CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!
john says:
Taylor is the best!
Johnathan says:
I love how I can’t even comment on a Taylor article anymore without it getting deleted…I guess if you don’t praise awful singing, your comment gets deleted around here.
john says:
On iTunes she is #1 #2 #4 #6 #7 #11, not bad for someone who can’t sing. I bet WHO CARES can’t sing so he or she should be able to do that. Give it a try. I will be on iTunes looking for you.
Sugarland Express says:
Pretty sad these days. A few years back when Carrie Underwood was more popular the haters were after her. Now that Tayor is the ‘it’ girl the haters are insulting her.
The hate-insulting game is just all about who’s on top at the time. Who’s getting the noms and winning all the phenomal awards. Who has higher sells? Who’s selling out their concerts in record breaking times? Who’s breaking all the records? Who’s getting the most media attention? Who’s getting more TV and Movie time? Who has the most fans? C’mon people the list goes on and on and beleive me I think I’ve heard just about everyone of these complaints about Taylor. Before Taylor came on the seen it was Carrie. Then when the complaining don’t work (like it’s going to wisen up people) people on these blogs go into what I call ‘insult’ hate mode. That’s exactly what’s happing to Taylor here. It has nothing at all to do with her vocals and everything to do with her success over the insulters favortie artist current state of success.
Although Taylor is a fantastic artist in every way and a fantastic person she’s catching a lot of hatred for what she has and is acheiving at such a young age and that’s really a shame people.
Shame on you posters displaying a lot less maturity than the 19 year old Taylor herself. Didn’t your Mama’s teach you any manners? If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
Sugarland Express says:
Btw I just want to add, I think Taylor did a fantastic job on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ last night and wish her the best of luck in every future endevor.
Matt C says:
Taylor is not nearly as bad a singer as her haters would like to convince everyone of. Obviously, she doesn’t have the same level of mechanically accurate vocal expression that some other recognized singers have, but the thing these same haters do not want to acknowledge or they have the inability to hear themselves is the fact that her very imperfections of voice are what express her songs so compellingly to those who do respond to her music. It says a great deal about the degree of perfection of her music and lyrics that with what some strongly preach as a “faulty” voice, she has reached and won millions of fans of every age, genre, race and nationality. All of those who love and respond to her hear the honesty and realness of her songs and her life, and that speaks to the superb musical artist and entertainer she is. She doesn’t try to hide her inadequacies as a human being or artist, instead she goes out and says “here I am, this is my life I’m singing for you with the voice God gave me.” If you truly believe she has a horrible voice, and your particular favorite singers are so far beyond her, then you are paying an even greater compliment to Taylor as a person and a songwriter and a communicator; because according to you, with a faulty voice she is reaching and converting more fans and friends with just her personality and her music than your “superior” singers and artists. They must be lacking in some other more fundamental way then, according to your obssessivly restated opinions and vengeful campaigns. You constantly deride and belittle another human being because she uses the voice she was given to the best of her ability, and does so much more than going everyowhere she can to try to tear down others who work and live the best they can with what God’s given them. Those who love Taylor recognize and appreciate and love her and her voice for the comforts and joys and truths they share. I feel sorry for those who’s minds and hearts are too small to hear and see and share also.
me says:
I think Taylor Swift’s vocals are better on some songs than others she sings. Listen to her on Tim McGraw-her voice is beautiful. She reminds me of Shania Twain. Shania’s voice in live performances isn’t always great. I am not a great fan of Taylor’s because I can’t relate to a lot of her songs at my age. But she is talented.
I do have to say,Taylor’s first song on DWTS was awful though.
Allison, what is your problem with the dancers dancing while Taylor sang? The show is ABOUT DANCING.
timcun says:
Her voice was completely flat as always.
Tayfan says:
I am a huge Taylor Swift fan and while her performace on dancing with the stars was not her best, the dancers did in fact take away from her performace. I believe that she needs to stick to her roots in country music that gave her start and is her biggest fan base. I am disappointed that she has lost the sundress and cowboy boots look, as that is made her so unique. While of course it’s okay to wear fancy dresses and heels sometimes, I think she should go back to what made her who she is. Even though her music has become popular in pop culture music, she does not need to transform into a pop star all around, becuase the coutnry fans started loving her for the country girl that she was, and a change is surley taking place.
john says:
I think I love flat out of tune singing because I love Taylor Swift, so deal with that. Is it okay with you that I like her, or are you going to tell me who I should like?
ROXANNE says:
If you watch DWTS, you should know that they dance to all the musical guests so why should Taylor be any different??
She’s popular on itunes because her songs on cds and the radio are enhanced to cover up her bad singing. Just think she gets too much attention but then she is EVERYWHERE!!!
timcun says:
Thanks MSNBC. It’s nice that someone actually has the nerve to speak the truth.
Moopowerx said that she may never win vocalist of the year. Of course she will because the people voting are the ones who are promoting her to death.
And peter, I’ve seen a lot of singers on stage who can sing just fine with people screaming and calling their name. This is just another excuse for her mediocre singing.
merlefan49 says:
What roots does Taylor have in country music? She is far from roots county.
T J says:
ya never did watch DWTS did you timcun? and where is the review on MSNBC? it can’t be found on a google search!
bkb says:
if you would only read the other blogs besides cmt, one would really know how badley swift sang on the dwts show. how many excuses must we give this girl before it finally shows just how she cannot sing.
Illinois countrygirl says:
I thought I was the only one who thought she was more talking the song instead of singing, but even her most ardent fans are saying she didn’t perform well.Hmm,I’m not sure what to make of it.I guess some of the TS fans are waking up!
Kasey Kahne says:
tj its on msnbc, under entertainment, and then go to DWTS. I read it too.
I was at work yesterday and we were talking about it, and someone said something about country music, and one of the girls, who has NEVER even heard a country music song, said “country? I thought she was some kind of little pop princess. She doesn’t sound country to me”. This is from the mouth of someone who has ONLY heard pop and relates Taylor to this.
timcun says:
TJ, yes I did watch Dancing with the Stars … for the dancing!
bkb says:
the young girls scream so loud they cannot hear her sing. but then what did we expect from them that do not know what singing is.
lw says:
i love taylor swift. i think she is a great role model for both young and old. she is a very beautiful, talented artist who writes her own songs and is ‘real’ even through all the fakes out there today.
but i do not agree with people who say her voice is amazing. i believe she has that ‘it’ factor along with a pleasant voice and charming personality. i am definitely a taylor fan but in all honesty, she wouldn’t be able to hold her own compared to some other country vocals like carrie underwood, martina mcbride, etc. i’m not saying she isn’t a fabulous entertainer. she is. i’m not saying she hasn’t broken records or topped the charts. she has. in my opinion, she’s totally changed the music industry for the better. although, when it does come to a live, raw, vocal performance, she simply cannot be compared with top vocal artists because they are on a completely different level. it just wouldn’t be fair to her. i am also considering her age, i have noticed she’s progressed a lot these past few years and i’m sure she will keep progressing! i understand everybody has different tastes in music/songs/lyrics. my last few sentences are mainly just about her vocals. this is just my opinion.
flower says:
taylor has more heart and soul in everyone of her songs compared to any other artist!!!!!!!!!!!! she is so creative with her song writing and her imagination that is why taylor relates so well to any age!!!!!!she does not need great vocals just good and that is what taylor has, that is why the fans love her so much her songs are so heartfelt and her fans no it and feel it when she sings!!
florida gal says:
LOL, flower, How old are you? My guess is 15 max.
flower says:
iam 45!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the truth hurts all of the non taylor fans!!!!
timcun says:
Maybe at the age of 45 you’re not past teenage love songs but I am. And having them sung by someone who sings flat and off-key makes it worse.
timcun says:
Someone posted the following message on the Dancing with the Stars message board. Did anyone see Toby Keith in the audience?
“One of the shows producers Bernadette Penderlicki said that the show hired six undercover security guards from The Left Coast Undercover Security Guards Agency.
Penderlicki gave strict orders that if any of them even saw Kanye West loitering around outside that he was to be asked to immediately leave the premises. If he refused, she gave strict orders that he was to be pepper sprayed, tasered, handcuffed, and taken downtown to The Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters.
Ms. Penderlicki said that she was not going to put up with any sh*t from no hip-hop rappin’ has-been, M.C. Hammer mother effen wannabee.
Ms. Penderlicki said that she had received a text message from her good friend Toby Keith. She said that Mr. Keith asked her if she would please allow him to sit in the front row during the show.
Penderlicki said that she would be thrilled to have Toby Keith in the building. She said that he could have Sharon Osbourne’s front row seat as she had prior commitments to attend the grand opening ceremonies of a Chevrolet dealership in Los Platanos Verdes, Costa Rica.”
barb b says:
I heard her performance was
horrible and that dress way
to short she talks her songs
she does not sing them a singer
needs good vocals are you saying
she should mislead her fans if that
is the case than she will have no fans
they keep enhancing her voice in the
studio
DWTS fan says:
timcun, Toby was in Oklahoma. He wasn’t there. More publicity stunts.
barb b says:
she is starting to remind me of
brittany spears she likes the
limelight cant you all see it
barb b says:
bring it on flower
barb b says:
johnathan if cmt does not like the
negative comments about ts they will
not post it but they are quick to show
negative comments about carrie; a lot
of my comments are not posted
hello says:
A cute, nice, talented performer, who seems very appealing to society norm and writes her own music. BUT she really needs to improve on her voice, especially singing live! would anyone like to give her some vocal lessons?
countrylover says:
She’s alright. I just think her voice isn’t that mature. Maybe in the future it will change…… then again maybe it won’t. She’s got that whole “I’m a normal girl with a mediocre singing voice, just like you” kinda thing going for her fans and they eat it up. Can’t blame them though, she makes up this cute little package even though it may not be perfect. We are drawn to imperfection since none of us are perfect. I just hope Taylor knows this and doesn’t really believe she has all this success from her vocal chords.
Opinion says:
woooow i love how the older comments above were saying how maybe she was nervous from the crowd chanting her name. i find that interesting because her studio versions aren’t much better. less flat notes? yes. but does her voice actually improve a significant amount? no. maybe she always has thousands of fans in the studio with her chanting taylor while she’s recording. that’d explain a lot!! i can understand that everyone has their bad days every so often but her actual singing has never blown me away. whether it’s live or on the radio!! i’m not saying she’s terrible but let’s quit making excuses and be realistic here!!
timcun says:
countrylover said her voice isn’t mature. I guess that’s one of my biggest problems with her. If her voice isn’t mature then she shouldn’t be where she is today. She should have been told by the record companies to take vocal/singing lessons and come back when her voice had improved and let people who already have mature voices and don’t need vocal/singing lessons have a shot.
Boing says:
clearly she is good then
S says:
Not exactly. I think she’s very overrated.
countrylover says:
exactly timcun! Thank you! Listen guys, I’m trying to be fair here and not just ridicule the poor girl but it’s true. And to everybody, i’m not just picking on ms. swift. There are plenty of people out there that got their ‘big break’ and not because of their awesome voice. There are so many people that have topped the charts that do not deserve it based on their voices. Just like how i’m sure there’s a lot of great singers out there that haven’t been discovered because everything else about them isn’t up to par. Times have changed.
S says:
The AOL music editor said the following about Britney Spears after she was blasted by the Australian music critics about her first performance there. He could have said the same thing about Taylor … but then he probably did since I put her into the classification of “bubblegum pop show.”
“Anyone paying to attend a Britney Spears concert, or any bubblegum pop show for that matter, should really know better than to go in expecting an earth-shattering vocal performance. You didn’t, after all, just pay to see Mariah Carey circa 1990. These days, you pay to see it all — the costumes, the dancers, the stage props. Like it or not, the vocal performance is, in many cases, a fraction of the arena show these days.”
countrylover says:
well put S! Especially that last part, you’re right on the money. By the way, im just wondering, at first i thought it was the way she writes her songs but as i’m hearing more swift songs on the radio does anyone notice (whether you’re a fan or not) that she takes deep breaths after her phrasings? And some phrases are super short. Like i said, before i thought she had to because of the way her songs are, some lines get pretty long. But she does it constantly, no matter how long/short/fast/slow her line is. Maybe it’s just her style? But to me it sounds as if shes out of breath. Or like she doesn’t have good control of her diphragm. Which would help explain her not having a mature sound. I could maybe understand this from a live show but on her studio recordings? Many singers have much stronger voices and do not take breaths like that and their songs are far more difficult! Live or in studio! I’d really like everyone’s input on this since i dont know if anyone else has noticed.
She’sTalented says:
C’mon ppl! She’s amazing! She may not be the best singer in the history of the world (as you ppl seem to think she has to be), but she’s ALSO not a bad role-model, ugly, or untalented. And every star has their not-great performances. Every star. She’s a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice and a beautiful personality. So deal with it.
And think on this—
If she’s a so-called “bad singer”, why is she famous? She has no famous family members.
Bottom line, she’s a great girl with a heart (unlike some stars) and she has wonderful talent. But think what you what.