Taylor Swift Intrigued People Throughout 2009
Friday (Dec. 18) is the day People magazine will stock newsstands with their 25 Most Intriguing of 2009 issue. You can't miss it because Taylor Swift is on the cover. It's a big fat issue dedicated to the good, the bad and the ugly pop culture that went down in 2009. As for Swift, the story takes you down memory lane, starting with her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Then she went on to do her own whirlwind tour, Saturday Night Live, the Grammys, CSI, the ACMs, the CMAs, the CMT Music Awards, a duet with T-Pain, Band Hero and the whole Kanye West thing. The issue's not all about her, though. It will have plenty of reflection on the celebs who have become household names in the past 12 months: Gosselins, Kardashians, Sully, Rihanna and so on. What I love is Swift's candid admission that she knows some people aren't as happy as she is about her year. "I would like to think everybody out there isn't just waiting for me to trip and fall and stumble out of a club drunk. People know I'm not a party girl. I'm not hiding some dying urge to be out clubbing right now," she says. "You can stay the same person, even if everything around you changes."
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Kim says:
Yes, we know she intrigued you.
lee says:
Let me guess alot of copy and pasteing form the taylor story right cause the kanya west thing people are still talken about it and alot of people like me are sick of it.
Things she did for me this year a good song or two and then woke me up with thug story and then i got sick of all the stories well copy and pasted stories/comments about it and the kanya west due.
Lets see how many hate comments/replies i get for this.
Fearless will be #1 in 2009 says:
She is beautiful! :D
snakes&ladders says:
More blogs about Darius Rucker, please.
Prez Obama says:
This is more untruths. She parties with kids with swastikas on their shirt.
Jim says:
Taylor is the most wonderful person in entertainment period !!! Love Love Love miss Swift.
Veeta says:
6 posts and 4 of them don’t say anything complimentary about Taylor. Hmmm wonder what that says about the maturity of a certain group of fans. Or it might just be a measure of who is more popular. Everyone knows the more famous you are, the more haters you attract. In that case, keep the hating now. It would be sad if people didn’t care. If you care enough to comment, obviously her popularity is bothering you. Haha…don’t lose sleep over this.
trink says:
She must have been reading the comments on these blogs all the haters would love for her to fail.She’s in the news because she makes news!!! Beautiful cover!!!!!
countryfan says:
Alison I enjoyed your review of Carrie Underwood’s concert at Joe’s Bar 2 weeks ago. Did you get invited and go to Kellie Pickler’s concert last night at Joe’s and if so will you write a review? Based on your blogs I guess you’re not a fan but I was hoping you’d go because she’s great live, it was local and I don’t think you’ve seen her headline yet?
JP says:
I doubt if Taylor will ever be caught stumbling out of a bar, but her BFF has been seen under the weather. Taylor better be careful who she hangs out with, if she wants to a good role model.
hotelmotel says:
I think Mr Tiny and me both make some good points.
WHO CARES??????? says:
BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOING TO SLEEP NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim says:
Veeta, you are correct. Her popularity does bother me. She is everywhere. There are other talented artists out there and they can actually sing! The one blog Alison wrote that was not about Taylor, was complaining about the attention Darius Rucker gets. People are tired of Taylor Swift 24/7 and want it to be known. It almost seems Taylor is paying Alison’s paycheck as much as she writes about her.
flower says:
way to go taylor you are so amazing and congrats on the cover you are beautiful and such a huge superstar and yet so down to earth!!!!!!
snakes&ladders says:
You better change your count Veeta. I don’t hate TS or am bothered by her popularity at all. Why would I be reading her article if I hated her? that doesn’t make any sense.
I know Alison reads her blogs, and I was simply being facetious about her inappropriate comments from the other day about Darius Rucker.
The Plan says:
Taylor is going to play Supergirl in a new movie. She’s unstoppable.
JP says:
True unstoppable when you got good people promoting you!!
Tina says:
Yes it’s true Taylor Swift has her eyes on a Hollywood career and the role of Supergirl!
Amy says:
I love Taylor too!!! me and friends do some things she does. She will be agreat Supergirl!!!! She already is!!!!
Peacock Queen says:
What I am intriqued about is how in the world can someone who cannot carry a tune in a itsy bitsy bucket make a living by singing????
countryiscool says:
Can’t say Taylor intrigues ME, I prefer women who can actually sing; such as Carrie, Wynonna, Shania, Reba,
Leann, Kellie, Trisha…
Kevin M. Hart says:
Taylor Swift has the world in the palm of her hand. After she secures a number of Grammy Awards next January, there’s more to come, lots more, and not just Grammys, in my opinion.
Music Publishing: She’ll found her own music publishing company and record label. She will add to her collection of songs and assist countless other artists with theirs.
Musical Instruments: If she doesn’t already have a deal for a line of signature-model guitars, then she will, soon.
Modeling: She’s already a world-famous cover-girl. That will continue and escalate to “Supermodel”. She’ll develop a line of perfumes, clothing and accessories and become a major force in the world of high-fashion.
Television: She’s already been featured in some shows: CSI, Saturday Night Live (where she wrote her own monologue “I thought everyone did that” she said afterward. In fact, no one does that.). But that’s nothing compared to what’s ahead. I suspect that all the major networks are currently begging her to do a weekly variety show of her own. She will eventually get around to doing it, and will win multiple Emmy Awards for her efforts.
Movies: She’s has acted-in and produced her music videos. She’s working on the motion picture “Valentine’s Day” as an actor. But there will be so much more to come: Screenwriting, Producing, Directing and performing in major motion pictures. I expect her to do it all and win Oscar Awards in every category.
Broadway Musicals: I see her having the same kind of success here as she will in Hollywood: Play-writing, Songwriting (Duh), Producing, Directing and performing. And I expect that she will win Tony Awards in every category.
Kayla says:
Taylor Swift is one of the amazing singers ive have ever liked and clearly my favorite singer forever and always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prez Obama says:
kayla, you need to listen to someone who can actually CARRY A TUNE.
david says:
i can’t deny it, i love swift…
James says:
All the people who say “she’s a terrible singer” need to listen to one or all of her songs - she can definately sing. And every song she has is listen-to-able, not like the filler song garbage other artists use; each one could seriously be a hit song. And this is coming from a straight teen male.
david says:
where did all the hate people come from?Shes a great singer and person who knew what she wanted to do in life.The people who don’t like her should go back to waching Fox News.
Michelle says:
The girl can write a song that only tweens can relate to I’ll give her that much. But can she sing? NO WAY. Anyone can sound good on a CD when their voice has been touched up. She can’t carry a tune live at all and I find it an insult to country music the way she throws her head back and forth like she is a Mylie Cyrus wannabe. If she wants to be a pop star then get out of country music and go be a pop star. I am so tired of all the hype she gets and was very disaapointed this year with all of the country music award shows because they centered on one person - TS. Please CMT, no more TS. How about blogging about Miranda, Reba, Wynonna, Faith or some of the other women that CAN sing and are truly country music artists?
ashley konomi says:
hi taylor swift is th best americsn singer she has a beauteful voice she is the best singer of mtv
Spiderman says:
james, I’ve heard her. You need to check out some of her unfixed songs on youtube. Re watch her opening of the CMAs She can’t carry a tune in a bucket. No vibrato, no support, no range, no control…the list goes on. Technically, she’s really really bad.
flower says:
taylor you are amazing just keep being yourself!!!!
Spiderman says:
Shes not ugly, but she definitely can’t sing.
K says:
D Trotter,
Thanks for your comment on the other blog. I’m not a big Taylor fan, but I own “Fearless and listen to it quite a bit. I think it’s a well-written album, and Taylor definatly has an ear for constructing tunes and melodies.
Taylor has proven to be a down-to-earth, giving, bubbly and generous person. She has done nothing that would even be questioned in the public eye, and I think she deserves to be respected for that.
It’s clear that some people here don’t care for Taylor’s music, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be respected as an artist or person. If you don’t like her, leave her alone and let others enjoy her music and personality.
Taylor may not be a vocalist, but she has plenty of other talents; to say she isn’t gifted at all is just ridculous. How many artists, and even seasoned artists, write all their own music on both their albums? How many artists are able to perform sold-out concerts, break records, and have control of every aspect of it? How many artists are able to get rave reviews as an actress their first time ever? How many artists are able sweep every awards show on multiple networks? Taylor is the biggest success to come along in music in years.
Few artists garner the accolades and honors she has, and being a country singer can often hinder huge mainstream success in acting, pop music, or the commerical market. Taylor has been able to conquer all these areas, and she still proudly claims to be a country artist. She’s not pure country, but who is nowadays?
I don’t care for Taylor’s voice, and I may or may not agree with all the awards she won, but she deserves respect and adimiration for all she has accomplished. Whether or not you agree with her success, it’s done and over with. She’s sold more albums than any artist in any genre of music, she landed gigs many artists can’t even dream of in a decade-long career, and she swept every awards show up and down in 2009.
Complaining about someone else’s success just makes y’all appear bitter and sad. Don’t you have another artist to go listen to? Someone who is “better” than her, as so many of you constantly say? It appears Taylor has more class, dignity and grace than many of the individuals who continue to tear her down anywhere they can.
Congratualations to Taylor on her monster year, and thank goodness she actually has class, unlike so many who loathe her.
Redmaz says:
,,To “Michele”, You seem to be very confused as to what POP Music is. POP Music is NOT an individual genre of music. It is an industry consisting of MANY genres of music including Country. It is known as POP COUNTRY. Did you know Taylor Swift is only recognized in POP Music? So to say she is an insult to Country Music is ridiculous, when she is only recognized in the POP COUNTRY genre. As far as McEntire, Hill, and Judd. They too are/were POP acts just like Swift. You may personally like them more, but that doesn’t change what genre they’re in.
To “K” you too seem to be very confused on a few issues too. Although I rarely get into personal issues, Swift has openly admitted she has hung out in men’s bathrooms writing a song, and was allowed to play at the age of 12 at a Rock Fest, with many drunken men yelling obsenities at her. So yes she has done things to be questioned in the public eye. Back to the music…you asked how many artists, even seasoned artist write all their own music on their albums? The answer is dozens if not hundreds. Nearly everyone I listen to write all their own music. Second, you may want to check the writing credits on Swifts CD’s. She does not and so far has not written all her songs on her 2 CD’s. If you notice you will see the name Rose on many tracks. That would be in reference to Liz Rose.
To “Peacock Queen”, learning basic music fundamentals and genre description would easily answer you question.
john says:
Redmaz, why do you keep talking about genre? Who cares. Dance music has over 20 different genres, can you name them? Who cares. Music is not a science, it is art. Who cares if it is country root or country boot? Do you ever listen to music just because it makes you happy or sad? I think when you listen to music you are thinking what genre is this. Who cares. And when you say Taylor has hung out in men’s bathrooms proves to me you are a fool. She said she was at a airport and had a song in her head a ran into a bathroom to get a piece of paper and found out it was the mens room.
Redmaz says:
Hi John, thanks for the reply. As far as the personal issues about Swift, I could really care less. She could live in a mens bathroom for all I care. Not my point at all. It was a reply to “K”. As far as talking about genres, I am a music advocate, therefore I defend music in any way possible. I am ALL about genres, first and foremost. I consider it disrespectful to not be genre specific. Whether I like or dislike a certain artist comes later after I listen to them. These are two different aspects of music. One is basic music fundamentals and genre description, and one is personal preference of certain artists. I replied to Michele not for who she likes or dislikes, or who I like or dislike. That has nothing to do with it at this point. I replied to her inconsistancies and false statements. I hope you come back and reply, because I would certainly like to discuss/debate this issue with you further.
D Trotter says:
Redmaz, for somebody so sensitive about using words which are specific and correct, it does strike me as odd that you choose to describe Taylor’s mistakenly rushing into the wrong rest room, one time, to get writing material for a song inspiration, as someone who “hung out in men’s bathrooms”.
And it is well documented that when Taylor was age 12 to 15, she was so motivated about performing that she would go to Karaokes, state fairs, baseball games, — ANYWHERE — just to get a chance to sing and practice her craft. Blaming a 12-year-old’s judgment for the rude behavior of the older males at a rock fest is like blaming the victim of a rape crime. As for Taylor, she learned being a a positive, sweet young girl is no guarantee against boorish
behavior. (Hello, Kanye!)
Finally, I’m willing to bet you don’t know “dozens if not hundreds” of teenage female country artists who wrote their own songs. Or teenage boys for that matter, especially ones who had so much success. As for song-writing help, Swift wrote about 1/3rd of her first record solo and for the rest came up with the basic song, and received “touch-up” help. Liz, admittedly a fine songwriter herself, was someone Taylor had worked with as a “song editor” and it was primarily THAT role she fulfilled for Taylor –I’m sure Liz would acknowledge that herself. To say these songs of the teen experience are Liz’s is just silly. On her next album, Taylor wrote close to 2′/3rd’s of it herself, including “Love Story”.
Redmaz says:
Dtrotter, as stated, on a personal level I don’t care what she does. The fact is however she did it. Also I’m not blaming a 12 year olds judgement, sounds like a parental problem to me, nonetheless she admited doing it. Comparing it to rape is absurd. You yourself said she was so motivated she would play anywhere. That’s sounds as if it was by choice. Rape is not by choice for the victim. This also happened to include a rock fest with a bunch of drunks yelling at her. Again, either her or her parents choice. Maybe YOU have a different set of morals that I do. It’s quite possible.
To your next reply, it was never said by “K” anything about “teenage female artist who wrote their own songs. Or teenage boys for that matter” maybe you should read “K”’s post again. This is the exact quote I replied to…”How many artists, or seasoned artists write all their own music on both their albums?” Again these are my answers…Swift didn’t write all the music on both her albums. You confirmed that fact also, by including Liz Rose in your reply post. Second, there are dozens if not hundreds of artist who write or co-write their own music for their albums. When you or K are willing to check each and everyone of them out, I will start to list some.
jakelyn says:
what is kate gosselin oh sorry just kate doing there
jade biyo says:
duh!!! im not actually a swift fanatic just dropping by to say nothing guyz adios!!!!!
D Trotter says:
Redmaz, the more you try to squirm out of your absurd assertions about Taylor’s character, the sillier you sound. Your EXACT statement was: “SHE (Taylor) HAS DONE things to be questioned in the public eye”, and to support your remark YOU made this statement: Taylor “hung out in men’s bathrooms”.
You knew very well this story came from Taylor, as an embarrassing and humorous anecdote of something that happened ONE TIME, and BY MISTAKE. For you to try to impugn a fine young woman’s character with this kind of nonsense is not worthy of you.
As for the rock concert where a bunch of drunken older men were yelling for a 12-year-old Taylor to take her shirt off when she was singing a song… well, sorry Red, but your using THAT as an example of TAYLOR doing “something that could be questioned in the public eye”, instead of blaming the perverted older males who were doing the yelling … is QUITE A BIT like saying “the rapist just couldn’t help himself, it was the victim’s fault”. If you’re blaming a 12-year-old girl playing a song on her guitar for men behaving like they’re at a strip joint, then, yes, I think I have a VERY different set of morals than you do.
As for her parents, maybe they did err in allowing her to go there — EVERYONE makes a mistakes. I don’t know the full story, neither do you. What we DO KNOW is the Swift’s did an absolutely incredible job of nurturing their child into a remarkable young lady, so they sure didn’t mess up much.
And, yes, I read K’s post, and, yes, I REFINED his statement a bit, in order to make the point even more relevant to Taylor. Yes, there are quite a few veteran artists who write their own material, but it’s VERY rare for someone as young as Taylor to be doing it, even more rare for a female.
And speaking of reading posts more carefully, you need to read mine more carefully before saying I confirmed that she didn’t write all the music on her 2 albums. Taylor was the PRIMARY writer of every single song.
Redmaz says:
I’m get tired of reading your posts. They really don’t have anything to do with music, so I don’t bother. They’re a total bore. I’m hear to talk about music, not the personal goings on of a 20 year old girl. I only brought that up as another example of “K” incorrectness,(along with her inacurate musical statements)proving the lack of credibility. Your focus seems to be too narrow for me. If you want to talk about music fine, either basic fundamentals, or individual artists that would be okay too. Have you heard the new Robert Earl Keen CD “The Rose Hotel”? Are you a fan of Lyle Lovett? What do you think of the Band of Heathens? Have you heard them?
S says:
Redmaz, I’m curious as to what genre you put Pink, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and the Jonas Brothers.
D Trotter says:
I own almost all Lyle Lovett’s albums, including the new one, “Natural Forces, which Lost Highway issued with a nifty “T for Texas” sampler, including Keen’s “Rose Hotel” and Bingham’s “Country Roads”. Only Band of Heathens I have is “Live at Antones” but I love “Jenny Was a Keeper”, Cornbread”, “Bumblebee” “Jackson Station” and a batch of other songs on there. And i think it’s an excellent idea for you to stick to music, because I respect and look forward to the information you have in that regard.
George says:
Spiderman and Redmaz…you quite honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.
Spiderman-you act like you’re a professional singer with CMAs, 2 Teen Choice awards and goodness knows what else under your belt. Do you? I’m a classical and Musical theatre trained singer-19 years old and been singing since I was 4 and I don’t profess to know everything about music-’cos I don’t. If this was about technique then you’d win hands down? What grade are you on? Country/Pop music is nothing to do with vibrato. I regard Taylor as a country singer, and an amazing one at that-she writes and sings about things that nobody else dares to, she has an amazing, heartfelt voice that so many people adore. As for the ‘Miley Cyrus wannabe’ thing-ahahahaha. Wrong. Miley Cyrus is a Hicktown pop wannabe singin about popcorn and how famous she is. How many songs have you heard by Taylor that are irrelevant to life in the slightest?
Spiderman says:
George, she can’t stay in tune. splain that one. I’ve been a professional musician for over 30 years. trumps you!!!
Betty says:
Redmaz and George - I think both of you missed the point on the comment about an insult to country music by the way she shakes her head back and forth like a Mylie Cyrus wannabe. I think the point being made is that no other country artist whips their head from side to side just as Mylie Cyrus does. I didn’t find the comment off base; in fact,I found it comical because its so true!! :) She looks ridiculous when she does it like she’s trying to be a pop or rock artist.
Hahaha says:
Do people have selective hearing? Have you heard her on the album? If you think she “cannot sing” or “cannot carry a tune,” YOU are the one who needs to get your ears checked. You people here at CMT don’t seem to know the first thing about music. Don’t let the hate blind you, if you have heard her songs like “White Horse,” “Love Story” and “Breathe” and you think she can’t sing, YOU cannot be taken seriously. Like someone said, go watch Fox News haha.
Unless you people have sold multiple platinum albums and won multiple grammys, you have no right to judge her. YOU are all NOBODIES.
Go Taylor! Keep sweeping every award and stay humble and true to yourself because THAT is what makes you different from the million other boring blondes singing in the industry right now. That’s why you shine brighter than ALL of them…
S says:
Redmaz - I’m also curious what genre you would put Lady GaGa and Adam Lambert in??
timcun says:
To Hahaha, she sounds better on her albums because they’re studio enhanced. Have you heard her live? She sings flat and off-key.
D Trotter says:
timcun, you weren’t in the studio and you have NO idea how much she did or didn’t use pro tools.
Just about everyone uses pro tools in the studio these days, including your idols, to polish up a minor glitch in an otherwise terrific performance (and to reduce costly studio time and excessive numbers of takes). Stop talking as if you KNOW things when you are clearly just speculating — with the most negative spin possible, I might add!
Taylor’s fans KNOW she can grab that sparkly guitar and sing her songs solo — and sound EXACTLY LIKE HER RECORDS.
timcun says:
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that she can’t sing on-key without help. It’s plainly obvious when she sings live..
D Trotter says:
Taylor has a beautiful natural voice, capable of capturing levels of emotion that you and your heroes can’t even dream of doing. It must be terrible for you, disliking her so deeply and having to watch her win honor after honor, award after award that you and your idols could never even dream of winning.
As lovely as Taylor’s singing is, her character shines just as radiantly, filled with joy, good cheer, and a love of life and what tomorrow holds, while her “usual critics” just sound whiny, desperate, frustrated, mean-spirited, spiteful, envious and decidedly grinch-like. Merry Christmas anyway, maybe you should all go watch “A Christmas carol” or something productive.
liz says:
The girl just can’t sing sorry
evan says:
Taylor Swift may have just won the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Artist, but she maintains she’s still country to the core.
“I think a country song is when you are singing about being proud of your life,” Taylor tells CNN. “I sing about love and boys, and that’s my life.
I am sorry but if that is your life than that is just sad..
Redmaz says:
Confusion abounds here. “George, you post makes no sense at all. “Country/Pop music is noyhing to do with vibrato”??? What does THAT mean? “George”, are you familiar with today’s Americana/Roots music? To Betty, Taylor Swift’s head shaking has no effect whatsoever on today’s Roots Country scene. (if you can show where and how it does I’d like to check it out) Once again Swift is a Pop Country act. Betty, are you familiar with today’s Americana/Roots Country music? To “S”…of all the people to ask. You might be new around here or something, but I don’t listen to Pop Music, no matter the genre. Even though I’ve checked out the people you’ve listed. I don’t know any of their songs by name. What I do know is they are all a part of Mainstream Pop Culture. Since I don’t listen to them, it would be questionable for me to put them in a specific genre. if I were though I guess they would be POP Rock, Hip Hop, R&B and perhaps Adult Contemporary. Like I said, the only thing I know for sure is that they are Pop Culture celebrities.
Robin says:
Ok - so I’m no fan of Taylor Swift as doely noted throughout different blogs on CMT. But, I just watched the MTV top women of 2009 and I get it now. What I think the problem is is that Swifts “country” fans don’t get it.
I think more country fans are irritated about the fact that Taylor can’t sing than the “pop” rock inustry fans because they are part of a “pop” genre industry that contains more artists that can actually sing and actually have something to say.
Pop country has many many videos and songs that are just for fun and aren’t meant to be “meaningful” other than to describe a spot in the life of some person BUT it is also full of wonderful meaningful videos and songs that have great depth and meaning.
MTV vidoes may have some meaning to them in some warped mind, but for the most part they are just dance tunes. This is why Swift stands out above the rest on MTV and not CMT.
As I noted above, I watched MTV’s women of 2009. They showed videos in between anouncing each person at each ranking. Let’s see, they showed Shakira’s “She Wolf” (or something like that and Britney’s Spears “Can You Seek Amy” and Lady Gaga and so forth. And, they also showed “Fifteen”. That video stood out as having something of meaning to say. I actually watched it fully for the first time because it was surrounded by rubbish.
When it is on CMT it is not surrounded by rubbish so it just doesn’t stand out (IMO - so please don’t argue my opinion it’s just an opinion NOT A FACT).
As compared to the videos I listed above from MTV, Taylor’s videos are surrounded by videos on CMT by Toby Keith who can sing well and connects with alot of annoyed adult Americans. She is surrounded by Martina who is an incredible vocalist who has put out songs like “God’s Will” and “Independence Day” and “Concrete Angle”, etc. and Trace Adkins who is a killer vocalist who while he has some fun “no meaning” songs, he also has “You’re Gonna Miss This”, “All I Ask For Anymore”, “Arlington”. Then there’s Carrie with a crazy great voice and a mix of fun and meaningul songs.
So, my epiphany is that while I listen to country music of all sorts (from the pop country industry to Americana) and I prefer it because of the things noted above, I think Taylor is a fantastic addition to pop music in general. I think she stands out as an incredible example to the kids that dominate that part of the pop industry. And, really, none of the artist I saw on that countdown could sing all that much better than Swift except for Beyonce and Susan Boyle.
D Trotter says:
OK, you’re just trying to annoy Redmaz now, aren’t ya, Robin?
Still, other than a couple of condescending pokes at Swift’s fans, it seems like you were trying to say something halfway positive about Ms.Swift, so Merry Christmas, Robin!
Now back to debating you. I’m afraid your epiphany mostly has meaning to you. It isn’t Taylor’s fans who don’t “get it”, it is you who continue to underestimate Taylor. You seem to imply that Taylor fits in better with the “pop” crowd because the singers aren’t as good as her CMT competition; in reality, there are many female “pop” singers — Celine Dion, Susan Boyle, Mariah, Whitney, Shakira, Clarkson, Beyonce, Alicia Keys — who could sing circles around even the best singers you call “country”. And Taylor’s singing in that “15″ video is SO good! It’s hardly out of its league on CMT.
Moreover, many “pop” videos are very artistic and challenging. Taylor is actually at a disadvantage on MTV because she is seen as not being “edgy” and “cool” enough to compete with the sexier and kinkier videos of the major pop/rock/rap stars.
In fact, it is that aspect — her wholesomeness, NOT her singing — that sets her apart from the MTV videos (more than the CMT videos, where people like Martina and Faith and Carrie and Reba and Kellie have wholesomeness galore themselves); over at MTV-land, Taylor is like an immense beacon of positive values, and I would wager that at least some parents of MTV kids are thinking:”THANK GOD FOR TAYLOR SWIFT!”
But at the end of the day, Robin, you still don’t get why Swift has such a following, why her songs resonate more with her fans than even a great woman’s anthem like “Independence Day” does.
I was gonna tell you … but I think I’ll wait until after New Year’s. Happy Holidays, Robin!
Robin says:
Clear D - MY epiphany ONLY has meaning to me. I wasn’t “enlighting” anyone with it but me. What Taylor’s fans aren’t getting, whether they think (or you think) she is worthy of her CMT competition is that is why the country fans are more critical. The comment has nothing to do with whether “she’s worthy”. I clearly don’t think she holds a candle to the women of country. But, you and her other fans do. But, I believe it was you who stated at one point that all of the negative stuff about Taylor was on CMT and not with general fans (and you quoted a New York Times article talking about fashion (not music)).
What I’m trying to say is COUNTRY fans are more criticalk for that reason. They are used to super talented vocalist with messages and a reason to open their mouth and sing. I also found that on sights that catered to rock fans that are also critical for those same artistic reasons don’t like her much either.
I didn’t say she was a stand out on MTV because of her singing. I said the others weren’t any better of a singer than she was so “no big deal” that she’s not much of a singer. What I said she was a stand out on was the fact that her video actually had something to say - unlike the other videos they were showing. So, I think I just said the same thing you did, so I’m not sure why you don’t get that.
While MTV does have “some” singers, pop music doesn’t require it. It is “primarily” a manufactured universe and even the people who can sing don’t sing songs that say much. And, some of the people you mentioned isn’t even on CMT. Susan Boyle may have been one of their women of the year, but you won’t see a Susan Boyle video on MTV. Shakira is a terrible singer too. Clarkson is actually the only one that can actually sing and most of the time, has songs that actually say something. But, that’s her “rock” edge, not her “pop” edge.
Taylor may be at a disadvantage on CMT for her lack of edginess, but she’s at a greater disadvantage on CMT for the reason I mentioned above. And, country fans notice this and are critical of her awards. To be honest, the ONLY award she’s won this past year I think was a total degredation to the awarding organization, is the CMA FVOY. All the rest I think she had a legitimate claim to whether she won them or not.
So, while I don’t expect Taylor to leave country music for the total world of pop any time soon. I do expect country fans to become more and more critical of her. “Fifteen” didn’t even make it to the country top five list. I think “Fifteen” is actually one of her best singles (now that I finally completely watched the video), yet country radio didn’t pull it to the top (even with all of her success). “I believe” (not a fact, just my opinion), that that’s because it’s not actually the country radio audience that is requesting her music.
But, anyway. You know, I think I am a fan of Swift (of sorts). I’ve always liked her and her family personally and I think she’s a fantastic example to kids about living cleanly and still making all of your dreams come true. Part of her being a great example is her success. She shows kids that you can be successful just being yourself, you don’t have to sell yourself out.
So, I’m still waiting on Taylor to wow me and make a musical fan, I’m certainly in favor of her long and successful career and am waiting on her adult music.
Robin says:
And, merry Christmas to you too. I might even pick up “Fearless” to hear the rest of the songs.
Robin says:
In paragraph 5 (yeah, I know - too long), I meant “MTV” instead of “CMT” in the first line.
D Trotter says:
What happen to our posts, Robin. They disappeared. So much for that discussion.
barb b says:
ts does not Intrigued me and never will
the only way ts gets ahead is when they
market her it is not for her singing we
all know she cant sing
goldie says:
well if people don’t think she can sing (like barb and others) there are millions and millions of fans that no taylor can sing or they would not buy her cd’s go to concerts and vote for things for her!and sell out concerts in record time just because you don’t like someone does not mean everyone else shares the same thought. maybe the start of a new year people can try and see the good in everyone, even me i actually said 2 nice things about cu and it really didn’t hurt that much,but at least iam trying i think some of you should do the same!!happy new year!!
mand14 says:
I loved reading Taylor’s interview! she’s amazing!