How Does Taylor Swift Reflect on 2009?
When you look back on your year, hopefully there are a couple of stand-out moments for you to bring up when you've had a bad day: a fun vacation, a raise at work, losing a few pounds. That kind of thing. So I can only imagine what Taylor Swift is doing right now. How could she possibly pick which memory was the best? She won two ACMs, five AMAs, five CMAs, two CMT Music Awards and a MTV VMA. Her songwriting earned an NSAI award and two BMI Awards. And those are just the trophies. She also spent a lot of time this year on magazine covers, from Rolling Stone and Blender to Glamour and InStyle. And she made appearances on almost every single channel on television, visiting with guys like Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman and Jay Leno and ladies like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. If I could ask Swift anything right now, at the very end of this awesome year, I'd want to know which one of those stand-out moments stands out the most for her.
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AC says:
Taylor has actually answered this question. Her standout moment was hosting Saturday Night Live. She has said that that week was life changing.
Veeta says:
First she said it was performing in front of a sold-out crowd at MSG, then she said it was winning the ETOY, then it changed to hosting SNL, then it changed to her 8 grammy nominations. LOL the girl can’t make up her mind. She has something amazing happen to her every other week. If you asked her right now, she’d probably say the grammy nominations as that is the most recent awesome thing that’s happened to her.
morgan says:
Hope Taylor enjoyed her year because 2010 she will not. She has to really mature in order to write good songs. Maybe Santa can give her vice lessons also.
morgan says:
Sorry I meant VOICE lessons! Ho!Ho!Ho!
Mason says:
Taylor couldn’t even get comps to her own headlining tour Fearless, she needs a better Lawyer and a new Fiddle player
Michael says:
I would have to say the publicity stunt by her and Kanye West had to be one of her stand out moments. It was brilliant!
S says:
I don’t think her fiddle player is the problem.
not-too-swift says:
2010 is the year she will be exposed for the liar and fraud that she is…she is not a writer, she is not a singer, and she did not get a record deal because someone liked her…her daddy bought it for her.
Remember Milli Vanilli?
Steven says:
I agree with Michael. That publicity stunt was brilliant. Look how many awards in garnered her, and to nottoosswift, the only people who don’t know what you claim are her fans, and I doubt they care anyway.
not-too-swift says:
Steven, they are brainwashed by marketing. I’ll bet most of them own a “as seen on tv” product.
Veeta says:
Look at all these jealous Carrie Underwood fans bitter than Taylor is getting all the shine and attention from the media. Poor things…
trink says:
Her new album is just about done if not already done.Probably will come out in the fall sometime maybe around the same time Fearless came out.She said she tried to outdo herself on the new album. Ha like thats at all possible.If it’s even close to being as awesome as Fearless is 2011 will be another blockbuster year for her. Next year is right around the corner and it’s the Grammys all she wishes for is one but I have a feeling it might be more than one.If she gets it will will make her whole year so that takes care of 2010. Way to go Taylor your a true inspiration. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Robin says:
While I am no fan of Taylor Swift’s music, I think she’s a great girl. She’s a stand out on MTV. Not many on MTV that sings any better than Taylor does so no harm no fowl.
I wouldn’t count on her failing any time soon. But, if Britney Spears can have a career, why would anyone hate on Taylor’s career? I mean, FVOY at the CMA’s is really the only award she’s won that I have a problem with. I mean, EOY Kenny has won like 4 times and he’s not a great singer either. I mean personally don’t think she compares with the women of country music, but she’s heads and tails above the MTV crowd - songwriting and singing and all.
Veeta - why are YOU bringing Carrie into this. I don’t see names that are normal Carrie posters. Perhaps you can’t just deal with the fact that ALOT of people are unhappy with Swift’s success considering all of her musical problems.
Amy says:
T-Swift’s haters are quite delusional, I must say. I’m sure that these people cannot possibly be above the age of 15. I don’t know of any mature person who would stoop to the level of saying the VMA incident was a “publicity stunt”. These haters are living in their own world lol.
-Taylor was the #1 selling artist of the year because of Kanye.
-Taylor was selling out concerts at MSG and Staples in 2 minutes because of Kanye.
-Taylor had the longest running album on the billboard chart this DECADE because of Kanye.
-Taylor is a great songwriter with a beautiful studio voice because of Kanye.
-Taylor sold over 10 million albums worldwide because of Kanye.
Oh wait…but all that happened before the Kanye incident.
I’m telling you…these haters are losing their minds. They’ll say anything to demean Taylor. Y’all can think the VMA incident was a publicity stunt…keep thinking that while Taylor enjoys her success and sweeps every single award show. Hope it helps you sleep better at night :)
Michael says:
Amy, getting very defensive aren’t we? In case you didn’t notice, I’m all FOR the publicity stunt. I even said it was brilliant! But I DO like this part “a beautiful studio voice”!!!! Is that anything like someone having “A great face for radio”? lol!!!!!!!!!!
Marina says:
Haha Veeta I completely agree! It’s sad, really.
Angie says:
With pro tools and a pitch corrector, nearly anyone can have a beautiful studio voice. Even me! lol. Now all I need is the money to be famous! lol
Swilly says:
“Robin the Board Blunder” returns!!!! Holy “while I’m no fan of Taylor Swift’s music…..”
Amy says:
Oh my…Michael, you’re just making yourself look more foolish. First of all, I have nothing to get defensive about because Taylor Swift kind of owns the music world right now. I’d get defensive if her album sales were sinking or she wasn’t getting any accolades or her career was going downhill. That’s when people get defensive you know? Not when they’re on top of the world :)
Second…as I expected, my point went right over your head. Do you realize how delusional and immature you have to be to claim that the VMA incident was a publicity stunt? Get it? Although, I don’t expect people under the age of 15 to be that bright…but hopefully you get the point this time.
The last part of your post makes…zero sense. Listen to her album and try telling me that she can’t sing genius. Actually don’t bother, that’s going to fly right over your head too. Go back to watching Hannah Montana, have fun and merry christmas :)
Michael says:
Talk about someone who doesn’t get it. I’m a fan of Taylor Swift.
wanda says:
look veeta had to bring up carrie underwood again let it go veeta this article is about taylor not carrie. she must be looking for a fight but merry christmas and happy holidays to you veeta
Amy says:
Awww I’m sure you are, kid. This is too easy :)
Michael says:
“This is too easy” I think that’s what Taylor said many times this year. That’s what makes me proud of her!
Amy says:
Angie…don’t forget you need TALENT too. Which I’m guessing you don’t have (no offense) or you would be as famous as Taylor Swift right now. Right? Haha.
hotelmotel says:
Robin makes a good point when she says, ” But, if Britney Spears can have a career, why would anyone hate on Taylor’s career?”
The biggest knock on Swift seems to be her questionable vocal talent. But Britney has had a 10 year career and Britney’s vocals aren’t impressive either. And we could list many more singers who have had lengthy careers despite dubious vocals.
I think Swift’s biggest challenge may be reaching out to a new audience and/or finding a new image when the high school type songs no longer work. She’s not going to be able to sing about being a teenager for much longer, so she has got to find a new angle for her songs. But, again, Britney’s first video was set in a high school too and she outgrew that with a career (if not her dignity!) intact. So its quite possible Swift will do it too.
Swilly says:
HAHAHAHA!!!! I knew that would get you sniffin’!!! Always does! You really need some new material though to keep up with me.
Robin says:
Swilly - to keep with you, I only need a cane.
Swilly says:
Oh come on…That’s all you got? Okay well, my reply to that would be…..”A “cane”? are you sure you’re “able’ to handle it?”
not-too-swift says:
veeta, i’m not a carrie fan, but i’m smart enough to know that taylor sings really really bad. i’ve heard her live enough times to recognize that her cd is protooled to death. the kid is horrible.
Fearless will be #1 in 2009 says:
Love Taylor’s voice - she has the best songwriter in the business.
Keep up the great Taylor stories, Alison!
not-too-swift says:
Fearless, you need to go to an ENT. Your ears aren’t functioning too well if you love Taylor’s voice. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.
WHO CARES??????? says:
HER 15 MINUTES IS UP!!!! NEXT PLEASE!!!!
Veeta says:
She’s been very successful for 3 years so if her “15 minutes of fame” were up, it would’ve come and gone by now. Are all Carrie Underwood fans this unintellingent? Tsk tsk…
WHO CARES??????? says:
Tsk Tsk…. I am not a cu fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TS is OLD news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peacock Queen says:
I agree with Michael. I have also wondered if the Kanye West incident was staged, and if it was, it was a brilliant publicity stunt, that’s for sure. If it were staged (and I said IF, PLEASE folks), it would be one of the most clever ways to get some names out there. Taylor certainly got a lot of mileage out of it. As for Kanye, from what I understand, he loves his “bad boy” persona, and he loves for people to be talking about him, good or bad, according to what Pink said on Today. I had only heard of Kanye West once prior to the MTV awards, and I knew absolutely nothing about him. Now I know far more about him, and I have seen him more, than I would have without that incident. If it were staged (and I said IF, please folks), then Beyonce got a little mileage out of it, but probably not as much as someone had hoped (IF it were staged). If it were not staged, then what Beyonce did for Taylor was truly a lovely gesture. Staged or not, the entire incident will always be a defining moment in American music history (young country artist, interrupted by bad boy rap star, saved by beautiful and talented Diva, . . . ).
James says:
Who decided that everyone that doesn’t like Taylor is a Carrie Underwood fan? I personally can’t stand either of them.
Amy says:
Haha yes, the VMA incident was staged. I guess Kanye wanted to be called a “jackass” by the president and Taylor wanted to be humiliated in front of the whole world. I guess Kanye wanted to go on Leno and almost break down and have his tour with Gaga get cancelled. I guess the MTV producers threw Kanye out of the show because it was staged.
People have to be BEYOND stupid to even think there was a possibility that the VMA incident was staged. Taylor doesn’t need cheap publicity. The girl is super talented with a beautiful voice and she has already sold 10 million albums before this happened. Above all, she has too much CLASS to be a part of a publicity stunt like that…something a couple of you here clearly lack, which is why it’s so hard for you to understand why there is no way that it was staged. Take a page out of her book and grow up. It’s kind of sad when a 20 year old girl shows more maturity than people twice her age.
flower says:
taylor would most likely say EOTY and SNL were the highlight of 2009!!!! love taylor she had one AMAZING AND AWSOME YEAR!!!! good luck at the grammys not that you need it!!!!
Linda says:
“But Britney has had a 10 year career and Britney’s vocals aren’t impressive either.”
Yes, but Britney sings dance pop songs in which vocals aren’t the main focus, as long as the song has a good beat
and production. Vocals are just supporting the beat.
“And we could list many more singers who have had lengthy careers despite dubious vocals.”
Yes, as long as the song is catchy and has a really good melody, that’s all that matters. Vocals aren’t a huge deal. That’s why Taylor is able to become a superstar, because she has good SONGS, not because she’s a good singer. I’ve heard plenty of good vocalists singing the most boring or awful songs that I would never hear again. But Taylor, with her mediocre vocal technique, has the ability to make songs that are super catchy and very melodic. Think “Love Story,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and the infectious “You Belong With Me.” No wonder why she’s a superstar.
WHO CARES??????? says:
Taylor doesnt need luck when shes got her daddys money and influence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
john says:
WHO CARES…Im sure Taylor has more money and influence than her dad.
not-too-swift…What do you mean her cd is protooled to death? All bands record with Protools. In the old days when people would record to tape there was a lot of tricks used to make things sound better.
And yes there is such a thing as a studio voice. In a studio you can sing soft with a lot of air and it sounds so pretty but live no one would hear you and you would not hear yourself, so you need to sing louder live.
I am not brainwashed by marketing, Im to old for that. I like what I like and I love Taylors voice, even live.
WHO CARES??????? says:
TO JOHN- YOU ARE CRAZY AND BRAINWASHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peacock Queen says:
No one is suggesting that the only reason Taylor Swift is as popular as she is during the last part of 2009 is because of the Kanye West incident. That is not what anyone is suggesting. It is an established fact that controvery can often times boil up more interest in a celebrity than simple, straight forward marketing. MTV staged an event last year to get people talking about MTV’s awards show. It stands to reason that they MIGHT (key word here, MIGHT) do it again. That is not a stupid assumption, but a reasonable one based upon past staged events to get people talking. I do not watch MTV. I am a country music fan, so it stands to reason that I would not watch the MTV awards, no matter who was nominated. But after all the buzz over the Kanye incident, out of curiosity, I was certainly on the internet looking for videos of what happened. I also went to the MTV site, for the first time ever, to watch Beyonce’s video. Very cute. I had heard her song “Single Ladies” only once before, on DWTS, but now I have watched the video, and I like her song. It is catchy, and she can dance! I am now much more interested in Beyonce as an artist than I was before. As for Kanye, I was watching interviews he did, and Pink and 50 Cents, who I had never seen before. Now I can recognize Kanye, Pink and 50 Cents, and I would never have given either of those artists a moment’s thought before the incident. I was even watching Taylor’s interviews, and listening to what she had to say. I am not a Taylor fan, so that is also something I would not have done without the Kanye incident. I also would not have cared if Taylor won an MTV award enough to even want to know what she had to say, and I wouldn’t have without the controversy.
Therefore, when I say, IF it were staged (key word here, IF), it was a brilliant marketing strategy, because based upon my own personal reaction to the buzz, I spent time listening to artists I otherwise would not have.
juliette says:
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!
Melissa says:
She’s said it was SNL and winning Entertainer of the Year at the CMAs. I think those were my favorite moments of her career this year, too.
Redmaz says:
So Peacock Queen, let me get this straight. You spent all this time checking out “mtv” acts, but when dozens of Country artists you’ve never heard of are suggested to you to check out(because you love Country Music so much, but are dissapointed in the direction some of today’s Country Music is going) you don’t? or won’t even take the time give your opinion of them? That say’s a lot about your mindset, and proves you are not really a Country Music lover to the degree you claim you are.
D Trotter says:
I think Taylor’s favorite moments are when some 5-year-old girl, dressed in cowboy boots and hat, sing along to her songs at a concert.And when the little gets a big smile and hug from Taylor, that 5-year-old’s mother is so happy for a role model like Taylor Swift.
Merry Christmas to all! (Even to you Grinchies!)
Swiftly-GONE says:
go listen to her youtube version of “I’m Sorry”, and THEN come back and tell me she can sing…you might also try her “silent night”. My God people, she is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE, and I honestly have no idea why you can’t hear that. It HAS to be brainwashing and marketing.
Here-we-go says:
really veeta why are you just saying it’s Carrie Underwood fan’s that are sick of Taylor. I know tons of people that are sick of Taylor that are not cu fans. Just the other day Christmas shopping i saw this guy see something about Taylor swift and his words where. (Really her again, i am sick of it.ahh)i heard him tell the lady next to him . all my girls think about is boys now instead of their school work because of her.that is kind of immature to just single out the Carrie Underwood fans. don’t you think..
sally says:
this is true my friend’s daughter came in and said to her yesterday. Mom why does Taylor swift always sing about boys making her cry. i started cracking up. She is only six….i guess she went to school and wouldn’t play with some of her boy classmates because she thought they where gonna make her cry.
Swiftly-GONE says:
Here we go and Sally, do you honestly call that “singing” lol
john says:
Swiftly-GONE… go to youtube and listen to her doing George Straits Run then come back and tell me she cant sing. She sings some covers better than others and I forgive her. I love the way she sings her songs, I love the way she writes. I love that a 20 year old girl can brainwash the world with just a smile. I love that she sells out her shows in one or two minutes because people want to hear someone that cant sing. I love that she has magic powers and can make people vote for her so she can win all these awards without any talent. I guess that you are right and the millons that love her are wrong. So sad.
john says:
sally …All the Beatles sung about on there first 2 or 3 albums were songs about girls and love and heart break. Just another band with no talent.
D Trotter says:
A couple weeks ago, Alison blogged about Taylor’s fashion shoot for the New York Times magazine. The fashions were a bit outre, but following Alison’s link to the story — and the comments — proved very interesting.
The subscribers of the NYT Magazine are world-wide and one of the most well-informed, urbane and highly-educated readerships of any publication. You might expect them to have a snotty attitude toward a teen girl who has made her mark on Country and Pop charts. Instead the readers were remarkably universal and effusive in their praise for Ms Swift. Some examples:
“She (Taylor) is one of the brightest stars in a really dark year”. — JASON M. (Austin, Texas)
“When Taylor first came over the Country radio station … I COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT ANYONE COULD SO CAPTURE A MOMENT … a true genius …. the star amongst stars … the bar is being raised .. — BRENDA C. (Vancouver, B. C.)
“My girls and I listen to (Taylor) nonstop. She paints the picture so beautifully … a true inspiration in this world of not so inspiring people!” — AVA (Paris)
“I saw Taylor at a small club in Sydney and — even though I am way out of her usual demographic — was stunned by her poise and professionalism. After seeing hundreds of artists over the last 30 years I thought I’d seen it all, but I’ve never seen anyone connect with their audience the way she did that night. An amazing talent. Next year she will be playing arenas. For those lucky enough to have seen her at that small club, it might turn out to be like having seen the Beatles at the Cavern. She works hard and deserves her success.” — ROD (Australia)
trink says:
Her version of Run was awsome.Ha goes to show Swiftly Gone again you don’t know what your talking about. She’s up for EIGHT GRAMMYS!!!
Robin says:
D - Like I mentioned in another blog, I think that country fans are more critical of Taylor than pop fans because she has “better” surroundings in country radio. Pop radio fans (vs. pop country radio for Red’s benefit), are used to people with great voices (or even just good voices) sing songs that have meaning, tell stories and just generally have something to say other than just the dance tune it’s wrapped around.
So, you’re educated country fans are more critical of Taylor because they are used to great music and videos. Taylor brings something wonderful to pop radio and MTV and that’s country music itself.
Robin says:
I meant in the above that ‘pop country fans vs. pop fans’ are used to people with great voices….
jmang6168 says:
I still do not understand why Taylor is STILL IN COUNTRY GENRE!!!! she had one country song, well sort of it was “tim Mcgraw” all the others are and were not country or even country pop/ how do we get her OOCGP> I cannot stand her because if she was country she would not remix every single a## song to pop its a waste of studio time. How can we Country Music lover GHTFOOCMGP. she doesnt hjave a heart that is requied to to be able to relate your music and have feeling. I still can not see why people say she is country . she is as much country as britney spears. I hope that Taylor enjoyed 2009 it will end when everyone realizes she has never been country all she does is strum the guitar maybe play the cord or paino hell I can do much better than even my 10 year old neice she writes and plays the organ and sings also she designs her clothes which she is better person than Taylor could ever hope to be. If her daddy wasn’t in the music bus. she wouldn’t be either.
Peacock Queen says:
Redmaz, I was talking about checking out Beyonce on MTV just AFTER the MTV awards, and that was several months ago. I did not hear about your love for Roots, Red Dirt and Americana radio until after I joined this blog, which was after the CMAs in early November. I have every intention of checking out some of the artists you and Merlefan suggested. It is the holidays, I have visiting family members and much to do, so give me a break. I will check out your music because I am interested in learning something new, and get back to you with my thoughts. Just be patient.
D Trotter says:
Robin, your point that country fans are more used to “great voices” is somewhat fragile, even if we just apply it to the MTV “pop” music scene (you really are trying to annoy Redmaz, aren’t you?).
Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Christina Aquilera, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Nora Jones and, in her prime, Whitney, can more than hold their own vocally against the best collection of women country singers. If you extend your comparison to the entire Billboard 200 “Pop” field — where Taylor has been MORE dominant than on MTV — now you have Susan Boyle, Andrea Borelli, Josh Groban, David Archuleta to contend with! And the New York Times Magazine readership I was quoting above are FAR MORE LIKELY to listen to Boyle and Bocelli. They are hardly the MTV bunch (more like the MIT — and Harvard and Yale — bunch)!
So when I juxtapose the comments the NYT Magazine readers with those of the CMT comments, are you seriously trying to explain the more critical nature of the CMT posts by saying Country fans are more “educated”? (Were it not for a few people like yourself and “K”, your “educated country fans” term would seem an oxymoron! You don’t have to go scroll too far away from your last post, Robin, to get my drift!)
Ms Swift’s winning a VMA and her popularity with the MTV voters is a small miracle — a triumph of wholesomeness over the sordid “edginess” and rampant sexuality that usually rule that scene. It isn’t explained by the quality of her singing competition or her story-telling. Read those NYT magazine comments from my last post again — the real answer is there.
boogiefoot says:
good for taylor! the rabid haters are carrie fans from her fan club.. some change names all the time and lie and say they aren’t cu fans… they are so obsessed with cu they see taylor as ‘the enemy’ and spend hours bashing… crazy and the more they hate the more she sells
sally says:
sorry boogiefoot not a fan of Carrie’s and i still think Taylor can’t sing..
Swiftly-GONE says:
boofiefoot, I’m neither a fan of Carrie nor Taylor. I like real COUNTRY music. But Carrie CAN sing, unlike Taylor.
Gabe says:
While you were blogging about this, at that very moment when everyone was having message board arguments, she was spending 2+ hours of her Christmas Eve day, performing and greeting kids at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, in a surprise, private performance for about 100 people.
I would bet, if you asked her after that performance, she would say that was her fondest memory.
Didn’t know anything about her music or who she was, until that day, but she played 5 songs (by request), and spent the rest of the 1.5 hours looking each child in the eye and making them feel as if they were the most important person on the planet. Then went on to tour a small portion of the hospital. She didn’t want to leave, but her entourage forced her to, 3 hours into it (total).
She’s only 18 (?) herself, and I was blown away with her compassion and maturity, and it’s tragic that the point of most of these posts, is whether to not she can sing.
What have you done with your time to improve the lives of complete strangers, temporary or otherwise?
flower says:
taylor swift is the best and the hottest singer, artist out there today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fans and critics love her attitude and how down to earth taylor is and of course how she performs,sings,writes and so much more!!!! sorry haters but taylor is NOT going anywhere, you can hate on her as much as you want but she is a huge threat in country music or for that matter music in general!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so get used to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or don’t listen to taylor or comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taylor you are the best!!!!!!!
goodguy says:
Thank you Taylor for taking time out of your Christmas with family to visit sick children who are unable to be with their families. I am sure it was a special gift to all you touched with your presence.
Georgia says:
If Taylor can’t sing how did she win CMA Female Vocalist of the Year? I was under the impression that only singers qualify? Isn’t this the same award Carrie won from the same CMA voters?
mand14 says:
hahahah WOW. I just laughed out loud at how immature so many people are. to top it off half of em are probably older than me. cripe this blog isn’t to rip on Taylor and put her down..it’s for her fans! Taylor had an amazing year and deserved every award. I can’t wait until her next album. Fearless is amazing so I can’t wait to see what she has in store next! congrats to Taylor Swift for an amazing year!! she’s my fav!
Peacock Queen says:
Well, I am a huge Carrie Underwood fan. I believe Carrie is one of the most naturally-talented and best vocalists to come along in a long time. However, how I feel about Carrie as an artist has nothing to do with how I feel about anyone else I hear on the radio. I also believe Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Suzy Boggess, Kathy Mattea, Dottie West, Pam Tillis, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Reba McIntire, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert (just to name some) were/are AWESOME. Carrie Underwood has nothing to do with the fact that I am a fan of the above-mentioned ladies, so why would you reason that if I am not a fan of just one artist (Taylor Swift), then it must be because I am a fan of Carrie Underwood? That is not a logical presumption to make.
Some of you are looking for VALIDATION as to why someone would post a comment that they are not a Taylor fan. It must be because they are full of hate, reasons one blogger. No, it is because they are Carrie fans who are simply jealous, writes another. A CMT writer suggests they are “bullies.” Another says it is because they don’t admire Taylor’s charity work enough to be a fan. Yet another suggests non-Taylor fans don’t read “sophisticated” enough magazines to be able to appreciate Taylor Swift’s music.
However, there is one, and only ONE reason why someone is not a Taylor fan, and that is because we are talking about ART. Music is ART; art is music. Not everyone loves the same art. Do you have Georgia O’Keefe prints hanging in your home/office? Andy Warhol? David Bates? Monet? Renoir? If someone isn’t a fan of an artist, and here we are talking about music/singing, then it is because they do not PREFER the sound of their vocals, or maybe they do not “click” with the songwriting, as someone posted the other day about another popular artist. That is a very common sense approach to explaining why someone does not prefer an artist. They just do not “click.” It isn’t hatred. It isn’t bullying. It isn’t jealousy. It isn’t not being educated, or sophisticated enough. It is simply a matter of personal taste. Musical taste. And nothing more.
Oh, one more thing. Some bloggers have commented on not liking the “performing” Swift does on stage. I am one of those. So there is at least one more reason why someone may not prefer to watch Swift perform, in addition to not being able to click with her singing/songwriting.
mand14 says:
alright, yeah I agree with you there. obviously everyone has different taste, but none Taylor fans can go find something more productive to do like blogging about their favorite artists cause what is the point on tearing someone down? there isn’t one.
Robin says:
D Trotter – I’ll answer you and skip all the super zealots that think that you MUST ONLY be a Carrie Underwood fan to dislike Taylor Swift. That’s just illogical. I’ve seen plenty of fans of traditional country music that doesn’t like either one of them posting on these same boards.
All those that can’t handle that people actually, really don’t like Taylor as an artist is just delusional.
So, back to answering you – Yes, I love annoying Redmaz. Mariah, Alicia, Beyonce, Christina, Kelly, and Nora may have great voices – gaga does not. None of them have all that much to say except for Clarkson. Christina had one album where she actually had something to say, but the thought must have left her quickly. And, I will contend that only Christina has the voice to match Underwood or McBride or Reba for that matter. So, so far we are to a bunch of fluff with nothing to say. Susan Boyle has an incredible voice and I’m waiting for her to bloom also. She has had incredible sales (I really need to get that album to own as a standard), but there’s only one original song on it. The rest are all standards. So, right now, for me, Susan is just a great voice with nothing to say (yet). The NYT paper readership may be as you suggest, but I will contend that the NYT internet readership is young Wall Street, and not the Borcelli crowd. Young Wall Street works for me and they are definitely the MTV crowd. These are also very smart, educated people, but they have yet to move to great music.
And, I happen to believe that the CMT crowd (with the exception of some squirreling around cmt.com) is a pretty educated group. This is the same group of country fans that Garth Brooks pulled in in the early 90’s. This is the same crowd that also reads the NYT both in print and on the internet. And, I do think they are pickier about their music. There a ton of adults out there that love Taylor because of what she stands for, not for her art. I am one of them. I am truly a fan of her personally and hope she continues a successful career. I, before this past week, did not consider Taylor country at all. I felt like with the re-mixing of her music, that she was completely sold to “pop” (non country version) radio. But, when I saw the contrast of “Fifteen” to the other top women of the years video’s (Britney, Shakira, etc.), I realized she is much closer to “pop” country than she is “pop”.
I think it is her wholesome image and sincerity that wins her over at MTV, but that doesn’t make her the equals of her country counterparts. The best thing she brings to MTV other than her wholesome image is country music. Once kids start listening to music that has something to say, as they grow older, they will continue to look for artist that have something to say and Taylor points the way to the greatness that is in country music. Being a portal to something better doesn’t mean you are an equal to that greatness.
So, while I still think she doesn’t sing well and her music is juvenile, that is from a “country fan” point of view and personal musical preference. I’m not a fan of Keith Urban’s music either (although I do think the man can sing and play the guitar like mad). I think as country fans we are pickier about what we call “good” and who should be winning specific types of awards. But, I still don’t want her to go away. Like I said, she is pointing MTV viewers to artist that they can relate to and not just dance to.
S says:
Georgia, I was wondering how Taylor won FVOTY too. I can’t understand how someone who sings flat and off-key can win an award for being a good vocalist, especially when the others who were nominated in the same category are incredible singers. What a slap in the face to real talent.
Mand14, I don’t go to Taylor’s web site or her personal link on CMT and post about her inability to sing on-key. But these blogs are about all artists and open to everyone. So as long as CMT or Alison or whoever else posts about Taylor then people are going to give their opinion whether that opinion is good or bad.
I listened to both “Silent Night” and “I’m Sorry” on YouTube and both songs are horrible and sound like a bad karaoke singer. The posters on YouTube are pretty much like the ones on CMT. Some think she’s wonderful and others can’t understand how she has made it as far as she has. Not only was she terrible but she completely changed the melody of Silent Night, probably to cover the fact that she can’t sing on-key..
jmang61 says:
Flower, how can you say Ts is the hottest when all she is a tall bean pole with no figure. you must be sick if you think a teenager is the hottest artist . But I would not consider her an artist she lip sings all the time. she cannot sing at all all she writes is about makeups and breakups. my niece is half her age and is way better. TS doesn’t have figure at all so I do not understand how you can say she is the hottest all she does is shake her hair I am waiting for her head to fall off either from shaking her hair or having such a big head . it has swollen up so much its about to fall off.
Robin says:
jmang61 - Is Taylor’s body image really something to critisize a girl/woman for? I mean all women are created differently to be unique. She is a beautiful girl, but what does that have to do with her music and art?
Is she the “hottest”? WHO CARES!!!!!!
Peacock Queen says:
Being spiteful, offensive in comments and calling someone a derogatory name simply because they do not agree with you, that IS tearing someone down. Offering an opinion as to who you like and who you do not like in the music world is simply a layman’s way of offering a critique of art. Again, it is nothing more than a simple critique of ART. Writing “I like this song” or “I don’t care for how that person performed that song” is NOT tearing someone down. It is simply offering an opinion about music, and as this is a music site (or is supposed to be), that is what fans of country music are INVITED to do by the very nature of this website. Everyone is invited to read articles on ARTists, then comment. That is how it works. There will always be people who do not like the same artists, music, videos, movies, periodicals, shoes, food, clothes (I could go on and on) as you do, but that does not make them BAD people, or full of hatred, or jealous. It makes them an individual, and we are supposed to be civilized enough to respect that in one another.
D Trotter says:
Robin, a word of appreciation and respect to yourself and to “K” Both of you may be less than fans of Taylor’s music, but you two continue to defend Taylor against comments of a strictly personal or hateful nature.
That said, I respectfully disagree with most of your points:
I think Lady Gaga is a pretty good singer, (and she cracks me up).
Whitney and Mariah — in their prime — could hit notes that even our very best female country vocalists couldn’t match. (Although that fact probably means more to you than me — as I’ve said many times, vocal pyrotechnics just bore me, especially when they come at the sacrifice of phraseology and nuance; I prefer Dolly’s own version of her song “I Will Always Love You” to Whitney’s.)
As for the NY Times Magazine readers, I was talking about the actual Magazine (NOT the internet/MTV crew) and my whole point was not to COMPARE their education to anyone else’s, but rather that they ARE, unquestionably, world-wide, mature and quite educated, as any readership profile would ascertain, and therefore quite UNLIKE the way Taylor’s fans are frequently portrayed in CMT comments (i.e., as children whose taste in music is undeveloped).
Out of the overwhelmingly positive comments to the NYT article, I quoted several representative examples from readers who were FAR FROM BEING CHILDREN and who were familiar with music of all kinds, the point being that Taylor’s fans cut across all ages, sexes, nationalities. Only one thing unites them — like Reba, they all seem “young at heart”.
In your comments, you refer to Taylor’s music as “juvenile”. I really disagree. Music can be written ABOUT juveniles, but that doesn’t make the writing itself juvenile itself. Was Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” juvenile? Please give me some examples of Swift’s lyrics that seem juvenile to you, and then contrast them with lyrics and themes from artists you find more mature than Ms Swift’s. This could be interesing.
Robin says:
D - Clarify, the posts you copied came from the newspaper, not the internet copy?
Regardless, I won’t disagree that she has fans in all age groups, but her demographics, the one’s buying the CD’s at the highest rate and going to concerts (even if you see some adults in the crowd) are overwhelmingingly under 18. The NYT music comments are going to have far more “casual” music listeners rather than picky music fans. Sites like CMT, GAC or rock sites, (not to mention Americana) are going to have far pickier audiences. Although the Americana sites won’t really care as much about vocal quality.
“Tim McGraw” and “Fifteen” are good songs of reflection (not juvenile histrionics). “Should Have Said No”, “Our Song” (even though I kind of like that one), “Teardrops on my Guitar”, “Picture To Burn”, “Love Story” (wayyy juvenile), “You Belong With Me” all are pretty juvenile.
As for Mariah and Witney. Witney used to be phenominal, but I was really embarrassed for her at the AMA’s. It is sad, but she’s probably destroyed her voice forever. And, I’ve always love Dolly’s version much better. I believe Dolly when she sings it. But, her vocal ability matches her story telling.
Mariah definitely has the capability, but she is the most way over user of runs. She could sing a whole song of just runs and be has happy as “a dead pig in the sunshine”. I don’t like vocal gymastics for the sake of it as you noted. I think that’s where the great voice of “pop” country stand out above the voice of “pop” (non-country version). This is why I think Christina stands out above all those voices “pop”. Like LeAnn Rhimes, from a very young age, she understood vocal phrasing.
With all that said, why else do you think people are more critical of Taylor on country sites? Do you really think it’s because they happen to like another artist? I mean really, most people like more than one artist. While there are clearly some fanatics for any artist, MOST people like one artist because they like them and dislike another artist because they don’t.
And, I would say that most people that critisize her (again with some exceptions) aren’t that upset that she’s super popular. They are upset that the CMA’s sold the FVOY (and a fewer (yet significant) number are as upset that they gave up EOY). Is Taylor popular? Absolutely! Does she deserve to be popular? You either are or are not, there’s no “deserving” to it. Does she deserve “popular” acclaim? Sure. Does she deserve critical acclaim? I don’t think she does. I don’t think her quality is there either vocally or in songwriting (or performance for that matter).
I think she’s got a lot of growing to do. But, I would not hate to see it happen. I don’t hope secretely she fails. I most loudly hope she improves significantly in all of those areas.
Redmaz says:
Sorry PQ, not buying your lame excuses. You seem to be just another loud mouth mainstreamer who thinks they know it all. You see how far that got Robin don’t you? No credibility whatsoever.
mand14 says:
uhhh no kidding I know everyone has their own opinion S and that’s fine of course, but there is a difference in having an opinion and tearing someone down! People don’t need to be so rude that’s what I’m saying. seriously, if you just read what everyone is saying there is a lot of rude, immature comments. If people don’t like Taylor they can simply say that, but that’s not exactly what people are saying.
barb b says:
flower she is the best in your eyes
she is not the best in my eyes even
kellie pickler got her beat by a mile
Peacock Queen says:
Redmaz, I do not care what you buy. I do not know it all, and I do not pretend to and never would. I have listened to country music all my life. You can believe that or not, I don’t really care. But there are a lot of people on here who understand the entertainment business a lot better than I do, and they follow the charts and can tell you which artist/single/album tops which chart, which I cannot do. So, no, I do not know it all, but I enjoy coming to this site, reading the articles, and reading the comments. I LEARN from it, which is the point of all this, I believe. I also intend to check out the artists in Americana, Roots, and Red Dirt just as you and Merlefan suggested, when I am so inclined, and not beforehand. You can be rude and mean all you want. But you will not push me to do anything before I am good or ready, nor will you push me off this site. If you don’t like that, well, that’s too bad.
D Trotter says:
Robin, I fear our posts are becoming a bit rambling and overlong (even for us, lol!), trying to answer and elaborate on each and every comment the other says.
SO, for the sake of focus, I’m going to address ONE simple comment you made — that her music is juvenile — with which I disagree.
What I asked from you for were some EXAMPLES OF LYRICS from Taylor’s songs which you think fit the description of “juvenile”, and — for the purpose of contrast — give us
some examples of MATURE LYRICS AND THEMES FROM ARTISTS AND SONGS YOU DO ADMIRE.
You responded by naming songs that you described as “pretty juvenile” or “wayyy juvenile”, but you failed to give us any examples of actual JUVENILE LYRICS. What makes “Love Story” “wayyy juvenile”? Is it the writing? The song construction? The content? Could you quote a FEW LINES FROM EACH SONG that are really juvenile, then give us some examples of REALLY MATURE LINES FROM SONGS YOU LIKE?
That’s basically what I was asking — just to support your comment with specifics that demonstrate your point. Can you do it?
Robin says:
D - I gave you examples of her two songs that are not juvenile - “Tim McGraw” and “Fifteen” - their content is reflective and has more depth than any of her other singles.
Example of juvenile with the “most” award going to “love Story” is content (thus the writing). We could go with the lyrics of the entire song, but if you would like a specific line, let’s start with “Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone; I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run; You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess; It’s a love story baby just say yes”
Like I said, the whole song is a childish, but that verse goes to the point well.
Now, for one more example so not to confuse this with having no examples rather than keeping it short, let’s move on to “Picture to Burn” which is also a great example of teenage histrinonics gone wild and so do the lyrics. We’ll start right at the beginning of this one “State the obvious,; I didn’t get my perfect fantasy; I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me; So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy; That’s fine; I’ll tell mine you’re gay” we could stop there, but let’s not “And by the way….; I hate that; Stupid old pickup truck; You never let me drive; You’re redneck hartbreak;…..”
“Fifteen” - great reflective lyrics that while about high school is not saying “nanny nanny poo poo” with different words. Same thing with “Tim McGraw”, while it’s still about a young time in life, it doesn’t stretch into the obnoxious juvenile world of bantering.
And, as a side note to that, “calling people out” directly in her music (rather than figuratively) may be cool to teenagers, but it’s going to come back to haunt her and and it’s annoying to the non 15 year old girl crowd.
Robin says:
I just saw an article noting that Kelly Clarkson was going to cover “White Horse”. This may be Taylors undoing as a singer while it may do wonders for her as a writer. This will show the world what one of her “better” (not great, but better than many of her writes and co-writes) songs sound like on a real pro with a voice and the abiility to tell a story.
barb b says:
what is kelly clarkson thinking
covering ts wh is she that desperate
Veeta says:
Carrie Underwood fans are so bitter. Get over it, Taylor ain’t going anywhere. Wishing and praying that she stop singing and writing songs for others is pathetic. Are you THAT threatened by her popularity? Well I got news for you…she’s going to be here for awhile. Nobody gives a rats ass about her live singing. As long as she sounds great on her CD (which she does), her albums will continue selling like hot cakes. She has established a fan base who will continue to grow with her and keep buying her music. I’m sorry that she took over Carrie Underwood’s popularity by winning every award possible but the hating is getting ridiculous now. Taylor Swift is here to stay, like it or not. That is all.
john says:
There is a Youtube video of Kelly Clarkson singing White Horse live, its ok but I like Taylor better, Taylors voice works with the song.
wanda says:
carrie underwood is here to stay veeta
D Trotter says:
“We were both young
When I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I’m standing there
On a balcony of summer air.”
So begins “Love story”, a song that won Ms Swift the BMI songwriter award for Best Country Song (her second straight year to win that award) and became the most downloaded country song of all time. Gee, I don’t hear a single line that sounds like, what did you say, “nanny nanny poo poo”? I hear idealized romanticism but the writing is descriptive, precise and stately. (Not quite up to the standard of that other guy, Shakespeare, who also wrote about juvenile topics like Romeo & Juliet, but not bad either.)
And if you are too jaded to like that fantasy romance stuff, well, she gave you the dream-smashed “White Horse” as an alternative. (That Kelly sure knows a good song when she hears one, and she will sing it great — but my money is on Taylor to still have the definitive version!) By the way, here’s a semi-prophetic quote from the Rolling Stone’s 4-star review of “Fearless” when it first came out:
“Swift is a songwriting savant with an intuitive gift for verse-chorus-bridge architecture … if she ever tires of stardom … she could make a fine living churning out hits for Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry.”
So it certainly isn’t her song craft that is immature or undeveloped — quite the contrary, the correct term in that department would be “prodigy”. Instead, you say it’s the CONTENT to which you apply the word “juvenile”. Ignoring the fact that at least 80% or more of her songs could easily apply to more mature women, Swift has often said that she writes, in real time, about her own life. There’s a better word for that than “juvenile” — it’s “Country”!
Personally, I like many kinds of music, but what ELEVATES any of it into the finest art is REAL PASSION , HONESTY and UNIVERSAL TRUTHS. Your second example, “Picture to Burn” is brimming with those qualities. Swift so perfectly captures the fantasy-revenge mindset of a wronged teenage girl that even her branding her ex as “gay” seems less politically incorrect than exactly what a freshmen girl might threaten to say to get back at some macho football player. As such it brings a smile of recognition for the truthfulness and the way she can use little details to perfectly capture a moment or feeling. You might not relate, but her millions of fans sure do.
As Sasha Jones wrote of Swift in the New Yorker:”The concerns of kids aren’t necessarily juvenile…just their reactions….it’s a sign that a young songwriter has got to a universal truth.”
S says:
Veeta said “Nobody gives a rats ass about her live singing. As long as she sounds great on her CD (which she does), her albums will continue selling like hot cakes.”
I think Veeta pretty much admitted that Taylor isn’t talented enough to sing well live and has to be digitally enhanced in order to sound good on her CD’s.
goldie says:
when I said taylor was the hottest artists out there I meant in demand everyone wants her on there show in there moveies on there covers and so on!!!and she is a pretty young woman and of course talented as it showed so very much this year with EOTY,FVOTY,AP EOTY,CD AND SONG OF THE YEAR AND TO MANY MORE TO MENTION!!!
barb b says:
flower give it up