Taylor Swift's "Fearless" Might Just Be My Favorite
I must just be a hopeless romantic because I can never get enough of songs about being so completely in love that you do crazy things. Like dance in a storm in your best dress. Or songs that capture the boost of courage that love gives you. Like how a first kiss can make you a little more brave. So I am so glad Taylor Swift has finally released the title track off Fearless. It's the fifth one from the album, which is only about a year old, and while all the songs have done remarkably well on the charts, I have to say this might just be my favorite. It's not a particularly traditional-sounding tune instrumentally. There is too much guitar for that. But the story of this kind of love that's fearless, flawless and really something keeps it grounded in country.
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brian griffin says:
The fact that they even pretend to call this song country is laughable. Why not just take it to pop radio and admit what everybody knows already.
Fearless will be #1 in 2009 says:
Another great story Alison!
Chris says:
Fearless is an amazing song, you can tell its country.
brian, youre wrong. thats it.
brian griffin says:
Whether you think it’s amazing has nothing to do with it being country. There are lots of amazing songs pop or rock singers. I never said it wasn’t good but apparently Chris knows all. Must be nice to be so all knowing.
Swiftly-GONE says:
Fearless is country? Don’t think so.
Veeta says:
Who cares whether it’s country or not? It is a GREAT song, end of discussion.
brian griffin says:
Veeta- Maybe but this is Country Music Television’s website. Why not have a post about a song by Lady Gaga or Eminem. Many people think their songs are great too.
mand14 says:
I totally agree with everything in this article Alison! I looove this song!
Veeta says:
Swift is considered to be a COUNTRY ARTIST..so of course her songs will be featured on this website. Last time I checked, Lady Gaga and Eminem have never been called country artists…
Swiftly-GONE says:
she’s not country and she can’t sing. money can buy anything i guess
mand14 says:
think what you want buddy
TJ says:
She still can’t sing!!!!
Veeta says:
Haha. Where do people get the idea that Taylor Swift has a lot of money? Her father is a stockbroker and her mom is a housewife. Educate yourselves fools.
Unlike other artists, she doesn’t have the backing of a big label like “Sony Music” or a big show like “American Idol”. Whatever success she has achieved, she has done it on her OWN.
barb b says:
all the songs on her cd are not country
how she ever got into country music is
beyond me she cant sing like the other
artist the only way ts will get ahead
is marketing her!!!!so alison i think
you need your ears cleaned out i strongly
believe that ts has no talent in singing
mand14 says:
that is YOUR opinion barb. if you think that then whatever, but there are people (such as Alison and myself) who think Taylor can sing and has talent.
Dan says:
Good move on Taylor’s part releasing this phenomenal song just before the Grammys. I’m sure this is the one she will perform on the live show. She’s already performed the heck out of Love Story, Fifteen, You belong With Me, and Forever and Always live on award shows and SNL.
Singing “Fearless” on the grammys will be new and fresh! I’m still predicting a Lady Gaga sweep in all the major categories, though.
Swiftly-GONE says:
veeta, the house she grew up in recently sold for 8 million. It has an elevator in it. Yes, her daddy is loaded, and it’s no secret. Surprised you didn’t know it
Swiftly-GONE says:
mand14, go to youtube and listen to her sing “I’m Sorry”, then come back and tell us how she can sing
bobbalynn says:
she can,t sing ,really listen to fifteen that is one sad sounding song,i can sing better then her i think a lot of people could!!just my opinion
Swiftly-GONE says:
anti, that would be a lie. The truth is the house sold for 8 million and had an elevator in it. Would you like me to post documentation for the world to see just how rich she grew up?
huh? says:
Yes! Yes! Please post the documentation. Legal papers and all. YAY
mand14 says:
I have both her albums and I’ve listened to all her songs on youtube and I’ve listened to her live swiftly-gone and yes I think she can sing. my opinion, can’t change it, get over it. and she doesn’t have a song called “I’m sorry” anyway ha
Candy says:
So taylor can’t sing? Whats the big deal in it? If you don’t like her or think she can’t sing why are you here on her blog? No need to remind us (fans) that she can’t sing. We (fans) love her as she is. We don’t need the vocal range. Ask yourself why was the beastles known as the best? They were admired for their lyrics/words. Not their vocal range. So to me taylor is the beatles of this generation.
flower says:
fearless song is just as fearless as the cd, there both AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!as the numbers have proved all year long and still #1 (the cd) the song will be #1 in no time!!!! this song and you belong with me are my favorites oh and love story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan says:
Veeta said that Taylor Swift doesn’t have any money. What kind of idiot would think that!? She made, what, $19 Million dollars and currently has the best selling album of the year. Veeta, it looks like YOU need to do some research. I’m not even a fan of hers and I know that. Also, flower, please shut up. Go listen to some real music.
john says:
I am 55 years old and I remember when the Beatles came out and Taylor reminds me of that. She writes catchy songs that people can sing along with and they get stuck in your head. That is not easy to do, try it. You might not like her songs or her voice but if you think she has no talent you are out of your mind.
hk says:
the album fearless is considered to be country??? HA! bunch of bull. taylor can sing??? HA! whole bunch of bull. but i will hand it to you, she can write.
Jake says:
Why does a song have to be classified as either country or pop? Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard…
Taylor is just an incredible talent her music reaches out to a lot of people. Thats what makes her special!
Redmaz says:
To Jake, it doesn’t have to be classified as Country or Pop. That makes no sense. Pop is NOT an individual genre of music. Pop consists of MANY genres of music including Country. Swift is a Pop singer being played on Pop radio, winning Pop awards and is on the Pop Charts. Most of this being in the Pop Country genre(although she’s basically recognized in nearly all forms of Pop Culture). I hope this clears up any confusion on your part. If not, please ask. I will help you.
carly says:
Taylor Swift and her songs are so DISNEY!
Swiftly-GONE says:
carly, i don’t even think disney thinks she can sing. some of the voices in disney productions are great
Candy says:
I agree with john. Ryan and swiftly-gone needs to go back to the 80’s/90’s. Am a pure rock and old school fan. I started listening to country because of taylor and now I listen to a lot of country artiste. Vocally any female country singer will outsing her but what is unique about taylor is not her vocal range. It’s her passion, emotion and message. Like I said she is the beatles of this generation. The beatles didn’t have a high vocal range yet they are known as the best because of their passion and message.
bks says:
this girl has had her time, now let’s hope new talent with people that can sing come on the scene, enough of swift.
elle says:
Carly and swifly-gone thinks she is so disney, are you guys serious? Oh disney don’t think she can sing but they think selena can sing? thats a big joke! Why do you all care for her singing when you don’t like her. When I said you all need prayers I mean everyone that talk down on artiste. Don’t make jesus regret his decision for dieing for us because he died for us to have love in our hear and share it around.
Peacock Queen says:
“Fearless” might be your favorite? Gee, we would never have known that! Thanks for the insight!
I’m kidding. Happy New Year!
Debra says:
How could anyone compare the Beatles to Swift!! The greatest band ever and Paul McCartney is still going strong at age 67!!!
D Trotter says:
Happy New Year, CyberBullies!
Here’s hoping y’all can get a life in 2010, and find something worthwhile to do besides whine and moan about someone whose talent, humility and worth as a human being shines brighter than the whole lot of you.
Candy says:
To debra; Am a huge beatles fan, I know all their songs (I doubt you know many of their songs) words for words. Yes they are the greatest because of the passion and words they have. talented songwriters get inspiration from the beatles. Mind you they are the greatest not because of their vocal range rather the message their songs possess. Paul is definitely going strong but you can’t compare him to john lennon. Taylor is the beatle of this generation because just like the john lennon her songs are relatable and explains human feelings. If you doubt it go back and listen to john lennon (word for word) then you would understand why I said so. My reason for focusing on john lennon is because he made the beatles (beecause he had a great influence on the song the beatles sang) He wrote most of their material.
Peacock Queen says:
I was never a Beatles fan, because that just isn’t my music. But I do respect the Beatles because they could sing (all four of them could, in my opinion), and I did love the songwriting in their later years. I cannot say that a song that goes “I love you, yeah, yeah, yeah” takes a real genious to write, but it was catchy and is still played today. My favorite song from any one of the Beatles is Ringo Starr’s “Photograph.” Also loved Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord.”
Uh, were we talking about Taylor Swift? I got lost.
john says:
Debra…I remember when the Beatles came out, I remember going with my mom to buy I Want to Hold Your Hand as a 45. Im not saying she is better than the Beatles, for me no one could be but there is an excitement about Taylor that reminds me of the early Beatles. There was alot of older people back then that did not understand what the excitement was about, I remember people saying that they will be gone tomorrow and no would remember them. After all they were just writing catchy songs that people there age could relate to and were fun to sing along with, just like Taylor.
D Trotter says:
Although I regard The Beatles, along with Dylan, as the most important musical icons of the last 50 years , I have to say that an honest comparison of Taylor’s first two albums with the Fab Four’s initial offerings is a pretty close contest.
While the first two albums of both Ms Swift and the Beatles focused on the subject of young love and its’ attendant angst and exhilaration, Taylor’s songwriting development, in terms of song construction and lyrical nuance, seems a bit more sophisticated than the Beatles were at that stage of their development. Their first hit single, “Love Me Do”, is a bit simplistic compared to “Tim McGraw”.
In terms of hit singles, the Beatles’ 1st English album “Please Please Me” has to rate an edge over even Taylor’s powerhouse debut, but Taylor’s second album “Fearless” is a much stonger entity overall (both artistically and in the number of hit songs) than the Beatles’ sophomore release “With the Beatles”.
Moreover, Swift wrote MORE originals for her first two albums than the Beatles did — which is quite a statement since the Beatles had TWO of the greatest pop/rock songwriters of all time in McCartney and Lennon,and a third in Harrison who was no slouch (even if he did cop “My Sweet Lord” from “He’s So Fine”).
Of course the Beatles just kept growing as artists, with their greatest contributions still to come. Time will tell if Taylor fades away, like the CyberBullies say she will, or if she constantly changes and grows liker the Beatles did. Taylor has said she hopes people will see her, at the end of her career, as “someone who kept surprising them”. Doesn’t sound like an artist planning on waiting around to be labeled and boxed, any more than the Beatles did.
barb b says:
us older people grew up with the
beatles ts does not belong in the
same sentence what a joke
jake says:
I am a taylor fan and i hate this song worst choice ever…
Kate says:
Alison,
Since you say that ‘Fearless’ is not particularly traditional in country sound, are you then saying that you think the other songs on this CD are? …
I tend to think more along the lines that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it’s most likely a duck…same goes for Swift’s pop music..she just needs the country genre title to ensure that she will get nominations at awards (in the case of the Grammys her nominations double because she’s nominated for the same award in both country and pop) and let’s not forget the big boost to album sales.. then to help those sales even more there’s the re-release of the same album…why there is Fearless, Fearless Delux and Fearless Platinim Edition etc. she loves her fans so much she asks them to buy, buy, buy the same album over and over and over again and her devoted but somewhat ***** ******* fans do…Can’t really blame TS for this now can you? I mean, it’s not like she’s forcing them to buy it. It’s not her fault that the fans’s believe that when she says she loves them they think she loves them personally..ahhh those young innocent hearts, they so easily believe what they’re told. Wait those sound like lyrics from a TS song..
She is such a good example of manipulative marketing strategy. Think about it she can’t sing, her voice doesn’t even have a pleasant tone, her stage presence amounts to serious hair flips, swivel hips, guitar raising like a flag, song lyrics that are at best simplistic, catchy tunes, and talented co-writers who rarely if ever get mentioned. She is in deed a phenomenon! Amazing what sells huh?
I am not a Taylor fan..’suprise’! I know that some of you out there won’t believe this but I say good for her she’s only doing what the market will allow..and she’s doing it very well indeed!
goldie says:
kate alot of artists have many cd’s come out more than once with more songs or tour pictures and other things that the fans don’t see at every stop taylor makes on her awsome tour!other artists just add christmas songs and think that’s ok but taylor added alot more than songs and the fans LOVE IT!!! so if you don’t and have a problem with it weel i guess that’s your choice but what is good for one artsits it’s good for other’s!!taylor you are amazing and everyone have a happy new year!!!
Kate says:
Goldie,
Oh I understand perfectly. As I said in my post the fans don’t mind re-purchasing an item they already have because some pictures have been added..too bad that just the additions are not made available instead of having to buy the whole CD all over again…but yeah, if the fan doesn’t mind…it is their choice..Taylor in particular seems to do multiple re-releases and the reason for that I think is because it works for her fans…they must have money to burn because they continue buying the extras as they are doled out to them….Happy New Year to you and all on this board.
D Trotter says:
Goldie, Happy New Year! Now go have some fun, and beware the following traits:
“CYNICISM” Definition: — scornful or jaded negativity; believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in the selflessness of others; a general distrust of the integrity of others.
“NEGATIVISM” Definition: — a tendency to consider only the bad side of something/someone.
“A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it a forgery.” … Morris Bender
Goldie, Taylor is such a fun, upbeat young lady, with so much incredible talent and such positive life-affirming values! (Did you hear she spent at a hospital in the children ward?)
She says she thinks of herself as a Country artist, I believe. I believe her rationale in putting out “Fearless Deluxe” with tons of extra goodies as a treat for her biggest fans (one of a gazillion cd’s out there that has a deluxe version). I believe she is a precociously-gifted writer (who needs no co-writer help at all), a lovely singer, and a dazzling entertainer. And it would seem that all the FACT-based evidence, charts, awards,and top music critics agree with us.
So don’t waste time arguing with people who fit the very definition of cynics, negativity-spewers or skeptics. This world needs more Taylor Swifts. You really have to wonder about anyone who can show so much animosity towards such a great young person.
s ward
D Trotter says:
oops, meant to say she spent a good chunk of Christmas at the Hospital children’s ward.
Kate says:
D.Trotter
Were you describing yourself there. Of course not. People usually don’t see what they themselves actually are but are quick to point out in others the very things they themselves possess. Happy New Year.
D Trotter says:
Gee, Kate, I think everyone can read our respective post and decide who had positive things to say and who was bashing.
Kate says:
D.Trotter
Actually you are wrong. Only thing people can see are people’s opinions…that you call it ‘bashing’ or ‘positive’ is YOUR interpretation, and that’s all…
D Trotter says:
No, Kate,you are wrong. Opinions, when stated or printed, can be either positive or negative. Positive ones are … well, positive. Negative ones, especially those that are particularly harsh or repetitive in nature, are bashing. Go google the definition.
My opinion is that she is an outstanding young lady and a very special talent. That is called a positive comment, or praise. And I will argue with opposing views using facts and documentation, not emotionalism or nastiness. That’s debate.
Your opinions are almost overwhelmingly harsh, repetitive and usually laced with innuendo. Taylor proudly states she is a Country artist (fact), you imply she has ulterior motives for saying that (opinion and innuendo). In one sentence alone, you manage to say 7 negative things about her singing, performing and writing. The word is bashing.
Peacock Queen says:
Kate, I understand completely what you are saying. What made Paris Hilton a big star? Nothing from a particular talent, from what I could tell. She was just being herself on the reality show, but it worked, and worked wonders for her. It made an already rich young woman a lot richer. But it didn’t last forever, at least it seems to me that Paris is no longer the “it” girl that she was just a few years ago. But it is amazing what people will “sell” to the public, and even more amazing that people will buy into it. But it works, and kudos to the marketing execs who come up with it. It makes them money, and as you say, people have the right to buy what they wish. The fact that they buy it means it works because it obviously brings them joy.
As for the music, well, I seem to recall that Fleetwood Mac recorded some songs with a mandolin, at least it sounded like a mandolin to me. But I do not believe they have ever been grouped into the “country music” genre, whether you are talking traditional country or pop country. I am sure Fleetwood Mac inspired a lot of today’s country artists because they were so fabulously talented and put out some great songs. But, unless I am wrong because I don’t keep up with the “stats” on music, I do not believe they were ever considered country. If Madonna recorded a song with a banjo, mandolin, or fiddle, would that make her country? No, absolutely not. Completely absurd to lump Madonna into a country genre, no matter how well-written the song or the instruments used. So I get your “walks like a duck” statement. I understand.
Ashley says:
Did you think sugarland or zac brown were being manipulative when they released deluxe editions? The truth is Taylor like all artists has had good performances and bad. However if fearless is not a country song than neither is close your eyes by dierks bently or she’s country by Jason aldean. Taylor is just as country as all of the other top ten country artists people just blame her for the overall change in country because she’s the most successful. And for all of the pathetic people who still think her father bought her a record deal. No record company would continue to pour tens of millions of dollars into an artist if they couldn’t produce. Her dad doesn’t right songs for her or sing for her so stop blaming her for being wealthy there’s nothing wrong with having rich parents any more than there’s something wrong with having poor parents.
Kate says:
P.Q
Hope you had a great New Year. Your post is a pleasure to read.
Mike says:
Fearless is a great song. To what swiftly-gone wrote about Taylor’s house she grew up in, well I’ve been by the place she grew up (the tree farm) you’d be surprised how modest it is. Yeah she lived for a short while on Grandview ave, after that, I don’t know which house but there is no way any house on there would sell for “8 million” lol
john says:
Fearlessly Bad…you are fearlessly sad, I would find what you say a little easer to believe if you were just giving us facts but it is easy to see you are out for her blood. You act like its a crime that her parents have money and helped her. Do you think Sony needs money so much that they would make a sleazy “record deal” with a 12 year old? Do you think Taylor Guitars give endorsement deals to people with no talent? Do you think Taylor winning Album of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year at the CMAs is being shunned around the musical Nashville scene. Do you say opening up for all the big names in Nashville is being shunned? If that is the case I would love to be shunned. I have seen videos of her singing and playing all by herself and her father was not there helping and I can see the talent she has. By the way Taylor wrote most of the songs on Fearless herself. When she was in fourth grade, Swift won a national poety contest with a three-page long poem entitled “Monster In My Closet”. Maybe her dad wrote it?
mand14 says:
those are all true facts right there John. nice job. this is starting to get so annoying. Taylor’s daddy did not get her singing career for her. she earned it herself. do some research. fearlessly bad…wow clever name…not really.
Veeta says:
You gotta love how WORKED UP these Carrie Underwood fans get over any mention of Taylor’s name. Haha.
Taylor’s album is in it’s 59th week and it is still #5 on Billboard charts whereas Carrie Underwood’s album is in it’s 8th week yet it is already three spots below Taylor at #8. Hahaha. That has got to hurt bad.
Go T-Swizzle!
Maya Wright says:
Taylor I love you and your songs. They are amazing and mean soo much to me, especially change because my sister just went to New Zealend and my grandma is dying of cancer so you have really sort of changed our whole experience. I love you and your music, and Ihope to see you live actually I pray to see you livein concert! Love Maya
Fearlessly Bad says:
velvetta, i’m not a carrie fan, and to mand, the research has been done. You can do the same research and see the same results. It takes a little work to do the research, but it is all public record. You just have to get to the right source
D Trotter says:
There is no “right source” and no such official record even exists. I did research the public records, back when you posted this nonsense using one of your numerous other screen names. There’s nothing there at all, just a waste of my time.
So, “Fearlessly Bad”, Burden of Proof is on the the one making the claim — so YOU tell everyone how to access these “official public records”, using simple steps that will lead anyone who tries right to them. (Please don’t offend our intelligence by making up some pretend letter from some persons unknown, like yourself. Show us the actual records!)
Kate says:
Veeta,
I know you don’t want to hear this, but the fact is that, Carrie a COUNTRY artist is still in the top 10 after 8 weeks and is at 1.2 million in sales in just 8 weeks. Carrie Underwood is the only COUNTRY artist in the top 10 of the all genre chart. A chart that is dominated by mainstream artists. Yeah you read it right. Mainstream artists which includes TS. Carrie is the only country artist who, without re-mixing her songs, and without parading as a pop artist still achieves the big numbers. Carrie has achieved all this in a depressed economy, with an identity (country artist) that she has never compromised. Country superstar Carrie Underwood has proven that she can compete with mainstream artists and still come out a winner. As one ‘country’ magazine recently stated Carrie Underwood has been the one that’s made ‘Hollywood’ look at country music in a different light. It’s her class, style, and music that’s making ‘COUNTRY’ music cool.’
It is my opinion that Taylor who started out as a ‘country’ artist made HERSELF cool by turning herself into a ‘POP’ artist. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where TS sales are coming from..when you got your hands in two cookie jars at the same time, you’re likely to come out with more cookies, wouldn’t you say?
Hurt? Are you kidding. As a Carrie fan I couldn’t be happier and prouder!
BTW: Carrie has achieved one more distinction: she is the only AI to have all of her CD’s go platinum. Go Carrie.
wanda says:
well said kate
Redmaz says:
To Kate, you seem to be very confused as to what Pop music is. Pop music is not an individual genre of music. Pop is a Mainstream industry consisting of MANY genres of music including Country.(unless you are talking about indie pop, and that’s a whole different subject). Technically Underwood and Swift are both Mainstream Pop acts, recognized in Pop Country. Neither one of them are recognized in any other genre of today’s Country Music. Swift and Underwood both started out as Pop acts, and from all indications always will be, although I’ve heard Swift wants to possibly do an Alt. Country project. I’m hoping this clears up any confusion on your part.
Fearlessly Bad says:
Take a trip to the courthouse and see the RMC. They will provide the proof
Swilly says:
The RMC? World Metronome Conglomerate?………cool
barb b says:
listen mandi be my guest and go to
one of ts concerts and then tell me
she can sing i heard her sing i;m sorry
she butchered it was horrible
D Trotter says:
There is no such sale, Fearlessly. You go to RMC. Its your story, prove it.
flower says:
kate i think you need to clear your ears out because cu is pop-country and yes taylor’s songs have crossed over to into the pop country also,just like shania’s and faith’s did ,there is noting wrong with that! you people need to open your eye’s just because an artist writes or sings or has a cd come out in country music does not mean country music fans are the only ones buying it and that goes for all artists fans!!! look at tim mcgraw he crossed over and did awsome as well,and Iam sure there are many more!!I have to go work now have a good night!!
Taylor Swift Philippines says:
[...] SOURCE [...]
mel says:
i LOVE taylor swift…… going to c her on june 5th
have says:
enough with Taylor Swift she is completely a Disney style pop singer.
flower says:
if some of you do not like taylor why are you always here posting comments,you should be supporting your favorite’s???that’s why iam here supporting taylor and always will but there are many more artsit’s i like to and i go there to!!
Wanda says:
Same reaso u go to cu blogs and bash her
Abbeye says:
Taylor Swift is a crossover artist. She started out in country and some of her songs can be crossed over into the pop genre. Taylor Swift is extremely genuine and has worked very had for everything she has achieved. Her dad having money or not having money has nothing to do with it. She got where she is by playing at festivals for goodness sakes. She is signed by a record label and was nothing in the beginning. So what if she misses a note every now and then, that just goes to show exactly how REAL she is. Half of the artists today don’t even actually sing. People need to realize exactly how hard Taylor has worked and quit bashing her because it’s her time to shine.
Elyza says:
Ab fab my godoly man.
Laree Snape says:
Nicole: Thanks for reporting the issue… I replied by email.