Is Taylor Swift Anything Like Chris Gaines?
When Taylor Swift explained the idea behind her next album, Speak Now, due out Oct. 25, she said it was going to be full of songs that are "made up of words I didn't say when the moment was right in front of me." So it's literally kind of a speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace kind of thing. But does that make it a concept album? MTV.com thinks so. They are loosely comparing this album of what Swift calls open letters to other concept projects recorded by "an interesting club of unlikely artists." Among them, they cite Garth Brooks' 1999 experiment in recording an album as a fictional Australian rock star, Chris Gaines. I think that conclusion is a stretch. Swift's album will likely just be more of what she does best -- opening her heart and telling one person what is on her mind while the rest of the world listens in.
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Tom says:
I didn’t think anyone was allowed to speak of Chris Gaines–which was more vanity project than concept album anyway.
D Trotter says:
Well, I’d say no. Chris Gaines was a guy.
Now the question I always had was this:
Did Garth brooks invent Chris Gaines, or
did Chris Gaines invent Garth Brooks?
Or they both really Andy Kaufman???
Robin says:
I hope not. Chris Gaines was a terrible idea. I don’t think this is a terrible idea. I hope the songs take her to the next level.
hey - HEY! says:
Robin - not knocking your comment about Taylor’s songs taking her to the next level - I think Superstar status is already the NEXT level.
Swift has broken so many age related records - even the Guinness Book of World Records has Taylor listed twice! At only the age of 20 the comparisons are stacking up - look at older blogs - to the Beatles - to Bob Dylan - to Carole King - to Shania Twain and so on it goes there is going to be a lot of Swift in the future! I am thrilled!
Concept album? There is even a question that this will be a concept album?
But, of course it will - no doubt!
Kendra says:
A Joe Jonas revenge album? Cool concept
Carrie No.1 fan says:
Kendra, all her songs are boy bashing.
keithfan2 says:
Robin, I think the reason swift is such a superstar is due to her writing. The next level?? I understand her songs are not your cup of tea,however clearly she has been recognized over and over again for her ability to tell her stories in song.
Michelle says:
Can’t wait for this CD full of Joe Jonas bashing!
Robin says:
When I say “I hope the songs take her to the next level.” that is in reference to the quality/maturity of her songs. Not her “stardom”. Those are two seperate issues.
Does saying I hope she goes to the next level mean, the level she was at was “bad”? No, but I am hoping she’s not “flat” - “stays the same” - “writes all about boys”. And, in my estimation the level she’s been at for albums one and two was flat. Time to take it up a notch. She’s an adult now and I’d like to see an adult emerge from her songwriting. Do I think she can do it? I am certainly waiting for her to and I hope she’s successful. I certainly won’t pass any judgement until I hear the music.
I don’t dislike all of the songs she’s done so far. I like two of them really well (”Tim McGraw” and “Our Song”). I think “Fearless” jumped the shark with the exception of “Fifteen”. I do like that song to. I don’t sit around and “relate” to it, but it brings back memories. I don’t care for the rest of it and I won’t go in to why because “for me” I’m hoping she “goes to the next level” and I’m focusing on her future release not the past releases. And I want her to translate as a songwriter to adulthood so I’m routing for her.
Shelly says:
Time to get what you deserve Joe Jonas!
Mary says:
An album bashing Joe Jonas shows great maturity
hey - HEY! says:
Robin - clarification of your first blog post has made me see I too want Speak Now to be the cd that was “turned up a notch”. I am sure that Taylor has many levels that she wants to attain - I am also sure that if anyone can reach those levels it will be Swifty.
I doubt you will see any more Joe Jonas songs on this album. The reason for that is Taylor did that with Forever and Always. Do not look for this album to even have one JJ song on it.
The theme might be same though - the first song “Mine” is about finding a true love - and who in their right mind doesn’t want to find that?
Love is always a great theme for any cd/album - I know that Speak Now will be filled with songs written about individuals - so I expect to hear Taylor tell of experiences with those individuals in each song. You know Taylor’s genius is in songwriting - I expect catchy tunes and superior lyrics anything less will be a letdown. Taylor is writing about her life experiences on Speak Now so, let’s not rush her into adulthood just yet.
Holly says:
I have to agree that Fearless jumped the shark but I her self titled album is great. Few people here are delusional or are pretending to be because I can’t remember when she bashed joe jonas in a song.
I heard the new album is great, few of her fans have listened to “Mine”.
Rachel says:
My guess characters of “Speak Now” are; John M, Taylor L, and Cory M. Infact there is a song she wrote that is called “Dear John”. How do I know? Saw it in BMI. But don’t know if she is gonna release it.
Robin says:
I don’t think the third album is “rushing” her to adulthood. She’ll be promoting this album as a 21 year old young woman. I just want to see an adult to “start” emerging.
That doesn’t mean she shouldn’t still be young and vibrant and still think (write) about love “occassionally”. But, I’d like to buy the next album so I’d really like to see her move to some more mature topics as a whole. And, the love/guys topic should come from a “been there done that” perspective rather than the psychosis of teen love.
Teresa says:
You just don’t get it do you? The entire Speak Now album is a bash of Joe Jonas. Love it! And you are talking like this will be a work of art. It is what it is and I can’t wait!
hey - HEY! says:
I am wondering now what - more mature topics as a whole means? If you want a bar hopping/carousing/sex laden/over indulging/drug infested album out of Speak Now you’re barking up the wrong tree. Taylor may never and I empathize never sing/write about those topics.
Teresa & Holly - Forever and Always was the song about Joe Jonas on Fearless - she’s done with Joe - do not expect another song about Joe from Taylor…..
Robin says:
When was “If you want a bar hopping/carousing/sex laden/over indulging/drug infested album out of Speak Now you’re barking up the wrong tree.” considered mature?
That’s considered “hard” not “mature”. I don’t expect “hard” music from her.
Mature music - think most Martina McBride, most of Carrie’s (not all - although her less mature stuff is still young adult, not youth). Miranda’s reflective stuff (not her harder stuff) - “Dead Flowers”, “House That Built Me”, “More Like Her”.
Even on more “youthy” topics, there’s a more mature/reflective way to present it. Alot of Taylor’s previous stuff has been “in the moment” vs. reflective. “Fifteen” was mature even though it is about highschool because it was presented in a mature reflective manner rather than presented like “Should Have Said No”, which was in the moment screatch feast.
I see good things for her music growth. Don’t think I don’t expect this of her at some point because I do. But, I’m really hoping now is the moment (or Oct. 25th anyway) not later. I hope that she can do this and still retain her really young (pre- and early teen) fans (which is one of the many reasons I don’t want to see “hard” music from her).
Angel says:
You’re wrong hey hey. This entire album is about Joe Jonas. That’s common knowledge to real Taylor fans, and I can’t wait for him to get what he deserves
Robin says:
Angel, let’s hope “Hey - HEY” is right else I would loose respect for Taylor. I think Hey is right because I just don’t think Taylor cares that much about one person when she has had alot of great boyfriends/friends. Why would she focus on one guy?
As for me, I think this album will be to multiple people in multiple situations. And, I think real Taylor fans would want that.
D Trotter says:
I think Robin may be right. All the things Taylor might have left unsaid didn’t necessarily center around Joe Jonas.
Consider:
Her many songs about a “platonic friend” she secretly liked (”You Belong With Me”, “Teardrops on My Guitar”, “Invisible”, “Stay Beautiful”, “I’d Lie”);
her tribute to her mom (”Best Day”);
her feelings about the “mean girls” who shunned her like a scarlet letter (”The Outside”, and “Best Day” again;
the painful ending of a relationship where SHE did the leaving (the hauntingly wistful “Breathe”).
Could there be something about Joe? Sure. That one hurt her badly. “Forever and Always” was written in a heat, pushed onto a ready-to-go album at the last minute. Her performances of the song — particularly the V-Fest in England — were not so much songs as they were exorcisms. Now, with a perspective informed by time, distance and personal growth, perhaps there’s something more reflective to say.
(Unlike my friend Robin, though, I just LOVE it when Taylor goes BALLISTIC!. I wish she’d release “Permanent Marker” before she becomes too “mature”).
Then there’s Kanye West. Maybe she has a comment or two about that guy.
rosyz says:
I dont think her next album is about Joe Jonas because that story line is getting old. It’s time to move on to another concept. Hopefully D Trotter and hey-Hey are right and Teresa and Angel are mistaken. Her fans will find out soon enough.
Keith says:
her fans already know. I’m looking forward to this Joe Jonas bashfest too. Most Taylor fans heard about this months ago. It’s going to be great lol
Karen says:
Me too Keith. Joe Jonas will get what the deserves when Taylors album comes out!
lifetime says:
Taylor’s Speak Now cd might be about Joe&Kanye I no it’s an old subject but Taylor never really said anything about the Kanye thing so I think that might be one song!
Peacock Queen says:
I saw Taylor on Ellen DeGeneres show, and she did say that one of the songs on “Fearless” was about Joe Jonas. She related the story of how he broke up with her in 15 seconds over the phone. I don’t remember which song was about him, but she did admit to ONE song being about him. I don’t know anything about her up-coming album but I do expect that Robin is correct and Taylor will show a more mature outlook on life, not just about teenage angst and boys.
keithfan2 says:
She definitley moved on from jonas. “Speak Now” written right after “fearless” accept for Sparks Fly.
Breanne says:
ALL of Speak Now is about Joe Jonas. Can’t wait to hear it!
dawn says:
I really dont care who the songs are about,i think the album will be great!I would bet though it wouldnt all be about joe.well see……
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