Taylor Swift is awful (and her music isn't even very good)

[Anonymous]

I love how these people are criticizing professional singers and likely can’t hold a tune at all themselves.

[Anonymous]

1) Swift writes lyrics. She tells a story. You might not like the story, but it’s a genre. I dare say it’s better than mindless crap that relies on the same beat and constant repetition of the same words. There is no creativity in repetition.

2) Swift plays both piano and guitar. She knows the guitar is a percussion instrument and uses that to great effect, changing rhythm to suit her lyrics. She often changes keys in the middle of a song which adds further interest.

3) Swift can sing well enough to record albums and play live. Do I think her voice is spectacular? No. Little Big Town did a spectacular job with her song, “Better Man”. Taylor sang it at the Bluebird Cafe and without a doubt, Little Big Town has a superior recording. But Swift’s performance was raw and real and did not diminish the song

[Anonymous]

Taylor Swift chills out with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney. There’s a funny story Dave has told about being at a party with her at Paul’s house and being too high to play anything when people requested it, so she went to the piano and started singing Best of You.

Someone should tell those guys that they’re hanging out with a crap musician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how these people are criticizing professional singers and likely can’t hold a tune at all themselves.

They’re criticizing the cult of TayTay more than her specific skill set.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who cares?

+1 We're talking about pop music. If you don't like it, switch to another station. Your errands will be over soon anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taylor Swift chills out with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney. There’s a funny story Dave has told about being at a party with her at Paul’s house and being too high to play anything when people requested it, so she went to the piano and started singing Best of You.

Someone should tell those guys that they’re hanging out with a crap musician.

Dave Grohl is a great guy, but it's not like he's some kind of brilliant songwriter..

And Paul hasn't written a great song in 50 years.

[Anonymous]

It’s so weird how someone who says he hates TS seems to know more about TS than anyone else in this thread. Weirdo stalker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) Swift writes lyrics. She tells a story. You might not like the story, but it’s a genre. I dare say it’s better than mindless crap that relies on the same beat and constant repetition of the same words. There is no creativity in repetition.

2) Swift plays both piano and guitar. She knows the guitar is a percussion instrument and uses that to great effect, changing rhythm to suit her lyrics. She often changes keys in the middle of a song which adds further interest.

3) Swift can sing well enough to record albums and play live. Do I think her voice is spectacular? No. Little Big Town did a spectacular job with her song, “Better Man”. Taylor sang it at the Bluebird Cafe and without a doubt, Little Big Town has a superior recording. But Swift’s performance was raw and real and did not diminish the song

A guitar is not a percussion instrument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s so weird how someone who says he hates TS seems to know more about TS than anyone else in this thread. Weirdo stalker.

Hmmm, listening to Taylor Swift's music (and disliking it) and being familiar with her public persona = weird stalker.

Breathlessly reporting on Taylor Swift's relationships with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney and providing detailed accounts of what Taylor may or may not have done at a private party at Paul McCartney's house that you definitely did not attend = normal.

Gotcha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all I need to see in an article to know that the author has an agenda:

“She preaches female friendship but would never risk album sales with overtly feminist activity.”

I think it's a reference to the fact that Swift has been very mum on most major feminist issues, including abortion. She also didn't say much of anything against Trump until like 2020, which is... late.

She has become a bit more political in recent years but is still super cautious. Like she she has supported the March for Our Lives, and has made some comments in support of both the LGBTQ+ community and eventually did denounce Trump and said she supported the protests that broke out after George Floyd's murder. Which is all good but still not overtly feminist.

But she's most likely to invoke feminism when it concerns something that directly involves her. I was glad to see she at least came out against the Supreme Court overturning Roe but honestly, until then I suspected she was not pro-choice because she had been weirdly mum on the subject for such a prominent woman with so many fans who are directly impacted by the loss of abortion access.

That article is a little dated and I think pre-dates a lot of the the things I've mentioned here. Perhaps she's become more vocal due to this kind of criticism. But even that seems cynical. Most people if given a massive platform would want to speak out on issues that are important to them. Instead it feels like Taylor mostly speaks to advocate for herself and wants people to view her as an avatar for all women. But that's very different than how many other celebrities use their fame to draw attention to people who are much less fortunate than them and rally support for issues or programs that don't necessarily stand to benefit them personally.

That’s a long-winded explanation for ‘the author is a feminist herself, and holds disdain for those who she perceived isn’t ‘feminist enough’

What a dumb take . Carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor Swift chills out with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney. There’s a funny story Dave has told about being at a party with her at Paul’s house and being too high to play anything when people requested it, so she went to the piano and started singing Best of You.

Someone should tell those guys that they’re hanging out with a crap musician.

Dave Grohl is a great guy, but it's not like he's some kind of brilliant songwriter..

And Paul hasn't written a great song in 50 years.

He’s a terrific songwriter. He infuses a percussive element into his songwriting that’s really interesting.

Paul has some great newer songs.

Tell me about your songs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so weird how someone who says he hates TS seems to know more about TS than anyone else in this thread. Weirdo stalker.

Hmmm, listening to Taylor Swift's music (and disliking it) and being familiar with her public persona = weird stalker.

Breathlessly reporting on Taylor Swift's relationships with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney and providing detailed accounts of what Taylor may or may not have done at a private party at Paul McCartney's house that you definitely did not attend = normal.

Gotcha.

Huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all I need to see in an article to know that the author has an agenda:

“She preaches female friendship but would never risk album sales with overtly feminist activity.”

I think it's a reference to the fact that Swift has been very mum on most major feminist issues, including abortion. She also didn't say much of anything against Trump until like 2020, which is... late.

She has become a bit more political in recent years but is still super cautious. Like she she has supported the March for Our Lives, and has made some comments in support of both the LGBTQ+ community and eventually did denounce Trump and said she supported the protests that broke out after George Floyd's murder. Which is all good but still not overtly feminist.

But she's most likely to invoke feminism when it concerns something that directly involves her. I was glad to see she at least came out against the Supreme Court overturning Roe but honestly, until then I suspected she was not pro-choice because she had been weirdly mum on the subject for such a prominent woman with so many fans who are directly impacted by the loss of abortion access.

That article is a little dated and I think pre-dates a lot of the the things I've mentioned here. Perhaps she's become more vocal due to this kind of criticism. But even that seems cynical. Most people if given a massive platform would want to speak out on issues that are important to them. Instead it feels like Taylor mostly speaks to advocate for herself and wants people to view her as an avatar for all women. But that's very different than how many other celebrities use their fame to draw attention to people who are much less fortunate than them and rally support for issues or programs that don't necessarily stand to benefit them personally.

I don't disagree with what you said . But, i feel like all these years , it seems people like you have missed the point : A huge part of her success is precisely tied to her lack of activism—something to which a lot of her fans will never admit. Look at her , what exactly is so unique ? Nothing. She looks like every other sorority girl who values her worth by whether or not she has a boyfriend, her music sounds creepily childish and vapid. This isn't the 80s when the likes of Janet Jackson and Madonna burst unto the scene with aesthetics, music and personas that were completely different .

Swift doesn't sell music as much as she sells perpetually wronged ingenue white girl victimhood coupled with that lack of activism. So, her invocation of feminism only when it involves HER interest(s) should come as a surprise to anyone who has taken the time to know this country. That mindset is what led to the term: White feminism. Does it say something about her? or does it say a lot about that faction of white America that comprises 98% of her fan base .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all I need to see in an article to know that the author has an agenda:

“She preaches female friendship but would never risk album sales with overtly feminist activity.”

I think it's a reference to the fact that Swift has been very mum on most major feminist issues, including abortion. She also didn't say much of anything against Trump until like 2020, which is... late.

She has become a bit more political in recent years but is still super cautious. Like she she has supported the March for Our Lives, and has made some comments in support of both the LGBTQ+ community and eventually did denounce Trump and said she supported the protests that broke out after George Floyd's murder. Which is all good but still not overtly feminist.

But she's most likely to invoke feminism when it concerns something that directly involves her. I was glad to see she at least came out against the Supreme Court overturning Roe but honestly, until then I suspected she was not pro-choice because she had been weirdly mum on the subject for such a prominent woman with so many fans who are directly impacted by the loss of abortion access.

That article is a little dated and I think pre-dates a lot of the the things I've mentioned here. Perhaps she's become more vocal due to this kind of criticism. But even that seems cynical. Most people if given a massive platform would want to speak out on issues that are important to them. Instead it feels like Taylor mostly speaks to advocate for herself and wants people to view her as an avatar for all women. But that's very different than how many other celebrities use their fame to draw attention to people who are much less fortunate than them and rally support for issues or programs that don't necessarily stand to benefit them personally.

I don't disagree with what you said . But, i feel like all these years , it seems people like you have missed the point : A huge part of her success is precisely tied to her lack of activism—something to which a lot of her fans will never admit. Look at her , what exactly is so unique ? Nothing. She looks like every other sorority girl who values her worth by whether or not she has a boyfriend, her music sounds creepily childish and vapid. This isn't the 80s when the likes of Janet Jackson and Madonna burst unto the scene with aesthetics, music and personas that were completely different .

Swift doesn't sell music as much as she sells perpetually wronged ingenue white girl victimhood coupled with that lack of activism. So, her invocation of feminism only when it involves HER interest(s) should come as a surprise to anyone who has taken the time to know this country. That mindset is what led to the term: White feminism. Does it say something about her? or does it say a lot about that faction of white America that comprises 98% of her fan base .

Could not agree more and I do in fact think it's awful. And it makes me dislike both Taylor Swift AND her rabid fan base.

The contrast with performers like Madonna and Janet is a good one. I can't think of a single Taylor Swift song or album that has the cultural relevance or import of, say, Rhythm Nation or Like a Virgin. I also compare Swift to contemporaries like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj and it's obvious to me who is doing more interesting and long-lasting work. I think it's interesting that all of these other women have explored the power dynamics of feminine sexuality in their music, to fascinating effect, and Swift is still writing the same shlock about how she has a crush on a boy that she wrote at 16. Serious arrested development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so weird how someone who says he hates TS seems to know more about TS than anyone else in this thread. Weirdo stalker.

Hmmm, listening to Taylor Swift's music (and disliking it) and being familiar with her public persona = weird stalker.

Breathlessly reporting on Taylor Swift's relationships with Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney and providing detailed accounts of what Taylor may or may not have done at a private party at Paul McCartney's house that you definitely did not attend = normal.

Gotcha.

Exactly.