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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
She needs to write at least one really good iconic song that has such good melody and pace that almost everybody knows it. Like Dollys “I will always love you” or Deloris O’Riordens “Linger”,Blondies “Rapture” or Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a place on Earth”

She has a lot of good songs but no really great iconic song with a really smart melody.

Spot on.

She needs one really good one that is universally awesome. Not annoyingly haphazard or too simple.

This is it for me. I think she's obviously talented, hard working, very pretty, and seems like a decent human being (loyal friend, does charitable stuff like someone with her money and privileges should). No issues there.

And she's obviously prolific, it crazy how many albums she's released and her songs are not bad, some are even pretty good.

But her music is just not that memorable to me. Also, she doesn't have a very distinctive sound. Most Taylor songs could easily be songs from other artists, her music is of the time but not very innovative or original. It's just "yes this is what pop music sounds like right now." To some degree this is even by design-- she followed the musical trends from the heavily-produced, dance/club-friendly songs to a more indie, acoustic vibe that was especially embraced during Covid, but she didn't blaze that trail. I remember when Folklore came out, some of the Swifties in my life were like "You're really going to like this one, it the kind of music you like." And it's true it sounds more like the stuff I listen to. Sounds LIKE it. But it's less appealing to me because is that Taylor's authentic musical voice? I don't think so, and I don't think she really has one.

She's leaned into this with Eras tour, and intentionally brands herself as a versatile artist going through different versions of herself. But to me this is what makes her weak as an artist, even if that's a pretty impressive branding strategy.

Her music is her weak spot, and I can't think of any song or album of hers that will really stand the test of time.

I agree. She is a simulacrum of a pop star with her music. Something is just missing.
She has made me realize that I enjoy women singers who I can actually sing to, not talk/whisper sing. It comes down to the fact that I am a better singer than she is and so I find her songs really boring to “sing” to. Adele, Madonna, even Britney are all more my vocal speed.

[Anonymous]

Her songwriting and voice are just okay. The quality and popularity of her songs is largely because of the production. But I like them anyway.

[Anonymous]

PP, gee songs HAVE stood the test of time.

[Anonymous]

I have found that the songs of hers that have some of the beet vocals / are standing up / have the most interesting sound aren’t what people would say are her top 10.

I’ve always liked best:
Sparks fly
Back to December
Teardrops on my guitar
Cardigan
The one with Bon iver

Some more.

Shake it off, etc., has its place, but vocally and melodically and lyrically, not as interesting as other songs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, gee songs HAVE stood the test of time.

Which ones? I find the songs I know from early in her career fairly annoying (I actively dislike Romeo and Juliet, for instance). Her mid-career dance hits like Shake it Off and Bad Blood were fun at the time but feel tired now. Her more recent work has more mature lyrics and sound, but it feels like she's imitating other artists and of those songs , Antihero is probably her best but just now when I tell Ed to remember the tune, I couldn't.

She's prolific but mediocre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have found that the songs of hers that have some of the beet vocals / are standing up / have the most interesting sound aren’t what people would say are her top 10.

I’ve always liked best:
Sparks fly
Back to December
Teardrops on my guitar
Cardigan
The one with Bon iver

Some more.

Shake it off, etc., has its place, but vocally and melodically and lyrically, not as interesting as other songs.

But as a casual fan, I couldn't tell you what any of those songs sound like or what the lyrics are. She the lack mass appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have found that the songs of hers that have some of the beet vocals / are standing up / have the most interesting sound aren’t what people would say are her top 10.

I’ve always liked best:
Sparks fly
Back to December
Teardrops on my guitar
Cardigan
The one with Bon iver

Some more.

Shake it off, etc., has its place, but vocally and melodically and lyrically, not as interesting as other songs.

But as a casual fan, I couldn't tell you what any of those songs sound like or what the lyrics are. She the lack mass appeal.

Should say "They lack mass appeal" referring to that list of songs. Obviously Taylor Swift has mass appeal, as do her better known songs, though I agree those aren't as lyrically memorable or interesting, just catchier.

[Anonymous]

If what the last poster or posters are saying is true, I just don’t get why Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and so on - some of the most talented and successful artists ever - have gushed about her. McCartney has collaborated with her and they did an interview together about writing songs during the pandemic that must have taken hours considering the length of their discussion.

And then, of course, there are multiple colleges offering courses about Taylor Swift, her music and lyrics, with one professor even comparing her style to Wordsworth.

IDK. I am not a music connoisseur. I just know what I like, but there’s gotta be something there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If what the last poster or posters are saying is true, I just don’t get why Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and so on - some of the most talented and successful artists ever - have gushed about her. McCartney has collaborated with her and they did an interview together about writing songs during the pandemic that must have taken hours considering the length of their discussion.

And then, of course, there are multiple colleges offering courses about Taylor Swift, her music and lyrics, with one professor even comparing her style to Wordsworth.

IDK. I am not a music connoisseur. I just know what I like, but there’s gotta be something there.

For some people. Not for all.

I think she writes a lyric that may be poetry to some, but then she adds a melody or notes to fit the lyric. She doesn’t write a beautiful song with melodies and harmony and design the lyrics to match.

I find her lyrics to be too literal and not subject to interpretation to the listener. They don’t give imagery that can be interpreted in multiple ways other than who she is singing to. She doesn’t write about topics other than feelings. Many people write about the universality of feeling, the human connections, natural/spiritual connections, or social protest songs that eclipse the life of the writer. She doesn’t, the songs always come down to her feelings about something that happened to her. I don’t like that. Clearly, many do.

[Anonymous]

Nice people don’t make it to the top of the ladder. If you look at the richest or most successful people - they aren’t ‘nice’ people because the qualities that you need to climb over everyone else and make it to the top aren’t nice people qualities. You have to be somewhat narcissistic and self centred to get to the top. You also need a work ethic and either good smarts or a team with good smarts around you. And usually a fair amount of luck or good fortune along the way too.

She is a business and a successful one. She (and her team) have done a great job of branding herself and selling that brand. Is she anymore talented than many other not successful people - no. But she had the right combination of people and money and support and luck to get her noticed.

She has done similar to Kylie Jenner and been able to capitalize on her brand to be successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor Swift is person of the year 2023.

All you nobodies can't handle that so you will whine.

We all know who the real winner is..

Hint...not you haters!

And this is why Taylor fans are mean girls: they attack anyone who doesn’t like her.

I do “sing” along with some of her songs but because her fan relies upon meanness I refuse to call myself a fan. Ever.

Yup. NP but this sums up perfectly the issue with Swifts or whatever they call themselves. She has some alright songs but some of the fandom needs help. The mean girl pack is way too intense. It's fine for someone to not like her music, to not like her, or even to stop dating her. Bombarding folks with death threats over those things is 100% not okay. She encourages this sick behavior at times too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor Swift is person of the year 2023.

All you nobodies can't handle that so you will whine.

We all know who the real winner is..

Hint...not you haters!

And this is why Taylor fans are mean girls: they attack anyone who doesn’t like her.

I do “sing” along with some of her songs but because her fan relies upon meanness I refuse to call myself a fan. Ever.

You guys call thus mean? What snowflakes! It is the truth...you are all jelly of her success

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor Swift is person of the year 2023.

All you nobodies can't handle that so you will whine.

We all know who the real winner is..

Hint...not you haters!

And this is why Taylor fans are mean girls: they attack anyone who doesn’t like her.

I do “sing” along with some of her songs but because her fan relies upon meanness I refuse to call myself a fan. Ever.

You guys call thus mean? What snowflakes! It is the truth...you are all jelly of her success

Eh- don’t let us bother you. We will all melt from the carbon emissions from Taylor’s jet soon anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her songwriting and voice are just okay. The quality and popularity of her songs is largely because of the production. But I like them anyway.

Her lyrics are what make her music.

[Anonymous]

I am older, so am not up to date on her music, but none of her songs are exceptional. They are way too generic and nothing stands out. I do respect her work ethic but I just don’t think she will stand up as a great artist.