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

[Anonymous]

Hahah Bono was the first person EVER to describe their love as something perfect, holy, and pure!! Everyone else? DERIVATIVE!!!!!

[Anonymous]

What is Taylor’s iconic song that is iconic enough the general public knows it and will be played for 50 years like a ton of songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s? She needs a “ I will always love you” or “Jolene” like Dolly or any number of Madonna songs. Of course she could never Match Brian Wilson ,McCartney or Lennon or Bee Gees level because she hasn’t come close and is now over 30. Most music geniuses do their greatest work by the time they are 30. Also she has only written 60 of her 243 songs alone all the others are co-written. Taylor is an entertainment icon who has hit a need for a certain type of girl/woman. As a music writer she is well below icon quality level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get comparing One and All Too Well.

Two totally different perspectives. Bono was a grown man with years of a long marriage to a woman he fell in love with at age 15, and mother of his four children. I'm not saying the song is about her, but to me, it's at least written from a perspective of someone who has experienced love in that kind of relationship, where you've seen each other at your absolute worst, you have years of resentment, you blame each other, even in deep love. That's an element of any decades long relationship that has gone on between adults, even in the happiest and most loving marriages. The for better or for worse, in sickness and in health parts.

Taylor was young when she wrote All Too Well, she has a lyric about her 21st birthday, so the relationship probably started at age 20, and it's about the heartbreak of losing love in that ideal phase where you are all doped up on love hormones (The boy in the song "Almost ran the red when you were looking over at me"). That is new love. When you can't take your eyes off the person. That is a fun, wonderful phase but it doesn't last long even if the relationship does last.

I get totally different experiences and feelings listening to the two songs. Bono is talking about his soul mate, they are one, they carry each other. Taylor is heartbroken from all encompassing young love that ended. It was no less real, and it doesn't happen with every crush, it deeply resonated with her and they got serious, and he made her feel like a million bucks, but they are young and those kinds of relationships often end and that phase is not sustainable.

What do their ages and personal lives have to do with any of this? I have never read any of Bono’s songs as being remotely personal. He’s creative enough to imagine the perspectives of totally different people. He’s making it up, because that’s how real artists work. They make things up. Things that have nothing to do with themselves or their lives.

At any rate lyrics and the messages are very similar, not the words, but the ideas within them. Based on wording alone, Taylor’s much later song added nothing new to Bono’s much superior one. It’s derivative.

The wording is not similar at all. Totally different lyrics. And you think Bono was imagining himself as a teenage girl losing her first big love? I agree bono is a genius and he can tell a story from different perspectives, but I don’t think he was trying to get the same perspective she was. Like I said, I just get two totally different ideas about these songs.

Dear God in Heaven, Bono wrote that song in 1990, when Taylor was one herself. He wasn’t trying to sound like a teenage. He came up with a general idea about a breakup and dissolution in a relationship. The song was made up. It was meant to be universal and apply to all sorts of people in all sorts of situations. Little Taylor grew up hearing this song. Because she’s not creative enough to come up with her own ideas, she used it in creating her song many, many years later. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume it was inadvertent, but it’s the exact same concepts. She is regurgitating something she grew up with. It is derivative.

You do know that there have been and will be universal thoughts and feelings and that there is no new theme really anymore! That isn't a slam on Bono or Taylor Swift. We all copy one another! That's life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What is Taylor’s iconic song that is iconic enough the general public knows it and will be played for 50 years like a ton of songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s? She needs a “ I will always love you” or “Jolene” like Dolly or any number of Madonna songs. Of course she could never Match Brian Wilson ,McCartney or Lennon or Bee Gees level because she hasn’t come close and is now over 30. Most music geniuses do their greatest work by the time they are 30. Also she has only written 60 of her 243 songs alone all the others are co-written. Taylor is an entertainment icon who has hit a need for a certain type of girl/woman. As a music writer she is well below icon quality level.

But she is above you and all the people here who are both fans and haters.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The two extremes are weird. She’s not the best lyricist, not compared to some of my faves like Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, and Stevie Nicks. but she is very clever and writes easily understood yet pretty lyrics that conjure up specific feelings and imagery. Not everyone does that. Regina Spektor is incredible but sometimes you need an a clinical exegesis to understand what she’s talking about. It’s worthwhile to make beautiful and resonating art that isn’t challenging to consume.

It’s funny that Paul Simon was brought up because I was listening to Graceland the other day and thought this line reminded me of something Taylor Swift would write:

And I see losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Well, everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow

Dead simple, but beautiful, and the imagery is so evocative and relatable.

That verse came to me, too. Except, Taylor wouldn’t write that. She”d write something more like:

“You dropped my hand,
Like a shattered glass,
And now everyone knows how I feel inside,
Oh, oh, oh, I’m so exposed and broken,
I’m chilled to the core,
And the-eeey all know.”

I can’t understand how people don’t see the mediocrity of her lyrics. But then I suppose, I must be a gaslighting abuser to question her lyric writing abilities.

Hmm, I doubt you’ve listened to many Taylor Swift songs. She has plenty of purely metaphorical lines that aren’t at all what you describe.

I’ve literally looked at every single song PPs have said has great lines. And I strongly stand by my interpretation of her lyrics.

I keep asking posters to provide examples and all I get is crap like: ” darling, I’m a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.” Which I’ve already pointed out is cheesy play on “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Where are these metaphorical lyrics? Please do share!

But please do share

Okay, here’s a few examples that comes to mind immediately

While you were out building other worlds, where was I?
Where's that man who'd throw blankets over my barbed wire?
I made you my temple, my mural, my sky
Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life
Drawing hearts in the byline
Always taking up too much space or time

——

Spider-boy, king of thieves
Weave your little webs of opacity
My pennies made your crown
Trick me once, trick me twice
Don't you know that cash ain't the only price?
It's coming back around
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn't know what I mean

—

It rains when you’re here and it rains when you’re gone

—

You call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest

—

Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you
Counting my footsteps
Praying the floor won’t fall through, again

—

Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves, chemistry 'til it blows up, 'til there's no us

I don’t see what you see. To me all of those lyrics are derivative. I can immediately recall the other specific lyrics they remind me of. It’s not plagiarism per se, but they are reductive, nothing new or interesting to me, and I prefer the original much better. I would go line by line and describe what’s derivative about all of them, but the last time I did, I was accused of being a gaslighting abuser. But if you’re interested, I suggest you look into U2’s music. So many of Taylor’s lines are “inspired” directly by Bono.

I don't think anyone ever said--I certainly didn't--that Taylor Swift's lyrics are groundbreaking or unique? Just that they accomplish something (being easy to understand, sound pretty, and are evocative and relatable) as well as better than your made up "lyrics" that you ascribe to Taylor. I've heard like, three U2 songs in my life (not memorable, most just sounds like scatting to me) so I don't notice or care that she seems to be influenced by Bono.

I’m not huge U2 fan, either, but if you were familiar with their music, you would see that Taylor copies their lyrics. If you’d like to see an example of this go and check out “One.”

You hate U2 and Taylor Swift?

No, I don’t hate U2. I think they’re an amazing, creative band, but they’re not my style. I have nothing but the greatest respect for their music, it’s just not my thing. Taylor is do not respect as a musician.

Taylor is do not respect? Well luckily Taylor does not need your approval

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mansplaining on this thread is ridiculous. I feel like I’m back in college, having some drunk frat boy trying to explain music to me, explain why Paul Simon is good, explain why Bono is a genius and why modern pop stars suck and are “derivative.”

It reminds me of “We are never getting back together” when Taylor makes fun of her ex for hiding “away to find your piece of mind with some indie record that’s MUCH cooler than mine.”

We get it… Anyone who does not like Taylor Swift is a musical genius and the rest of us don’t know anything and it’s up to you to tell us why.

(1) I'm a woman.

(2) I'm the one who "explained" why Graceland is such an important album, and the person I was explaining it too said herself that she was unfamiliar with Paul Simon.

(3) I don't think all modern pop stars suck or are derivative, or not necessarily any more derivative than anyone else (all musicians are derivative to some degree, even great ones, the question is whether they also innovate). I don't even think Taylor Swift sucks. I just don't think her music is great (it's fine) and I disagree with what has become the conventional wisdom, which is that she is the greatest pop artist of her generation. For pop music, I prefer artists who make catchy dance hits I can move to, and thus prefer Gaga, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Nikki Minaj. For lyrics and music that really makes me feel and think deep things, I prefer artists like Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, Angel Olsen, and others. For artists that kind of unite these things, I like Vampire Weekend, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, and others. To me Taylor Swift doesn't do any of these things as well as the other artists I've listed. These are not all indie artists. No one is going to give me coolness credits for liking Katy Perry. But Firework always makes me smile, and I can't say the same thing for any Taylor Swift song.

I know it's hard to understand this, but it's possible to criticize Taylor Swift on the merits, and not be a misogynist, jealous, stupid, illiterate, classist, etc. I dislike Taylor Swift because I just do not think her music is very good. It's not terrible, it's just not great, and with the amount I have to hear it, and hear *about* Swift, it should be next level amazing. It's not. She is flying too close to the sun and it's inevitable that people are going to respond arguments that Swift is ahhhhhmaaaaazing with arguments that actually, no, she is not. That's not mansplaining.

I agree what you laid out is not mansplaining. But some posters on this thread, not saying it was you, did do deep dives on why Paul Simon is a musical genius and the origins of Graceland as if a Taylor Swift fan might not know that. It’s just annoying. I’m a Taylor fan, and I know more about Paul Simon than what is probably reasonable, because I grew up listening to his music all the time, and discussing his lyrics, because my parents and older brother worshiped him, and I’ve seen him in concert a few times. No one needs to explain Paul Simon or graceland to me, thanks.

The mansplaining comparison (I realize this forum is mostly women, I was simply making a comparison to mansplaining and what it feels like when someone assumes they have complete superior knowledge to you based on nothing more than, in this case, you are a Taylor Swift fan) is saying you can’t possibly like or understand Paul Simon and also like Taylor Swift. If you didn’t say that, fine, but other posters did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What is Taylor’s iconic song that is iconic enough the general public knows it and will be played for 50 years like a ton of songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s? She needs a “ I will always love you” or “Jolene” like Dolly or any number of Madonna songs. Of course she could never Match Brian Wilson ,McCartney or Lennon or Bee Gees level because she hasn’t come close and is now over 30. Most music geniuses do their greatest work by the time they are 30. Also she has only written 60 of her 243 songs alone all the others are co-written. Taylor is an entertainment icon who has hit a need for a certain type of girl/woman. As a music writer she is well below icon quality level.

You can’t compare apples to oranges. It’s not about the quality of her songs, but the music releases and charting works in today’s oversaturated streaming environment. There will never be another Madonna or another band like the Beatles because of the way things work now, where all music is available to seek out at your fingertips as soon as it’s released no matter how large or small the artist is, and you can be exposed to music without ever turning on the radio or MTV. There’s no way for us to know whether Taylor would have been at the same level because we can’t put her in that environment. The fact is that she IS the icon of her time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here dissing Taylor should just STFU. She is the youngest billionaire female so OBVIOUSLY she KNOWS WHAT SHE IS DOING.

Doesn't matter if you like her music or not. Again, STFU. More people than YOU worship her!

I say kudos to Taylor!

I say maybe you should GFY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What is Taylor’s iconic song that is iconic enough the general public knows it and will be played for 50 years like a ton of songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s? She needs a “ I will always love you” or “Jolene” like Dolly or any number of Madonna songs. Of course she could never Match Brian Wilson ,McCartney or Lennon or Bee Gees level because she hasn’t come close and is now over 30. Most music geniuses do their greatest work by the time they are 30. Also she has only written 60 of her 243 songs alone all the others are co-written. Taylor is an entertainment icon who has hit a need for a certain type of girl/woman. As a music writer she is well below icon quality level.

Lmao this is like people in 1967 saying the Beatles aren’t icons in their own right during their own time period because their music won’t be played for the next 400 years as Bach and Vivaldi’s have. Just asinine.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The two extremes are weird. She’s not the best lyricist, not compared to some of my faves like Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, and Stevie Nicks. but she is very clever and writes easily understood yet pretty lyrics that conjure up specific feelings and imagery. Not everyone does that. Regina Spektor is incredible but sometimes you need an a clinical exegesis to understand what she’s talking about. It’s worthwhile to make beautiful and resonating art that isn’t challenging to consume.

It’s funny that Paul Simon was brought up because I was listening to Graceland the other day and thought this line reminded me of something Taylor Swift would write:

And I see losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Well, everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow

Dead simple, but beautiful, and the imagery is so evocative and relatable.

That verse came to me, too. Except, Taylor wouldn’t write that. She”d write something more like:

“You dropped my hand,
Like a shattered glass,
And now everyone knows how I feel inside,
Oh, oh, oh, I’m so exposed and broken,
I’m chilled to the core,
And the-eeey all know.”

I can’t understand how people don’t see the mediocrity of her lyrics. But then I suppose, I must be a gaslighting abuser to question her lyric writing abilities.

Hmm, I doubt you’ve listened to many Taylor Swift songs. She has plenty of purely metaphorical lines that aren’t at all what you describe.

I’ve literally looked at every single song PPs have said has great lines. And I strongly stand by my interpretation of her lyrics.

I keep asking posters to provide examples and all I get is crap like: ” darling, I’m a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.” Which I’ve already pointed out is cheesy play on “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Where are these metaphorical lyrics? Please do share!

But please do share

Okay, here’s a few examples that comes to mind immediately

While you were out building other worlds, where was I?
Where's that man who'd throw blankets over my barbed wire?
I made you my temple, my mural, my sky
Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life
Drawing hearts in the byline
Always taking up too much space or time

——

Spider-boy, king of thieves
Weave your little webs of opacity
My pennies made your crown
Trick me once, trick me twice
Don't you know that cash ain't the only price?
It's coming back around
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn't know what I mean

—

It rains when you’re here and it rains when you’re gone

—

You call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest

—

Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you
Counting my footsteps
Praying the floor won’t fall through, again

—

Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves, chemistry 'til it blows up, 'til there's no us

I don’t see what you see. To me all of those lyrics are derivative. I can immediately recall the other specific lyrics they remind me of. It’s not plagiarism per se, but they are reductive, nothing new or interesting to me, and I prefer the original much better. I would go line by line and describe what’s derivative about all of them, but the last time I did, I was accused of being a gaslighting abuser. But if you’re interested, I suggest you look into U2’s music. So many of Taylor’s lines are “inspired” directly by Bono.

I don't think anyone ever said--I certainly didn't--that Taylor Swift's lyrics are groundbreaking or unique? Just that they accomplish something (being easy to understand, sound pretty, and are evocative and relatable) as well as better than your made up "lyrics" that you ascribe to Taylor. I've heard like, three U2 songs in my life (not memorable, most just sounds like scatting to me) so I don't notice or care that she seems to be influenced by Bono.

I’m not huge U2 fan, either, but if you were familiar with their music, you would see that Taylor copies their lyrics. If you’d like to see an example of this go and check out “One.”

NP, and I am a huge U2 fan. Maybe I’ve just not listened to enough of Taylor music, but can you point to the lyrics that are very similar? I am very familiar With the song one but I can’t think of what lyrics of Taylor you’re referring to that sound like that?

Maybe I’ve just not listened to enough of Taylor’s music, so not disagreeing with you just curious if you have time to refer me to the lyrics.

I’m not a huge connoisseur of Taylor’s music either. That’s why I asked people to give me examples of her good lyrics. This is from earlier in the thread, where I first noticed the similarities to U2.

From “All Too Well”

And maybe we got lost in translation
Maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up
Running scared, I was there
I remember it all too well
And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest
I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
'Cause I remember it all, all, all too well

It’s not plagiarism, but it’s so similar and derivative to the lyrics of “One,” only much worse.

Are the similarities in the room with us right now?

Seriously, what?

I’m sure you’re going to be like “if you have to ask, you’ll never know….it’s called good taste, sweaty. You don’t know music like I do” LOL

I’ll describe the similarities, no problem. But don’t refute what I say by calling me a gaslighting abuser.

Here we go:

1) “And maybe we got lost in translation”

This line invokes the exact same message as the opening lines of “One,” a confusion as to where the relationship stands and how it got that way: “Is it getting better, or do you feel the same? Did I disappoint you, or leave a bad taste in your mouth?”

The two songs start at the same point, with the same inference.

2) “Maybe I asked for too much”

This is the exact first line of verse 6 in “One”: “Did I ask too much, more than a lot.”

3) “But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up”

This copies the sentiment of verse 7 of “One”: “Love is a temple, love’s a higher ground, you ask me to enter then you make me crawl.” The “masterpiece” in “All too Well” is the “temple” and the “higher ground” in “One,” representing the perfection of love. But then the protagonist’s lover took it away “you ask me to enter, then you make me crawl” and in Taylor’s version “‘till you tore it all up.”

4) “Running scared, I was there
I remember it all too well”

This line refers to the relationship history of the parties involved, which is just like verse 4 of “One.” (“Is it too late tonight to drag the past out into the light?”) The only difference is that in Taylor’s version, she doesn’t want to rehash the past, but U2’s is more ambiguous.


5) “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise”

This line has the identical sentiment of Verse 5 of “One.” The lover keeps coming back to rehash and hurt the protagonist again and again. (“Have you come here for forgiveness, have you come to raise the dead, have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head?”)

6) “So casually cruel in the name of being honest”

This is like verse 1 and 3 of “One.” (“Will it make it easier now that you’ve got someone to blame?” And “You act like you’ve never had love and want me to do without.”) The protagonist’s ex self-righteously taunts him or her in both versions.

7) “I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
'Cause I remember it all, all, all too well”

This is just like verse 6 of “One” (“You gave me nothing but it’s all I got.”) In both versions, the protagonist is left with nothing but painful memories that he or she cannot let go of, because that’s better than losing the memory of their lover.


To me these are essentially the same songs, except “One” is more uplifting and much better written. Like I said, it’s not plagiarism, but it’s the definition of derivative.

This analysis is inexplicable and perplexing. I almost feel sympathetic embarrassment for whoever wrote this. I can’t imagine how confusing life must be for such a person.
- not a swiftie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The two extremes are weird. She’s not the best lyricist, not compared to some of my faves like Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, and Stevie Nicks. but she is very clever and writes easily understood yet pretty lyrics that conjure up specific feelings and imagery. Not everyone does that. Regina Spektor is incredible but sometimes you need an a clinical exegesis to understand what she’s talking about. It’s worthwhile to make beautiful and resonating art that isn’t challenging to consume.

It’s funny that Paul Simon was brought up because I was listening to Graceland the other day and thought this line reminded me of something Taylor Swift would write:

And I see losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Well, everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow

Dead simple, but beautiful, and the imagery is so evocative and relatable.

That verse came to me, too. Except, Taylor wouldn’t write that. She”d write something more like:

“You dropped my hand,
Like a shattered glass,
And now everyone knows how I feel inside,
Oh, oh, oh, I’m so exposed and broken,
I’m chilled to the core,
And the-eeey all know.”

I can’t understand how people don’t see the mediocrity of her lyrics. But then I suppose, I must be a gaslighting abuser to question her lyric writing abilities.

Hmm, I doubt you’ve listened to many Taylor Swift songs. She has plenty of purely metaphorical lines that aren’t at all what you describe.

I’ve literally looked at every single song PPs have said has great lines. And I strongly stand by my interpretation of her lyrics.

I keep asking posters to provide examples and all I get is crap like: ” darling, I’m a nightmare dressed up as a daydream.” Which I’ve already pointed out is cheesy play on “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Where are these metaphorical lyrics? Please do share!

But please do share

Okay, here’s a few examples that comes to mind immediately

While you were out building other worlds, where was I?
Where's that man who'd throw blankets over my barbed wire?
I made you my temple, my mural, my sky
Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life
Drawing hearts in the byline
Always taking up too much space or time

——

Spider-boy, king of thieves
Weave your little webs of opacity
My pennies made your crown
Trick me once, trick me twice
Don't you know that cash ain't the only price?
It's coming back around
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn't know what I mean

—

It rains when you’re here and it rains when you’re gone

—

You call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest

—

Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you
Counting my footsteps
Praying the floor won’t fall through, again

—

Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves, chemistry 'til it blows up, 'til there's no us

I don’t see what you see. To me all of those lyrics are derivative. I can immediately recall the other specific lyrics they remind me of. It’s not plagiarism per se, but they are reductive, nothing new or interesting to me, and I prefer the original much better. I would go line by line and describe what’s derivative about all of them, but the last time I did, I was accused of being a gaslighting abuser. But if you’re interested, I suggest you look into U2’s music. So many of Taylor’s lines are “inspired” directly by Bono.

I don't think anyone ever said--I certainly didn't--that Taylor Swift's lyrics are groundbreaking or unique? Just that they accomplish something (being easy to understand, sound pretty, and are evocative and relatable) as well as better than your made up "lyrics" that you ascribe to Taylor. I've heard like, three U2 songs in my life (not memorable, most just sounds like scatting to me) so I don't notice or care that she seems to be influenced by Bono.

I’m not huge U2 fan, either, but if you were familiar with their music, you would see that Taylor copies their lyrics. If you’d like to see an example of this go and check out “One.”

NP, and I am a huge U2 fan. Maybe I’ve just not listened to enough of Taylor music, but can you point to the lyrics that are very similar? I am very familiar With the song one but I can’t think of what lyrics of Taylor you’re referring to that sound like that?

Maybe I’ve just not listened to enough of Taylor’s music, so not disagreeing with you just curious if you have time to refer me to the lyrics.

I’m not a huge connoisseur of Taylor’s music either. That’s why I asked people to give me examples of her good lyrics. This is from earlier in the thread, where I first noticed the similarities to U2.

From “All Too Well”

And maybe we got lost in translation
Maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up
Running scared, I was there
I remember it all too well
And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest
I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
'Cause I remember it all, all, all too well

It’s not plagiarism, but it’s so similar and derivative to the lyrics of “One,” only much worse.

Are the similarities in the room with us right now?

Seriously, what?

I’m sure you’re going to be like “if you have to ask, you’ll never know….it’s called good taste, sweaty. You don’t know music like I do” LOL

I’ll describe the similarities, no problem. But don’t refute what I say by calling me a gaslighting abuser.

Here we go:

1) “And maybe we got lost in translation”

This line invokes the exact same message as the opening lines of “One,” a confusion as to where the relationship stands and how it got that way: “Is it getting better, or do you feel the same? Did I disappoint you, or leave a bad taste in your mouth?”

The two songs start at the same point, with the same inference.

2) “Maybe I asked for too much”

This is the exact first line of verse 6 in “One”: “Did I ask too much, more than a lot.”

3) “But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up”

This copies the sentiment of verse 7 of “One”: “Love is a temple, love’s a higher ground, you ask me to enter then you make me crawl.” The “masterpiece” in “All too Well” is the “temple” and the “higher ground” in “One,” representing the perfection of love. But then the protagonist’s lover took it away “you ask me to enter, then you make me crawl” and in Taylor’s version “‘till you tore it all up.”

4) “Running scared, I was there
I remember it all too well”

This line refers to the relationship history of the parties involved, which is just like verse 4 of “One.” (“Is it too late tonight to drag the past out into the light?”) The only difference is that in Taylor’s version, she doesn’t want to rehash the past, but U2’s is more ambiguous.


5) “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise”

This line has the identical sentiment of Verse 5 of “One.” The lover keeps coming back to rehash and hurt the protagonist again and again. (“Have you come here for forgiveness, have you come to raise the dead, have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head?”)

6) “So casually cruel in the name of being honest”

This is like verse 1 and 3 of “One.” (“Will it make it easier now that you’ve got someone to blame?” And “You act like you’ve never had love and want me to do without.”) The protagonist’s ex self-righteously taunts him or her in both versions.

7) “I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
'Cause I remember it all, all, all too well”

This is just like verse 6 of “One” (“You gave me nothing but it’s all I got.”) In both versions, the protagonist is left with nothing but painful memories that he or she cannot let go of, because that’s better than losing the memory of their lover.


To me these are essentially the same songs, except “One” is more uplifting and much better written. Like I said, it’s not plagiarism, but it’s the definition of derivative.

This analysis is inexplicable and perplexing. I almost feel sympathetic embarrassment for whoever wrote this. I can’t imagine how confusing life must be for such a person.
- not a swiftie

Can you specify what exactly is inexplicable and perplexing about this analysis? What you said is a generalization with no explanation. I feel more sorry for you than the thoughtful analysis you are dissing. At least she qualified her opinions with examples. What you said is just an open-ended unjustified insult. And it’s generic.

I feel sorry for you “life must be very confusing” for you, too.

Sounds pretty stupid when you hear your words regurgitated back at you, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s such a sad reach to say “All Too Well” is cribbed off of “one”
They are songs and that’s where the similarity ends.
Almost as embarrassing as comparing “Graceland” to “blank space”
I don’t know what is going on with this thread, but everyone needs to stick to their day jobs.

LOL seriously. I like both these songs, but they're both written in English and the similarity ends there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s such a sad reach to say “All Too Well” is cribbed off of “one”
They are songs and that’s where the similarity ends.
Almost as embarrassing as comparing “Graceland” to “blank space”
I don’t know what is going on with this thread, but everyone needs to stick to their day jobs.

LOL seriously. I like both these songs, but they're both written in English and the similarity ends there.

The PP started with the conclusion that TS song X is inferior to non-TS song Y and then tried to fit supporting facts into it. It is a juvenile way to argue and also ineffective in engendering trust and willing people over.

I am a semi-fan but will always love the anthems “Shake it Off” (self-esteem especially for teenagers) and “The Man” (self-esteem especially for women and minorities). The lyrics may be puerile but I do not care. I love the messages and that they are accessible for the current generation and I hope they will stick around for future generations.

[Anonymous]

NP. Because I was in the car with DD today, I listened to “invisible string”… and thought of this thread.

My dd is a megafan. I’m very familiar with her music, but not all, I’m a normal-level fan. I can see the successes and the justified criticism.

I thought invisible string had good lyrics. Now to look up if she wrote it alone…
“Time, curious time
Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?”

[Anonymous]

today i learned that taylor lives rent free in the minds of a lot of dcum posters. i will never understand why someone would spend so much time trashing another person’s taste in music.
music is so personal to people, why do you care what someone else loves?