|
|
Post by rick on Apr 2, 2012 17:43:23 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Apr 2, 2012 19:04:40 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by rick on Apr 2, 2012 19:55:01 GMT -5
Somehow, dianna, IMHO, the Kids' Choice Award seems more fitting since I assume kids are the ones who vote for it. |
|
|
|
Post by erik on Apr 2, 2012 20:34:12 GMT -5
One doesn't want to cast aspersions on a 22 year-old wunderkinder like Ms. Swift. But how long is it going to be before she actually matures as a singer?! Or is that ever going to happen?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Apr 2, 2012 22:48:16 GMT -5
Somehow, dianna, IMHO, the Kids' Choice Award seems more fitting since I assume kids are the ones who vote for it. I guess my point was.. Why does it even matter anymore. This is her second win for that title, for this award, right ? |
|
|
|
Post by philly on Apr 3, 2012 0:52:25 GMT -5
and I thought this song was about Erik... ;D A Critical Response to Taylor Swift’s "Mean"www.savingcountrymusic.com/a-critical-response-to-taylor-swifts-meanApril 15, 2011 - By The Triggerman // Reviews // 159 Comments One of the singles on country radio right now is Taylor Swift’s "Mean". As Taylor says in the preview of the song, it is about "...one guy...who just crossed the line over and over again of just being mean." Prompted by numerous people saying the song was about me, I dared ask the question, which apparently since Carly Simon wrote a song about this subject matter, you’re "vain" for even broaching the subject, though I would counter by asking if someone asks the simple question and the answer is "yes", are you being vain, or just perceptive? The popular belief is that "Mean" is about music industry guru Bob Lefsetz. Problem is, even according to Bob, he does not fit the criteria Taylor lays out in her song. Bob really didn’t cross any lines "over and over", he simply took the point after her bad performance on The Grammy’s with Stevie Nicks to say that now that we all knew Taylor Swift couldn’t sing, it was over for her. The one big piece of evidence pointing to Bob as the subject of "Mean" is that in the liner notes, Taylor CAPS certain letters to hint who songs are about. In "Mean" they spell out "I THOUGHT YOU GOT ME." Taylor & Bob were close until his post-Grammy premature epitaph. Though this goes against the grain of someone criticizing her "over and over". Taylor may have one primary person in mind for the subject of "Mean", but I think she drew inspiration from multiple sources, and because of the tone and exposure of my post-Grammy rant, I do feel like she read it, and pulled out parallel launguage (ex. "The cycle ends right now") for the song. Go ahead, call me vain. I’ve been called worse. But both Bob and I were wrong in saying she would flame out. I still say she is not country and that her voice is weak, but unlike 80% of the stuff coming out of Nashville right now, Taylor Swift is doing what she wants to do. The 80% is doing what they think will sell. Taylor is leading, while everyone else is following. When she won CMA for Entertainer of the Year, she symbolized the worst of country music. Six months ago, she symbolized the median. Now she may be one of the standard bearers for mainstream country music, as sad as that may be. Taylor and her handlers must be at least slightly disappointed in the performance of the album’s singles. There’s been no blockbuster #1's, not even close. "Mean" peaked at #6, and now sits at #17. Maybe it’s because a lot of these songs are too long, and some too good for the demographics they target. As the rest of country music is dumbing down, mistakenly thinking this is Taylor Swift’s appeal, Taylor is maturing, and though her talents might be minimal and her perspective pallid and shallow, someone making art honestly will always trump something made to mimic something else. As country songs, tracks from Speak Now are a joke. But as pop songs, they carry some weight in a mainstream music world where little else does. But "Mean" might be the worst track on her Speak Now album. It is the most "country" song on the album, but it is not catchy like "Enchanted" or "Sparks Fly", or clever, or well-crafted. Calling someone "Mean" is just such a base accusation. This isn’t punditry, it’s name calling. Maybe this song would have worked if she delved into the psychology of why people are mean, or even created some sympathy and understanding for her bullies. But instead she descends into the same "Mean" mentality herself, calling her detractor(s) "...pathetic, and alone in life". Think about it: If someone truly is alone in life, then that is a pretty harsh mean-ism. Then she tries to use envy against her critics, talking about "living in a big old city". "Big ol’ city" has connotations of wealth and stature. It also has some anti-country connotations, as if not living in a big ol’ city is something to be looked down upon, or something to be ashamed of. There’s certain ways you can handle criticism. You can ignore it, deflect it, debate it, or you can absorb it and attempt to learn from it. Or you can try to avenge it, which Taylor seems to be doing with "Mean". Some more insight on how Taylor deals with her adversaries can be found in the song "Better Than Revenge". Revenge is anger that is personalized. Good music uplifts the soul, or nurtures it by providing camaraderie through pain. Revenge brings down the soul, to a carnal, reactionary state. Revenge is also a sign of a young soul. "Dear John" from Speak Now did a surprisingly good job humanizing Taylor Swift. "Mean" just makes her come across as spiteful, immature, if not hypocritical. It goes without saying that when you’re in the public eye, there will be people who will use your persona to vent anger. I can tell you with certitude, whoever the next President of the US is, regardless if he’s the greatest humanitarian who ever lived, there will be people painting Hitler mustaches on his image before he even signs one piece of legislation. Hating Taylor Swift is the new world sport, evidenced by this Hater’s Guide to Taylor Swift deadspin.com/#!5701312/the-haters-guide-to-taylor-swift published on of all things, a sport’s site. This type of anger venting is not only unfair to Taylor, but unfair to critics who are trying to fight for the integrity of a form of music they love, by painting all Taylor critics as just "Mean". But it goes without saying that Taylor Swift will have the last laugh between her and her critics. She’s a millionaire, going on billionaire, and showered with accolades and awards beyond belief. So who cares if a few music nerds pick fun at her? Or is the last laugh hers? What is more valuable, wealth that will be gone the moment her heart stops ticking, or a life full of learning and humility and giving that is nurtured by attempting to build understanding through conflict with other humans? Taylor Swift has come a long way in my estimation over the past couple of years. But if she wants to go farther, she must understanding that some of her critics are not simply being "Mean", they are simply "right", and understanding and admitting to her limitations and shortcomings is the only way she will ever get past them. I still assert that in the end, I will look like Taylor Swift’s best friend. The people who were "Mean" to her were the ones that told her she was country. Without that simple designation to her music, I and many others would have never raised our poisoned pens against her. There are a lot of songs on Speak Now that are good...as POP SONGS. But "Mean" is not one of them. Two guns down. |
|
|
|
Post by rick on Apr 3, 2012 1:57:53 GMT -5
Somehow, dianna, IMHO, the Kids' Choice Award seems more fitting since I assume kids are the ones who vote for it. I guess my point was.. Why does it even matter anymore. This is her second win for that title, for this award, right ? Wikipedia for Nick's Kids' Choice awards -- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Kids'_Choice_Awards "The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, also known as the KCAs or Kids Choice Awards, is an annual awards show that airs on the Nickelodeon cable channel, which airs live and is usually held and telecast live (though with a three-hour time delay for those watching in the Pacific Time Zone or on the Nick 2 feed on digital cable that simulcasts the Pacific time zone feed) on a Saturday night in late March or early April, that honors the year's biggest television, movie, and music acts, as voted by Nickelodeon viewers. " (meaning, the award may have been PRESENTED to Ms. Swift by First Lady Michelle Obama, but it doesn't mean that the First Lady decided on the winner. Criteria for voting for the CMAs blog.cmaawards.com/2011/09/06/cma-awards-voting-process-category-criteria/" CMA Awards winners are chosen in three rounds of voting. Votes are cast by industry professional members of the Country Music Association – meaning Awards winners are honored by their peers in the music industry. " Dianna, I guess I was confused by you posting the Kids' Choice award winner as, again, to me, IMHO, it seems fitting that a bunch of kids and tweens and teens would vote for Taylor Swift. I hardly imagine that Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill et. al. are voting for Ms. Swift. It just surprises me that she'd win it one year, let alone two years. It probably says more about where country music is today and why a lot of it doesn't do much for me anymore. The fact that Ms. Swift won not one year, but two years may mean that the majority of those who now vote for the CMA awards believe that Taylor Swift is the future of country music. I have no doubt that Taylor Swift works a lot of hours and makes a lot of fans happy. It doesn't mean that I have to agree. À chacun son goût |
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Apr 3, 2012 10:52:42 GMT -5
I totally agree with you rick, about all taylor's winnings. If you read past posts regarding Swift I have always questioned her live singing, and I have given her credit when I felt she did a good job too. .. I think the award show she won for this last monday was the ACM.. I get confused with the CMA/s CMT and ACM.. and I don't know how the criteria is based for the ACM.. but at this point, like I said, it really is moot, she has won just about every other award out there for her music.. Grammy, CMA, AMA ect.. I just put the kids choice award up there because, The First Lady presented it to her for all her good work.. I'm not sure what it exactly represents now but something like being a good helper or something... So at least, Taylor seems to be making a little difference.. looking on the positive side.
Also regarding where country music is going.. Let's face, it is going in Taylor's direction.. you can also include, Miranda and Carrie to that list. Did you see monday's episode of The Voice, ugh, there was a young girl singing, blonde with a big flower in her hair, she sang a maroon 5 song, country style.. I thought Wow, kind of like Taylor and Miranda mixed.. Blake Shelton, one of the judges made a comment after she sang.. He said, this is the direction country music is going or rather, this is what the New Country Music is. And he was right..
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Apr 3, 2012 12:37:04 GMT -5
Quote by dianna: And that says a lot--none of it really good for the music (IMHO).  |
|
|
|
Post by terryarceneaux on Apr 10, 2012 17:56:00 GMT -5
I think Taylor is trying to make it work.
I give her credit for that.
Some of her music is getting better.
I would like to see if she gets better as time goes on.
I think she will.
|
|
|
|
Post by philly on Aug 17, 2012 12:50:12 GMT -5
Well, if this doesn't win her yet another entertainer of the year award, I don't know what will www.dlisted.com/2012/08/14/who-hell-taylor-swift-yodeling-about-nowTuesday, August 14th 2012 Who The Hell Is Taylor Swift Yodeling About Now? Taylor Swift, the worst thing to happen to the Kennedys since the Kennedy curse, has a new song out called "We Are Never Getting Back Together" and based on that title you might think she's singing to the definition of maturity, but were her and maturity ever together? Taylor of Sunnybrook Farms tells Good Morning America (via People) that surprise, surprise, she wrote that song about one of her ex-pieces. But before we start guessing about which one of Taylor's exes is going to tell Rolling Stones in a few months that she really put bruises on his innocent heart by writing a song about him, let's listen to that mess first. WARNING: Taylor Swift is still writing lyrics that sound like they were written on her paper bag book cover during 7th grade homeroom. If you'd rather try to chew bubblegum with your butt than press play on that bubblegum song, then read the spoken word part instead, because it is gold (via ONTD): So he calls me up and he's like "I still love you" and I'm like, I'm just ... This is exhausting, you know like We're never getting back together Like ever When you make an Avril Lavigne song sound like a Carole Fucking King song, maybe it's time to stop getting creative inspiration from the 16-year-olds you share a bottle of Strawberry Hill with while hanging out with them behind the bleachers on a Friday night. So who is Taylor singing about this time? Jakey Gyllenhaal? John Mayer? Joe Jonas? Taylor Lautner? Oh, I don't even know why we're playing this game when we all know who she's really singing about:  You can't blame him for that DUI now. We'd all lose our minds in a bottle of the sweet nectar if Taylor Swift told us we were never like ever like ever like getting back to like gether like ever like. |
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Aug 17, 2012 14:00:07 GMT -5
Boy, who hasn't she dated? lol
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Aug 17, 2012 14:12:11 GMT -5
Quote by dianna:
I'm afraid to find out the answer to that one.
My question is this: When is this tart going to start acting her age as opposed to her shoe size?!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Aug 17, 2012 14:59:39 GMT -5
I didn't realize she is going on 23! Well, that little song or it's lyrics doesn't surprise me in the least. We have women in their late 20's and 30's (the kardashians) who have a lot of fans/following and are real popular/role model for young girls.. based on those types of conversations.. "Like" lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Sept 2, 2012 11:29:43 GMT -5
And here is her new video. I just saw it on cmt channel
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Sept 3, 2012 9:25:58 GMT -5
On top of everything we've discussed, I don't think there's any way we can get around talking about that voice of hers. To me, it still sounds Autotuned and processed, and every bit as irritating now as it was three years ago.
And so people want to know why we're sad that Linda retired, even for a good reason?
|
|
|
|
Post by terryarceneaux on Sept 11, 2012 20:59:04 GMT -5
One doesn't want to cast aspersions on a 22 year-old wunderkinder like Ms. Swift. But how long is it going to be before she actually matures as a singer?! Or is that ever going to happen? I think she will mature as she goes. I think she coming around. |
|
|
|
Post by Swift Boot on Sept 11, 2012 21:40:12 GMT -5
It's time for Taylor Swift to stop sucking. If this garbage is the
best she can do, she needs to get professional songwriters.
|
|
|
|
Post by the Scribe on Sept 11, 2012 21:54:33 GMT -5
You have to remember we are looking at her with "mature" eyes and ears. Taylor's fan base is teen and pre-teen girls for the most part. They love her. Yeah, she's no Linda or Barbra but then who is? She is bringing in the big bucks which is why she is so promoted and rewarded by the suits.
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Sept 11, 2012 22:11:38 GMT -5
Setting aside the fact that she won't give either Babs or Linda a run for their proverbial cash, and the fact that her audience is teen or pre-teen, the fact is that Taylor is going to turn 23 before this year is over. At that age, you are supposed to be an adult (if there's really any such thing, of course [LOL]). And we're still faced with the fact, even acknowledged by some of the fans I know who are part of her "demographic", that she doesn't cut it especially well in the vocal department.
Providing she's still around at age 30 (you never know), is she still going to be singing the same old teen/pre-teen stuff; and above all, is her voice going to get any better? Those are real questions, and to be brutally frank, I don't think she's even come close to answering any of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by philly on Sept 14, 2012 0:49:09 GMT -5
And here is her new video. I just saw it on cmt channel WOW. Her song is definitely going in the national archives. What a gem. But seriously, this dude's song about cleaning a computer fan is more clever-clever-clever than that junk by Ms. Swift |
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Sept 18, 2012 20:31:45 GMT -5
I understand what Rob is saying but like Erik said, she's going on 23 not 12 or 13... Somebody is encouraging "those (ahem) songs." and it's working for her, so she's probably more than happy to go along with it. What gets me, is Taylor seems like a very mature and professional young lady, probably moreso than most 23 yr olds.. and she's dated some older guys.. men.. so she's been around. I'm not buying the cutsie act.. She's gonna milk it for as long as she can.. mark my word.. lol
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Sept 18, 2012 21:26:38 GMT -5
Quote by dianna:
I've no reason to doubt all this. Image-wise and business-wise, it's working right now; and all those relationships she's had with all those guys have provided her with good fodder for songs. And yet there will come a time and a place when people are going to start wondering whether she's got anything else in the tank, so to speak.
Maybe some of the criticism about Taylor is over-the-top, and probably based on jealousy that someone as young as her got to be so big so fast. But even before she was "Swiftboated" by Kanye West at the 2009 VMAs, there were issues people were having about her abilities as a vocalist, and how much she was supposedly using Autotune. These aren't issues of personal jealousy or envy, they are real questions about talent. And until she answers them for real with something other than "Mean", or whatever else she comes up with in the future, people are going to keep asking those questions (IMHO).
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Sept 18, 2012 22:35:42 GMT -5
And that's just it.. It isn't envy or anything like that.. age didn't matter with people like Stevie Wonder. Michael Jackson or Linda. I think what is more irritating or confusing is perhaps , are the artists we see everyday with actual talent, who we feel are deserving and should be heard, don't get the attention and recognition that they do deserve...but then other's do (the ones I mentioned) I've decided there is no way to figure this out.. what's that saying you have.. about going broke and the american people? lol
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Sept 18, 2012 22:37:20 GMT -5
"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.--H.L. Mencken.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Sept 22, 2012 13:54:29 GMT -5
Seriously, I think A lot of her appeal is how positive and happy she seems to be. Contrary to a more serious, deeper or cynical artist, younger kids like and identify with that.. it gives them hope and they're gonna need it further on down the road. lol
|
|
|
|
Post by erik on Sept 22, 2012 18:41:49 GMT -5
Her being positive and happy isn't really a problem with me. But there are still the serious issues with the voice, issues that she needs to address, and fast (IMHO).
|
|
