When Kanye West jumped the stage at the MTV Music Awards, fans and artists united against the guy; jumping to Taylor Swift’s defense. After all, that was just uncalled for…didn’t matter who it was. However, when Taylor hits a bum note or falls a little flat, suddenly everyone has the right to say absolutely mean and hateful things. It doesn’t matter if lots of artists have the unfortunate reality of ‘live show = sound bad’ syndrome. Darius Rucker has been known to sound not-so-great on tv but sounds AMAZING live, Lady Antebellum is often having ‘monitor’ issues and can’t seem to find the harmony, even die-hard Rascal Flatts fans admit to their inability to pull-off an award show performance seamlessly. No one dawgs on any of them consistently, probably because record sales and their success vindicates them. However, for some reason when the singer is Taylor Swift….let the flood gates open and tear her a new one…. There is a great article on MTV.com that pretty much hits the nail on the head as to why people feel free to hate on T-Swizzle.
Still, I’m sort of amazed at the acrimony with which Swift is being assaulted. Yes, I’m aware that the Internet has much to do with it … after all, it provides not only the stage but the secure blanket of anonymity. The allure of the “comment” box is that it allows you to say the nastiest things imaginable — things you would never dream of saying directly to someone — without fear of direct retribution. And yes, I’m aware of the fact that negativity and pettiness are the cultural currency of the day, that they drive page views and sell magazines, and that we are all competing to see who can get to the bottom the fastest.
And, like I said, all of this seems a bit, well, harsh. After all, what, exactly, is Taylor Swift’s biggest sin? Faux earnestness? Bum notes on national TV? The fact that she’s sold a whole lot of records and now gets to reap the awards? I suppose it’s all of those things, though none of them seem to be all that important.
As the awards began to pile up, she went from the underdog to the over-dog. She became just another celebrity,” Entertainment Weekly music critic Leah Greenblatt told me on Tuesday (February 2). “And the cycle of celebrity, it will always come back to a takedown. Some people are mad because she seems too perfect. Some people are mad at her for dumping Jacob from ‘New Moon.’ And a lot of people are mad because she wiffed so hard with Stevie Nicks at the Grammys.
So yes, while Swift’s performance didn’t go that well, it still doesn’t mean that she deserves the sheer amount of hatred she’s getting. So what if she had an off performance? So what if she won a boatload of awards? Her Fearless album (not to mention her self-titled debut) has been among the very few bright spots in the music industry over the past few years, and these awards are given out by that same industry. Swift deserves the accolades. She’s earned them.
But, like I said, all of this was probably inevitable. We live to knock people down, and it’s just Swift’s turn to take her lumps. It’s already happened to the likes of Madonna, Britney and Beyoncé, not to mention her fellow country acts like Shania Twain and Faith Hill. It’s been going on for decades, if not centuries, now. It’s just part of the game.
Still, it doesn’t make it fair. I’ll be the first to take someone down if the situation warrants it, and while Swift may have tiptoed that line, she hasn’t fallen over. People are hating on her because she is popular, because she wins awards, and, yes, because she had an off performance on “music’s biggest night.” But keep in mind that she is still just 20 years old. I get the feeling there’s genuine greatness in her future — she’s just got to get through this part, and let it all come out.
I am apparently one of the few who ‘get Taylor.’ I mean…gasp…I’m a Keith Urban fan…gasp…I think Carrie Underwood is a freaking amazing singer…GASP!!! WHAT? I’m a fan of other people but still a Taylor Swift Fan?!?!?!? How can I be a fan of someone who’s ripping awards away from the people I like…Um…maybe because she’s not. Taylor isn’t signing her name on the dotted line for Entertainer of the Year Winner before anyone else….People voted…People who probably know far more than you and me. For instance…I don’t like Kenny Chesney….I don’t think he’s a great…hmm…well…anything….But he’s doing something right and making lots of money. It may or may not have something to do with the amount of beer people consume while listening to him, but oh well. Just because he’s taking a year off doesn’t mean that suddenly Keith Urban is gonna get his retribution. There is more to the game than that.
Whether you’re a fan or not…whether you think Taylor can sing or not…You can’t deny that she’s got ‘something’ that the other’s don’t have. Maybe it’s her ability to entertain a mass of 15,000 people ranging in age from 3-60…maybe it’s her ability to capture the feelings of an adolescent girl going through tough times and deliver it with feeling and emotion….Feelings and talent don’t always have to come with the sweetest sound. The girl writes every freakin song on her album…Many of the best singers are just starting to dabble in their songwriting like Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. Some of the worlds most well known singers and artists weren’t fantastic vocalists…Neil Young and Bob Dylan…but talent is talent. Should Taylor be winning vocalist awards…probably not, but everything else is she’s earned. Now, do I think Taylor is a terrible singer…No. I’ve seen her show…seen her all stripped down at the Opry…The voice is there. Maybe not technically perfect like Carrie’s or Martina’s…but it’s there. It’s raw, and it shows the emotions that her songs bring out.
You can read the full article at MTV.com. It’s long but it’s worth it, and it makes some valid points. Although, if you’re one of the haters; it’s not going to matter anyway. You’ll still find a good enough reason to fly off at the mouth and spout things you’d never say in front of your momma in fear of getting a bar of soap shoved in there. Thank got for avatars and handles to protect your identity.
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
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I think people need to realize that what you say online is being read. I think people like to hide behind their computers and don’t think anyone will really read what they are saying. Times have changed. The Garth Books, Reba McEntires and such may not get online to read what people are saying but the new generation of music artists do. It’s part of their job now. You shouldn’t say anything on a website or online that you wouldn’t get up and say in a room full of people with that artists standing up on the stage listening.
I ended up seeing Taylor several times this past summer because she opened for Keith at a bunch of his shows that I attended. I will admit that I have both of Taylor’s CDs. I think she’s a great songwriter and she also sings very well on both of those CDs. I don’t think that Taylor has much stage presence yet. Whoever is coaching her on how to act is going about it wrong, as far as I’m concerned.
To me (and maybe only to me) she comes across as very fake and ridiculously humble. I’ve probably caught about 10 of her shows since she first came onto the country music scene and I thought she was absolutely adorable the first few times, way back in 07 maybe… now it’s painful to watch her try to hit the notes that are completely elusive to her. I actually left during one of her sets in August.
The thing is, I want to like her. She’s very self-possessed and does a great job during interviews coming across as down to earth and normal. It’s when she gets on stage, flips her hair around. And around. And around, that it seems like she’s just trying too hard. She needs to get back to her roots and stop the flashiness because it takes away from her music, which is actually really good.
The point is – should she win vocal awards? The article says “probably not”. And yet she has. Writing is a gift – good for her. If you’re going to point the finger then the Grammy’s wasn’t her first time singing on an award show where she had pitch problems. Every award show she’s sung at – she has had pitch problems. Some major problems. Just because she writes every song on her albums – so what. If that were the case for everyone then a lot of songwriters would be out of work. They know their strength and it’s writing. Technology has changed the way awards are giving out but maybe that’s the problem. Maybe popularity shouldn’t count or maybe popularity is a new category. (People’s Choice Awards?) Music greatness should be rewarded and if you sit in a studio and use technology to make you sound good – then when you sing live and show the world how you really sound, maybe you deserve the criticism you receive.
Amen! Thank you!
No she probably shouldn’t win vocal awards…especially when put next to the likes of Carrie and Martina. BUT then fans shouldn’t vote for her then. And when it’s not up to the fans it’s up to the industry people. HATE THEM not Taylor. The point is many do love her. Her live shows sell out in minutes and I don’t think there is anything wrong with her riding it out as long as the fans will allow her to. I think the main part of the article is that people were being hateful. If you don’t like her don’t buy her CD’s and don’t go see the show. If everyone does that she WILL HAVE TO GO AWAY. BUT if they fans keep buying up Taylor stuff the way they are SHE WILL STAY around as long as you let her. There is no need to say hateful things. I stand by my earlier comment. Don’t hide behind your computer and say hateful things. You shouldn’t say anything online that you wouldn’t stand up and say in a room full of people with that artists standing on stage listening to you. Just show a little class and respect. That’s all.
“Whether you’re a fan or not…whether you think Taylor can sing or not…You can’t deny that she’s got ’something’ that the other’s don’t have. Maybe it’s her ability to entertain a mass of 15,000 people ranging in age from 3-60″
She has SOMETHING…and that is a marketing machine and radio support. That is what mainstream pop/country has become and that is what the labels and the machines that are Cumulus and Clear Channel TELL the masses to like.
Is it a matter of exposure. How is the world supposed to know that people like Bonnie Bishop and Wade Bowen exist if the machine doesn’t expose them to the masses? Those are just TWO of MANY examples of artists out there who play/sing/write music the way it used to be done
It is nothing more than appealing to the least common denominator. Radio Stations have 18 song playlists so an independent artists who is coming up has ZERO chance of getting played or getting an of that exposure. But if you put Talyor Swift up next to one of these AMAZING songwriters/Vocalists, she’d lose in a landslide in all categories.
There are SO MANY incredible, and I mean “INCREDIBLE” artists out there writing and singing songs that are superior in SO many ways than what you hear on Top 40 radio every day. People with stunning vocals, mastery of an instrument (not just holding and strumming), and masters at the craft of songwriting.
The public gets their cue from what they hear on the radio. THAT is what they are exposed to. If you are only exposed to a small subset of what exists, then you can’t really make any realistic comparisons.
For me is isn’t about hatefulness…it is simply that the public isn’t treated to the great artists out there on an equitable basis. The only way you get played on the radio is if you are on the approved playlist that the corporation LET’s you play. And those lists get smaller and smaller all the time. Why do you think you hear the latest song from Tim/Faith/Kenny/Taylor so many times a day? because it is SO great that the fans are demanding it be played over and over? Hardly…it is because the list is often less than 20 songs that are allowed to be played, and the big label darlings are the ones on the list.
So are those label acts really that much better at drawing crowds, selling merch, or writing songs? Doubtful. It is “awareness” and not everyone is allowed to play on the same field.
So until fans understand that there is amazingly good alternatives out there, and SEEK it OUT, no one will ever demand it, and radio/labels will be telling you what is “good.”
I used to be a HUGE Taylor fan… Right around CMA Fest time this past year, I sort of grew bored of her. It’s not like a know her personally,obvs, but I just think she has changed BIG TIME, from the days when she opened up for artists like Brad and RF. I give her credit for writing her own music and playing her own instruments, however… winning vocal awards? Come on! Yes, many artists have their days where they don’t sound so hot. I am a HUGE RF fan, and I recall a performance they did with Jamie Fox that sounded awful. I am also a huge Lady A’er fan, and Ms. Hillary can be a bit pitchy at times, but for the most part, RF and Lady A sound great live in person, and during live tv performances…
Taylor should spend less time worrying about looking shocked and humbled, and more time working on her live voice. I want to like her again, I really do. Her music has helped me through many a heartache. However, I think her popularity has gotten to her head over the last year. After winning every possible award in music entertainment in 2009, was she really that shocked about winning a grammy, particularly her 3rd, and then 4th of the night? The only one I feel she deserved was best country song (or whatever the category is for song writing). What peeved me the most was her acceptance speech for album of the year. She failed to thank her fellow nominees which is standard practice, especiallyyyyy for that category!!! Shame on her lol… Okay, enough with the hating. I used to love Taylor, and I hope there comes a day when I can love her again. Girl is talented, just needs to work on her live performance, and her “humble” attitude.
PS for the record, everything I have said on here, on twitter, and on other sites, I would say to her face. I tweeted many messages to her during grammy night. Not sure if she actually reads them, but if she does, maybe she’ll turn my somewhat negative comments into a positive, and work on her live performances. Then everybody wins lol
Todd I pass you a virtual drink and say Cheers! You put it perfectly.
Taylor has a butt load of money being thrown behind her. She has people making sure she is getting the air time. Down fall to that it makes MANY people feel like she is being forced on us. The more they force the more “hate” you’re going to see. It has happened to countless others.
Taylor’s vocal problems cant be blammed on awards show and cant be compared to other artists award show vocal problems, they arent the same. Lady A (and others) can sing, Taylor cant. She has a HORRIBLE voice and wouldnt know pitch if it smacked her in the face. Anytime she tries to sing she sounds horrible. Awards shows, concerts, tv apperances doesnt matter she sucks. Put me face to face with Taylor and I will tell her I believe her voice sucks and I’d even tell her to stop writing cause I think her songs suck too. It’s not hate, I dont like her music and I dont have to, and why the hell should I sugar coat it and pretend? Just to blow smoke? Would me telling Taylor any of that matter? No Im just one person. I cant help but wonder had she walked in front of the American Idol judges (simon in particular) what they would have said.
Her mannerisms are my biggest beef with her. Enough already with the surprise, enough already with the hair flipping, enough already with the cutsie, act like the grown woman you are, not the teenager you still want us to think you are.
I am sorry, Taylor is a great songwritwer, but vocally she has major issues, I am only surprised that it has taken this long to become evident. This is not the first televised performance of hers that has been questionable, people seem very willing to overlook the issue because she is a “good girl” but that camn only get u so far
I like Taylor Swift primarily because she writes her own songs. How many of todays Country music stars do that? And if I could sing as well as her I’d be delighted. Everybody needs to get over their jealousy of this talented young woman and go and do something useful instead.
Ya know, I hate Carrie Underwood’s voice and guess what? I don’t listen to it. If she comes on the radio I turn it down for a few minutes or leave the room. Nobody is forcing anybody to listen to Taylor and so if you don’t like her, just move on.
I own a Keith Urban fan site and started to hate everything about him that wasn’t about the music and so guess what I did? I stopped going to the site.
Look, people, it’s not hard. Really it isn’t. Just move on.
Thanks CMTT, you are the best Country Music blog. Keep up the great work.
I would tell anyone – to their face – exactly what I write because it is my opinion.
People don’t like being decieved. She is suppose to be a singer. Now people realize that is not real. It is all manufactured, manipulated, fake. Now her people are saying that the fact she can’t sing makes her even more real and interesting. Oh, the spin! People that love her no matter what, still do. People that hate her no matter what, still do. But everyone else was probably alittle put off, or couldn’t care less either way.
Metrostar- First let me list for you the country music stars that write their own shit:
Keith Urban
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Blake Shelton
Martina McBride
Kenny Chesney
Lady A
Brooks and Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Gary Allan
Montgomery Gentry
Jewel
John Rich
Dierks
Little Big Town
Kellie Pickler
I really could go on and on and on, most of the big stars do write their own music. Their cds may not contain only songs written by them, but being a songwriter does not make Taylor special and I dont know why people insist it does. The world is full of amazing songwriters.
Jealous? Of Taylor Swift? Please that is just an insult, just because people do not like her, and just because people think she cant sing does not make them jealous, it makes them have a feeling caused by her music, isnt that what music is supposed to do evoke a feeling? I dont listen to her music, when she’s on the radio I do change the station, sometimes it’s hard to find a station to listen to because she’s overplayed on so many, but that doesnt mean I cant talk with others about how I feel about her. The way Taylor is marketed does come off as being forced to listen to her, or hear about her, or see her. She’s EVERYWHERE it’s often hard to avoid her.
Just clear one thing up for me, you owned a Keith Urban site, started to hate everything about except for his music, which I dont understand how you hate anything about someone you dont even know, plus his music, CAUSE HE WRITES IT, is him. SO anyway you hate everything (except for the music he makes) about someone you dont know own a website about said person and stop going to your own website?
There is nothing wrong with people calling out Taylor for the fraud she is. Like someone else said I just dont know why it took this long. It’s not like she just started to suck Sunday, she has since she hit the scene.
I agree with several things both in the article and in the comments posted above me. Taylor is a great songwriter. I also like her voice. I saw her in concert in November and she was great. Entertaining, energetic, everything I could ask for out of a live show.
People say she’s not a “vocalist.” But isn’t that opinion? I don’t believe that Kenny Chesney or Brad Paisley are great “vocalists” but I believe that they are great entertainers. To me, the real issue is what you are looking for in your music. I like the words to mean something. That’s more important to me than a perfect harmony.
As far as awards shows, they all seem to be rigged these days. I don’t know how things are chosen, but I rarely agree with who wins what. But that’s my opinion, isn’t it? Many people will disagree with my choices, and that is their right. I just don’t look at awards anymore as a way to class an artist. X won 15 Grammys? Great, but to me that doesn’t tell me they are worth listening to.
Radio? I hate radio! They play the same (mostly bad) songs on repeat. Often, the same time every day (or at least the same hour). I find new music on the internet, through news articles or blogs, and I put them on my iPod on shuffle. It is easy to believe that people feel Taylor is “forced” on them. I feel Kenny Chesney (and many others are) are. I streamed radio on my computer the other day, and they played KC every 30 minutes. That was 6 songs in 3 hours. If I wanted to listen to that much Kenny, I’d put on his CD. Too much of something you don’t LOVE is too much. I get that. But, nobody says you have to listen to the radio. There are other options out there.
I just wish people would respect others more. Whether it’s a different taste in music or anything, for that matter. We are all going to like different things. That’s what’s great about country music these days. There really is something out there for everyone. We should be rejoicing in that, not trying to tear it apart.
Sara, Taylor writes ALL her own lyrics, most of the people on your list do not. Name one song on Keith Urban’s last album that he wrote all the lyrics to?
I don’t hate anything about Keith Urban’s private life, I just hate reading about it. Sorry I didn’t make that clear.
Country Girl is EXACTLY right; do people think others don’t read what they say ever? The younger generation logs into their own myspaces, browses the web when they can’t sleep, even looks at blogs like these. So when you sit there and rip someone apart because you assume they won’t even see it – think again.
And I agree with EVERY WORD that was said here, how would the rest of you feel if you had one off-day in your profession and the entire world picked on you for it? If there’s a single person who can tell me they haven’t had an off-day at their job; lawyers, ever messed up a file? Cashiers, ever counted the wrong change one day? Does that mean you’re horrible and a failure at your job and deserve to be ridiculed and ripped apart mercilessly by strangers who don’t even know you? All you haters need to think before you open your mouths and treat someone in a way you’d never want to be treated.
Thank you, CMTT, for making this post and saying everything I was thinking!
-Belle
Great article.
I am just so sick of seeing people complain about what’s not in their control. If someone “deserved” to win, guess what? They would. There is nothing you can do about it so instead of filling the world with negative energy, do something postive.
Well…I read what you had to say and I couldn’t disagree with you more. Taylor’s father had a lot to do with getting her in the business. I have read every excuse in the book when she sang live..she was tired, she had mike problems, she was sick…how about she can’t carry a tune. Call it what it is…the girl can’t sing. I thought my ears were bleeding when she did her sing speak with Stevie Nicks. It’s about time writers actually recognized the fact that she cannot sing. She should be grateful to Kanye West for her winnings…it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
thank god someone is speaking up about this
This was some interesting reading defending & not defending Taylor. Big Machine Records is riding this cash gravy train as long as they can & will give the off pitch singer who is NON country everything she wants…they do not care that she is not a singer. But what about the other artist’s on their label? Oh wait>>> Do they even have any? Ha Ha
She is a good role model for the young girls on that I will commend; BUT her little cutesy act is old & her voice is even WORSE..I have seen her live before only cause she was opening for others & walked out every time but sadly was still able to hear her from the lobby etc.
I DO NOT hate this young lady; but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…the world is going on a Taylor crash course & we want to get off…
First of all, I personally don’t believe anyone has posted anything particularly nasty about Taylor. Every criticism I’ve seen or read about her almost always pertains to her voice, performance, or writing skills. I think that crticizing an artist for a particular flaw is apropriate, espeically if it appears time and time again from both crtics and music fans. That being said, I think it’s extremely disgusting for anyone to go after Taylor (or any artist) for the type of person they chose to be outside of fame.
Taylor is one of the only entertainers in recent memory that has stayed true to herself, her values, and how she treats her fans. It’s obvious that her music is the soundtrack to the lives of many girls going through young love, and I think a large part of her appeal lies in the fact that she is real- from her songs, to her personalilty, to her staqe shows and live performances, everything you see is 100% authentic Taylor.
Though I still hold respect for Taylor the individual, I lost every ounce of respect for Taylor the artist after her horrifying “performances” at the Grammy’s. As a music fan, I’m more than a little ashamed that Taylor is our central “star” right now, and even more embarassed that she was chosen to show the entire music community and millions of music fans how little maturity and talent you have to be on top. In maturity, I’m not talking about Taylor the individual, but the artist.
Yes, I realize she’s young, and still has many years to grow as a writer. However, look at artists like Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Leann Rimes and several others; they all wrote mature adult material, and proved that you can still be a young talent without having to resort to the old “my boyfrend cheated/princesses and princes/ white horse and knight” gig that Taylor reycycles over and over.
I’m also not impressed with Taylor’s recent singles that she has co-wrote herself. I was scicerely hoping that she would step out of her typical box of young relationship material,and I was a bit surprised, even a little disapointed, that she didn’t deliver. Taylor is almost 20 years old, but she’s still writing and performing songs that a 12-16 year old would write (ie. “Jump Then Fall” and “Today Was A Fairytale,” both written and released this year). The only song that has given a tiny glimmer of hope is “Fifteen,” and that’s probably a big reason I was not impressed with her follow up singles. How can she write her most mature and introspective song at fifteen, then take a huge step backward three years later? Doesn’t seem promising to me.
People keep repeating that Taylor will improve as a vocalist with age, but recent evidence does not suggest that at all. Sure, she can perform “Fifteen,” “White Horse” and “Tim McGraw at a decent level, but considering that’s only three songs out of the dozens on her albums, on top of the hundereds she has already written, those are not good odds for giving a good vocal performance. What really puzzles me is that Taylor writes so much of her own music, meaning she knows the chords, lyrics, and every part inside out, but yet she still cannot manage to perform her own material live. Either she doesn’t know her range, or she thinks she can overeach much farther as a vocalist than she is able to in reality. Neither of these reasons look promising, especially when you consider the fact that Taylor started independently writing her own songs well before she was a teenager. I don’t see much improvement as a vocalist, because I honestly don’t believe she was born witb the talent. She would’ve improved at least a little bit by now if that was the case.
As for the awards? I realize her winning so many is not in her control, but I think the “lets shower Taylor with praise and awards just because she appeals to teenagers and sells a lot of albums business” is ridculous. She doesn’t deserve vocalist awards, and certaintly not over the likes of Carrie, Miranda, Beyonce, Pink, and dozens of other music industry artists. Sure, maybe she deserves to win over some artists in her own genre, but I wholeheartdly believe that she does not deserve awards that make her out to be “the best of the best” when there are clearly dozens of artists who are better singers, writers, and overall artists than she. Taylor is a teenager, and she was probably the one artist in that room who has the most overall growth to do; it only becomes more obvious when you compare her peers.
And also, I really don’t see a point in comparing her to other artists. I can’t say much for Lady A after hearing their new album, and I was actually surprised when I heard her struggle on Elllen a few weeks ago. However, I think she is capable enough, especially when her and Charels harmonize togther; they are thought of as a group with collective strengths that outweigh the negative when they perform together, in my opion.
I know Gary gets a ton of flack for not being a great vocalist, but again, I think the bad outweighs the good here. He is a better vocalist than Taylor, and it helps that he knows what fits his range, especially live. He can pull of “Bless The Broken Road, “Why,” “These Days,” and several others depending on the setting. He sounded awesome singing “Prayin For Daylight acoustically live a few weeks ago. These guys are also excellent performers- they don’t put on a cheesy fairytale show. They pull out all the stops- everything from explosions to guitar and fiddle “battles” to video screens and solos and showcases by Gary, Jay and Joe Don. They mix it up and play clasics that are usually not peformed by country bands (“Sweet Child O Mine,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” and they even threw in a short snipet of “Dontcha” by the Pussycat D olls a few years ago. All three of them are writers, producers, performers, and capable enough singers who know to cut excellent material to make up for shortcomings (“What Hurts The Most,” “She Goes All The Way, “Like I Am,” “My Worst Fear, “These Days, “I Melt,” “Everyday, “Bless The Broken Road.”)
Anyway, my larger point is that I believe Taylor could take a cue from others, especially RF. If you’re not a singer with a big range, pick songs that you can perform live. If you’re not a great vocalist, put on an unpredictable stage show that people can’t get at home; go ahead, throw in some rock covers and fire! Expand your horizons by producing and writing for others; a little growth can create great surprises. Cut timeless songs that people will remember; even if you’re not a great vocalists, chances are people will still remember the song ten years later.
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Metro- On the Fearless cd Taylor wrote 7 on her own and COWROTE 6 songs. On her debut cd she COWROTE all but three of songs. So your claim she writes ALL her own lyrics is wrong, she doesnt. On Keith Urbans most recent cd Defying Gravity he wrote or co-wrote 8 of the 10 tracks. (I say 10 because one was a cover) And he WROTE all by himself Why’s it feel so long off his most recent cd. On his previous cd he wrote or cowrote all but three of the tracks, Writing, FOUR of the tracks all by himself. Other people do it too, hence the reason I say it’s no big deal Taylor does it.
Hokie- I agree with you awards mean nothing to me, and I cant stand radio either, I prefer a cd or my ipod any day of the week over the radio. As for her not being a vocalist no that is not an opinion. Saying I don’t like the sound of her voice is an opinion, saying she was off key, she doesnt know pitch, she cant carry a tune those are all facts about her vocal ability or lack thereof.
Belle honey she didnt have ONE BAD DAY, an off day, she lacks in the singing category, can I sing better no, and I wouldnt try and I would want people to be honest with me and tell me, Hey you really shouldnt sing it isnt very good. I again ask why would I blow smoke up her butt and tell her she’s good when she’s not. That is pointless and does more harm in the end. She is a prime example all this time people have been praising her and now people are starting to say hey maybe she isnt that good after all, that has got to hurt more than if someone would have said it right away.
K your last statement is the best. Cut timeless songs, Taylor is not timeless, she’s on borrowed time and it’s running out faster than I thought.
Taylor’s awful performance on the Grammy’s was just ONE of MANY…she did not have an “off” night; it is just the way she sings that is off NO MATTER where or when she performs. I do not much like to compare but if you match voice’s her talent is NO where near Miranda, Martina, Trisha Y, Beyonce and on and on. She is star right now but will fade into the Universe when people tire of her which looks like it is on the path to that. Big Machine found a $$$ maker & if you think they will let her go anytime soon that is a mistake in thinking….they act like they do not have any other artist’s on their label; now that is sad.
I am NOT saying Taylor is a bad person; I personally do not know her, but her “Oh I am cute” ways are growing old and losing it’s charm. I hope she has socked away some good $$$ for her future…I just want to be able to turn on the radio in the morning and hear some REAL country singers for change, ones who can ACTUALLY sing.
Taylor has reason to feel very proud of her talent. And it is perfectly understandable that because of her youth, she has not handled all the accolades well .
BUT the reality is this–she has to grow up. She should be reminded that there are countless people out there who are just as talented as she who haven’t gotten the breaks she has. There are artists who work for years and years, not knowing if they will ever reach a fraction of the success she has enjoyed. Most will give up without ever making it. Their fans will understandably become irritated by the excessive promotion of some “more marketable” artists over others whom they admire and find equally or more deserving.
Maybe it is a more mature understanding of what’s going on with the haters that will bring Taylor back down to earth. She is a little like Obama in that she has risen so high and so fast that it became really difficult to stay grounded and to not allow herself to float away on a cloud of hero worship.
I want to like Taylor Swift. I really do. In fact, I used to be a fan. It’s just overkill at the moment. I never have and never will “hate” her. That is such a strong word and, really, hate is completely unnecessary. I believe there is room for everyone in the music business — yes, Taylor included. However, I get extremely tired of people saying “she’s young, give her a break” when she has an off-night. She’s NOT a little girl anymore. She’s not the naive 16 year old she was when she came on the scene. People would never have defended Britney Spears, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, etc. when they were 20 (which wasn’t that long ago). I just feel like Taylor gets special treatment because she acts like she’s still 16, so people still look at her that way. I don’t know…that’s just what I think. But the point is that she doesn’t deserve some of the truly hateful things that have been said about her. Sure, there are a LOT of better singers out there, but no human being deserves to be disrespected to the point in which she has been at times. I just think people are on major Taylor overload right now and can’t stand looking at/listening to her, so they’re tearing apart every little thing about her and trying to find something negative.
Sara, if you really believe that “Co written by” means that Keith Urban has written the words to a song, you are living in a dream world. “Co written by” means that he had a hand in the music and probably not even all of it. He’s a great guitarist and he can sing almost as well as Taylor Swift.
What he isn’t is a great songwriter. And this is so tiresome I am not going to bother coming back. Taylor is GREAT in my opinion and nothing anyone can say will ever change that. The quality of her writing is such that she WILL become one of the greatest writers America has ever produced. She is a legend in the making, just like another great songwriter called Bob Dylan. Legend. And have you heard him sing??? 
Taylor is an overpublicized, songwriter whot cannot sing. She can flip her hair and twirl around and influence the teeny boppers, but she cannot carry a tune. I bet the voice coaches in America are rushing to her record label to offer their services.
Just in case you come back Metro, I’ve heard Bob Dylan.
“The quality of her writing is such that she WILL become one of the greatest writers America has ever produced. She is a legend in the making, just like another great songwriter called Bob Dylan.”
And on that note…I am out. You have just disqualified yourself from sensible discussion on the topic. I am hoping you aren’t serious about that. If you are, then it just speaks to the sad state of “popular” music, and more specifically to the unfortunate situation that country music finds itself in.
At least we still have Lee Ann Womack out there to crank out “country” music.
Do yourself a favor and try to find out more about some of the hard working singer songrwiters out there who AREN’T part of the current label system or marketing machines, yet write some of the most amazing songs, and perform them with the raw talent and passion that only God-given talent blesses one to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGCo3vrhi20&feature=related
Oh Todd how right you are. I didnt even know what to say to Metro after the comment about Bob Dylan. Guess it doesnt matter since he’s not coming back….
Stop the hate, stop dissing. Taylor is okay, to me not every singer sounds amazing live. But she really have ‘something’ that make people want to listen to her. She have this kind of connection to her fans that make them feel better and help them getting over heartache or something. Alright people, support the ones you like and stop dissing others you don’t like it’s just that simple.