She's a great little pop star, and sometimes that's all you need to be.
This.
I always feel like people just go to extremes with her, either they're over-inflating her prowess as a songwriter or completely underplaying just how hard she works at what she does and her ear for a solid tune. Her lyrics are neither exceptionally profound nor as rubbish as people would like them to be. I've found her diary-like lyrics to be quite cloying in the past, and apart from some really exceptional songs e.g. All Too Well, it's just been really detailed metaphor that does nothing for me. I think on 1989 she's finding a really good balance with using metaphors that are simple and relatable (Blank Space, Clean, New Romantics - come to mind as really strong examples of this) and honing in on catchy hooks and a sound that fits right into current trends (as many critics have noted that she borrows quite liberally from her peers, Lorde, Lana etc.).
This is a good pop album, that's all. It's not trying to be anything more or less than that.
I always feel like people just go to extremes with her, either they're over-inflating her prowess as a songwriter or completely underplaying just how hard she works at what she does and her ear for a solid tune. Her lyrics are neither exceptionally profound nor as rubbish as people would like them to be. I've found her diary-like lyrics to be quite cloying in the past, and apart from some really exceptional songs e.g. All Too Well, it's just been really detailed metaphor that does nothing for me. I think on 1989 she's finding a really good balance with using metaphors that are simple and relatable (Blank Space, Clean, New Romantics - come to mind as really strong examples of this) and honing in on catchy hooks and a sound that fits right into current trends (as many critics have noted that she borrows quite liberally from her peers, Lorde, Lana etc.).
This is a good pop album, that's all. It's not trying to be anything more or less than that.
I am not a huge fan of taylor, but her new album is great! It deserves the success its getting. Plus, she seems like a nice girl.
Why are people surprised she's the biggest album seller in the us, and she may beat Britneys 14 year record. But does that mean she's as talented as people make out it she deserves the praise she gets no. She writes average songs songs with San average voice and had a personality akin to watching paint dry.
Why are people surprised she's the biggest album seller in the us, and she may beat Britneys 14 year record. But does that mean she's as talented as people make out it she deserves the praise she gets no. She writes average songs songs with San average voice and had a personality akin to watching paint dry.
Exactly. She's in her 20s and yet all her songs sound like a 12 year old girl's diary? They're dreadful. The only song of hers I found remotely worth listening to is I Knew You Were Trouble. I do wonder who she appeals to. Does she appeal to the teen market?
She's got a bit big for her boots. Apparently, she thinks she's too good to upload her album on Spotify
Its her album, she can upload it wherever she likes.
I never thought I'd ever find myself listening to a Taylor Swift album but I was listening to 1989 in the car on Monday and found myself actually enjoying it. This is on ration at the moment with the Run The Jewels, Objekt, Grouper and Ex Hex albums.
Her songwriting isn't incredible at all. Not anymore
Uh oh!
I don't know about you
But I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright
If you keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright
If we just keep dancing like we're
22, ooh-ooh
22, ooh-ooh
Or
We are never ever ever getting back together,
We are never ever ever getting back together,
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together
Or
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
and many more.
That's is not incredible songwriting at all. Hardly a lyrical genius.
Carole King (one of the greatest female songwriters of all time) is what you call an incredible songwriter. Not taylor swift. She can sing though, that's all i will praise her for.
To be fair most lyrics looks rubbish if you just read them with no music. You see lyrics are written to fit in with the music. So actually she is a good songwriter because her songs are catchy and she writes them herself.
"Stand up beside the fireplace, take that look from off your face".
I take it Noel Gallagher is a crap songwriter because this doesn't sound profound.
She's got a bit big for her boots. Apparently, she thinks she's too good to upload her album on Spotify
I think it's good she's done that as it gives the people who see value in her music enough to pay for it aka the fans first chance to listen to it. Any move that preserves the value of music and puts fans first is good by me.
I do disagree with Little-Monster though. The songs highlighted weren't meant to be lyrical masterpieces, they were meant to be hit singles. A lot of her album tracks are better examples of her knack for lyricism.
Oh come on, I realise it's just out but how many times have you seen albums go for 99p? It's hardly buying an album is it. An invisible music collection but I have to give people that buy invisible digital music come credit. They are willing to money for what most get free on a Google search. It's not buying an album though.
Albums are physical. And 1989 will be released on LP in December.
Unless I'm missing something, when was her album available for 99p? And it's already on sale in physical form?
I will repeat something I wrote to my friend who is a huge Taylor fan but is hugely disappointed about the pop route:
Her new album is great, even if it is pop. This isn't drastically different than Red, that album was more pop than country so I don't know why so many are shocked by her decision. There are songs like Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, How You Get The Girl and You Are In Love which could have easily been on Red, those songs aren't so different. However, even if the songs like Blank Space and I Know Places which are melodically very different, they are lyrically still very interesting and strong, especially Blank Spaces because she basically makes fun of the media and the image she has (writing about ex-boyfriends).
My point is, this is still Taylor, even if she changed her style because most of her songs are still lyrically interesting and strong - I mean, You Are In Love is a beautiful love song. In fact, ONLY Shake It Off is catchy fun pop song, the rest is more deeper than that.
Also, who cares if the songs are about Harry Styles? Some people are really too worked up about it. She always wrote songs about her ex-boyfriends, nothing new about that. I actually think only Out Of The Woods and Style are directly about him. However, I always hated that people analyzed her songs just so they could figure about who is the song about - it doesn't matter whom the song is about, not really.
Honestly, if people could just ignore the fact that she went from country to pop, they would see it is a very good album. It actually annoys me that many are acting like she did some crime just because she went pop. So what? She has the right to do so, its obviously something she wanted to do for a while since Red was more pop and country anyway. Artist has the right to do what he/she wants, who says she will never do country again? People are just exaggerating, she still is making good music even if it isn't country.
I also commend her for truly embracing the 80s sound. Because when I heard Shake It Off, I was thinking she doesn't know what she is talking about if she thinks this represents 80s music. But truly, every other song in its melody is heavily influenced by 80s music. In fact, this album is more cohesive and consistent than Red, everything is put together nicely.
This is not country, BUT I will defend Taylor on her decision because she still made good music. At least this time she said she is going pop, unlike Red which was a mixture, but it was mostly pop.
If people would just ignore for a second she changed her musical style - its hard to deny this is actually a great pop album, even the critics are loving it. She obviously wanted to do this for a while, so fair play to her.
The same thing happened to Pink, she has done a different kind of album with a very good friend and yet there are many comments where people are moaning that this isn't her or that Dallas Green doesn't need Pink. Give me a break, they wanted to do this, so why not? Every artist should do what he/she feels its right at the time. I'd rather respect an artist who does something with energy and passion than an artist who is not enjoying what he/she does because it is expected of that artist. Some act like its blasphemy Taylor decided to go pop. Big deal, if the music is still good, it shouldn't matter.
I will repeat something I wrote to my friend who is a huge Taylor fan but is hugely disappointed about the pop route:
Her new album is great, even if it is pop. This isn't drastically different than Red, that album was more pop than country so I don't know why so many are shocked by her decision. There are songs like Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, How You Get The Girl and You Are In Love which could have easily been on Red, those songs aren't so different. However, even if the songs like Blank Space and I Know Places which are melodically very different, they are lyrically still very interesting and strong, especially Blank Spaces because she basically makes fun of the media and the image she has (writing about ex-boyfriends).
My point is, this is still Taylor, even if she changed her style because most of her songs are still lyrically interesting and strong - I mean, You Are In Love is a beautiful love song. In fact, ONLY Shake It Off is catchy fun pop song, the rest is more deeper than that.
Also, who cares if the songs are about Harry Styles? Some people are really too worked up about it. She always wrote songs about her ex-boyfriends, nothing new about that. I actually think only Out Of The Woods and Style are directly about him. However, I always hated that people analyzed her songs just so they could figure about who is the song about - it doesn't matter whom the song is about, not really.
Honestly, if people could just ignore the fact that she went from country to pop, they would see it is a very good album. It actually annoys me that many are acting like she did some crime just because she went pop. So what? She has the right to do so, its obviously something she wanted to do for a while since Red was more pop and country anyway. Artist has the right to do what he/she wants, who says she will never do country again? People are just exaggerating, she still is making good music even if it isn't country.
I also commend her for truly embracing the 80s sound. Because when I heard Shake It Off, I was thinking she doesn't know what she is talking about if she thinks this represents 80s music. But truly, every other song in its melody is heavily influenced by 80s music. In fact, this album is more cohesive and consistent than Red, everything is put together nicely.
This is not country, BUT I will defend Taylor on her decision because she still made good music. At least this time she said she is going pop, unlike Red which was a mixture, but it was mostly pop.
If people would just ignore for a second she changed her musical style - its hard to deny this is actually a great pop album, even the critics are loving it. She obviously wanted to do this for a while, so fair play to her.
The same thing happened to Pink, she has done a different kind of album with a very good friend and yet there are many comments where people are moaning that this isn't her or that Dallas Green doesn't need Pink. Give me a break, they wanted to do this, so why not? Every artist should do what he/she feels its right at the time. I'd rather respect an artist who does something with energy and passion than an artist who is not enjoying what he/she does because it is expected of that artist. Some act like its blasphemy Taylor decided to go pop. Big deal, if the music is still good, it shouldn't matter.
So what you are effectively saying is that, even though she has changed the style of music she plays, people who like country should still like the pop stuff, even though it is a completely different genre, which country fans may not like?
Basically you are saying it has nothing to do with the music but about the singer?????
It absolutely, if you are a fan of someone's work you should at least try and sample everything they do. If they just stick to the same thing that made them famous then they can't grow as artists, if you value country music over the lyrics and the person singing them then there is plenty of other country music out there for those people. No need for them to moan.
I just saw TS for the third time live, mostly as a cruel twist of fate.
She's very, very middle of the road at best, in terms or talent and material. But the thing is, it's good enough for her fans. Clearly they don't demand much. So let her make her way and make her fortune. It's all good.
As far as the new album, I actually like Out of The Woods, mainly cos she isn't singing like a 12 year old, especially when she acts like a 12 year old underdog, being bullied in a world thats out to get her. It's so f*ing old. Haters gonna hate, hate... yeah we f*ing know already. Go buy another penthouse.
But really, she is impressive. She is an awesome business woman and probably a good role model for kids. That's all I've got here. Lol.
It absolutely, if you are a fan of someone's work you should at least try and sample everything they do. If they just stick to the same thing that made them famous then they can't grow as artists, if you value country music over the lyrics and the person singing them then there is plenty of other country music out there for those people. No need for them to moan.
I have absolutley nothing against any artist trying different styles or different genres of music, however saying that you should like everything an artist does just because you are a fan of one type of music they make is wrong and a little obsessive!
apparently she kept the music stored on her phone and only her phone for a long time and would only let certain people listen to it to prevent leaks and it's clearly worked if those sales figures are anything to go by.
obviously now it's out it's leaked, but it's certainly proof that it can be done i suppose.
So what you are effectively saying is that, even though she has changed the style of music she plays, people who like country should still like the pop stuff, even though it is a completely different genre, which country fans may not like?
Basically you are saying it has nothing to do with the music but about the singer?????
No thats not what I'm saying. All I am saying is that I find ridiculous that some country fans are acting like it is a horrible crime she decided to go pop. You DON'T have to like her music, but don't make such a big deal out of it - it is clear she wanted to go pop for a while now. Like I said, this album is not so drastically different than Red, no one can say I Knew You Were Trouble, 22 or This Is The Last Time are exactly true country, she was playing with a LOT of pop elements on Red album - that is why I claim that Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, How You Get The Girl and You Are In Love could have easily been on Red - I don't think there is a reason why her country fans shouldn't at least enjoy those songs. The ONLY difference is that 1989 doesn't have any country songs - if she put a few on there, no one would make a fuss. But since it is a full pop, then it is blasphemy.
And of course I am NOT saying it is all about the singer, where did you even pick that out from my words? It is all about the music - I clearly stated if the songs are still strong lyrically and musically strong, it shouldn't matter whether it is country OR pop.
And no, no one is saying you should like everything the artist does, but you can at least respect the decision he/she makes and hope the next album will be something you will enjoy more. She is clearly enjoying what she does, it is her choice - its not written in stone she should do country for the rest of her life.
I don't think leaks harm sales that bad. I heard Adele's 21 album a fortnight before release and we all know how well that sold.
oh i do agree, and I think that's why a lot of labels "leak" albums early themselves as a means of boosting sales, but i do also think it can affect sales for certain artists as well.
But then I guess you could argue that that in itself could be more down to it being a crappy album
For god sake, can't believe the praise being heaped on this album. I've listened to it and all it is is bubblegum pop. I'm not a fan of Lady Gaga, but her first album is an example of a really good pop album. Taylor's new album is just cheesey, bubblegum pop. I used to like her when she was country...she was interesting as an artist and the music was decent. Not been a fan since her Red album though...in my opinion she's sold herself short by changing her direction in order to become even more commercial. There's nothing wrong with changing direction...so many artists change things up with each album (Beyonce as a good example), but come on, if you're going to do it at least make it good. For her last couple of albums Taylor has come across as someone who is so desperate to appeal to the masses and become hugely commercial that she's gradually filtering out anything country. In the process of doing this though, she's got rif of anything interesting about her as an artist. In my opinion she's no longer interesting and she doesn't do pop very well...she just coems off as cheesey and very bubblegum pop. Country was what made her interesting for me and I liked her music.
For god sake, can't believe the praise being heaped on this album. I've listened to it and all it is is bubblegum pop. I'm not a fan of Lady Gaga, but her first album is an example of a really good pop album. Taylor's new album is just cheesey, bubblegum pop. I used to like her when she was country...she was interesting as an artist and the music was decent. Not been a fan since her Red album though...in my opinion she's sold herself short by changing her direction in order to become even more commercial. There's nothing wrong with changing direction...so many artists change things up with each album (Beyonce as a good example), but come on, if you're going to do it at least make it good. For her last couple of albums Taylor has come across as someone who is so desperate to appeal to the masses and become hugely commercial that she's gradually filtering out anything country. In the process of doing this though, she's got rif of anything interesting about her as an artist. In my opinion she's no longer interesting and she doesn't do pop very well...she just coems off as cheesey and very bubblegum pop. Country was what made her interesting for me and I liked her music.
Bubblegum pop? I wouldn't say that at all. Bar a few songs most of the album is nothing like bubblegum pop. I wouldn't describe songs like "out of the woods", "I Know Places", "Wildest Dreams", "This Love", "Clean" or "blank Space" as bubblegum pop. I suggest a second listen.
Bubblegum pop? I wouldn't say that at all. Bar a few songs most of the album is nothing like bubblegum pop. I wouldn't describe songs like "out of the woods", "I Know Places", "Wildest Dreams", "This Love", "Clean" or "blank Space" as bubblegum pop. I suggest a second listen.
I agree. Add "Your Are In Love" to the list too, amongst others.
I also don't think she has any desire to "appeal to the masses." No matter what music she makes, it well sell by the bucket load. She has wanted to make a "pop" album for ages now. And as many say, she's never been out-and-out country anyway. I just don't get why some have such an issue with her doing well, or with her albums getting praise? It's all opinion at the end of the day. Different people like different things. If a shed load of people like Taylor Swift and you don't, so be it. Let them listen to her music, you don't have to.
apparently she kept the music stored on her phone and only her phone for a long time and would only let certain people listen to it to prevent leaks and it's clearly worked if those sales figures are anything to go by.
obviously now it's out it's leaked, but it's certainly proof that it can be done i suppose.
Comments
We are talking about one day of sales, plus actually most albums rarely go Gold in their first week because the album climate is so poor.
This.
I always feel like people just go to extremes with her, either they're over-inflating her prowess as a songwriter or completely underplaying just how hard she works at what she does and her ear for a solid tune. Her lyrics are neither exceptionally profound nor as rubbish as people would like them to be. I've found her diary-like lyrics to be quite cloying in the past, and apart from some really exceptional songs e.g. All Too Well, it's just been really detailed metaphor that does nothing for me. I think on 1989 she's finding a really good balance with using metaphors that are simple and relatable (Blank Space, Clean, New Romantics - come to mind as really strong examples of this) and honing in on catchy hooks and a sound that fits right into current trends (as many critics have noted that she borrows quite liberally from her peers, Lorde, Lana etc.).
This is a good pop album, that's all. It's not trying to be anything more or less than that.
I am not a huge fan of taylor, but her new album is great! It deserves the success its getting. Plus, she seems like a nice girl.
Well done taylor
Exactly. She's in her 20s and yet all her songs sound like a 12 year old girl's diary?
Its her album, she can upload it wherever she likes.
I never thought I'd ever find myself listening to a Taylor Swift album but I was listening to 1989 in the car on Monday and found myself actually enjoying it. This is on ration at the moment with the Run The Jewels, Objekt, Grouper and Ex Hex albums.
To be fair most lyrics looks rubbish if you just read them with no music. You see lyrics are written to fit in with the music. So actually she is a good songwriter because her songs are catchy and she writes them herself.
"Stand up beside the fireplace, take that look from off your face".
I take it Noel Gallagher is a crap songwriter because this doesn't sound profound.
I think it's good she's done that as it gives the people who see value in her music enough to pay for it aka the fans first chance to listen to it. Any move that preserves the value of music and puts fans first is good by me.
Agreed.
Unless I'm missing something, when was her album available for 99p? And it's already on sale in physical form?
This.
Her new album is great, even if it is pop. This isn't drastically different than Red, that album was more pop than country so I don't know why so many are shocked by her decision. There are songs like Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, How You Get The Girl and You Are In Love which could have easily been on Red, those songs aren't so different. However, even if the songs like Blank Space and I Know Places which are melodically very different, they are lyrically still very interesting and strong, especially Blank Spaces because she basically makes fun of the media and the image she has (writing about ex-boyfriends).
My point is, this is still Taylor, even if she changed her style because most of her songs are still lyrically interesting and strong - I mean, You Are In Love is a beautiful love song. In fact, ONLY Shake It Off is catchy fun pop song, the rest is more deeper than that.
Also, who cares if the songs are about Harry Styles? Some people are really too worked up about it. She always wrote songs about her ex-boyfriends, nothing new about that. I actually think only Out Of The Woods and Style are directly about him. However, I always hated that people analyzed her songs just so they could figure about who is the song about - it doesn't matter whom the song is about, not really.
Honestly, if people could just ignore the fact that she went from country to pop, they would see it is a very good album. It actually annoys me that many are acting like she did some crime just because she went pop. So what? She has the right to do so, its obviously something she wanted to do for a while since Red was more pop and country anyway. Artist has the right to do what he/she wants, who says she will never do country again? People are just exaggerating, she still is making good music even if it isn't country.
I also commend her for truly embracing the 80s sound. Because when I heard Shake It Off, I was thinking she doesn't know what she is talking about if she thinks this represents 80s music. But truly, every other song in its melody is heavily influenced by 80s music. In fact, this album is more cohesive and consistent than Red, everything is put together nicely.
This is not country, BUT I will defend Taylor on her decision because she still made good music. At least this time she said she is going pop, unlike Red which was a mixture, but it was mostly pop.
If people would just ignore for a second she changed her musical style - its hard to deny this is actually a great pop album, even the critics are loving it. She obviously wanted to do this for a while, so fair play to her.
The same thing happened to Pink, she has done a different kind of album with a very good friend and yet there are many comments where people are moaning that this isn't her or that Dallas Green doesn't need Pink. Give me a break, they wanted to do this, so why not? Every artist should do what he/she feels its right at the time. I'd rather respect an artist who does something with energy and passion than an artist who is not enjoying what he/she does because it is expected of that artist. Some act like its blasphemy Taylor decided to go pop. Big deal, if the music is still good, it shouldn't matter.
So what you are effectively saying is that, even though she has changed the style of music she plays, people who like country should still like the pop stuff, even though it is a completely different genre, which country fans may not like?
Basically you are saying it has nothing to do with the music but about the singer?????
She's very, very middle of the road at best, in terms or talent and material. But the thing is, it's good enough for her fans. Clearly they don't demand much. So let her make her way and make her fortune. It's all good.
As far as the new album, I actually like Out of The Woods, mainly cos she isn't singing like a 12 year old, especially when she acts like a 12 year old underdog, being bullied in a world thats out to get her. It's so f*ing old. Haters gonna hate, hate... yeah we f*ing know already. Go buy another penthouse.
But really, she is impressive. She is an awesome business woman and probably a good role model for kids. That's all I've got here. Lol.
I have absolutley nothing against any artist trying different styles or different genres of music, however saying that you should like everything an artist does just because you are a fan of one type of music they make is wrong and a little obsessive!
Most of this figure is from WALMART and Target.
I hope she breaks Britney's record.
obviously now it's out it's leaked, but it's certainly proof that it can be done i suppose.
No thats not what I'm saying. All I am saying is that I find ridiculous that some country fans are acting like it is a horrible crime she decided to go pop. You DON'T have to like her music, but don't make such a big deal out of it - it is clear she wanted to go pop for a while now. Like I said, this album is not so drastically different than Red, no one can say I Knew You Were Trouble, 22 or This Is The Last Time are exactly true country, she was playing with a LOT of pop elements on Red album - that is why I claim that Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, How You Get The Girl and You Are In Love could have easily been on Red - I don't think there is a reason why her country fans shouldn't at least enjoy those songs. The ONLY difference is that 1989 doesn't have any country songs - if she put a few on there, no one would make a fuss. But since it is a full pop, then it is blasphemy.
And of course I am NOT saying it is all about the singer, where did you even pick that out from my words? It is all about the music - I clearly stated if the songs are still strong lyrically and musically strong, it shouldn't matter whether it is country OR pop.
And no, no one is saying you should like everything the artist does, but you can at least respect the decision he/she makes and hope the next album will be something you will enjoy more. She is clearly enjoying what she does, it is her choice - its not written in stone she should do country for the rest of her life.
oh i do agree, and I think that's why a lot of labels "leak" albums early themselves as a means of boosting sales, but i do also think it can affect sales for certain artists as well.
But then I guess you could argue that that in itself could be more down to it being a crappy album
Bubblegum pop? I wouldn't say that at all. Bar a few songs most of the album is nothing like bubblegum pop. I wouldn't describe songs like "out of the woods", "I Know Places", "Wildest Dreams", "This Love", "Clean" or "blank Space" as bubblegum pop. I suggest a second listen.
I agree. Add "Your Are In Love" to the list too, amongst others.
I also don't think she has any desire to "appeal to the masses." No matter what music she makes, it well sell by the bucket load. She has wanted to make a "pop" album for ages now. And as many say, she's never been out-and-out country anyway. I just don't get why some have such an issue with her doing well, or with her albums getting praise? It's all opinion at the end of the day. Different people like different things. If a shed load of people like Taylor Swift and you don't, so be it. Let them listen to her music, you don't have to.
Some artists would struggle to get that sort of sales in one year!
Then again, it is the US were talking about and they have a population of over 250 million.
I assume she's not connected to iCloud then!