Swifties unite!
Moderators: Bakhtosh, EvilHomer3k
- msduncan
- Posts: 14509
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:41 pm
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Swifties unite!
I've confessed this fact on here before, but I've discovered over the past couple years that I'm a Swiftie. That is to say that I'm an admitted out of the closet Taylor Swift fan. I can't help it.
She writes/creates good music and she does things like no other singer. While the Kanyes of the world shelter themselves from reality and toss down superiority edicts to the masses, Taylor Swift continues to invite fans into her home for private screenings, responds to many of them over social media, surprises some of them with Christmas presents, etc. etc. She doesn't have to do any of this stuff, but she does because she says it keeps her grounded and brings some normalcy to her otherwise very not-normal world.
I used to have a rule about albums that before I would purchase one it would have to have at least 3 songs that I really liked (back when we used to buy albums in stores). Taylor Swift's 1989 album has smashed that standard and continues to put out songs that I enjoy.
Anyway... She just put out a new video and it compelled me to put out an admiration thread again.
Wildest Dreams
It's been criticized by the new class of perpetually offended people we have in this country as being 'racist' because it takes place in Africa but features white people. I took a look and it is set in 1950s Hollywood film backdrop and appears in no way racist to me.
Yellowking: SHAKE IT OFF!
She writes/creates good music and she does things like no other singer. While the Kanyes of the world shelter themselves from reality and toss down superiority edicts to the masses, Taylor Swift continues to invite fans into her home for private screenings, responds to many of them over social media, surprises some of them with Christmas presents, etc. etc. She doesn't have to do any of this stuff, but she does because she says it keeps her grounded and brings some normalcy to her otherwise very not-normal world.
I used to have a rule about albums that before I would purchase one it would have to have at least 3 songs that I really liked (back when we used to buy albums in stores). Taylor Swift's 1989 album has smashed that standard and continues to put out songs that I enjoy.
Anyway... She just put out a new video and it compelled me to put out an admiration thread again.
Wildest Dreams
It's been criticized by the new class of perpetually offended people we have in this country as being 'racist' because it takes place in Africa but features white people. I took a look and it is set in 1950s Hollywood film backdrop and appears in no way racist to me.
Yellowking: SHAKE IT OFF!
It's 109 first team All-Americans.
It's a college football record 61 bowl appearances.
It's 34 bowl victories.
It's 24 Southeastern Conference Championships.
It's 15 National Championships.
At some places they play football. At Alabama we live it.
It's a college football record 61 bowl appearances.
It's 34 bowl victories.
It's 24 Southeastern Conference Championships.
It's 15 National Championships.
At some places they play football. At Alabama we live it.
- Moliere
- Posts: 12378
- Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:57 am
- Location: Walking through a desert land
Re: Swifties unite!
Meh. I will wait for the PMJ version.
"The world is suffering more today from the good people who want to mind other men's business than it is from the bad people who are willing to let everybody look after their own individual affairs." - Clarence Darrow
- RunningMn9
- Posts: 24466
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:55 pm
- Location: The Sword Coast
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
I get that she creates good pop songs, but lyrically, she's still very childish (at least with songs like this one and most of the other popular ones I've heard), and I find that grating. But as long as you don't listen to any of the words she's saying, yeah she's a very good pop star. At this point in her career though (if she's interested in longevity), she needs to start working on stuff other than pop songs about how much she's into dudes.
And in banks across the world
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
- geezer
- Posts: 7551
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:52 pm
- Location: Yeeha!
Re: Swifties unite!
I'm a fan. And FWIW I think she's a much better songwriter than many of her peers. I mean, lyrically she's no Jason Mraz, but she writes her own stuff and it's leagues ahead of lots of contemporary mainstream pop.
- Exodor
- Posts: 17211
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:10 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Swifties unite!
Actually her previous album, Red, was much more interesting lyrically. With 1989 she decided to go full-on pop star and simplified her lyrics. I can enjoy 1989 but I think Red is a superior album in most respects.RunningMn9 wrote:I get that she creates good pop songs, but lyrically, she's still very childish (at least with songs like this one and most of the other popular ones I've heard), and I find that grating. But as long as you don't listen to any of the words she's saying, yeah she's a very good pop star. At this point in her career though (if she's interested in longevity), she needs to start working on stuff other than pop songs about how much she's into dudes.
It all started because Elise liked Taylor's music and I ceded control of the car stereo to her long ago. It took a few years to admit that I liked her music too.
Still, I die a little inside when Elise switches over to One Direction.
- Daehawk
- Posts: 63772
- Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:11 am
Re: Swifties unite!
I loved her songs in the beginning. Not really a fan any longer of her music...her looks though..ya.
Sexy pics in spoilers.
Sexy pics in spoilers.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
--------------------------------------------
I am Dyslexic of Borg, prepare to have your ass laminated.
I guess Ray Butts has ate his last pancake.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/daehawk
"Has high IQ. Refuses to apply it"
I am Dyslexic of Borg, prepare to have your ass laminated.
I guess Ray Butts has ate his last pancake.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/daehawk
"Has high IQ. Refuses to apply it"
- Kraken
- Posts: 43802
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:59 pm
- Location: The Hub of the Universe
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
I'll take your word for it. I only ever hear pop music when it's playing in a bar and it all sounds the same to me. She looks like a pretty girl under all that glamour, though.geezer wrote:I'm a fan. And FWIW I think she's a much better songwriter than many of her peers. I mean, lyrically she's no Jason Mraz, but she writes her own stuff and it's leagues ahead of lots of contemporary mainstream pop.
- dbt1949
- Posts: 25757
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:34 am
- Location: Hogeye Arkansas
Re: Swifties unite!
I like her pop music better than her country, but I am a little tired of her showing up on the news constantly.
Ye Olde Farte
Double Ought Forty
aka dbt1949
Double Ought Forty
aka dbt1949
- Zarathud
- Posts: 16528
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
Re: Swifties unite!
My young daughters and I enjoy girl bands, and Taylor Swift is pretty decent pop. It drives my wife crazy but we outvote her.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- YellowKing
- Posts: 30205
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm
Re: Swifties unite!
I'm a fan simply because I feel like she's a decent role model for my daughter, unlike a ton of other pop stars who only sing about getting drunk and having sex.
As far as the "racist" video crap, we live in the age of the internet where anything you say is going to be branded racist by somebody. Lorde was accused of being racist because she was singing about tigers on a gold leash and diamond rings, and that was somehow viewed as slamming hip hop culture. People who feel the need to accuse other people of being racist need a way to feel superior about themselves by putting someone else down while patting themselves on the back.
The only bad move Taylor Swift did was apologize to Nicki Minaj who was targeting T-Swift then backpedaled when she got called out on it. Fucking bitch.
As far as the "racist" video crap, we live in the age of the internet where anything you say is going to be branded racist by somebody. Lorde was accused of being racist because she was singing about tigers on a gold leash and diamond rings, and that was somehow viewed as slamming hip hop culture. People who feel the need to accuse other people of being racist need a way to feel superior about themselves by putting someone else down while patting themselves on the back.
The only bad move Taylor Swift did was apologize to Nicki Minaj who was targeting T-Swift then backpedaled when she got called out on it. Fucking bitch.
- geezer
- Posts: 7551
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:52 pm
- Location: Yeeha!
Re: Swifties unite!
I think it IS slamming hip hop culture, and a bunch of other materialistic things, but that's sort of the point of the song. Still not racist. Plus I kinda dig Lorde.YellowKing wrote:I'm a fan simply because I feel like she's a decent role model for my daughter, unlike a ton of other pop stars who only sing about getting drunk and having sex.
As far as the "racist" video crap, we live in the age of the internet where anything you say is going to be branded racist by somebody. Lorde was accused of being racist because she was singing about tigers on a gold leash and diamond rings, and that was somehow viewed as slamming hip hop culture.
Except sometimes stuff IS racist.YellowKing wrote:People who feel the need to accuse other people of being racist need a way to feel superior about themselves by putting someone else down while patting themselves on the back.
Dude, THAT''S racist.YellowKing wrote:The only bad move Taylor Swift did was apologize to Nicki Minaj who was targeting T-Swift then backpedaled when she got called out on it. Fucking bitch.
- gilraen
- Posts: 4321
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 7:45 pm
- Location: Broomfield, CO
Re: Swifties unite!
She may get there when she gets some more diverse life experiences under her belt, even at 25 she's still somewhat "stuck" at teenage-like level, as far as life and relationships go.RunningMn9 wrote:I get that she creates good pop songs, but lyrically, she's still very childish (at least with songs like this one and most of the other popular ones I've heard), and I find that grating. But as long as you don't listen to any of the words she's saying, yeah she's a very good pop star. At this point in her career though (if she's interested in longevity), she needs to start working on stuff other than pop songs about how much she's into dudes.
I do like her voice, I can only recognize a couple of her songs when they play on the radio but that's mostly because I stopped listening to the radio in the car, so I don't really know any new music any more.
At least Swift can get through a song on-stage without grabbing her crotch, which is more than Nicki Minaj can say (and almost every other female pop star these days, seems like).
- gameoverman
- Posts: 5908
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:21 pm
- Location: Glendora, CA
Re: Swifties unite!
These days I do raise an eyebrow when I see stuff made in the mindset of the old days.
So if I was going to make a music video with the whitest of white girls and set it in Africa(of all places), I would be thinking of Paul Simon and what he did with Graceland. Try to involve locals is what I'm saying.
I wouldn't call it racist, but I do think 'thoughtless' is a fair description.
I get that it's a 50s movie set thing, but they could have made it any scenario they wanted. So I don't think you can dodge the complaints by saying it's true to history, since they could have just as easily chosen a more diverse historical concept for the video.
So if I was going to make a music video with the whitest of white girls and set it in Africa(of all places), I would be thinking of Paul Simon and what he did with Graceland. Try to involve locals is what I'm saying.
I wouldn't call it racist, but I do think 'thoughtless' is a fair description.
I get that it's a 50s movie set thing, but they could have made it any scenario they wanted. So I don't think you can dodge the complaints by saying it's true to history, since they could have just as easily chosen a more diverse historical concept for the video.
- hepcat
- Posts: 51528
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!
- geezer
- Posts: 7551
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:52 pm
- Location: Yeeha!
Re: Swifties unite!
I'm having a really hard time envisioning a wold where Taylor Swift evolves into Gin Wigmore. Also, if you like Gin Wigmore, check out ZZ Ward.
- Rip
- Posts: 26891
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:34 pm
- Location: Cajun Country!
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
So are Swifties like lemmings?
- Kraken
- Posts: 43802
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:59 pm
- Location: The Hub of the Universe
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
I was expecting a John Kerry thread.Rip wrote:So are Swifties like lemmings?
- hepcat
- Posts: 51528
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!
Re: Swifties unite!
I also thought he was trying to bring back the Swift Boat Veterans group at first.
Last edited by hepcat on Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
He won. Period.
- YellowKing
- Posts: 30205
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm
Re: Swifties unite!
Except when it's not.geezer wrote:Except sometimes stuff IS racist.
At any rate, I think the director of the video gave a very good rebuttal to the racist argument. Also, I'm not sure why people are saying Taylor Swift is a racist since I'm positive she didn't dream up the entire concept of the video. She has teams of people and publicists to do that kind of thing. Her job is to show up, record the video, and make the record label money.
- mori
- Posts: 4591
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:53 pm
- Location: Edge of Darkness
Re: Swifties unite!
I accept that Swift is a talented singer, I cannot stand her songs. From pop country to straight up pop, I hate them. If she ever gets beyond this pop stage and moves on, I may give her some serious notice.
I remember her doing a cover of a Def Leppard song and it was horrible (I admit it was in Joe Elliott's key, but still). She certainly has her limits on the direction of career.
I remember her doing a cover of a Def Leppard song and it was horrible (I admit it was in Joe Elliott's key, but still). She certainly has her limits on the direction of career.
- Smoove_B
- Posts: 54726
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:58 am
- Location: Kaer Morhen
Re: Swifties unite!
Maybe next year, maybe no go
- tgb
- Posts: 30690
- Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:33 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: Swifties unite!
The last woman singer we went to see was the spectacular Mavis Staples. Before that it was Aretha.
Ms. Swift isn't on the same planet, let alone in their league.
Ms. Swift isn't on the same planet, let alone in their league.
I spent 90% of the money I made on women, booze, and drugs. The other 10% I just pissed away.
-
- Posts: 36421
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:17 pm
- Location: Nowhere you want to be.
Re: Swifties unite!
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't recognize a single one of her songs. Or if I did, that I'd associate it with her. Kiddie pop wasn't even on my radar when I was a kiddie.
Black Lives Matter
- mori
- Posts: 4591
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:53 pm
- Location: Edge of Darkness
Re: Swifties unite!
Is any woman?tgb wrote:The last woman singer we went to see was the spectacular Mavis Staples. Before that it was Aretha.
Ms. Swift isn't on the same planet, let alone in their league.
Maybe DD's sweetheart Morgan James?
- tgb
- Posts: 30690
- Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:33 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: Swifties unite!
Never heard of her, but I like it. There's also Ruthie Fostermori wrote:Is any woman?tgb wrote:The last woman singer we went to see was the spectacular Mavis Staples. Before that it was Aretha.
Ms. Swift isn't on the same planet, let alone in their league.
Maybe DD's sweetheart Morgan James?
I spent 90% of the money I made on women, booze, and drugs. The other 10% I just pissed away.
- hepcat
- Posts: 51528
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!
Re: Swifties unite!
I'm not a fan of injecting vocal acrobatics into a song just to show you have some range. Just concentrate on the song itself. If you've got the talent, it will get across the way it should.
He won. Period.
- Kraken
- Posts: 43802
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:59 pm
- Location: The Hub of the Universe
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
Unless it's just party music in a bar or at a function or something, I don't like covers that slavishly reproduce the original song. The artist should bring a new interpretation to it (beyond the vocal noodling that you object to).
- JonathanStrange
- Posts: 5044
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:21 am
- Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
I just came here for the pictures. But I stayed for the commentary!
The opinions expressed by JonathanStrange are solely those of JonathanStrange and do not reflect the opinions of OctopusOverlords.com, the forum members of OctopusOverlords, the elusive Mr. Norrell, or JonathanStrange.
Books Read 2013
Books Read 2013
- Holman
- Posts: 29009
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:00 pm
- Location: Between the Schuylkill and the Wissahickon
Re: Swifties unite!
Nowadays I assume most pop music is really the work of the producer and his computers. Taylor Swift is hot and everything, and her songs are fun on the radio, but can she really perform music with presence? Or is it all just a light show?
(I'm not attacking her specifically; it's just that she's the top example now.)
(I'm not attacking her specifically; it's just that she's the top example now.)
Much prefer my Nazis Nuremberged.
- YellowKing
- Posts: 30205
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm
Re: Swifties unite!
She's the real deal. She was actively working as a songwriter in Nashville at the age of 15 and was considered a bit of a prodigy. She is not the best technical singer, but I've seen worlds of improvement since she first hit it big. I remember watching her live when her first album came out and she was pitchy as hell, but she's improved a lot over the years.Holman wrote:Nowadays I assume most pop music is really the work of the producer and his computers. Taylor Swift is hot and everything, and her songs are fun on the radio, but can she really perform music with presence? Or is it all just a light show?
-
- Posts: 3591
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:21 pm
- Location: Somewhere between Louisburg and Raleigh NC
Re: Swifties unite!
It will be. Give it another ten years.Jeff V wrote:I'm pretty sure I wouldn't recognize a single one of her songs. Or if I did, that I'd associate it with her. Kiddie pop wasn't even on my radar when I was a kiddie.
- Holman
- Posts: 29009
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:00 pm
- Location: Between the Schuylkill and the Wissahickon
Re: Swifties unite!
That's good to hear.YellowKing wrote:She's the real deal. She was actively working as a songwriter in Nashville at the age of 15 and was considered a bit of a prodigy. She is not the best technical singer, but I've seen worlds of improvement since she first hit it big. I remember watching her live when her first album came out and she was pitchy as hell, but she's improved a lot over the years.Holman wrote:Nowadays I assume most pop music is really the work of the producer and his computers. Taylor Swift is hot and everything, and her songs are fun on the radio, but can she really perform music with presence? Or is it all just a light show?
Most pop stars are manufactured to the point where they don't write their own lyrics, play the instruments, or do much more than pose for the photo shoots. I like TS' voice and persona when I hear it, but I still get the impression that the songs are produced and mixed and computer'ed in ways that have little to do with whatever musical talent she brings.
I'm at the point where I don't trust any musician who can't wow me with a stripped-down live set.
Much prefer my Nazis Nuremberged.
- msduncan
- Posts: 14509
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:41 pm
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Re: Swifties unite!
On a related note, Scott Eastwood looks freaking identical to a young Clint Eastwood.
Can they make a Pale Rider origin story or something with him?
Can they make a Pale Rider origin story or something with him?
It's 109 first team All-Americans.
It's a college football record 61 bowl appearances.
It's 34 bowl victories.
It's 24 Southeastern Conference Championships.
It's 15 National Championships.
At some places they play football. At Alabama we live it.
It's a college football record 61 bowl appearances.
It's 34 bowl victories.
It's 24 Southeastern Conference Championships.
It's 15 National Championships.
At some places they play football. At Alabama we live it.
- Smoove_B
- Posts: 54726
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:58 am
- Location: Kaer Morhen
Re: Swifties unite!
She's standing on the shoulders of some heavy hitters, but I'm pretty sure she managed to hold her own.Holman wrote:I'm at the point where I don't trust any musician who can't wow me with a stripped-down live set.
Maybe next year, maybe no go
- Isgrimnur
- Posts: 82327
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:29 am
- Location: Chookity pok
- Contact:
Re: Swifties unite!
Pair him up with Jake Busey.msduncan wrote:On a related note, Scott Eastwood looks freaking identical to a young Clint Eastwood.
Can they make a Pale Rider origin story or something with him?
It's almost as if people are the problem.
- Odin
- Posts: 20732
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:29 pm
- Location: Syracuse, NY
Re: Swifties unite!
In the photos I've seen, "pretty girl" is an apt description of her without her make-up. With the full glam she's smokin' hot. Without it, you might or might not give her a second look walking down the street.Kraken wrote: She looks like a pretty girl under all that glamour, though.
As for her music, it's... not to my taste.
My Blog: Virtual Vellum
-
- Posts: 36421
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:17 pm
- Location: Nowhere you want to be.
Re: Swifties unite!
Baby is digging classical music now.RLMullen wrote:It will be. Give it another ten years.Jeff V wrote:I'm pretty sure I wouldn't recognize a single one of her songs. Or if I did, that I'd associate it with her. Kiddie pop wasn't even on my radar when I was a kiddie.
Black Lives Matter
- hepcat
- Posts: 51528
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!
Re: Swifties unite!
The inability of your infant to reach out of the crib and slap you across the face while yelling "Put on some damn Clash, gramps!" should NOT be mistaken for approval.
He won. Period.
-
- Posts: 36421
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:17 pm
- Location: Nowhere you want to be.
Re: Swifties unite!
When he's old enough to sing along with "Career Opportunities," he'll be treated to some Clash. Until then, Brahms it is!
Black Lives Matter
- Skinypupy
- Posts: 20399
- Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
- Location: Utah
Re: Swifties unite!
I keep hearing how everyone likes Swift because she writes all her own music. We were in Nashville in July, and spent a night at the Bluebird Cafe. For those who don't know, the Bluebird is somewhat of a Nashville institution, with most of the big name country stars having played there at some point (Sheryl Crow just randomly stopped by the night before we were there). They do two shows a night, the first usually being a group of songwriters (who are typically very good performers in their own right), and the second being the actual "stars" themselves.geezer wrote:And FWIW I think she's a much better songwriter than many of her peers. I mean, lyrically she's no Jason Mraz, but she writes her own stuff and it's leagues ahead of lots of contemporary mainstream pop.
It's a fairly informal setting, so they do lots of dialog during the shows. One of the songwriters said something along the lines of "Everyone here will know this next song", and they proceeded to play a Taylor Swift tune (or so my wife told me). After the song, the songwriter talked about what an honor it was to write songs for Taylor Swift, and how Swift has such a talented "team of writers" behind her. This confused me, as I've always been under the impression that Swift was the main writer of all her stuff. Her comments made me wonder how accurate that statement actually is.
The whole idea of having this whole factory of songwriters who churn out music but aren't quite pretty enough to actually be put forward to the public is a strange concept to me. I know it's been that way with pop music forever, but it's still just...weird. Probably because 99% of what I listen to is so niche that there would never be a demand for an industry of outside songwriters.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.