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Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
*Thought this was an interesting article...
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.
http://www.countrymusictattletale.com/2010/02/03/taylor-swift-stop-the-hate
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Replies to This Posting
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Hello,Pamela!I'm no taylor S. hater or lover!I'm a forty-six year old mature woman who wonders how a young woman of her tender years can have nothing more to write songs about than mishandled personal relationships that have gone wrong. While I agree with the point that artists years older like Martina McBride have just now turned their hand to songwriters, they are primarily singers.They are not trying to achieve success as songwriters as such; their success comes from years of honing their vocal skills. I hate to say this but TAylor Swift is a very tall slim blonde woman who wears cute dresses with cowboy boots and sings to the masses of girl fans her own age!I honestly have to question whether anyone would think lyrics like those in Tim MacGraw, Fifteen, White Horse resonate with anyone other than teen-age girls. She knows her target audience well, that much is apparently clear. What I marvel at is why the buying patterns of teenagers have to drive an entire industry. Everybody knows that its only teenagers who do have disposable money to spend on music, clothes and downloads. THey are not buying cars or taking out mortgages.Why do so many people seem to hate taylor Swift?I think hate is far too strong a word. She is in my opinion a very innocuous singer/songwriter who writes forgettable lyrics while perhaps more experienced singers are singing about more important things in life. I'm not a huge fan of Kenny Chesney- but I love the message in his song "I'm Alive" with Dave Matthews. The suggestion that life isn't perfect all the time, things don't go your way all the time, but you should still be grateful for your life' that message resonates a great deal more than oh no, Some Guy Doesn't Even Know I'm alive lyrics! Cheers!
"It's a homicide,plus they're murdering the English language!-Rick Castle -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I dont hate her at all but her performance on the grammys was awful.I felt bad for Stevie Nicks who had to sing with her.Very embarrassing.
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I don't hate Taylor or even dislike her. She is actually one of the new artists I see as being genuinely thankful for her success. However...I'm sorry but the girl has the live singing voice of a cat. So when people say what a "beautiful" voice...sure on the CD she has a beautiful singing voice live however not to much. I do have a problem when people disregard great singers like Martina for someone who can't stay on key for more than a few seconds.
"FORGIVE, sounds good
FORGET, i'm not sure I could they say time heals everything but I'm still waiting." -
Moderator
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I certainly don't hate her. However her singing *is* atrocious. Also, it's not just an on TV thing because I've seen her in concert. I think it's a matter of someone having such success...winning so many awards as a vocalist--and they can't sing well. It's a pretty curious phenomena.
I also think she's a pretty good song-writer, but would like to hear something other than high school (usually gone bad) romance songs. However, she's the writer so she's the one to choose what to write about!
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"Hail to West Virginia, Hail!" -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Interesting article...
I saw Taylor open for George Strait in 2007...I was very impressed with her performance, and I've been a supporter of hers ever since...
I agree that she has had some poor performances...Her Grammy performance, with my favorite singer (Outside of country music), Stevie Nicks, being one of them...To me, she appears to be so excited that she loses focus and gets lost in "the moment." I guess it's easy for me to excuse her for it tho...I think she'll learn and just get better...
"God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy."
"STEELER born, STEELER bred...And when I die, I'll be STEELER dead!" -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I think she is one of the few singers out there who has fan's that like that she sings badly based on the articles that have touched on the subject over the past 2 years.
In those articles they often mention her fan's like her because she's normal like them with her inability to sing great being the thing that makes her normal.
I wonder how many Taylor fan's actually like Taylor because they can sing better than Taylor? Those writer's have yet to quote any, they just appear to think that about Taylor and her fan base.
I assume most of her actual fan's probably think she's a great singer and that they can't singer better than her since all Martina fan's think Martina is a great singer and that they can't sing better than Martina, too.
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Right on target. Thank you Pam.
I agree with just about everything this writer said.
I particularly like this part: "her ability to entertain a mass of 15,000 people ranging in age from 3-60" !
And I too think even greater accomplishments are yet to come in the years ahead.
"Some of the worlds most well known singers and artists weren’t fantastic vocalists…Neil Young and Bob Dylan…but talent is talent. "
Keep in mind that these award categories are called male/female VOCALIST, not "singer" for a reason. We tend to forget this. So she can't sing like Martina or Carrie. Big deal. It's not about singing ability. The Group and Duo awards have dropped any reference to vocals altogether. They just don't want to say Top Female or Top Male of the year.
I did find something to disagree with though. "Faux earnestness". I don't think so.
Cordially,
Tom
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Give one heart. Get back two.
That's the paradox of I Love You.
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Blessed is the believer who knows love is our Redeemer
And the only breath of life for these times in which we live -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Right on target. Thank you Pam.
I agree with just about everything this writer said.
I particularly like this part: "her ability to entertain a mass of 15,000 people ranging in age from 3-60" !
And I too think even greater accomplishments are yet to come in the years ahead.
"Some of the worlds most well known singers and artists weren’t fantastic vocalists…Neil Young and Bob Dylan…but talent is talent. "
Keep in mind that these award categories are called male/female VOCALIST, not "singer" for a reason. We tend to forget this. So she can't sing like Martina or Carrie. Big deal. It's not about singing ability. The Group and Duo awards have dropped any reference to vocals altogether. They just don't want to say Top Female or Top Male of the year.
I did find something to disagree with though. "Faux earnestness". I don't think so.
Having a unique distinctive voice is one thing its quite another thing when a good portion of a songs notes being sung are please turn off the sound flat .Especially if they hold that flat note.
Cordially,
Tom
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Give one heart. Get back two.
That's the paradox of I Love You.
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Blessed is the believer who knows love is our Redeemer
And the only breath of life for these times in which we live -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Sorry Tom.My message was included at the end of your response and looks like it was your comments instead of mine.My apologies.
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Sorry Tom.My message was included at the end of your response and looks like it was your comments instead of mine.My apologies.
Haha. I see that!
People already think I'm off my rocker. Now they'll think I've really lost it when they try to make sense out of that post.
Cordially,
Tom
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Give one heart. Get back two.
That's the paradox of I Love You.
--
Blessed is the believer who knows love is our Redeemer
And the only breath of life for these times in which we live -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I don't quite agree with the article in that other artists do not get scrutinized for bad performances. Anytime I see any artist make a bad live TV performance, I see it posted and discussed ad nauseum. Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to name a few. Taylor is on top of the world right now so maybe her microscope is a little bigger...I like Taylor, I have her albums, but I see other artists scrutinized too.
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
The Grammys isn't the first time Taylor has given a bad, out of tune performance. It seems that every time I see her on TV, she is struggling. I also don't think she is an AMAZING songwriter like some people make her out to be. Yes, she writes catchy songs that young girls can relate to...but award winning songs? I don't think so. Her songs are all about boys and relationships and many of her songs also consist of the same three chords over and over.
I'm also quite tired of the shocked and "OMG I WON?!?!" face every single time she wins an award. She can't seriously be that shocked all the time. It just all seems so fake to me. And this is coming from someone who used to love Taylor when she was first starting out.
I also don't think that "being 20 years old" has anything to do with her terrible performances. There are plenty of people 20 and younger who can sing a lot better than Taylor. -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I like Taylor Swift. At first I didn't like her at all, because she does not sing well live, but she grew on me.
I even have both of her albums. However, the truth is the truth. She simply does not have a good voice and she consistently sings out of tune when she performs live more than any other well known artist out there.
I don't know how anyone can even dispute that and keep a straight face. -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
The Grammys isn't the first time Taylor has given a bad, out of tune performance. It seems that every time I see her on TV, she is struggling. I also don't think she is an AMAZING songwriter like some people make her out to be. Yes, she writes catchy songs that young girls can relate to...but award winning songs? I don't think so. Her songs are all about boys and relationships and many of her songs also consist of the same three chords over and over.
I'm also quite tired of the shocked and "OMG I WON?!?!" face every single time she wins an award. She can't seriously be that shocked all the time. It just all seems so fake to me. And this is coming from someone who used to love Taylor when she was first starting out.
I also don't think that "being 20 years old" has anything to do with her terrible performances. There are plenty of people 20 and younger who can sing a lot better than Taylor.
I suppose if I was a young newly successful singer on these awards show competing against seasoned stars that have been singing for 20, 30 or 40 years, and all I've been hearing is people saying how I don't sing that well, that I would actually be shocked that I was winning these awards too. I believe that she is honest in her reactions when they call her name as the winner when she has only been well known for 2 or 3 years. I agree that she is not that great of a singer but she is a very talented songwriter even though most of her life experiences to write about have been through her teenage school years since she only been out of her teens for almost 2 months. I like her songs and I like listening to her sing them even if she doesn't sing nearly as well as Martina. I'm 46 years old. -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I also don't understand the whole "she is a good songwriter" argument. There are many, many, many good songwriters out there who don't sing because they know they shouldn't. Imagine if all of the songwriters sang their own songs. Being a singer and songwriter don't always have to go together if you don't have the talent for both.
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I'm also quite tired of the shocked and "OMG I WON?!?!" face every single time she wins an award. She can't seriously be that shocked all the time. It just all seems so fake to me. And this is coming from someone who used to love Taylor when she was first starting out.
I suppose if I was a young newly successful singer on these awards show competing against seasoned stars that have been singing for 20, 30 or 40 years, and all I've been hearing is people saying how I don't sing that well, that I would actually be shocked that I was winning these awards too. I believe that she is honest in her reactions when they call her name as the winner when she has only been well known for 2 or 3 years.
These are my thoughts exactly, Kevin.
I believe she truly is astonished that even in field after field of seasoned, accomplished artists—artists that she herself respects—she is voted as the award winner, and not by the fans but by her peers and industry professionals.
As an aside, I also think Carrie was truly humble and sincere when winning her awards when many complained that her attitude was one of complacence.
Different people react differently to situations. I think Taylor is sincere.
Cordially,
Tom
--
Give one heart. Get back two.
That's the paradox of I Love You.
--
Blessed is the believer who knows love is our Redeemer
And the only breath of life for these times in which we live -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Remember when Madonna was first starting out? She was a Terrible singer! And yet all the young girls loved her and wanted to be like her (yes, I was a young young girl at the time and had a few bangle bracelets too) Somehow she became a BIG star. Talent is more then just a passable voice (thats all I can give her at best) she most be doing something right, and until the next big thing comes along, like she did and took over the Carrie bandwagon, we will not be able to figure out why. Like Miley, that girl can not sing either, but the marketing was in place, and here she is, like it or not. So, let her have her moment, we can always turn down the volume on the TV or radio. I have always said she is a good song writer, but give us something that is more than teen angst. (sp?)
Martina at the Opry 4-09,FC party/concert 6-09
"Always be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of somebody else" - Judy Garland
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I doubt if Taylor Swift can adapt to the changing times and morph into the many styles Madonna has throuout the years. I think Taylor is a one trick pony. She writes songs that teenage girls (for the most part) are interested in, and once she gets too old to do that and relate, I don't think she can remain anywhere near as big a star as she is now. Someone like me, who bought her albums because i liked them at the time, gets bored with her quickly because all the songs are basically about the same thing and they have similar melodies and hooks.
Remember when Madonna was first starting out? She was a Terrible singer! And yet all the young girls loved her and wanted to be like her (yes, I was a young young girl at the time and had a few bangle bracelets too) Somehow she became a BIG star. Talent is more then just a passable voice (thats all I can give her at best) she most be doing something right, and until the next big thing comes along, like she did and took over the Carrie bandwagon, we will not be able to figure out why. Like Miley, that girl can not sing either, but the marketing was in place, and here she is, like it or not. So, let her have her moment, we can always turn down the volume on the TV or radio. I have always said she is a good song writer, but give us something that is more than teen angst. (sp?)
Martina at the Opry 4-09,FC party/concert 6-09
"Always be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of somebody else" - Judy Garland
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RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
Taylor Swift's label chief defends Grammy performance
From USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/02/taylor-swifts-label-chief-defends-grammy-performance/1
If you thought Taylor Swift sounded a little off on Grammy night, you weren't alone. There's been so much blog buzz and criticism of her song with Stevie Nicks that the head of her record label is defending her performance.
"This is not American Idol. This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note," Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It's not about that technically perfect performance."
Borchetta first responded to the backlash in The Tennessean, where he said: "Maybe she's not the best technical singer, but she's probably the best emotional singer because everybody else who gets up there and is technically perfect, people don't seem to want more of it. … She's an extraordinary songwriter and her vocal performances are getting better. Everybody is not perfect on any given day."
Borchetta said Swift had a technical issue Sunday night. "We had a volume problem in the ear. So, she was concerned that she wasn't able to hear everything in the mix," Borchetta said. "That's just part of live TV. ... You're going to have difficulties on occasion." -
RE: Taylor Swift-Stop the Hate
I've said it before many times and I will say it again, It is disgusting and appalling that Taylor and Carrie for that matter are winning awards that clearly belong to the likes of Martina and Reba. Taylor especially couldn't hit a note to save her life and don't even get me started on her live performances! What does Reba and Martina have to do to get noticed anymore? All I can say is my 5 year old daughter can sing and preform better than Taylor. I think the Academy needs to give their heads a serious shake and the Grammys, well they can have them!
