Taylor Swift

[ChiefEverythingOfficer]

Please can somebody explain the hype?

I have friends (I am 50) who were seriously sad when they didn't get concert tickets (not in UK) and others who did, who were practically celebrating.

I don't get it. Don't want to ask for fear of looking like a twit.

For context, I have a 16yo DD and she just rolls her eyes and says wouldn't be caught dead at a TS concert. So no help there.

I don't get the hype either OP.

And think it's weird how angry some posters are getting about you not getting the hype!

There really are so many amazing performers out there, I'm struggling to understand why folk think TS is somehow so special in comparison.

Dd11 absolutely loves her, I don’t get it either op, I like about 5 songs of hers but as an actual person I don’t rate her from what I’ve seen in interviews, etc. she imo just comes across really fake when she talks, I don’t like how she’s written songs after literally every guy she’s dated. She’s basically with he next album right now.
I guess it’s whatever floats your boat, everyone likes different people but I really don’t see the hype.

It's all very, very odd isn't it?

I do listen to other struggling artists and go and see them live to support them. None are a patch on TS though! Her albums are next level. In my humble opinion anyway..

I think she's great, I love the story telling in some of her music and then other tracks are just good fun, I think she's refreshing, clever and seems nice, which is a pleasant change in todays world! DD (20) is a huge fan, she and I are going to the Era's tour in the summer and I can't wait 😊

Hype suggests the popularity is unwarranted which is unfair I think. She’s very popular because she’s good. That’s not hype.

Agree particularly when you compare how star struck and gracious Miley Cyrus was when she accepted her Grammy from Mariah Carey. I felt for Celine you could tell she felt like a spare part when she was ignored.

I quite like TS, not enough to pay for tickets but there are some of her songs on my playlist.

I can see why many people like her though. She's talented, she has a personality, her albums are relatable. Of course there's fashion as well, if in your circle it's 'cool' to like her then others will probably follow suit.

I was brought up with very 'cool' parents who taught me that I should like indie stuff and not popular stuff. I actually loved S Club 7 and The Spice Girls but it was cooler to be into Blur (not Oasis, too common apparently), Radiohead etc. Incidentally I still like Blur but I bloody love 90s pop and know all the dances to Steps.

Things don't have to be musically perfect or a certain genre to be loved.

If it makes people happy then what is the problem? Surely that's the goal?

But I don’t think anyone is saying she is an other worldly talent that no-one else can touch. We are saying Taylor is an objectively brilliant singer, songwriter, and performer and therefore that is why she is popular and deserving of the hype. There is only a few people in a generation who make it massive, and that generally not because they have something so so unique no-one else can bring, it’s right place right time and the guts to back yourself.

you could say the same about some actors, that there are loads of talented ones no-one pays attention to. And that’s true, but it’s because supply outweighs demand and some people get lucky enough to have a big shot.

It’s not actually hype when she genuinely is selling out stadiums worldwide and being courted by US presidential candidates who hope for her endorsement. It is stellar success, much as that seems to infuriate some people (see also Kanye West who also finds it difficult to come to terms with!).

Agree with all this! I bet the open mike night was fab, I love All too Well ♥️

@ChiefEverythingOfficer
there seems to certainly be some very large public relations happening

Maybe she’s a superstar because so many people like her🤔

I think there are more important things to struggle with.

If I don't like something I can appreciate that others might.
Architecture, Artists, Books, Films, Furniture, Restaurants.

Be at peace in your struggles.

Other popular artists, equally or more talented musically, don't have the same intense hype though.
It's also worrying how many fans think they actually really know her, speaking of how 'genuine and kind' she is or how she 'has principles' or is 'less false', when really they only know whatever she and her PR team carefully cultivate. They also will hear nothing negative, which is a completely unrealistic view to have of any human being. Anyone who doesn't rate her or her music is shut down, by her, her team and the fans, often being accused of 'hating strong women' or 'being jealous' when really they have just made a choice regarding pop music tastes!
I love loads of different music but the difference is that don't think I really know the artist or think liking their music means I have to defend their every action!

Rightio.

Are you not familiar with struggling in the context of a particular discussion but not in general?

There is certainly PR and marketing, of course there is.

But PR and marketing don't make me cry when I'm listening to Seven, or Bigger Than The Whole Sky, or Tis The Damn Season. Every fucking time.

It's a connection. Can't explain it, but you need a bucket-load of talent to write songs that evoke that response in this grumpy 50-year-old English woman!

No.

I'm really really stupid.

She no more brilliant than loads of artists who don't seem to attract/crave/need the same cult following she does though.

Rightio.
Tschüss.

It's funny @ChiefEverythingOfficer cus I was wondering this exact thing earlier today. I don't mind her, i think her work ethic is amazing, she's clearly talented.

But then, there SO many other artists who have all the above, but they don't have the same hysteria around them.

I think it's partly because she's been around for bloody ages. I also think the fact she's so open about her flaws, her heartbreaks etc. she's very accessible - white, pretty, unthreatening, an every-girl.

I also think it doesn't take much for people to get sucked into a general hysteria, and for people to follow the crowd.

But yes, I'm also intrigued by it.

Of course she has very good PR, but you surely can't get to her level of stardom with PR alone.

If you're not into TS you should be pleased- the more focus on her selling out arenas means there's more a chance of you getting tickets for your own favourite artists- if they take off like she's done then you'll be forking out more money and worrying about priority codes and the like.

Yes and that’s exactly what I said 🤷🏻‍♀️

It'd no more hype than I've seen over other bands/singers over time.

The beatles were a major success in the early 60s (before my time) and watching footage of the absolute hysteria of the fans always leaves me wondering what people were that obsessive about before then.