to think Taylor Swift is our century's answer to William Shakespeare

[beastlyslumber]

She's such an incredible storyteller and lyricist (and her songs are ridiculously catchy. It's all about the hooks.) Listening to her album 'folkore' this afternoon - she wrote two whole albums in lockdown, you know. And they're both great, but 'folklore' is insanely good. As she moves away from autobiographical writing into character stories, her storytelling is getting even more emotionally direct, and even more fun. She's a total genius. Even on the rare occasions when her hooks and melodies don't grip you, her lyrics always get right to the heart of things.

If there's any justice in the world, Ms Swift will still be celebrated in 500 years for her original, moving, funny, perceptive and subversive writing.

YANBU = Obviously! She is the Bard of Pop
YABU = WTF? She's way better than Shakespeare

@beastlyslumber

Read the thread *@MrsSkylerWhite*! I got 100% on a Shakespeare/Swift quiz so I'd say I'm an expert.

You obviously haven't been exposed to much songwriting/poetry in your life.

@dementedma

God, I dont even know who Taylor Swift is!

Oh of course you do don't be daft. It's impossible to avoid information like this in today's society.

You either genuinely avoid all technology and other people, or you're having us on.

@gofg

You obviously haven't been exposed to much songwriting/poetry in your life.

I'm looking up all the recs posters give so please share if you'd like

I've seen other posters say they din't know TS. There's so much music out there, I can see how that would happen. I try to avoid media so if I didn't know her work, I wouldn't know her from news.

What the fucking hell have I just read.

You need to listen to/read the lyrics of:
-Eydea
-Aseop Rock (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ASEOP ROCKY, 2 VERY DIFFERENT ARTISTS/)
-Kristoff Krane
-Brother Ali
-Tool

Fucking hell. How do our brains process her lyrics so differently?

"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 (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Heartbreakers 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 (Whoo-hoo-hoo)"

Fucking Shakespeare? That? Shakespeare?

I love the folklore album. I know she's very commercial, but she is actually a very good songwriter.

Could she get someone to help her with the tunes?

I was going to argue and say that Prince was the Shakespeare of our century but on reflection I think he's the Mozart.

So as you were.

Also a Taylor Swift fan, YANBU

@Ifyoudontlikeitdosomethingelse I have been told off for suggesting similar.
Not that I'm a Shakespeare fan or a Taylor Swift fan. There are better songs on the albums I have been told.

yessss! Folklore and Evermore are todays Shakesperean plays

@AppleWitch

I was going to argue and say that Prince was the Shakespeare of our century but on reflection I think he's the Mozart.

So as you were.

Ooh yes definitely with you there!

@shortsaint

Err NO.

But I think you will find those 2 recent albums are rather good because of the quite brilliant Aaron Dessner's contribution (look him up).

Yep. I originally only listened to folklore because of the connection with Dessner, and fell in love with it and evermore and Ms Swift straight away. The lyrical literary references from TS on these two albums are great as well - Jane Eyre, Rebecca etc I really like her contributions on the new Big Red Machine album too

some people are obviously not aware of her lyrical evoloution, like sure ... Shake It Off is a banger but im talking about these lyrics ....

Your Midas touch on the Chevy door
November flush and your flannel cure
"This dorm was once a madhouse"
I made a joke, "Well, it's made for me"
How evergreen, our group of friends
Don't think we'll say that word again
And soon they'll have the nerve to deck the halls
That we once walked through
One for the money, two for the show
I never was ready, so I watch you go
Sometimes you just don't know the answer
'Til someone's on their knees and asks you
"She would've made such a lovely bride
What a shame she's fucked in her head, " they said
But you'll find the real thing instead
She'll patch up your tapestry that I shred

Snow patrol are the poets of pop!

@CheesyChipsOnWembleyWay

I opened this thread only to say I love Taylor but Paul Heaton would be my pick, so I'm obviously delighted to see the second post get that mention in.

Yes, he's a popular choice! There have been lots of other recommendations on the thread too for anyone interested in great songwriters. No other 16th century playwrights have been recommended though

I always had a soft spot for Christopher Marlowe

Shake it off is a great song but as a pp mentioned, kind of like picking out Yellow Submarine and trying to claim it's the song that best represents the Beatles' songwriting style/skills.

My DD loves Taylor swift - it sometimes feels like she's watching videos of her 24 hours a day!

I'm dreading the price of her tickets when (if) she tours and the mood my daughter will be in if I didn't manage to get one for her! In all fairness she would prob put towards the cost it's just the actual 'getting of it'!!

@CheesyChipsOnWembleyWay

I always had a soft spot for Christopher Marlowe

Ah yes. The Adele of his day

@Littlepaws18

Snow patrol are the poets of pop!

Love them

Great excuse to post this too

[quote Brainstorm21]This is from her first album - written when she was 18/19

Or

Or new album

[/quote] Loved Red & 1989

Shake it off is not a great song... How are our brains so different? What are you hearing that I'm not?!
I think I'm not attuned to pop music or something. I just don't understand. It's like eating McDonald's or watching eastenders or reading take a break. It's feels like it's for the simple minded.

Her monotone vocals suck the life out of any lyrics. I have to turn her off if she's on the radio. It's like singing but with zero emotion.

100% in the quiz! 🥇🧠👑

(Wordy academic and dedicated TS fan.)