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

How can we unvote our vote? I've been tricked.

Michaela Coel. Stupid phone.

@Rosesareyellow

Shakespeare wasn’t a singer… or a song lyric writer. Has TS written a play I haven’t heard about? What are we comparing?

Well he wrote quite a lot of lyrics! But I'm thinking of that emotional directness, connection with audience, the playfulness with language, ability to say the most perfect things in the most striking ways, plus her original storytelling, her pastiching and collaging from other artists, and her sense of humour. I think that people who love Shakespeare's writing (me) love it for the same things that Taylor Swift does.

Of course you are free to disagree! (Despite the rigged vote )

My favourite albums are 'red' and 'reputation' I think she's bloody amazing and I love all kinds of music and get very irritated by people being snobby about her . If you're reading this and don't get how brilliant she is listen to 'all to well' 'delicate' or ' I know places' and you'll see how talented she is,

@Disfordarkchocolate

She is pretty fab. Folklore got me through lock down.

However, Paul Heaton is The Last King of Pop and a lyrical wonder.

I got all emosh when I read about Paul Heaton donating a large sum of money to be divided among the staff at Q Magazine when it folded. Such a kind thing to do. So even though I couldn't stand how it felt like the Beautiful South released a single a month for approximately 5 years in the 90s, I feel very warmly towards him now.

@beastlyslumber

I thought 1989 was the commercial and cultural peak but I lost track of this kind of thing in recent years.

Some serious emo dude re-recorded the whole of 1989 in a serious, emo way. I can't remember who it was. TS took it in good spirits, but it was a bit bloody cheeky!

She's put out two albums in lockdown - folklore and evermore. They are pretty similar in style. I think folklore is more robust and has the better songs, but I don't know evermore as well yet, so I might change my mind. I think folklore got quite a bit of critical acclaim - for whatever that's worth.

Oh I have listened to them, just not aware of the impact on the world DP had to listen to me wax lyrical about The Last Great American Dynasty being the song equivalent of a historical novel

The dude was Ryan Adams and I thought some of it was good but .i like his work. Especially the druggy lyrics -

" I am in the twilight of my youth...
Not that I'm going to remember" 😂

I think they genuinely were going to work together but the rumours of whatever with an underage girl obviously put a stop to that

Separate the art from the artist, and RA is great, they do both love their guitars. If you listen to a song like Feels Like Fire - don't look for a video, but just listen - it's great stuff.

I think the charges were dropped but I don't know for sure.

Just looked up some of her lyrics.

Subjectively- they are shite.
Objectively- they are still shite.

@EdmontinaTiresofNameFlipping

Haven’t heard Folklore but completely agree her songs are brilliant. (Won’t say why I think so - people can write their own ‘content’.) Every time I play my favourite album of hers I emerge with something I’d never noticed before.

But if you want this century’s Shakespeare - try Michaela Cole’s ‘I May Destroy You’. There’s dialogue, in the school episode in particular, that reaches such a level of greatness it takes your breath away.

(Also, in years to come I think we’ll look back on right now as a golden age for poetry in English. Hard to say whether any current poets will develop truly sustained careers.)

Ooh thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

I agree, we are in an incredible time for poetry and creative writing in general.

Of course you are free to disagree! (Despite the rigged vote )

Furiously shaking my fists at you.

@Rosesareyellow

Shakespeare wasn’t a singer… or a song lyric writer. Has TS written a play I haven’t heard about? What are we comparing?

Bards As in the noun

So Shakespeare as bard, Tagore as bard

Oh Romeo, we, weeeee, shall never getteth back together.

@beastlyslumber - Ryan Adams. His version of Style is the best of his album. But turns out he's a sleaze. His ex is Mandy Moore and also the Phoebe Bridgers song Motion Sickness is about him.

I don't agree with you about TS. If there was any justice in the world Julien Baker would be a massive star. Now she is amazing.

DP had to listen to me wax lyrical about The Last Great American Dynasty being the song equivalent of a historical novel

Totally agree with that take!

Ah, didn't know that stuff about Ryan Adams. I have heard some of his stuff, though, and liked it.

YADNBU I bloody love TS. She is an amazing storyteller. I've pretty much listened to Folklore and Evermore on repeat since they came out.

Catchy? Yes. Shakespeare? Hell no.

@Pazuzu

Oh Romeo, we, weeeee, shall never getteth back together.

Ha! Brilliant!

The people scoffing at you just make me cringe. Her music might not always be to my taste but she is an incredible songwriter. Even the songs she wrote as a child/teen are really very good.

You seriously need to get out more OP. I'm lost for words 🤷‍♀️

@Brainstorm21 Don't know Julien Baker - recommend something?

MOR shite

I always think Eminem would be studied in schools in the future if it weren't for all the effing and blinding.

I'm embarrassed for you OP.

She’s great. Evermore is better than Folklore though IMO. 1989 was the ultimate. There’s a Taylor song for every mood.
I think she’s a great role model too. She takes no crap and she can laugh at herself.
Hope there’s a tour soon as loving all the Taylor’s version stuff.

@authenticforgery

The people scoffing at you just make me cringe. Her music might not always be to my taste but she is an incredible songwriter. Even the songs she wrote as a child/teen are really very good.

I don't mind people scoffing. Those who get it, get it. And those who don't are missing out! I think some people write her off because she's a young, attractive woman, so they assume she's vacuous or dim.

I suppose it's possible that some people just don't like her music!

I agree - she was unbelievably good at this from the start, and she's just got better and better.

This is from her first album - written when she was 18/19

Or

Or new album