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

@Briony123 So true, they will just save Eminem for university then

@Gaaaahhhhhhhh

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.

I need to get to know evermore better. I agree with you on 1989 too - what an unbelievable album.

Those who get it, get it. And those who don't are missing out!

Erm, ok.

She's had some decent songs out and I've not seen her behaving badly on social media or falling drunk out of nightclubs. It's all a bit bland to me though. She's no better than a lot of the others. As for comparing to Shakespeare that's apples and oranges surely.

We eeee

Are never ever ever

Getting back together

Not seeing it OP

It's great to hear someone so passionate about an artist. She's got your soul OP. Mine too. Dd1 got me into her. Country is my favourite genre as is heavy metal so my tastes are varied. So many fantastic songs I can't decide which I like best. Red, Style, Wildest Dreams, Blank Space. The cheekiness of Shake it Off and Better than Revenge. She is very talented.

After listening to evermore and folklore on repeat for a few months during lockdown I have really grown to love her! Was never really a fan before. I do think she's an incredible songwriter. I like how you can see how much she has changed and grown when you listen to her earlier stuff.

Also Lover is a really underrated album. I'm also enjoying the the re-records. Her voice has matured a lot!

Favourite songs from evermore & folklore are cowboy like me, happiness, tolerate it, ivy, hoax, the lakes, time to go, my tears ricochet, closure and peace. Though I happily listen to the entire albums and I don't think there are any bad songs at all, I don't really enjoy Betty. It sounds nice I just don't enjoy the lyrics.

Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)

Comparable to Macbeth or Merchant of Venice?

She’s a fabulous lyricist. People who routinely underestimate both female artists and pop music as an art form will sneer at you, but I absolutely see where you’re coming from. She’s a wonderful storyteller and a hugely talented musician.

People will be snooty about Shakespeare on this thread, but he was considered low brow, vulgar entertainment for the masses in his time

I think a big problem TS has is they way she was portrayed in the media. It was very unfair imo.

@Sparklingbrook

I I I shaketh it off, I shaketh it off

I fully agree with you, though there are a surprising number of self proclaimed experts on mumsnet who I imagine will be very excited to disabuse you of that notion.

She's also a very thoughtful, smart woman and a fantastic example of knowing your worth.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is this century’s Shakespeare! There are so many little puns and clever bits in Hamilton that Shakespeare would have loved

[quote smoko]@Sparklingbrook

I I I shaketh it off, I shaketh it off

[/quote]
Mmmm quite.I don't think Will has much to worry about TBF, I can't see TS being GCSE subject matter any time soon.

Turn your papers over you have 2 hours. Question 1-Taylor Swift said 'Shake if Off' what was meant by this? Discuss.

Well, at least she's writing her own stuff and not stealing every plot from somewhere else, or recycling the same formula for every comedy.

I like Taylor Swift too btw
But Eminem is our Shakespeare sorry OP

I came to the Taylor Swift party pretty late! I have been pretty much listening to only Folklore and Evermore since they came out. Her songwriting is completely captivating. Most people I know who don’t like Taylor Swift are reacting to her most popular hits which really don’t reflect the quality of her non hit album tracks. She is definitely the new Shakespeare with the added bonus that I don’t ever see her annoying the hell out of future generations of kids having to study her for GCSE 😂 . I am mid forties and find her songwriting beautiful 😍

@Sparklingbrook

Shake it off, I shake it off I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)

Comparable to Macbeth or Merchant of Venice?

Omg look it's someone who has no idea what they're talking about and can't name a song released by TS since the mid 2010s!

You don't have to agree, but being deliberately ignorant isn't cute.

Eminem?! Seriously? Rapping about killing his ex?!

TS is better than Adele. Adele’s music is all the same. Whiny shite.

I get that there's some big TS stans on here that won't hear a bad word but I don't see what makes her any better than some other artists out there.
Adele/Eliie Goulding/Katy Perry etc

I agree @LittleGwyneth

@Sparklingbrook such low hanging fruit, I’m surprised at you.

Sparkling "Turn your papers over you have 2 hours. Question 1-Taylor Swift said 'Shake if Off' what was meant by this? Discuss."

There's quite a lot of discussion in there. Not kidding.

"The Man" is about 3 hours as an essay question.

Omg look it's someone who has no idea what they're talking about and can't name a song released by TS since the mid 2010s!

You don't have to agree, but being deliberately ignorant isn't cute

What on earth are you on about?

@LadyCampanulaTottington

I agree *@LittleGwyneth*

@Sparklingbrook such low hanging fruit, I’m surprised at you.

No, Eminem widely considered to be the modern day Shakespeare
Seems like many of us feel this way.

In the words of my Australia friend:

Yeah, nah...