AIBU to say Taylor Swift is a once in a generation songwriter?

[HomeatRoseCottage]

I’ve had 1989 TV on all day and she’s just magic 🥰

I’m 41 and going to see TS next year, without any children in tow. I had plenty of friends trying to get tickets.

I’m not a rabid Swiftie, but it’s tiresome to hear her music so frequently dismissed as cheesy pop. I was a casual listener until Folklore came out, which completely changed my opinion of her. I think it’s fine to say that she doesn’t really do it for you, and obviously there’s no obligation to listen to her whole back catalog to prove you aren’t keen, but there’s no need to claim it’s all vacuous or immature when that’s really just a fraction of what she has produced.

I doubt I could name a single song of hers. To be fair I wouldn't be able to tell her, Spears, Cyrus or Gaga apart either as I wouldn't recognise any of them but I have heard of them.

@Davros Amy Winehouse.... now that's someone who had raw talent. every time I listen to her, I think of how much more she had to give....

I always say you either love Taylor Swift or you’ve not listened to enough of her songs, she’s a lyrical genius but a lot of people just don’t get it. She has lots of literary and other music references in her works and it goes over peoples heads. Can’t wait for her to come to the UK! 🪩

Talented yes, just like I think Ed sheeran is talented but also the most annoying woman in music at the moment. Massive attention seeker. Not a fan

Well she's no Bernie Taupin, for sure.

Not a patch on Dolly Parton.

Just as there's no need to claim that she's qualitatively better than thousands of other artists that you've never heard, as the OP ignorantly does.

I love that’s she’s 33/34 and I’ve heard her stuff.

Makes me feel less old.

Huge lol at Ed Sheeran comments. His songwriting is lazy cliches and objectifying tosh - super catchy though.

I think TayTay shows moments of a lyrical genius. Maybe I like her songs more than Ed's because she is more relatable for me, whereas Ed's just a man boy.

I am 46 but stuck in a second adolescence apparently. My boy and girl teens both love Taylor and consider Ed Sheeran something their dad likes 😂

Same here.

Now we're talking!

I remember when she first came on the scene I wondered how on earth she was popular. A very plain woman singing pop songs. I also had the impression that she was popular with kids and therefore not really someone an adult would listen to.

I’ve recently been told off by people for thinking that, but I couldn’t name a single one of her songs. I might give her a listen soon to see what the fuss is about.

I do find it peculiar that people are absolute on the fact that they haven't heard any of her songs.

How can they know? Unless they never leave their house, it's highly unlikely.

There are plenty of artists that I know the name of, and I couldn't make one of their songs - but as soon as I hear one I can sing along. I just don't know who sings them. Music is everywhere - how on earth can people avoid one hugely popular artist so completely that they have never heard one of her songs in the last 17 years??

I have heard of her and I think I would recognise her, but I have not got a clue what songs she has produced.

I literally could only name you ‘Shake it Off’ (which I quite like).

She seems bland. But I’m in my forties and not her target audience, I guess. Although neither my 18 yr old or 15 yr old are into her music either, and 15 yr old says ‘her fans are weird’

I couldn't sing along to any of her songs nor Ed Sheeran or most other more modern artists as the only time I might hear them is on the radio which is only when I am in the car with DH so I wouldn't know the words. I only listen to artists of my youth at home and will take time to listen to the new Rolling Stones album which I see is no. 1. I listen to CDs in the car when I am on my own not the radio so my exposure to modern artists is quite low. It is very easy to avoid modern pop music, I mainly listen to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits but I wouldn't start a thread and copy and paste their writings as that would probably be a bit crass.

I'm not a fan of Taylor but I do think she's good at what she does - singing and performing. That takes energy and skill and talent.

But having read her song lyrics on here, I really don't understand all the people saying her lyrics are amazing - they just remind me of the kind of stuff I wrote in my blog as a teenager. It kind of reminds me of how I used to try and show how deep and meaningful and "special" I was when in reality I was just a dramatic teenage girl 😂

I do appreciate that's just personal taste though.

She is sensational. A brilliant songwriter. I've loved music as long as I can remember (I'm 51) and 1989 is my favourite pop album. Have listened to it 100s of times and never get tired of it.

I completely agree with this - I adore Dolly!

She’s no Joni Mitchell.

The ones you've heard might sound the same, there is no way they all sound the same because they don't.

No she's amazing, but mumsnet is the wrong audience for this post lol.

Folklore and evermore are my fave! She is an amazing lyricist.

Internal misogyny is rife inside people when it comes to Taylor Swift unfortunately.

I wouldn’t say “once in a generation” but took DD to watch “the eras tour” at the cinema and found I knew more songs than I thought. I’m more impressed at her being a shrew business woman. Anyone who can write hundreds of songs, pull off tours, sell out the tours at the cinema (!)) and then rewrite all her albums and re-release them, needs applauding! I think she’s a good role model for young women. Would rather DD emulate her than artist who swear every other word and show off every inch of their bodies.

Its highly unusual for a modern female artist to write about their emotions and experiences without centering or trying to appeal to men, some people can't handle it so not surprised some can't just leave it at I don't like it myself and go to lengths and tie themselves in knots to explain just how much they hate her and her music.