Page 6 | AIBU to say Taylor Swift is a once in a generation songwriter?

HomeatRoseCottage · 2023-10-27T18:33:46+00:00

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

FrippEnos · 27/10/2023 20:54

she is good but she writes generally about the same things over and over, but she knows what will sell to her fans.
Occasionally her songs reach out to other people.
But for some, at this point in time, she could write complete dross and for her die hard fans it would be epic.

sollenwir · 27/10/2023 20:55

HomeatRoseCottage · 27/10/2023 20:30

London Grammar:

And so, you built a life on trust
Though it starts, with love and lust
And when your house, begins to rust
Oh, it's just, metal and dust

We argue, we don't fight
We argue, we don't fight

And all foundation that we made
Built to last, they disintegrate
And when your house begins to rust
Oh, it's just, metal and dust

Taylor Swift:

I look through the windows of this love
Even though we boarded them up
Chandelier's still flickering here
'Cause I can't pretend it's ok when it's not
It's death by a thousand cuts

london grammar:

I am still holding onto your waistband
Turn away and kick out the red sand
Summer is gone and now I'm bleeding
I can't tell now you're thinking of leaving

taylor:

Back when we were still changin' for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say, "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love and saying "us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose, no

london grammar

I’m giving you a nightcall to tell you how I feel
I’m gonna drive you through the night down the hills
I’m gonna tell you something you don’t want to hear
I’m gonna show you where it’s dumped but have no fear

Taylor

The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me
And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was
The mark you saw on my collarbone, the rust that grew between telephones
The lips I used to call home, so scarlet, it was maroon

london grammar

Talk to me and watch me crumble
You will see me come undone
Faithfully I will look over
There I'll find what you've become

(What you've become)

You help me lose my mind
And you believe something I can't define

taylor

We gather stones, never knowing what they'll mean
Some to throw, some to make a diamond ring
You know I didn't want to have to haunt you
But what a ghostly scene
You wear the same jewels that I gave you
As you bury me
I didn't have it in myself to go with grace
'Cause when I'd fight, you used to tell me I was brave
And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet

I think London Grammar are great but on a side by side comparison I don’t think you can reasonably claim lyrical genius for them and designate Taylor as mere trashy romance

Show quote history

These are the lyrics you think are so special?

DeeCee77 · 27/10/2023 20:55

She doesn't write the songs.

She and a team of songwriters write the songs.

Has there been a single hit that she wrote by herself?

Freddie Mercury wrote 10 of the 17 songs on Queen's greatest hits album, including: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody to Love", "We Are the Champions", "Killer Queen" and "Don't Stop Me Now". Two of these (Bo Rhap and Champions) are more than just songs, they are part of global popular culture...Swift and her team has never come close to one of those.

As is well documented her voice is weak. She also has no charisma or stage presence. Like with her songwriting she is aided by a team of collaborators who design the stage(s). In other words outside gimmicks separate to her.

Someone mentioned white woman...I do think this "wholesome" character is a factor for her success (somewhat akin to the gigantic leg up given to Elvis who sang songs from black artists who racist white america ignored, hence he wasn't named in the Time 100 people of the century). She is a middling 'artist' who (with her collaborators) co-writes cheesy pop songs for teen girls. She didn't register here (UK) for a decade like she did in the US. Now she is having her "cabbage patch kids craze" moment, as many others had (Spice Girls were a much bigger deal btw, with only Princess Diana rivalling them for the front page).

She's not terrible, she's one of the better products of the current God awful generation of music. That's also probably why she stands out more today. But comparing her to Freddie Mercury for example it just becomes silly to think of her as anything but a disposable cheesy pop act.

WeeStyleIcon · 27/10/2023 20:56

Also I love "tolerate it". She's putting out the best crockery and he"s tolerating it. Amazing song. Love the music a d lyrics.

Peachonthebeach · 27/10/2023 20:58

I think she’s very talented but the production of her songs is phenomenal.

lizkt · 27/10/2023 20:58

She's a poet. But you have to watch the lyric videos and know the history of Taylor, the backstabbing and the treachery to fully appreciate it.

I find myself drawn into the songs and the story more and more. So much to uncover.

Bonjovispjs · 27/10/2023 20:58

We all have different tastes obviously. Personally I think Mika is the most amazing singer/songwriter to ever walk the earth and I'm totally obsessed with him. I couldn't name a single Taylor Swift song, but no doubt, as some people have said, I'd know some if I heard them. You enjoy it OP 😊

Swifty1newmama · 27/10/2023 20:58

Absolutely! Love her. Although I agree with PP that some of her released ‘pop’ hits are misleading for a general audience and possible that being a similar age to her there are some feelings and experiences that she just can put into beautiful lyrics.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 27/10/2023 20:59

Her songs are quite catchy but on a superficial level I wish she'd sort her hair out its really mousy and wispy.

Beezknees · 27/10/2023 20:59

Overrated in my personal opinion. As is Ed Sheeran.

Original poster

HomeatRoseCottage · 27/10/2023 21:00

DeeCee77 · 27/10/2023 20:55

She doesn't write the songs.

She and a team of songwriters write the songs.

Has there been a single hit that she wrote by herself?

Freddie Mercury wrote 10 of the 17 songs on Queen's greatest hits album, including: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody to Love", "We Are the Champions", "Killer Queen" and "Don't Stop Me Now". Two of these (Bo Rhap and Champions) are more than just songs, they are part of global popular culture...Swift and her team has never come close to one of those.

As is well documented her voice is weak. She also has no charisma or stage presence. Like with her songwriting she is aided by a team of collaborators who design the stage(s). In other words outside gimmicks separate to her.

Someone mentioned white woman...I do think this "wholesome" character is a factor for her success (somewhat akin to the gigantic leg up given to Elvis who sang songs from black artists who racist white america ignored, hence he wasn't named in the Time 100 people of the century). She is a middling 'artist' who (with her collaborators) co-writes cheesy pop songs for teen girls. She didn't register here (UK) for a decade like she did in the US. Now she is having her "cabbage patch kids craze" moment, as many others had (Spice Girls were a much bigger deal btw, with only Princess Diana rivalling them for the front page).

She's not terrible, she's one of the better products of the current God awful generation of music. That's also probably why she stands out more today. But comparing her to Freddie Mercury for example it just becomes silly to think of her as anything but a disposable cheesy pop act.

Edited

She wrote the entirety of her album ‘Speak Now’ by herself, no other songwriters have credits on that album.

She also writes the overwhelming majority of the rest of her lyrics herself (usually by hand, in notebooks). She has been writing songs since she was a young child. I don’t know why the idea persists that she isn’t responsible for her own work.

OP posts:

Snowdayplease · 27/10/2023 21:00

CantFindTheBeat · 27/10/2023 20:22

She has so much variety in her music -
Folk, pop, country, ballads.

I'm so incredulous to hear 'boring' as a description!

Show quote history

Yes the variety is something that's really significant about her music.
I'm in my 50s and think she's great.

Original poster

HomeatRoseCottage · 27/10/2023 21:00

Bonjovispjs · 27/10/2023 20:58

We all have different tastes obviously. Personally I think Mika is the most amazing singer/songwriter to ever walk the earth and I'm totally obsessed with him. I couldn't name a single Taylor Swift song, but no doubt, as some people have said, I'd know some if I heard them. You enjoy it OP 😊

I’m a big Mika fan too, I love him

OP posts:

endlessfall · 27/10/2023 21:00

She also has no charisma or stage presence.

This seems a very odd criticism. Have you been to a recent tour?
I went to the Eras tour with dd, she captivated her audience for three hours, a stadium absolutely full to the brim.
She coped very well with accidentally eating a bug, making people laugh along with her when her mic briefly stopped working. She came across as having a good sense of humor.
That may not be the case but she had good stage presence.

Tabbygabby · 27/10/2023 21:01

Has there been a single hit that she wrote by herself?

Yes.

It's honestly wild how for most artists/bands people are content to leave it at I haven't heard any of their stuff, or oh I'm not a fan as I don't enjoy their music; any thread about TS though has numerous posts that go way beyond that. Trying to discredit her or dare I say it- be based on ignorant misogynistic assumptions.

Again, this isn't about not liking her music or disliking her as a celebrity, but the lengths people go to demonstrate how much they dislike her is really weird. I don't think any other artists get the same, especially men.

Anyway OP 1989 is my favourite album but I hate TV so far, maybe it'll grow.

Original poster

HomeatRoseCottage · 27/10/2023 21:01

Swifty1newmama · 27/10/2023 20:58

Absolutely! Love her. Although I agree with PP that some of her released ‘pop’ hits are misleading for a general audience and possible that being a similar age to her there are some feelings and experiences that she just can put into beautiful lyrics.

I think this is true, the singles that are released are generally not the best songs on the album!

OP posts:

Bonjovispyjamas · 27/10/2023 21:03

HomeatRoseCottage · 27/10/2023 21:00

I’m a big Mika fan too, I love him

Show quote history

You definitely have taste then 😁 I'm going to see him in April and he's just announced today that he's playing at kew Gardens in July, so hopefully going to that too 🤞

SquashPenguin · 27/10/2023 21:03

No. She writes some of the most boring songs I’ve ever heard. Absolute drivel.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/10/2023 21:03

Mediocre at best I’d say. She’s got amazing PR.

WeeStyleIcon · 27/10/2023 21:03

I also love To All The Girls You Loved Before.

She's not "over rated" seems like the majority of people think she's OK. My x bf used to say he wasn't a fan. Obviously couldn't name ONE TS song, but knew he wasn't a fan 😂

Snowdayplease · 27/10/2023 21:04

I don’t know why the idea persists that she isn’t responsible for her own work
OP I think there's a strong element of general misogyny toward her here. Women in the music industry are generally underrated.

davegrohll · 27/10/2023 21:04

Nowherenew · 27/10/2023 20:25

I honestly don’t get the fascination with her.

I think she’s awful!
She can’t sing, she can’t dance and her songs are rubbish.
There’s not one of her songs that I like.

I can only imagine it’s because her parents are so rich that they’ve basically paid for her success.
They knew all of the right people and how to get her famous.
A bit like Kris Jenner.

I was thinking of this the other day.
Someone like Rihanna can’t sing or dance well but a lot of the songs she brings out are really good (I assume she doesn’t write them but I don’t know).

Whereas TS is way bigger than Rihanna but she’s like any other of the thousands of women her age trying to be singers.

What is it about her you like so much?

I wouldn't say she is bigger than Rihanna, rihanna is adored

TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/10/2023 21:05

Jk987 · 27/10/2023 20:02

Sounds like she's too young and beautiful for some of the mumsnet readers! She's a great artist and performer and I would love to see her live! I like Trouble best.

She’s young yes but incredibly average looking

WhoSaysYouCant · 27/10/2023 21:06

I’m amazed at people who claim they’ve never heard a song of hers. On the radio? Social media? In shops? She performed on a Strictly final. Through friends? Friends kids? The news have reported on the ticket sales/her court case with her songs playing in the background. How does all of that and more pass you by? 😅

Janieforever · 27/10/2023 21:06

Actually I’m knocking on 50 and I can understand she’s very good, she’s the Madonna of her day . Her songs are very relatable, I think which helps.

i like some of her songs, all too well is on my playlist for example,as is you belong with me and anti hero, all different, but all good.

i don’t get the hysteria, but I do recall girls dressing like Madonna back in the day and similar vibe.

good for her. I’m astounded anyone is so disconnected from current culture they haven’t heard of her or heard her music, that’s nothing to boast about.