Taylor Swift, Why The Hate?

[the G-man]

I don't know about hate but I do know that it's a source of amusement that so many of her songs are about problems with boys that it leads to speculation that maybe it isn't the guys who are the problem...

That's pretty much it from what I can see.

She's talented and beautiful but she spends all her time whining (in song) about how she can't find the right guy.

At some point, the world is going to say:

"well, then, stop dating jerks"; and/or
​

"maybe you're the problem, honey."
​

 

[HaventGotALife]

Someone has already said that...

 

[Jono]

Usually what Swift gets up to holds no interest to me, but it does seem a bit over the top to suggest that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are going to hell for making a joke about you at a Hollywood Award show. Though I did enjoy Poehler's reply.

 

[Taylirious]

I think there are plenty of celebs to trash and do so much worse, 'Red' was another hit for her so if her next album bombs, which I doubt will the negative attention stop? I find the hate from random people and the negative media obsession now ridiculous.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror."

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23. And finding artists lacking because they're not as memorable as Michael Jackson sounds like you're setting the bar pretty high.

 

[stoneroses]

Who

 

[The Wormhole]

Her shtick is getting old. She isn't a 16-year-old writing love songs anymore. She is a superstar who has a hit list of romantic love songs, nothing else. Either she broke up with her boyfriend, or she's in bliss, usually as a teenager.

I am over being a teenager. I didn't particularly like being a teenager. It wasn't all that great, and I find people talking about it like it was the "best days of your life" is not only cliche, but caused me a lot of trouble when I had a bad day as a teenager. "This is a as good as life gets, and I'm not making the most of it." I actually had these thoughts because everyone was telling me about "freedom." Therefore, it can be damaging.

When I see someone as successful as Taylor Swift I expect them to be talented, first of all. She is not a vocalist. When she hits her next high note, it will be her first. And she has no social commentary. She made 21 million dollars in 2011 alone. And for what? Teenage love?

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror." Garth Brooks had "The Change," "We Shall Be Free," and "Standing Outside the Fire." When you get this big you say something about the world that hasn't been said before, and hopefully, has a positive impact. Where is that from Swift?

More than that, there was a varying voice in the love songs of Brooks, in particular. "The Thunder Rolls" about spousal abuse from third-person, "Shameless" was a love song from a man who didn't want to write one, etc. This is nowhere in Swift's music.

She had an opportunity, a big one, by switching the sex of the soldier that came home on the "Ours" video. Instead, it's just another love song that will fade into obscurity as soon as people get tired of her. Her music will not last after her career is over. She is a flash in the pan, gets really hot, and then fades away. I can't stand to listen to her anymore.

She never grew up as an artist, and that is what I hold against her.

Aren't you being a bit too harsh? I'm no Taylor Swift fan, and I'm as sick of her dissing ex-boyfriends through song routine as anyone. But not every singer has to use songs as a means of making social commentary on life and the world.

There is nothing wrong with writing "frivolous" songs and making millions as a result. That's her thing, you don't have to like it, I really don't care for most of her songs myself. But I don't think being famous means she has to have a profound message in her songs because really, who the hell cares? Most of the time, these songs are just something playing on the radio when I'm in the car or I watch the music video channel when I'm unbelievably bored. Not exactly the time when I'm seeking enlightenment over anything.

I do agree she should find a better means of dealing with her relationship issues than wrting songs slamming her ex-boyfriends, but that's neither here nor there.

 

[Forbin]

Well, I don't think I've ever actually heard any of her music, nor especially care to, but I do think she's VERY beautiful, so I have a few nice pictures of her in my "babes" screensaver file. That's pretty much the extent of my caring.

 

[Derishton]

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror."

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23. And finding artists lacking because they're not as memorable as Michael Jackson sounds like you're setting the bar pretty high.

I'd agree with this. Up-thread someone argued that at least she's not the Kardashians. I'd also agree with that, but part of me thinks that there's a whole "middle" wherein Swift doesn't measure up.

 

[Taylirious]

Who

James Taylor

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Who

James Taylor

James Taylor Swift

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I - always - always - always - thought that I'd see you again

 

[Avon]

for me, she is exactly 'meh'. not a terrible artist, but not a great one either.

 

[HaventGotALife]

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror."

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23. And finding artists lacking because they're not as memorable as Michael Jackson sounds like you're setting the bar pretty high.

Then let's move to someone who has been as successful as Swift was at a younger age, Mariah Carey. All before the age of 23.

"Make it Happen"
"Hero"
"Anytime You Need A Friend"

Not her biggest hits, but talking about something more than "Vision(s) of Love" or "Emotions." (EDIT) And the bar moves when you are as popular as she is. I think it reflects poorly on our culture that we reward this as pop music. She's a forgettable artist in my book.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

I'd agree with this. Up-thread someone argued that at least she's not the Kardashians. I'd also agree with that, but part of me thinks that there's a whole "middle" wherein Swift doesn't measure up.

She is pretty bland, but she's rather young, she can make hummable songs and write decent lyrics, plus she covered that Eminem song, so she's alright in my book.

 

[doubleohfive]

I don't understand the seething hatred she seems to illicit in some, either. I'm not a die hard fan certainly, but I've got one of her albums in my iTunes library and like it just fine.

Sometimes I will see people though bitching and moaning about her on Facebook, and my general response is "Why?" If she's so terrible, why bother listening to her? I'd be much more sympathetic if people would spend their energy boasting about music they do like or that they do enjoy and want to share, as opposed to the artist or music they can't stand.

You know what I can't stand? Okra. But you don't see me going everywhere complaining about it. I don't particularly like Grey's Anatomy, either, but it's in my interest (career-wise) to stay informed on that show and what's going on with the characters from week week. Do I go into the Grey's episode review threads and complain about how its sometimes just a show about doctors having sex with each other? No.

In conclusion, if you must hate on Taylor (or others like her) swell. I'd just rather not hear about it.

 

[the G-man]

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror."

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23. And finding artists lacking because they're not as memorable as Michael Jackson sounds like you're setting the bar pretty high.

Then let's move to someone who has been as successful as Swift was at a younger age, Mariah Carey. All before the age of 23.

"Make it Happen"
"Hero"
"Anytime You Need A Friend"

In other words, at 23, Carey was a hot chick with a great voice who wrote and sang disposable, if very pleasant, pop songs.

Just like Swift is today.

 

[HaventGotALife]

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23. And finding artists lacking because they're not as memorable as Michael Jackson sounds like you're setting the bar pretty high.

Then let's move to someone who has been as successful as Swift was at a younger age, Mariah Carey. All before the age of 23.

"Make it Happen"
"Hero"
"Anytime You Need A Friend"

In other words, at 23, Carey was a hot chick with a great voice who wrote and sang disposable, if very pleasant, pop songs.

Just like Swift is today.

Swift has a great voice? When did that happen?

 

[Taylirious]

I don't understand the seething hatred she seems to illicit in some, either. I'm not a die hard fan certainly, but I've got one of her albums in my iTunes library and like it just fine.

Sometimes I will see people though bitching and moaning about her on Facebook, and my general response is "Why?" If she's so terrible, why bother listening to her? I'd be much more sympathetic if people would spend their energy boasting about music they do like or that they do enjoy and want to share, as opposed to the artist or music they can't stand.

You know what I can't stand? Okra. But you don't see me going everywhere complaining about it. I don't particularly like Grey's Anatomy, either, but it's in my interest (career-wise) to stay informed on that show and what's going on with the characters from week week. Do I go into the Grey's episode review threads and complain about how its sometimes just a show about doctors having sex with each other? No.

In conclusion, if you must hate on Taylor (or others like her) swell. I'd just rather not hear about it.

I don't know why people go out their way to bash her, seems like a waste of energy.

 

[Derishton]

Yeah, people waste too mich energy on their pop culture pet peeves. But the difference between an artist you don't like and okra is that okra is never part of your mental landscape - especially if that artist defines an era, or partially defines an era. In other words, you eat okra or you don't okra. Nobody is throwing okra at you in the mall and demanding you open your mouth. Swift is unavoidable right now, and the "Never gettin backk togeddir" song is like someone jabbing a gerbil in my ear.

 

[gblews]

Michael Jackson had "We are the World," "Black or White," and "Man in the Mirror."

No, Michael Jackson had none of that when he was 23.

Then let's move to someone who has been as successful as Swift was at a younger age, Mariah Carey. All before the age of 23.

You guys have to be kidding. Michael Jackson was an international star at age 13. He produced the biggest selling album of all time at around 24 years of age.

Comparing his career to Mariah Carey's or Taylor Swift's is unfair, to Swift and Carey. You need to find someone else for a comparison.