It's me, Hi! I'm the problem it's me.
If you have been living under a rock the past week (or you just don't care), you might not know that Taylor Swift released a new album on Friday. Actually, not just a new album, it was a surprise double album that seemed to throw everyone for a loop (including me).
Spotify was gracious enough to allow us to "pre-download" the album to our library, so being the big Taylor Swift fan that I am, I obliged. What I didn't realize was that the album Spotify added to my library was just the first part of the double album. It was sixteen songs, so although I had heard there was a double album surprise, I thought that was it.
It wasn't until yesterday that I was reading about one of the new songs and I realized I had never heard it. I jumped onto Spotify and realized there was another 16 (or so) songs I hadn't heard yet.
It should come as no surprise to you that this #threetunetuesday sponsored by @ablaze is dedicated solely to Taylor Swift and her new album "The Tortured Poets Department".
I've told this story before, but I actually hated Taylor Swift when she first came out. The problem was, I wasn't really listening to the lyrics. Once I started doing that, I realized just how talented she is as a songwriter.
Is she the best singer out there? Definitely not, are metal heads going to fall in love with TS? That's also probably not going to happen. I can accept the fact if someone doesn't like Taylor Swift because it just isn't their style of music, but if you question her songwriting skills, that's where I am going to draw a line.
I will challenge you to a duel good sir.
Since I am only going to cover three songs here for you today, I encourage you to check out this site if you want to learn all the meanings behind all the songs on TTPD.
I'll be the first to admit, I have basically been listening to this album on repeat since it dropped on Friday, with the exception of my regular Monday Morning Jazz fix. Despite that fact, I still don't feel like I have truly listened to it. There is a difference between having something on as background music and really listening to it.
I've said this before, but I am a firm believer that albums should be listened to with headphones, in the dark, so you can fully absorb every line and note that the artist or band is trying to convey to you. Believe it or not, it's harder to do that as an adult than it was as a teenager, but I still plan on making it happen at some point.
I think only then will I really appreciate everything The Tortured Poets Department has to offer.
So let's get to it:
Taylor is a big fan of leaving Easter Eggs in her songs. Personally, I don't have the time to go searching for all of them, I'll leave that to the teenage girls, but some of them are just a little too obvious to ignore. Take "thanK you aIMee" for example. You might notice that the K, I, and M are capitalized, but nothing else in the title. Quite clearly a jab at Kim Kardashian and all the grief she has given Taylor Swift over the years. Go ahead and Google it if you want the whole sordid story.
It's interesting to me that successful people can't just be happy for other successful people. Taylor isn't alone in receiving her share of shade from critics and people. I'm not holding her up as some martyr, but she does seem to handle it quite well. I think we know that words cut and I can only imagine how many nights she has spent going over and over those words in her head. The difference is she uses her songs as an outlet and I personally think it's brilliant.
Oddly enough, "Down Bad" doesn't seem to be in the list of songs I shared above and their meanings, but it's one of my favorites from the new album, so I am sharing it here. There has been a lot of talk since this album came out from people who are hesitant to let their kids listen to it due to the amount of cursing in it.
While I get that people who grew up listening to Taylor Swift want to share that music with their kids and it's probably hard with all the language. I think it should also be acknowledge that Taylor is an adult and to expect her music to stay the way it was when she was a teenager is not realistic. I have heard there is a "clean" version of the album, but I likely won't listen to it.
Down Bad definitely has an angsty feel and I am sure there are going to be young folks across the world blasting it after a tough breakup or failed crush. Taylor does seem to excel at that sort of thing.
Finally, I am going to leave you with the song "Fresh Out The Slammer". This song is supposedly about Taylor's relationship with Matty Healy the lead singer of The 1975 after she broke up with Joe Alwyn. This was one of the first songs that stood out to me from the album. I'm not sure why, it just did.
This is a separate subject, but perhaps you have noticed that the words "Taylor's Version" have been tied to a lot of things Taylor related lately. That ties back to the fact that her early songs were acquired by a guy named Scooter Braun when he bought her record label. Taylor tried to buy the songs back, but he either refused to sell them or was asking a purposely inflated price for them.
Thankfully, Kelly Clarkson came along (yes, that Kelly Clarkson) and suggested to Taylor that she re-record all the songs and release them on new albums with extra unreleased songs and call it Taylor's Version. It's an important distinction because each time those older songs are used or streamed Taylor gets a smaller fraction if any at all royalties from them.
So there you go, I hope you take the time to dive into The Tortured Poets Department and maybe find some new favorite songs of your own.
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I listened to them. Not really my cup of tea, but they were all well sung. Are people really upset about the language in the middle song? I think just about anything on TV these days uses worse language. When I watched how much the republicans were bad-mouthing her a few months ago, saying that she and her music were signs of how morally corrupt today's youth are and how it is an example of the downfall of america, that made me like her more. haha is that petty of me? Anyone they attack so much, well, I just have to like. It reminds me of the 80s when all the Reagan republicans were attacking pretty much everything—our music, D&D, Nintendo, etc—and using it as a example of how terrible genX was.
I had not seen that about the Republicans, but it is pretty funny. If they want to start attacking something Taylor is the last place they want to pick a fight quite honestly. I can think of a couple other places where they should start. It's just natural that her music would mature as she does. Unfortunately, that might mean you can't listen to this album in the car with your kids like you could "Fearless". I think it would be disingenuous to expect her hamper her creativity by trying to make it accessible to everyone.
I'll admit that I've not paid too much attention to her music, but it seems to be deeper than I had assumed. She definitely has some issues she is working through. It seems that being the biggest music star in the world does not mean you get a happy romantic ending. I had not expected the F-bombs and that may be an issue for her younger fans, but the topics are adult ones.
It must be hard to stay grounded when you are that big, but she seems nice to her crew who get big bonuses. I hope she can have something like a normal life.
I definitely agree it is probably hard to find people who you can genuinely connect with when you achieve that level of fame. You never quite know if someone has an angle. I've heard stories that lead me to believe she is still a pretty grounded person assuming they can be trusted. She definitely has her "silly love songs", but she also does some deep lyrical work and turns of phrases too. Artistically I think she is just on another level.
I must say that second one surprised my, I don't think I 've ever heard profanity in her music before. It's a good song though! She's not my favorite artist but has made some very catchy songs and it a very good songwriter. I agree with you 100% there. It would be hard to be an the top of her career as she is and knowing no matter what you put out there will be a lot of criticism. I think she did a good job!
Oh, her past four records have actually had a quite a bit of profanity in them. Folklore, Evermore, Midnights, and now this one. It was a bit jarring at first, but it makes a bit of sense. It just throws you. Like seeing that former Disney star doing an R rated movie or something.
I know you are a big Swifty Bozz and hope you will watch the Eras tour and let us know your thoughts. I have to say all 3 that you shared sound pretty good. The last 2 for me are the best. Taylor for sure has a talent and as a person and artist, it is amazing what she has achieved. Luckily I just renewed my spotify subscription so will see if I can play the album and see.
I'm definitely planning to check it out someday when I have the time! It's pretty crazy what she has managed to achieve. I honestly never would have guessed when she was that awkward teen writing about Tim McGraw.
I remember some years back (when she came out I guess) I heard her singing some Christmas songs I think. I remember saying to @afturner "What the hell is going on with singers these days. This singer is in tune, I guess but she has zero nuance or flavor"
I had never heard someone sing so generically and straight. Basically I ignored her until recently. But then, I noticed it.. Hmm.. She actually is a good song writer. haha! I am still not a huge fan of her singing specifically, but the girl can sure write a good song. My favorite songwriter is still Sia, but I have to give credit to Taylor where it is due.
I like Sia too. She is pretty awesome and she definitely has a stronger voice. Her Christmas album is actually one of my favorites and I don't like that much Christmas music generally. Taylor is quite monotone and she relies on a lot of the same techniques in most of her songs, but the way she can tell a story with her words is beyond belief.
Maybe I should give her a chance and listen to her album. She's not the most popular singer in the world for no reason, I'm sure.
As I mentioned to @slobberchops if you are first diving in, I would start at the album Red and go from there. That being said, it also helps to imagine yourself in her shoes. For example, the song Tim McGraw she wrote her freshman year of high school. Imagine yourself as a freshman writing something that simple yet poignant.
So I did listen to all 3 songs in their entirety.. but..
Apart from all the bad language which I don't mind at all, I still can't hear anything that jumps out at me. Still it's been a (slight) education to listen.
If you are really looking to dig into TS, I suggest starting back at the Red album. That's what really opened my eyes to how clever of song writer she is.
I live under a rock, never really got the whole Swift thing. One day I might listen though.
Your passion for Taylor Swift has convinced me a little more of her influence on music in recent times. Like you she didn't convince me in her early days and I've never really paid that much attention to her, but maybe that's because I'm a bit more into commercial pop. But wow, this girl stands out as a songwriter. I've listened to two albums of hers already, I think I'll give this one a chance just like you always say, with headphones, alone and in the dark, that's what I read and liked about you the day I started following you on Hive. Approved as the right way to listen to music.
Thanks, I really appreciate it. I've always had a soft spot for artists that write their own lyrics and can paint a story through them. If you haven't listened to the song "All Too Well" from RED it's an absolute must. Skip the ten minute version until you have come to appreciate the shorter version. She is so phenomenal.
I haven't listened to the whole album, but I remember comments from All Too Well, I'll take it seriously this time and listen to your recommendation bro!...