The “ I’ve got something to say, but it doesn’t warrant its own thread “ thread.

[Sampson]

I don’t know. When you hear a hit as big as “anti hero” the lyrics are clearly addressing internal monologues and mental health issues in a way standard pop songs don’t. I do get it, I do think when you compare her to other mega pop stars like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Drake, Rihanna, Madonna etc. I do think her lyrics stand out and I can totally see why the appeal to younger women especially in a way few other pop stars do. 
 

I don’t think she has the melodies or inherently memorable hooks of ABBA or someone, but I do think her lyrics stand out significantly above other of the mega pop stars and she does seem way more down to earth and relatable than all those other people I listed. 

Edited 8 June 2024 by Sampson

[Foxdiamond]

2 hours ago, leicsmac said:

I can't see how she stands out from a few other leaders of the field in that way - at least to the magnitude of recognition she receives by comparison, anyway.

 

But I can see what you mean about her actually giving two shits about her fanbase and that having an effect.

Obviously as an old bloke you realise not the target audience and can't compare to your own musical heroes. If it wasn't Taylor Swift it would be someone else that you may or may not think is any good 

[leicsmac]

4 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

Obviously as an old bloke you realise not the target audience and can't compare to your own musical heroes. If it wasn't Taylor Swift it would be someone else that you may or may not think is any good 

Nah, I get that.

 

It's just that she's had a level of success that is practically unique so I was wondering exactly what makes her stand out from other music artists among the target demographic you mention. Had some good answers, too.

Edited 8 June 2024 by leicsmac

[Foxdiamond]

Just now, leicsmac said:

Nah, I get that.

 

It's just that she's had a level of success that is practically unique so I was wondering exactly what makes her stand out from others among the target demographic you mention. Had some good answers, too.

I suppose it's almost a fashion that people want to be associated with. Not  criticism of her music or talent. Just that someone has to be top of the tree. 

[The Bear]

2 hours ago, leicsmac said:

I can't see how she stands out from a few other leaders of the field in that way - at least to the magnitude of recognition she receives by comparison, anyway.

In terms of female musical talent there's Adele and Lady Gaga. And erm, that's it. Beyonce doesn't write and play her own songs.

 

Everyone else is just a record label reliant pop star. It takes shit loads of talent to write hit after hit and then be able to perform them all with a live band regularly.

[Foxdiamond]

3 minutes ago, The Bear said:

In terms of female musical talent there's Adele and Lady Gaga. And erm, that's it. Beyonce doesn't write and play her own songs.

 

Everyone else is just a record label reliant pop star. It takes shit loads of talent to write hit after hit and then be able to perform them all with a live band regularly.

Fair play to artists that write their own material and can play live

[Samilktray]

Taylor Swift is crap and her fan base is full of weirdos. A quick look at her fans reacting to her new album (which was crap) will tell you everything you need to know about the people who listen to her  

Edited 8 June 2024 by Samilktray

[Parafox]

18 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

Taylor Swift is crap and her fan base is full of weirdos teenage girls. A quick look at her fans reacting to her new album (which was crap) will tell you everything you need to know about the people who listen to her.  

 

I haven't listened to it so I feel I can't comment.

 

I assume you have. Which tracks did you find particularly irritating?

 

And yes, it tells me they are, by a vast majority, teenage girls. Do you think teenage girls are weirdos?

Edited 8 June 2024 by Parafox

[Samilktray]

6 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

I haven't listened to it so I feel I can't comment.

 

I assume you have. Which tracks did you find particularly irritating?

 

And yes, it tells me they are, by a vast majority, teenage girls. Do you think teenage girls are weirdos?

It was about 40 songs of drivel and pity me I’m poor old Taylor swift. I’m obviously not the target audience but I just find her quite an easy celebrity to dislike
 

teenage girls probably are weirdos to be fair, most teenagers are a bit weird but her fan base is definitely not just teenagers unfortunately!

[Parafox]

Just now, Samilktray said:

It was about 40 songs of drivel and pity me I’m poor old Taylor swift. I’m obviously not the target audience but I just find her quite an easy celebrity to dislike
 

teenage girls probably are weirdos to be fair, most teenagers are a bit weird but her fan base is definitely not just teenagers unfortunately!

 

You do know she has had MH struggles of her own, don't you?

 

I think that gives her the right to express those issues in her songs.

 

Her fan base is very likely a mix of ages who actually enjoy her music.

 

I never understood the reaction of teen girls in the 60's to The Beatles and I'm still not a fan. That doesn't mean I don't look at them and say, well done you, rather than simply dismissing them as "crap", just because they weren't my cup of tea.

 

[Samilktray]

1 minute ago, Parafox said:

 

You do know she has had MH struggles of her own, don't you?

 

I think that gives her the right to express those issues in her songs.

 

Her fan base is very likely a mix of ages who actually enjoy her music.

 

I never understood the reaction of teen girls in the 60's to The Beatles and I'm still not a fan. That doesn't mean I don't look at them and say, well done you, rather than simply dismissing them as "crap", just because they weren't my cup of tea.

 

I’m really not sure what to say here as I don’t care all that much about this, I just think her musics a bit crap and her fans are a bit odd. Have a lovely evening though 

[Foxdiamond]

1 minute ago, Parafox said:

 

You do know she has had MH struggles of her own, don't you?

 

I think that gives her the right to express those issues in her songs.

 

Her fan base is very likely a mix of ages who actually enjoy her music.

 

I never understood the reaction of teen girls in the 60's to The Beatles and I'm still not a fan. That doesn't mean I don't look at them and say, well done you, rather than simply dismissing them as "crap", just because they weren't my cup of tea.

 

Even now the Beatles are the bench mark when the latest pop phenomenon arrives. I confess to being a big fan though of course I was a bit young when they were at their peak. 

[Parafox]

33 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

I’m really not sure what to say here as I don’t care all that much about this, I just think her musics a bit crap and her fans are a bit odd. Have a lovely evening though 

Same 

[grobyfox1990]

9 hours ago, leicsmac said:

Well, Wrexham have had successive promotions so the walk is being walked there too, I guess.

 

WRT Swift, it really is a fascinating social experiment. Still wondering if it's only down to the marketing.

Yeh but likewise tay Tay is selling out everywhere. It’s the mindset change that interests me. How do the Hollywood grifters convince simple minds they care about wrexham. How did tay get me googling Milan tickets? And how can I cash in on these marketing ploys 

[Daggers]

Daughter has been coating a pair of boots with tiny shiny stuff. She’s been doing it since she got her Swift tickets as she’s planned a whole sparkly outfit. And she’s spent a couple of weeks making friendship brackets to give away at the concerts she’s going to. I’m quite impressed with her tbh. 
 

Never heard a single Taylor Swift track myself. She’s not Peel Festive 50 material I reckon. 

[Blarmy]

Taylor Swift does not write her own songs in way people think she does. There is a huge amount of collaboration with professional song writers who are  more than likely on deals that sign away all the song writing credits to her.

 

Not knocking her, she makes millions of people happy and that’s enough for me, but she is not the musical genius she is made out to be. 

[CosbehFox]

I went Clevedon yesterday for a wedding. What a pretty place I never knew was that nice. More tellingly it wasn’t swamped with tourists and felt very sleepy almost 

[Jon the Hat]

22 hours ago, Blarmy said:

Taylor Swift does not write her own songs in way people think she does. There is a huge amount of collaboration with professional song writers who are  more than likely on deals that sign away all the song writing credits to her.

 

Not knocking her, she makes millions of people happy and that’s enough for me, but she is not the musical genius she is made out to be. 

Compared to which recording artists who write without any collaboration?  Who are they?

[Daggers]

53 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Compared to which recording artists who write without any collaboration?  Who are they?

Bach

[Jon the Hat]

3 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Bach

There are Bach recordings?

[Daggers]

6 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

There are Bach recordings?

Get Bach

Bach on the road again

Bach for good

Bach to you

[Jon the Hat]

19 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Get Bach

Bach on the road again

Bach for good

Bach to you

Get Bach in your box...

[leicsmac]

26 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Get Bach

Bach on the road again

Bach for good

Bach to you

 

6 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Get Bach in your box...

Backstreets Bach

....alright?

[Blarmy]

1 hour ago, Jon the Hat said:

Compared to which recording artists who write without any collaboration?  Who are they?

I’m not going to list all the artists who wrote/write their own lyrics, music, arrangements etc. Of course producers are always involved but the level of input varies hugely. What I am talking about here is the delta between the marketed level of “writing” and the actual level, which with Taylor is Swift is larger than that of other artists.

 

As I said, I have nothing against her but I believe her popularity is in some part based on her perceived authenticity, i.e her not being a manufactured pop star, and the reality is different to the perception.

[jgtuk]

Anyone else still having Covid boosters? I’m about to get my 11th next week. I’ve not had Covid and suffered very few, if any, side effects from the previous vaccines or boosters. Most of the people I see still at the vax centre are elderly, I’m only 59 but immune compromised. 
(not interested in anti-vax conspiracy theories btw)