I'm hesitant to say I'm going to write this blog about a famous young lady named Taylor Swift. I'm not exactly a huge fan of her work but to each his own. She fits the criteria for the topic at hand, an artist that has crossover appeal. If you don't believe me (I don't know why you wouldn't), turn the radio on to a country station, then to a pop station, then country, then pop, then country and back to pop. Sound the same? That's because it is. It's Taylor Swift. I'm still scratching my head about why country fans like her. She was born and raised in Pensylvannia, she sounds like a pop star and her lyrics don't consist of any of the following: My spouse cheated on me, I'm drunk, I love america. She says her influences are Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, the Dixie Chicks, Patsy Cline and LeAnn Ryhmes but I don't hear it.
Regardless, they both like her. I believe she even won an award for best country-pop crossover. Here is the best I can come up with: she actually plays an instrument unlike most pop artists (and it's accoustic) so she has a patriotic, country girl feel. However her beats are up tempo, usually are about teenage crisis which is typical of pop music and she young! To proceed we have to accept that pop music is short for POP-ular. What's popular is what is "fresh", "young", or "new". And please, before I go any further, don't get the image of madonna in your head. Yes, she is the queen of pop. But ask yourself this...would you feel "popular" attending her concert right now? I doubt it. If yes, that's fine as well but you're dilusional about what is really "in". (It's okay, I am too) If you attended a Taylor Swift concert? Probably more popular. The hottest pop artists are usually young. If you pay attention, you'll notice that the biggest pop star of that day, week, month or whatever is usually in their twenties. But, I digress.
If you've been living under a rock, than here is what you need to know. Taylor Swift is BIG. She's big in country and she's big in pop. If you have a female daughter, cousin, or neice between the ages of 8 and 18, you probably already know this. She's a perfect example of an artist with crossover appeal. I don't really understand why, but it's true. The proof is in the music.
I love Taylor Swift and country music in general. I don’t see why you can’t be born in Pennsylvania and still be a country star. Where you are born doesn’t necessarily predict what “scene” you are going to end up in. I do agree with you that she is a crossover artist between pop and country, but I don’t see anything wrong with that. In your blog you said, “I’m still scratching my head about why country fans like her.” I like her because, 1) her songs are relatable. Yes, they are mostly about boys and failed relationships but that is what girls deal with all the time. 2) She alone became the person/artist she wanted to become, with no help needed. 3) She is a great influence for young and teenage girls, and someone to look up too because she is not negatively affected by fame, and 4) because she is my age she has accomplished so much throughout her career.
ReplyDeleteCountry music is not based on lyrics containing, “My spouse cheated on me, I'm drunk, I love America.” Taylor Swift and Many other country artists sing about relationships in general, their friends, family, and where they grew up. Country artists sing about anything they want to-and just because Taylor Swift is “classy” and doesn’t sing about getting drunk or cheating on a boyfriend-doesn’t mean she should be looked down upon, or not considered a country star.
I agree that Taylor Swift is a perfect example of a crossover artist. She sings country music but is very popular in the pop world as well. She was actually the first country music artist to ever win a MTV video music award. You must not be a fan of country music because not every song consists of “my spouse cheated on me, I'm drunk, and I love America” that is pretty stereotypical don’t you think? Country music goes way beyond that and you say you don’t hear how Taylor Swifts influences are Dolly Parton, The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Leann Rhymes, and Patsy Cline but have you ever really listened to any of these artist? All of them have upbeat pop like songs. I don’t think in order to be a country star you have to live in a southern state. It doesn’t matter where you come from. Look at Darius Rucker, he was the front man for Hoodie & the Blowfish which was one of the most popular mainstream pop/rock groups of the 90s. He is now one of today’s biggest country stars, and like Taylor Swift people love him because of his music not where he came from.
ReplyDeleteYour blog made me laugh! Having gone to school with you, I can hear exactly the way you would have said all of that! It was great!
ReplyDeleteTaylor Swift is the perfect example. When I read that question, her name popped into my head immediately. Next, Miley Cyrus. Maybe not as drastic as the country to pop crossover, but it's still a form, I think.
Ok, so maybe Shania Twain isn't "popular" now, but she is another perfect example of a crossover artist from country to pop. I am a HUGE Shania Twain fan and I love ALL of her work! Her earlier songs had more of a country feel to them with songs like "God Ain't Gonna Getcha For That" and "What Made You Say That". Her later stuff was crazy pop! "Gonna Getcha Good" was like an old Britney Spears (when Britney was fresh in the music scene). Have you seen the "Gonna Getcha Good" video? It's weird. I'm a huge fan, but I have to admit. It's a little strange.
Anyways, great evaluation and good example!
Whoa People! (With the exception of Lauren) I'm not making fun of Taylor. She is a very accomplished young lady. No, I'm not a huge fan of newer country music but yes I am actually a fan of Patsy, Dolly the Dixie Chicks and Shania. It's very possible that Taylor looks up to them and she maybe slightly sounds like Shania and the Chicks. However, if you listen to Patsy and Dolly, their music is completely different. They both have heavy dialects, experiences of growing up in the south, southern outfits and bands with instruments that is specific to country music that Taylor doesn't use. My entire family was raised in the south and that is what I grew up listening to so I have absolutely nothing against it, but Taylor is much more pop than country. Also, I wasn't saying that ALL country music is about cheating, booze and america. However, true older country music and it's lyrics are about a few main things; patriotism, southern family matters, southern brews like whisky and beer and the general lifestyles of southern folk. There is nothing wrong with that stereotype. My entire southern family embraces and is proud of it. I love rock but I will admit it is mostly about sex and drugs. These are the topics the artists picked. Peace and love!
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