But first, real quick: Ummm, when did WordPress become so user UNfriendly? Drafts are gone? I’m now having trouble uploading pictures. The auto-save didn’t work. I wrote this entire thing and it glitched at “publish” so irritating! It’s like the Myspace days, save your work elsewhere, lest lose it. Any tips?
And the topic at hand:
I am obsessed with Taylor Swift. I have always liked her song-writing, and incorporation of personal details in lyrics (see so many blog posts that used her songs). When I was driving almost 3 hours one way for all my IVF donor appointments, I must have listened to “Mean” and “Your Not Sorry” a billion times. Her writing really touched my heart. But I went away from her when Red came out–and was NOT available on Spotify. Because how was I going to listen to the album without streaming? That is also how I lost track of Adele also, who I think is super-talented and a wondrous singer. But if you don’t allow streaming, I don’t have motivation to dig around. And a lot was happening in Taylor Swift’s life and career at that time. But once you’re out of the loop, it’s hard to get back in. So I missed Red, 1989, and any Reputation stuff save for the music itself on the latter album. I missed the dating, the clique, the feuds (except what was ubiquitous in pop-culture), and thus pretty much everything.
Brandi Carlile was my jam since, oh, 2010. And I wish her music and everything still resonated with me now, as it had before. I want to love it. I wish I was still really into it. I feel Brandi is an earnest person, with a good track record, and genuine concern about making the world better. Her rock and folk albums were inspired, and even superseded some of The Indigo Girls’ work for me. I like her (I guess her persona, because she makes you feel like you know her). Her concerts are THE BEST. And her actual singing is unmatched. When she popped up on Zac Brown Band’s backing-vocals yesterday (listening to Spotify at work), I immediately knew it was her.
I am just not excited about this Americana direction she’s taking, dabbling in country, pandering to bullying, ect… to get Grammys. I dutifully listen to the music she’s collaborating on, and really, really try to be a great fan. But it’s not organically happening for me. I can appreciate the work, I like it ok. But my fandom is not what it used to be–and that’s disappointing. It’s not over. And I hope Brandi’s next album will feature the twins more, still have those notes she can hit like no other, and reignite the spark for me again.
And this post is not about how there can only be one female artist. Not at all. No trading is going on here. I like them all and have a place in my heart for all of them. There obviously, can (and needs to be) ALL the women in music. They can all be successful, it’s important to support that, and help it grow. I’m just illustrating that there was kind of a hole there (in my fandom?)… Which is when butterflies were bandied about.
I love color, love flowers, butterflies, tye dye, kittens, glitter, and unicorns, all of those things. Always have. It’s nothing to do with anything, just what aesthetic I’m naturally drawn to, and what incites passion and enthusiasm in me. So when the “Me” video came out, it was my LIFE. It was as if Taylor Swift made a video specifically for me. Even better that little clues (Easter eggs) were throughout. I also watched Pop-Up Video and loved all the trivia and facts and behind-the-scenes. Same thing.
So just like that I was hooked back in, trying to find the meanings and read the clues. And when super-gay “You Need to Calm Down” came on to the scene–I was floored. It was fun, it was bright. . . It painted Taylor (we’re on a first name basis) as at least an advocate and at most, was a coming out party for bisexual. And that led to Kaylor. Which is an easy word to describe a possible love between Taylor and Karlie Kloss.
PS-I don’t know what shipper means, and I don’t really care for it (I’m not 12), but that is the language used amongst Swifties, a group I’m too old to be in. Which needs to change. I should not be excluded just because I’m in my 30’s and can’t get on to the cool lingo. Taylor Swift is an artist I’ve followed for a long time, I’m interested in, and who’s music/career I’m really into right now. So I’m taking age out of it and being a super-fan (but leaving out the parts not applicable to me).
A lot of things made sense to me about Taylor being with Karlie. Especially when you see the looks, body language, and intimacy between them on YouTube. I feel like I have insider information about the difference between what friendships look like vs more. I also know about the coming out process. And when the lyrics of her songs are dissected in a different way–it makes so much more sense. I am impressed by how coded Taylor intentionally or unintentionally made her lyrics and videos and media. Like, how detailed could such a busy person get?! Color me impressed! That’s my very favorite thing about Taylor’s work. Also interesting: The LGBT community has used codes (handkerchiefs, ear piercings, etc, etc) forever to remain secret at large but still identify each other. Which un-ironically(?) can describe Taylor Swift’s whole thing. And what’s it called? double entrande’ ? Karlie has a computer coding school for girls, I think? Codes, all the codes! So now I guess I’m obsessed with accumulating irrefutable evidence of their relationship ie, I guess “outing” Taylor.
Which isn’t cool, and something I, personally, hate. But I’m not doing in a blackmail way or smarmy, or anything. More in a–knowing the REAL inspiration behind songs lets you in on the secret and allows more authentic enjoyment of the material. It’s a little like my obsession with Disappeared (Jaycee Lee Dugard, The McStays, Maura Murry, etc, etc…) and wondering what ever happened to that person. . . I always think about scenarios, make theories, and comb the internet for clues. But this is a little brighter, because it’s about a true, hidden love-not disappearance and death. But same combing for clues, making theories.
(Another blog post about that later–it’s kinda it’s own thing)
I was super into every Lover video, lyric, and Easter egg. And thrust back into Taylor’s world-though I have a daunting amount of research to catch up on just so I know what’s going on. There is a lot of media attention, romance stories, break-ups, friendships, characters–it’s worse than studying Chaucer.
Even more exciting-is that Taylor Swift is known to stalk her fans, get to know them via social media, then INVITE THEM TO HER HOUSE TO MEET HER. Instant fantasy. You know how I always want to meet them. Hopefully the tone of this blog, and any criticisms of Taylor’s work doesn’t preclude me from that. I thought about erasing any trace of negativity just in case. But the integrity of the blog comes first. Any my authenticity is always primary. Over time, feelings can evolve, as Taylor herself knows all about. Those were my opinions with information I had at the time, so they stay.
What I’ve learned since I wrote (especially my Reputation review) then is that the album is OK as a stand-alone. But what really expands the experience and gives it depth are the background stories, music videos, and especially the Easter eggs. Which is why Reputation got kind of a mediocre review from me at first (which has changed with my Kaylor knowledge) and is waaaay better now. That’s why the Kaylor truth is so important for Taylor Swift to share, and also why it’s important for me not to go erase the past. That’s me and my story, and just like Taylor’s works, plays a part in future works.
So that’s what is happening with Me! (see what I did there>) and why I have been inspired to write (more, still not enough-time gets away) again. And to especially make some songs.
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Catty Remarks