Taylor Swift had the honour of opening the 2013 Grammy Awards, and turned bejewelled ringmaster to do it! Along with the outfit, she accessorised with a massive troupe of circus performers, who made sure the main stage was never boring to behold. With so much occurring on the stage, as well as everyone dressed in white, it was a small wonder Taylor didn't get lost amongst the rabble! But she did a great job keeping the attention firmly focused on herself.
T-Swift delivered a good vocal, too, matching the studio version of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together pretty much note for note. However, the highlight of the performance had to be, when mimicking a conversation with the ex, the line, "I'm sorry, I’m busy opening the Grammys, and we’re never getting back together". I can only imagine how satisfying that felt!
Thoughts?
I just don't like Taylor Swift
ReplyDeleteAs adept as she is at writing a catchy song or three its going to take more than this one (acceptable) performance to overshadow the zillions of terrible off-key/pitchy/awkward live sets she has done previously! Being honest though I really didn't like the staging, it took contrived to a whole new level for me.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan but I found it humorous how she took a dig at her ex Harry Styles by using a British accent.
ReplyDeleteI had a paragraph that mentioned the issues of her other not so great performances but decided to omit it at the last minute. I thought I'd let Taylor have her moment, today. I'm sure I'll be bringing it up at a later date ...
ReplyDeletehttp://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me5rry3o1R1qzwovi.gif
I did not pick up on that! #SHADE
ReplyDeleteIs it one of those occasions where you don't know why? Or is something in particular about Taylor you don't like?
ReplyDeleteHahaha that's one creepy gif.
ReplyDeleteFirstly....that gif and the childs evil smirk has made my evening ;)
ReplyDeleteSecondly I apologize lol I have been in biatch mode today hehe I wasn't wanting to let her have her moment....
http://www.colombiaembassy.org/imgs/smug-face-gif-i8.gif
It's fantastic! hehe
ReplyDeleteI don't like how spiteful she seems with every guy she dated, and something I dont know so a mix of both
ReplyDeleteIt is :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I'm surprised more people didn't pick up on that! I would have expected that to be headlining all the gossip tabloids out there lol.
ReplyDeleteReally? That's the only reason I like her :D
ReplyDeleteNot for the innocent image her pr tries to make her be, I think there is a certain way you should use your talent and bulling your exes is one of them. (Did i seriously use talent and taylor swift in the same sentence i should of said fame)
ReplyDeleteYet she's still basic in my eyes. I'm not impressed by this performance, although I guess it's good by her standards. Overall, I thought the performances were a lot better this year. Even the weaker performances (Like Taylor's) weren't unbearable. Although as much as I hate to say it, Frank's performance was horrendous.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. General standard was pretty good except for Frank Ocean. Those people giving him a standing ovation must have been relatives. ;-)
ReplyDeleteTaylor reminds me of Madonna in a lot of ways. Not the best of singers (not even close, actually) but a tremendous entertainer. Great songwriter (something Madonna never was), and performer despite her limited vocal prowess, and of course she's got looks. Whenever she chooses to, she'll get into acting where I think she'll excel there too. Oh and yes, Madonna was better... then again I'm old and biased.
ReplyDeleteAs a fan of his music, I was disappointed. I want to say it was nerves, but I know that's just an excuse. His performances at award shows always seem to be bad or mediocre. Admittedly, I've never been wowed by any of his live performances, but he's usually better than this.
ReplyDeleteFor me live performances show the true level of an artist. I'd never heard of Frank Ocean and that performance, especially when it's the only actually poor of the event, it did not inspire me to check out his music. Hearing even a fan of his work has never been wowed by any live performance ....:-(
ReplyDeleteWell I agree with your viewpoint there, to a certain extent. I don't really agree with Madonna being a bad songwriter though, she has written some seriously good pop songs and whilst they may be simple in their construction she clearly has an ear for a hook and is known for her lyrical prowess (that indeed is hit or miss), Ray of Light is a pretty phenomenal album.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree. Taylor is a decent songwriter, not a great one. And her new material has, I believe, redefined her as a substandard one. At least her old music had some semblance of depth- her new stuff is juvenile and stale. Oh, and looks are subjective... but I will say that I find Taylor to resemble a horse even more closely than does Leona. And Madonna never had looks.
ReplyDeleteAnd acting? If you think she'll excel, you must not be comparing her to Madonna then- Madonnas acting is widely panned, save for her one role as Evita.
I was not comparing her to Madonna's acting. She'll be better than Madge. Look at her commercials, she is good on film. She does not have to be a theatrical stage performer who can cry on cue to be good. With her look (a classic look - yes subjective but she does have the "classic look"), all she really has to do is show up. Madonna's not pretty (that's probably why she wasn't a big time actress) but I think she's 100x sexier than Taylor ever will be. If you're disagreeing with me because Taylor isn't on par with Madonna - fair. I'm just saying limited vocal range, not the greatest voice but sells out concerts and records like nobody's business - that's the comparison.
ReplyDeleteBy classic look, I'm assuming you mean Taylor Swift is classically beautiful. No, most definitely not. That would be Jennifer Ehle, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc. etc. Taylor Swift might fit SOME standard of beauty... but not the classical standard.
ReplyDeleteYou said: " Oh, and looks are subjective..." Yet, you keep 'correcting' me. If its so subjective, why is your opinion the gold standard? You can say whatever you want about her looks but I guarantee this - more people think she's pretty than ugly.
ReplyDeleteI thought she was kinda flat, to be honest. Sometimes she was just totally struggling to sing the song. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteTaylor Swift actually is talented...And that shouldn't come as a surprise really.
ReplyDeleteI get the first part of your comment though I disagree but what are you talking about in the second part
ReplyDeleteI meant that it's no surprise that a lot people including myself think she's talented since you said that you can't believe that you used the words 'Taylor Swift' and 'talent' in the same sentence.
ReplyDeleteSo why would I write that? That was the question I asked. I respect that you are a fan and have a positive opinion on her while I don't
ReplyDeleteI'm not correcting you on the idea that's she's beautiful. That IS subjective.
ReplyDeleteBut Classical Beauty is NOT subjective. There are qualities and standards that are necessary before one qualifies as a Classical Beauty. Taylor possesses none of these.
Depends on the classic. Is she a glamour queen? No. Is she Cindy-Lou Who blue-eyed blonde sugar spun sweetness straight out of the south? Yes. Still a classic...just a different vintage. XD
ReplyDeleteMaybe that qualifies as a classic look, but in the normal usage of the term (i.e. girl with European aesthetics, slim and straight nose etc.) Taylor doesn't fit.
ReplyDeleteBecause when we utilize the term "classical beauty" what comes to mind is not a simple, country girl, but an elegant lady from the Victorian and regency eras.
I think her looks are a bit reminiscent of a certain type of old Hollywood starlets. So I'd agree they could be described as classic.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you didn't even bother to listen to the whole Red album and just judged her based on the lead single. If you did then you wouldn't call it "juvenile". Okay here we go, Begin Again is a sombre song, All to Well is also sombre, State of Grace is just classic rock, Everything has Changed and the Last time are both serious songs as well. Just because you don't like her doesn't make her "stale". Music is subjective, people like her so she sells well, just because you don't like her won't make her bad.
ReplyDeleteThe performance was not good IMO lol I'm a fan of her songs though. Though she has improved from her previous endeavors vocally.
ReplyDeleteI also find it laughable that haters say she only writes about love and boys. Hello? If you haven't noticed 90% of the songs by female singers are about love and boys LOL
Of course I judged her on the lead single, lol. I wouldn't get her album if it was on sale 99% off. Heck, I wouldn't take it if you paid me. Honestly, if I can't stand her voice OR the lead single, what's going to convince me this album is worth my cash?
ReplyDeleteThat takes the whole credibility from your comment. Because judging someone's whole musical repertoire based on the one song is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteLet me rephrase my statement so your simple mind can wrap around what I actually meant: the material that she chooses to release now is juvenile, and of utterly substandard quality. At least back in the day, her singles had some depth to them- but the lead and the follow up are shallow and kiddish. Capiche?
ReplyDeleteThen let me rephrase as well. Since when did her previous lead releases had some depth? (Are you saying You Belong With Me had depth? Or Is it Mine? Or Love Story?) And her deeper releases: Tim McGraw? Whit Horse? Back to December? Begin Again (Which was released just last year)? The reason she relies on her juvenile songs are because her deeper songs barely are a hit. Tim McGraw (her debut song) was a hit only in the country chart, Back to December was not a hit as well. Begin Again also underperformed. White Horse also underperformed. Back to December BTW was a follow up to Mine. White Horse was a follow up to Love Story. And Begin Again was a follow up to the annoying We Are Never Ever... So that takes me back to my point in the first place, you are judging her songs based on her bigger hits. I'm not saying you have to like or even respect her, I'm just saying, when you don't know something it's better to keep quite about it rather than resort to criticizing.
ReplyDeleteThough your basic point is a good one, clearly it doesn't really apply here.
ReplyDeleteDoes Reiko know her every song including their release dates, like a fanatic would? No. But very obviously she knows all Taylor's big hits.
It's quite silly to claim she cannot judge her because she doesn't know every album inside out.
And every song by Swift is about a boyfriend, usually on a quite superficial level.
I'm sorry but that is pretty juvenile alright.
Well she doesn't know Swift's every song and albums which is even more reason for Reiko to not judge her entire music collection.
ReplyDeleteListen to the songs I mentioned and then go around and say it's juvenile. (Try her other album songs as well). Because White Horse is about coming to terms with (not juvenile), Tim McGraw is about a boy she dated who moved away and reminiscing the moments (not juvenile), Begin Again is about moving on (not juvenile). I could list her other songs as well (well more than half of her songs). I agree songs like We Are Never Ever.. is juvenile and I even hate these songs. And you every song by her? Then you are also like Reiko, who don't know more than 2-3 songs by Swift and judge her entire career based on those 2-3 songs. Tied Together With a Smile, Breathe, The Outside, A Place in the World, 15, Long Live, Change, The Best Day (need I go on?) aren't about boys or love even.
Yes, that what I said...you do NOT have to know someone's entire catalogue in order to be able to form an opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am afraid I have no intention of listening to Swift's entire output thanks.
I just read the lyrics of some of the songs you claimed were ''deep''. And the lyrics to the first five songs from her 2006 album.whte hrse is about being disappointed wthaboy (again essentially about a break up), Tied up with a smile is about teenager's insecurity regardingbeing attractive to boys.Breathe is most definitely about a break-up with a boy,
Now clearly you don't know 'deep'' so why don't you stop judging the depth of these Swift songs until you heard the entire catalogues of John Prine, Leaonard Cohen, Tom Waits or Bob Dylan and then maybe you can judge on the subject of 'deep''.
Go ahead! I'll wait. :-)
Well claiming someone is a juvenile songwriter based on 2-3 songs seems hollow to me.
ReplyDeleteAlso White Horse is about accepting that not everything is fairy tale FYI how's that juvenile? Tied Together With A Smile is about being insecure with how one looks, so you are saying more than half of the people on this planet are juvenile? Wow way to go. Breathe is not about a break-up, it's about friend moving away. And teenage romance is juvenile? Clearly you don't know what juvenile means.
And I am a fan of Bob Dylan FYI. You did use the word "fanatic" FYI, and it implied that I'm a Swift fanatic. And not even funny.
FYI even a child understands that not everything is a fairy tale. just putting that out there.
ReplyDeleteNo, teenage romance is not necessarily juvenile, but Swift's version definitely is.
Lol juvenile: adjective relating to a young person who is not yet old enough to be considered an adult.
ReplyDeleteA teenager....is n ot an adult.
Adults...have long accepted everything is not a fairytale, adults...do not sleep with boys out of insecurity over their looks, adults have more things on their minds than boys.
Aside from her juvenile subject choice, the treatment of the subject is also on a juvenile level.
I am not saying that it is a bad thing to write juvenile songs. I am only saying you are kidding yourself if you think it is not an correct description of Swifts output.
You are also kidding yourself if you think you are not a fanatic regarding Swift.
And I repeat...clearly Reiko listened to more than just the ''one song''. Even more than just ''two or three'' songs. Do you want to go for four to six now? Or eight to twelve? I repeat...it is ridiculous to claim it takes listening to someone's entire catalogue in order to be able to judge.
And yes...funny. Another surefire sign one is dealing with a fanatic...the absence of a sense of humor .