Considering I’m not a Swiftaholic, I’ve only heard three singles off of Taylor Swift’s latest album: “Shake It Off,” “Out of the Woods” and her current hit single, “Blank Space.” I put “Blank Space” in my #2 position, after my favorite “Out of the Woods” and above “Shake It Off,” which I really don’t like. I understand why “Shake It Off” was the first single though – it’s one of the most radio-friendly songs ever. Anyway, Swifty dropped the music video for “Blank Space” and WOW, she really spent some money on this video. That was my first reaction. My second was… oh, she’s making fun of herself and how people think she behaves in relationships. Taylor can make fun of herself… but only when there are very narrow parameters and she’s the one controlling the “joke.” After all, there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.
Right? They really spent money on this video. Which is nice, because Swifty is a princess and people love to see her play dress-up. As for the “message” of this video/song… I’m tapped out. If Swifty wants to make fun of her image, go ahead. If she wants to pretend to be the crazy girlfriend, she probably doesn’t have to try too hard. God bless.
Meanwhile, Harry Styles chimed in on the fact that several of the songs on this album are about his brief fling with Swifty. “Out of the Woods” is definitely about Harry, as is “Style,” apparently. Harry was nice about it, saying:
“We write from personal experience. I think everyone does. So it would be hypocritical of us to be like, ‘Oh, you can’t write about us.’ She’s really good, so… they’re good songs. So I’m really lucky in that sense.”
I think this is probably the best way to handle it if you’re a guy and you broke up with Taylor Swift at some point in your life. Just acknowledge that she’s like a gossipy middle-schooler who overanalyzes brief flings like they are the most significant things ever and then just shrug.
Photos of Swifty in Japan, courtesy of WENN.
I like that she has accepted her role as Bunny Boiler In Chief
Or Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.
Sometimes I think you’re too hard on Taylor. I actually think she’s trying to move on from her past. I wouldn’t want people to analyze my every move, and hold things I did when I was 18 and even 23 to my 25 year old self.
I’ve listen to her album, and although it’s much more boycentric than she promised. None of the songs are particularly negative, the exception being Bad Blood. I guess the Cray TayTay (which she build up) angle is much more fun, than the she was stupid but she grew up.
This. I’m not a fan, but most people change when they leave their teens and early 20s. She still has her moments, but for the most part she seems to have evolved. Also, this video is clearly making fun of her tabloid image.
I used to keep journals since I was about 17-25.
Seriously, going over some of them I was shocked at my stupidity and drama over boys whose last names I didn’t even remember.
So could she have kept it personal? Sure. But my love life would have made for some great material too.
Exactly. She should be allowed to grow, learn, and rebrand herself, and she’s come miles from where she was. I couldn’t stand Taylor before but she’s won me over, probably because I’m 23 and would hate to be judged by the person I was at 19.
Completely agree with you guys. I think Taylor deserves a break. She’s 24 and is having every move of her’s watched. I think even the ‘sex and the city’ criticism that is in a few of these articles is too much. I think she’s doing damn well.
And the “looks like an expensive video” sounds overly critical too. All big pop stars have videos with big production values, I mean come on.
Last thing, from what I’ve read, she had a really tough time in middle school. I don’t hate on her at all for “gossipy, middle school vibes.” I like that her songs are more detailed compared to the vague love or power anthems from Katy Perry or Ariana Grande. And think about how teenage girls must relate to this stuff!
That’s all for my rant.
It’s better than the vague, generic love song that was written by 10 people, and pitched to every top 40 singer. Although I love some of those songs as well.
I agree, I think she’s growing up and should be given a chance to do so. If making fun of herself is a step in that process, good for her. She did seem a bit humorless and clueless in the past, but she seems to be changing.
Also, the idea of her controlling the joke makes sense in this case, given that it’s her song and video. How she responds to something outside of that will be more telling.
yup, the write up came across very negative in tone.
i found the video hilarious and entertaining
I bet she had real fun shooting that video. Usually I see her as sexy as Gwyneth Paltrow (aka zero) but in this video she seems different..more believable and sexy. And if she can make fun of herself I might even start liking her!
I love the answer Harry Styles gave about Swifty’s song. He seems to be a very nice person. Or his PR team is.
Really? One thing I noticed is that she can “get away” with the lingerie and sheer outfits, because she’s not sexy or erotic at all. She’s a beautiful woman, but with zero sex appeal IMO.
Funny enough, she was “sexier” when she was younger. Watch some of her early music videos, and they were def trying to sexualize her. “Our Song” and “Picture to Burn”. And then they went the relatable girl next door for her second album.
I liked the video, specially those parts with the knife and the crazy eyes. She’s still a little deluded but I can’t slam her harmless pop music. I prefer her than say Nicky Minage with her butt of lies and her offensive videos.
Butt of lies! Good one!!
i thought she looked quite beautiful in the scene with the crazy eyes!
She doesn’t have a sense of humor. Like you said, if she’s the one controlling the”joke” then it’s fine. Being self deprecating take a little self awareness and I don’t think she has that. It’s always everyone’s else’s fault for things going south.
Everything that Harry person has said about Swifty shows that he’s either made of pure class, or has really absorbed his PR lessons. Either way, he’s been incredibly gracious, to the point where now I actually get what the ladies like about him. Diplomacy and maturity go a long way.
She said he’s her first ex she could run lyrics by. Since he’s a songwriter too, and they were friends after the breakup.
Please, Harry and Swift were in a PR relationship. It was so obvious, as her relationship with Jake G.
I love the new and improved Swifty. She’s making fun of both herself and the media and she’s doing a very good job. And the song is so catchy.
She also seems to be a really nice person.
As for Harry Styles, he seems to be a class act. For someone that young with that much fame, he’s doing a great job and always comes across as such a nice guy.
I like the new Taylor too.
And yeah, Harry seems reaaly cool. Or great at PR. Didn’t he come out as bisexual recently?
Nope, just fans trying to push their “Larry” fantasies. Honestly, I think Harry enjoys teasing his fans about his sexuality but I think he’s straight.
This is my favorite song on her album followed by Style.
I like the idea of her making fun of the media
and herself in the video. Also I want her outfit!
That was hysterical!
NOT. THE. CAR!!!!!!
I will say this is the first time Taylor has chosen the best song as singles. I mourn “Sparks Fly”, “Haunted” and “All Too Well”. Style better be the next single, we need Taylor serving us that 80s Miami Vice video.
Best part: Taylor swinging the axe at the tree.
While that white horse looks at her like she lost her mind.
Now had she chosen David Gandy to be the love interest. It would have been a perfect video.
Oh please can we be done with the marketing/branding/monetizing of this girl and her product; listen to her “muzak” if you want, but it ain’t music for the ages – how much money does this girl and her team need, because that’s what it boils down to; and to think real artists like Gabriela of Rodrigo and Gabriela and Esperanza Spalding are utterly ignored for this tweener Dylan.
I can’t even imagine what it would feel like for someone to write basically an entire album of your fling/relationship that barely lasted two months. The album makes it sound like they were crazy in love, not just dating for weeks.
The other day there was a Tayphoon post here about her PR/Marketing genius team, and I (attempted) to be funny and said we wouldn’t even remember her if it hadn’t been for Kanye and his kouchjump at the awards show so many years ago. However, in all seriousness, I appreciate this gone girl’s game in a big way. She is one of the slickest packages that I’ve ever seen.
All I want is a video for Style, wake me up when it’s out.
In my opinion, I think she’s very talented and has a pretty good head on her shoulders compared to the rest of her peer group.
I think the video is fantastic! Best music video I’ve seen in a while. My like of Taylor has been steadily growing since Red and now it’s blossomed into full-blown fan status. And I’m 27 btw.
I like her, but I think those pants are cooch crushers. Free the toes!
I kind of love Taylor Swift sometimes, and the videos for Shake It Off and Blank Space are part of why. Yeah, she doesn’t do well when people make jokes about her — but she *can* joke about herself, and I usually enjoy it when she does.
I also love the fact the (first) guy in the video looks perplexed about whether he’s really enjoying himself. He looks like he’s constantly thinking, “Am I in danger? Or is this fun?”
She’s starting to grow on me. Self deprecation is one of the highest forms of humor.
I love the Blank Space video. Taylor is so effortlessly sexy, easily putting the other Pop girls to shame.