I felt such a strong mixture of emotions this morning as I listened to Taylor Swift’s new single, “Look What You Made Me Do.” On one hand, it’s gratifying – Taylor is doing exactly what we wanted, which is letting her Petty Mean Girl freak-flag fly proudly and gloriously. She’s not hiding behind the who-me-I’m-so-innocent persona anymore. She shed the Innocent snake skin a year ago. On the other hand, without the Innocent persona, what we’re left with is everything we’ve always said about Taylor and what she’s been hiding: she really is this petty, she really does hold massive grudges, she really does twist herself in knots to view herself as the wronged party in every situation. “Look What You Made Me Do” reads like an anthem for bullies who were called out on their sh-t. It’s a smirk of “Yes, I’m everything you said I was and now I’m going to destroy you for knowing that about me.” It’s basically “Lemonade” for petty white Mean Girls. An anthem for our times.
My favorite lyric: “I’ve got a list of names/and yours is in red, underlined/I check it once/then I check it twice OH.” WHAT DID I TELL YOU??? Remember last summer, during The Glorious Tiddlebanging of 2016, when people were calling out Taylor left and right? Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, Kim Kardashian, the entire #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty people? I told you she was taking names. I told you she was keeping a list. So, yeah, it’s gratifying. I always knew she was this person.
Beyond the lyrics and the message, the actual hook of the song may sound familiar. Apparently, in the song credits, Taylor credited Right Said Fred because this song is “an interpolation of a melody” from ‘I’m Too Sexy.’
So, @taylorswift13's #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo kindof reminds me of something. Wait for it… pic.twitter.com/oC8RnBFsfQ
— Chase Holfelder (@chaseholfelder) August 25, 2017
Also: Taylor is now selling snake jewelry to go along with this album release. All of this makes me wonder… did she really not understand WHY certain people called her out on her bullsh-t last year? I’ve always said that Taylor is a marketing genius and arguably one of the greatest businesswomen of this era, but did chica only pay attention to the fact that people were dissing her, and she never bothered to figure out WHY? To all of the little girls: buy the Tay-branded snake jewelry if you must, but know this: you’re basically wearing the Mean Girl Bully talismans.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Taylor Swift.
“Look what what you made me do” is something an abuser will say to person he abused. This is what my ex BF said when he beat me. apparently I did or say something that made him do it. It wasn’t his fault you guys.
It is what she sell her young fans – you aren’t responsible for your deeds. And it is so no right. I can’t understand parents who are happy that 9 years old girl listen to her songs. In this she sound like this Katty Bates in MISERY before she broke this poor guy legs.
I’m waiting for all media to call her for what she is – a real bullie, not only some silly mean girl.
Totally agree!
This + 10000
FIrst thing I thought too. I don’t really like this phrase legitimized in any way.
Heard it. Sonds like a song about suicide or murder to me. Its meh, as all pop songs today
It’s totally tone-deaf and horrible and I hope she is loudly shamed for it.
Agree with you. Bullies and abusers always shift the blame. They are never in the wrong. I don’t care for the phrase either.
She seems like she was emotionally stunted at age 14.
So sorry you went through that, No No. Glad you’re okay.
ITA with everything you said. I know a lot of parents have said they like her music because they don’t have to explain sexual references, etc etc, but it’s like… so you would rather have your child receive insidious messages about how they should be manipulative, petty, selfish, blame other people for their own mistakes, and have zero accountability or self-awareness? That, to me, is worse.
Taylor Swift has been this terrible, terrible person forever, and it’s only been in the last few years that the larger public has started to see that. But this is her, through and through. She is almost 30 and she will never change. It’s both amazing to behold and a reminder of why I cannot stand her with every fiber of my being.
Because it is easier for them to see naked boobs and hear that some singer want to fu*k with a guy. They don’t listen TS songs carefully – they think se sing about flowers, butterflies and broken heart. But in realisty her song from last few years are basicly a gouid – “How to become a mean sociopathic bully everybody love and bake delicious muffins”. See her fans don’t have problem with this song. Apparently it is ok to blame everyone and do not take responsibility for your actions. Use people and frew them under the bus wthen they’re useless for you. I’m not shocked that Donny T. is her fan. The same bullies mentality. Something we need in US and world in 2017. Thank you Tay Tay for this anthem.
Probably because they don’t listen very hard to her songs. I know my parents never listened to my music, and I’m glad because my mother would probably have fainted at some of the lyrics. Anyway, many parents are probably only vaguely aware of the lyrics and content, and are pretty much only cognizant of the fact that they never have to answer awkward questions about sexual references or wade through a sea of half naked, provocative pictures Taylor. The thing with kids, though, if you forbid them from listening to something or try to keep them away from it, it rarely works.
Yes yes yes! Sex is normal, being a lying, hypocritical, thin-skinned asshole who thinks anyone who doesn’t give in to them deserves payback isn’t it. I’d rather my kid saw some boobs instead of emulating Swiftie’s disingenuous play the victim while being the bully act.
Thats exactly it…..you nailed it.
I couldn’t agree more. This phrase is the worst. Back it way, way up from an abuser to a little three year old. “Look what you made me do” attitude needs to be nipped in the bud. Pretty much the opposite mindset of raising a decent child.
I know little of Taylor or pop music. But say something like this to this grandma and there’s going to be a big talking to about self responsibility and excuses.
I know it’s just a song but what a horrible message.
Agree 100%. What is this victim attitude? “You made me do it” is a really unfortunate message: I’m not responsible for my actions, you are. And now I’m going to release the hounds of hell on you, but it’s all your fault.
I guess killing off the old Taylor public image is liberating for her, but she chose the wrong way to make herself look intimidating!
100% right!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I totally agree! What a moron thinking this is the way to move her brand forward. I don’t think she’s a marketing genius. I think shes a liar. I think she’s boring. I think she’s fake. Her career will never be what it was because what kind decent person would support her?
You’re right. She’s not the marketing genius, her team are the ones who make the magic happen. The issues start when she gets too cocky and starts buying into her own hype – then she ends up with bad press like the Nicki Minaj VMA’s fight or Kanye call.
She’s a decent business woman like Jessica Simpson is a decent business woman. They have great teams employed to do that. The the face of something is not necessarily the head.
You nailed it. My first thought as well- totally an abuser self justification.
Like No No originally said: I have a 9yr old daughter. I can’t begin to count how many conversations we have had to combat the Taylor Swift effect. I hate how much my daughter loves her songs but with endless radio play, its practically unavoidable. I feel like most of our talks basically end with, “it’s fine that you like a catchy song, but u have to listen to words that u sing along with and u have to think about what they mean.” I think she has a stronger understanding of personal accountability than Swifty does.
ITA on teaching our kids to use critical thinking and question the connotations of what they are listening to. We’re a musically eclectic household – political punk, Ska, Irish trad, Canadian indie – but very little commercial pop. We don’t use the radio at all, instead we create playlist and add new songs when our kids find something else they like. The problem with our strategy emerged when my daughter’s 2nd grade teacher let every child choose a song for a music listening exercise. With video. And that’s how I ended up deconstructing Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of you” for a 7 year old. It was positive in the end, because once she understood the lyrics she was like, “why does he only love her shape and her body? Why doesn’t he say how awesome or smart she is?” Victory.
Glad you’re ok No No.
I agree that this phrase is problematic, and after listening to the song, I feel like she’s definitely continuing to paint herself as a victim of everyone else.
Honestly, I think it’s ridiculous. These are grown adults acting out junior high level drama and feuds. Don’t they have anything better to do?
‘Look what you made me do’ is a classic addict, abuser phrase! Ugh, I can’t listen for a while.
I think those were the words (or something similar to that) John Bernthal said to Emily Blunt while he was strangling her in “Sicario”.
She’s an abusive mean girl justifying her nastiness by blaming her victims. She is Regina George.
The victim narrative ends at the lyric “I trust no one and no one trusts me.” From that point on “look what you made me do” seems pretty blatantly about exacting revenge, which is how a bully justifies behavior. Geezus it’s a creepy song.
Now that you mentioned it, it made me shiver. And all those young girls following her as an example….
EXACTLY what I came to say, @no no
Hearing this wench sing that phrase like it’s so sexy honestly makes me nauseous
Yes this. I was ready to like it but the hook just makes me cringe. No one makes you do ANYTHING. Take responsibility for your actions. This isn’t a healthy message for anyone. And I’m so tired of her playing the victim. Yay for her court victory – really mean that but STOP playing the victim in life.
That was my first thought aswell. Really really bad choice.
Well said! The whole song is terrible (but I will say props to her for going in a whole different direction) and it is so “me me me me me”. She is not a humble person and it shows. Look what you made her do? Taylor… no one is making you do anything. Choices, honey.
the song is unfortunately not good. the whole thing is basically terrible metaphors about how she only acted the way she did because everyone wronged her. So still playing the victim, but now trying to be edgy. I really was wishing it would be a banger unfortunately… Not so much. also, I really wish she would stop doing the spoken word interlude thing because it’s mostly just really embarrassing. And I say this as someone who was really looking forward to this song.
Yeah she’s not branding herself as different? She’s still saying she’s a victim, look what YOU made me do? The song is awful, and I usually like her a lot of songs begrudgingly.
I stopped listening to it half way through. It’s pretty bad.
I fully expected to like it… but like you, I didn’t make it through the song. It really is bad.
Same. It is a disturbing song. As others said above, the title alone but also the rest of the lyrics.
I was looking forward to this, too, and it was a let down for me. I was kinda just hoping for some uplifting bubble-gummy pop — of the “22,” “Never Getting Back Together,” “Shake it Off” variety. I sort of think most of the Top 40 sucks right now, so I was hoping for something I liked.
I kind of think she mis-read the mood of radio and the country. I imagine most folks are looking for light distraction, not more drama.
I still believe that she coordinated with Kimye to release those tapes.
I really think she thought it was time for a rebrand, and this was the way to do it.
Interesting. Courtney Love was criticised for writing the line “Now I’ve made my bed, I’ll lie in it, I’ve made my bed, I’ll die in it” in miss world, also for the
song asking for it,” Was she asking for it?
Was she asking nice?
If she was asking for it
Did she ask you twice?”
But Courtney was just taking her power back.
Taylor is just making the terms hers, taking her power back too as a person that does need to give two forks to KKW & KW – et all – the song of Taylors is kind of strange though.
I watched the lyrics video and the words are really quite disturbing.
All Taylor is doing here is showing her true self. Just acknowledging everything most of us had already figured out about her. She’s a mean, revengeful bully. More fodder for the fire on her.
Absolutely. The “old Taylor” is not dead. She just came out of hiding and is showing her true “always the victim” colors. I am disappointed.
She’s whining and playing the victim, her usual shtick, but I think saying she’s a bully is a HUGE stretch. There’s nothing really offensive here at all.
Great. Now we have both a girl psycho and a boy psycho in this cultural moment.
Okay, the side by side comparison to Right Side Fred is hilarious.
@no no is absolutely right. And I hope you’re in a much safer place right now and I’m glad he’s your ex.
And I’m really bummed that Swift is selling snake jewelry because I love snakes, the ring is beautiful, but I won’t support this nonsense.
Thank you. I fled from him just after that horrible night.
And about TS – I don’t understand how someone can be so callous to titled her song like that. Especially after her trial. She really live in some bubble and don’t know what other women life looks like. All song is a revenge nonsens, but this horus – “Look what you made me do”. Yezzz. This is an abuser excuse. Transfer of responsibility. Everyone knows what this phrase means. Woman hear this too many times. And now imagine that man sing this song?
@No No- your original comment has stuck with me all morning. I am so thankful you are here (and safe) and able to share this with us.
Glad you’re okay no no. *internet hugs*
@no no
The phrase is hardly ever used in a positive context. I am glad that you survived.
Right Said Fred have a writing credit on the album.
The song isn’t good. The lyrics are dramatic. And as I suspected Taylor hasn’t learned anything from her critics.
Plus the song sucks.
But her fans will lap it up because Taylor the Queen of Snowflakes can do no wrong
And the song is bad but still catchy. Also, the free promotion this got… Even associated press posted about this. The machine behind this song/album won’t let it fail…
I heard it this morning and I liked it. But FULL DISCLOSURE I wasn’t listening to the lyrics at all> Had no idea what the song was about. Just heard it on the radio and was like “huh this sounds more like a dance song than I’m used to from her”
@ pinetree13. I have the same conundrum about Taylor Swift. I think she is crazy and yes, I find her songs catchy.
I disagree, imo she’s still victimizing herself and blaming others for her mistakes. And maybe i’m overreacting, but the whole “you made me do it” leaves me very uncomfortable.
I agree-she’s still acting like someone did something to her. She lied and she got caught. No one framed her for anything. This is just the standard whinging with a ‘darker’ beat.
Exactly! The drama she has been involved in is the product of her own making. There were receipts and now she comes with this whole concept that the other side, even if right, deserves to be punished because it showed us her true colours, making her look like a fool? Ugh.
It’s like she can’t grow out of her 13 year old petty self. I don’t find this amusing at all:/
The chorus is a letdown, but I really enjoyed the rest of the song.
Also, I didn’t think it was a “poor me little victim” song, it was mostly… Threatening?
Yeah i like the song. The chorus could be better and the telephone part is stupid but for the most part i like it. It’s not her usual pop stuff.
Let’s face it most celebitchies hate her so the song could be some masterpiece and the comments would still be the same negative comments as always
I don’t hate her. I think a lot of her songs are really catchy (Bad Blood, Blank Space, and Shake it off are on my iTunes) and I’ve enjoyed her manufactured drama over the years. And even though I think she was absolutely wrong in the Kanye situation, I was looking forward to another fun clapback anthem, or maybe even a musical mea culpa.
Take Tay out of the equation and, for me, this song is still the musical equivalent of her deflated-Debby-Harris hair. Trying to be edgy, but ultimately limp.
*deflated-Debbie-Harry hair … my bad lol
I don’t like Taylor but if her song was good I would have said so. I just don’t think it is.
…which is so much better.
My take is that in her mind she became a victim because the other side took her mask (receipts anyone?) and now she feels she needs to punish them.
I read it as victim-y, but I also think her intention was a poorly executed attempt to signal a new era where she embraced an emboldened self. I read it as ‘I am now hardened and dark because you took away my ability to play innocent’. She’s ‘had to’ rebrand herself because of the leaks. And the leaks were wrong, even though people are gleeful about them. Leaks are always wrong. There is a lot of time, money and energy put into creating a brand, most celebrities have them, whether we like them or not. I don’t blame her for being pissed her work was undone. I do also wish she had been more mature and insightful in her return, but maybe there is an evolution on the whole album. If not, maybe the critics will be loud enough Taylor will hear and do better next time, or maybe she won’t be able to be anything other than who she is and her career will be over.
Leaks are always wrong? If you’re talking about KimK releasing the video of Tay’s call with Kanye, I have to disagree. Lying is wrong. Throwing a black man under the bus so you can profit from public sympathy is wrong. Leaks that hold people accountable for lying and abusing their privilege are just and necessary.
Of course there are times when leaking is wrong – for example, if lives are on the line, or it’s an invasion of privacy (like outing someone for being gay). But this is not one of those times. Tay lied to profit at Kanye’s expense. She made that choice, and she alone is responsible for the damage it did to her brand.
(ps. even if we get into conspiracy theories where Tay and Kanye were in on this together, then Kanye and Kim double-crossed her, Tay still chose to play that game and it’s on her to bring the receipts)
“throwing a black man under the bus”… what?? You really think this had anything to do with his skin color? She would have thrown Calvin Harris under the bus in a heartbeat (and probably will if she can). She may be many things but I don’t think any of that was racially motivated.
I do think a leak of a conversation between 2 people is wrong. Especially if the other person isn’t aware they are being recorded or if the conversation is edited and only one person has the original. I would say the same if Taylor did the leaking on Kanye. And I would want hear the whole conversation before declaring one side is a liar. That leak served Kim’s agenda, and she’s not a pillar of honesty and transparency. She controls her image and message too.
Leaks about the BS going on with the American presidency probably merit some leaks because of ethics and such, but this isn’t that type of circumstance and people’s taxes and quality of life are not being risked.
Just like “leaks” about the corruption in our current government, or hypocritical religious people, I 100% support leaking that tape to show she was lying. She lied about Kanye, benefitted from that lie and trashed his reputation further with that lie. Sorry that is criminal. She has obviously been getting a free pass her whole life for dissembling. And made much money on it. She created an entire romance for the summer to try and make people forget that she was outed as a two-faced liar. Who many tv shows are going to ask her about her lies? None because we must not make her pay for the consequences of her lies.
There is nothing but celebration from the other celebrities who know her devious nature. Leak away.
yeah leaks its wrong but mm it’s hardly heady stuff like wikileaks,pentagon papers.
I dont think the black card can be used here, sorry kanye is more like oj than rodney king. so bloody manipulative,old crazy kanye gettng his missus to make him look better.hah! he’ll never get his insurance payout.he sold himself out the kardashian klan.
@ loveotterly & TY – Just to be clear, I wasn’t suggesting this was “racially motivated” on Tay’s part. I was just pointing out that when a white woman lies about being victimized by a black man, she is both benefiting from and contributing to dangerous cultural narratives and biases about black men.
Regardless of her intent, Tay benefits from the fact that Kanye is more likely to be presumed guilty until proven innocent. Especially if his past is “more like oj than rodney king,” and especially if he is “crazy,” since people with mental illness face additional biases. Ignorance/insensitivity to these layers doesn’t make it any less an abuse of privilege.
PS, I still don’t get why folks think leaks are wrong? If someone is lying or doing something shady, it’s on them if they are caught. Not the person who calls them out. Recording conversations to which you are party is a legal right. Whistle-blowing is fundamental for holding powerful people accountable. A celebrity squabble may not be “heady stuff” but it could have damaged Kanye’s career and he has a right to defend himself from defamation.
PPS, I agree it would be better to have a complete tape, but it doesn’t make much difference. Tay initially said she wasn’t consulted. The tapes show that she was, at least in part. I like Tay (believe it or not!) but she misrepresented what happened.
I agree. I like the song, but I think the chorus should have popped more. Overall, it is really well produced.
I don’t take the song as seriously as others seem to be. I think she is just leaning into the bad character narrative that has formed. I don’t take it as victim-y either, more villainous.
The problem with abusive people saying things such as ‘How you smile when you lie… how you said the gun was mine…’ etc. is that they are burying their victims true pain. When I dealt with someone with NPD in the past, he showed me the beginning of a very long and involved smear campaign that will probably last the rest of my adult life. These people DO NOT forget anything and do not rest until the people who ‘threaten’ them are silenced(which is a long list of people), even though the victims are the ones who are being hurt and gaslighted again and again. I don’t know for a fact that TS meant this song in an abusive way or is an abusive person in her personal life, but it is definitely one hell of a huge gaslight of a song and it manages to admit fault without taking responsibility for anything. Total abuser move. Abusers can only operate when their victims or captive audience are confused, insecure, or disoriented. This is why people with mental illness or people who they can sense lack stability are ideal targets. The N in my life was sadistic to the point of dropping hints of their issue in my face long before I could have figured it out and gaslighting me long before I could have known that’s what he was doing. The result is that everyone believed him that was unstable, a liar, etc. (when he finally devalued and discarded me)and I’m sure always will. They masterfully set this up so no one can unmask them and it’s very hard to do so unless you plan it well in advance and it’s very publicly done with lots of people who have your back. Sadly for many victims, they live years in shame and silence or their whole lives because no one believes them. Shame on TS for taking power away from the true victims of the world where it belongs, for using this phrase so carelessly, and for mean girling Kanye who has been openly struggling the past year and the racism and cattiness she showed in the first place. I seriously feel like she took the victim thing to pathological levels with this song and I hope more people are made aware of how much this indicates the real victim is probably someone else because it does and people who can’t accept any blame or fault never change. More people need to learn how to see through those types. Maybe this is a song introducing a ‘transformation’ on this album or whatever? But I don’t think so I think it’s an exercise in cattiness and immaturity. Not that it would make the whole concept behind this song any better if she did spin it to be something like that.
It’s embarrassing.
I’m embarrassed that I listened to it
Especially that “kingdom keys ” part… Maybe it’s my evangelical childhood talking, but that smacks of Christian pop cliche
Everything she does makes me cringe. All the money in the world can’t make up for her basically being a walking punch line, in my mind.
She also sampled the song “operate” from peaches which was used in mean girls so I think this is a whole other blank space type song , in how she made it clear she gets we are tired of labeling her a victim so she is owning the villain she’s been painted as . I like it, and for the first time in a swift song I liked the use of spoken word with the whole “Taylor swift is dead phonecall”
I was really disapointed with the song, it sounds like a mix of Beyonce’s Girls and Katy’s Swish swish to me, but with a terrible witch vibe. And what’s with all the repetition of the same lyrics?! 4 times the same “I don’t trust nobody” 2 line verse!!!
I never liked her, but I could appreciate her seemingly simple lyrics before, but here there are no lyrics! Oh, my, this hasn’t even got a melody!!! 😩
I told my sister last night it sounded like Swifts music had a baby with Ashlee Simpsons music circa 2007.
That is amazing and TRUE!!
I co-sign.
In other news I could barely make it 35 secs into the song and had to shut it off. Her voice, my goodness it is horrible.
Ahh so I see she’s moved on from holding grudges and getting even… oh nope. I didn’t call the 80s influence on thIs. I totally should have though because she’s always self referential. 80s callback on the Typical Taylor Bingo Card now checked.
Also, did she watch Mean Girls and think Regina George was who you were supppsed to root for? Those lyrics are BAD.
So boring on every level.
For someone that helped women by standing up to her abuser, this is one of those, “two steps forward one step back moments.”
I didn’t listen to the song until coming here because something wasn’t sitting right with me and it was the entire, “Look what you made me do.” Abused women hear that ALL THE TIME, as mentioned by @no no (I’m so happy you escaped). I used to volunteer for victims and one husband said point blank he’s allowed to hit his wife when she does something wrong.
So no, absolutely no to this song. She can have a seat.
you’re so right, she just burned up all the goodwill she gained from her trial testimony…
@Tania,
My father said the same damn thing to a state trooper when I called them because he was hitting and kicking my mother ( that was the last time he laid a finger on her).
This song makes me sick. If I used twitter, I would lash out at her because of it.
The song isn’t even good. She sounds deranged. I don’t care for her but I usually like her catchy songs
Congrats Taylor for the worst diss track/revenge song of all time
Gee, another I’m the victim song. Taylor really needs to grow up. She may be trying to go with the “I’m no longer innocent and going to fight back” but she sounds like a mean girl. She’s mad that her true colors were shown. Nobody did anything to her except show who she really is. The worst part is the song is bad. I actually like much of her music but don’t like her. With all of hype you would think this would be the greatest song but it’s one of Taylor’s weakest.
I don’t care for her, but I do like her music. Oh, well…in a way it’s nice to see that the one reliable thing about Taylor Swift is that she isn’t changing. This Arya Stark impression is just the latest.
YES! I was listening to this for the first time, basically thinking this could be Arya’s theme song… list of names, the old Taylor is dead, etc. ARYA much?
I thought Taylor is channeling her inner Cersei. Both had their “Shame”-ful moments in public, and now Taylor’s trying to “blowup” her enemy (KP) by dropping this around the same time as Swish2.
There’s an article on EW.com that makes the case for this song being about Arya Stark.
http://ew.com/tv/2017/08/25/taylor-swift-arya-stark/
Is it me or is the art work for this whole new, let’s called it ‘campaign’, really amateurish?
Yeah, I mean she has a good business sense (though I think that’s more likely those people around her, particularly her parents).
Marketing genius? Definitely not, she’s just so lacking in self awareness.
White mediocrity.
Mediocrity, or talent, for that matter, doesn’t have a color.
Neither do soociopaths. Which this person obviously is.
Trump should give her a call when he’s in the market for his next PR director.
The point is that while people are praised for basic-to-terrible bullsh!t like this, while POC have to work their asses off for even the slightest recognition of their actual talent
I was actually thinking “how Trump-like of her.”
I agree MI6, but can understand the ire over swift at least…she’s an average songwriter with a decent voice but has skyrocketed well beyond what her natural talent would’ve allowed, plus she’s 100% lodged up her own a$$. i think she has put out some catchy songs but that can be attributed mostly to the people who work for her that have real talent and experience. Taylor Swift is a corporation with many people going into her music and image. knowing that makes it hard to take her seriously when the end product is mediocre like this song. and yes i think her privilege is both racial and classist. daddy was a well off finance guy that had bank and bought her a record company at 15, along with an army of backup singers and songwriters, etc…this little cream puff was just GONNA HAPPEN and being white of course accelerated her rise to the top.
@shambles, that is an intelligent comment. QueenB just sounds like a racist a-hole
@ Shambles
I get where you are coming from but there are a lot of talentless rappers who are making a fortune right now. Being good at PR and branding has completely encompassed having actual talent since the social media explosion. Taylor Swift isn’t the only person taking advantage of social media branding.
@ MI6 as a POC music maker, I can attest to what Shambles and QueenB albeit badly said. White “artists” are able to be mediocre and often succeed, whereas POC need to be exceptional or play into an acceptable stereotype to get the same access and acknowledge white folk get more often than not after appropriating from POC. Now in her particular case her having a wealthy family that bought her a label ensured that there would be NO FAILURE, but either way unfortunately skin colour does play a factor in opportunity and access in the entertainment world. Heck in all worlds.
Yep x100000000000
This! Also, the fact that she beat out Kendrick’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ for album of the year at the Grammys still annoys me smh.
it doesn’t sound as much as a bully’s anthem as much as threatening and a bit unhinged? like she wants to show that whatever happened to her she is now ready for revenge. I think I wrote a song like this when I was 19 about my best friend who kept copying my clothing style. lol
I dont really care but I want this song to save Mariah Carey record from despacito crap.plz snake God…
I’m so mad at Kanye for making that bitch famous.
kayne wished he made her famous, she was collecting n1 and awards way before him.
LOL
you can lol all you want but it is true, she never needed kayne or anyone else .Btw she is currently topping worlwide iTunes, salty or not ?
Like your fave, get a sense of humor.
Except she’s being mocked:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/taylor-swift-new-song-reaction-1032537
Kanye did not make her famous. Swift was a music star at 17.
But he gave her a massive profile boost – I’d never heard of her til he interrupted her at the VMA’s.
@josie You’d never heard of her,but obviously others did. She was still famous before Kanye West.
Babs was clearly making a joke. Y’all it’s Friday cheer the hell up lol
Thank you!
BORING!
It’s a lousy song with a terrible message for the impressionable young girls that make up the bulk of her fandom. It is a bully anthem and deserves no respect, whatsoever.
Never understood how she got the stamp of approval from mothers. Her behavior speaks volumes about her narcissistic personality. She is the perennial victim. I mentioned this before, but my oh my her lips seemed to have grown rather plump, or is makeup? Haha, we all know she’s buying Kylie’s lip kits. Oh Taylor, you’re so purdy! Brat. Meanwhile at the ranch, John Mayer, Kim and Kanye, Katy, Calvin, Tom and a myriad of others are having a good laugh!!
So what is going to happen now? Are we going to ban her music video? At the VMA awards this weekend are they going to spill pig blood on her when she is performing?
I hope not. Pigs are so lovable.
Nah, I’m just going to not buy this one and write some salty things. It’d be cool if I could ban music though. I really like Sean Mendez and also that despacito song though, so in reflection, I may not be person for that. Possibly someone with taste would be better.
Nah. IMO Swift is a spiller who likes to play that she’s the spilllee. So unless she plans it, no pigs will be hurt in the name of Taylor Swift.
Agree.
I’m into it. I think it’s catchy and a pretty playful way of engaging all of last year’s gossip. The comments have be wondering if there is a difference between “bullying” songs and “vengeance” songs. In particular, I’m thinking of a song like “starfckers” by NIN. Would we call that a bullying song?
People have a difficult time separating people from the songs that they sing/write. Every time I see someone praise Carrie Underwood for singing sweet songs like “Jesus Take the Wheel” I also want to say, what about “Before He Cheats” where the song’s persona is ripping up her ex’s vehicle with a Louisville Slugger? Is that Carrie, too?
I’ve only listened to this new TS song a few times, and yes, it shows the mindset of a bully, but I’m not going to say that’s her mindset. Is Stephen King a really sick puppy because he’s able to write scary characters and nightmarish horror?
Deedee I absolutely agree with you to an extent, for sure the person writing it isn’t that character, but it also comes down to craftsmanship whether that actually comes across or not. I love motown songs and there are some crazy hilarious lyrics, but you get the tongue in cheek vibe from the music and arrangements. Swift never seems to have any further depth to her songs as if she’s written it from someone else’s perspective aimed at her let’s say, and she plays it really on the nose in all her music videos. I think this is actually who she is lol in her case
She has done other nasty crap to people outside of her songs so yes, that really is who she is.
She is releasing the album on the anniversary of Kanye’s mothers death. November 10.
Maybe she didn’t realize.
@Lucytunes !!!!!!
or maybe she did. It fits with the vengeance theme, after all. Yikes.
Or maybe she is just a smart marketing girl. Honestly, this song is kind of mediocre with a bit of a Britney Womanizer vibe to it, just not as good, but yet it is getting all this publicity. Not just from kids either. Pretty sure we have very few preteens/teenagers posting on this site, and there are three comment filled stories about Taylor now on this site alone.
It’s amazing how people enjoy deciphering this sophomoric song and Taylor’s actual character. News flash these celebrities you think you know are most likely nothing like you think they are. Psychologically, her writing could be her way of getting out her angst, but that’s assuming she’s writing most of it which we don’t really know with all the other people getting songwriter credits, but you don’t really know for sure. What I do know when her songs sound like they have a deeper personal meaning people really like talking about it. Honestly, she was a much better country songwriter and singer, but she is pretty savvy on how to get attention. What I do like about Taylor is she is smart in how she markets her music. Also, it may not be the case, but it does seem like she has more control over her image than most of the tween sensations when they change from sweet songstress to pop. Of course we don’t know that for sure either. This could be some marketing persons idea and she is just following plan. My question is why is this the only way the girls seem to go. When they start they are young and sweet then they turn to sexy and angry. Kind of an old story, but she seems to be taking the what’s my song about to another degree. I guess I fell into the trap too, and it is kind of fun deciphering the supposed meaning.
Do you mean Cher isn’t actually a gypsy, tramp or thief? THIS IS NEW INFORMATION!!!!!!
“To all of the little girls: buy the Tay-branded snake jewelry if you must, but know this: you’re basically wearing the Mean Girl Bully talismans.”
Louise Linton, if you’re reading this, consider adding #taylorsnake to your #highendwardrobe.
Ha!
This song takes me back to those vindictive mean selfish shameless bullies I once called my best friends
Most 27 year old around the world would be struggling job, personal life, often a partner and children and be grown up enough not to act like be in high school
This one will never ever graduate
This is why education is important
I am sorry but you guys are overeacting with Taylor now. Okay She made a hudge misktake with Kayne and so did he with her . You guys are acting as if she killed someone ! They are way more worse people in the industry.
Kanye apologized. He was partly forced to, guess why. Taylor Swift’s stunt on Kanye was despicable, racist and highly unprofessional, but she will Never apologize partly because she’ll Never have to. Guess why?
All of this Babs. And I even don’t like Kanye.
He apologized for the reward-snatching, not for f.e. putting a naked doll of her into his video, which was gross. He’s been dragging this for far too long too and is in no way excused yet.
@Nanny to the rescue HE is dragging this far too long? Your girl just made ANOTHER revenge song about it.
The faux outrage about the Famous video is so, well, faux haha. No one cared except some fans looking for excuses.
The accuracy of this comment, though……
She’s hardly my girl, really.
And I indeed wasn’t outraged by Famous, but I wasn’t outraged by that audio Kim posted either and I wasn’t outraged by Kanye taking the reward. To me it’s just a long and silly feud that both parties are to blame for. Yes, Kanye too. The whole time.
Excuse me? The outrage over that disgusting rape fantasy video was definitely not “faux” by any means. When somebody shows you that he is misogynistic filth, believe him. And that man showed himself as just that. No woman deserves to be depicted in the manner in which he displayed his fantasy version of those women’s bodies. He does have a first amendment right to reveal himself to be misogynistic filth and those of us who see that have the right to call him on it. I am not a fan of any of the people depicted in that video – I barely knew who Amber Rose was and I can’t stand Swift or Wintour – but no woman deserved that. I’m really fed up with people defending and making excuses for that man whenever he reveals himself for what he is. You like him, you think he is a musical genius, fine. But don’t insult others for being justifiably disgusted by his bad behavior. The women depicted in that video chose to remain silent because to say anything would have given him and that wife of his (who made a video of herself pointing and laughing at the breasts and genitals of the other women) more publicity, which is what they wanted.
@anonymous
The “there are worse people” excuse should never be used. Yeah there are serial killers out there but that doesnt make it okay when people bully or abuse someone. Your comment makes it seem like you’re okay with vindictive bullying behavior because “there are worse people.”
Read the whole comment. There are worse people in the industry. Your response doesn’t make sense unless there are serial killers in the entertainment industry
Finger,
The serial killers comment was a hyberbolic analogy. There are worse people than abusers amd bullies but that doesnt make abusers and bullies okay. In her industry there are worse people but that doesnt mean its okay for her to bully. I did rrad the whole comment.
Taylor Swift is singing songs makes her a bully & an abuser? Is that what you’re saying?
Don’t think it’s overreacting. Call a spade a spade.
Taylor is racist & only feminist when it benefits her.
I also don’t know what to make of this song when Kanye has had open struggles with mental illness in the past years. It just seems extra mean on top of the original poor me shtick.
I agree, anonymous.
I thought this was supposed to be like Blank Space, the one where she mocked her reputation, exception she failed this time. She’s not playing the victim, she’s trying to parody her image as a deranged vindictive women but it certainly doesn’t work as well as it did with Blank Space.
As I said on the last Swift post, I find her somewhat problematic and irritating but I also find it insane how people act like she’s the worst celebrity on earth or some perfect angel….especially when there are so many culture vulture pop girls, straight up abusive a*holes, and more. Sum it up, I think she was nasty and lied to play the victim but I also think Kimye played into the feud in a pretty nasty way (I remember them smiling and smirking by that exploitative sculpture of fully, graphically nude Amber and Taylor while the men at least had their genitals covered) and Kanye ranting about her at a few of her concerts. So I can’t exactly get on the Taylor bullies poor Kimmy train even if Taylor was downright nasty. What I am pissed is that she is so full of white privilege that she never bothered to think that this particular fight, unlike her other fights with other celebrities, would be taken a different away because there’s a history of some Black men being hurt in the most horrific, racist ways because some white women lied about them. I don’t believe she played into this racist angle on purpose but it did happen.
I also saw a post on Jez which basically said the stans and anti-stans need to dial it back and that’s where I fall in line when it comes to Swift.
Well said, Div. Agree with everything.
I think it’s her obvious narcissism and manipulating behaviour that put people off. Neither off those are likeable characteristics
ALL of this
Yep. This is pretty much the camp I’m on. She’s not mother Theresa by a long shot, she also is not the antichrist.¯\_(ツ)_/
@Div, *applause*
I think “insane” is the appropriate descriptor here and I agree with every other part of your comment as well, Div. Thank you for spelling out exactly how I feel, but just didn’t care enough to type up lol.
Plus 10000000
Well said, Div. Good observation of the nuances to this situation.
Hear, hear Div…
YES! Thank you, I agree with everything you said, everything. I really do think this is intended to be sort of Blank Space 2.0, only the satire isn’t quite right and people are taking it at face value. I don’t like Taylor, but calling her a ‘bully’ and a ‘psycho’ etc. is just as extreme to me as the ‘butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth’ camp. Why are there no grey areas anymore?
@G:
I think she is petty, immature, and calculating, but I wouldn’t label her a psycho. However, I DO think she engages in bullying, specifically getting her stans to attack someone she dislikes. Katy Perry, anyone? Also, remember Camilla Belle, the actress Joe Jonas dated after he broke up with Taylor? In “Better Than Revenge” Taylor slutshamed Camilla:
She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think
She’s an actress, whoa
But she’s better known for the things that she does
On the mattress, whoa
Taylor identifies in her songs the people who have “wronged” her, then her rabid fans attack on her behalf, while she hides behind her innocent persona. That’s the behavior of a bully.
I agree, Div
Game of Thrones finale credit song, anyone? I read a lot of Game of Thrones references in here with the “list,” something about “kingdom keys,” and it seems like it could be coming from Sansa or Arya’s perspective after they do something (WHAT) to Littlefinger or someone. That would also explain the timing a little bit, the Friday before the finale of the biggest show on TV?
Game of thrones has been using its own music for most of the last two seasons.
Kingdom keys is a Kanye reference.
Hahaha, I’m so mad at Kaney for making this b**ch famous!! Hahaha!
The song is bad ( I usually like her mediocre music), the title is bad ( all the comments are right: it’s what an abuser would say), I think she hasn’t learned anything. We’ll have to wait for the other songs, but this looks crappy as hell.
I hate the “Beyonce is a goddess, she can do no wrong” wagon, but this is clearly no Lemonade.
Sadly most of her stans are as deep as puddles so the meaning of the song won’t connect. She is justified and courageous in their eyes. God how all these girls especially the 30 to 40yr old ones would just grow up
Regina George of pop music. Look what you ” made” her do. she didn’t want to do it. but you made her do it. so it’s on you. I keep thinking of the scene in mean girls where Regina said she shouldn’t take the workshop because she’s a victim. Then Tina Fey did that thing. That’s Taylors entire career in a nutshell.
She should have just sheet caked.
Unfortunately, all the criticism is going to fall on deaf ears. Her fans are going to see this as empowering, because they always agreed that everyone was mean and unfair to her. Unless the album itself is universally panned, it will still make boatloads of money.
Of course, now 45 has a star and an anthem for all his future Hitler Youth rallies.
Not a T Swift apologist, but I think she’s being satirical here. I think she’s just making fun of everyone, like yeah, this is what you think I’m like. Nobody is this obtuse to write a song like this. Remember Blank Space? She was basically making fun of what people think she is like with men. I think this is more of a stage passed Shake It Off, which was a ‘I know what people think of me and I’m not like that but I’ll blow past it and prove everyone wrong,’ and now we have a ‘Okay, fine, think I’m like this, you’re all idiots,” kind of song. I think this song is VERY sarcastic. But I could be wrong.
I interpreted it the same way and I was surprised people were taking it literally.
I think the execution was poor though compared to Blank Space and it’s a bad song. Many people are going to read it as literal because she has a bad reputation and because the satire isn’t as obvious as it was with Blank Space. This was a bad choice to release as her first single, and I’m surprised that some PR person didn’t realize that she’s disliked (at least online and with part of the media), we will see when it comes to sales) ) enough to the point that releasing something like this that could be taken as literal was a bad move.
Except that Blank Space was supposedly a satire, then she blew the whole thing by acting it out again, with the Hiddlestunt.
Same thing here; she just can’t do satire.
Except Kim and Kanye brought the receipts, which showed her snake/Regina George reputation is not satire. It’s true. She is a snake. She does portray herself as a virginal victim when the truth is the opposite.
Her satire defense might have been bought by her fans, but the rest of us have seen enough to know if it looks like a snake and acts like a snake, it’s a snake.
+1
This is how I interpreted it as well. People on here and elsewhere have such hate ons right now and I feel like nothing would’ve pleased them anyway.
Just a fun fact for you all.. you’re playing right into it. Every time you hate listen to the song, you’re still giving her money.
I just think people are taking this and the Kanye Kim drama too seriously lol
It’s very possible to listen to the song without giving her a cent.
Exactly HelloSunshine. It is sorta funny how much people on here are just losing it over this song.
I think Blank Space benefitted from having a music video that also played into the satire. If this is satire, it’s hard to tell.
Completely agree. This is a pop song – its entertainment! I think we’re taking it way too seriously.
Agree
This is what I thought as well, especially because the album is called “Reputation” with her photo surrounded by newspaper and magazine headlines. It’s not an attempt at revenge, it’s a comment on what other people think she is.
She is definitely satirical, as she has been in previous songs. But that’s the point, why keep writing about the same thing in different ways? She used to be a pretty good songwriter in my opinion, I’m tired of all her songs about her public image, what people say of her, etc. She needs new inspiration, urgently.
I like the song, minus the chorus. And I wish she would have completely come out with being a mean girl, loud and proud, without the whole ‘you made me do it’, that’s week. We don’t always have to be nice and good and smile pretty to people. I agree that’s how she marketed herself which was very smart for a while, but she should have owned up to who she is earlier and avoided all of last year’s ridicule.
I do think Taylor is talented and I have really liked some of her songs. But my first thought was I was disappointed by how negative this song is. My first impression was that word: negative.
Not that my opinion will make or break her!
So the media is now a platform for bullies to exert their malicious influence over as many people as they can?
Great.
Always has been
You know what the most vile, for me personally (which could be just a coincidence, but you never know with her), part is? She’s releasing the album on the day Donda West passed away 10 years ago. If she really did it out of spite, then it completely configures to me that she really isn’t a good person. All of that drama between them made damage to both sides, but then do something like this? This is some really unbalanced, not all there mentally type of bs she’s pulling.
Lawdy, again I’m not a Swift apologist but this was RT’d into my timeline and her stans came up with the receipts that she always releases her full albums in late October/early November and she has released several singles on November 10th. People still think Bland Becky did it to coincide with Donda’s death even with tons of receipts. Like I said that Jez comment about the stans and anti stans being so over the top with her is spot on.
Well, she brought this to herself, so I’m always very suspicious of her motivations.
Do you think she actually cares enough about Kanye to know exactly when his mom died? I doubt it.
It 100% would have come up. A huge amount goes into choosing dates for big releases like this. With someone like Taylor, whose extremely prone to symbolism through choices like that, every possible meaning will have been researched and considered. I know it sounds stupid, but someone absolutely would have been researching Kanye (and Katy Perry and Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston and so on) to check for any possible connections to that date.
At the very least, she was aware of it and fine with the symbolism.
Your girl is obsessed with Kanye. Maybe they did have sex after all. Mariah/Eminem style.
I wish they had, that would make an interesting sex tape or at least a juicier feud.
I mean…..really lol.
Oh please.
Wtf? Is this her actual song?
I haven’t followed her closely, but this song has me 100% convinced that she’s a narcissist.
Just what we need a mean girl disbusing blame and teaching the youth of the world that you are only are the product of your circumstances with no moral integrity or responsibility (oh it’s you/mom/friend/ex-lover/nazi party/the rules made me do it). I hope she is finally called out on her bullshit and the dispicable thinngs she build her brand on by the media.
Blank Space was such a great, self aware, in on the joke song and I thought that we’d be getting something like that. Instead we got an anthem for angsty, 14 year olds on tumblr who think the trials and tribulations of life can be summed up in a meme.
I’ve listened to it like 10 times today just trying to see if it becomes less cringy and weirdly forgettable with replays. Nope. There’s a lot of Swift songs I think are crap, but I still got, say, Bad Blood stuck in my head immediately despite it’s crapness. This one just isn’t good, and isn’t catchy to make up for it. Such an odd choice for a first single, but I can’t really imagine she was expecting her big reinvention would get such a, ahem, mixed reaction.
The main thing that stands out is that this really doesn’t sound like a song a 27yr old woman should be singing. It’s so, so juvenile. Katy Perry at least combines the juvenile lyrics with a bit of a wink wink ‘isn’t this silly’ sense of humour. Taylor’s so earnest in her little Mean Girl fantasy, and it’s just pathetic at this point.
Not to mention wildly out of touch with the current mood. Now isn’t the time for an uber privileged, problematic white woman to release her angsty emo album about how she’s been horribly wronged. Happy pop music would have at least been a welcome escape, but this is just so tone deaf.
Yikes… I can’t believe Taylor is 27. I’m pretty sure that’s the same age Adele was when she released ‘Hello’.
Yeah but Adele is a grown-up. It’s unbelievable there’s only two years between them…
@GiBee The close age difference, and difference in maturity… it really is unbelievable. I mean… even Kendrick Lamar (who’s now 30 years old) was 28 when he released ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ (an album that lost the Album of the Year Grammy award of Taylor’s ‘1989’ album).
I honestly thought Taylor was closer to Lorde’s age, and even Lorde (who’s 20) seems more mature than Taylor.
Jaimeee
Me too
Had on repeat three times in a row thinking will I like this eventuallY? But it’s so MEH
The look what you made me do chorus is so clunky and frankly, icky!!
Also her “chant singing” reminds me of Fergie. And also Gwen stefanis 1st solo album (this shit is bananas)
The hardest pill for me to swallow is that my daughter and I have fond memories and many days laughing and singing to 1989
And before that I had a few songs like we are never getting back together on my phone for running.
This doesn’t feel like that to me at all.
It’s just disappointing I guess. I expected more.
Her immaturity is very evident in her music and her presentation. Her lyrics are like a 15 year old girl wrote them and her emotional responses to situations lack maturity. Without all of her marketing, I don’t think her music would stand on its own merit.
This is the Bullies anthem that the Trump era needed. A bullie complaining for being called out for a something they did. Yes, I did this but you make me do it. In the end, is the same victim game, but this is a more aggressive victim. She’s playing to her base, being petty, and blaming others for facing the consequences of her actions. It reminds me of a certain pseudo cheeto in chief.
So you think boyss from KKK will sing – Look what you made me do – during they next march? 🙂
The bit about being the actress in your dreams… That video above… The tall long legged man standing as Hiddleston did for Hank promos… Here we go.
Also, that song is ridiculous and bad.
Seriously, why are you guys okay with gendered slurs, calling a woman a bitch, as long as it’s directed at someone you don’t like?
One commenter has used that word, in reference to a Kanye lyric.
THIS! And body shaming women they don’t like.
I’ll answer since I am the only one here who called her a bitch, quoting a song but still. I’m not okay with calling a woman a bitch about her sex life/dating life, or body shame her no matter the amount of despise I feel about the values she represents. Which I didn’t do. I’m totally okay with calling anyone a bitch when she/he behaves like a total bitch. So there.
I think “bitch” is less and less gendered. I use it for anyone who’s whiny. The president of the USA, for example, acts like a whiny bitch most days.
Okay, she’s a dick. Is that problematic language? If not then the other isnt either.
“No problem with “bitchy” but only so long as it is applied in a non-gender specific way. Serious issues with “bitch.” In the workplace, it is a word that can be extremely costly.
It’s OK when it’s about ‘petty white Mean Girls’.
Bitch has been reclaimed by some feminists and I think the definition is not gendered specifically anymore. Men can be bitches. Or used as praise. “That bitch is everything.” Badass basically.
Stop being a bitch for a whiny self-pitying histrionic person.
That title is basically a quote from a domestic violence abuser!
It’s right up there with “You know you want it” a la Blurred Lines.
Definitely satirical.
What bothers me most is how she rightfully told a judge “I’m being blamed for the unfortunate events of his life that are a product of his decisions. Not mine” and we all applauded her. Then she turns around and quite literally blames Kanye and Kim for her actions.
I wanted her to own it. She’s letting the petty flag fly but I wanted boss Taylor who is running an empire and no t taking shit. Not Grade 3 drama Taylor.
ITA
THIS!! She is so incredibly two faced, it blows my mind honestly. I dont understand how she can go from saying that quote to literally blaming people for her actions. I truly think she has NPD or something because her mindset is so abnormal.
It’s the same old ‘I’m the victim’ crap from Taylor, just repackaged with a rightful vengeance vibe instead of the total innocence she usually puts on.
Her reputation was damaged through her own actions. This song is clearly about Kim/Kanye down to the voicemail and phone references, and yet she was the one who lied repeatedly about the call, threw him under the bus to maintain her image, and attempted to smear his reputation publicly with her references to him in her Grammy speech.
Yes, this in a way reveals her true self and is an admission of sorts that she’s petty, but I don’t think that was necessarily intentional – she’s going for fierce, angry, take-no-shit woman trying to reclaim the snake that was used against her like she tried to turn her serial-dater-for-song-material image into a joke she was in on in Blank Space, but that really only works if you’ve got some level of self-awareness and if you haven’t been exposed as the instigator of your own downfall. I think the ‘you made me’ vibe of the song is still her trying to shirk any responsibility and blame everybody but herself for the fallout.
An anthem for bullies is right. It takes a special kind of narcissist to think it’s fine for them to lie, damage reputations or portray exes , former friends or acquaintances in a negative light publicly, and that anyone who dares to discuss her, get in her way simply going about their business, slights her (even unintentionally) or simply tells the truth is deserving of some karmic retribution. This is the song for all the people who treat others horribly and then turn around and tell them it was their fault and that they deserved it. This is the song for all the people who think one rule exists for them and another for everyone else.
Aside from being cringe-worthy with the old Taylor is dead line and the album cover that looks like it got a high-school student a B on their art project, she needs to lay off the lip fillers. That bottom lip is veering into Kylie Jenner territory.
well said!
So many things wrong with this song:
1) the “you made me do it” narrative is such a load of crap and a completely unacceptable excuse
2) this is still the same old poor, poor Taylor crap
3) except now she’s so, so dark and edgy you guys… *eyeroll*
4) she’s totally pushing a mean girl acceptance
5) WE SAW THE RECEIPTS- sweet Tay Tay absolutely had that “gun”
6) this song is not even good
The video is evidence of how her career is built on feuds with other people – seriously, she needed the snake imagery in her video? Come the fuck on.
‘Karma’ rhymes better than ‘receipts’ I guess.
She is my shame listen, but this song is Not Good. I didn’t like “Shake it Off” when it first came out, though, so we’ll see what else is on the album. I have a feeling the sound just isn’t going to click for me, though.
I am not ashamed to admit that I was an Ashlee Simpson fan during her short-lived musical career. This song is her x 1000.
Thank you so much for writing this!
Also, props to whoever does the bumper music on CBS This Morning – after a fluffy piece about TS, they exited to commercial with Kanye’s Golddigger played. That’s some solid shade for a major news network right there.
Oh good, so she is actually embracing her reputation of being vindictive, petty and a narcissist.
The title of the song is wrong and very victimg shaming. The song sounds like 3 other songs were taken apart and splinched together. Not good at all.
The song isn’t good at all, but I’ll probably be singing it in my car knowing all the words in a few weeks cause it will get played a million times. This happens to me every time she releases a new song and I’m not even a fan.
They’re are only about a dozen words so you should have it by the second or third listen
Ha! True
The song doesn’t have enough music in it. Idk I can’t explain, but it’s very simple sounding. Maybe the album will have better songs, bcos this one is just not impressive.
Though I still will never understand why Taylor Swift triggers so much vitriol from people. Who cares if she writes about boys she’s dated? All musicians write lyrics about their love life.
And if it’s because of Kimye, I will absolutely NEVER understand how anyone could take the side of them, but whatevs.
They do, most of them write about where they are life.
but for some reason, her songs were hateful, imo. She loathed them, for not dating her, for whatever they did she was mad about, I don’t know. They are plenty of beautiful break up songs (Against the Odds make me cry cry cry) but she sounds so vicious.
just my thoughts. And I like her music, for the most part, loved Blank Slate but Style is my favourite. She managed to write about Harry Styles and not come off as someone who is the victim.
I am listening to Harry Styles joint. And Calvin Harris. And Kanye West. And John Mayet.
Look what you made me do, Swifty.
lol
The song is terrible. The lyrics are shit. Call a spade a spade people
Yikes. The phone call part have me secondhand embarrassment.
Emma Stone is 28 and Taylor is too…that blows my mind. Emma seems so much more grown up.
It seems Taylor can’t let go of her petty 13 year old. I really thought this album would be different…
It just sounds like a mix between any Katy Perry song and blackeyed peas “my humps”.
Ohh, good call! That’s why the beat sounds really familiar (my humps).
The chorus for me is catchy, the rest..corny.
is she santa? she’s taking a list and checking it twice? she was also writing people’s names in blank spaces on her last album. at least she is owning she is SUPER type A with all these lists.
Not Santa, Arya.
I’m over TS. All of her songs sound the same.
Ugh. I just listened to Swish,Swish and Taylor’s new song, and it proves that writers and singers are running out of good music to make
Yikes. I wish we put this much analysis into Chris Brown’s song as we do this one-off catchy pop song.
I don’t even know about that song. I suppose the issue is that the most famous ones will get more scrutiny, just that.
Twitter is mocking this left and right. She maybe petty, but she is not edgy or tough so this is lame. Big mistake. Her song needed to be good and it wasn’t.
I kind of like the verse but that chorus ruins the song completely.
I also don’t really see how these lyrics show pettyness more than half of Taylor’s songs (the other half are poor girl abandoned by a mean guy). I can’t believe someone wants to build a lasting career on retaliation songs over middle school level arguments, she really gets worse and worse.
I can stand most of Swift’s songs. This is not one of them. Also, she should have disappeared longer.
please just go away, Taylor Swift. No one “made you” do anything – own your actions.
I kind of like the song. Maybe I think it suits the limitations of her voice…
It’ll be hilarious if she wins a Grammy for this. (No, I don’t think the song deserves a Grammy).
I don’t take if she takes shots at Kanye. He’s worse than her and deserves to be ripped even if it comes from the hypocrite who didn’t ask to be part of ‘the narrative’ or whatever the hell she meant with those LIES. Let them dig their own graves but Kanye being one-upped by a woman he deems he made famous and who he degraded in that ‘Famous’ video that nobody saw is going to be glorious. At least Swift can serve bops, Kanye’s albums have been whack and his marriage into the Kardashians had him #cancelled years ago anyway.
The song is juvenile and petty and Swift will always be mentally 14 years old. At this point she knows she wants to be perceived as a victim rather than thinking she is actually one. It sells better to pretend you were never a snake, people just brought it out you rather than admit she’s borderline sociopath by holding on to silly grudges like this. If she had a genuinely disturbing background that legitimize her obsession with power and crushing her enemies to dust over the smallest things (Katy P) then OK, I get the personality. It would be survival. But nothing happened to her? She was bullied a bit and grew into a stereotypical beautiful yes, white!, woman. Eh?? I love calculating businesswoman who plan their powermoves and are not always nice but she’s literally building a career on the same grudges and same relationship break-ups which is boring oatmeal on white bread with a serving of mayonnaise.
The song remains a bop despite all of this but geezus, why would anybody want to be in her close circle? The obsession with being n°1 even when she’s in the wrong sounds terrible to be associated with. The fact that she acknowledges the world is hers to take and she doesn’t tolerate people rubbing her nose into her own mistakes sounds terrifying. Although to be honest, this is probably how 99% how truly famous people feel. The grab for such power only comes from sociopaths and takes an enormous amount of effort and discipline to sustain. She can keep it LMAO
Like it or not, Kanye West has a flawless discography, had a big part in iconic records and is one of the greatest artists of our times.
Flawless? The quality has gone down severely with his last 2 albums. And I hardly consider his racism, Orientalism and misogyny as without flaw, goodbye. This has been featured in every album he made so no, flawless is not a word I would use in relation to Kanye. Then to have married into a family that fetishes black people and steals their culture in various ways without giving black people credit is too much. This fool posed next to the pinnacle of American racism without any trace of self-awareness (Trump) and you think his ‘flawless discography’ can save him from criticism? Hmm.
Yeezus is a masterpiece and Pablo sometimes lacks direction but is a solid album which contains several pure gems. Again Kanye has crafted one of the strongest legacy of modern music. Changed the game multiple times. This will stay when the circus be long gone.
Isn’t this kind of what everyone is saying right now. For example on this site I have seen posters say that they have to act a certain way to take down Trump – I am normally not like this. “Look what he made me do”. Personally I think this is the anthem of our times. Everyone thinks that their behavior is due to someone’s else’s behavior. The States is going to hell in a hand basket and everyone is singing this anthem – “look what you made me do”.
I don’t see the correlation to disliking Trump. One is venting about a dangerous racist psychopath who is destroying our country and the outrage and horror so many of us feel. Yes, the man is triggering people beyond their limits.
This is about a woman who never takes responsibility for her own actions and hid behind her ringlets for years.
Our country is going to hell because of the people in power and the blind sheeple who support them.
So, where’s the challenge, musically speaking? Where’s her progress on arrangements and melody? Why is it that she became one of those artists that people pay attention to because of her giving back to the gossip SHE helped to build up and not for a talented artist she could be? Seriously, she wastes TOO MUCH time worrying about herself. Let go of the fart, girl!!!
The early reviews are comming in and are spot on: http://www.vulture.com/2017/08/review-taylor-swifts-new-song-look-what-you-made-me-do.html?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s1
Ugh, I had so much hope. It sounds just like every other boring pop song out there. Dark, with a slow beat. Yawn yawn yawn, that is what literary everyone does. And the message, “Look What You Made Me Do”??? That’s what abusers say. At least she’s getting called on it. Good God.
This sounds like the anthem for the GOP in 2017: “Everything is someone else’s fault, and if you disagree with me, I will destroy you.”
Just imagine Trump listening to “Look What You Made Me Do” as he signs executive orders getting rid of environmental protection, abortion rights, you name it – he didn’t want to do any of this but we made him!
This would be interesting if I could ever get away from the idea that these feuds are just like WWE beefs. They sell records, they sell magazines, they keep the gossip mill going, they keep people’s tongues wagging..its all fake. All of it, to sell an album. So Taylor gets in a kerfluffle with arguabley, the nicest wholesome top of the game players of hip hop and pop, after she has only just entered their market? She strikes me a smart girl, and a smart girl would ally herself with those people in a way that its beneficial to everyone..
Don’t listen to pop, don’t listen to Beyonce, I own cds of Blige, Elliott, rye rye. But the second I saw the video I was like aww shiz this is supposed to be “raw white girl lemonade” filled with bling and a girl with triangle lips. Just no. I have little disposable income and the next CD goes to the Solange everyone has had for ages. Her and Katy and Gaga. Just no.
3 minute and 34 seconds I will never get back.
Right?
I thought the chorus part sounded like Britney’s 3. Britney does it better, of course.
it’s lame. It’s just so lame, the lyrics are so lame, the sound, that stupid talking part was straight our of High School Musical when Sharpay sang “I want it all”. Sharpay did it better.
It’s like she thinks it’s cool, but it’s so lame. I can’t even come up with a better word. Lame.
I thought she wanted to be ‘excluded from this narrative’?
Only until she figured out a way to make money from it.
I’m not going to lie: I’ve enjoyed some of Taylor’s catchier songs in the past. But this one? Eh. I think the problem is the chorus. It just isn’t clicking for me.
As for the lyrical content: Gosh it’s so Trumpian. Bullies often feel justified in their bullying by seeing themselves as the victim. Trump does this all the time when he whines about how UNFAIR the media is, how POORLY he was treated by this person or that, etc. This grievance culture (primarily among middle class white folks) has really taken hold in America.
I don’t know what it’ll take to change our country. A world war? A depression? The thing that always gets to me is that the white people who feel the most aggrieved and angry aren’t the poorest. Poor people are just trying to get by or they’ve totally given up and don’t have the energy for this type of anger and playing the victim.
Sorry for the digression. Back to Taylor: It’s a mediocre song that as Kaiser said feels like an anthem for our times. Maybe the other songs off the album will be catchier.
Isn’t, “Look what you made me do,” a standard response from emotional and physical abusers? Like, I just did this horrible thing to you, but let me tell you why it’s all your fault?
Taylor Swift song or someone’s else’s, her new song SUCKS. radio stations in my hometown are playing it every hour and it still sucks. Thought her new single would’ve been something amazing but it’s just a mix mash of horrible tunes and bland vocals. Meh. ‘Feels’ is wayyyy better.
I’m the same age as Swift, and as others have pointed out, the title of the song is very problematic, I understood why the second I read it, But I guess she gets a pass ’cause she lives in a bubble.
Also, though I hate that people complain about little anoying things Millennials do, I will say there seems to be a big problem lately for people of this generation to have accountability for themselves.
I mean, that TV show “13 Reasons Why” is basically a whole series with the theme of “Look What You Made Me Do,” and now Swift has made it an athem for them.
This is probably one of the best, straightforward analysis I’ve seen on this website (of both Millennials and 13 Reasons Why). I do believe that she’s being mostly satirical in this song but you might be right about that too.
@Ana
Oh wow thank you! that’s nice of you to say. I hope you’re right and it is satirical, ’cause that would make it fun and silly, but i don’t know, i”m getting more of the “take me seriously ’cause I’m so dark now” kinda vibe, and based on her M.O. she doesn’t really have a sense of humour about herself, specially when it comes to criticisms, she’s still very much the victim in her own narrative.
It’s just so crazy though that after being sexually assaulted herself she decided to use that as her song. Like what if the DJ that assaulted her had said that to her?
I don’t know, maybe i’m projecting, but it is a triggering phrase for a lot of people.
Interesting point about lack of accountability among millennials. This is only tangentially related but I read an article (from The Atlantic I believe) about how kids born post 1994 tended to be more depressed than teens and young adults of earlier generations. (The article linked this back to the advent of social media and the smart phone). I can see how depression could make one feel powerless which in turn could lead to externalizing/blaming others for your own choices. It’s a very sad perspective on the “lack of accountability” issue.
@Keaton
Oh yeah that’s really sad. I’m going to look up that article ’cause it is interesting to study how the next generation is going to cope with all this self-exploitation. When people are desperately looking outside themselves for validation, believing that the world/public needs to provide that for them, imagine when they don’t get it, who else are they going to blame other than the world and outside circumstances. They’re not going to value the journey of building character if all they’re working toward is gaining followers.
Taykor is a Snake in the Chinese zodiac. We’re in the year of the Rooster, which is supposed to be compatible/lucky for Snakes. I think that’s probably coming into play in the case of the jewelry, teaser posts, etc.
I don’t think white girl is used as an insult, I used it as that certain variety vanilla white girl with Lisa Frank folders and unicorn kisses and Keds. No adversity and plenty of choice. Like Perry and her sparkler boobies and cosplay. I think we love all flavors on this site. But even this is a site almost dedicated to royalty and white celebs with a dash of media accepted POC coverage lol. Just my opinion. Would like to see more coverage of hip hop etc. A bunch of WH miscreants posts, would have loved a Waters in a red dress throwing it down post to cheer in.
I have no strong opinion about her personality, but I found the song pretty catchy. I could see myself bouncing around to it on a day when someone has upset me.
She is pathetic.
I’m pretty sure this is the song Donald Trump will be singing when he presses the button. They both have such a victim mentality.
For someone who refused to be a victim to sexual abuse, she sure does find it easy to paint herself a victim in every other area of her life.
This song is getting panned by critics and mocked by the internet today. New material for another victim song!!!
Forgettable song and I strongly dislike the song title for all the reasons already stated upthread.
yikes
Well, played, Taylor. She fooled me. I thought she was retreating, running back to Nashville making a country pop album So I’m shocked by this heavier pop sound coming from Taylor. I prefer this vengeful, non-saccharine Taylor. I’m predicting a juggernaut as far as album sales. I’m getting a little Britney Spears’ Blackout album vibe in the song.
I really like the song a lot after several listens. I can’t help it. LOL Is she introspective and self-aware and all that? Hell, no. But when I was young, following certain acts, we lived for stuff like this. At my age, what I think of Taylor’s personality doesn’t really matter. Pop acts are all about self-promotion and using things to pop their singles and albums. She’s no worse about that than other pop acts. They all suffer from narcissism to some degree or another. But then I’m not looking that deeply at it, other than it’s catchy in a darker vibe club song way.
after listening to the song for the first time I was kind of meh, but after listening to it several times I really like it. And I agree with you that this is going to sell very well. It’s quite catchy, especially the “I’m too sexy” hookline. I’m entertained, so purpose fulfilled. 🙂
She’s even got the NY Times with five music reviewers discussing it. Like I said, well played, Taylor. This is going to drive a lot of interest for the drop of the album.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/arts/music/taylor-swift-look-what-you-made-me-do.html
I’m laughing at the comments here…some of you just take yourselves way too seriously..
Yes they do. Taylor’s honesty in the song is better than her dumbing down! In context, this song isn’t on the offense, it is defensive and it is a RESPONSE to Kanye claiming he “made her who she is.” It is throwing it back in his face. Kanye’s bullying style is like trump’s, and exposing them for changing and exploiting the rules of the game and the negative effect they have on everything is pushing back. If he wants to take credit for “making her” then she is letting him know OK here is what you are “making me” do. “I don’t trust and no one trusts me” is who she is if he is going to take credit for it.
Agreed no name
I am puzzled by the number of posters have brought her colour into it. I would wouldn’t think of bringing white, black or poc into it. So can someone explain what I am missing here?
@Jobo
Taylor’s race probably gets brought up because that is part of her privilege, and it’s something that has given her an advantage in that debacle with Kanye, which is the incident that her new song references.
There has been a long history in the U.S. of white women falsely accusing black men of crimes (To Kill a Mockingbird style), and white women were historically more likely to be believed whether evidence was sufficient or not. [This isn’t to say that only white women accused black men of crimes. Anyone can accuse another person of a crime, but their credibility is affected by their privilege: class, gender, race, health, sexuality etc]
Unfortunately that cultural context between white women and black men remains today. And unfortunately this played out in Taylor and Kanye’s beef. Regardless of Taylor’s intentions, she’s a white woman who changed her story several times about whether a black man asked her for permission to reference her in his song. She first stated that he never contacted her, then said that she never okayed any part of his lyrics, then said that she didn’t ok the line “I make her famous,” then said that she didn’t ok “I made that bitch famous.” She lied. (This does not mean that I’m excusing Kanye’s sexism.)
I don’t think race was on Taylor’s mind at all. I don’t think she meant to use race to her advantage. But placed in our cultural context, it’s not just about intentions. It’s about power positioning.
If we use sexism as an example for cultural context: it feels different when a group of men wolf whistle at a lone woman as opposed to a group of women doing the same thing. Both incidents may be unpleasant, but the former has more association with danger/aggression bc of the context.
Thanks boo peep
This song is a meh from me, hopefully the new album will have some slow romantic songs ¿?. I do love the fact that she has fully embraced her inner snake though, lets see what she’s got.
1) What a stupid song, couldn’t even listen the whole way through
2) Taylor Swift has gotten progressively more petty, annoying, and put out worse much than when she was country. I stopped caring for her as soon as she crossed over.
She got mayonnaise in her bag… swag!
It’s crap, but there’s no way this is worse than the Katy Perry song. I tried to watch the video for that song and I was embarrassed for her.
‘I got a list of names and your is underlined.’ What are we…12? Moronic song.
Ha! I have that exact ring, except I bought it for £10.
This is the best article I’ve read about this TS mess….also the line- okay ladies now let’s gentrification is kind of amazing….
http://thegrapevine.theroot.com/taylor-swift-is-releasing-her-album-on-the-10th-anniver-1798429589
I am surprised what a gut reaction these lyrics gave me. My own abuser, a woman I once considered a friend, said the same things to me. Down to a list of names (of people who had ever called her out) and threatening mein public with vagueposts about ‘receipts’ which were nothing more than personal conversations or me and our friend circle callin her out on her relentless gossiping, slcret-spreading, slander. She of course spun it as me and others being aggressive and abusive to her. She ended up kicking me out ofo our social circle (others followed months later). She gaslit me about it until I ended up severely depressed and medicated with mild PTSD. Of course she pissed off the wrong person who then pulled a kim kardashian and i found that everything i’d suspected was true after all.
And to this day she’s thw “victim”. Instead of sitting down and thinking about her actions she doubled down and it’s been two years of hell.
And this is exacty what miss hissssss here made a catchy song about. It fucks me up.
I think she used “I’m Too Sexy” because of that stupid tank top Hiddleston wore. “I’m too sexy for this shirt” is one of the more memorable verses.
That and the sequence in the video above that’s very Bond-esque looking make me think this is at least partly about Hiddleston.
This Buzzfeed piece pretty much sums up TSwift: https://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/how-taylor-swift-played-the-victim-and-made-her-entire-caree?utm_term=.iw25v8pzW#.gkQAZK0a1
My thoughts: It’s not necessarily what she does it’s his she does it. Relationships sometimes end, and in Taylor’s case it seems like they run their course (rather quickly); but to my knowledge none of the guys she has dated has particularly done anything (cheated, abusive,etc) but her vitriol towards them and the need to get people to take her side is jarring. It’s like the fact that they didn’t want her is enough to trash talk them, trash talk other women in their lives, and to of course paint herself as the victim.
That’s not typical of most musicians. With Swift, she’s always the victim as if she has no agency in life. Not surprising that her latest single is “You Made Me Do It” which is not true at all. Nobody made her do anything, she made the choice.
It’s not satire. She’s been this way for her a while, was like this as a teen and matured or evolved. It’s sad. And I can see why it and she rubs people the wrong way. She’s a marginally talented, basic white woman who has managed to become one of the most successful country/pop stars of this century and she can’t stop bitching. Her woe is me, always the victim nonsense is ridiculous.
That was one of the best articles explaining my feelings about Taylor I have read. Thanks for the link.
I was reading that article too but had to stop when the author could not condemn Kanye’s behavior when he grabbed the award from Taylor on stage & said she didn’t deserve it, instead defending Kanye’s behavior. “The dominant reaction, however, was a reflection of what the world has been conditioned to see: the “threat” of an “angry” black man terrorising the “innocent” white woman. Even their clothes reflected the racially fuelled victim/villain framework that would define the incident: The image of West, wearing dark shades and an entirely black outfit, accosting sweet Swift in her white and silver party dress, remains an iconic one.” At that point I began to think this author is just as one sided as Swifty’s. Some people can’t acknowledge Kanye’s behavior during that ceremony was awful, just as Swifty’s can’t acknowledge Taylor’s bad behaviors, & I despise that partisan bs, where people defend or condemn one side no matter the facts.
Her second single will be an edgy adaptation of “He had it coming”.
Then, she will trademark pettiness and force the rest of the world to act like grown-ups.
Awful song. Her songs usually have catchy hooks, but this one falls flat.
“Look what you made me do” ? That’s the line she comes out with?
She was caught trying to throw Kanye under the bus so she could make herself look like some feminist hero & her anthem is “look what you made me do”?
uh, what? what about this is cool?
It sounds like something an abuser would say.
She’s not owning up to her role in what happened.
The level of pettiness on display here is cringe-worthy.
Oh & “The old Taylor is dead.” So f-ing over-dramatized.
I’ll give it to Taylor – she & her TEAM of music-men came up with a decent, catchy single. It’s not bad, but it’s not good & we’ve heard this shtick before.
I’m just waiting for the songs about Tom Hiddleston and the great tiddlesbanging of 2016. You know that whole saga is good for at least two songs…and neither song will win a grammy.
I’m so happy people are beginning to see Taylor for who she is!! My best friend and I could sniff out Taylor years ago. We weren’t falling for her perfectly created media image. We knew she was boy obsessed, vengeful, a bully and yet always playing the victim card. Now, the music video she created to vindicate herself only served to expose her yet again!! Sorry, Tay-Tay, we see right through you. Not this time. #reginageorge #exposed