zasderfght Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 2:45 AM, NastyAF said: M.I.A. Selena Gomez How is M.I.A talentless? She knows how to make a killer beat, her first two albums are critically acclaimed for a reason, and the way she fuses current events into her lyricism isn't something we see in pop every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45seconds Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Salinaaaaaa is stuck in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhythm Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 7:55 AM, Wrecked said: Victoria Beckham Cheryl Cole Frankie from The Saturdays Revisionist history has really constructed this illusion of Victoria having some lucky draw to fame just because she happened to be the most successful, when Geri being the least talented was always conventional wisdom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loudliyah Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 17 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. Omg, this READ on her entire career 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liver Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Taylor, Selena, Britney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popjunkie Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Britney, Rihanna, Katy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorjesspazze9 Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Selena, love my Girl. But producers really do hard carry her discography. anyone Saying Britney needs to get offline tho💀🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonsterJohn Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 20 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. You ate her tf up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marla Singer Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 20 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. OMG I mean you're right, but still. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duybeeGAshantiGA Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 The success and talent of Taylor Swoft clearly dont make sense next to each other... legends who achieved similar level of success always have much greater talents then her. I mean her success is on par or close to the greatest musicians of ALL TIMES (Madonna, MJ, Elvis, Beatles, Mariah, Celine, etc.) but her talent is abysmal next to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Holiday Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Lil nas tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Milli Vanilli sold 6 Million+ copies of an album they didn't even sing on, they win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebrand Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 20 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. Some of my friends who have been fans since 2008 fit these descriptions to a tee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unreachable101 Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Selena wins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Into The Void Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 I'm seeing all these dumb anwsers in here. Since when is playing an instrument not a talent? Because its learned? I mean most things are learned. You don't normally have a great voice with out a great vocal coach. Most people don't usually write great songs out of nowhere they learned how to write, compose, make melodies, produce etc etc. The idiocracy in here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archetype Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Britney, Selena, Katy More male artists but too many to name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besaid Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 (edited) 22 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. All of this. Taylor's influence has been the worst thing to happen to popular music in decades. At least Britney's mediocrity was with a little wink and nod and slightly self-aware especially with In the Zone through Blackout. But Taylor truly takes the cake in appealing to the absolute lowest common denominator which kind of explains her extreme commercial appeal. She's those Live Laugh Love signs plastered all over every Target and Walmart in America but as a really successful ad campaign for a pop star. All with zero self-awareness and nothing to add - just literally a walking Live Laugh Love sign for every white moms kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Edited January 27, 2023 by besaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anye Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Selena, Britney and Katy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great808 Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 23 hours ago, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. I love reads like this cause not only are they true af but her senseless stans can do nothing but fume and respond with album numbers because they know absolutely nothing about talent or credibility or music for that matter to defend her with. It also doesn’t help that in fact, lacks real talent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Like The Movies Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 10:34 AM, Eternium said: Ava Max has a smaller vocal range than Britney Spears, babe I don't even like Ava and I have to ask what ridiculousness is this? Are you trolling? Ava is one of the better vocalist of the dance pop white pop girls. She can belt and even whistle, like be fr! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biomind101 Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 On 1/21/2023 at 7:41 PM, memi stan said: Selena Gomez and to a lesser extent success wise Hilary Duff Haven't seen you in the Miley threads lately! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicLoverDude Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Paula Abdul - a terrible singer that hid behind dated 80s production (which a lot of shitty singers hid behind during that time) and choreography. Once the dated 80s production was (rightfully) left behind - this ***** had no idea how to reinvent herself. She is a poor man's Kylie Minogue (Confide In Me and My Love Is For Real are pretty similar). Kylie also had 80s production type of stuff at the beginning but Kylie knew how to use her voice to her strengths and work with people that could highlight that better. That's why her Kylie era in 1994 (a year before Paula's failed reinvention) was successful. It essentially allowed her to continue exploring genres until she settled into her disco sound in early 2000/late 2001. Paula simply didn't have the wits to do so and her last album and singles were BAD. In 2002, Kylie was smashing with Can't Get You Out Of My Head. In 2002, Paula was an American Idol judge. The better singer won and this is why Kylie is a legend and why Paula is just a forgotten reality show judge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicLoverDude Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 On 1/25/2023 at 7:05 PM, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. Ok sis, eat a snickers and get some fresh air. Your hate is shining through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donquizote Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 On 1/26/2023 at 11:05 AM, lostcause said: Taylor Swift is definitely the answer. She was lucky to debut in the mid aughts, if you were in middle school at the time, her career makes sense. American youth culture in 2006-2010 would be unrecognizable to kids and teenagers today. A twelve year old white girl in 2007 had more in common with her 1980s counterpart, fitting in was in. In 2023, young people measure social capital by what makes them unique. They celebrate their differences, and publicize what makes them special. In 2006, the opposite was true, peculiarity was ostracized while “normal” was idolized. Taylor swift was a straight, blonde, all American, southern twanged prom queen idol who girls could still imagine being nice to them in the hall. Her weak voice was mimicked with ease. Visually, she was the popular girl to rule every small town, while her songs and interviews evoked the average unremarkable awkward wallflower every tween girl relates to. Small town southern Americana was the fetish of the day. In 2005, a curly headed blonde by the name of Carrie Underwood had already popularized country pop with approachable hit songs about small town heartbreak and scorned young love. Swifts sound and image of was packaged nearly identically. It was an era when women were celebrated for acting much younger than they were, Paris Hilton and her baby voice may just have been the most famous figure on earth in 2006. Paris also bolstered the popularity of “small town white trash americana”, an aesthetic trend whose irony was lost on Taylor’s young demographic. At 17, Swift released an album of songs written with the immaturity of an 11 year old. These songs struck gold with that pre-teen demographic, and the culture at large accepted her infantilized presence as par for the milieu. The video for her first single was pure inoffensive conservative southern kitsch, it could have been filmed in the same town as The Simple Life season 1. Her thick southern twang even resonated with the coastal city kids of the era who wished to emulate the “normal” simplicity of middle class flyover USA. She is undeniably a product of George Bushes America. And just like that president, her accent was completely contrived. Taylor Swift cannot sing, cannot dance, cannot act, and cannot progress beyond the 11th grade musically. She allows a rabid fanbase she has furiously cultivated for almost 20 years to feel ok about their own arrested development. They are ok because their idol hasn’t progressed far beyond middle school either. She made conservative whites feel seen and represented in a world they perceive as increasingly hostile to their supremacy. Her success, despite a complete lack of talent and rampant mediocrity, allows for unremarkable and below average whites to feel justified in their own unwarranted privileges and comforts. In turn, they reward her for rationalizing their own unearned positions. The snake who eats her own tail, Taylor is the tail, her most pugnacious fans are the head. She surpassed Carrie Underwood because Taylor can’t really sing or perform. The entire phenomenon is truly a product of right image for the right time. And now that she’s established, she’s lucky enough to resonate with the most reliable demographic. There will always be mediocre people who want their unexceptional blandness justified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconiclegend Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 1 hour ago, MusicLoverDude said: It essentially allowed her to continue exploring genres until she settled into her disco sound in early 2000/late 2001. It's a coincidence that Paula Abdul written Spinning Around in 1997 to record for her own album, but the song was given to Kylie Minogue in 2000 after Impossible Princess. Then, Paula focus on American Idol judging, while Kylie releases CGYOOMH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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