poll Who is the better songwriter: Mariah or Taylor?

[Soda Pop Queen]

I listen to Mariah way more. I mean, it's like 200+ songs vs. only about 10 songs of Taylor's that I use so that should tell you whose songwriting I like better.

[HappierJealousy]

8 minutes ago, Pillz said:

So you're saying the music industry is not biased, racist, and corrupt?

It might be  but if I provided a long list of Taylor’s songwriting achievements and acclaimed from GP/critic/music industry and that user literally discredits each of them because “they’re all biased, racist and corrupt” then what am I supposed to respond? Everybody and their mom can use these as a receipt in this forum but when it comes to Taylor, they’re all invalid?  It seems like the only showcase of Taylor’s songwriting ability here are some cute brainless radio single like ME! and Karma, this is the true definition of “biased”baby

[AxelFox]

Taylor swift is good at what she's doing I'll say that. 
 

But y'all need to stop inserting her in conversations where she doesn't belong. 

[izebize]

The one that rhymed secret rendezvous with Wendy interview... the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee 

[aesthetic bih]

Mariah wrote some of the biggest smashes in music history (AIWFCIY alone in her resume proves that). She is the queen of melodies and vocal arrangement PERIOD. Her being apparently a perfect pitch also put her at an edge in songwriting by default

 

In terms of lyrics, I prefer Taylor's songwriting style. But does that make it better than Mariah? No, it's merely a personal preference of mine

[chaklux]

It’s Mariah for me. Taylor’s lyrics mostly sound like it’s written by a teenager or a super young adult (less than 25), while Mariah lyrics has that older audience/ maturity appeal which I like.

[Eclass]

evermore >> Butterfly

So Taylor wins.

[AxelFox]

1 minute ago, Eclass said:

evermore >> Butterfly

So Taylor wins.

[Jamie Starr]

The songstress that wrote Vision of Love

[NEX]

9 hours ago, Kimi said:

which one of these is supposed to be impressive? or are you trying to shade both? 

Neither was supposed to be impressive. Mariah has a myriad "weak female" songs where her life depends on her lover and the lyrics are plain awful. And Taylor has a bunch of silly lyrics like ME! I was only messing, but I guess people didn't get the joke. Lemme hide that post lol 

[Kiss It Better]

MARIAH SWEETIE..............

 

Taylor could never write these

Quote

Isn't it bliss, to you right now
Don't be subdued, say it out loud
Ain't it a sweet, luscious delight
When you're immersed in my
Ocean of love, coming on strong
Baby I've been waiting so long
Revel inside of paradise

 

Ooh my love goes
On and on and on and on and on (yeah)
On and on and on and on and on
My love goes
On and on and on and on and on

 

So
Gimme some pure delectable love
Like I'm gonna give to you (I'm gonna give it to you)
Keep coming around
'Cause I won't run out
I can't get enough of you, my love goes on

Spoiler

Baby, can you feel me?
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly
Vividly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight

 

[Jjang]

the answer is Mariah. 

[FOCK]

Mariah is one of the greatest lyricists & wordsmiths of all time. 
 

 

 

Please. 

Edited February 26 by FOCK

[joannna]

Mariah is one of the greatest songwriters of our time

 

Taylor Swift is THE greatest songwriter of our time

 

 

[Solaria]

12 hours ago, TayDuaStan said:

Taylor could easily write Obsessed or AIWFCIY but Mariah could never write ATW or a song on the level of the tracks from Folklore or Evermore 

We gather here, we line up, weepin' in a sunlit room
And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes, too
Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe
All the hell you gave me?
'Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you
'Til my dying day

[Chorus]
I didn't have it in myself to go with grace
And you're the hero flying around, saving face
And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet

 

VS

 

It wasn't raining yet
(Yet)
But it was definitely a little misty on
(But it was definitely)
That warm November night
And my heart was pounding
(Pounding)
My inner voice resounding
Begging me to turn away
But I just had to see your face
To feel alive
And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted in the web
Of my desire for you
(And I was twisted)
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you
To taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark

 

Every time I feel the need (and every time)
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time (back in time)
(I go back, I go back, I go back)
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night

 

 

Seems very equal in quality. The only difference is that The Roof has a better melody

[MingYouToo]

as a casual Mariah fan and big Taylor fan, I think there's something very different with both.

 

Taylor loves dealing with intricacies, how this one thing made person in song feel, what they did, where they did it, very detailed, autobiographic lyrics. Recently though, she uses more question and answer or dialogue type of lyricism, all to emphasize the sonic and overall narrative in every song. RED, Folklore, Evermore are biggest examples of this.

 

Mariah I think writes with the intention of knowing where her vocals align, this is especially clear with the Butterfly album. Mariah prefers to definitely use more first person type lyricism, because at the end of the day all her songs are basically about her, Taylor used to do this but stopped with her 2020 releases. Mariah prefers vague descriptors, winds, dim lights, hands touching, very balladeer type of writing, the vocals always take center stage with a descriptive song close behind. Taylor tends to be more diary-to-song type of songwriter.

 

Overall, Taylor requires me to actively visualize the sonic field she's conveying, hyper detailed and she shines in this with her ballads whilst Mariah's very sparse instrumentation, vocal layering and vague lyricism all add to her soundscape, her voice (in her prime) make me feel what the lyrics are trying to convey.

[MingYouToo]

36 minutes ago, Solaria said:

We gather here, we line up, weepin' in a sunlit room
And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes, too
Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe
All the hell you gave me?
'Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you
'Til my dying day

[Chorus]
I didn't have it in myself to go with grace
And you're the hero flying around, saving face
And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet

 

VS

 

It wasn't raining yet
(Yet)
But it was definitely a little misty on
(But it was definitely)
That warm November night
And my heart was pounding
(Pounding)
My inner voice resounding
Begging me to turn away
But I just had to see your face
To feel alive
And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted in the web
Of my desire for you
(And I was twisted)
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you
To taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark

 

Every time I feel the need (and every time)
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time (back in time)
(I go back, I go back, I go back)
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night

 

 

Seems very equal in quality. The only difference is that The Roof has a better melody

The Roof is Mariah's ATW FOR REAL! Underneath the Stars might be her Enchanted too!

 

I've loved that song for the LONGESTTTT time! Such a vivid song! This was the first MC song I remember being so detailed and was a clear pivot to even more superior writing for her!

[Phaunzie]

12 hours ago, Deluxe said:

mariah's lyrics: sex, fantasized concept of love, girly af.

tay: breakups, daddy issues, superiority complex, female empowerment, PG yet slightly erotic.

 

both creative and obviously talented. depends on my mood but i currently like taylor as a writer more.

What? Gurl, clearly you have never listened to Mariah's divine catalogue. She sung about much, much more topics. Also, Taylor's corporate feminism is not empowering anyone but herself. If barebones white-feminist buzzwords are empowering to you, stick to Ms. Swift. If you want actual feminist content, listen to more artists from the RIOT GRRRL movement. Listen to some Bratmobile or ***** Riot to transcend your current state and actually be empowered. 

[Deluxe]

10 minutes ago, Phaunzie said:

What? Gurl, clearly you have never listened to Mariah's divine catalogue. She sung about much, much more topics. Also, Taylor's corporate feminism is not empowering anyone but herself. If barebones white-feminist buzzwords are empowering to you, stick to Ms. Swift. If you want actual feminist content, listen to more artists from the RIOT GRRRL movement. Listen to some Bratmobile or ***** Riot to transcend your current state and actually be empowered. 

most of Mariah’s music is literally about those topics which isn’t even a bad thing…

 

and of course Taylor’s “corporate” feminism will empower herself, that’s kinda the point, for her to write about HER perspective and HER life experiences, which then becomes inspirational to others. you’re mad about Taylor and it shows.

[helpthomas]

i'm a lamb but let's be objective for a moment. they're extremely different in how they write lyrics. even when they write serious and poetic lyrics or complete opposite fun and mindless lyrics, they approach it very differently. that is simply how humans work and every creative will have their own ID to their work, so i'm not sure it's comparable. i can't say who's better. 

 

BUT i can say i prefer mimi in all categories. i love her rawness, and i love her stupidity when she wants to write something silly. what i like in Mariahs lyricism when it's supposed to be mindless is that i still find it complex and funny, because her references and jokes are so camp. with Taylor, when she taps into silly and mindless like ME! or YNTCD, i found it a bit forced and cringe. but Taylor has the gift of telling her life story in songs in her own unique way that has inspired so many young artists today, that we kind of forget she pioneered it a bit. just like Lana did

 

and The Roof has been mentioned on every page in this thread but i'm gonna +1 all of those posts because the pre-chorus into the chorus is what inspired me to really work on how to paint my words and embellish my own writing, together with the melody. those lyrics are so vivid and they set the scene in a way i had never experienced before when i first heard that song. like...

Spoiler

And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted in the web
Of my desire for you
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you
To taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark

 

Every time I feel the need (and every time)
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night

[Mitsouko]

Painful comparison lol. Mariah sweetie

[ttsmu]

Imagine voting for Taylor 

[dirrtydiana]

27 minutes ago, Deluxe said:

most of Mariah’s music is literally about those topics which isn’t even a bad thing…

 

and of course Taylor’s “corporate” feminism will empower herself, that’s kinda the point, for her to write about HER perspective and HER life experiences, which then becomes inspirational to others. you’re mad about Taylor and it shows.

Hero? Anytime you need a friend? Make it happen? One sweet day? AIWFCIY? When you believe? It’s like that? Shake it off? 
 

you definitely have not listened to mariah since these are just some of her singles and your description fits taylor more. but you do you and keep being empowered and relating to a billionaire getting by on the bare minimum lol

[naval23]

Breakdown alone clears 

[perfect blue]

3 hours ago, FOCK said:

Mariah is one of the greatest lyricists & wordsmiths of all time. 
 

 

 

Please. 

Omg... this comparison really put things into context.