When I was younger, I was a huge music snob. Which is to say, I turned up my nose at anyone who could merely carry a tune. I liked "real singers." LeAnn Rimes (hello? Have you HEARD this girl sing?), Mariah Carey, Whitney, Celine, etc. I also searched out well-written songs and compiled a list of the best songwriters. My ears would scream in protest anytime the likes of Britney, Christina (who can sing, but her songs were...eh), or any of those boy bands came on the radio.
As I've grown up, I've gotten over the snobbery. Oh, I still appreciate a kick-ass vocalist and a gorgeous song, but I've also grown fond of Britney and the occasional cheesy pop song. Even so, my ears resisted Taylor Swift.
Oh, sure. Her songs are catchy. And she's freaking adorable. But songs about high school love and angst? Pssh, no thanks.
But the more popular this girl got, the more her songs assaulted me from the radio, the more curious I became. And so I listened. Actually listened. And you know what I discovered? This girl is a writer. Beneath those catchy hooks and Britney-esque singing voice, there are real-live, well-written songs. Beautifully crafted stories. Ms. Taylor Swift is one helluva storyteller.
So, today I'm going to share with you some of my favorite lyrics:
The way you move is like a full on rainstorm
And I'm a house of cards
You're the kind of reckless
That should send me runnin'
But I kinda know that I won't get far
from "Sparks Fly"
Music starts playin' like the end of a sad movie,
It's the kinda ending you don't really wanna see.
Cause it's tragedy and it'll only bring you down,
Now I don't know what to be without you around.
from "Breathe"
I sneak in and see your friends
And her snotty little family all dressed in pastel
And she is yelling at a bridesmaid
Somewhere back inside a room
Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry
from "Speak Now" (a particularly fun song that fits my Work-in-Progress perfectly)
And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was "Goodbye"
from "Back to December"
But sophistication isn't what you wear or who you know
Or pushing people down, it gets you where you wanna go
They wouldn't teach you that in prep school so it's up to me
But no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity
from "Better Than Revenge"
Walls of insincerity,
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
from "Enchanted"
You paint me a blue sky
And go back and turn it to rain
And I lived in your chess game
But you changed the rules everyday
Wonderin’ which version of you I might get on the phone, tonight
Well I stopped pickin’ up and this song is to let you know why
from "Dear John" (I actually love this entire song)
Wasn't it easier in your firefly-catchin' days?
When everything out of reach, someone bigger brought down to you
Wasn't it beautiful runnin' wild 'til you fell asleep
Before the monsters caught up to you?
from "Innocent" (another song I love all the way through)
I could go on. It would seem that I've recently become a wee bit obsessed. I just find it fascinating, this superficial, teeny-bopper persona paired up with these songs that are just so well-written and, at times, pretty darn deep.
So, what do you think? Do you like Taylor Swift? What do you think of the lyrics I've shared? Who do YOU think is a fabulous storyteller?
