# Can someone explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon to me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 19, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339 "2023-03-19T02:50:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/21 "2023-03-19T03:29:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Reminds me of an episode of _Newsradio_: > > Joe Garrelli : I thought you liked rap. > > Bill McNeal : I did, but that was before I knew it had words. > > Catherine Duke : Wait, you didn’t know it had words? Well, why did you think they called rap? > > Bill McNeal : I thought it was just because of the rhythm. You know, rap-rap, rappity-tap You know, on paper that isn’t funny at all, but Phil Hartman completely sells it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/22 "2023-03-19T03:29:43Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > And my original question was “Can someone explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon to me?” > > You (nor anyone else) has answered my question. I refer you to post 6, which you have not acknowledged. I further point out that you have demonstrated that you apparently have no interest in having your question actually answered, since you have stated that you do not pay attention to the content of her songs and do not wish to. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/23 "2023-03-19T03:29:44Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > The good news is that I hadn’t listened to Folklore in a while, and I am right now, and I’m enjoying it! And I now have _[Red](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iPNLxicdDNw)_ in my head. ---
**Author:** ![hostility](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/24 "2023-03-19T03:30:47Z")
> I feel like ultimately this is just a pitting of (those hypnotized) Taylor Swift fans, and is in the wrong forum. No, you’re wrong. It’s an honest question, and there’s no agenda behind it. There’s nothing more to my question. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/25 "2023-03-19T03:31:32Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > And my original question was “Can someone explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon to me?” …some people like different things. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/26 "2023-03-19T03:31:45Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > No, you’re wrong. It’s an honest question, and there’s no agenda behind it. Then why are you unwilling to listen to one of her songs and pay attention to it? I posted you a link to a lyric video. You don’t even have to use your ears if that’s too much effort. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/27 "2023-03-19T03:32:42Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > You (nor anyone else) has answered my question. Replying with “YoU hAvE tO LiStEn!!!” is an answer to a different question. If you want to learn the weather, first try looking out the window. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/28 "2023-03-19T03:34:54Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > No, you’re wrong. It’s an honest question, and there’s no agenda behind it. There’s nothing more to my question. Oh, well good then! The answer is that her voice, lyrics, and music are really good from the perspective of her fans. ---
**Author:** ![hostility](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/29 "2023-03-19T03:35:15Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I refer you to post 6, which you have not acknowledged. Fair point. I missed that post, probably due to the presence of so many “WHY DO YOU NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO HER?” posts. > I further point out that you have demonstrated that you apparently have no interest in having your question actually answered, since you have stated that you do not pay attention to the content of her songs and do not wish to. You clearly have no interest in answering my question, especially since you directed me to another post, which partially _did_ answer it. ---
**Author:** ![hostility](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/30 "2023-03-19T03:36:05Z")
> Oh, well good then! The answer is that her voice, lyrics, and music are really good from the perspective of her fans. Same with Boxcar Willie. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/31 "2023-03-19T03:37:35Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > You clearly have no interest in answering my question, especially since you directed me to another post, which partially _did_ answer it. I can’t answer your question if you’re not willing to heed my answer. I have provided you with an example of why people like her and you’ve stated that you have no interest in examining it. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/32 "2023-03-19T03:38:35Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > it doesn’t feel like a completely sincere exploratory question. Well, _I_ was curious, whether or not the OP was. Not curious enough to have asked the question myself, but curious enough to set the thread to “Tracking.” So I appreciate anyone who tries to give an honest, helpful answer. For what it’s worth, I’ve heard a very little by her (maybe a couple performances on SNL), and between that and what I know about her, I believe she’s not my type, but thart certainly doesn’t mean that other people are “wrong” to like her. Someone who (as @Smapti said) “puts a lot of her personal life into her songs” isn’t what I look for in music. I understand that many people like to listen to each other talk about their love lives in intimate detail, but I do not (_cringe_), and I wonder if that’s a big part of Taylor Swift’s appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/33 "2023-03-19T03:39:31Z")
> [@hostility](#): > > Same with Boxcar Willie. Hey, I saw Boxcar Willie in concert as a child. Got his autograph. All in all, I think I prefer Taylor Swift. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/34 "2023-03-19T03:44:38Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > For what it’s worth, I’ve heard a very little by her (maybe a couple performances on SNL), and between that and what I know about her, I believe she’s not my type There is a _big_ variety to her music. Some is fun pop, some is more serious. Some of her early stuff is Country. I’m familiar with almost no contemporary music, but I really like TS. For a fun one, try this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WA4iX5D9Z64/maxresdefault.jpg "Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA4iX5D9Z64) For a serious one with a great music video, try this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JLf9q36UsBk/maxresdefault.jpg "Taylor Swift - Out Of The Woods") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLf9q36UsBk) ---
**Author:** ![hostility](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/35 "2023-03-19T03:45:00Z")
> For what it’s worth, I’ve heard a very little by her (maybe a couple performances on SNL), and between that and what I know about her, I believe she’s not my type, but thart certainly doesn’t mean that other people are “wrong” to like her. Someone who (as @Smapti said) “puts a lot of her personal life into her songs” isn’t what I look for in music. I understand that many people like to listen to each other talk about their love lives in intimate detail, but I do not (_cringe_ ), and I wonder if that’s a big part of Taylor Swift’s appeal. Very helpful reply. It seems the answer to my question _does_ lie close to my hunch (referenced by “secret sauce” in my OP), that her lyrics seem to attract (and keep) her fans. That’s great. I still have no interest in reading (or listening to) her lyrics, but it does help me understand what this phenomenon is all about. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/36 "2023-03-19T03:47:48Z")
One of her better, funny Country songs: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yCMqcFAigRg/maxresdefault.jpg "Taylor Swift - Picture To Burn") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCMqcFAigRg) And the very catchy aforementioned _Love Story_: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8xg3vE8Ie_E/maxresdefault.jpg "Taylor Swift - Love Story") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/37 "2023-03-19T03:49:43Z")
And just for funsies, here’s the time she teamed up with Def Leppard; [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5SGGgdXxA40/maxresdefault.jpg "007Def Leppard & Taylor Swift Pour Some Sugar On Me Official Video YouTube 720p") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SGGgdXxA40) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pQ1x-VWuklo/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH6CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGHIgQigtMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDN7YSzKZpKFwnQkGti8I8ibsUU_A "Def Leppard feat. Taylor Swift - "When Love & Hate Collide" (Live)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ1x-VWuklo) ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/38 "2023-03-19T03:57:55Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Different people like different things Yep, this is exactly it. She makes incredibly catchy pop songs. I don’t really care all that much for her lyrics (they are ok), but I really enjoy her music - and it’s run the gamut really, from pop country, to 80s style pop, to kind of indie pop, etc. She just knows how to craft a pop song. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/39 "2023-03-19T03:58:07Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > There is a _big_ variety to her music. Some is fun pop, some is more serious. Some of her early stuff is Country. I’m familiar with almost no contemporary music, but I really like TS. That genre-shifting is one thing I enjoy very much about her, and her storytelling. Among my favorites is her song about Rhode Island socialite Rebekah Harkness, who built one of the houses TS bought. [which I saw, weirdly enough, before I was a fan] [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2s5xdY6MCeI/maxresdefault.jpg "Taylor Swift - the last great american dynasty (Official Lyric Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s5xdY6MCeI) ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/40 "2023-03-19T04:01:38Z")
I got on the Swift train just a bit starting with “Mean,” a great country tune that’s catchy as hell. Then the Midnights album dropped, and I was simply hypnotized, and went through her back catalog. The variety of styles keeps it fresh, and there’s something for whatever mood you’re in, whether an uplifting anthem like “You Need To Calm Down” or a deepest depths tearjerker like “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” Great stuff, and clever lyrics peppered throughout. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339.md?page=3)