# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/462 "2023-11-02T02:38:29Z")
I forgot about Rush fans. I don’t care for Rush but I did hear a great vaporwave mix once that took “Tom Sawyer” and slowed it down as if it were a 7" 45 played at 33 1/3. When Geddy got to the bit about “whatchoo say about sosoyity” he actually sounded like a dude rather than a strangled ostrich. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/463 "2023-11-02T02:42:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m not sure when in the US Bluetooth started being standard on cars, but it must have been around late 00s/early 10s is my guess? As another data point: our 2007 Mazda CX-7 doesn’t have Bluetooth or a USB port; our 2012 Mustang has both. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/464 "2023-11-02T02:43:03Z")
This is engaging with Redditors. I said that I knew her more for Ellen scaring her than her music, which is true, and got something like 400 downvotes. I found it funny. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/465 "2023-11-02T02:48:01Z")
> [@martyg](#): > > and got something like 400 downvotes It’s Reddit. That’s not a Taylor Swift thing, that’s a weirdos on the internet being able to push a button to express disapproval thing. Heck, it’s not even a “You must love her music! Conform! Obey!” thing. Probably just people weary of the “Well _I_ have no idea who [super famous person] even IS!” thing (truthful or not in your case) ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/466 "2023-11-02T02:53:24Z")
> … that suggests that the poster in question is perceiving the enthusiastic proselytizing of “Swifties” as way, way, WAY more fanatical and dictatorial than the sort of “demand” that Princhester is talking about. That idea is not new, nor is it mine. The Residents made an entire album that took late 60’s garage and psychedelic stuff and equated fanship of that stuff to Nazi Germany. I’m saying the same thing, but I’m just not throwing the punch that hard. I’ve come to see that sentiment in just about all fandom. it’s rather sick, come to think of it. I think of certain political supporters willing to hurl epithets at you if you’re remotely critical. To counter it musically, I’m currently going through all artist based things I have and playing them for a final time. Perhaps I’m embarrassed because i was once like that. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/467 "2023-11-02T02:55:42Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > It’s Reddit. That’s not a Taylor Swift thing, that’s a weirdos on the internet being able to push a button to express disapproval thing. Heck, it’s not even a “You must love her music! Conform! Obey!” thing. Probably just people weary of the “Well _I_ have no idea who [super famous person] even IS!” thing (truthful or not in your case) Oh I didn’t even mention the juvenile comments. There were tons of those too, but you’re right, it’s Reddit, so it’s not like I can expect a different outcome. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/468 "2023-11-02T03:26:55Z")
> [@martyg](#): > > The Residents made an entire album that took late 60’s garage and psychedelic stuff and equated fanship of that stuff to Nazi Germany. No. That album equates the _makers_ of music to Nazi Germany, not its fans. > This is tribute to the thousands of little power-mad minds in the music industry who have helped make us what we are today, with an open eye on what we can make them tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/469 "2023-11-02T03:30:10Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That album equates the _makers_ of music to Nazi Germany, not its fans. That’s another angle. That’s why I like that album. You can sink your teeth into it. They made it way before I was involved with them but we talked about it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/470 "2023-11-03T16:03:11Z")
> [@martyg](#): > > When Geddy got to the bit about “whatchoo say about sosoyity” he actually sounded like a dude rather than a strangled ostrich. I am a Rush fan but that made me laugh. You’re not wrong. I know there are rabid Rush fans, but I’m a mildly embarrassed one. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/471 "2023-11-03T22:59:16Z")
Just out of curiosity, how were you involved with the Residents? ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/472 "2023-11-03T23:23:39Z")
The Cryptic Corporation (now only Homer Flynn because Hardy Fox isn’t with us anymore) are the creators. The Residents are everyone else involved, musically or not. It’s not a band. I would call it an art collective with Homer as the director. I helped oversee the construction of the props for the live shows. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/473 "2023-11-03T23:34:00Z")
Swift is way above _young_ girl range. I’m not a fan at all but I’ve heard her music a lot. Some of it is very adult. She’s grown up folks. I’ve met Swifties through my girls I really don’t think they care if any one but themselves like her. I wonder if Sinatra had to have these growing pains? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/474 "2023-11-04T00:41:21Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I wonder if Sinatra had to have these growing pains? Sinatra didn’t write his own songs, did he? Taylor’s had cowriters on some of her hits, but she’s been the principal author of her own lyrics since her debut album. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/475 "2023-11-04T00:45:47Z")
Also, he wasn’t a young woman and didn’t face the hostility Swift gets for being herself. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/476 "2023-11-04T00:47:27Z")
I don’t know what Sinatra wrote. I could look. But, eh ain’t gonna. He was a bobby-sox pop singer for a long time, of wild acclaim, and suddenly he became an adult singer of standards. I was wondering whether he felt the same questioning as a 20 something. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/477 "2023-11-04T01:07:22Z")
It just occurred to me that I might like her if she’d just _bleeding go away_ for a while. How can I miss her if she won’t go away? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/478 "2023-11-04T01:12:20Z")
I don’t think she needs you to miss her. She seemingly enjoys what she’s doing, is very popular, puts out award winning album after album and is fantastically wealthy from her music. Why would she “go away”? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/479 "2023-11-04T01:14:16Z")
I can remember watching 1940s cartoons when I was very little in the 1950s. That’s where I learned about Frank Sinatra. He was always depicted as super skinny with hordes of girls screaming for him. I remember one where they showed him in an artifical lung machine because he was so skinny he could hardly breathe. He was mocked fairly relentlessly in his early years. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/480 "2023-11-04T01:26:30Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Why would she “go away”? There is such a thing as wearing out your welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/481 "2023-11-04T01:29:59Z")
> [@martyg](#): > > There is such a thing as wearing out your welcome. I guess. Based on her current tour, she ain’t there yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339.md?page=25)