Taylor Swift

[Car-Guy]

Speaking of that, did you find a TRX like you wanted yet?

Holding out until 1Q24. Prices "seem" to be stabilizing and maybe they will drop a little. Plenty of them around to buy.

 

[Car-Guy]

She dated her last boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, for six years.

Sometimes I have several cars at once too.

 

[ERD50]

Taylor Swift goes through boyfriends like I do new cars. 6 to 12 mos (18 tops) and I'm looking for a new one.

With 273 Million followers on the Instagram she has enormous political influence and she is starting to use it.

I saw a meme recently (OK, it's political, but really, just look at the humor aspect, not the specific name, please!)...

Something like:

Taylor Swift, who has made a career of writing songs about her terrible choices in men — has officially endorsed <insert any candidate's name here> for President.

It's funny/ironic, no?

-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

I believe it was CBS, who reported back in September that Taylor Swift is responsible for the US to have a positive GDP so far this year.


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor...Reserve says Taylor,add $5 billion - CBS News

I'm not so good at macro-economics, but it seems to me that there is GDP (money changing hands) and GDP (added value).

Nothing against Ms Swift, or entertainers in general, most of us need some entertainment in our lives, but it seems that much of the money is just changing hands.

It just seems different to me than say, mining iron ore. Money was invested in the mine and equipment, and now the iron ore is more valuable on a ship on Lake Superior, than it was in the ground. And then it is refined into iron ingots, which are more valuable than iron ore. And then a tractor is made from the iron and steel, which produces crops from the ground, exceeding the value of the tractor, and on and on.

Does GDP account for this in some way?

-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

So, she's a nice rich person that gives back.

IMO, big deal. I think that the criteria for person of the year should be a little higher.

Here's what Time says:
https://time.com/6342816/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift-choice/

Since 1927, TIME has chosen a Person of the Year, the editors’ assessment of the individual who most shaped the headlines over the previous 12 months, for better or for worse.

It has nothing to do with virtue or accomplishment, just newsworthiness. Adolf Hitler was Time's Man of the Year in 1938. Joseph Stalin was Man of the Year twice, in 1939 and 1942. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was in 1979. And several others that you wouldn't expect. See the full list at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Person_of_the_Year

Gumby, thanks for that context. With that in mind, all these other comments about who deserves it or not seem pointless. It's their magazine, their criteria, and on that basis, Ms Swift has certainly garnered headlines, so it seems fitting.

Maybe Time likes the controversy (any publicity is good publicity?), but it would seem better to call out "Most notable person of the year", or something. "Person of the Year" does come across as an accolade, to most people, I would think.

-ERD50

 

[38Chevy454]

I wasn't aware that Time magazine was even in existence or relevant anymore. Certainly not in my life. I can see Taylor Swift being the person of the year, she does have a lot of publicity and discussion in the media.

 

[skyking1]

This year she made a post urging her followers to register to vote. It was a record year this year and the hour after her post saw a 1200% bump in traffic at vote.org
I am not a fan of her music, but she seems to be a force for good.
I'll always remember her for this gem remix:
https://youtu.be/-aLYvZ5sX28?si=YniJ9mlXd88lxP89

 

[Dtail]

Saw her in concert years back. It was a good concert. As for this honor, who really cares.

 

[Midpack]

Perhaps a read beyond the surface, one that is certainly relevant to ER:

Ms. Swift was the single biggest economic driver in the US this summer, creating billions in spending - not just on tickets for her Eras tour and movie, but her fans spent on travel, clothing, etc., to attend sold out concerts in every city. One thing I read somewhere a few months ago is she - alone - may be the reason we didn't slip into a mild recession this past summer.

You can yawn all you like, but she's a powerhouse. And no, I would not recognize one of her songs. There are far worse people to follow in showbusiness. I'm glad my niece grew up following her.

I’m not a fan of her music, but then I’m not in her target audience like most here. But she has reached heights in the world of pop music that only a handful of other recording artists have, arguably just short of The Beatles. She is clearly a gifted musician and performer, so good for her.

Read about her outsmarting Scooter Braun for starters - amazing.

While it’s challenging to quantify the cultural significance, there have been iconic tours in the past that have left an indelible mark, such as The Jacksons’ “Victory” tour, Bruce Springsteen’s global tour post “Born in the USA,” Madonna’s “Blonde Ambition” tour, and U2’s “Zoo TV” tour. Having witnessed these tours and the Eras Tour multiple times, it’s clear that Swift’s tour is unparalleled, with the closest comparison being a Beatles tour.

 

[ERD50]

This year she made a post urging her followers to register to vote. It was a record year this year and the hour after her post saw a 1200% bump in traffic at vote.org
I am not a fan of her music, but she seems to be a force for good.
I'll always remember her for this gem remix:
https://youtu.be/-aLYvZ5sX28?si=YniJ9mlXd88lxP89

My brother (13 years younger than me) told me a while back that just as he turned voting age (so late 80's?), there was this big push from musicians and celebrities, targeting his age group to "get out the vote".

He thought it was (and still feels this way), that that was stupid. You shouldn't vote just to vote, you should educate yourself, and then go vote with purpose. But as he recalled, it was just "go vote!".

And while the effort might appear non-partisan, considering the age demographic, well, maybe not. I'll stop there.

-ERD50

 

[Music Lover]

While it’s challenging to quantify the cultural significance, there have been iconic tours in the past that have left an indelible mark, such as The Jacksons’ “Victory” tour, Bruce Springsteen’s global tour post “Born in the USA,” Madonna’s “Blonde Ambition” tour, and U2’s “Zoo TV” tour. Having witnessed these tours and the Eras Tour multiple times, it’s clear that Swift’s tour is unparalleled, with the closest comparison being a Beatles tour.

It might match in scale to The Beatles but that says more about her uneducated audience than the artist. She's currently the biggest artist in the world but outside of her immediate fan base almost no one can name a single one of her songs.

I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Stones, etc. Does Taylor Swift even have one song that compares to the impressive body of work from those bands?

 

[sparky08]

Saw her in concert years back. It was a good concert. As for this honor, who really cares.

Well, it is the one time of the year that I remember that Time Magazine is still around.

 

[skyking1]

My brother (13 years younger than me) told me a while back that just as he turned voting age (so late 80's?), there was this big push from musicians and celebrities, targeting his age group to "get out the vote".

He thought it was (and still feels this way), that that was stupid. You shouldn't vote just to vote, you should educate yourself, and then go vote with purpose. But as he recalled, it was just "go vote!".

And while the effort might appear non-partisan, considering the age demographic, well, maybe not. I'll stop there.

-ERD50

you could have stopped before quoting me and making a partisan statement about getting people to register to vote.

 

[Beststash]

I don't know any of her songs, in fact the dw and I played a few on YouTube tonight just to hear what she sounds like.

I know every generation has to have their superstar but to hear her compared to the Beetles amazes me. When I hear the ticket prices for her concert I wonder how these kids can afford it? Really?

I admire her activism and her success and I am totally out of touch with this genre of music. But then again I don't get the Barbie thing either.

I guess I really am old.

 

[DrRoy]

Interesting!!! I wonder what the criteria is to be person of the year?

Will it sell magazines.

 

[athena53]

Will it sell magazines.

Yeah- I can see where she might have the edge over the Chinese Prime Minister or Nelson Peltz.

I live in KC so we had the hype of the last tour. She seems to have solid values (unlike many pop figures) and apparently puts on a very good show but I wouldn't recognize any of her songs.

What bothers me is that it borders on idol worship. I saw posts from perfectly sensible women who were on line for hours trying to get Taylor Swift tickets at any price because their daughters (or they AND their daughters) HAD to see her. My nephew's wife was in the 7th row in Charlotte. What kind of values does that impart to the daughters? I don't have a 14-year old daughter who's a Taylor Swift fan so wasn't put in that position but I would have wanted to step back and say, "Look, this is ridiculous. We're wasting hours and getting frustrated because they make the process so difficult and we'd be spending enough to buy (fill in something relevant) if we get them. It's not worth it."

 

[marko]

What's wrong with all you old codgers?! I think she's hot as hell.

And I hear she sings, or something. .

 

[Midpack]

$5.7 billion is pretty impressive for generic and forgettable pop songs.

I'm not bitter, good for her...for a tiny fraction of that much money I'd do the same thing. But there are plenty of vastly more talented artists that sadly don't get the recognition they deserve.

I’m not a fan of her but some of us are trying to be objective. Others, like you, are judging her based on your personal tastes - when you’re not meant to be in her target audience. Objectively there haven’t been many recording artists who’ve achieved more than Taylor Swift and her career has a long way to go. She’s also made quite a few great business and investing moves, and if you’ve seen her in interviews, she’s quite intelligent - IOW it’s not just the people around her pulling the strings.

What her fans think of her is way more relevant than what us old fogies think.

 

[Car-Guy]

What's wrong with all you old codgers?! I think she's hot as hell.

And I hear she sings, or something. .

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to say what most of us guys are thinking. Seen her videos a few times too but never heard her sing a note. And she's rich. I mean super rich!

 

[Midpack]

It might match in scale to The Beatles but that says more about her uneducated audience than the artist. She's currently the biggest artist in the world but outside of her immediate fan base almost no one can name a single one of her songs.

I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Stones, etc. Does Taylor Swift even have one song that compares to the impressive body of work from those bands?

OK Boomer.

You really can’t be objective? You think the audience that put the Beatles on the map were “educated?” Screaming through their live performances. The hits from their first several albums were ridiculously simple musically - but they were very different than what came before. And The Beatles fame wasn’t built on their music alone, four young good looking guys with British accents. Fortunately they developed into very good and ground breaking musicians, not at all as they began.

I’ll bet those of Taylor’s generation can name many of her songs.

To be clear The Beatles are still my favorite band of all time, and I don’t listen to Taylor Swift at all. But I can judge them by their accomplishments irrespective of my personal tastes.

 

[old medic]

Perhaps a read beyond the surface, one that is certainly relevant to ER:

Ms. Swift was the single biggest economic driver in the US this summer, creating billions in spending - not just on tickets for her Eras tour and movie, but her fans spent on travel, clothing, etc., to attend sold out concerts in every city.

I wonder how much of those Billions are on credit cards? Overall credit debit increased something like $700 billion in the last year? We are fairly well off, but cant afford to blow a couple grand per ticket.

 

[athena53]

I wonder how much of those Billions are on credit cards? Overall credit debit increased something like $700 billion in the last year? We are fairly well off, but cant afford to blow a couple grand per ticket.

Yes- this bothers me. There will be people who tell me it's not my business if parents to choose to buy Taylor Swift tickets when they "can't afford" to save for retirement or their kids' education, but eventually taxpayers foot the bill- subsidies for impoverished seniors, the drag on the economy from student loan debt, the cost of forgiving some of that debt, credit card defaults.

I understand that many parents have the bucks to save AND spend that kind of money on tickets but I suspect they're in the minority.

 

[Car-Guy]

I wonder how much of those Billions are on credit cards? Overall credit debit increased something like $700 billion in the last year? We are fairly well off, but cant afford to blow a couple grand per ticket.

I wouldn't pay that for Superbowl tickets even if my two favorite teams were playing, and I can afford it.

 

[ERD50]

I’m not a fan of her but some of us are trying to be objective. Others, like you, are judging her based on your personal tastes - when you’re not meant to be in her target audience. Objectively there haven’t been many recording artists who’ve achieved more than Taylor Swift and her career has a long way to go. She’s also made quite a few great business and investing moves, and if you’ve seen her in interviews, she’s quite intelligent - IOW it’s not just the people around her pulling the strings.

What her fans think of her is way more relevant than what us old fogies think.

To add to that (and I think this aligns with what you are saying), her "achievement" is her overall popularity (and business acumen). Impressive!

From an objective "musicality" viewpoint, I'm certain that credentialed, knowledgeable music educators would find the Beatles music to be much more sophisticated and adventurous (in chord structure, time signatures, melody, harmony, variety, instrumentation, recording techniques, etc).

And while (as you mentioned in another post), the early Beatles music was simpler (but different, so caught attention), we all can see how they developed over the years. And they only had eight years from their first hit to their last album.

Taylor Swift had her first hit 17 years ago. Over twice the career length of the Beatles. And, she's now OLDER than any of the Beatles were when their last album was released (33 vs 30, 26 and 27). Objectively, I'd be shocked if any musicologist would put her anywhere near the level of the Beatles, despite the fact she's had much more time to develop (and oddly, I'm not a super Beatles fan, though I certainly do appreciate what they have done).

But yes, her fans like what she does. It isn't all about music proficiency. I like some bands/performers who aren't sophisticated musically, but they have 'something' that draws me in. So her fans are her fans, it's all good.

Some say she is a good role model for young girls, I haven't followed her enough to have an opinion, but if true, that's great, good for her. Probably a far better role model than many of the drugged out musicians I followed in my youth!

-ERD50

 

[Music Lover]

OK Boomer.

You really can’t be objective? You think the audience that put the Beatles on the map were “educated?” Screaming through their live performances. The hits from their first several albums were ridiculously simple musically - but they were very different than what came before. And The Beatles fame wasn’t built on their music alone, four young good looking guys with British accents. Fortunately they developed into very good and ground breaking musicians, not at all as they began.

I’ll bet those of Taylor’s generation can name many of her songs.

To be clear The Beatles are still my favorite band of all time, and I don’t listen to Taylor Swift at all. But I can judge them by their accomplishments irrespective of my personal tastes.

I am objective, I base my opinion of musicians on their music, not their popularity or total sales.