What's up people! I've always been a Taylor Swift fan, and I've always thought she is such a canny songwriter, and even when she annoys me, I like following her career. There just aren't many artists that you can talk about with SO MANY different people, and I enjoy that opportunity to connect. If this ain't your thing, just move along!
Samuel Currey I’ve heard that some country fans didn’t really like her before she went pop - but I don’t know any country fans (personally) who hated her country music. Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to about it just wish she would come back to country.
Is this directed towards Grady? If not, it should be! Hi Grady, it's your Mom ;) not really. You're just so adorable. If I could put up a big read heart on this comment, I would.
I mean she didn’t really stop, you need to calm down is the same message, as well as The archer which is really good don’t get me wrong, but she hasn’t stopped this defense stage in her songwriting, with folklore she’s gotten better at it but still she hasn’t stopped
Regarding “The Man”, yes, Taylor may have an upper hand when it comes to negotiations and demanding attention because of her huge, loyal fan base but she is still the most scrutinized, picked apart woman in this country. She is constantly under attack for nearly every thing she does. Her dating habits, her power moves in business, her planning and strategizing are things that have all been twisted, she’s been slut shamed and linked to men she may or may not have even been in a relation ship where as what man gets that kind of negative press and is under such attack? Let alone any other woman for that matter, Miranda Lambert is still writing about exes and heartbreak and has been through a strew of men but even her scrutinization is minimum in comparison. For the longest time she was attacked for writing about exes in songs but no one thought to consider a) they are excellent songs: b) they were kind of jerks;c) she was a teenager (a vast majority of those songs were written in her teen years) - not since red have we really gotten a breakup song linked to Taylor’s life. Basically to cut this rant short almost all the things Taylor is attacked for, a man would not be judged as harshly for. The fact that in this review she was knocked down for both writing about this topic and also for writing about trying to remain positive and being sarcastic despite the constant hate attacks against her kind of proves the point in itself.
@@quel2846 And yet...their careers are all still rock solid...no (or at least comparable to where they were prior - Tiger I think is in a league of his own here, so in regards to the others)? Those events put people up in arms with those individuals PERSONAL lives, but never really let it affect their careers. Not so much, here.
Definitely. I feel like that album is a case-in-point as to how Taylor can have her cake (produce authentic crossover music that is also compelling and thoughtful) and eat it too (also keep her original fans happy wthout merely phoning it in). "State of Grace", "Treacherous" and "Begin Again" are among the very best singular tracks she has ever recorded, but more importantly it has a thematic arc and cohesion that keeps me intrigued from beginning to end. I'd say the only low point was "22" and "We Are Never Getting Back Together", but even there at the very least it's at least age-appropriate given when they were both recorded and fits the narrative from track to track.
This album lyrically reminds me of red, but sonically reminds me of what we heard on 1989. In my opinion, it’s the most “Taylor Swift “ album in her discography.
Been listening to taylor since ”fearless” and I enjoy everything she puts out while also low-key, patiently waiting for her to come back to country 😄 it may be 20 more years but I’ll be here. Just waiting 👍
Karen me to girl me too! Seeing as how her very first radio song is titled “Tim McGraw” how can she not eventually go back to country? It’s bound to happen.....I hope!!
The first song she's actually referencing the "dark persona" she made with reputation. Like she's moving on, forgetting all the drama and leaving them behind
The point of ”The Man” isn’t that Taylor could reach something she hasn’t already achieved if she were a man, but that she would be viewed in a totally different way. Sure, you could say that people’s opinions don’t matter, but they actually kind of do, especially if you work as an entertainer - just look at the Dixie Chicks! Regardless of whether Taylor is too obsessed with her reputation, there’s no denying that she’s criticised and villified for just about everything she does, whether it’s standing up for herself when she feels she’s been treated badly, dating like a normal 20-something, or having the nerve to use her personal life for inspiration to make art. The line ”They would toast to be, oh, let the players play/I’d be just like Leo in Saint Tropez” for example captures the issue brilliantly: Leo has had his fair share of romantic partners just like Taylor, but what little criticism he’s received for that is nowhere near comparable to what Taylor has had to endure, because he’s judged on the quality of his work and not his personal life, just like all men are. Can you think of a single male artist who gets slammed for dating like a normal adult and writing songs about his love life to the point where that’s basically the only thing he’s known for? I can’t. Nobody has ever labelled Ed Sheeran a crazy woman-eater who dates for songwriting material, and no one denies that Kanye West is a musical genius just because he’s made some questionable decisions. Like Taylor sings, ”What I was wearing/If I was rude/Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves.” She’s the pathetic, crazy, calculating snake and they’re the toast of the town. The line ”I’m so sick of running as fast as I can/Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man” is in a broader sense about being held back because of misogynistic attitudes, and the fact that it’s less specific doesn’t mean it doesn’t strike a chord. Sure, most of us haven’t been slut-shamed or bullied by the entire world, but a lot of women (myself included) can relate to being criticised and made to feel like we should be ashamed of ourselves for being ambitious or taking up space in the classroom/workplace or being sexually active, while watching men be respected and celebrated for those very same things. It’s the exact same form of sexism, just on a different scale. The entire point of the song is that even Taylor Swift - one of the biggest artists of the century with a huge fortune and an incredibly loyal fanbase - isn’t immune to sexism and misogyny.
I'm also on the ride with Taylor, because being the same age as her, her music is embedded in all the phases of my life since high school at this point. But I actually thought this album was such a relief after Reputation (which I didn't hate because it had some real gems on it), that it's hard for me to be mad about it. Obviously, bit too long. I think she could have left all the early release singles off the album and it would be near perfect for me (my biggest disagreement with Taylor is usually her choice for singles). And my favorite songs are basically that middle stretch from Miss Americana, Paper Rings, Cornelia Street, and Death By a Thousand Cuts. For album ranking, based on the power of emotional connections formed at the time: Fearless, 1989, Red, Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Reputation (and Lover will probably wind up directly in the middle)
I feel like the chorus of The Man was just put in to make it more relatable to other women who might feel like that. I'm not saying that's bad, all I'm saying is that I feel like the verses and the bridge aren't that much about 'getting there quicker' as a man, but about how the media portrays her actions different than how they portray men who do the same thing, and to me that actually rings really true. The first verse is about how they wouldn't criticize her for her relationships, the second verse is about some people are reluctant to give her credit for her success, and how people focus on superficial stuff instead of her goodwill and intelligence, and the bridge is about how people judge the subject matter of her art in a way they don't do for, say, rappers who only write about their "bitches" or money.
I listened to All Too Well last night, haha. Red, Speak Now, and her debut album are my favorite albums. Enchanted, Last Kiss, and Teardrops On My Guitar are my favorite songs.
Grady you are way to focused on lyrics, the man is the best song sonically on the album and it also has the best lyric "I'd be just like Leo in St Tropez. The Man is obviously how she sees things, yes she is killing it, but she would probably have it easier if she was a man.
A few comments. I Forgot that You Existed starts off the album to transition from reputation to Lover. She had no songs on reputation that had to do with Calvin Harris specifically so that’s one fan theory, but it could also be forgetting that part of her life. Second, the Man is a super important song on this track list. Not only does it relate to many women out there, but with all the drama Taylor has been through, would she have gone through it as a man? That’s the question I think needs to be asked. I actually really like this album, more than I liked reputation since that was one of my least favorite albums. My ranking of her albums are 1. Speak Now 2. Fearless 3. Lover 4. 1989 5. Red 6. Reputation 7. Taylor Swift As for this album, my top 5 songs are 1. Paper Rings 2. Cruel Summer 3. Soon You’ll Get Better 4. Lover 5. The Man
I have been a Swiftie since Tim McGraw. It has been fun to follow her and to watch her grow- through the good, the bad and the ugly. While this isn't my most favorite of her albums, I still really enjoy it!!! Her songwriting is just so good!!! I think opening with I Forgot You Existed was good. I have heard it's about Calvin Harris because he made some noise about not being talked about on the Rep album. So she is basically telling him she forgot about him. More than that, I think it was her washing her hands clean of the past. Everything in the middle was love letters to different people. Mostly Joe, of course. But also to her mama in Soon You'll Get Better. I believe ME! is a love letter to the fans about self love. My least favorite song is It's Nice To Have A Friend, but this is a love letter to all her real ones - from Abigail all the way up to Joe. It progresses from like an elementary friendship, to young love then up to marriage. She has 3 politically charged songs - Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, The Man and You Need To Calm Down. Even though I'm not a Democrat, I respect her views. And even though we're not on the same "team", I still agree with certain things, like equality for all. I think she ends the album perfectly for this era with Daylight. All in all, it's a solid album!!!
Hmmm I understand why you don't understand "the man" because clearly your a man. And maybe because you have a huge respect to her talent and song writing abilities. However you are very rare, as most men don't really believe in her talent. To them she is just whiny lol hence writing this song. I have been a fan of her ever since I heard all too well so red basically is where I became a fan. But if I were to pick an album where I would say based on how it made me feel. Red would be my most fave but right now I am definitely enjoying this album. To me it's better than 1989 and rep. This is her pop album that she was able to nail both lyrics and productions. 1989 to me lacks quality lyrics.
Dee Cosiangco agreed! And it’s weird that Grady wouldn’t buy what she’s saying in the Man given that he has often said how women in country music are constantly being snubbed and not given enough opportunities compared to their male peers. 🤔
I agree with most of these points but I do want to say that whether or not The Man meshed well with the overall theme of this album, I think the main points in it are the inequality between men and women which is (in a very Taylor way) very relatable to a lot of women. Yes, she’s absolutely gone as far, if not farther in her career than many men have and she’s worked equally hard, if not harder for her success. But the main concept of that song is that, despite working hard for that success and earning it, there’s a big difference in the way she (and a lot of successful women) are seen. Remember not too long ago when she was being torn down for writing mostly about guys and relationships. And she had to point out that so what? Men like Ed Sheeran do the exact same thing about women? But he’s perceived as a romantic and she’s seen as a boy obsessed monster? That’s the point of The Man. The gender biases. If a famous male singer or actor goes out flashing his money around, he’s a baller. If a female does it she’s a b*tch. And that’s the reality for a lot of women in music and every other industry. I like this song. I like when writers like Taylor and Halsey use their platforms to speak directly to other women as well as the world. Calling for change. Just my opinion!
Completely agree. I love "The Man" and the way she is explicitly calling out the double standard in the way men and women are treated. When a woman writes about her relationships or dates a lot of guys, she's denigrated for it. When Leonardo DiCaprio dates lots of women, he's "the man." I felt she was directly calling out the press coverage of her, which has been quite sexist from the beginning. I think many women can probably relate to the song.
I absolutely agree with this! There are other lyrics other than "im tired of running as fast as I can". She's dealt with ALOT of scrutiny on her way to the top.. So why can't she write a song about that?
I’m sure you get this quite a bit but you resemble Dierks Bentley. I appreciate your content. I have a small selection of country artists I listen to because I personally feel country music has drifted so far from its roots. I generally listen to classic country and 90’s country. Keep up the great work and I’m glad to be a subscriber.
Love your honesty here, I've also been a Taylor fan from day 1 (I love country but also other genres). I told someone I felt this was her leaning away from more traditional musical form, which you mentioned. I like about half the songs, but I also am going to give it another listen or two to settle on ranking. I didn't love Rep much at all, or that era in her life, so it's still above that but not sure where it falls out. Red is #1 forever.
Hey Grady! Love the channel and was looking forward to your review. I was surprised at this album, it was really happy/colorful/cheerier than I thought it would be. I definitely think Soon You'll Get Better is the best song on the album, it just is so raw and beautiful! I love the imagery on Cornelia Street, but I have to say a guilty pleasure song for me is London Boy:) I thought it was so cheesy, but then I just couldn't stop listening to it! I think you make a really great point that a lot of the songs could've been cut--like why is NO ONE talking about this album having 18 songs on it?! That is ridiculous, like I know she wanted to sing a lot, but she couldn't sing that many songs in one concert!
18 Songs for me is just 18 songs to play in repeat for the next 2-3 years. Yes it could only been 10 amazing songs, but then its 80% less songs to play on repeat :)
Lindsay Hickman oh when taylor makes an album with 18 tracks, it's lengthy. But Drake, who has 20+ songs on his album and nobody baits an eye Lol. That's a damn reason why she wrote 'The Man'
From 9:37 on, you took the words right out of my mouth. She’s such a talent and I wish she would apply herself lyrically like she used to. This may be the official end of an era.
Cruel summer is so good lyrically! "Said I'm fine but it wasn't true. I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you and I snuck into the garden gate every night that summer just to seal my fate. I scream for whatever it's worth, I love you ain't that the worst thing you ever heard!?" So good haha. Anyway found your channel from talking about Garth winning the eoty AGAIN. And I love watching people talk about Taylor ♥️
Sad you feel this way about the album. Personally, I think it's her best one to date! And False God??? One of the best on the album! But hey, everybody likes different things, I'll keep following you and keep seeing what you have to say anyway
@@GradySmith I absolutly agree, maybe she could have made the album more focused, and released the rest of like 8 of 18 songs on streaming only? Im not sure
I love this channel so so much and I look forward to all of your videos!! I seriously LOVE your channel. But, I think you were a little unfair with your assessment of The Man. I totally get what you're saying. She's pretty much number one, so I get it. I get that you can't understand how being a woman has held her back, at all. And maybe it hasn't. But as a woman, in a man based industry myself, I can relate. Her point is more that all of her love escapades, or emotional breakdowns, or public issues would have been treated completely differently if she was a guy. And you have to know that she is completely correct. "If I was out flashin my dollars, I'd be a 'bitch' not a 'baller'" rings so true. Its complicated and I'm not defending every single thing she's ever written or said or did. But this song makes sense to a lot of women. Myself included.
Preface: I am a DIE HARD Tay fan. 1. I LOVE that a man is out here making a reaction video to Taylor Swift. So many men are afraid to be die hard fans of female singers and making a reaction video is so next level! You got me after a reaction video to "ME!" Or something like that. I also love country being true to country like you, so I keep following you! 2. This isn't my fave either and I haven't listened enough to know it super well. 3. I LOVE "YNTCD" so much. 4. She did say the album was about love in all its complexities. I see that in every song. YNTCD is about loving your people and yourself enough to tell people to back off. I Forgot You Existed isn't really love, but if you stretch, it's about the end of love. "I thought it'd kill me but it didn't" makes it obvi about a lover. 5. I don't like that the first track is a bitter opener. Like, AGAIN. 6. Reputation was my least fave. It was so vengeful and bitter and her desire to get revenge and be angry and all that is just exhausting for me. Like, come on girl. You're putting in too much energy with your hate. 7. 1989 was her best album for me. I need to listen to them all again and put them in order like you did. #Impressive 8. We the same age!! 🙋🙋🙋🙋 9. That song about her Mom is wonderful! My Dad passed very suddenly 2 months ago and his LOVED LOVED LOVED The Dixie Chicks. So that song is just so so wonderful and perfect for me. Also, Dad was a whole grown man unafraid to be a superfan of an all female band 🤩🥰😍 10. I prefer all her songs that are lyrically bombass FOR SURE!!!! Old Taylor's lyrical abilities are my fave fave fave.
I also want to add that I really like the song "The Man". I understand that T Swift is allllll the way up there. But, sexism still exists in the way she, and every woman is treated. Maybe she made it for other women? She does write from other perspectives sometimes. I also feel like it was reminiscent of Cher telling her Mom "I am a man."
I’m only a few listens in and I absolutely love Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince 😍 The music is a little reminiscent to Wildest Dreams for some reason too.
I'm a HUGE taylor fan, and have been since her debut came out when I was 4. That being said, her debut and Fearless have a special place in my heart. I would say mine goes 1) fearless 2) rep 3) debut 4) lover 5) red 6) speak now 7) 1989 . I want to put red higher up there but I kind of tuned out during that time period so I didnt get the full effect of it. I really enjoyed lover, but I agree that there are some outliers on the album that probably weren't extremely needed
Great review! You articulated so well some of the criticisms I've had about the songs that felt out of place on the album. Her great stuff is so great and her meh work is just not very interesting. Such is artistry.
Grady Smith i find that she did the same thing on speak now, mine is a great song but sparks fly is more exciting and sets that magical tone for the album better. a lot of the ordering on lover doesn’t make sense to me honestly.
The reason taylor put it as the first track on the album and your thinking it sounds like reputation is because she needed to transition from her dark era and get it out of the way before she’s continues to her new era, she puts tracks in specific places for a reason...
actually, one of the worst things about yntcd is that it takes an issue so important, and compares it to internet trolls who "compare the girls" and turns the focus from homophobia to Taylor v. Katy feud.
The reason taylor put it as the first track on the album and your thinking it sounds like reputation is because she needed to transition from her dark era and get it out of the way before she’s continues to her new era, she puts tracks in specific places for a reason...
One reason why taylor writes about her haters is it’s one of the things she does best (among a shit tons of other things she excels at) and have had major hits coming from it ( shake it off, mean, bad blood, ect...) Maybe that’s why she couldn’t stop, it’s like her selling point up till now and it sucks. She is so much more than that and people just couldn’t see past it.
I wanted to love the album as a whole, but, for me, it's probably my least favorite of the last few years. I became a fan of hers around RED. I love that one and 1989. Even REPUTATION has a cohesive sound, but LOVER lacks that cohesion for me. I think it's too long and that several songs could have been cut. It still has some great songs that I really love, like "Lover" and "The Archer," but I don't like the album as much as I thought I would. "Lover" has a glorious 90s Mazzy Star vibe and I love the synth on "The Archer." So, with those singles, I guess I expected more of that. Don't get me wrong. Much of the album is on repeat right now because she knows how to write catchy songs. The album just feels all over the place to me. and wasn't what I was expecting. It's still very enjoyable and fun to listen to.
@Josue2018 True she should have gone back to the drawing board for that one then again she makes all the money so it all works out in the end. Still at the very least the title track Lover is more memorable and better than anything on Reputation.
I’m so happy you did this video! I feel the same way that it’s awesome to be able to talk to connect over an artist that so many people know and have an opinion on. Death by a thousand cuts is definitely my favorite song on this album, lyrically and musically it fascinates me and is the only song that’s relatable. I was a little disappointed with the album as well, wish lyrically she would lean a little more toward how Red was put together and written.
to me "I forgot that you existed" felt like a really good start to the album because it was kind of like a goodbye to the past guys and the bullshit, not mean, just celebratory in the revelation that like, wow, this negativity that i was dwelling on is out of my life now and i can focus on being happy and in love, which she does for the rest of the album.
I know it’s been a minute since you’ve posted it, but I was going back and forth about buying it. “ME” and “You need to calm down” I viewed as a little cheese, but I can jam out to them. Now I’m here to somewhat counter your review. I think songs you don’t like I think you can’t relate to the songs, but hey I’m here for your opinion, but maybe I can narrow in on some of your thoughts and give a different take on it. The song “I forgot you existed” I love this song. When she says “free rent living in my mind” makes me think that it’s about someone who had some kind of mental hold over her and “one magical night she forgot they existed” and any mental hold they had on her. Your review of the song “the man” has stuck with me. Tbh I hear that song and I’m like “Girl Preach!!!!” As a women this song resonates in my soul, but probably cause I know what it’s like feel this way. Like would i be viewed as rude or emotional if I where a man? I do think she has to “run faster” to get to the same distance and a man in the industry. So I feel like your review of this song doesn’t resonate in some of the other reviews you have done. She may be famous, but how much more work does she have to put into it because she is a she and not a he. You talk about this with the struggle women have in country or the industry in general. So why is it okay for miranda or Kelley to talk about it and you agree with it, but not Taylor? Is it because of her fam, or why not look at her as being one of the most famous people in the industry and being a woman as a huge accomplishment, but would she have gotten there faster if she was a man? I also agree the album is 50/50 for me but I haven’t really settled into a lot of the songs. I think she is singing about what she loves. Her man and politics. The end 😆
Ya I figured you would love the songs with country vibes or writings most in this album. I do think Paper Rings is a bit country rock too. I love this album cos its the album that can stand for every aspects of Taylor’s music nation. Country, rock elements, 80s synth, even a bit urban with False God. I do agree that I forget that you existed and YNTCD can feel a bit petty. But feeling indifferent is being petty in the best way. Cos there’re no one that can love everyone lol. And she’s not completely that Nashville girl anymore, which is the truth. She’s someone with a big reputation and nowhere to avoid that. Ya I feel that adds edginess to her personality and I love that.
Both "reputation" and her eponymous debut album are EASILY still my two least favorite albums of hers: though I can acknowledge a few lofty high points on the former in "Getaway Car", "Delicate" and "Dress" that proved she can stll be compelling when she wants to be. "Lover" definitely has more standout tracks than "reputation" did in my opinion. On the other hand, however..............I feel like "Lover" is a very scattershot, unfocused record from front to back that lacks thematic cohesion. Granted we're in the streaming age and many don't genuinely go out of their way to make thematic full-length albums any more, but that is still notable by Swift's standards. I'd probably give this album a 6/10: with the best tracks in my opinion being "The Archer", "Cornelia Street", "Soon You'll Get Better" and "Cruel Summer" (I love the St. Vincent influence in the latter and think it suits her remarkably well). The worst are definitely "ME!", "You Need To Calm Down" and "It's Nice to Have a Friend" (the latter isn't really bad, per se: just doesn't fit the album and feels more calculated).
@@Seurnn Definitely. I also forgot to list "I Forgot You Existed" among my worst list. Grady couldn't be more correct on that starting the album off on the wrong foot.
riley stevenson Dee Cosiangco it’s weird that Grady wouldn’t buy what she’s saying in the Man given that he has often said how women in country music are constantly being snubbed and not given enough opportunities compared to their male peers. 🤔
I agree with many things you said, there are a handful of songs that I just absolutely love, but as an album as a whole it just doesn't speak to me. I can't get Corneilia Street out of my head.
I would take out I Forgot That You Existed, ME!, and You Need to Calm Down. False God is one of my favorites (right now) along with Cruel Summer and Daylight. I go through phases with this album because I used to be indifferent to False God. This is probably my least favorite album though which says a lot because I love a lot of the songs on it.
I thought the exact same thing about ‘I forgot that you existed’ when I first heard it. If I think of the opening songs on Red and 1989, they both have these great instrumental build ups that lead you into the album, but Lover just doesn’t have that. I don’t think the song is bad, I just think it would be better placed later on in the album.
I'm glad your doing this the title track was my favorite song she has come out with. After mentioning it on the podcast I had a feeling you were gonna do a review. Also great job on the midland review I felt the same way as you did about it.
@@GradySmith While I've got you here I know you get asked this alot but I think you'd like jake dunn and the blackbirds they really could use some more listeners 52 cadillac and sins to come are really good songs. Sry to ask I just love these guys
I feel the same about the opener. Maybe something made Taylor remember him and when she remembered him she realized she hadn't thought about him for a while? (she mentioned a similar experience about a I think Harry Styles a few years ago) I deleted it from my tracklist of the album on Spotify though and usually start with Cruel Summer instead which I prefer, although it's not my favorite for the same reason as for you. I'm going to have to disagree with False God though, it's one of my favorites, along with Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, Afterglow, I Think He Knows, Paper Rings, Lover and Soon You'll Get Better.
The only song I feel like should've not been on the album is "It's Nice to Have A Friend" lol at least maybe put it on the Deluxe Edition I don't know BUT I like "I Forgot You Existed" but I think she should put it on track 15 would've been better haha and "Afterglow" to be the album opener!
I wanna start by saying I think your assessment of the album is pretty accurate. I too really enjoyed half and wasn’t overly impressed by the other half. Just a couple thoughts I had: the first song, to me, was perfect. I think it was end-capping Reputation. “Hey people, don’t expect this album to have the same vibe as Reputation I’ve forgotten it. That’s gone now, here goes a new chapter.” Also Paper Rings is like my new favorite song. 👍🏼👍🏼
Also -The Man -I think is focusing less on her reflection of “would her career be better if she was a man” and more on “would society give me less grief for my dating life, and my behavior in general if I was a man” and it really spoke to me. A lot of news stories I see admire and give praise to men for yelling or being emotional. They are called passionate, and emotionally open. Where as if a women yells she’s being over dramatic, or if she gets emotional she is just being hormonal. Just silly society stuff having a spotlight shined on it felt refreshing to me. I know it makes me incredibly annoyed when people praise fathers for doing basic things with their kids. Yes. Congratulations on grocery shopping with all four of your kids- glad someone felt the need to praise you in a social media post for being an amazing Dad - I mean you really just did a chore I do once a week, and usually get judgmental looks for rather then praise, but ok let’s make sure to praise you for it. 🤷♀️
Love the Red album and enjoyed the Reputation era as lyrically they were great. Haven't heard all of Lover but haven't enjoyed any of the songs I've heard thus far. Reminds me of a less good version of Katy Perry's bubblegum pop.
I'm really surprised you didn't mention It's Nice To Have A Friend. She wrote it after watching the movie Eighth Grade. It's such a weird yet interesting song. Would you consider Red to be her rock album? Most people consider it to be her entry into pop but aside from 22, IKYWT, and WANEGBT, it sounds like a roots rock album to me. I really wish she would explore that production more.
Red was the last time I really liked any Taylor songs. The singles from 1989 and Reputation weren't enough to draw me to the rest of the album and, so far, Lover is the same way. State of Grace is forever my #1 Taylor song.
I think the point of Me and You Need to Calm Down for this album is to generate buzz and serve as a stage opener to increase hype. Perfect example is the MTV VMAs, she opened with YNtCM for the big stage presence and then transitioned into Lover with her and only her with a guitar. I agree with you that they stylistically don't fit in to the album, but those songs have value financially for her album and he ability to big and bold so she get people to listen to her actual good songs like Lover, Miss Americana, and Cruel Summer.
First of all, music (any genre) isn't all just about the good stuff. It isn't all butterflies and happy endings. As a country music critic, I feel like you should already know that. On that note, maybe 'I Forgot that you Existed' was one of her personal songs that she wanted to get out into the world. Just because of the content of the song, doesn't mean she should hide it from the world. It was a great opener because she wanted to make sure everyone knew she was "over" the reputation era.. And if you listen to the closer of the album, she reiterates that fact. Albums are supposed to be made to be a journey, and I'm glad Taylor keeps that tradition. The order of which the songs are put on is meant to be that way. Second of all, Taylor is 29 years old, almost 30. She's not in the same place as she was during the 'Red' era. That album was made when she was 21-23 years old. She's growing up, and so is the way she puts out music. I think it's so crazy that people want her to repeat an album when she's growing. 'The Man' may not be perfect, but she's making an effort of empathizing with other women.. Shit, her journey to the top wasn't perfect either. Look who owns her first six albums, a MAN! Third, and lastly, 'Daylight' is easily the best song on this album, followed by 'Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince', 'False God', and 'Cornelia Street'.
Couldn't more wrong about The Man, when she was sexual assaulted people called it the "butt grab case", when her life's work was sold out from under her and Scooter Braun liked a post saying he now "owns Taylor Swift" a lot of peoples first reaction was to say that she was being too dramatic, to say she cant sing about that subject because shes so successful is insane, yes she may be one of the most famous female musicians but to say she hasnt had to deal with with an incredible amount of sexism is just ridiculous, shes literally been slut shamed her whole career and people constantly attack her for singing about relationships when EVERY artist (male or female) does that. There's no doubt in my mind if she were in fact a man her career would be bigger, and people would actual give her the respect she deserves as an artist instead of constantly talking about her personal life, calling her petty, over emotional and always playing the victim. And lets not forget the age old joke "be careful or she'll write a song about you" when was the last time ANYONE said that about a male artist. Anyways Love this album, I think its by far her best pop album yet, especially lyrical. To say this album is all over the place and then to say Red is your favorite makes no sense haha, Red is also my favorite but that album was ALL over the place even more, country, country pop, pop rock, stadium rock, EDM, bubblegum pop. I also think the opener is a great way to move into the next chapter and saying it isn't love or hate its just indifference actually shows a lot of growth in a person. I feel your also way overthinking You Need To Calm Down haha its not even about her reputation that much, its about nasty people on twitter, homophobes and then peoples tendency to pit women against women, a far cry from Look What You made Me Do. Anyways not trying to to tear you down or make you feel like shit, i am a big fan of your channel just couldn't agree less about this one album haha i've also been a fan since the beginning and personally think this album perfectly captures how she HAS moved on with her life and how happy she is now. Totally agree with your favorite songs though! except False God, that song is fantastic lol
I swear I must be the only girl who doesn't like The Man. Double standards exist but they aren't nearly as bad as they were. Being a guy doesn't make Grady's opinion any less meaningful. And I've gotta say, hearing all this stuff from a woman who is MUCH more famous than 98% of men does seem kind of preachy. Just my opinion though, everyone has different experiences
Personally, I feel the producers let the album down... To me, the audio mix was all wrong. Her vocals were far too back in the mix and I struggled to hear the lyrics in certain songs.
I feel like I'm in the same boat but maybe on the other side of it. I like the whole album, but half the songs are forgettable to me or don't capture my interest the way the other half does. When considering how Taylor Swift describes the album as a love letter to love, celebrating love in all its forms and imperfections, every track feels like it fits to me. I think the opener makes sense as a sort of goodbye to the revenge songs and pettiness that might have been in Reputation (still love that album though). In other songs that are "outward focused" like YNTCD, she's not taking shots at specific people. I don't really feel that's present on Lover. She does bring up issues, like in YNTCD and The Man, but they have a different feel to me. Speaking of YNTCD, it's not addressed at "her" haters, but it's about the LGBT community (one aspect of love that I'm happy she addresses) and the people who incessantly and viciously attack them. So it doesn't feel at all like a Reputation era song to me. The Man is the only one where I'm not sure how it fits with Lover, but the criticisms are still fair. Taylor Swift is still held to different standards than men in the music industry. She's a serial dater, she's a snake, she's a fake, she doesn't deserve her success, etc. Even though she is arguably the most popular musician of the last decade, she still carries a lot that other male artists don't because she's a woman. Look at Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Drake, etc. Anyway, notable tracks for me are Cruel Summer, Lover, I Think He Knows, Paper Rings, DBATC, Cornelia Street, SYGB, Afterglow, YNTCD, Me, Daylight, and London Boy. I would rank this album at 5th probably. speak now, 1989, Reputation, Red, Lover, Fearless, TS. It has a lot of good, but a lot of just average songs.
I think Red is the best music she's ever released. Prior to that, from the first album to Red, each album was better than the last, stronger. Then after Red, the writing just doesn't seem to be as consistent. There are some great songs from each of her last few albums, but the majority of them have been okay, at best. I am a huge fan, always will be unless she does something insanely reprehensible, but I don't think she's putting out the best music of her career lately. Again, that is just my opinion. It's hard to top the vulnerability of "I Almost Do" or "All Too Well." The song she wrote for Little Big Town, "Better Man," and the one she did with Sugarland, "Babe," are the kind of songs I think she excels at writing.
I really think every track deserves to be on it and fits thematically because each track is about a different part of love. I Forgot That You Existed is self love and I'm glad it's on there because our entire lives, people feed us this BS that we have to forgive and forget, but with this song she's like "Nah, fuck you, I'm over it but you're dead to me". Cruel Summer I think is supposed to be like that at some points, cuz your first instinct is to fill it in with "Oooo Lover, it's a cruel summer", but it's about the summer when they first got together so she's not sure if she can say that yet without scaring him off. And YNTCD is about loving your friends enough to stick up for them.
Grady!! I am really hoping you see this comment... have you ever heard ruby friedman orchestra’s version of you’ll never leave harlan alive? I would love to know if you have the same reaction I have every time I hear it! Spoiler.. it has plenty of banjo!!! 🥰
For me "The Man" is more about how people view her. Sure, she is like the most famous person on the planet, but she is probably also one of the least respected as far as her dating reputation goes. She is known for being petty, flighty, and vapid - even if those things aren't true. Whereas if she were a man, those things wouldn't even be talked about because there is an undeniable double standard in our society. So in my opinion the destination she's trying to "get there quicker" to is respect.
I like that she started the album slow and witb a sassy song because it's her basically saying "before i start this album and start talking about who is actually important in my life... I need to say this to those who arnt"
He talked about that in (I think) his latest podcast. He, basically, admitted to not having listened to her album yet. He had a busy week last week. He'll likely get around to it. :-)
What's up people! I've always been a Taylor Swift fan, and I've always thought she is such a canny songwriter, and even when she annoys me, I like following her career. There just aren't many artists that you can talk about with SO MANY different people, and I enjoy that opportunity to connect. If this ain't your thing, just move along!
Samuel Currey I’ve heard that some country fans didn’t really like her before she went pop - but I don’t know any country fans (personally) who hated her country music. Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to about it just wish she would come back to country.
Grady Smith you should really checkout Zach Bryan, he just released his first album “DeAnn”. You won’t regret it
Your blue eyes put those Georgia stars to shame at night
Is this directed towards Grady? If not, it should be! Hi Grady, it's your Mom ;) not really. You're just so adorable. If I could put up a big read heart on this comment, I would.
🎶Tim McGraw🎶
A+ reference. I love that song sm.
I think she put I Forget That You Existed as the album opener because it’s the last time she references her “rep” and then she moves forward
I mean she didn’t really stop, you need to calm down is the same message, as well as The archer which is really good don’t get me wrong, but she hasn’t stopped this defense stage in her songwriting, with folklore she’s gotten better at it but still she hasn’t stopped
Regarding “The Man”, yes, Taylor may have an upper hand when it comes to negotiations and demanding attention because of her huge, loyal fan base but she is still the most scrutinized, picked apart woman in this country. She is constantly under attack for nearly every thing she does. Her dating habits, her power moves in business, her planning and strategizing are things that have all been twisted, she’s been slut shamed and linked to men she may or may not have even been in a relation ship where as what man gets that kind of negative press and is under such attack? Let alone any other woman for that matter, Miranda Lambert is still writing about exes and heartbreak and has been through a strew of men but even her scrutinization is minimum in comparison. For the longest time she was attacked for writing about exes in songs but no one thought to consider a) they are excellent songs: b) they were kind of jerks;c) she was a teenager (a vast majority of those songs were written in her teen years) - not since red have we really gotten a breakup song linked to Taylor’s life. Basically to cut this rant short almost all the things Taylor is attacked for, a man would not be judged as harshly for. The fact that in this review she was knocked down for both writing about this topic and also for writing about trying to remain positive and being sarcastic despite the constant hate attacks against her kind of proves the point in itself.
Quel please examples .. we are all waiting
@@quel2846 And yet...their careers are all still rock solid...no (or at least comparable to where they were prior - Tiger I think is in a league of his own here, so in regards to the others)? Those events put people up in arms with those individuals PERSONAL lives, but never really let it affect their careers. Not so much, here.
Red remains her best album for me
Agreed
@@blakehinton6221 Ditto.
In that Era absolutly.
Definitely.
I feel like that album is a case-in-point as to how Taylor can have her cake (produce authentic crossover music that is also compelling and thoughtful) and eat it too (also keep her original fans happy wthout merely phoning it in).
"State of Grace", "Treacherous" and "Begin Again" are among the very best singular tracks she has ever recorded, but more importantly it has a thematic arc and cohesion that keeps me intrigued from beginning to end. I'd say the only low point was "22" and "We Are Never Getting Back Together", but even there at the very least it's at least age-appropriate given when they were both recorded and fits the narrative from track to track.
Speak now is one of my favorite albums period. Let alone, Taylor Swift
Can you do a Top 10 Favorite Songs for Taylor? I would so watch that!
This album lyrically reminds me of red, but sonically reminds me of what we heard on 1989. In my opinion, it’s the most “Taylor Swift “ album in her discography.
Been listening to taylor since ”fearless” and I enjoy everything she puts out while also low-key, patiently waiting for her to come back to country 😄 it may be 20 more years but I’ll be here. Just waiting 👍
Karen me too
Karen me to girl me too! Seeing as how her very first radio song is titled “Tim McGraw” how can she not eventually go back to country? It’s bound to happen.....I hope!!
That’s what I’ve always said too. Anything she makes similar to red or country and I’ll be all over it!!!
The first song she's actually referencing the "dark persona" she made with reputation. Like she's moving on, forgetting all the drama and leaving them behind
Lol here I am like "I Forgot That You Existed" is my JAM
me too!
The point of ”The Man” isn’t that Taylor could reach something she hasn’t already achieved if she were a man, but that she would be viewed in a totally different way. Sure, you could say that people’s opinions don’t matter, but they actually kind of do, especially if you work as an entertainer - just look at the Dixie Chicks! Regardless of whether Taylor is too obsessed with her reputation, there’s no denying that she’s criticised and villified for just about everything she does, whether it’s standing up for herself when she feels she’s been treated badly, dating like a normal 20-something, or having the nerve to use her personal life for inspiration to make art.
The line ”They would toast to be, oh, let the players play/I’d be just like Leo in Saint Tropez” for example captures the issue brilliantly: Leo has had his fair share of romantic partners just like Taylor, but what little criticism he’s received for that is nowhere near comparable to what Taylor has had to endure, because he’s judged on the quality of his work and not his personal life, just like all men are. Can you think of a single male artist who gets slammed for dating like a normal adult and writing songs about his love life to the point where that’s basically the only thing he’s known for? I can’t. Nobody has ever labelled Ed Sheeran a crazy woman-eater who dates for songwriting material, and no one denies that Kanye West is a musical genius just because he’s made some questionable decisions. Like Taylor sings, ”What I was wearing/If I was rude/Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves.” She’s the pathetic, crazy, calculating snake and they’re the toast of the town.
The line ”I’m so sick of running as fast as I can/Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man” is in a broader sense about being held back because of misogynistic attitudes, and the fact that it’s less specific doesn’t mean it doesn’t strike a chord. Sure, most of us haven’t been slut-shamed or bullied by the entire world, but a lot of women (myself included) can relate to being criticised and made to feel like we should be ashamed of ourselves for being ambitious or taking up space in the classroom/workplace or being sexually active, while watching men be respected and celebrated for those very same things. It’s the exact same form of sexism, just on a different scale. The entire point of the song is that even Taylor Swift - one of the biggest artists of the century with a huge fortune and an incredibly loyal fanbase - isn’t immune to sexism and misogyny.
This was do well put. Nice!
I'm also on the ride with Taylor, because being the same age as her, her music is embedded in all the phases of my life since high school at this point. But I actually thought this album was such a relief after Reputation (which I didn't hate because it had some real gems on it), that it's hard for me to be mad about it. Obviously, bit too long. I think she could have left all the early release singles off the album and it would be near perfect for me (my biggest disagreement with Taylor is usually her choice for singles). And my favorite songs are basically that middle stretch from Miss Americana, Paper Rings, Cornelia Street, and Death By a Thousand Cuts.
For album ranking, based on the power of emotional connections formed at the time: Fearless, 1989, Red, Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Reputation (and Lover will probably wind up directly in the middle)
You didn't just say Reputation was better than Fearless... TELL ME you did not just say that...
I KNOW RIGHT? Fearless might actually be my #1.
I don’t like neither of those albums (but I like fearless more), but reputation is more cohesive
I feel like the chorus of The Man was just put in to make it more relatable to other women who might feel like that. I'm not saying that's bad, all I'm saying is that I feel like the verses and the bridge aren't that much about 'getting there quicker' as a man, but about how the media portrays her actions different than how they portray men who do the same thing, and to me that actually rings really true. The first verse is about how they wouldn't criticize her for her relationships, the second verse is about some people are reluctant to give her credit for her success, and how people focus on superficial stuff instead of her goodwill and intelligence, and the bridge is about how people judge the subject matter of her art in a way they don't do for, say, rappers who only write about their "bitches" or money.
Juan P Ferreira excellent explanation. I also think the chorus is the most “universal” nod to what basically all women have to put up with
Taylor Swift will always be country first, and will always have an underling of country in every song she does. I stand firm on this, don't @ me. 😂
My guilty pleasure song has been and always will be Taylor swift's "Our song"
Its a good one
Pretty fun album. Nothing will top Red for me however. All Too Well is just too good.
All Too Well and I Almost Do are my two favorite songs by TS. The whole Red album was her best music- so far.
I listened to All Too Well last night, haha. Red, Speak Now, and her debut album are my favorite albums. Enchanted, Last Kiss, and Teardrops On My Guitar are my favorite songs.
Grady you are way to focused on lyrics, the man is the best song sonically on the album and it also has the best lyric "I'd be just like Leo in St Tropez. The Man is obviously how she sees things, yes she is killing it, but she would probably have it easier if she was a man.
Yea, I agree with you. Also, I guess it might be harder for a male to relate to the song the man and like it.
A few comments. I Forgot that You Existed starts off the album to transition from reputation to Lover. She had no songs on reputation that had to do with Calvin Harris specifically so that’s one fan theory, but it could also be forgetting that part of her life. Second, the Man is a super important song on this track list. Not only does it relate to many women out there, but with all the drama Taylor has been through, would she have gone through it as a man? That’s the question I think needs to be asked. I actually really like this album, more than I liked reputation since that was one of my least favorite albums. My ranking of her albums are
1. Speak Now
2. Fearless
3. Lover
4. 1989
5. Red
6. Reputation
7. Taylor Swift
As for this album, my top 5 songs are
1. Paper Rings
2. Cruel Summer
3. Soon You’ll Get Better
4. Lover
5. The Man
I have been a Swiftie since Tim McGraw. It has been fun to follow her and to watch her grow- through the good, the bad and the ugly. While this isn't my most favorite of her albums, I still really enjoy it!!! Her songwriting is just so good!!!
I think opening with I Forgot You Existed was good. I have heard it's about Calvin Harris because he made some noise about not being talked about on the Rep album. So she is basically telling him she forgot about him. More than that, I think it was her washing her hands clean of the past.
Everything in the middle was love letters to different people. Mostly Joe, of course. But also to her mama in Soon You'll Get Better. I believe ME! is a love letter to the fans about self love. My least favorite song is It's Nice To Have A Friend, but this is a love letter to all her real ones - from Abigail all the way up to Joe. It progresses from like an elementary friendship, to young love then up to marriage. She has 3 politically charged songs - Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, The Man and You Need To Calm Down. Even though I'm not a Democrat, I respect her views. And even though we're not on the same "team", I still agree with certain things, like equality for all.
I think she ends the album perfectly for this era with Daylight. All in all, it's a solid album!!!
This is a very good review.
@@deecosiangco9121 thank you!!!
Her debut album and 1989 are my favorites with Lover being a close third.
Taylor Swift is a living legend
Hmmm I understand why you don't understand "the man" because clearly your a man. And maybe because you have a huge respect to her talent and song writing abilities. However you are very rare, as most men don't really believe in her talent. To them she is just whiny lol hence writing this song.
I have been a fan of her ever since I heard all too well so red basically is where I became a fan. But if I were to pick an album where I would say based on how it made me feel. Red would be my most fave but right now I am definitely enjoying this album. To me it's better than 1989 and rep. This is her pop album that she was able to nail both lyrics and productions. 1989 to me lacks quality lyrics.
Dee Cosiangco agreed! And it’s weird that Grady wouldn’t buy what she’s saying in the Man given that he has often said how women in country music are constantly being snubbed and not given enough opportunities compared to their male peers. 🤔
Agree with everything except 1989 not being good lyrically! 1989 is my fav forever and always lol
I agree with most of these points but I do want to say that whether or not The Man meshed well with the overall theme of this album, I think the main points in it are the inequality between men and women which is (in a very Taylor way) very relatable to a lot of women. Yes, she’s absolutely gone as far, if not farther in her career than many men have and she’s worked equally hard, if not harder for her success. But the main concept of that song is that, despite working hard for that success and earning it, there’s a big difference in the way she (and a lot of successful women) are seen. Remember not too long ago when she was being torn down for writing mostly about guys and relationships. And she had to point out that so what? Men like Ed Sheeran do the exact same thing about women? But he’s perceived as a romantic and she’s seen as a boy obsessed monster? That’s the point of The Man. The gender biases. If a famous male singer or actor goes out flashing his money around, he’s a baller. If a female does it she’s a b*tch. And that’s the reality for a lot of women in music and every other industry. I like this song. I like when writers like Taylor and Halsey use their platforms to speak directly to other women as well as the world. Calling for change. Just my opinion!
Completely agree. I love "The Man" and the way she is explicitly calling out the double standard in the way men and women are treated. When a woman writes about her relationships or dates a lot of guys, she's denigrated for it. When Leonardo DiCaprio dates lots of women, he's "the man." I felt she was directly calling out the press coverage of her, which has been quite sexist from the beginning. I think many women can probably relate to the song.
Exactly!
I absolutely agree with this! There are other lyrics other than "im tired of running as fast as I can". She's dealt with ALOT of scrutiny on her way to the top.. So why can't she write a song about that?
Brandon Terry heck ya!
I’m sure you get this quite a bit but you resemble Dierks Bentley. I appreciate your content. I have a small selection of country artists I listen to because I personally feel country music has drifted so far from its roots. I generally listen to classic country and 90’s country. Keep up the great work and I’m glad to be a subscriber.
Love your honesty here, I've also been a Taylor fan from day 1 (I love country but also other genres). I told someone I felt this was her leaning away from more traditional musical form, which you mentioned. I like about half the songs, but I also am going to give it another listen or two to settle on ranking. I didn't love Rep much at all, or that era in her life, so it's still above that but not sure where it falls out. Red is #1 forever.
I agree with this album being all over the place. The standouts for me are lover, Miss Americana and Cornelia St
Hey Grady! Love the channel and was looking forward to your review. I was surprised at this album, it was really happy/colorful/cheerier than I thought it would be. I definitely think Soon You'll Get Better is the best song on the album, it just is so raw and beautiful! I love the imagery on Cornelia Street, but I have to say a guilty pleasure song for me is London Boy:) I thought it was so cheesy, but then I just couldn't stop listening to it!
I think you make a really great point that a lot of the songs could've been cut--like why is NO ONE talking about this album having 18 songs on it?! That is ridiculous, like I know she wanted to sing a lot, but she couldn't sing that many songs in one concert!
I was so pissed that I didn't mention London Boy when editing this. I love that song. And it is right there in my favorite stretch of the album.
"London Boy" has been in my head all day!
Soon you'll get better is my favorite too.
18 Songs for me is just 18 songs to play in repeat for the next 2-3 years. Yes it could only been 10 amazing songs, but then its 80% less songs to play on repeat :)
Lindsay Hickman oh when taylor makes an album with 18 tracks, it's lengthy. But Drake, who has 20+ songs on his album and nobody baits an eye Lol. That's a damn reason why she wrote 'The Man'
From 9:37 on, you took the words right out of my mouth. She’s such a talent and I wish she would apply herself lyrically like she used to. This may be the official end of an era.
Samantha Reed lyrically, this is arguably her best album followed by red and speak now. Sonically, not so much, but lyrically she’s matured a lot imo
The debut is better than Lover ?! R u kidding me !
Cruel summer is so good lyrically! "Said I'm fine but it wasn't true. I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you and I snuck into the garden gate every night that summer just to seal my fate. I scream for whatever it's worth, I love you ain't that the worst thing you ever heard!?" So good haha. Anyway found your channel from talking about Garth winning the eoty AGAIN. And I love watching people talk about Taylor ♥️
Sad you feel this way about the album. Personally, I think it's her best one to date! And False God??? One of the best on the album! But hey, everybody likes different things, I'll keep following you and keep seeing what you have to say anyway
It is far from a bad album, it just feels sort of unfocused to me. but the good parts of it are really good, as always with her.
@@GradySmith I absolutly agree, maybe she could have made the album more focused, and released the rest of like 8 of 18 songs on streaming only? Im not sure
I love this channel so so much and I look forward to all of your videos!! I seriously LOVE your channel. But, I think you were a little unfair with your assessment of The Man. I totally get what you're saying. She's pretty much number one, so I get it. I get that you can't understand how being a woman has held her back, at all. And maybe it hasn't. But as a woman, in a man based industry myself, I can relate. Her point is more that all of her love escapades, or emotional breakdowns, or public issues would have been treated completely differently if she was a guy. And you have to know that she is completely correct. "If I was out flashin my dollars, I'd be a 'bitch' not a 'baller'" rings so true. Its complicated and I'm not defending every single thing she's ever written or said or did. But this song makes sense to a lot of women. Myself included.
I just want her to come back to country music. Man, I miss those days.
Same, but we should be happy shes still with us. Think about it, if every artist out there was like Ariana feat "insert Rapper" in every damn song.
Peter Nyström agreed
Preface: I am a DIE HARD Tay fan.
1. I LOVE that a man is out here making a reaction video to Taylor Swift. So many men are afraid to be die hard fans of female singers and making a reaction video is so next level! You got me after a reaction video to "ME!" Or something like that. I also love country being true to country like you, so I keep following you!
2. This isn't my fave either and I haven't listened enough to know it super well.
3. I LOVE "YNTCD" so much.
4. She did say the album was about love in all its complexities. I see that in every song. YNTCD is about loving your people and yourself enough to tell people to back off. I Forgot You Existed isn't really love, but if you stretch, it's about the end of love. "I thought it'd kill me but it didn't" makes it obvi about a lover.
5. I don't like that the first track is a bitter opener. Like, AGAIN.
6. Reputation was my least fave. It was so vengeful and bitter and her desire to get revenge and be angry and all that is just exhausting for me. Like, come on girl. You're putting in too much energy with your hate.
7. 1989 was her best album for me. I need to listen to them all again and put them in order like you did. #Impressive
8. We the same age!! 🙋🙋🙋🙋
9. That song about her Mom is wonderful! My Dad passed very suddenly 2 months ago and his LOVED LOVED LOVED The Dixie Chicks. So that song is just so so wonderful and perfect for me. Also, Dad was a whole grown man unafraid to be a superfan of an all female band 🤩🥰😍
10. I prefer all her songs that are lyrically bombass FOR SURE!!!! Old Taylor's lyrical abilities are my fave fave fave.
I also want to add that I really like the song "The Man". I understand that T Swift is allllll the way up there. But, sexism still exists in the way she, and every woman is treated. Maybe she made it for other women? She does write from other perspectives sometimes.
I also feel like it was reminiscent of Cher telling her Mom "I am a man."
I’m only a few listens in and I absolutely love Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince 😍 The music is a little reminiscent to Wildest Dreams for some reason too.
I love it too! I really like how Taylor explained that it's basically about the political system but in a high school point of view.
I'm a HUGE taylor fan, and have been since her debut came out when I was 4. That being said, her debut and Fearless have a special place in my heart. I would say mine goes 1) fearless 2) rep 3) debut 4) lover 5) red 6) speak now 7) 1989 . I want to put red higher up there but I kind of tuned out during that time period so I didnt get the full effect of it. I really enjoyed lover, but I agree that there are some outliers on the album that probably weren't extremely needed
Great review! You articulated so well some of the criticisms I've had about the songs that felt out of place on the album. Her great stuff is so great and her meh work is just not very interesting. Such is artistry.
Dude, appreciate your thoughts. I actually really dig this album in its random directions. I agree that Red is a killer album. Cheers!
i’m glad you feel how i did about i forgot that you existed ... and it’s followed by cruel summer! it would have been a killer opener!
I often dislike her openers. I thought 'New Romantics' would have been MUCH better than 'Welcome to NY'
Grady Smith i find that she did the same thing on speak now, mine is a great song but sparks fly is more exciting and sets that magical tone for the album better. a lot of the ordering on lover doesn’t make sense to me honestly.
The reason taylor put it as the first track on the album and your thinking it sounds like reputation is because she needed to transition from her dark era and get it out of the way before she’s continues to her new era, she puts tracks in specific places for a reason...
I actualy never thought about openers, as Shuffel is standard "play" button. Didn´t hink there was a thing to be honest lol.
I'm pretty ambivalent about most of this album, but Soon You'll Get Better is absolutely a standout. I started tearing up at work listening to it.
except you need to calm down isn’t about HER haters. i think you missed the point of that song entirely
actually, one of the worst things about yntcd is that it takes an issue so important, and compares it to internet trolls who "compare the girls" and turns the focus from homophobia to Taylor v. Katy feud.
I just want to say I really appreciate how passionate you are in your videos it's refreshing thank you I can't wait to see what you have to say next.
The reason taylor put it as the first track on the album and your thinking it sounds like reputation is because she needed to transition from her dark era and get it out of the way before she’s continues to her new era, she puts tracks in specific places for a reason...
I agree
thought the same on forgot you existed, like how is that possible if it’s track 1 on her album? Agree about Red, still far and away her best work.
Nothing tops reputation! yet....
One reason why taylor writes about her haters is it’s one of the things she does best (among a shit tons of other things she excels at) and have had major hits coming from it ( shake it off, mean, bad blood, ect...) Maybe that’s why she couldn’t stop, it’s like her selling point up till now and it sucks. She is so much more than that and people just couldn’t see past it.
I wanted to love the album as a whole, but, for me, it's probably my least favorite of the last few years. I became a fan of hers around RED. I love that one and 1989. Even REPUTATION has a cohesive sound, but LOVER lacks that cohesion for me. I think it's too long and that several songs could have been cut. It still has some great songs that I really love, like "Lover" and "The Archer," but I don't like the album as much as I thought I would. "Lover" has a glorious 90s Mazzy Star vibe and I love the synth on "The Archer." So, with those singles, I guess I expected more of that. Don't get me wrong. Much of the album is on repeat right now because she knows how to write catchy songs. The album just feels all over the place to me. and wasn't what I was expecting. It's still very enjoyable and fun to listen to.
I thought Reputation was pretty terrible and I've really enjoyed everything else she's done. Hopefully this is better.
@Josue2018 True she should have gone back to the drawing board for that one then again she makes all the money so it all works out in the end. Still at the very least the title track Lover is more memorable and better than anything on Reputation.
I’m so happy you did this video! I feel the same way that it’s awesome to be able to talk to connect over an artist that so many people know and have an opinion on. Death by a thousand cuts is definitely my favorite song on this album, lyrically and musically it fascinates me and is the only song that’s relatable. I was a little disappointed with the album as well, wish lyrically she would lean a little more toward how Red was put together and written.
to me "I forgot that you existed" felt like a really good start to the album because it was kind of like a goodbye to the past guys and the bullshit, not mean, just celebratory in the revelation that like, wow, this negativity that i was dwelling on is out of my life now and i can focus on being happy and in love, which she does for the rest of the album.
Soon You’ll Get Better is the pure true Taylor Swift that I’ve missed
I know it’s been a minute since you’ve posted it, but I was going back and forth about buying it. “ME” and “You need to calm down” I viewed as a little cheese, but I can jam out to them.
Now I’m here to somewhat counter your review. I think songs you don’t like I think you can’t relate to the songs, but hey I’m here for your opinion, but maybe I can narrow in on some of your thoughts and give a different take on it.
The song “I forgot you existed” I love this song. When she says “free rent living in my mind” makes me think that it’s about someone who had some kind of mental hold over her and “one magical night she forgot they existed” and any mental hold they had on her.
Your review of the song “the man” has stuck with me. Tbh I hear that song and I’m like “Girl Preach!!!!” As a women this song resonates in my soul, but probably cause I know what it’s like feel this way. Like would i be viewed as rude or emotional if I where a man?
I do think she has to “run faster” to get to the same distance and a man in the industry. So I feel like your review of this song doesn’t resonate in some of the other reviews you have done. She may be famous, but how much more work does she have to put into it because she is a she and not a he. You talk about this with the struggle women have in country or the industry in general. So why is it okay for miranda or Kelley to talk about it and you agree with it, but not Taylor? Is it because of her fam, or why not look at her as being one of the most famous people in the industry and being a woman as a huge accomplishment, but would she have gotten there faster if she was a man?
I also agree the album is 50/50 for me but I haven’t really settled into a lot of the songs. I think she is singing about what she loves. Her man and politics. The end 😆
Ya I figured you would love the songs with country vibes or writings most in this album. I do think Paper Rings is a bit country rock too. I love this album cos its the album that can stand for every aspects of Taylor’s music nation. Country, rock elements, 80s synth, even a bit urban with False God. I do agree that I forget that you existed and YNTCD can feel a bit petty. But feeling indifferent is being petty in the best way. Cos there’re no one that can love everyone lol. And she’s not completely that Nashville girl anymore, which is the truth. She’s someone with a big reputation and nowhere to avoid that. Ya I feel that adds edginess to her personality and I love that.
Both "reputation" and her eponymous debut album are EASILY still my two least favorite albums of hers: though I can acknowledge a few lofty high points on the former in "Getaway Car", "Delicate" and "Dress" that proved she can stll be compelling when she wants to be.
"Lover" definitely has more standout tracks than "reputation" did in my opinion. On the other hand, however..............I feel like "Lover" is a very scattershot, unfocused record from front to back that lacks thematic cohesion. Granted we're in the streaming age and many don't genuinely go out of their way to make thematic full-length albums any more, but that is still notable by Swift's standards.
I'd probably give this album a 6/10: with the best tracks in my opinion being "The Archer", "Cornelia Street", "Soon You'll Get Better" and "Cruel Summer" (I love the St. Vincent influence in the latter and think it suits her remarkably well). The worst are definitely "ME!", "You Need To Calm Down" and "It's Nice to Have a Friend" (the latter isn't really bad, per se: just doesn't fit the album and feels more calculated).
Definitely. I also didn't like her songs in lover where she writes about being in high School, I mean, she's 29, stop.
@@Seurnn Definitely. I also forgot to list "I Forgot You Existed" among my worst list. Grady couldn't be more correct on that starting the album off on the wrong foot.
his male privilege really popped off when talking about the man wow
riley stevenson Dee Cosiangco it’s weird that Grady wouldn’t buy what she’s saying in the Man given that he has often said how women in country music are constantly being snubbed and not given enough opportunities compared to their male peers. 🤔
Taylor is the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
I agree with many things you said, there are a handful of songs that I just absolutely love, but as an album as a whole it just doesn't speak to me. I can't get Corneilia Street out of my head.
Listening to this while I wait for your review of Folklore!!
I would take out I Forgot That You Existed, ME!, and You Need to Calm Down. False God is one of my favorites (right now) along with Cruel Summer and Daylight. I go through phases with this album because I used to be indifferent to False God. This is probably my least favorite album though which says a lot because I love a lot of the songs on it.
I thought the exact same thing about ‘I forgot that you existed’ when I first heard it. If I think of the opening songs on Red and 1989, they both have these great instrumental build ups that lead you into the album, but Lover just doesn’t have that. I don’t think the song is bad, I just think it would be better placed later on in the album.
I'm glad your doing this the title track was my favorite song she has come out with. After mentioning it on the podcast I had a feeling you were gonna do a review. Also great job on the midland review I felt the same way as you did about it.
Appreciate that!
@@GradySmith While I've got you here I know you get asked this alot but I think you'd like jake dunn and the blackbirds they really could use some more listeners 52 cadillac and sins to come are really good songs. Sry to ask I just love these guys
@@Peen_Man Noted.
I feel the same about the opener. Maybe something made Taylor remember him and when she remembered him she realized she hadn't thought about him for a while? (she mentioned a similar experience about a I think Harry Styles a few years ago) I deleted it from my tracklist of the album on Spotify though and usually start with Cruel Summer instead which I prefer, although it's not my favorite for the same reason as for you.
I'm going to have to disagree with False God though, it's one of my favorites, along with Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, Afterglow, I Think He Knows, Paper Rings, Lover and Soon You'll Get Better.
Grady's top three favorites are the only songs I like from this album 😂
The only song I feel like should've not been on the album is "It's Nice to Have A Friend" lol at least maybe put it on the Deluxe Edition I don't know
BUT I like "I Forgot You Existed" but I think she should put it on track 15 would've been better haha and "Afterglow" to be the album opener!
This album felt trash for 2 days but now its growing on me and I love it
We got Tanya Tucker and Vince Gill out here with killer new albums and Grady's out here reviewing Taylor Swift... I'm shakin my damn head Grady!
I wanna start by saying I think your assessment of the album is pretty accurate. I too really enjoyed half and wasn’t overly impressed by the other half.
Just a couple thoughts I had: the first song, to me, was perfect. I think it was end-capping Reputation. “Hey people, don’t expect this album to have the same vibe as Reputation I’ve forgotten it. That’s gone now, here goes a new chapter.”
Also Paper Rings is like my new favorite song.
👍🏼👍🏼
Also -The Man -I think is focusing less on her reflection of “would her career be better if she was a man” and more on “would society give me less grief for my dating life, and my behavior in general if I was a man” and it really spoke to me.
A lot of news stories I see admire and give praise to men for yelling or being emotional. They are called passionate, and emotionally open.
Where as if a women yells she’s being over dramatic, or if she gets emotional she is just being hormonal.
Just silly society stuff having a spotlight shined on it felt refreshing to me.
I know it makes me incredibly annoyed when people praise fathers for doing basic things with their kids. Yes. Congratulations on grocery shopping with all four of your kids- glad someone felt the need to praise you in a social media post for being an amazing Dad - I mean you really just did a chore I do once a week, and usually get judgmental looks for rather then praise, but ok let’s make sure to praise you for it. 🤷♀️
Love the Red album and enjoyed the Reputation era as lyrically they were great. Haven't heard all of Lover but haven't enjoyed any of the songs I've heard thus far. Reminds me of a less good version of Katy Perry's bubblegum pop.
I'm really surprised you didn't mention It's Nice To Have A Friend. She wrote it after watching the movie Eighth Grade. It's such a weird yet interesting song. Would you consider Red to be her rock album? Most people consider it to be her entry into pop but aside from 22, IKYWT, and WANEGBT, it sounds like a roots rock album to me. I really wish she would explore that production more.
Great! I cannot wait to hear it over the speakers at the grocery store
Red was the last time I really liked any Taylor songs. The singles from 1989 and Reputation weren't enough to draw me to the rest of the album and, so far, Lover is the same way. State of Grace is forever my #1 Taylor song.
False god is literally my favourite song on lover with MAATHP,CORNELIA STREET,LOVER AND DAYLIGHT LIKE WHAT?
I love you! My first video of yours! You’re fucking awesome!!!!
Finally a good review without "oh may gooooooood, I loooooooooove this album...best album ever, bitch"... I agree with you.
I feel like I forgot you existed is such a power move though. I like that this album has a great blend of party jams but also ballads.
The songs Lover and Soon You’ll Get Better made me cry, they’re the best.
thank u so much for reviewing lover !!!
I think the point of Me and You Need to Calm Down for this album is to generate buzz and serve as a stage opener to increase hype. Perfect example is the MTV VMAs, she opened with YNtCM for the big stage presence and then transitioned into Lover with her and only her with a guitar. I agree with you that they stylistically don't fit in to the album, but those songs have value financially for her album and he ability to big and bold so she get people to listen to her actual good songs like Lover, Miss Americana, and Cruel Summer.
Will you please talk about Ty Herndon's cover of So Small?
First of all, music (any genre) isn't all just about the good stuff. It isn't all butterflies and happy endings. As a country music critic, I feel like you should already know that. On that note, maybe 'I Forgot that you Existed' was one of her personal songs that she wanted to get out into the world. Just because of the content of the song, doesn't mean she should hide it from the world. It was a great opener because she wanted to make sure everyone knew she was "over" the reputation era.. And if you listen to the closer of the album, she reiterates that fact. Albums are supposed to be made to be a journey, and I'm glad Taylor keeps that tradition. The order of which the songs are put on is meant to be that way.
Second of all, Taylor is 29 years old, almost 30. She's not in the same place as she was during the 'Red' era. That album was made when she was 21-23 years old. She's growing up, and so is the way she puts out music. I think it's so crazy that people want her to repeat an album when she's growing. 'The Man' may not be perfect, but she's making an effort of empathizing with other women.. Shit, her journey to the top wasn't perfect either. Look who owns her first six albums, a MAN!
Third, and lastly, 'Daylight' is easily the best song on this album, followed by 'Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince', 'False God', and 'Cornelia Street'.
“Every album is an EVENT, she make me it fun to be a fan of music”
Couldn't more wrong about The Man, when she was sexual assaulted people called it the "butt grab case", when her life's work was sold out from under her and Scooter Braun liked a post saying he now "owns Taylor Swift" a lot of peoples first reaction was to say that she was being too dramatic, to say she cant sing about that subject because shes so successful is insane, yes she may be one of the most famous female musicians but to say she hasnt had to deal with with an incredible amount of sexism is just ridiculous, shes literally been slut shamed her whole career and people constantly attack her for singing about relationships when EVERY artist (male or female) does that. There's no doubt in my mind if she were in fact a man her career would be bigger, and people would actual give her the respect she deserves as an artist instead of constantly talking about her personal life, calling her petty, over emotional and always playing the victim. And lets not forget the age old joke "be careful or she'll write a song about you" when was the last time ANYONE said that about a male artist. Anyways Love this album, I think its by far her best pop album yet, especially lyrical. To say this album is all over the place and then to say Red is your favorite makes no sense haha, Red is also my favorite but that album was ALL over the place even more, country, country pop, pop rock, stadium rock, EDM, bubblegum pop. I also think the opener is a great way to move into the next chapter and saying it isn't love or hate its just indifference actually shows a lot of growth in a person. I feel your also way overthinking You Need To Calm Down haha its not even about her reputation that much, its about nasty people on twitter, homophobes and then peoples tendency to pit women against women, a far cry from Look What You made Me Do. Anyways not trying to to tear you down or make you feel like shit, i am a big fan of your channel just couldn't agree less about this one album haha i've also been a fan since the beginning and personally think this album perfectly captures how she HAS moved on with her life and how happy she is now. Totally agree with your favorite songs though! except False God, that song is fantastic lol
Couldn't have said it better!!!!
I swear I must be the only girl who doesn't like The Man. Double standards exist but they aren't nearly as bad as they were. Being a guy doesn't make Grady's opinion any less meaningful. And I've gotta say, hearing all this stuff from a woman who is MUCH more famous than 98% of men does seem kind of preachy. Just my opinion though, everyone has different experiences
Personally, I feel the producers let the album down... To me, the audio mix was all wrong. Her vocals were far too back in the mix and I struggled to hear the lyrics in certain songs.
I feel like I'm in the same boat but maybe on the other side of it. I like the whole album, but half the songs are forgettable to me or don't capture my interest the way the other half does.
When considering how Taylor Swift describes the album as a love letter to love, celebrating love in all its forms and imperfections, every track feels like it fits to me. I think the opener makes sense as a sort of goodbye to the revenge songs and pettiness that might have been in Reputation (still love that album though).
In other songs that are "outward focused" like YNTCD, she's not taking shots at specific people. I don't really feel that's present on Lover. She does bring up issues, like in YNTCD and The Man, but they have a different feel to me.
Speaking of YNTCD, it's not addressed at "her" haters, but it's about the LGBT community (one aspect of love that I'm happy she addresses) and the people who incessantly and viciously attack them. So it doesn't feel at all like a Reputation era song to me.
The Man is the only one where I'm not sure how it fits with Lover, but the criticisms are still fair. Taylor Swift is still held to different standards than men in the music industry. She's a serial dater, she's a snake, she's a fake, she doesn't deserve her success, etc. Even though she is arguably the most popular musician of the last decade, she still carries a lot that other male artists don't because she's a woman. Look at Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Drake, etc.
Anyway, notable tracks for me are Cruel Summer, Lover, I Think He Knows, Paper Rings, DBATC, Cornelia Street, SYGB, Afterglow, YNTCD, Me, Daylight, and London Boy.
I would rank this album at 5th probably. speak now, 1989, Reputation, Red, Lover, Fearless, TS. It has a lot of good, but a lot of just average songs.
I think Red is the best music she's ever released. Prior to that, from the first album to Red, each album was better than the last, stronger. Then after Red, the writing just doesn't seem to be as consistent. There are some great songs from each of her last few albums, but the majority of them have been okay, at best. I am a huge fan, always will be unless she does something insanely reprehensible, but I don't think she's putting out the best music of her career lately. Again, that is just my opinion. It's hard to top the vulnerability of "I Almost Do" or "All Too Well." The song she wrote for Little Big Town, "Better Man," and the one she did with Sugarland, "Babe," are the kind of songs I think she excels at writing.
How do you not love False God. It’s the most interesting, different song I have ever heard from Taylor. It’s sultry and sexy. It’s perfection.
Did u watch city of lover? @gradysmith because I rly loved her acoustic versions of Cornelia street and death by a thousand cuts
I really think every track deserves to be on it and fits thematically because each track is about a different part of love. I Forgot That You Existed is self love and I'm glad it's on there because our entire lives, people feed us this BS that we have to forgive and forget, but with this song she's like "Nah, fuck you, I'm over it but you're dead to me". Cruel Summer I think is supposed to be like that at some points, cuz your first instinct is to fill it in with "Oooo Lover, it's a cruel summer", but it's about the summer when they first got together so she's not sure if she can say that yet without scaring him off. And YNTCD is about loving your friends enough to stick up for them.
Omg I just fell in love with your beard !!!! Take me!!
Grady!! I am really hoping you see this comment... have you ever heard ruby friedman orchestra’s version of you’ll never leave harlan alive? I would love to know if you have the same reaction I have every time I hear it! Spoiler.. it has plenty of banjo!!! 🥰
Same, I fucking love Cornelia Street
She wrote that song herself
For me "The Man" is more about how people view her. Sure, she is like the most famous person on the planet, but she is probably also one of the least respected as far as her dating reputation goes. She is known for being petty, flighty, and vapid - even if those things aren't true. Whereas if she were a man, those things wouldn't even be talked about because there is an undeniable double standard in our society. So in my opinion the destination she's trying to "get there quicker" to is respect.
Can you do a video about high valley they have a LOT of great songs
Awesome review though! You are an amazing youtuber!
I love Cornelia Street; at least Grady and I have the same taste; FINALLY! (I don't like her new album that much, either.)
I like that she started the album slow and witb a sassy song because it's her basically saying "before i start this album and start talking about who is actually important in my life... I need to say this to those who arnt"
This is an awesome review!
Speaking of country albums that have dropped recently, please check out and talk about Tanya Tucker’s new record.
He talked about that in (I think) his latest podcast. He, basically, admitted to not having listened to her album yet. He had a busy week last week. He'll likely get around to it. :-)
Shane Shepherd awesome to hear. I think it’s a great record.
Grady you didn’t talk about all the snap tracks! Ha ha