JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Poll: Taylor Swift

Comment or not.

Taylor Swift single choice

Star Quality (85%, 50 Votes)

Not Star Quality (15%, 9 Votes)

Total Votes: 59 Voting on this poll ends: 03/09/10 08:12 PM

without question
and it has nothing to do with her vocal abilities.

I agree with Bill -- but I have seen her sing pretty well. That "on the bus" video Colin put up is pretty good. She writes and co-writes songs that lots and lots of people can relate to.

Kevin

A star is what a star is, from any time or style that they happen to be in. She is already a star. A Quality star? Looks like millions think so. Sure, why not? Songwriter skills. and most important for a songwriter when singing? To COMMUNICATE their songs! I think she has been doing that in great fashion, which is why she is a quality star.

Congrats to her!

Why the focus on her for all these questions and debates? Was Britney a better star from using pitch control and canned vocals when live? She showed more butt, so it that why everyone let Britney and others like her off the hook? Can't a nice girl who has charm and a way about her in her songs be allowed to be whatever she gets from her fans? I don't get it.

Aren't there any other stars in any genre that could be questioned more?

John, I think there is more focus on Taylor Swift than there was on Britney or others because she came out of Nashville. She's the first Nashville act in a long time to stay so high in the charts, tap in to such a fan base, and win so many major awards. Also, she's the first of the wholesome teen girls to become mainstream. Miley Cyrus wasn't able to (though there was PLENTY of money behind her). So a lot it is Nash-bashing, a world wide phenomenon, and a lot of it is pushing back a wholesome teen revolution. Anyway, this is my opinion.

Hope I die before I get old.

Mark,
Let me recommend this book. My daughter got it for me this Christmas.
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Young-Forever-Optimum-Longevity/dp/1552100642

A lot of it is unexplainable, that star quality seems to morph from day to day. Whats hot one day is passe the next. I personally think that she has it. What I don't get is, adult males voting in a teenaged popularity contest. Could be the Nash-bashers got a Nash-rash from being rubbed the wrong way. Now, how can I back out of here gracefully...

Silly question as she is a star already. As to whether she has talent enough to justify her position I vote NO. There are loads of people out thee who are just as talented if not more so who will never attain her fame or fortune.

I respect Big Jim's Criteria for Judgement. I'll respectfully submit that Marilyn Monroe at-first was Just Another Blond Actress, BUT she went for some SERIOUS Acting Classes AFTER she got "Launched"...& ended up a Serious-Enough Actress to Justify ALL The Hoopla she created.

I'm quite sure Taylor has both the Time & Talent to further-study her craft & end UP there with "The Greats"..IF she so-chooses. (Or..she can just walk-away & live Quite Happily-Ever-After on what She's Already-Earned, I'd betcha!)

She might be far-happier if she DOESN'T end up with the Greats...the Media has a way of creating Martyrs, long-term..if ya use Marilyn as the Case Study.

Best Wishes, Whatever She Hopes-For,
Stan

Interesting answers. More interesting results. Yes, so far it is old men answering, but there are a lot more votes and viewss than answers. I'm thinking about what that says. I'll post my thoughts on that later.

So again, simply vote. Does Taylor Switft have star quality or not? Comment if you wish.

Taylor has both the talent and drive mandated to reach such a lofty goal no matter how high that fickle bar is levelled.

-Dave

Hi Mike:

Yes!

For my part, I think this young lady is the complete package, despite setbacks. She certainly has the look and fresh appeal to go along with a very nice voice. Much akin to Mrs. Tim McGraw.

The other Dave

Interesing responses. Ten posters, 28 votes, 92 views. Please don't forget to go up to the first post and vote.

I wonder
If the question was;
"Is Taylor Swift a QUALITY star"?
VS
"Does Taylor Swift have Star QUALITY"?

would the results be different.
Does it matter how you ask the question?

You know, I always find this kind of conversation interesting.

The man who is probably the biggest male acting star started out doing a television show about a cross dressing man/woman. Tom Hanks. 2 Academy awards, incredible producer, actor, director.

A lot of people start out with less than auspicious beginnings. She has done wonderfully no matter how you slice it.

MAB

The quesion is Taylor Swift, Star Quality? not Quality Star? So I'd go with your first interpretation.

Ah So,
Does Taylor Swift have Star Quality? YES! She can be my Grandaughter anytime. My (Real) Grandaughter, now 15 has won a Modeling Contract due to her dance competitions etc. As a well seasoned practioner of the Music Industry I now want to examine the Contract with a fined tooth comb to see what is entailed. She has the looks to be a Model but you all know fame is fleeting, just ask the Dixie Chicks. WRITE A HIT!

To me it's obvious she has star quality. I think she's very talented, very personable and I hope she goes on to even greater success - though she already seems to be near the top.

I'll never be a fan. It is true I was moved by her performance at the Grammys (interesting because that is what she is being criticized for) but that was more the performance and less the songs.

Big deal - I'll never be a fan of Justin Timberlake either - and he has star quality.

As long as it's not TOO big a perturbation from what you like, recognizing talent should be independent of whether it is your favorite music or not.....imo, anyway....

Scott

Unfortunately I think there are some who don't seem to know the difference

Well Im kinda hoping she has not, as that would provide a lot of nice false hope for us wannabe's, but I guess it ain't so :-)

The wannabe's should only focus on the hard work, time, and relationships in the business at all levels to have real hope.

She just didn't wander up on some stage and then instantly was a world success. MUCH PRO-TYPE WORK in all areas on her part to have her in the position to then have people want to be on her team. Working hard and being workable are key.

Hope alone with some talent does not make for stars. Work should take the place of hope if stardom is what's wanted by the wannabe's. Then they better write or get solid commercial songs with solid hooks with which they can sell through their performance. (Singers sell songs with personality, phrasing, and style, all in a sincere way). That all takes more than hoping to be the next star.

To the wannabe's: Outwork her, out think her, out friend her, and outclass her. Then give that hope a try!

I notice we get a lot more visits and votes than posts. The votes don't bump this to the top, so I will. Still interesting stuff.

This is how far detatched I am from modern music.. I'VE NEVER HEARD HER! {I'm serious!} I gave up on mainstream music YEARS ago. Nor have I ever heard Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus/Hannah, The Jonas Brothers,Justin Timberlake,ect ect. I haven't lost any sleep over it.Nor do I think I'm missing out on anything.That said, she seems sweet and classy, and has worked hard to get were she is. She also seems to have great biz savy for a youngster.

Bob,

She's a lightning rod of controversy all throughout the music industry.

Taylor who?

Who dat? Oops, wrong thread.

Holy crap! We may need a sociologist or, perhaps, a cultural anthropologist to figure out why the only responders are geezers! Sneeky way to bump...

I think the geezers are trying to prove that they are in touch with the current pop market. Besides, what do you mean that "the only responders are geezers"? I responded and I'm not....

oh.

Along with the math proving that she already is a star (and a HUGE one at that), what does it say about those of us who don't think she has star quality or that she's not deserving of her star status? Opinions are opinions but numbers don't lie. If you're determined in your view that she is not or is not deserving of star status, then how do you come to the conclusion that you're right and everybody else is wrong?

How many CDs did she sell again?

Taylor has star quality but she is not my cup of tea.
last I heard this is still a free country when it comes to liking or not liking music,politics,religion or what ever.
I am not saying everyone else is wrong I am saying that I have a personal choice,the right to choose what I like and what I don't like.
So does everyone else!

Taylor is already a Star.

Nuff said, the lady doth speaketh.

Good point Duncan, its the opinion cliche about everybody having one, and I'll defend everyones right to their opinion. But, I tend to scrutinize a credentialed opinion a little more earnestly.

Or, in the words of the Kevin Welch, John Hadley, Scott Dooley song, "Oh Lord don't let that cold wind blow 'til I'm too old to die young".

Still quite interesting. And again, a lot more votes than posts and a lot more views than either.

I'll be 52 next month. Is that geezerhood? In any case, I like her music. I've also grown to like other artists like Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas thanks to my kid's influence.

As for opinions, I easily respect and accept that some people like certain artists (or songs) and some don't. That's just being human. What I don't quite get is why some people feel that those artists who have proven themselves (record sales, soldout shows, fans, etc.) are standing in the way of others who really "deserve" it. Those arguements make no sense to me.

I don't know what star quality is. I just know if I like someone or not. That's enough for me.

Greg

Absolutely. Positively. I think she is quite extraordinary. The more I analyze her songwriting, the more I am impressed. I also admire how hard she has worked. She is solid.

Where I write songs recently, I find myself thinking -

---- what would Taylor Swift do with this line - or

---- if Taylor uses a close rhyme, so can I - or

---- is this line as catchy as _______ (one of her songs).


She is an inspiration to me.

Tom

This seems to be the biggest conversation going on among people inside and outside the music industry.

One camp is that she is a slick marketing campaign, and nothing more than the "Machine" forcing it down our throats.

The other is she is good for the industry, a very intelligent young lady who was prepared, did something no one else was doing quite the same way and is reaping the benefits from all directions. Those tip their hats to her.

That is my camp. I have been in this business for a while and one thing I have seen is the courpses of writers, artists, songs, record labels, publishing companies, that felt that if they could just put enough money into something there was NO WAY it would miss.

And money was put into them. Tons of it. Marketing, promotion,you name it. And they fail. Many of them had good looks and talent too. They just didn't catch on.

Taylor has done something interesting and caught on. And people can play it down, denigrate it, complain about it. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion. That is fine.

My problem is when someone says "Everybody knows this is crap and I am just speaking what everybody else thinks." That is where I find it is nonsense.

And I see no value in just downing anything that is out there.

All in perception.

MAB

Marc, you finally put this thing into words for me. +1 all the way.

I just don't believe in the existence of "the machine" anymore, at least not one that has special powers and the ability to manipulate people into buying and liking crappy music. And when it comes to slagging people, I've been known to do it (and regret it)...but the last ones I want to tear down are songwriters.

Mark,

I have said this before but do you know why they called their label "Big Machine?" It is because everyone told them they would fail if they didn't have a "Big Machine" label behind them. They were an independent label.

People will flirt for a brief time with many things. But become a dedicated consumer of anything that is crap? Not a chance.

MAB

Marc
I have to agree with you 100%.
When Taylor first arrived I didn't think she would make it but it didn't take me long to change my mind.
Samuel Joe Harris was part of the changing. He had some really good observations on Taylor and I followed up on what he said. He was right.

The other factor that folks don't seem to recognize is the unknown.

It's that thing that happens when some people walk into a room. For some reason everyone stops for a second or two and checks the person out. Most will continue to look. It's that unknown factor that some folks have, the thing that causes the rest of the crowd to gather around them. When they speak other people listen, if they get up and dance other people naturally pull back and give them room, and watch.
Taylor Swift has that.
It's the thing that all the other kids in class wish they have but only one has it. The one who gets voted Prom Queen or King, Or Homecoming Queen.

Oh my
So does Obama.

...you mean, star quality?

Bingo,

The "it" factor. Like the Prom Queen or King, many will tear them down. Like the winning quarterback. I have a friend who keeps saying Manning was better at the Superbowl...even thoughgh he didn't get as good a quarterback rating, had a pick, didn't get as many touchdowns, and lost the game. I guess it
was "fixed." LOL.

It's why the "better" singer/songwriter, more handsome or talented actor, more expensive restaurant, etc. don't attract as large a following. They may be arguably "better" but they are not "universal."

The "it" factor: Everyone recognizes it, though some refuse to admit it

It's something that even on a highly regarded networking and "How To" site as this, that we don't focus on the personal success of anyone. (How did they become so big? What is THEIR story? WHO helped them and HOW)?

Anybody wants to talk crap,,,,,they could be mentioning bull fighting! The artist there KILLS their working partner after every dance! Here, some try to kill the artist just after them having millions WANT to dance and sing and support their career.

Charisma

Ah Well,
People will cut other people down in the strangest places. We were in a Farmers Market one time. I heard a lady cutting down another seller! Hey, it's just Vegtables folks. But I was amazed.

But on to better things. It's raining down here and may be snowing a hundred miles north. I usually do yard work in the mild days of winter but you think I can get out and do anything Noo! It's been less than I like it. Yahh!

John,

I have tried to do just that. I posted a "Yes Virginia Deals still Happen" thread a couple of weeks ago, which tell the story of Julie Moriva, who has just signed with Big Machine(Taylor Swift's publishing company) and is on her way to making a name for herself through her writing partners Steel Magnolia, who did George Lopez's TV show last night, are nominated for a ACM award and their single is number 18 this week on the country charts. They are the fastest rising duo in country history. Julie has written with them and their best friend.

Also I have talked about Frankie Ballard, an artist that I worked with last year who got signed to Warner Brothers, and has his first single coming out in April. I have done my best to tell as many stories that I have personal knowledge on over and over and am often shouted down by "Nash Bashers" who claim that it is all crap and that it doesn't exist.


In Taylor's case, she wrote some very interesting songs by herself in Pennsylvania. Her Father, a fairly well off banker with Merril Lynch supporter her dreams and she and her Mother came to Nashville. She had a development deal writing for a couple of years, but was dropped. Through her time in Nashville, she hooked up with a few writers most prominately Liz Rose, who had been around for a while with little success. Many people wrote her off as another "child trying to be a big star." We get them every day.

An exectutive with Sony, Scott Borchetta, was interested in her career, particularly one of her first songs, "Tim MaGraw, that Taylor had written by herself for a school talent show. Scott believed in her when everyone else dismissed her. When he wanted to work with her, he was told it would never fly because they would have to have a "BIG MACHINE" behind them. They named their publishing and record company "Big Machine."
Scott quit his job to produce and manager her full time. She had returned to Penn. to write and made trips to Nashville. She played talent contests, local and regional venues and was constantly in the public eye. Being a teenager, one of her natural skills was Face Book, My Space, Twitter. She had built a fan base of around 100,000 people by the time she was offered a "partner ship" deal with her label and Sony.
Record companies now wait until artists have started the ball rolling and if they deem them marketable sometimes take them the next level.

There was a great groundswell of attention about her, which led to magazine articles, news shows, and other things that built her publicity, like a snowball effect. Her CD debut was large and she begin to get airplay and sweep like a wildfire through the teen community who did the modern equivalent of "Tiger or Teen Beat Magazine did in the 60's and 70's. They told their friends.

She had intersesting songs, they were shaped well by more experienced people, her live show rocked, even though from time to time hitting some clunkers, but overall it was just one thing feeding on another.

Today as all things, she has detractors, but the most of them are just mad because she beat them to the punch with an intellegent girl that was the whole package.

As I have been told, that is what happened. I think we should learn from success and try to emulate that instead of always being as negative toward what someone else does.

MAB

I think it's her eyes.

The eyes have it.
Good insight, no pun intended.

more power to her... she's the ONLY thing close to country music that you can hear on the radio here on Guam....

could it be a backlash to 'Disney's mouseketeer girls' that made her bigger than Miley?

I like the Def Lepperd thing.... and 'haters' kind of turn me off, I can accept most stars out there, even if I"m not a fan...

mike