I don’t say this often enough, Taylor Nation. Thanks for reading.
Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who believes this won’t be the last time I write about Taylor Swift, we also are aware that this might be the last time you want to read something I write. Or perhaps not. Depends how you take criticism – or more precisely how you’re going to take me criticizing Taylor. This is a risk, but like someone once said the only risk is the one you don’t take.
This has been bugging me a lot. After the rush I got from the Guardian’s article where Taylor finally accepted the label of feminism, I was happy. Then she had to give a little too many clues regarding the backstory of “Bad Blood”, a yet to be released track from her upcoming album 1989, on the latest interview with Rolling Stone:
She did something so horrible. I was like, ‘Oh, we’re just straight-up enemies.’ And it wasn’t even about a guy! It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me. And I’m surprisingly non-confrontational – you would not believe how much I hate conflict. So now I have to avoid her. It’s awkward, and I don’t like it.
– Taylor Swift via Rolling Stone.
Every update account who followed the Red Tour knows there were a few dancers that had at one time worked with another female artist and went back to her in the middle of Taylor’s Red Tour. That’s known. The thing is it’s not the song, I repeat, it’s NOT THE SONG, that will cause controversy. It’s THAT STATEMENT. The song might turn out to be amazing or not, but this statement stands alone in pointing to the other party and that’s why this is more bad blood than the song itself.
So this is me swallowing my pride as fan. She should’ve just let the song speak for itself and not give out that statement. It was business, but not really our business to know. Mature fans (realize the distinction, I’m not saying old nor young, I’m saying mature) will survive. We expect musical artists to be human and have flaws. Most of us come to love and expect some of those. I love a lot of songs from legendary artists, well-established over decades, but I know they’re flawed. So is Taylor. Making that statement is a mistake that will divide a lot of fans. It will specially be hard on impressionable fans whom are easily influenced.
I know this plea will fall, for the most part, on deaf ears. But just in case there’s one person out there listening, I still want to make it. If you like someone’s music, there is no reason to stop liking it because that artist are having a feud with another artist you like. I know for a lot of fans, artists are like idols and a lot of them feel like friends. Taylor specially has that closeness with her fans. If you can’t think of it differently, think of it the same way that when two of your friends are fighting. Stay friends with both, do not pick sides, do not become a hate troll, do not go over and taunt other fans for their choices. Artists can be brilliant at their craft but still say the wrong thing. We all do. That doesn’t mean people love you any less, and it doesn’t mean you have to love them less either.
If you want to take sides and enjoy spreading hostility, I won’t judge you. But just so we’re clear, not in my comment section. You want free speech, go make your own blog. I’ve done the hate thing way too many times to know it gets you nowhere fast. Feel free to unfollow me and feel free to unsubscribe. Thanks for reading and I hope the sun shines for you and you have a beautiful day.
As for the song itself… I’m kind of looking forward to hearing it. Is that strange?
The X-Factor Australia’s official Twitter account confirmed that Taylor will be performing on the show’s grand finale in October. Taylor will probably do a lightning trip to Australia to promote her album 1989 out on October 27. The Sparkly Dressed is nominated for Best Female and Best Look at the 2014 MTV EMA on November 9. You can vote here.
Coming up on the Calendar!
- September 19: Taylor Swift performs at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- September 22: Taylor Swift will be one of the advisors on the new season of NBC’s The Voice according to US Weekly.
- October 27: Taylor Swift’s 1989 is released.
(Sources:Rolling Stone)
The Swift Agency 
I’m really happy because I actually feel the exact same way and I’m glad that I am not the only one. Great job, as always!
You have all the ingedideants to be angry.
I have always loved Taylor snd it is time she says how she feels. I wouldnt hold it against her. If you think of all the times ppl have Sabotaged her you could start a new blog just on that subject.
Taylor will learn from her mistakes. Shes not some “dumb blonde”. And all these influenced fans its time to realize she is an adult. Not 13. Taylor has had to swallow alot of crap. I support her til I die.
So try not and take it personal . It is hard I can empathise.
She still is Taylor Swift. Beautiful. And she wont change that.
A considered and well thought out ‘rant’. I agree with you 100%. I was disappointed and saddened that Taylor was so forthright regarding the reasons behind the song and I say that as a huge Taylor supporter.
Here’s hoping she takes something away from the resulting bruhaha caused by a minority of her fans and media frenzy. We all make mistakes and errors of judgement but we move on and try to do better next time, thankfully, Taylor always does do better.
I love your blog and I’m sure that I and many many others understand how much it took for you to write this particular piece and appreciate your honesty and yes, bravery. I’ll continue to look forward to reading your articles.
Well done!!
I totally agree with this! When I read the interview I was so excited about a lot of things, but when I got to the part about Bad Blood I was like: “Oh Tay, be careful what you say.” This is causing so many people to say bad things to each other and it is especially hard for people who like both artists and are now called out by both fandoms. Maybe she gave a little too much information this time. I think she could’ve made her point without going in too much detail about the situation. I’m still excited to hear the song though!!
As an older Fan…….I find it to not be that Big of a deal.
There have Been Industry Feuds amongst Artists since before I was born.
By the by…I was born in 1950!! 😀
I am really liking the Direction that Taylor is headed Musically.
If the accounts that I am reading are accurate……Taylor has every right to be upset.
As always….getting the REAL story can be tricky.
Its been awhile since I have commented, but you our spot on as always. G
I love Taylor and support her authenticity, even if it appears tough.
I love you too, even if I don’t agree with your opinion. 😀
A Taylor Nation citizen from Germany.
Hey, there’s no way I’m unsubscribing from you! You’re one of my favorite blogs and I love your writing whether it’s Taylor-related or not. Now on this matter, I completely understand your frustration but I’m not judging Taylor for this. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. From what I understood from her statement, she wrote the song because she felt betrayed and she wanted to make sure that people wouldn’t assume it’s about a guy, since from what I get, she decided not to point any more fingers at exes. (Maybe she was mainly inspired by that event she mentions but also from other minor situations with other people. Maybe it’s a pretty vague and general song.) The fact that gossipy blogs started making assumptions about who that song is about was a given, as they’ve done it even for “Shake it Off”. So what really bothered me was that some other artist made an ambiguous tweet which a lot of people interpreted as “This song is about me”. Now, I’m honestly NOT hating on anyone, but I’d just like to say that I don’t like it when people step forward and more or less claim to be the subjects of Taylor’s songs, especially when she herself never confirms rumors. I was equally annoyed, when some male artist claimed to be “Dear John” or even when another one responded to “Enchanted”. It just seems to me that they prefer adding to the drama in the hopes of getting some publicity for themselves …
(I’m sorry if I sound negative, I don’t mean to offend anyone)