Category: Red

The Weekly Rant: Why I dread the album’s first singles

On By The EditorIn 1989, Albums, Exclusive, Fearless, Red, Reputation, Speak Now, Taylor Swift, The Weekly Rant

This wasn’t the post that I was writing, Taylor Nation.

Taylor-Swift-Official-20171212
(Source: TaylorSwift.com)

Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who always have his mind a little too busy with thoughts, I often will start writing something and get stuck. The solution usually ends up being writing something else which hopefully I can write all the way to a conclusion. In case this was not evident, this one’s the latter.

I have a complicated relationship with Taylor’s singles. More often than not the first singles released from her albums didn’t turn into favourites. I wasn’t a big fan of “You Belong With Me” from Fearless (*). I didn’t like “Mine” from Speak Now. I could barely stand “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. I first hated “Shake It Off” from 1989. I still cringe when I hear “Look What You Made Me Do” from reputation.

(*) Update: My mistake. “You Belong With Me” wasn’t the first single from Fearless. “Love Story” and “White Horse” came out first.

Now for the casual listener, that sounds like I don’t really like Taylor Swift’s music, doesn’t it? Those are not the songs that make a fan out of me, though. Some have grown on me, some I’d rather skip.

All those are the first singles that came out from each album. The only exception remains “Tim McGraw” from her self-titled album (that song is a timeless favourite). Every other first released single was made for radio play, and more than likely has a bit of an earworm quality to it. That doesn’t necessarily make them the best that Taylor has to offer.

And that’s for me the unfortunate truth. Casual listeners will listen to the first single and tune off. How many casual listeners have listened to Fearless’ excellent “White Horse” winner of two of Taylor’s first Grammies? What about Speak Now with amazing tracks like “Dear John”, “Last Kiss” and the anthem of anthems “Long Live”? What hardcore fan doesn’t know Red‘s fan favourite “All Too Well”? 1989 literally is full of hits.

Thankfully, nothing else in reputation sounds like “Look What You Made Me Do”. Sorry, I do know that sounds harsh! But for me it was a welcome relief when I started to listen to the album and the tracks kept getting better and better.

So, why I’m not a fan of her first singles? Is it the earworm quality? Is it the radio-friendly pop melodies? I’m not sure. It’s very frustrating to me since I can empathize with the casual listener who believes they have a firm grip on what Taylor “sounds like” but have never heard a deep cut like “All Too Well”. I really hope one day you’ll give them a listen.

Coming up next year! The 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Taylor Swift has two nominations. No, no, no, chill! Taylor’s reputation is not eligible yet. It will be eligible for 2019’s (wow that is a long time to wait). She is nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media with Zayn for “I Don’t Want To Live Forever”. She also gets a nod for writing the Best Country Song for “Better Man” as performed by Little Big Town.

Coming up in the Calendar:

  • January 28: The 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Taylor Swift is nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media with Zayn for “I Don’t Want To Live Forever” and Best Country Song for “Better Man” as performed by Little Big Town.

 

Inside 1989 World Tour Dublin: Taylor reminisces with Holy Ground

On By The EditorIn Concert, Inside 1989, Overseas, Red, Taylor Swift, The 1989 World Tour, Video
(Source: TaylorNation13 via Twitter)
(Source: TaylorNation13 via Twitter)

I guess it’s a spoiler, Taylor Nation.

The Sparkly Dressed brought her 1989 World Tour to the 3arena in Dublin, Ireland for the nights of June 29 and June 30. If I had to guess what song would actually get a new version out of the blue, I would’ve never guessed Holy Ground. It’s one of those songs from the Red album that I deemed a rock song, good as an opener, not really a ton of surprises except for the fast tempo. Incredibly enough, Taylor actually takes the tempo down several notches and turns it into a ballad. I love this little experiments with known songs but it’s even better with songs that are not as memorable or iconic from the previous era.

I was reminiscing just the other day… Does sound like a classic on acoustic, eh?

 

Here at the Swift Agency, just one guy that should look into ironing his suit, we’re happy to announce that the 1989 World Tour comes back to this side of the pond to perform in Canada! Ottawa gets first dibs, but coming right after it’s my adoptive home town of Montreal 🙂 This is going to be fun!

Coming up on the Calendar:

(Sources: TaylorNation13, YouTube)

The RED Tour’s one year anniversary in pictures!

On By The EditorIn Inside RED, Photoshoot, Red, Taylor Swift, The Agency, The Dance Crew, The RED Tour

I don’t know about you, Taylor Nation.

But one year ago, March 13 of 2013, the Red Tour started back in Omaha, Nebraska. Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who started that journey just reporting like he always did and going to concert dates in Toronto and Nashville, we never knew that tour would end in meeting so many people face to face, including one Blonde With The Sparkly Guitar. Thanks to the management and web team behind the Princess in Red for sharing these pictures with us.

(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images/TAS Rights)

It was RED. I was there. I still remember it… all too well.

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • March 18: Amos Heller‘s Birthday.
  • March 24: The voting opens for the 49th ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year. Taylor Swift is nominated. Go to VoteACM.com to vote.
  • March 29: The 2014 Kids Choice Awards airs at 8pm ET / 7pm CT on Nickelodeon. Taylor Swift is nominated for Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Song for “I Knew You Were Trouble”. Vote here.
  • April 6: The 49th ACM Awards. Taylor Swift is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year,  and Single Record of the Year, Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for ”Highway Don’t Care”– Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban.

(Sources: TaylorSwift.com)

The RED Tour London: Breakeven with The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue

On By The EditorIn Red, Taylor Swift, The RED Tour, Video

What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you?

Here at the Swift Agency, still a guy who writes blogs at 2am, we think you gotta stand for something or you’ll fall for anything. The Princess in Red sang “Breakeven” with The Script‘s Danny O’Donoghue. We’re going to the video, don’t worry.

Watch on YouTube

The secret song last night was “Ours”.

Watch on YouTube

Thanks to LittlexStarling310 and shiningtaylor for posting!

Up next, it’s Germany’s turn! The Princess in Red will perform in Berlin, Germany on February 7.

(Source: The O2 via Twitter)
(Source: The O2 via Twitter)

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • February 7: The RED Tour in Berlin, Germany at O2 World.
  • February 10: The RED Tour in London, UK at the O2.
  • February 11: The RED Tour in London, UK at the O2.

(Sources: @TSwiftOnTour, @TheO2)

The RED Tour London: Money On My Mind with Sam Smith

On By The EditorIn Red, The RED Tour, Video
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Seven-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift was joined on stage by Sam Smith as she continued the European leg of her blockbuster The RED Tour with the second of five sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena, playing to a capacity crowd of more than 15500 fans, on February 2, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Sam Hussein/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
(Photo: Sam Hussein/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)

Take a deep breath, girl.

Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who always has a lot of work to do on Mondays, we had to ran a Google search for Sam Smith. The Princess in Red brought out the 2014 BRIT Critics’ Choice Award winner as her special guest last night, February 2, during the second RED Tour concert at London’s O2. They sang a rendition of Sam Smith’s hit “Money On My Mind”. I must confess I wasn’t familiar with the song or the artist.

You can see more pictures at Daily Mail.

Let’s go to the clip in 5… 4… 3…

Watch on YouTube

The secret song last night was “Fifteen”.

Watch on YouTube

Thanks to nickk133 and Georgia Rockley for posting!

Up next, one more RED Tour concert at London’s O2, before the Enchantress is off to Germany! She’ll still be back for two more shows in London.

Coming up on the Calendar!

  • February 4: The RED Tour in London, UK at the O2.
  • February 7: The RED Tour in Berlin, Germany at O2 World.
  • February 10: The RED Tour in London, UK at the O2.
  • February 11: The RED Tour in London, UK at the O2.

(Sources: Daily Mail, @TSwiftOnTour)