I seem to have lost all my creative instincts at present, so here I am, showcasing someone else's creativity.
Lyrics taken from a song I can't seem to be able to get enough of. Ellie Goulding and her magnificent voice (which goes to waste in most of the other songs she sings), in this haunting song.
Yes, I am actually writing this post, with this title. I know. Announcing this to the world is, well, almost like coming out of a closet or something. That's just how controversial and loved and hated, all at the same time, Taylor Swift is.
Anyways, without further ado, here's my 10 reasons:
1. "This is the golden age of something good and right and real" - Taylor Swift, State Of Grace.
2. "We're on the phone and without a warning, I realize your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard" - Taylor Swift, Jump then fall.
3. "All those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?" - Taylor Swift, Hey Stephen.
4. "You are the best thing that’s ever been mine" - Taylor Swift, Mine.
5. "Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox eating days? / Always a bigger bed to crawl into / Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything /
And everybody believed in you?" - Taylor Swift, Innocent.
6. "I can't decide if it's a choice, getting swept away" - Taylor Swift, Treacherous.
7. "Good girls, hopeful they'll be, and long they will wait" - Taylor Swift, Sad Beautiful Tragic.
8. "I don't know how to be something you miss" - Taylor Swift, Last Kiss.
9. "Taxi cabs and busy streets, that never bring you back to me" - Taylor Swift, Come Back, Be Here.
10. "In your life you'll do greater things than dating the boy on the football team, but I didn't know it at fifteen" - Taylor Swift, Fifteen.
And here's some more:
11. "I know I don't always say the right thing at the right time or speak up
when I should, but I write it all down. I get my guitar and a pen and
all of a sudden, I have a chance to say exactly what I meant to say in
real life." - Taylor Swift.
12. " I'm 23 now, but I never stopped jumping up and down when something wonderful happens." - Taylor Swift
13. "I also don't think you should ever take life so seriously that you forget to play." - Taylor Swift.
I mean, how can you not love someone who writes like that? The girl writes like a dream. Quality lyrics are so tough to find in music these days. When was the last time a song made you genuinely smile? And more than just quality lyrics, there's this endearing honesty and innocence in her songs, and somehow, if you've ever been in love, you'll find a Taylor Swift song that is your story. If not, the girl will definitely be writing it in her lifetime, sometime.
I agree she hasn't got the best vocal prowess in the world, but she's learning and improving, and hey, she can sing better than I can, and that's all that matters to me! And she is a wonderful person, she actually wears clothes, she makes millions of girls around the world laugh and cry and fall in love with her everyday. And she writes like that! 'nuff said!
However, if you're still not convinced, here's 10 more reasons for you. These should really clinch it:
1. "He is a loser, he's a bum, bum, bum, bum" - Britney Spears, Criminal.
2. "California girls / We're unforgettable /
Daisy Dukes /
Bikinis on top /
Sun-kissed skin /
So hot /
We'll melt your Popsicle" - Katy Perry, California Gurls.
3. "Who owns my heart? Is it love or is it art?" - Miley Cyrus, Who Owns My Heart.
4. "Young hunks, taking shots/ stripping down to dirty socks/Music up, gettin' hot / Kiss me, give me all you've got" - Kesha, Die Young
5. "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don't cha?" - Pussycat Dolls, Don't cha.
6. "Come here, rude boy, boy; can you get it up?" - Rihanna, Rude Boy. 7. "You got that hot shit, boy ya blessed/Let me feel up on your chest" - Nicki Minaj, Va Va Voom.
8. "Who run the world? Girls!" - Beyonce, Who Run The World.
9. "I'll just strut in my birthday suit and let everything hang loose" - Bruno Mars, The Lazy Song.
10. "All those other boys try to chase me, but here's my number, so call me, maybe?" - Carly Rae Jepson, Call Me Maybe.
Get the picture? I don't want to hear songs about sex and boys and alcohol and partying like the world is going to end. Ugh. I don't want catchy beats. Give me sappy lyrics and fairy tales anyday. Atleast they make me smile. Yes, Taylor has written some childish and teenagerish songs as well, but I
swear even those songs had more substance than all these other ones
topping the Pop charts.
I once read a comment on one of her video's. It went like this: "You're living in the age of Taylor Swift, you just don't know it yet." I completely agree. Most of you reading this probably don't know about the girl's achievements at her young age, or her astounding commercial success, or her crazy fan following. I don't even care if she has a hundred boyfriends which she changes every month, as long as she writes an album about each of them. That's how greedy I am for her songs. I know after ten years she is going to be the biggest superstar I knew and loved and grew up with.
I'll end this embarassingly fangirly post with this video, which may help you understand the Taylor phenomenon, and which makes my post seem quite dignified by comparison.Please note that the girl in the video is a TV actress and a famous person in her own right and not just your next fan.
And of course now all of you know who to never, ever, ever make fun of around me, like, ever! :P
Since a long time now there has been a dearth of good female musicians, the key word here being good, across various genres of music. International pop music was dominated by female artists who seemed to be in the business solely to sing along on auto-tune and make videos in skimpy clothes (or so a friend has told me many times).
I mean, of course there are good female voices out there, but most of the time they're just turned into and/or drowned out by the cacophony of manufactured pop acts out there, with plastic faces, singing meaningless party lyrics and grooving obscenely in videos, while repeating variations what is known as 'the pop chorus' - which basically includes some random rhyming words. (Katy perry, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj....and well many more I don't care to find out about).
And now, well finally, finally, this past year, I have found female musicians I truly admire. With real talent, powerful vocals, meaningful lyrics, and looks that no one cares about, these women have broken into the music scene and changed the current scenario, and won many hearts and ears.
To start off the list, there is only one woman I must talk about, Adele. I mean, her voice has to be heard to be believed. And such powerful lyrics to go. Wiki tells me her latest album 21 has spent 11 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK, the longest ever by a female solo artist on the UK albums chart.
Adele
With 'Someone like you' I think she just outdid herself. I don't think heartbreak and vulnerability has ever been described better in a song. Don't let her vocal range put you off though, some may say she screams a lot. I happen to like the screaming. But this particular song has a couple of versions where she has varied pitches. I doubt there are many artists who can do that kind of a thing.
She hasn't even come up with that many videos for her songs, most of them are just live recordings of her singing in that magnificent voice. Other songs I would recommend are 'Rolling in the deep', 'Set fire to the rain', and 'Daydreamer'. This lady is made for great things, is already a legend in her own right, and I cannot wait to hear more of her music, while of course, listening to her older songs every single day.
Florence + The Machine
Then we have yet another English artist, Florence and the machine. She first shot to fame last year with their song 'Dog days are over' and to be honest, I didn't like her too much then. But now, with 'Shake it out' she has my full attention. With fantabulous lyrics like 'I am done with my graceless heart/ So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart' I don't know why I should listen to any of the other pop trash out there. Her music has been variously classified as 'mystical pop' or 'rock' and well I don't care much about the classifications.
I have been exploring more of her music, and I realize all the critical acclaim she is receiving isn't unwarranted. 'No light, no light', and 'Leave my body' are other songs by her you should check out. Though all her music may not appeal to me, there is undeniable talent here.
Lana Del Rey
Another singer I have discovered just a couple of days back is Lana Del Rey. So far, the only thing I know about her is that her music is ethereal and addictive. Listen to 'Video Games'. I haven't been able to stop listening since a week now. Don't get distracted by how she looks. She is the only good looking singer on this list. That track however may not appeal to everyone with its lazy meandering pace. Other tracks you should check out are 'Born to die' and 'Blue jeans'. This singer is just starting off, but there is something special here, no doubt about that.
Last on this list is the very (in)famous Lady Gaga. She has single-handedly transformed the International Pop scene, bringing in good quality music, infusing a new lease of life into music videos, and changing concepts of fashion forever. High time you stopped making fun of her and started respecting her. Have any doubts about her vocal prowess and let the song 'You and I' dispel them. I don't think I will ever be able to get over that song. Her music, in general is very get-stuck-in-your-head type and very danceable-to. And who doesn't love a great dance track? Her other songs I would recommend are 'Bad Romance', 'Telephone' and 'The edge of glory'.
Lady Gaga
Her lyrics may be obscene at times, but I assure you they are never dumb. Sample this: 'I don't wanna think anymore/ I left my head and my heart on the dance floor' (on Telephone). She doesn't look that good but hides the fact extremely well with her various get-ups. She has created an identity and an image for herself, which helps a lot to set herself apart and succeed in the otherwise sick frenzy of female pop artists out there. For that, I admire her. And well, as she herself proclaimed in one of her songs: 'I'm a freak, baby' (on Bad Romance), maybe we should just accept that and move on. Her videos are always such brilliant works of art, though often bordering on unwatchable. But listening to her music always feels good. In a bad way. Yeah.
Do let me know if there are any female artists currently making music that you really admire. Here's to hoping more of good music and more of female dominance over this world. Hah. Ladies and gentlemen, sit up, and listen. The women are here.
P.S. This post is just to let you know that I didn't die and fall off the universe or anything, while I rack my brains regarding what to write about next.
Any suggestions? Any questions? Any gaalis? Anything?
...there's a part of me in the chaos that's quiet...
and there's a part of you that wants me to riot....
...is it true that perfect love drives out all fear? The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear...
...listen for me, I'll be shouting, shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light...
- (All quotes from) I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight , U2.
(This song has the most fabulous lyrics ever.)
So, I'm supposed to write somthing for this blog. I have the ideas, I can visualise the articles, I just don't have the energy to write them. Yet.
Internship is exhausting.
Maybe tommorow.
Till then, I have these photos for you.
About the photos: Clicked at the most memorable and most mesmerizing bonfire ever.
12 am. Friends. Long holiday. The perfect weather. Camera. Tripod. Hammock. Bollywood songs. Too stuffed to eat. Too tired to move. A night to remember.
