Type: Commentary
Swift Consequences
The Country Music Awards and organizations related to the country music family have nominated her for many honors, but it is unclear how far Taylor Swift will walk from her country roots.
Back in September 2014, a senior contributor to The Federalist created a post about the possible moral consequences of T-Swift's song "Shake It Off". A decent read will review Swift's charms and public direction in these recent years.
Where the Federalist article really shines is when it speaks about modern day value movements. True, people are more likely to argue that people should not judge, and then turn and be antagonistic to being judged themselves. Also true: the way selfishness is celebrated in the world, in part made possible by ability to post whatever and whenever to whoever.
While the post accurately describes the trend and material of popular music, especially music performed by Swift, the contributor projects the effects of one hit single in a very general sense; he assumes that Swift actually believes what she is writing or singing.
A better question, or a question more worthy of spending time on, is about Swift's motivations, or lack of. Could it be that Swift may not be thinking about the consequences of her song lyrics in other people's lives - could it be she is not thinking of the lasting consequences for herself?
Swift herself may not be consciously aware of the moral dangers she treads. She may be following a pattern of feel and reaction. Her song Bad Blood is said to be an outward expression of the soured feelings between Swift and another pop icon.
If so, Swift's motivation for writing and performing her songs, besides gaining the money or fame associated with more popular forms of music, would be to shame the other person on a public stage or to release the emotions out because it feels makes her feel good. Either way, her behavior shows personal motivations more than interpersonal or even personal consequences are a driving force in her music career.
While Swift is gifted with writing, creativity, and vocal talent, her songs of this decade fail to display thoughts beyond the self, which is dangerous not only to her many listeners, but to her own character and integrity.
Where the Federalist article really shines is when it speaks about modern day value movements. True, people are more likely to argue that people should not judge, and then turn and be antagonistic to being judged themselves. Also true: the way selfishness is celebrated in the world, in part made possible by ability to post whatever and whenever to whoever.
While the post accurately describes the trend and material of popular music, especially music performed by Swift, the contributor projects the effects of one hit single in a very general sense; he assumes that Swift actually believes what she is writing or singing.
A better question, or a question more worthy of spending time on, is about Swift's motivations, or lack of. Could it be that Swift may not be thinking about the consequences of her song lyrics in other people's lives - could it be she is not thinking of the lasting consequences for herself?
Swift herself may not be consciously aware of the moral dangers she treads. She may be following a pattern of feel and reaction. Her song Bad Blood is said to be an outward expression of the soured feelings between Swift and another pop icon.
If so, Swift's motivation for writing and performing her songs, besides gaining the money or fame associated with more popular forms of music, would be to shame the other person on a public stage or to release the emotions out because it feels makes her feel good. Either way, her behavior shows personal motivations more than interpersonal or even personal consequences are a driving force in her music career.
While Swift is gifted with writing, creativity, and vocal talent, her songs of this decade fail to display thoughts beyond the self, which is dangerous not only to her many listeners, but to her own character and integrity.
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