Taylor Swift: The Pop Princess Who Rocks the Metal World
Taylor Swift: The Pop Princess Who Rocks the Metal World
When you think of metal music, Taylor Swift may not be the first artist that comes to mind. However, despite her pop roots, there are several reasons why she deserves recognition in the world of heavy music.
Firstly, let’s talk about her live performances. Taylor is known for putting on extravagant shows that incorporate stunning visuals and impressive stage setups. Her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour was a prime example of this, featuring giant snakes and fireworks galore. But what really sets her apart from other pop stars is her ability to rock out with a guitar in hand.
During her concerts, she often performs acoustic versions of some of her biggest hits while strumming away on a guitar. It’s clear that she has real talent when it comes to playing this instrument – something that metal fans can appreciate and respect.
In fact, during an interview with Rolling Stone back in 2014, Taylor cited Def Leppard as one of the bands who inspired her love for playing guitar:
“I got into Def Leppard because I thought Joe Elliott was cute…I started listening to their songs over and over again and would try to learn how to play them on my little $50 guitar.”
This isn’t just empty praise either – in 2018 at one of her shows in Houston she covered “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard which earned positive reactions across social media platforms.
But it’s not just Taylor’s live performances where she showcases an appreciation for heavier sounds; many of her studio recordings also contain elements typically associated with metal music.
For instance, take “I Did Something Bad” off 2017’s Reputation album. The song features heavy basslines reminiscent of nu-metal bands like Korn or Limp Bizkit while still maintaining catchy hooks typical within pop songs.
Another track deserving attention is “Don’t Blame Me,” which opens up with a heavy, distorted guitar riff before transitioning into a more traditional pop sound. These types of songs are perfect examples of how Taylor has experimented with and incorporated diverse sounds within her music.
Not to mention “Look What You Made Me Do,” the lead single from Reputation that features an opening synth riff similar to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” and later on makes use of staccato strings which almost sound like they could have come straight out of a horror film soundtrack. It’s safe to say that this is not your typical pop song – it has edges and sharp corners, making it alluring for those who appreciate more aggressive music.
Moreover, Taylor’s lyrics often deal with themes commonly found in metal music such as betrayal, revenge and heartbreak. Songs like “Bad Blood” and “I Did Something Bad” feature lyrics about taking down enemies while tracks like “All Too Well” depict heartbreaking breakups in such vivid detail that you can feel the pain yourself.
In fact, one could argue that Taylor Swift has become a sort of poster child for female empowerment within the pop world – something that is also prevalent within many subgenres of metal music too. Her ability to turn negative experiences into empowering anthems resonates deeply with fans of both genres.
When you think about it, there are several similarities between metal fans and Taylor Swift fans. Both groups are passionate about their respective genres; they attend concerts religiously and know every word to their favorite songs by heart. They both crave authenticity from their artists – something that Taylor delivers time and time again through her relatable lyrics and live performances.
So why hasn’t she been embraced by the metal community yet? Perhaps it’s because she hasn’t fully committed herself to exploring heavier sounds or maybe some people still haven’t shaken off the stigma associated with her early country-pop hits (which is honestly unfair) but these reasons shouldn’t detract from her genuine talent as an artist.
In conclusion, Taylor Swift may not be a metal artist per se but she has definitely proven herself to be more than just a pop princess. Her live performances showcase her guitar-playing skills while her studio recordings incorporate elements of heavier sounds and themes commonly found in metal music. She is an artist who experiments with different genres and isn’t afraid to push boundaries which is what the metal community should appreciate.
If you’re a metal fan, don’t let preconceived notions hold you back from enjoying some of Taylor’s songs – they might surprise you. And if you’re already a fan of Taylor’s music, why not give some metal bands a try too? You never know, you might end up discovering your new favorite band.