A Swift Backlash: Will Taylor's Album of the Year Grammy Hurt Her?

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 1st 2010 01:20PM

Taylor Swift has been the music industry's golden girl ever since Kanye West jumped on the stage at the VMAs and interrupted her win for best female video. (And maybe even before.)

But will her incredible run atop of everyone's lists end soon? Last night at the Grammys, Swift took home the album of the year Grammy, surprisingly beating out Lady Gaga and Beyonce. And Swift's 'Fearless' really pales in comparison to Gaga's 'The Fame' and Beyonce's 'I Am ... Sasha Fierce.'

Swift prides herself as being a country princess who writes all of her songs and plays the instruments to accompany them. (Kudos for that is surely deserved.) But when her album beats out those more deserving, and her live performances are clearly lacking, we wonder what will happen next.

Since Kanyegate, everyone's been cheering her on. But will that end now that she's won awards she may or may not deserve?

Upon accepting album of the year, Swift didn't even thank the other nominees, as is standard in most speeches, she just rambled on about how much the award meant to her -- a move that could further condemn her in the industry's eyes.

It seems as if our readers have already turned on her. More than a few Facebook commenters were not happy about her triumphs..

"This is a sympathy-win for all the drama created by Kanye. I guess if there are any other struggling artists who want to win, they know who to call!" Stephenie N. wrote.

Adding to her undeserved bulging trophy case is the fact that Swift has yet to wow us with her live performances. She seemed terribly nervous and her voice wobbly at the Grammys when she sang with Stevie Nicks on 'Rhiannon' and 'You Belong With Me.' Listen

Next to Nicks, Swift looked and sounded like a terrified kitten who wandered up on the stage. And watching Lady Gaga and Beyonce dominate vocally reinforces Swift's own shortcomings.

PopEater fans agree. "As much as I love Taylor Swift...she continues to be HORRIBLE live! No power in her voice, she misses all the high notes, ugh...its embarassing [sic] watching Taylor win ALL these awards, only to see her perform terribly! And really Stevie?! You lowered yourself to sing BACK UP for that tripe? You're so much better than that..." JosieGrosie commented.

But you can't just chalk that up to nerves on a big night, because other times she's been just as bad. Her 'SNL' performances weren't up to par. Listen

Maybe you could have blamed her iffy VMAs showing on Kanye's mic-stealing, but considering her track record, we won't let her off the hook for this one. Listen

A string of more bad live performances coupled with big award achievements may hurt Swift in the long run. You can only ride the Kanye-train for so long, Taylor.

Tags: beyonce, Fearless, grammys, i am ... sasha fierce, kanye west, Lady Gaga, taylor swift, The Fame

Comments

(1376)

Monday 01 February

By RMI

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

She didn't save the industry, it's still in the gutter and will only get worse with the people the industry selects to promote. They are digging their own graves. R.I.P. the sooner the better.

By cassnpatty

Taylor Swift has not saved the music industry. In fact, it is so called singers like her that have killed the music industry. If the big wigs don't get back to promoting real talent soon there won't be a music industry. The girl can write songs for junior high girls, but she certainly doesn't have any vocal ability and needs to concentrate on song writing for the Disney set.

By Gabrielle

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Kanye hasn't dissed Beyonce, or Lady Gaga, or Jay Z, or anyone else other than the stupid brat that is TOTALLT NOT inspirational and should go crawl in a hole labled I SUCK AND AM A HORRIBLE SINGER, PLUS I SHOULD GET A VOCALIST TO TEACH ME HOW TO SING. Seriously if you can't figure this out then you are freaking deaf. Listen to the voice that cracks at every note and is HORRIBLE.

Tuesday 02 February

By shell517nj

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lets not get carried away. she did not save the music industry. unfortunately Michael Jackson saved the music industry by selling over 8 million dvds when he died. however thats another story. personally the music industry has lowered their standards for music sales drastically. people are no longer buying albums like they used to. they are buying songs at .99 cents. big difference.

By Anastasia

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Oh, please. It is NOT standard to thank the other nominees. Taylor's songs are more relateable than Beyonce and Lady Gaga {I love Lady Gaga but her songs are NOT relateable to most people}. Taylor is the 'realest'...She is not a strong performer but her album did very well last year. Check out the sales. People are bashing her, in part, because her music is more country than Beyonce's or Lady Gaga's... If anyone needs a break, it's Beyonce. Her songs get old and I'm tired of hearing them, even the new ones. If she were to sit out a year, I think people would be more excited to hear from her. Her songs are the same 'ol stuff.

By suzuecue2

First of all Taylor Swift is a very pretty girl and she writes her own songs. But the problem is she cannot sing. If you put her voice up against some of the top female singers of today there is no way she deserved the record amount of grammies she won last night. I actually feel embarassed for her when I listen to her songs but obviously I am in the minority. Had Kanye West not done that to her she would still be trying to make it to the top.

By wyatt

It was the grammy for RECORD of the year. not female vocalist. if im not mistaken didn't beyonce get it? so there. they showed that she had a better voice but Taylor sold them. That's what it is. Beyonce needs a break, actually she said that, that she was gonna go away like kanye did. at least he did what he said.

By Ken

It isn't her Grammy that will hurt her- it was her tone deaf performance.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You got that right but she will hit it big. It looks like you dont have to have talent to be popular in this day and age which is sad.

By danterandal19

The exact thing I said when I heard the Grammy nominees for best album was this: "Taylor better hope that she doesn't win that award, or else her career is over".

And I stand by that. She's got an expiration date now. There is literally no where else for her to go but down. As much as I love My Future Ex-Wife Taylor Swift, she'll never be able to replicate the success with this album. Which means her audience will dwindle. Which means that she's at the peak of her career at only 20 years old. She has a ton of life left in her, but to quote Airbourne, "too much, too young, too fast".

I wish her luck, but it's going to be an uphill battle trying to be relevant after you've peaked.

By Peter

The problem will not be her fan base. It is you, the media. Love to build them up to tear them down. This article alone is a perfect example. Now she reached the pinnacle - start the destruction.

By Dee

Taylor sings about things that are way to young for me but it's true The other ladies are a little way out with their moves and grooves. Clarkson, Underwood are two of the best singers around as far as i'me concerned. I guess there are more kids out there who like Taylor and buy her albums so i guess she is a good role model.

By Rick

Very few lead singers play "smoking hot guitar licks", while they are singing, not that they can't but they generally don't. Taylor's music appeals to young girls, sings about things they can relate to and experences they may have had or may be nervous about having. Its not about murder, rape, infidelity,or getting drunk or high, overall good music for all young people. KUDO's

By Provocateur

The ONLY woman that is getting overlooked here is PINK! She sounded AMAZING LIVE and while doing her act in the air. I would have loved to see her recognized for her talent.

I loved GaGa. She is refreshing and talented also.

Taylor needs to practice more and stop acting so surprised when she wins.

Beyonce looked great and it's nice to see her mention her husband JayZ for once.

By Bruh

It is literally astounding to me, when people rave
about Pink's "live" performance. She was lip synching
some, if not all of the song.....or do you think you
can be spun around on your side, looking as if you are
urinating on those below, and STILL sing in an evenly
modulated voice? Get a clue!!!!

People dont have to get nasty - it is everyone's opinion we are stating here but am I reading this one right. Her voice is suffering from overuse. Her voice is the same today as it was the first time she sang. In my opinion she doesnt have a voice but maybe it is me who is tone deaf. Sheesh unbelievable. You are telling me you would put her up against Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill and Martina McBride - all country singers and tell me she is better than them. They are country singers too.

Wednesday 03 February

By Jody

Kanye is the best thing that ever happened to Taylor because she REALLY isn't that good. I mean enough already.

By stephanie stryker

That was too painful to watch or hear as the case may be. I love that she writes her own music...very talented but live singing? Nope. And don't say anything about not hearing herself. It didn't seem to effect any other artist. Did you hear Mary J. sing? Awesome! It is always so disappointing when an artist that is rolling in money and fame cannot even sing live. Too bad. It makes you feel like some are just a label packaged deal.

By pcaillou

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By Amber

I definately agree with this article. I was a huge Taylor fan until I saw her in concert live...she sucked! And it continues with last night's performance with Stevie...poor Stevie! Taylor would never win American Idol!! Carrie Underwood would sing under the table and Simon would eat Taylor for lunch!

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