Hello sweet subs,
Today I’ve got links for you, a fantastic book recommendation, and a bird update.
First, though, a thing I am musing about: Taylor Swift makes boring as hell music. I am being brave in saying this, it’s the first time anyone has made the point, and the last time I discussed Taylor Swift I foolishly disclosed my truth–that I believe she made a satanic pact with the devil in order for success and perhaps hosts some sort of ghoulish sentience inside her, how else to describe the obvious darkness that circles around the edges of her saccharine machine–and was roundly chastised by her fans. I deserved that one, though the ire for an obvious joke (unless…) was quick, organized, and filled with teenage girls, whom comprise one of the meanest breeds on the internet and in general, full stop. Anyways, I am thinking about this because during the current whirlwind tour coverage, the breathless, foaming-at-the-mouth recaps of the performances and of her fandom, I am turning to the source material–her music—and finding myself slightly, erm, aghast, at how boring it is.
This is not a Taylor specific problem, sure, and could be read instead as an indictment of the current state of pop music, the way streaming services have mutated our tastes, the way TikTok has changed music and fandom, the sheer existence of Jack Antanoff. There are a myriad of reasons, to be sure. But looking at the actual lyrics is giving me intense joy.
This is from her hit song Karma and, wow. It’s haunting. Spider-boy. Okay moving on. Here’s a stanza from “Vigilante Shit” which she did write.
Drugs, sex, rock and roll! Did someone mention White Collar?
Taylor is not simply her music, she is an enterprise, to call her a brand would diminish the empire she has built. And good for her, go off with your private jets. I am simply reminding myself that in the midst of all this hubbub, the source material is, IMO, pathetically boring to a degree that makes me itch inside. Alas, perhaps she is the pop star we deserve.
To be perfectly clear I am saying this because I hate women. If you don’t like Taylor Swift, that’s misogyny or internalized misogyny. Which, unfortunately, is a real argument often made about why people don’t like Taylor, and a gift which keeps on giving, for her and those who support her and want to make supporting her some kind of feminist enterprise instead of simply AN ENTERPRISE. Ladies, ladies ladies. We must let women love AND hate things, including other women, as human beings with agency, and not ascribe a flimsy, faux-political reason for people not liking and subscribing to your chosen Girl Boss. If you love Taylor, that’s great. If you think she’s boring, that’s also fine. This IS the most pressing issue of our time, thank you for hearing me on this.
Bangs gavel!
Links:
Reading Rec:
This book goes so hard. It’s absolutely amazing and so fun to read, once you’re in the thick of it the prose absolutely hurls you forward, it’s a page turner but also one you want to go back and reread sentences from because they are so layered, so dense, so astute with the nuances of how people think and behave. It all takes place in one day, filled with drama, insight, violence, compassion. It’s an excellent read and translation.
Bird Report:
If you’re still reading, I know why: you are DESPERATE for an update on my birds. The verdict is…I have indeed had a bird visitor. The backyard is filled with so many beautiful types of birds. But my first bird visitor, well. He did not look so hot. Actually that’s being generous to this bird. This bird looked like he was DYING. Like, brink of death. I managed only to take this picture:
Note the bird did not go into the birdhouse I made or the little bird bath, but simply sat on the chair while we looked at each other, both of us creatures on this planet, facing eventual death, the bird likely much, much closer to this shared eventuality. It was beautiful. I can’t wait for his return!
My dog (hot):
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Shelby + Clem
I got the book and I am loving it so much. Spent way longer reading last night than I thought I was going to