It's been many years since I've seriously listened to pop music; in my mind, the superstars are still stuck at the level of Michael Jackson and Madonna. Last night, I finally went to see Taylor Swift's concert film. I'm not precisely her fan, but I couldn't miss such a spectacle, and the only way to get up close and personal with her is in the cinema. Regardless of how she is perceived, she has already captured the attention of the masses.
This was also the first time I listened to her songs in full. By the time I reached the last two "eras," I was honestly a bit tired of the music, but the performance, stage effects, and costumes still captivated me. Apart from showcasing her six-foot-long legs, she also displayed various skills, such as dancing, singing, and playing the guitar and piano. Many of the love-themed songs weren't particularly outstanding, somewhat repetitive and simplistic, portraying the submissive thoughts of a young girl in love. Relatively speaking, I preferred the songs where she narrated her own life experiences and expressed feminist viewpoints, such as "In the company of men, I'd surely be the standout" or the gist of a song being "They say this woman has had many boyfriends, but none could hold her down, I don't care, I'll dance away from all of them." I found it quite amusing.
Taylor's success is inseparable from her "persona" or her personal growth experiences and lifestyle. Frankly speaking, she might not excel in each individual aspect that traditional notions of "superstardom" or "songwriting prowess" value highly. For example, she lacks the power of Rihanna and Beyoncé, and her vocal abilities aren't on par with Adele and Celine Dion; as for songwriting, I'm not sure, and personally, I don't find her as physically attractive as Madonna, Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, or Britney Spears. Yet, she is currently the most well-rounded, excelling not only in songwriting and singing but evidently also in a comprehensive set of "self-management and marketing systems," including self-discipline. She dares to write and sing, daring to integrate her real experiences into her creations. Her entire creative process is like a musical reality show, consistently productive over decades; her creative state is healthy and sustainable, not sacrificing her life for her art but rather using both creation and emotions to serve her life. This is the triumph of long-termism over flash-in-the-pan success, with stability prevailing over everything else.
Although she has had many boyfriends, she has never shown inappropriate "lovestruck brain" behavior, not changing herself for anyone, devoid of the sensational rumors like Britney Spears or Justin Bieber (or maybe I'm just not well-informed because I don't follow entertainment news), at least indicating she is relatively independent in romantic relationships. Her life is stable and coherent; people admire her music and herself. On stage, Taylor looks robust and vigorous, remaining energetic even after singing and dancing continuously for three hours, giving the impression that she has enough stamina and confidence to handle the overwhelming love and projection from the audience. People need a firm and courageous posture; they hope to see someone who has control over their lives because it's difficult for everyone to grasp their own lives, fearing the uncertainty of the future.
Her songwriting ability and commercial acumen are equally balanced. I remember a few years ago when she announced that she would pull all her music from Apple iTunes and reclaim the rights to free streaming and downloads worldwide. She argued that streaming and downloading music should also be charged for. In an interview, she told Apple, "We don't ask for free iPhones from you, so please don't ask for free music from us." It was very sharp.
No longer any people are "only praised and never criticized." Perhaps the most controversial aspect of her is her rich romantic history, but nowadays, the term "promiscuity" isn't as stigmatized as before (except in certain regions). Open promiscuity is more popular than a demure facade, and many (male) celebrities also have wild private lives. Her relationships are more public and transparent than even the U.S. fiscal data, at least open and clear.
People naturally need superstars; the inner fragility and lack of confidence make people expect to see an idealized version of themselves from idols, the part of themselves that they have no chance of realizing; they need to project onto a tangible person, idolize, and even deify them. So, there will always be someone paying for the stardom campaign, and the one who can concentrate the most on projection will become a superstar, and correspondingly, superstars can give back emotional value to the world.
She has now inadvertently hit the zeitgeist, "offering certainty in uncertain times." One of the eras in her concert is about reminiscing about high school life, and some of the songs were created in her second year of wearing masks, combining nostalgia with future prospects.
Every ticket you buy is a vote for life. The symbolic significance of Taylor and her music has long surpassed their literal meanings. People have placed many hopes on her, such as "becoming the master of life" and "holding onto the good times."
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