Taylor Swift - "Look What You Made Me Do"

[leonagwen]

I like how this song is being used in the Grey's Anatomy previews.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2017 22:50:01 GMT -5 theflying said:

Where she goes after this is going to depend a lot on how well (or... not) this song is received. She's relying a lot on unproven trends with it,

Oh, I think you have it sincerely backwards.

What Taylor has the privilege of doing (and I read this somewhere, too, it's a known take) is because of her innocent country background, she gets to put out music and sounds that always seem like a big leap for HER, but are totally in line with contemporary trends.

This song may be a lot of things, and yeah there are risks here sonically for sure, but "unproven trends"? Come on. This isn't *experimental*. It fits right in with radio.

Unproven in the sense that this is not going to guarentee a hit (edit: on the merits of the song itself anyway; it'll be a hit because of what I outlined). We saw 'Focus' and others try to emulate this song structure, it didn't work. Other comparisons pointed to Lorde who got a decent hit this era then fell off. I really don't think Taylor has the privilege of fooling anyone into thinking she's a country darling anymore, and when the song dropped the public reaction was mixed based on social media and likes/dislikes.

I'm not saying this as a stan (I'm not lol), I'm just calling it like I see it.

[theflying]

...I just did a whole post about why the strategy is not necessarily automatically tied to "release the biggest smash we can".

You're talking about measuring the song in terms her team may not be.

[fullonrainstorm]

Aug 30, 2017 21:33:13 GMT -5 Florencia said:

Aug 30, 2017 20:48:30 GMT -5 @touch said:

This probably won't have the longevity of either of those songs, and 'Style' transcends radio success as the true middle-class suburban retail playlist mainstay. Honestly the success is largely due to Taylor being so f**king massive. This could have been literally anything, not that that takes away from the point being made. Just an observation of how far good PR and daddy's money can take you.

If it were only good PR and daddy's money there would be a lot more of "Taylor Swifts"

I agree with this. Taylor's parents were well off but not $280 million rich. Taylor had a head start but her current bank balance is largely her own doing.

[AP]

Aug 30, 2017 22:25:10 GMT -5 theflying said:

Things to keep in mind:

One of the smartest, most well-thought out posts I've ever read on here.

[theflying]

Only took coming here since it was radio and records in 2002 to do it. ;) Thanks!

[Your Faves Fave.]

Aug 30, 2017 22:25:10 GMT -5 theflying said:

 (People go back to Red. They don't go back to Prism. C'mon now.) 

Random but I was just blasting "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" in my car on the way home from work.  I'm legit considering buying tickets to her next tour just to sing along live with her. LOL.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2017 23:09:27 GMT -5 theflying said:

...I just did a whole post about why the strategy is not necessarily automatically tied to "release the biggest smash we can".

You're talking about measuring the song in terms her team may not be.

Ah, right. I didn't read your first post, didn't really interest me at the time.

Now that I have I don't really know what anything there has to do with what I'm talking about since I never once mentioned her team's strategy and don't care about it. I'm talking about public reception and how this could effect her going forward independent of whatever strategy they're going for here.

You seemed confused by what I meant by unproven. All I did was expand.

[theflying]

Just to emphasize a part of the MV that isn't underlined enough:

The car crash scene is about the media frenzy everytime Taylor crashes and burns, and yet she emerges unscathed because her music is good (represented by the Grammy).

You can imagine on an album about her reputation why that's going to be an important point she wants to make.

I'm talking about public reception and how this could effect her going forward independent of whatever strategy they're going for here.

I still feel like you're not letting it sink in.

You can't be swept away by an unpredictable public opinion if YOU have predicted (and planned for) how the public will feel about it.

The public reception you speak of IS her team's strategy.

If they wanted to release Shake It Off first, they would have released Shake It Off first. If Taylor needed a Shake It Off, and didn't have it, she would have written it. Capiche? Taylor is super calculated, but THAT'S the way she's calculated, and she doesn't get enough credit for it.

You're acting like Taylor is playing lesser gurlz' games. Lesser gurlz release their "biggest" "sounding" hit first, maybe second. Taylor doesn't need to do that.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2017 23:58:22 GMT -5 theflying said:

I'm talking about public reception and how this could effect her going forward independent of whatever strategy they're going for here.

I still feel like you're not letting it sink in.

You can't be swept away by an unpredictable public opinion if YOU have predicted how the public will feel about it.

You're acting like Taylor is playing lesser gurlz' games

I'm not arguing that this campaign is not by design meant to rebrand and rebuild Taylor's image. That much I'll agree with. What I don't agree with is that Taylor is powerful enough to bring Ms Cleo back from the dead and put her on her payroll.

Her public image was in the shitter going into this and her team is banking on changing that, otherwise they wouldn't be printing money to throw at this. If they aren't successful (read: this song does a 180) it becomes that much harder going forward. I should clarify: I don't think this ONE song is make it or break it for her like she can't come back if it underperforms either, but it will look much better on her resume to say that she came back with a massive hit than not. If her team is actively trying to further muddle opinions, then they're dumb as hell.

Edit: I'm still confused about how we got here. You've flip-flopped now from saying it's designed to be intentionally divisive to saying it fits right in on pop and back again and all because you misread a post I made more or less agreeing with the idea that this wasn't a guarenteed hit on the song's own merit, lol.

[theflying]

You speak as if the song is not already a #1, record-breaking hit. ;)

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2017 0:28:47 GMT -5 theflying said:

You speak as if the song is not already a #1, record-breaking hit. ;)

I do? Because I recall saying differently earlier:

Aug 30, 2017 22:58:24 GMT -5 @touch said:

it'll be a hit because of what I outlined

man, the quote button sure is useful.

[theflying]

Then you're basically going to be measuring in metrics that her team may not care about or be counting on. In which case, you do you girl.

[Au$tin]

Aug 30, 2017 19:51:03 GMT -5 deepston said:

Aug 30, 2017 19:48:21 GMT -5 Fat Ass Kelly Price said:

Don't apologize then follow it up with a "stop being sensitive" sentiment.

I know it was a bad choice of words, I apologized for it. It doesn't mean that I don't think you are blowing this out of proportion.

This makes me feel like your apology wasn't sincere if you honestly think people getting mad at you for using the word "retarded" in a negative setting is "blowing it out of proportion."

[Dylan :)]

Aug 30, 2017 21:27:04 GMT -5 SPRΞΞ said:

yea she could've made her lead single her taking a dump and it still would be a WW #1 smash.

I thought the same with Katy and Gaga and there they are and here she is. Sure, initial hype may make her go to #1 but I can't see people buying a song just for the sake of "Taylor sings it" if they know they don't like it. Another point, Bon Appétit had great views on its video at first, and even Swish Swish. However, that has not translated to them going very high on iTunes or Spotify because although people like the videos/they got a lot of views because Katy's name is in the title, the song is not liked and so was not bought or streamed - the opposite of what is happening to Taylor. She does not break multiple records over a couple of days just based off name or luck. I'm pretty sure she even broke Adele's record on her second day of views as well.


#1 Look What You Made Me Do (1.0000)
#2 1-800-273-8255 (0.3888)

[Tony]

-- 9 TAYLOR SWIFT Look What You Made Me Do 9152 0 9152 62.503

+1307 Spins
+1307 Bullet
+7.847 Audience

[rickroller]

Shockingly have +1K spins. 👀
Guess who's winner?

[Pink Pvssy]

Just reading all the Pulse comments about this song.

It's funny how some members hated the spoken verses of Britney's Work Bitch when it came out and now loving this song which is almost 100% spoken.

[August]

I honestly rarely ever paid any attention to Taylor Swift. I just found her sort of generic and cutesy and not really my cup of tea. However, I actually dig this song. I think my disconnect with Taylor is that for the past couple of albums she has been singing these pop songs and trying to be a little sultry. Thing is she still looks like she belongs at a Sweet 16 birthday party and she is trying to look like she belongs at a circuit party. It is just not her. But I do like this song.

She is never going to be the woman who looks natural in hot pants and heels.

[garrettlen]

Yes this song will be #1 on next week's Hot 100 chart, and yes, it's broken all kind of records already and what not, but as for its longevity as a hit?

I think we need to wait until the call out scores come back for it in a few weeks before we decide about that.

[nightshade]

Aug 31, 2017 7:08:02 GMT -5 Pink Pvssy said:

Just reading all the Pulse comments about this song.

It's funny how some members hated the spoken verses of Britney's Work Bitch when it came out and now loving this song which is almost 100% spoken.

Rotten apples and oranges. I hated WB for many other reasons that don’t relate to the spoken verses.

[Ragin]

I like Taylor Swift.

I hate this song. I hope this is a one off and doesn't speak to a direction she is going in. If so, I probably won't be paying much attention to her music.

Small data point that has virtually no bearing on the CHR chart. Besides, I thought both Katy Perry and Lady GaGa would be one hit wonders so my insight isn't very applicable to the scene.

[theflying]

I'm talking about for THIS project.

Remember Shake It Off? The ridiculously catchy, upbeat, positive singalong anthem, that fit right in with radio? How it was like the easiest huge hit ever? That song was like Taylor doing a layup.

If they wanted to have released the "Shake It Off" for this project they would've.

"Shake It Off" needed to accomplish different things because of where Taylor was in her career when 1989 was launching. You can't shift your whole career toward Pop if you don't have The Smash Hit Everyone Loves. Thematically, look at Shake It Off: Everyone can relate. It's about shrugging off the haters and dancing away.

Is "Look What You Made Me Do" aiming to be as universal? Clearly not.

If her team felt like Taylor needed a "Shake It Off" for this project, and Taylor didn't have it, she would've just written it.

The point of me saying all this is that this song is meant to accomplish something different than a universal positive singalong like Shake It Off did. Of course they want it to be a hit. But it's already a #1 record breaking hit. They already largely got what they needed out of the song. That's why the "We'll have to wait and see how it does!" is so funny.

[theflying]

Right now, the thing to watch for isn't really LWYMMD's longevity. That "record breaking #1 hit" (as it will now be labeled) will be with us at least 7/8 weeks I think pretty much no matter what.


The thing to look for is her PRESS. Her INTERVIEWS. There are so many opportunities for her to step in landmines, or to fuel the controversy with statements that add to the drama.

In the press, she'll CLARIFY her intention with the project and the song.

And yet, so much about her opening statement on reputation has been letting the music speak for itself. It seems almost unfathomable that she would forego most of the press during the album's run, and yet, there she went: she scrubbed her social media. Nothing exists except the music and the message. And if they do want to let Taylor do an interview, look for her to be VERY tight lipped and brief in what she says.

[theflying]

Aug 31, 2017 10:11:53 GMT -5 Codex said:

I wouldn't say Shake It Off is a universal positive singalong song. The entire song is her trashing the media. Lyrically, the combo of Blank Space / Shake It Off tried to accomplish the same as this song.

Not to be a dick, but that wasn't meant to be an opinion. You want to chime in with your own personal interpretation of Shake It Off not being a universal positive singalong song, you have fun.

[theflying]

Yeah, the lyrics you pointed out are about the criticisms leveled at her before she Shakes It Off. It's a powerful pop star taking herself down a few notches to be relateable and to add specificity to the universal chorus. You can't tell everyone to Shake off peoples criticisms of you without providing the ones thrown at you.

I literally don't understand what you're arguing. What are you saying about Shake It Off? That it was risky? That it wasn't an easy hit? That it wasn't geared toward a universal audience?

You didn't understand what I said. I clarified. I don't understand your obstinance.

[KeepDeanWeird]

Aug 31, 2017 10:16:07 GMT -5 theflying said:

Right now, the thing to watch for isn't really LWYMMD's longevity. That "record breaking #1 hit" (as it will now be labeled) will be with us at least 7/8 weeks I think pretty much no matter what.


The thing to look for is her PRESS. Her INTERVIEWS. There are so many opportunities for her to step in landmines, or to fuel the controversy with statements that add to the drama.

In the press, she'll CLARIFY her intention with the project and the song.

And yet, so much about her opening statement on reputation has been letting the music speak for itself. It seems almost unfathomable that she would forego most of the press during the album's run, and yet, there she went: she scrubbed her social media. Nothing exists except the music and the message. And if they do want to let Taylor do an interview, look for her to be VERY tight lipped and brief in what she says.

Not a single public appearance to promote this - she's letting music/visuals speak. I have no doubt that Taylor will be very precise with her interviews. It's funny that someone who is smart, poised and precise is tagged with words like "calculating" and "cold."

Again, anyone who believes 'leaks' are random and unintentional, Taylor's team proved if an artist is determined to keep a lid on a project, it can be done. It's shocking that not only the song was complete almost 4 months ago, but also, they filmed a huge big budget video back then. Yet, nothing got out.

Beyonce also has mastered this approach.

[theflying]

Totally agree; I meant to phrase what you quoted that way, too. I suspect there will hardly be ANY public appearances or press interviews about it.

[BadRomance]

Already Top 10? Impressive.

[SPRΞΞ]

Aug 31, 2017 11:10:28 GMT -5 theflying said:

Totally agree; I meant to phrase what you quoted that way, too. I suspect there will hardly be ANY public appearances or press interviews about it.

You're going so overboard with this tho. You make it seem like Taylor Swift is this untouchable, godly, mastermind behind every costume, every lyric, every picture, every dance move, and her team just signs the dotted line.