Cerbius
3x Platinum Member
Joined: April 2010
Posts: 3,703
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Post by Cerbius on Nov 4, 2010 21:14:51 GMT -5
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Post by Feelin'.$$$hady on Nov 4, 2010 21:36:04 GMT -5
^ Not sure how they count it, but it's not surprising. Outside english speaking countries, 99 out of 100 people have no idea who this girl is. And even english speaking UK is still kinda 'rejecting' her. It's similar to John Mayer. Huge star in US, but obscure in Europe.
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Post by jumpupandburst on Nov 5, 2010 0:51:16 GMT -5
i think taylor put on too much makeup for those allure shoots. the 3rd photo is the better of the bunch because of the lighting and because she didn't use as much red in her lipstick selection. she's like a real doll in the one's where she is lying down on the couch... There are no physical singles for these songs.. just on the album.. when you buy an album physically.. it's not like buying an album on iTunes-- it doesn't count each song as a sale lol hmmm why doesn't billboard recognize physical album's songs as single sales too if they do it for itunes (is it just itunes or any digital album sale? i don't get the idea of alienating those figures. it's a double standard.
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Rεvôlvεr†
2x Platinum Member
Joined: August 2009
Posts: 2,281
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Post by Rεvôlvεr† on Nov 5, 2010 2:24:19 GMT -5
i think taylor put on too much makeup for those allure shoots. the 3rd photo is the better of the bunch because of the lighting and because she didn't use as much red in her lipstick selection. she's like a real doll in the one's where she is lying down on the couch... There are no physical singles for these songs.. just on the album.. when you buy an album physically.. it's not like buying an album on iTunes-- it doesn't count each song as a sale lol hmmm why doesn't billboard recognize physical album's songs as single sales too if they do it for itunes (is it just itunes or any digital album sale? i don't get the idea of alienating those figures. it's a double standard. I don't agree at all, but that's just me.
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 5, 2010 2:51:05 GMT -5
By the way,do we know who are the co-writers on Ours,If This Was A Movie and Superman(the 3 bonus tracks on the deluxe edition)?
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Kyla
Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Kyla on Nov 5, 2010 5:11:32 GMT -5
i think taylor put on too much makeup for those allure shoots. the 3rd photo is the better of the bunch because of the lighting and because she didn't use as much red in her lipstick selection. she's like a real doll in the one's where she is lying down on the couch... You say that like she did her own make-up for the photo-shoot. Allure always does that with her. I don't mind it, but I wish they would've changed things up a little. It looks too similar to the last one they did with her. By the way,do we know who are the co-writers on Ours,If This Was A Movie and Superman(the 3 bonus tracks on the deluxe edition) 'If This Was A Movie' is the only one she didn't write by herself. And it's most likely a few years old since she wrote it with Martin Johnson (Boys Like Girls).
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 5, 2010 6:49:17 GMT -5
Thanks!
It's interesting to speculate who ITWAM is about.....
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Post by passionformusic on Nov 5, 2010 7:56:24 GMT -5
According to hits "Speak Now" will do 340-360k this week. Big drop. To be expected i guess. We need a single and fast. Bestselling album of the year is still probably "Recovery".
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Joe1240
6x Platinum Member
Taylor Swift-The Best in Pop & Country Music!
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 6,959
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Post by Joe1240 on Nov 5, 2010 7:59:40 GMT -5
Well Rumored Next single is "Back To December". She has said it in a few radio interviews that it may be the next single.
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Post by passionformusic on Nov 5, 2010 8:05:42 GMT -5
this can´t be right....she sold like 80k in uk and canada....so 20k rest of the world?
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franklin
9x Platinum Member
Joined: April 2010
Posts: 9,646
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Post by franklin on Nov 5, 2010 8:34:04 GMT -5
FrankenKellystein, that one is actually my least favorite. She looks like a creepy doll or something. The other four though are #flawless. I like it because she looks more adult and different from her usual self.
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Post by passionformusic on Nov 5, 2010 9:32:34 GMT -5
My new fav from the album is "Last Kiss". Its amazingly trippy. Great song.
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 5, 2010 10:56:03 GMT -5
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Kyla
Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Kyla on Nov 5, 2010 11:19:28 GMT -5
this can´t be right....she sold like 80k in uk and canada....so 20k rest of the world? Maybe they don't have all the numbers in yet. Because I know she's suppose to be #1 in Australia (I don't think the chart's out yet) and she's #1 in New Zealand. I would think that would be 20k just with those 2. And those aren't the only 5 countries she charted in. It's interesting to speculate who ITWAM is about..... I'm not sure it's about anyone. Her and Martin wrote a few songs together. And the lyrics don't really seem specific.
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👑 Eloquent ™
Diamond Member
TSC: Certified Member
Joined: September 2007
Posts: 21,971
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Post by 👑 Eloquent ™ on Nov 5, 2010 12:49:52 GMT -5
Down to a 75 on Metacritic thanks to some no-name magazine. Yes, I'm clearly bitter. lol
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Post by kt1990 on Nov 5, 2010 12:55:58 GMT -5
And even english speaking UK is still kinda 'rejecting' her. I disagree. She's hella popular in the UK.
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Eqbk
3x Platinum Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,281
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Post by Eqbk on Nov 5, 2010 13:13:18 GMT -5
this can´t be right....she sold like 80k in uk and canada....so 20k rest of the world? Maybe they don't have all the numbers in yet. Because I know she's suppose to be #1 in Australia (I don't think the chart's out yet) and she's #1 in New Zealand. I would think that would be 20k just with those 2. And those aren't the only 5 countries she charted in. Well considering that it takes 70k to go platinum in Australia and 5k to go platinum in New Zealand, I wouldn't count on those two countries to bring in large numbers. As you said though, perhaps not all the numbers are in. If this is the total w/ all the countries, I wouldn't be surprised. Even w/ good positions in the AUS, NZ, and CAN, she's lacking in European support. She does okay in some Euro countries but in others she barely makes a top 20 debut, and sometimes not even that. This is similar to how N'Sync's No Strings Attached sold 2.4 in debut week in the US but only sold 2.8 overall the first week. And even english speaking UK is still kinda 'rejecting' her. I disagree. She's hella popular in the UK. I disagree. Does she have some popularity? Yes. Fearless went Platinum and Love Story peaked at #2;however, her debut went Silver and her most popular songs after Love Story are You Belong With Me and Mine, which both peaked at #30.
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Kyla
Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Kyla on Nov 5, 2010 13:27:11 GMT -5
Well considering that it takes 70k to go platinum in Australia and 5k to go platinum in New Zealand, I wouldn't count on those two countries to bring in large numbers. As you said though, perhaps not all the numbers are in. I know, but Kings of Leon was #1 in Australia last week with 26k. I'm not saying the number is THAT far off, but I don't think that's every country.
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Post by passionformusic on Nov 5, 2010 16:05:00 GMT -5
www.billboard.com/events/u2-gaga-metallica-swift-win-big-at-billboard-1004125494.story#/news/what-taylor-swift-s-million-selling-album-1004125610.storyWhat Taylor Swift's Million-Selling Album Means for Music The extraordinary first-week sales for Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" have struck at the heart of ironclad assumptions that had risen among beleaguered recording industry executives. No way an album could still sell a million U.S. units in its first week? "Speak Now" exceeded that milestone by 47,000 following its release on Monday, Oct. 25, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD is dead? Consumers snapped up 769,000 units of the album in the format, according to SoundScan. Country artists can't sell digital albums? SoundScan: Swift fans purchased 278,000 digital downloads of "Speak Now." Kids don't buy music? Hel-lo, those same kids make up the core of Swift's growing fan base. Taylor Swift Sells Over 1 Million in Record Billboard 200 Debut How did the 20-year-old Swift, who rose to country crossover superstardom with her 2008 album "Fearless," manage to defy the naysayers? And what does it mean for the rest of the business as overall recorded-music sales continue to slide? "We're really five years in the making to get to this point," Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta says, referring to the then-new label's preparations for the release of Swift's self-titled debut in October 2006. "Even with 'Fearless,' we were still somewhat of an underdog," he says. "No one expected us to have the biggest album of the year-'It was that teenage country singer, right?' After 'Fearless,' we knew all eyes would be on us." When the time came to begin working "Speak Now," "there was a trust factor there with her first two albums," Borchetta says, "that when Taylor makes an album, start to finish, I'm going to enjoy it." Taylor Swift Debuts 10 'Speak Now' Songs on Hot 100 Swift's fan base started out with teen girls "and that has spread younger and older," Borchetta says, so that her core fans now extend from tweens to college kids, with growing numbers of older, mostly female, country music fans, some even in their mid-40s. "She's the perfect storm of an artist: super-smart, super-focused and she understands the value of her audience," says Bill Bennett, former head of Warner Bros. Nashville and now a manager at the Artists Organization. "She's worked hard to keep her country audience. She goes to every awards show, visits radio, signs countless autographs." Media coverage lavished on Swift as sales of "Fearless" skyrocketed last year expanded her foothold in the pop mainstream. Borchetta says that artists have to be prepared for "mainstream media moments"-like, he says, when Kanye West interrupted Swift at last year's MTV Video Music Awards. "When people come to check you out, you better have something, otherwise they are going to click away," he says. "When people went to discover her, they discovered a multidimensional artist and personality." Taylor Swift Likely to Top Next Week's Billboard 200 Clay Hunnicutt, senior VP of programming at Clear Channel Radio, says Swift's popularity transcends formats and genres. "It doesn't happen often enough because people get put into silos," Hunnicutt says. " 'Oh, they're just a country act,' or 'He's a teen act.' That's the great thing about Taylor-the guys want to date her, the girls think she's their best friend, and everybody likes her along the way. Name another person who's like that." Not many are. But Borchetta warns that aiming for the pop mainstream is a treacherous game for country artists. "If you're fortunate enough to have something cross over to top 40, you can't chase that format because a year from then it could be predominantly hard rock or urban," he says. "I encourage our artists to make their best record and then we'll figure it out from there, because if you start chasing something, that's the cardinal sin." The remarkable sales for "Speak Now" come as recorded-music sales continue to spiral downward this year, with the industry's collective sense of dread heightening when Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" failed to break the 200,000-unit mark in its debut week in August. Since then, other highly anticipated albums by major acts have fallen far short of first-week sales projections, including Kenny Chesney's "Hemingway's Whiskey," Maroon 5's "Hands All Over" and Zac Brown Band's "You Get What You Give." But the Swift album demonstrates that when everything aligns, consumers will still turn out in droves. "I am elated to see that kind of business is still there," Capitol Records Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan says. "This is clearly an example of an artist who the fans want to know everything about. They are intimately involved with her and want to hear every sound that comes out of her mouth. That is very encouraging that you can still get that kind of a relationship with the fans." Does that mean million-selling debuts will still be possible in the future? "I certainly hope it's not the last time," Borchetta says. Additional reporting by Craig Marks.
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 6, 2010 5:28:27 GMT -5
The Box vs. Taylor SwiftShe displays a dry sense of humor in this video interview that people rarely get to see.And it's cool that Taylor and Emma Stone are good friends: blog.rhapsody.com/2010/10/the-box-vs-taylor-swift.html----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This article makes a good point that Taylor's spiritual fore-runners aren't other young country females but singer-songwriters like Vanessa Carlton and Michelle Branch: Taylor Swift Stands Alone
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Post by justlurkingaround on Nov 6, 2010 8:56:48 GMT -5
I'm very happy that Back To December is the next single.
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Post by ListenToItTwice on Nov 6, 2010 9:41:56 GMT -5
I'm very happy that Back To December is the next single. Is this confirmed? Where?
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Post by passionformusic on Nov 6, 2010 10:09:52 GMT -5
They clearly need to add more reviews like this on metacritic. www.theramonline.com/culture/ram-review/ram-review-taylor-swift-speak-now-1.2392806Taylor Swift is arguably one of the biggest stars out there today. Her self-titled debut was a massive success, while her sophomore album, Fearless, established her as one of the power players in the music business. Millions of record sales and numerous awards continue to shower Swift, which leads me to ask the question, "why?" Yes, Taylor Swift is talented, but looking at her skill set critically, it's difficult to give a reason why she is incredibly successful. She does not come close to the vocal prowess of a Beyonce, or even her country peer Carrie Underwood. Her vocals are pretty good at best, and we've all been treated to her often shrill, inconsistent live performances in various award shows. She isn't exactly a virtuoso on guitar, nor does she possess the density and profound brilliance in songwriting that has set artists like John Mayer (more on him later) apart. It's difficult to even compare her to country superstars like Faith Hill or Martina McBride, as Swift leans more towards a pop sound with country accents. She doesn't even have a gimmick like Lady Gaga or Ke$ha, nor did she have a television show to launch her career like Miley Cyrus. So why is Taylor Swift such a huge success? Perhaps it's what sports fans call "intangibles." Maybe it's what Simon Cowell looks for in American Idol or his aptly titled UK show, "The X Factor." It had been difficult to pinpoint what exactly Swift's key to success is; then came her latest album, Speak Now. I definitely enjoyed her first two albums, and admittedly, I am a fan of her music. I expected more of the same from Speak Now, and her first single off it, "Mine," indicated a fun album that could possibly replicate the success of her previous works. So I gave the new record a listen. Then I listened to it again. Long story short, I listened to it about 4 or 5 times on loop. Swift has surpassed all my (already lofty) expectations and her latest effort is very impressive. Swift has definitely matured as a songwriter. While she keeps her trademark autobiographical approach, her lyrics are now more thoughtful and carefully crafted. Her easy melodies and catchy hooks make for a very easy and enjoyable listen. She leans towards a more pop sound with some touches of country without losing her identity. She says that this album was two years in the making and she started writing as soon as Fearless hit the market, and she meticulously made sure that it sounded just the way she wanted it. If we take her word, then I underestimated her ear for music. While she still isn't the best singer, songwriter or guitarist out there, she knows how to make a hit record. "Mine" already peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, while her second single "Mean" debuted at #11. While every track on her 14-track album is solid, perhaps her defining song would be her almost 7-minute track called "Dear John." If the tabloids and Web rumors are to be believed, the song is about her brief relationship with John Mayer. While her personal life doesn't quite concern me as much, true or not, "Dear John" is the best song she's written so far. I find it hard to believe that she didn't have any co-writers for it (or for any track on her album), but it's true. Swift uses a great mix of upbeat songs, softer acoustic sounds and ballads to find an incredibly sophisticated balance throughout the record – something even the most well-known artists struggle to do. Each song is brutally honest and relatable, covering a broad range of emotions in her experiences with love. Another song on the longer side (almost six minutes) called "Enchanted" is notable as well. This emotional ballad shows her growth and maturity as an artist. While "Dear John" is her defining song as a songwriter, "Enchanted" is her defining song as a mature artist. Carefully crafted lyrics, instrumental depth and thoughtful arrangement show us Swift as we've never seen her before. Overall, record companies, artists and aspiring musicians should take note from Speak Now. This is how you make a pop album. Every single track is strong enough to be a hit record, and if she released all 14 tracks today, it wouldn't be a surprise for her to shatter records by occupying 14 spots on the charts. She surpassed all of my expectations, and I think she will be able to dwarf all of her past success. Swift is still young, and can definitely improve many aspects of her music. She's on the right track, though, and she has embraced her success like a true professional, while continually searching for ways to get better. One thing is for sure: she knows how to write a hit record – which is a great start. If she develops her vocals, guitar playing and songwriting further, she could very well establish herself as one of the cultural figures who defines this generation. Unless Kanye West's album is absolutely out-of-this-world, it'll be tough to bet against Taylor Swift from winning another Grammy for Album of the Year. RATING: 9.5/10
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Post by jumpupandburst on Nov 6, 2010 15:37:53 GMT -5
i think taylor put on too much makeup for those allure shoots. the 3rd photo is the better of the bunch because of the lighting and because she didn't use as much red in her lipstick selection. she's like a real doll in the one's where she is lying down on the couch... You say that like she did her own make-up for the photo-shoot. Allure always does that with her. I don't mind it, but I wish they would've changed things up a little. It looks too similar to the last one they did with her. oh whoops, lol. "i think they put too much makeup on taylor..."* i don't mind it if it's just for a cover shot. i was just commenting in general, that it doesn't look good on anyone to have too much makeup on. it's nice to hear that "Back to December" is the next single! I could have also seen her releasing the song near january of next year...but then the 2nd single would have a shortened lifespan. from her extended version, "Superman" is pretty catchy....
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 6, 2010 18:04:54 GMT -5
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Post by jumpupandburst on Nov 6, 2010 18:31:23 GMT -5
now these are great photos!!!!
great article too for people who just started listening to her!
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Post by justlurkingaround on Nov 7, 2010 4:24:06 GMT -5
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Kyla
Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Kyla on Nov 7, 2010 5:40:29 GMT -5
So true. lol She definitely has her bullet points that she tries to get across in every interview.
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Post by fullonrainstorm on Nov 7, 2010 7:51:00 GMT -5
I happen to think that it's good marketing strategy: Taylor always stays on message,hammering home the same points repeatedly,interview after interview.
To hardcore fans who follow her closely,these interview answers may sound repetitive but Taylor's not playing to her fans in these publicity showcases;she's sending a message to the casual readers/listeners/viewers who happened to tune in and caught the interview by chance.
Since the general public doesn't have the repeated exposure to Taylor (unlike her fans who make it a point to follow her every utterance),she has only one chance to shape their views on her so she plays safe by being hyper-consistent in her presentation of her image.It's just Taylor being the consummate businesswoman and self-publicist.
Scott Borchetta must be pinching himself every day to make sure he's not dreaming: he not only got an artist and writer in Taylor,he's also got a marketing genius in the bargain.
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Post by justlurkingaround on Nov 7, 2010 9:29:55 GMT -5
^ I actually noticed the bullet points delivery thing with the media rounds she did to promote Speak Now. She always mentioned the exact same sentence: "This album that I wrote, without any co-writers"
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