reacting to YOUR unpopular taylor swift opinions *nightmare fuel*

In his channel segment, Zach, a self-proclaimed theologist and pop culture commentator, delves into fans' unpopular opinions about Taylor Swift, addressing topics such as the perceived over-saturation of her music, the need for artistic breaks, and the distinction between art and content. He explores the idea that Swift's prolific output may lead to a lessened appreciation of her work as art, suggesting that fans could benefit from a hiatus to rekindle their anticipation. Zach also touches on the pressures of fame, fan entitlement, and the personal nature of Swift's songwriting, while defending her evolution as an artist against accusations of selling out or the need for retirement post-re-recordings. He emphasizes the importance of Swift's personal growth reflected in her albums and engages with various opinions on her music, merch, and public persona, ultimately advocating for a nuanced understanding of her career and artistry.

• Zach introduces himself and his channel, which focuses on weekly videos about pop culture.
• He expresses his reluctance in reacting to unpopular opinions about Taylor Swift.
• Zach invites viewers to subscribe, noting that over half of his regular viewers are not subscribed.

"Welcome to my channel or welcome back to my channel, my name is Zach, I am a theologist, and I make thoughtful weekly videos about pop culture."

Zach is welcoming new and returning viewers to his channel, where he discusses pop culture on a weekly basis.

• Zach reacts to viewers' unpopular opinions on Taylor Swift, which he collects from Instagram.
• He mentions that this segment tends to be more controversial and can cause strong reactions.

"This is one of my more messy boots Series; this is where I react to your most unhinged takes on Taylor Swift."

Zach describes the nature of the segment where he addresses contentious opinions about Taylor Swift, acknowledging the potential for messy and unhinged discussions.

• Zach discusses the "contentification" of Taylor Swift's music.
• He notes that fans may be treating Taylor's work more as content to consume quickly rather than art to appreciate over time.
• Zach argues that art needs time to be created and to resonate with people.

"Art is something that is supposed to like sit with you for a period of time; it's supposed to work its way into the deepest crevices of who you are."

Zach emphasizes the importance of treating music as art that deeply impacts and resonates with the listener over time, rather than as mere content.

• Zach comments on Taylor Swift's current high productivity and the need for breaks.
• He suggests that taking time off is necessary for artistic energy to flow and for creativity to be renewed.
• Zach advocates for giving Taylor space to create without pressure from fans.

"I think that you know this compulsion to be hyperproductive that Taylor Swift has right now is something that we shouldn't get used to."

Zach is cautioning against expecting constant productivity from Taylor Swift, as it may not be sustainable for her artistic process.

• Zach reflects on the entitlement of some fans wanting Taylor Swift to release music constantly.
• He stresses the uniqueness of the "Taylor's Version" project and the need to appreciate it without rushing.

"The Taylor's Version project especially is so special, and I want it to last for as long as possible."

Zach is expressing his appreciation for the "Taylor's Version" project and his desire for fans to savor it rather than rush through it.

• Zach praises "Begin Again" as a beautifully written song that captures a mix of sadness and hope.
• He appreciates its narrative closure to the album "Red" and its simplistic expression of resilience after heartbreak.
• Zach feels "Begin Again" is an overlooked ballad that deserves more recognition.

"Begin Again is a really beautifully written song, and I think that it's deeply sad but also deeply optimistic and hopeful."

Zach shares his admiration for "Begin Again," highlighting its emotional depth and the optimism it conveys amidst heartbreak.

• Zach disagrees with the opinion that Taylor Swift should retire after re-recording her albums.
• He believes in Taylor's ability to evolve as an artist and looks forward to her future work.
• Zach hopes for a fresh start from Taylor after the "Eras Tour," without the pressure to pay homage to past eras.

"I fully and firmly believe in her capacity to change and transform and shapeshift as an artist, and I think that she is only getting better with age."

Zach expresses his confidence in Taylor Swift's continued growth and transformation as an artist, anticipating her future contributions to music.

• Zach reacts to the opinion that the "Lover" remix featuring Shawn Mendes is better than the original.
• He strongly disagrees with this opinion, criticizing both the lyrical additions and the production quality.

"Not only is Shawn's addition to it unnecessary and the writing horrible, it's also the production of it sounds terrible as well."

Zach is sharing his negative view on the "Lover" remix with Shawn Mendes, particularly targeting the writing and production.

• Zach addresses the opinion that "Midnights" is Taylor Swift's worst album.
• He disagrees, stating that while it may lack the specificity of her previous works, it is not worse than "Lover."
• Zach believes all of Taylor's albums have merit and are attached to personal moments for fans.

"I certainly don't think that midnights is worse than lover."

Zach is countering the opinion that "Midnights" is Taylor Swift's worst album, instead suggesting that it is not inferior to "Lover" and has its own value.

• "You're Losing Me" is considered the saddest song on the album "Midnights."
• The song's emotional weight comes from themes of being ignored and unfulfilled in a relationship.
• It reflects the pain of investing in someone who doesn't reciprocate the same level of attention or understanding.
• The song is a portrayal of the sadness that arises from asymmetrical love and recognition.

"the thing that is so sad about your losing me is that it comes from the same place is tolerated it's really about being ignored it's about not having your needs tended to it's about having someone that you really love and you've thrown a lot of your energy behind and wasted a lot of your life with it's about that person not matching your energy and not seeing you for who you are."

This quote explains why "You're Losing Me" is perceived as a particularly sad song. It captures the emotional turmoil of feeling unseen and undervalued by a loved one, an experience that resonates deeply with listeners who have felt similarly in their relationships.

• Taylor Swift is recognized as a persona, a performer, and a cultural force, with each aspect attracting different projections from the public.
• The nature of fame means that the private identity of celebrities like Swift remains largely unknown to the public.
• Swift's music is known for its confessional style, which offers a glimpse into her personal experiences.
• Despite the personal nature of her work, there are still aspects of her life that Swift keeps private, as evidenced by the release of songs like "You're Losing Me" as an addendum to her album.

"fans don't get that Taylor Swift is a Persona and we will never know who she is truly especially after reputation 100% I agree with that totally."

This quote discusses the complexity of Taylor Swift's public image and how fans may not fully grasp the distinction between her persona and her private self. It highlights the inherent separation between a celebrity's public image and their true identity.

• Taylor Swift may be more aware of online fan theories than she publicly acknowledges.
• The article on Swift as Time's Person of the Year suggests she is more engaged with online discourse than previously thought.
• Swift's awareness of her online presence is likely given its relevance to her career.
• She may not actively search for what is said about her but encounters it due to her fame.

"I do be wondering about that because the Time person of the year article again made me think that she was a little bit more online than I had once thought she was."

This quote reflects on the possibility that Taylor Swift is more in tune with her online presence and fan discussions than it may appear, suggesting that her engagement with the digital world is both intentional and strategic.

• The idea that any Taylor Swift song could be underrated is challenged, given the extensive analysis her work has received.
• Earlier in her career, certain songs were considered special to fans before they gained wider recognition.
• Swift's fame has reached a level where every aspect of her work is thoroughly examined, leaving little room for underappreciated pieces.

"Taylor Swift is so famous that every unpopular opinion is popular."

This quote conveys the notion that Taylor Swift's fame has made it difficult for any opinion about her work to be truly unpopular or unique, as her influence is so pervasive that it invites constant discussion and dissection.

• The album "Red" is defended against claims of selling out, with its lyrical depth and storytelling praised.
• Swift's songwriting is described as maturing significantly with "Red," reflecting the complexities of young adulthood.
• The album explores themes of pain, growth, and the realization that life is not black and white.

"red really lives in the gray areas of morality and it lives in that kind of like awkward and uncomfortable realization that other people's responses to the way that you behave are things that you cannot predict or control."

This quote argues that "Red" represents a nuanced exploration of life's moral ambiguities and the unpredictable nature of relationships. It suggests that Swift's songwriting captures the essence of the transition into adulthood, with all its accompanying challenges and revelations.

• The speaker expresses that life can be both miserable and magical.
• They suggest that failing to see both aspects is a personal shortfall.
• The speaker does not elaborate further on this point, leaving it as a broad statement about life's dual nature.

• The speaker believes that Taylor Swift's album "Lover" is the biggest sellout.
• They mention not wanting to reiterate their previous discussions on the topic.
• "Red" is defended by the speaker, urging others to leave it alone.

"I mean it's miserable and magical and if you can't see that then that's on you selling out if you're going to say selling out the biggest sellout album of all is lover and I don't even need to get into that again."

The quote suggests that the speaker has previously discussed their opinion on "Lover" being a sellout and does not wish to repeat the discussion, while also making a passing comment on life's complexity.

• The speaker criticizes the comparison between Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, as well as their respective tours.
• They highlight that both artists have expressed disinterest in being compared.
• The speaker notes the unique qualities of Beyoncé's performance style, including dance and singing.
• Taylor Swift's ability to connect with large audiences is praised.
• The speaker believes there is no point in comparing the artists or their tours due to their distinct approaches and goals.

"Etc it's also again completely pointless to compare Taylor and Beyonce as artists and to compare these two tours together at all I mean beyon is a performer her bread and butter is the fact that she really puts on this incredible transportive show."

This quote emphasizes the futility of comparing Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, particularly due to Beyoncé's strong performance skills.

"Taylor can make you in an 880,000 person Stadium feel like she's directly talking to you having a one-on-one conversation..."

The speaker admires Taylor Swift's ability to create an intimate experience for audience members, even in a large stadium setting.

• The speaker shares their opinion on Taylor Swift's re-recorded albums.
• They rank "Speak Now" as the best re-recording for its accuracy and emotional delivery.
• "Fearless" is considered the most consistent, followed by "1999" and "Red."
• The speaker appreciates the effort put into "Better Than Revenge TV," especially after lyric changes.

"Speak now Taylor's version is the best re-recorded my humble opinion."

The speaker expresses their personal preference for "Speak Now" as the top re-recording by Taylor Swift.

"Fearless is the most consistent speak now is number two 199 is number three and red is number four just in terms of the re-recordings."

This quote provides the speaker's ranking of Taylor Swift's re-recorded albums based on consistency and faithfulness to the originals.

• The speaker acknowledges they hold unpopular opinions about certain songs.
• They mention disliking "The Archer," which is contrary to popular sentiment.
• The speaker is open to sharing their controversial views on other songs upon request.

"One of them just says I like the Archer babe that's not an unpopular opinion everyone in the world loves the Archer I am one of the only people that doesn't..."

The speaker identifies "The Archer" as a song they dislike, despite its widespread popularity.

• The speaker discusses the song selection for Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour.
• They argue that the tour, being a greatest hits compilation, should primarily feature well-known tracks.
• The speaker suggests that there was room to include more lesser-known songs, or "deep cuts," from certain albums.
• They propose specific changes to the setlist, such as adding more "Vault" tracks and creating medleys.

"The ears tour is basically a greatest hits tour and should have had more deep cuts that is interesting to me I mean I can make two arguments for that..."

This quote introduces the topic of the "Eras" tour setlist and the balance between hits and deep cuts.

"I think we could permanently add nothing new into the red set I think we could scratch full versions of We Are Never. and I knew your trouble and 22 put them all into a medley..."

The speaker offers concrete suggestions for incorporating more deep cuts into the "Eras" tour setlist.

• The speaker prefers the original version of "All Too Well" over the 10-minute version.
• They recognize the symbolic significance of the 10-minute version but favor the edited, concise original.
• The speaker views the 10-minute version as important for its representation of Taylor Swift's ability to reclaim her work.

"All too well is better than the 10minute version that's not an unpopular opinion to me I say that all the time it is the edited concise version."

The quote reveals the speaker's preference for the original "All Too Well" and their frequent expression of this opinion.

• The speaker discusses Taylor Swift's personal life and merchandise.
• They speculate on her relationship choices and the importance of feeling seen and loved.
• The speaker critiques the quality of recent Taylor Swift merchandise but shows appreciation for vintage items.

"Fearless was the best re-recording and everything else was borderline unlistenable interesting red to me is almost unlistenable entirely from start to finish..."

This quote presents the speaker's strong preference for the "Fearless" re-recording over others, which they find less enjoyable.

"All. and I mean all of Taylor's merch is atrocious now that's just not true when we're looking at the old merch..."

The speaker defends the quality of older Taylor Swift merchandise while criticizing the recent offerings.

• "Getaway Car" is considered a bridge between Taylor Swift's "1989" and "Reputation" albums, both sonically and thematically.
• Some fans and critics perceive "Getaway Car" as a standout track on "Reputation" and praise Swift's use of metaphor in the song.

"Getaway car was a fan favorite from the jump with reputation and something I remember that I read in a review was that getaway car really does sound like a continuation of 1989 it sonically is the most similar to that period of life and if you think about it thematically that song is also a bridge between 1989 reputation." "It's one of the best examples of her taking like an image or a metaphor and like really going for it and doing it successfully."

The quotes emphasize the connection between "Getaway Car" and Swift's previous work, highlighting the song's popularity and effective use of imagery. They suggest that the song encapsulates the essence of both albums, serving as a transitional piece.

• Taylor Swift has fostered a close relationship with her fans, but there are limits to her influence over their actions.
• Previous attempts by Swift to moderate fan behavior, such as discouraging negative comments towards John Mayer, have had limited success.
• The speaker believes Swift is aware of the diminishing returns of intervening in fan controversies and thus avoids them.

"You cannot foster this kind of intimate close relationship with your fans where you are constantly capitulating to them and like listening to what they want and making it very clear that you care about their opinions and their input on your work and your life and then turn around and say actually I want you to stop engaging on this specific thing but keep doing it when I want to promote my album." "The last time I can really remember her like telling her fans not to do something was sending John Mayer like mean tweets or like writing mean things on his Instagram posts and I don't know how successful that was."

These quotes discuss the complexities of Swift's relationship with her fanbase, illustrating the challenges she faces when trying to influence their behavior. They highlight the intricacy of maintaining a balance between engaging with fans and setting boundaries.

• Taylor Swift's involvement in fan drama, particularly on Tumblr during the "1989" era, had negative repercussions for her and the fandom.
• The speaker advises against Swift getting involved in fan matters based on past experiences.

"The one and only time she ever got involved in fan drama it did not end well for her for the person involved or for the Phantom at large."

The quote reflects on the consequences of Swift's direct engagement with fan conflicts, suggesting that such involvement can backfire and impact her public image and fan community negatively.

• The speaker expresses disdain for Ryan Adams' cover of "1989" and the music industry's reception of it.
• They argue that Taylor Swift's original songs, particularly "Bad Blood," are superior to any cover versions.
• The speaker criticizes the music industry, particularly Pitchfork, for reviewing Adams' cover album but not Swift's original.

"It's so crazy to me that 1989 was only received well by like the pretentious music Bros of the music industry when it came out after Ryan Adams decided to do a cover album of it." "There is no cover of a Taylor Swift song that is better than Taylor Swift's version."

These quotes convey the speaker's strong opinion that Swift's original work is undervalued and that cover versions, even those that receive critical acclaim, cannot surpass the authenticity and quality of her music.

• The speaker shares their perspective on which songs from Taylor Swift's "Evermore" album could be omitted.
• They acknowledge the quality of "Happiness" as a song but do not feel a personal connection to it.
• The speaker has curated a combined playlist of "Folklore" and "Evermore" on Spotify, suggesting they have refined the albums to their taste.

"I would be happy with all of those being cut although I do think that happiness is a very like beautifully Written song and a very well told story I just don't it doesn't click with me the way that it sounds." "I did a combined playlist where I made them into one album and I think it serves I."

The quotes reflect the speaker's critical view of "Evermore," suggesting that while they appreciate certain songs' craftsmanship, not all resonate with them. They also imply that they have created an alternative version of the album that aligns more closely with their preferences.

• The speaker challenges the notion that Taylor Swift's earlier albums contain "flops" and lists several hit songs as evidence.
• They suggest that recent fans may lack the historical context to fully appreciate Swift's discography.

"Tell me why forever and always the other side of the door Fearless love story you belong with me 15 The Best Day. Breathe. No flop detected."

The quote is a defense of Swift's earlier work, asserting that her catalog contains no weak songs and implying that a true understanding of her music requires a deeper historical knowledge of her career.

• The speaker admits to not listening to other Taylor Swift podcasts due to their own heavy involvement in Swift-related content creation.
• They speculate that fear of fan backlash and the desire to remain positively aligned with Swift may discourage critical discussion among content creators.

"I have never actually listened to any of the other Taylor Swift podcasts." "Having critical thought is not something that is super widespread or common in this phantom for a number of reasons."

These quotes reveal the speaker's limited exposure to other Swift-focused podcasts and suggest a broader trend within the fan community where critical opinions may be suppressed to maintain a positive image and avoid conflict.

• The speaker defends the complexity of Taylor Swift's lyrics, suggesting that listeners need to engage more deeply to understand them.
• They argue that knowledge of the context behind the lyrics is essential for full appreciation.

"It's not that it doesn't make sense it's that you don't understand."

This quote encapsulates the speaker's belief that the perceived lack of clarity in Swift's lyrics is not due to poor songwriting but rather to the listener's failure to grasp the underlying meanings and references.

• The speaker challenges the claim that Lana Del Rey's songs with similar titles to Taylor Swift's are superior, requesting examples to substantiate the comparison.

"What song titles are similar I actually need to know the followup to this question so please let me know."

The quote expresses the speaker's skepticism about comparing Swift and Del Rey based on song titles alone, indicating a need for concrete examples before making a judgment.