For this week’s blog, I looked at Taylor Swift’s “Bad
Blood” song and the cover performed by Ryan Adams. I have heard this song
multiple times, and it’s a great song to scream out loud to in your car. But
listening to the song, I never really paid attention to the meaning behind the
lyrics. I always was just so focused on singing it out loud and memorizing the
lyrics. That is how I am with every song. I pay attention to the tune, and lyrics,
but never understand the what message the lyrics are trying to say, unless I
look them up.
When looking at the different versions of the song, the
overall message is the same, but the tones are different. The overall message
is a significant other of theirs has caused them hurt and pain, and left them
feeling that way. Taylor’s approach on the song is much more abrasive, more
powerful. When I say powerful I mean she is very forceful and loud, and trying
to get the message across loud and clear. Her intent is almost wanting to
physically hurt someone. Her intent is to almost get revenge, or at least hurt
the guy who did this. If we look at Ryan Adams cover of the song, the tone of
his voice is not as powerful as Taylor’s. Ryan’s tone is very sad, like he is
left hurt, and still is hurt by the one who left him. Taylor’s approach is more
of a get over and get revenge approach.
Looking at how the tones of both Taylor and Ryan are
different, it can change the way we view the song. We can look at this song and
think of it as a bad breakup song. Whenever I think of this song, I always just
sing it really loud. More of a Taylor Swift perspective of intention to hurt
someone. Others might prefer the Ryan Adams song, because they can relate more
to the tone of his voice. If we also look at the difference between the songs,
we see the speed is very different. Taylor’s version is very upbeat, very fast
paced whereas Ryan’s slower. His version seems to be focusing on the sadden
emotions behind the lyrics. Taylor’s approach to singing the words are loud,
focusing on the angrier emotions behind the lyrics. Taylor is mad to whoever
caused this pain on her, Ryan is sad.
The two different versions definitely appeal to
different audiences. Taylor Swift’s audience mostly consisted of female teenagers
and young girls. All of her songs are about the same things: breakups, boys,
and relationships, so it is easier for her to appeal to girls, that is why so
many young girls relate to her, because the young girls are able to relate to
her. Ryan Adams appeals to an older crowd. The way his song is sung makes it
more relatable for an older crowd, and even guys. Most guys do not relate with
Taylor Swift, because she is a girl, and she is singing about the female side.
Ryan Adams appeals to those who do not relate to Taylor Swift.
Madison,
ReplyDeleteI did the same song as you, and agreed with most of what you've observed. Though I disagree when it comes to audience. I felt that the two songs appealed to the same people in different circumstances rather than varied age/gender groups.
This is quite a popular song within this class! As Ms. Berry mentioned above, I too believe that the audience within Taylor Swift's version may appeal to the same demographic as Ryan Adams. However, a majority of Taylor's songs are targeted towards the teenage female population. With this being said, there are quite a few different versions of this single sung by Taylor, one features Kendrick Lamar who is a prominent artist known by many.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lauren. I think that the way that the two songs are delivered means that they are for two different audiences, though they may be talking about the same thing. There are different circumstances implicated in either rendition of the song.
ReplyDeleteAlong with many other people, I did Bad Blood and found the same differences among them as you! The songs had similar meanings, but the tones were dramatically different.
ReplyDeleteGreat way of explaining how Taylor's music is just for us to sing whereas Ryan's is for us to actually listen to the words and feel with him.
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