Speak Now. Artist: Taylor Swift. ASIN: B003WTE886. Label: Big Machine Records. Release Date: October 25, 2010.Description:
Speak Now is Taylor Swift’s third album. It’s also her first album with songs written exclusively by her. This album features darker themes than her first two, particularly touching on loneliness and heartbreak. She uses her songs to call out those who have hurt her, including past boyfriends and critics of her singing. The album received quite a bit of press when it was revealed that the song “Dear John” was supposedly a reference to the relationship the young singer had with the much older John Mayer. Only one single has been released from the album so far. “Mine” is similar to singles from her earlier albums in that it focuses on the experiences of young love, but it is indicative of the more mature subject matter of this current album.
Critical Evaluation:
Taylor Swift has always been able to perfectly capture the feelings of innocent young love, from the initial attraction, through the first kiss, and ending with the inevitable heartbreak. With Speak Now she continues this theme, but she moves past the innocence into a darker place. She’s no longer the girl with teardrops falling on her guitar, but a young woman who has experienced genuine pain and who isn’t afraid to place the blame where it should fall, including squarely on her own shoulders at times. In keeping with her more mature presence, her lyrics also contain more mature subject matter, including references to sexual relationships that weren‘t present in her other albums. Her songs are full of regret and solitude. Though she still maintains that quality that has made her a favorite of younger audiences, with this album she is beginning her transformation into an adult artist. Musically, though, her style is similar to previous albums. Her singing voice isn’t the most impressive, but that’s never been where her talent truly lies, anyway. She’s a songwriter at heart and her singing is simply the vehicle to tell her story.
Annotation:
This third album from Taylor Swift features songs written about her personal experiences.
Artist Information:
Taylor swift was born December 13, 1989 in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. At the age of 11, she went to Nashville hoping to obtain a record deal but was rejected and returned to Pennsylvania. She received her first guitar at age 12 and began to write her own songs. She continued to visit Nashville where she worked with songwriters. Her family moved to Nashville when she was 14 and she became the youngest songwriter ever hired by Sony/ATV Tree. At age 15 she signed with Big Machine Records.
Her first single was released in 2006, followed by her self-titled debut album. Her album became one of only 3 this decade to spend more the 20 weeks at the number one position on the Top Country Albums chart. Her second album was release in 2008. It received the best online start for any country album and is the best digital selling country album ever. Her third album was release in 2010 and features songs completely written by her. She has also launched an acting career, appearing in the 2010 movie Valentine's Day.
Genre:
Pop Country
Curriculum Ties:
Music
Booktalking Ideas:
N/A
Interest Age:
12 and older
Challenge Issues:
None
Challenge Defense Ideas:
If a challenge were to occur:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
Taylor Swift is a successful young artist with award-winning albums that are popular with audiences from tweens through adults.
