Taylor Swift has undeniably become one of the biggest icons in music and pop culture history, creating a massive fan base consisting of millions of individuals who refer to themselves as “Swifties.” However, not everyone is bought into the movement.
Country music singer Jana Kramer recently spoke about her 8-year-old daughter, Jolie Rae, who asked if it was “ok” that she was not a fan of Taylor Swift’s. “She was at a birthday party, and she’s like, ‘Mom, is it OK that I don’t like Taylor Swift?’ And I was like, ‘This is so crazy because we’ve never had this conversation,'” Kramer said.
Apparently, Swift has become so popular that Kramer’s daughter felt the need to ask if it was appropriate not to be a fan of the singer. “I go, ‘Honey, 1000%, you can like whoever you want.’ I was like, ‘It’s just because she’s super famous, you know, and everyone loves her does not mean that you have to love her too,'” Kramer added.
The musician likened her daughter’s question to the famous rock band, “The Beatles,” who became a ubiquitous force in 20th-century culture. “Just [like] the Beatles,” she said. “It’s like, you don’t have to like that. And sometimes, I didn’t like the Beatles because everyone loved the Beatles. So I’ve always kinda go opposite.”
Kramer explained that, while she acknowledges Swift’s prowess in the entertainment industry, she was not a fan of her latest music. The singer claimed she “didn’t love the new album,” but she did like some of Swift’s songs. “I think she’s an insane entertainer,” Kramer added. “I still respect her as an artist.”
Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department” (TTPD), has been the subject of intense criticism over its explicit content. Despite the album sitting at the top of the charts, the parent of younger fans, known as “Taylor Tots,” are shielding their children from the subject matter discussed in Taylor’s lyrics in TTPD.
Taylor’s new album features seven songs that are marked as explicit, suggesting the lyrics could contain foul language, violence, sex, or other inappropriate topics for kids. Subsequently, the parents of younger “Swifties” have claimed they are guiding their children away from the album.
“I feel bad for all the Taylor Tots because most parents are not going to deem this album appropriate,” one person wrote in the Facebook group “Taylor Swift’s Vault,” which has over 500,000 members. “This album is definitely NOT suitable for kids,” another person said.
The American Tribune recently reported on other criticism from the Christian community alleging Taylor Swift’s lyrics are “anti-Christian.” Shane Pruitt, who serves as the National Next Gen director for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board and is the co-author of a faith book titled Calling Out the Called, denounced Swift’s lyrical content.
He stated, “LYRICS MATTER. Disclaimer, I’m definitely not the minister or parent that has the “no secular music” stance. Also, I fully realize unbelievers are going to act like unbelievers. HOWEVER, there is a difference between being secular, and being ANTI-CHRISTIAN.”
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