Taylor Swift - folklore (July 24, 2020) Album • Page 122

Ha, you've got me there.

 

I’m all of a sudden having flashbacks to that gutless hit cover of “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”

 

I still think that one is pretty obviously a good piece of writing craft, even if the radio hit version doesn't do it justice. I could never enjoy that version after hearing Hoge's much more heartfelt original, so I can't really say how I would have felt about it if I'd heard it without already knowing the song. But I often encounter songs on mainstream country records that, even if I'm not necessarily feeling the artist's delivery or the production, I can be bowled over by the writing itself.

 

Yeah that's fair. I think I'd probably like McGraw's anodyne "Portland, Maine" had I not heard Donovan Woods do it so much better.

 

Yep. Or pretty much anyone doing a Lori McKenna song, or a Chris Stapleton song, or a Natalie Hemby song.

 

Hemby picking up a Grammy was the hidden highlight of the awards this year.

 

I’m a lyrics first guy but I reallllllly value a good hook. I guess for me how good of a writer you are is also about how you set your lyrics up for the biggest possible impact, which is definitely a talent of Taylor’s... she has internalized song structure in a way that allows her to build momentum, and communicates that really, really effectively to her collaborators despite not being very articulate in music theory. Nate Ruess from fun. has that skill also. It takes a ton of self confidence.

Not a big instrumental listener but there are a few random things that I love.

 

Yep. I can’t claim to understand how songs from A Star Is Born were eligible in back-to-back years, but I was happy for that win.

I should say that I am also a sucker for a great hook.

 

There’s something to be said for delivery being nearly, if not equally, as important as lyrics. There are a lot of artists I can think of whose lyrics don’t necessarily read that well on paper but gut me because of the particular inflection or cadence they’re delivered in.

 

She's always been great at lyric delivery

 

got a lil drunk and sat outside in a rainstorm and listened to exile and I think that’s how it was meant to be experienced.

 

"would it be enough if I could never give you peace?"

fuck :/

 

I have comfortably landed on “Peace” being my favorite.

 

I think so too honestly.

 

think it's between this and "seven" for me

 

Seven is super underrated for sure.

 

Least favorite on the album for me. However, it seems like everyone has different favorites for this album lol.

 

its hoax for me. repeat daily.

 

seven is amazing

 

Best song on the album

 

“Don’t want no other shade of blue but you” is quickly vying for my favorite line in her catalog.

 

And speaking of delivery, that section is fantastic