Category: Passion Blog

I had the idea to do this specific blog post from the very beginning; and its different than previous ones, which is why I decided to conclude my blog with it. This post is different because it looks at albums from different artists, but it was the controversy between the artists that created them. Both artists returned from self-imposed exile with damaged reputations, and both artists released arguably their best works as a result.

In 2009, Kanye famously interrupted Taylor Swift’s VMA acceptance speech, which incited public anger, helping bring a breakup, self-imposed exile and introspection. This resulted in Kanye creating his magnum opus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which blends impressive vocals, instrumentals and rock-rap ballads.

MBDTF is a “backhanded apology” for his actions, despite regret and self-doubt, he embraces his boisterous and arrogant attitude. He uses religious imagery to describe his fall from grace. As the albums progresses, he becomes proud of the arrogant, unique, and narcissistic outsider that he is.

Emotionally, he is intensely frustrated about his breakup, the media’s constant attention and about racial injustice in the US. He seeks an emotional outlet, reverting to women and commentary about society and racism. His intense emotions led to the “fantasy” of him creating a masterpiece to offer to the world as penance for his actions.

The album art reflects this “fantasy,” as it shows a ballerina, a reference to the film/music video for “Runaway.” The title works with the overall themes, the album is beautiful in its production, sound and vocals, but twisted and dark in much of its content, while also fanatic in nature.

Embracing His flaws: “Dark Fantasy,” “Power,” “Monster,” “So Appalled,” “Devil in a New Dress,” “Runaway,” “Hell of a Life,” “Blame Game,” and “Lost In The World.”

Taylor Swift Controversy: “Gorgeous,” “Power,” “All Of The Lights,” “Monster,” “Runaway,” and ”Lost In The World.”

Racism in America: “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” “Power,” “All Of The Lights,” “Lost In The World,” and “Who Will Survive in America.”

Escapism: “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” “All Of The Lights,” “So Appalled,” “Runaway,” “Hell Of A Life,” and “Lost In The World.”

Break up: “Power,” “Monster,” “So Appalled,” “Devil in a New Dress,” “Runaway,” “Hell of a Life,” and “Blame Game.”

Religious references: “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” “All Of the Lights,” “Monster,” “So Appalled,” “Devil in a New Dress,” and “Hell Of A Life.”

Frustration at the media: “Gorgeous,” “Power,” “All Of The Lights,” “Monster,” “So Appalled,” “Devil in a New Dress,” and “Runaway.”

Attempting to regain acceptance: “Dark Fantasy,” “Power,” “All Of The Lights,” “So Appalled,” “Runaway,” “Blame Game” and “Lost In The World.”

Personal Favorites: “Runaway,” “Power,” “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” and “All Of The Lights.”

After being caught in a lie regarding Kanye using choice words about Taylor Swift and the VMA incident in his song “Famous,” Taylor Swift’s reputation took a sharp plummet that led her into exile. Taylor re-entered the world with Reputation.

Reputation takes plenty of shots at Kanye and his manipulation and insults of Taylor. Her anger and hurt brought out a darker side of Taylor, one that takes shots and expresses anger at Kanye and the media’s persistent insults and negative attention.

Taylor is frustrated and broken by the situation, leading her to write some of her most angry and intense music.  Taylor puts on more of a bag girl persona, owning up to her flaws and not holding on to her public image.

In the midst of the Kanye mess, Taylor fell in love with the man who she is still with. Taylor frames the relationship as one that helped bring healing and restoration when she was at her very lowest. Her songs are much more vulnerable, she is broken and down, but she finds new levels of acceptance from her most recent significant other. She describes the relationship multiple times as being “gold,” despite the bad state she was in and the constant stress from avoiding the media.

The album art has multiple Kanye allusions, from the cloths, the jewelry, the hair being similar to Kim K and the media print. The album cover is genius, being yet another intentional piece of art on Taylor’s part.

Kanye Controversy: “End Game,” “I Did Something Bad,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Getaway Car,” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”

Songs about her Boyfriend: “Ready For it?,” “End Game,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Delicate,” “So It Goes,” “Gorgeous,” “Getaway Car,” “King Of My Heart,” “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” “Dress,” “Call It What You Want,” and New Years Day.”

Bad Public Image: “Ready For It,” “I Did Something Bad,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Delicate,” “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.”

Embracing Bad Girl Persona: “Ready For It,” “I Did Something Bad,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “So It Goes,” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice things.”

Healing: “End Game,” “Delicate,” “King Of My Heart,” “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” “Call It What You Want,” and “New Years Day.”

Golden References: “”End Game,” ”Look What You Made Me Do,” “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” “Dress.”

Frustration With Media: “Ready For It,” “I Did Something Bad,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Delicate,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.”

Personal Favorites: “Delicate,” “Call It What You Want,” “Gorgeous,” and “Getaway Car.”

Both of these albums are easily some of my favorites, both have incredibly similar aspects and themes. The pain experienced by both people has resulted in projects that have deeply influenced the music industry in unique ways. MBDTF beats out Reputation, however, because of the inclusion of the songs that discuss racial injustice in America, whereas Reputation is almost solely about Taylor’s own life. MBDTF was epic and grandiose in nature, making it more of a uniquely artistic album.

Sources

https://genius.com/albums/Taylor-swift/Reputation

https://genius.com/albums/Kanye-west/My-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy

https://www.insider.com/kanye-west-god-taylor-swift-vmas-reactions-memes-2020-9

https://ew.com/article/2016/02/12/taylor-swift-kanye-west-famous/

I could be wrong, but I have a hunch that most of Gen-Z went through a phase in junior high where they listened to some edgy, melancholy, emo or punk rock music. Well during my equivalent phase of that I listened to Fall Out Boy, but I still really do enjoy their music. I still hold on to the belief that its pretty good music, which is why I believe it warrants a post.

The first album that I looked at was their 2013 album Save Rock and Roll, which is the album that ended their 4-year hiatus. That being said, a consistent theme in the album is the new beginnings they are experiencing as a band. Fire imagery is prevalent throughout the album, often referring to anger or equating themselves to a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Fall Out Boy is as much of an angry, edgy revolutionary group as they were before. They reference their Rock predecessors, even having a song with Elton John, and use war related terms to refer to their pursuits. Oddly enough, this album is actually more upbeat than others, they are fired up, but not as melancholy as previous albums.

They sing about the degradation of relationships, and subsequent falls from grace. The band is attempting to maintain their youth, while also appealing to younger audiences. The album is edgy and jarring, which isn’t surprising given how their music usually is.

Themes

Youth: “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark,” “Alone Together,” “Where Did the Party Go,” “Just One Yesterday,” “Miss Missing You,” “Young Volcanoes,” and “Rock and Roll.”

Revolutionary Mindset: “The Phoenix,” “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark,” “Just One Yesterday,” “The Mighty Fall,” “Miss Missing You,” “Young Volcanoes,” “Rat a Tat,” and “Save Rock and Roll.”

References to Rock Predecessors: “The Mighty Fall,” “Miss Missing You,” “Young Volcanoes,” “Rat a Tat,” and Save Rock and Roll.”

Fire Imagery: “The Phoenix,” “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark,” “The Mighty Fall,” “Miss Missing You,” “Death Valley,” “Young Volcanoes,” and “Rat a Tat.”

Wartime imagery: “The Phoenix,” “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark,” “Alone Together,” “The Mighty Fall,” “Death Valley,” “Young Volcanoes,” “Rat a Tat,” and “Save Rock and Roll.”

Falling from grace: “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark,” “Just One Yesterday,” “The Mighty Fall,” “Miss Missing You,” “Death Valley,” and “Rat a Tat.”

Personal Favorites: “Save Rock and Roll,” “Young Volcanoes,” “Alone Together,” and “Miss Missing You.”

In 2015, Fall Out Boy released the album American Beauty/ American Psycho. The name is derived largely from the themes in the album that act as a commentary on America. The band is particularly angry and aggressive, and they are very authentic and open about it in their music.

Pete Wentz, the lead singer, is very nostalgic on this album; he is very reflective and introspective about his previous relationship. Nostalgia is a persistent emotion on this album, appearing in almost every song.

Wentz even embraces the somewhat toxic nature of his past relationship. He misses the highs and lows that added excitement to his life. Wentz also frequently alludes to religion, littering imagery throughout the album. The album art has a boy with an American flag painted on his face, encapsulating the themes of youth and American culture.

Themes

Allusions to American Society: “American Beauty/Psycho,” “Centuries,” “Uma Thurman,” “Novocain,” “Fourth of July,” and “Immortals.”

Reflections on Past relationship: “Irresistible,” “American Beauty/Psycho,” “Jet Pack Blues,” “Fourth of July,” “Favorite Record,” and “Twin Skeletons.”

Religious Imagery: “Irresistible,” “American Beauty/Psycho,” “Centuries,” “Uma Thurman,” “Fourth of July,” “Favorite Record,” “Immortals,” and “Twin Skeletons.”

Wanting to make an impact: “Centuries,” “The Kids aren’t Alright,” “Novocain,” and “Immortals.”

Viewing toxic relationship with fondness: “Irresistible,” “American Beauty/Psycho,” “The Kids aren’t Alright,” “Uma Thurman,” “Jet Pack Blues,” “Favorite Record,” and “Twin Skeletons.”

Personal Favorites: “Jet Pack Blues,” “Fourth of July,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” and “Favorite Record.”

I’m quite fond of both albums, but the unique personality of Save Rock and Roll is unique compared to other Fall Out Boy albums. Despite the nostalgia and attempted cultural commentary on American Beauty/American Psycho, it sets itself apart from other albums by Fall Out Boy and was a perfect re-entry back into the music scene.

Sources 

https://genius.com/albums/Fall-out-boy/Save-rock-and-roll

https://genius.com/albums/Fall-out-boy/American-beauty-american-psycho

 

One of the most popular and well respected rappers is J. Cole, his songs aren’t the only things that set him apart though, he’s known for is humility, appearing at protests, wearing simple clothing, riding his bike instead of his car, growing his dreads out and being incredibly private. His albums deal with uniquely deep issues, most notably on 2014 Forrest Hills Drive and 4 Your Eyez Only.

2014 Forrest Hills Drive is the album that got many mainstream listeners, including myself, interested in Cole. This album was made when Cole was at the top of the rap game, he had achieved fame and the material wealth he had wanted.

The album centers around Cole’s experience that fame and money aren’t actually what matters in life. Cole becomes nostalgic of his roots on Forrest Hills Drive in Fayetteville, NC; which gives way to themes about the lack of opportunity for adolescents, prevalent drug usage, lack of role models, and the desire of people to better themselves, despite few opportunities. This leads him to be particularly critical of Hollywood culture.

Cole ends up being grateful for the opportunity to leave Fayetteville for college in NY and for those who helped him succeed, finishing the album with a 15-minute song of credits. The iconic album cover encapsulates the nostalgia of the album, showing Cole sitting on the roof of his house on 2014 Forrest Hills Drive.

Themes

Discontentment in Wealth: “January 28^th,” “03 Adolescence,” “A Tale Of Two Citiez,” “Fire Squad,” “St. Tropez,” “G.O.M.D.,” “No Role Modelz,” “Hello,” and “Love Yourz.”

Finding Happiness: “Intro,” “A Tale Of 2 Citiez,” “St. Tropez,” “G.O.M.D.,” “No Role Modelz,” “Apparently,” “Love Yourz,” and “Note to Self.”

Nostalgia: “”January 28^th,” “Dreamz,” “03 Adolescence,” “A Tale Of 2 Citiez,” “Fire Squad,” “G.O.M.D.,” “No Role Modelz,” “Hello,” “Apparently,” and “Love Yourz.”

Lack of opportunity in impoverished neighborhoods: “Intro,” “January 28^th,” “03 Adolescence,” “A Tale Of 2 Citiez,” “No Role Modelz,” “Apparently,” and “Love Yourz.”

Racial tensions and Michael Brown: “Intro,” “January 28^th,” “03 Adolescence,” “A Tale of 2 Citiez,” “Fire Squad,” “No Role Modelz,” “Apparently,” “Love Yourz,” and “Note to Self.”

Reflections on achieving greatness: “Intro,” “January 28^th,” “Fire Squad,” “St. Tropez,” “G.O.M.D.,” “No Role Modelz,” “Love yourz,” and “Note to Self.”

Commentary on LA Culture: “January 28^th,” “A Tale of 2 Citiez,” “St. Tropez,” “G.O.M.D.,” “No Role Modelz,” and “Love Yourz.”

Personal Favorites: “Love Yourz,” “03 Adolescence,” “No Role Modelz,” “A Tale of 2 Citiez,” and “Apparently.”

I hadn’t listened intensively to a lot of his whole albums, but a friend recommended 4 Your Eyez Only to me, and I enjoyed it. 4 Your Eyez Only has two perspectives, one being Cole himself, and the other being his friend James Macmillan, who was a drug dealer that was shot, leaving behind a young daughter. It’s theorized that this whole album is Cole telling Macmillan’s daughter about her dad.

Cole dives into themes of hopelessness and depression, his hopelessness comes from fame, Macmillan’s from lack of opportunity. Cole sees that many people see leaving Fayetteville as a way out, which is why he was successful, but it was also why Macmillan lived a life of drug dealing.

Cole takes shots at racism and the systems that allow it to exist, in “Neighbors” even singing about his experience of having his house (that was located in a predominantly white upper-class neighborhood) raided by a SWAT team because they believed he was dealing.

Cole also sings of true love, which softens their hearts and makes them want to be better people. By the end of the album, however, Macmillan is dead, leaving his daughter fatherless, and Cole communicates the sad circumstances that result in many deaths similar to his.

This album is incredibly emotional, the cover encapsulates the seriousness of the album, despite not being too unique.

Themes

From James Macmillan’s perspective (possibly the whole album): “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Immortal,” “Déjà vu,” “Ville Mentality,” “She’s Mine pt 1,” “Change,” “Foldin Clothes,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Hopelessness: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Immortal,” “Déjà vu,” “Ville Mentality,” “Change,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Finding True Love: ”She’s Mine pt 1,” “Foldin Clothes,” “She’s Mine pt 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Lack of Opportunity: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Immortal,” “Déjà vu,” “Ville Mentality,” “She’s Mine pt. 1,” “Change,” “Neighbors,” “She’s Mine pt. 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Turning towards religion: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Déjà vu,” “Change,” “Neighbors,” “She’s Mine pt. 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Commentary on American Racism: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Immortal,” “Ville Mentality,” “Change,” “Neighbors,” “She’s Mine pt. 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Commentary on Fayetteville: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Immortal,” “Déjà vu,” “Ville Mentality,” “She’s Mine pt. 1,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Persistence through hard times: “For Whom the Bell tolls,” “Immortal,” “Déjà vu,” “Ville Mentality,” “She’s Mine,” “Change,” “Neighbors,” “She’s Mine pt. 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Fatherhood: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “She’s Mine,” “Foldin Clothes,” “She’s Mine pt. 2,” and “4 Your Eyez Only.”

Personal Favorites: “Neighbors,” “Foldin Clothes,” “Immortal,” “4 Your Eyez Only,” and “Ville Mentality.”

From a thematic standpoint, both albums are some of Cole’s best. Yet, the emotions and artistry of 4 Your Eyez Only are compelling commentary on America, making it artistically trump the listen-ability and fame themes of contentment on 2014 Forrest Hills Drive.

 

Sources

J. Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only Lyrics and Tracklist | Geniusgenius.com › albums › J-cole › 4-your-eyez-only

J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive Lyrics and Tracklist | Geniusgenius.com › albums › J-cole › 2014-forest-hills-drive

J Cole’s New Album Is ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ | A Nation of Billions

Forest Hills Drive | FreddyO.com

This Fan Theory About J.Cole’s ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ Actually …www.vibe.com › 2016/12 › fan-theory-j-cole-4-your-eye…

Here’s The Deeper Meaning Behind J. Cole’s New Album ‘4 …genius.com › here-s-the-deeper-meaning-behind-j-cole-…

A blog about albums would be incomplete without a post on Taylor Swift. I’m of the unpopular opinion that her old albums really aren’t very great aside from the nostalgia factor. That being said, I’m dedicating this post to her most quintessentially pop albums, 1989 and Lover.

I first listened to 1989 with my sister on the day it came out, and my love of the album has continued since. One would expect the album to be about her many relationships, but 1989 is quite possibly solely about her ex Harry Styles and their on and off passionate love affair that they attempted to conceal from the media. 1989 is riddled with commentary about her relationship with the media, seemingly signaling the decline in her reputation.

Taylor’s imagination runs wild in this album; creating an air of whimsy within imaginary storylines. Amidst the emotional turmoil, she is beginning to grow and heal from many of her struggles.

The album art is perfectly her, depicting the whimsy and retro feel of the album. The album is less thematically unified; the most common theme is her relationship with Harry Styles. 1989’s strength lies in its individual songs, which have been some of her biggest hits and are among my personal favorites.

Themes

Relationship with Harry Styles: “Style,” “Out of The Woods,” “All You Had to do Was Stay,” “Shake it Off,” “I Wish You Would,” “Wildest Dreams,” “This Love,” “I Know Places,” “Clean,” “Wonderland,” and “New Romantics.”

• On and Off Aspect: “Out of The Woods,” “I Wish You Would,” “How You Get The Girl,” and “This Love.”
• Secretive nature of relationship: “Style,” “All You Had to Do Was Stay,” “Wildest Dreams,” “Wonderland,” “I Know Places,” and “New Romantics.”
• Toxic Nature of Relationship: “Style,” “I Wish You Would,” and “This Love.”
• Healing and Moving On: “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” “This Love,” and “Clean.”

Media/Public Perception: “Blank Space,” “Style,” “Shake It Off,” “Bad Blood,” “I Know Places,” “Wonderland,” and “New Romantics.”

Imaginary Storylines: “Blank Space,” “Style,” “Out of The Woods,” “I Wish You Would,” “Wildest Dreams,” “How You Get The Girl,” “I Know Places,” “Clean,” “Wonderland,” “You are In Love,” and “New Romantics.”

New Beginnings: “Welcome To New York,” “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” “This Love,” “You Are In Love,” and “Clean.”

Beginning of her Reputation’s Decline: “Blank Space,” “Out of The Woods,” “Shake It Off,” “Bad Blood,” “I Know Places,” and “New Romantics.”

My Personal Favorites: “Style,” “Clean,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “Out of The Woods.”

 

Taylor’s Lover (Which is named after her long term boyfriend) is a drastic change from its predecessor, Reputation; she has healed from the scandal with Kanye West that tarnished her reputation. Taylor is healthy and thriving, expressed in poppy songs, color related imagery emotionally vulnerable songs.

Her relationship with Joe Alwyn has resulted in some of her most vulnerable music. Within passionate declarations of her love, she expresses fear and insecurity over losing him. Their relationship is a more comfortable and tight relationship, she even sings about how different it is from previous ones.

Lover is special since it contains the most political commentary of her albums, she shows support to the LGBTQ+ community and expresses remorse over the current political atmosphere.

Lover’s album art matches the pink and blue color imagery, as well as capturing the childlike whimsy of the album.

Themes

Songs About Joe Alwyn: “Cruel Summer,” “Lover,” “I Think He Knows,” “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince,” “Paper Rings,” “Cornelia Street,” “Death By a Thousand Cuts,” “London Boy,” “False God,” “Afterglow,” “It’s Nice To Have a Friend,” and “Daylight.”

• Fear Of Losing Him: “Cruel Summer,” “I Think He Knows,” “Cornelia Street,” “Death By a Thousand Cuts,” “False God,” and “Afterglow.”
• Sense of relational comfort: “Cruel Summer,” “Lover,” “Paper,” “Cornelia Street,” “London Boy,” “False God,” “It’s Nice to Have a Friend,” and “Daylight.”
• Healing due to Relationship: “Lover,” “The Archer,” “London Boy,” “It’s Nice to Have a Friend,” and “Daylight.”

Healing from Kanye Controversy and bad reputation: “I Forgot That You Existed,” “The Man,” “The Archer,” “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince,” “Cornelia Street,” “You Need To Calm Down,” “ME!,” and “Daylight.”

Political Commentary: “The Man,” “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince,” “You Need To Calm Down,” and “ME!.”

Frustrations with Media: “The Man,” “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince,” “London Boy,” “You Need to Calm Down,” and “Daylight.”

Color Imagery:  “Lover,” “Cruel Summer,” “The Archer,” “I Think He Knows,” “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince,”  “Paper Rings,” “Cornelia Street,” “Death By a Thousand Cuts,” “London Boy,” “False God,” “Afterglow,” “It’s Nice To Have a Friend,” and “Daylight.”

Emotional Vulnerability: “Cruel Summer,” “The Archer,” “Cornelia Street,” “Death By A Thousand Cuts,” “Soon You’ll Get Better,” “It’s Nice To Have a Friend,” and “Daylight.”

My Personal Favorites: “Cornelia Street,” “London Boy,” “Afterglow,” and “It’s Nice to Have a Friend.”

I1989 is more fun to listen to, and I previously didn’t detect the thematic strength, but Lover is a unique departure from previous albums, she expands her horizons by including political commentary, deeper vulnerability and more complex writing. Both albums are easily some of her very best, from most other angles, I would say 1989 is better, but as a whole piece of art, Lover’s thematic strength reflect maturity and intentionality in Swift’s career.

Sources

https://genius.com/albums/Taylor-swift/1989-deluxe

https://genius.com/albums/Taylor-swift/Lover

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/case-study-swifts-1989-album-styles-addition

http://www.mtv.com/news/1976185/taylor-swift-1989-album-breakdown/

https://time.com/5651207/taylor-swift-lover-songs-explained/

https://ew.com/music/2019/08/24/taylor-swift-lover-colors-lyrics/

Images

Taylor Swift Announces ‘City of Lover’ Paris Concert Special for ABC – Variety