Taylor Swift – “Picture To Burn”

I just don’t get why Taylor favors this song so much. I’m not a fan of Taylor’s music but she has written some decent songs, but this sure ain’t one of them. “Picture” was actually her second official radio single release while “Tim McGraw” was fading off the charts, but it never made it higher than the 50’s on the country singles charts.

I saw Taylor in concert in Santa Ynez (the home of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch) in December 2006 and she actually closed her set with “Picture” after singing “Tim McGraw” and the audience response was tepid at best. The two songs that GAC aired on their Riverfront Stage concert video series from the 2006 Fain Fair were “Time McGraw” and “Picture to Burn” with a vocal performance memorable for extreme pitchiness and shrillness far beyond that found on the recorded version. Taylor is absolutely determined to make this particular song a hit single, and while her teeny-bopper and tweener fans will love it it may push bodreline fans off the reservation…

I am not a big Taylor fan, but I will defend her to a certain extent here. The lyrics (minus the gay part) are actually perfect for her demographic – 5th-12th grade? I think some of you forget that girls of that age just discovering boys and what it’s like to get their heart broken – and stupid and irrational probably fits. I think most young girls probably had that

I don’t think the usage of the word “gay” should have been edited. It’s a very common word in the vocabularies of teens, and even adults, all across America. It’s a synonym for stupid, unfair, corny, immature, etc. Hell, I use it all the time! Just like the word “gay” used to mean “happy,” it now has a new meaning. Editing the word out from the song is just a new level of politcal correctness that, quite frankly, makes me want to vomit. It’s also surpression of the evolution of the English language. Go Taylor, and sing that word at the top of your little lungs!

The song will appear to the younger end of her audience, the same audience who are related to songs about the now infamous Drew. Yes, she wrote the track while in high school, and yes, her fellow teen brethren will embrace it with all they have. No, Swift is not the second coming, but she is an evolving songwriter and entertainer. She does not have the voice of Carrie Underwood (shudders) or Martina McBride, however, she can perform and she is bringing younger fans to the genre. I don’t think anyone should write her off just yet…even if this song should be buried in a deep dark place along with “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”.

The sad fact is, that even though the target demo of Country Radio is 30 Year Old women, I’m sure a lot of them feel this way. That would explain some of my ex-girlfriends……

;)

It’s a funny thing about “singles” being released by record companies and played by radio at certain times. This album by Taylor Swift has been out for SO long and this song WAS played a lot already on at least one radio station here in Dallas. I played it on the internet, too and continue to play it. It’s a catchy little tune. It’s not her best song, but it’s better than some others out there that get heard just as much. Taylor Swift has been so successful. Her album is still the top country album on the pop chart! This song is partly why.

To dismiss complaints about Taylor’s use of “gay” as “something for liberals to get their panties in a bunch about” is a bit too quick. Imagine if she substituted “religious fundamentalist” for “gay.” Perhaps gays wouldn’t care, but many religious people would. Whatever our political preferences, we shouldn’t excuse language that shows disrespect toward others who have done nothing to deserve such disrespect.

The point being is that this is a totally unnecessary and derogatory use of the word. Taylor’s lack of consideration for other human beings is not just a matter for liberals, but for everyone. I’m a moderate conservative and I think we should have more respect for each other than to use racial,ethnic or sexual slurs (or langauge that has similar effects).

Now, as for Taylor being only 15 when she wrote the song, that is a a perfectly good explanation of its deficiencies, but that does not justify it being played on radio stations.

I do agree that if Taylor sang something “deeper” she would be getting grief for not being age-appropriate. I agree she can’t win. But that doesn’t excuse immature lyrics or insulting langauge.

I think Taylor has a lot of talent as a songwriter (this song doesn’t show it well, though), and I expect her to write many hits in the next few years. She is better than this song. That’s why it is a disappointment.

I agree that people use the word “gay” all the time in today’s society. I even submit to the fact that most people who use it so freely are assigning the definitions that Dave S has indicated. I, however, argue that the use of it shows a lack of sensitivity to people who are actually gay. To say that “gay” is a “synonym for stupid, unfair, corny, immature” is suggesting that “gay” means those things. While the word “gay” is often generalized as being synonymous with the above terms, it is simply unkind to perpetuate the use of such degrading words to describe a lifestyle…no matter what political leaning one may have. Cruelty is cruelty, no matter how one chooses to justify or qualify it.

Additionally, I agree that taylor meant “gay” in a completely different context than the one that Dave S put it in, but as has already been suggested, the result is, for all intents and purposes, the same. No matter how it’s sliced, it’s not meant as a compliment in either context.

People argue that Taylor was only 15 when she wrote this song, but I think it is simply an indictment on our society that it’s considered acceptable, and even commical, to marginalize a group of people. I think It’s disturbing that this is such an acceptable practice that our kids are doing it.

People can call me liberal as if it’s a derogative term, if it makes them feel better. Technically, I’m pretty moderate, but if being sensitive to the feelings of others is liberal these days, then who am I to argue…?

Can’t believe this has become a discussion (but then I am becoming part of it…arrggh). We have all been there, acted immaturely and responded in less than a mature manner. That’s all that line is. Move on and learn that not ‘all’ words are taboo when used in context. There certainly are those IMHO that should be buried.

I still have to ask, does the opinion if anybody not in her demographic really even matter?

Not to rustle any feathers, but let’s be honest here – if you’re over the age of 30, they could care less if you buy her CD.

Marketing to an older age group would be like trying to sell Waylon to teens. (Ok, I love Waylon – but you have to keep in mind I’m a pure country fan that listens to country 95% of the time, unlike most other young country fans)

I’m not sure who you were commenting toward, but I’m a Taylor fan too. I was trying to say – stop bashing her.

I can’t agree that “She’s obviously not using ‘That’s fine I’ll tell mine that you’re gay’ as a bash…

That one line by itself could be interpreted innocently if taken out of context, but look at the previous lines. The context makes it seem like “gay” is an insult.

So go and tell your friends
That I’m obsessive and crazy,
That’s fine
I’ll tell mine
You’re gay,

The problem is that being “obsessive and crazy” are obviously bad qualities. The boyfriend is going to hurt Taylor by telling people that she has these bad qualities, and Taylor’s response is “I’ll tell mine Youre Gay.” In the context of two people trying to insult each other to their respective friends, the “gay” line doesn’t come off so innocently. It sounds like an insult, in fact.

Lucas – I think you underestimate the way the word “gay” is used as a slur in today’s society. And considering the character in the song is looking to completely dis her jerk boyfriend I think the term is meant in its most perjorative sense. She’s not just dissing the guy; she’s going to spread a rumor about his sexual orientation just for fun.

Hairantoenails nailed it perfectly.

I think some of you guys are getting carried away about the gay remark. She writes songs that sound like what teenagers say and do. I say this as a mother of a teenager.
Would I buy it? No. Would I rather have teenagers girls listen to Taylor over what passes for teenage music in the rap/rock world? You bet.

I LOVE this song, It actually reminds me of a boyfriend I had who after we broke up told everyone I was a crazy person who like hit him. So I can definatly relate to this song, I even changed the lyrics to match my ex-boyfriend. I love all of Taylor’s songs really, I can relate to just about all of them so that’s why I love her, not to mention she is beautiful and a great role model.

“I do not have a problem with gay people. And it was… it wasn’t ever like – you know – a gay bashing thing. Because, you know, it’s just kind of like – ok, you go… um… tell your friends a lie about me, I’ll go tell a lie to my friends about you. It’s just basically that”
- Taylor Swift on CMT.com’s Loaded

As a 15 year old, I have seen this song in real life. It’s a teenage song. Maybe it doesn’t belong in the country category and her voice is not at its highlight in “Picture to Burn”. But, the lyrics are powerful and are significant in the life of every teenager. I admire taylor’s talent and am amazed by her products. Listen to the message not the music. That’s one of the big ideas of country. It’s the message, the music is an extra bonus.

I love the song “Picture to Burn” as well as all the other songs on Taylor’s album. I don’t think she worte songs to appeal to the adult audience, however I know many adults who can’t help but love her songs, including my mom. I happen to be a teen, and think all her songs are great because they talk about the silly boy problems we deal with on a day to day basis. Some tracks are super fun and up beat, which are great to just blast in the car and forget about all those stupid boys who let you go. Also the word “gay” should not be taken as defensive to anyone (except maybe that boy) because she’s just letting him know breaking her heart could’ve been a mistake on his part, but she really doesnt care becasue she didn’t like his stupid pick- up truck anyway. To top it all off, Taylor is a great role model right now, she cares about her fans and doesnt want to disapoint any of us by doing something stupid. Besides who else do we have to look up to right now? Britney Spears? I think ill stick with Taylor! You go girl!

Now I’m not over the moon for this song, but since Taylor Swift is my super new bff, I’m going to play devil’s advocate on this one.

What’s wrong with having a song whose narrator is irrational and unappealing, but in a familiar way?

Seems to me that this is a song about a spurned teenage lover who is engaging in something like an emotional “total war”. Are all of her strategies petty? Totally petty. As petty as burning a picture of someone who rejected you. But the character in the song has given herself up to complete pettiness for the sake of complete high-school revenge. It no longer matters if what she is doing is right, wrong, mature, fair, or anything else. She’s willing to sacrifice herself to get the win in this conflict.

Will she encourage her father, a grown man, to beat up a minor? Yes. That’s her muscle, and that kid has to pay!

Will she burn him in effigy and swear that she never liked anything about him anyway, despite how that makes her look as crazy and obsessive as he claims she is? Yes, otherwise should wouldn’t be emotionally free to wage her total war.

Will she date a bunch of guys in an insincere way, making her somewhat of a floozy, in an effort to hurt him and make him feel inferior? Every last one of his friends sucka!!!!

Will she spread nasty rumors? Rumors that, for example, he’s….GAY!!!! Totally. Now, we all know, as adults, that it isn’t nice to use “gay” as a slur, and that furthermore, is someone is gay, that we shouldn’t let that affect our opinion of them. But a petty, vicious, teenage girl bent on total conflict is going to use the handiest bad rumor at her disposal, and telling her friends that he broke up with her because he was “gay” has the advantage of not only helping her save face (since it made his rejection of her less personal), and ostracize him from the community at large, but it will also hurt his chances with her rivals, other girls.

So I’ll give some credit to this song for having narrator that is more interesting than most because she’s willing to be completely flawed, she’s willing to pursue moral failure for the sake of validating her feelings of hatred and revenge. Is this a great “girl-power” song that advances a positive example for girls to follow? Nope. Instead, it does something that country music has shied away from as of late, it offers a picture of completely relateable, instantly familiar, utterly flawed human being, and with a catchy hook.

Like Sam, I am also gay. And I also understood what Taylor Swift meant when she used the word “gay ” in her song. The only problem is that “gay” may not only be a comeback at a guy in school- it might get him killed. Lawrence King, 14, was just shot in his school in Oxnard for being gay. Taylor’s fans are around that age. I am not saying that a song could arouse those feelings but “gay” is too often used as an insult and a way of defining someone in inhuman terms. Just think of the ways the Nazis used the word “Jew” in a way that covered it in hate.
Meanwhile I don’t think it should be censored from the radio. The song is poorly written, but then again it was written by a child. The Nashville marketing group can’t market her music and talent as unique for her age, and then not expect a dud here and there. And by the way she is no Tanya Tucker, or Brenda Lee, or Barbara Mandrell. Her only claim to fame is that she co- wrote all of her songs. God only knows what they sounded like raw and unedited. She is a child expressing childish things. Nashvlle has been selling that crap for awhile now.

What does the fact that there are songs on the radio about killing people have to do with the appropriateness of Taylor’s use of the word “gay?”

Also, the “politically correct” argument is pointless. Everybody who has political views tends to argue for their merits. If some people believe the use of “gay” in this context is offensive, of course they will argue that it is offensive and that people should not use it (even if they have the right to).

I have no problem with the term “politically correct” being used to refer to attempts to coerce others into accepting a given ideology. But unless rational argument is a form of coercion, nobody is coercing anybody here. People are simply saying they find this term offensive.

As for people “flying off the deep end;” nobody is flying off the deep end because Taylor used the word gay. They are “flying off the deep end” because she used the term in a way they deem de-humanizing to some. If there is ever anything worth “flying off the deep end” over, it is the treatment of human beings as though they were sub-human or inferior. That is what some people think this lyric does (even if Taylor did not so intend), and that is why they do not like the lyrics.

“But unless rational argument is a form of coercion, nobody is coercing anybody here. People are simply saying they find this term offensive.”

Thank you. Seriously, I’ve been looking everywhere for this argument.

Now that I have it, fools and bigots beware!

Bluegrass has alot of murder ballads.

agreed.

Dustin, I hope the review didn’t come across as over the top, but the exclusion of the word gay in the radio edit was suspect and I thought it would make for interesting discussion, which it did. A lot of this discussion was centered around the different contexts that the word gay can be used in and which of those is actually appropriate. Ultimately, I think the context in which it was used in this song was harmless and was a tactical maneuver like Chris N. mentioned.

Killing someone in a song and killing a person in real life are completely and totally different things, but perpetuating negative stigmas about homosexuality in a song actually has real life ramifications, so yes, in instances, it is more appropriate to kill a person in a song. Murder and death have always been a subject of literature and music and life, so I don’t know why it should be so appalling. Go give Ralph Stanley’s “Little Mathie Grove” a listen and see what you think of that.

Brady,

I adore Dr Ralph and I like Little Mathie Grove.

I just stared slack-jawed at the stereo the first time I heard “Little Mathie Grove.”

YOU ROCK!

Yes, but adults who get their hearts broken are mature enough not to set out to smear the other person.

You don’t have anything better to do with your life than write a caps-only post about one bad review posted for your girl on a country music blog. I happen to like the song, but a lot of people don’t, and I doubt that jealousy is the prime reason behind that.

I’m expecting a barrage of Taylor fans to come in and support her within the next few days, if normal operating procedure for any popular artist/team who has been “wronged” is any indication.

I think this song is great. Taylors definitly on her way.

I think the fervor with which Swift’s career has been lauded so far is way out of proportion with her artistic achievements. She has ONE album out – it’s a little early to be calling her ’super brilliant awesome’ or ‘talentless flash in the pan’. We’ll see – a great artist’s first record rarely contains more than an indication of their true potential as an artist.
Look at The Beatles – Please Please Me is a fun, easy to listen to pop record with two well-crafted originals (I SAY HER STANDING THERE and the title track) and one excellent vocal performance (Lennon on TWIST AND SHOUT). Nothing on the record gives any indication that they’d be the greatest artistic force on the planet in four years, and only hints at the irresistible pop craftsmanship on display on A Hard Day’s Night.
Swift has released an impressive debut record containing some witty and catchy pop songs with country instrumentation that has been well marketed. Picture to Burn is one of the weaker tracks from the album. It’s not terrible, but I wouldn’t call any of the songs on the album great either. This was probably a poor choice for a single, but I doubt it will impact much on Swift’s career.

M and B,

If ‘every teen in the world’ says Gay when talking then you obviously haven’t heard kids in Russia, South Korea, China, etc. talk. Also, I know MANY teens who don’t use such words. Using that word is offensive, to brush it off and say that it means ’stupid or dumb’ as is often done is idiocy. “Gay” became a word about homosexuals because the ones that were in private with their partners seemed very happy, etc. It was never ’stupid or dumb.’ Also, Taylor doesn’t use the word that way here. Period. She’s using it as an insult.

Hi, 21-year-old country fan and lesbian here.

Come on, guys. Get off it. When she says “I’ll tell mine you’re gay” she’s saying that yes, it will hurt his image with the ladies. Uh, duh. If they think he’s gay, he won’t get dates. It’s revenge. It’s not an attack on gayness. It just reflects that, yes, there is still an ill-association issue with homosexuality. It’s sad but accurate in this context. And like I said – it’s revenge in relation to his chances with new girls. It’s insane that it’s being censored.

I do not think that Taylor meant it as any offense towards gay people, but that it can be taken as that and encourage that sort of language. In that verse of the song, she says she’ll call him gay as revenge for him calling her obsessive and crazy. Gay is not a synonym for obsessive and crazy, and is not an insult.

On a lighter note, this character Taylor is interpreting is ready for revenge. “gay” is not an insult, and if she wants to offend him, she could do better!

I agree with Tavi, Taylor not trying to offend people who are gay.. the song is more toward high school setting. the guy in the song is most likly one of those tough guys and it would hurt their rep. if the word around school was he was gay. it’s a high school thing. no one should be attacking offened if they are not gay, becasue how do they know what people who are gay think of that line. and the dating part, it is another high school, i’m sure that thing happens around my school. and the dad part. most dad’s would be mad if so guy hurt their little girl it’s a protetvie thing. some people commenting don’t even like her songs, so why comment. i don’t like how they change it for tv and radio.. i’m not offended by the line of I’ll tell my your gay.” they i gusse people should be offened by a line stated by Jorja Fox’s charater on ER. Dr.Maggie Dolye who was gay. was talking to a co-wroker about how a head doctor was pushing her around and then maggie say “I gusse anything gose with the gay girl.” (or was it doctor?) anyways is that offenive too.. i don’t think so. i think so people need to chill

I guess I have been living under a rock, because today was the first time I heard the song differently (I only listed to the song on XM Radio-and congrats to XM, leaving it unedited). The only reason I like this song is because of her reference to her boyfriend being gay. I am gay, and I find the song unoffensive in the least bit, and until this moment, thought country music, was being somewhat open-minded allowing a song like this on the airwaves.

She’s not trying to hurt his rep, she’s trying to hurt his dating prospects.

Chris: But she is still using the word gay as a pejorative.

How would that hurt his dating prospects wince girls–especially high school girls–love gay guys?

I think you are all thinking too much and want to find something wrong with the artist/song. How many of us after a relationship ended fantasized about trashing the ex’s house/apartment? if you say Id never even think of that…ur lying. I love the song, and the video.

and please escuse my grammer errors its both late and early as you can see smileyface

That the term “gay ” has once again become ingrained in our culture as an epithet makes it worse, not better.

Lets assume for a minute that “The Truth” is correct, and Taylor isn’t degrading gays with her use of the term. However, her form of revenge (telling everyone the guy is gay so girls won’t date him) is immature and petty.

Either way, Swift comes across as unsympathetic in this particular song.

She is going to tell everyone that he is bright and happy?

In the words of Dennis Miller, “I think so little of the difference in human sexuality that I refuse to treat you as a fabrige egg…you are part of the human collective: come, join in our reindeer games, you too can be poked fun at.”

This Politically Correct nonsense has to stop. There are worse things played in other genres everyday. Let us speak how like.

The difference is that country music is SUPPOsED to appeal to 40 year old guys. Its SUPPOSED to be better than bubble gum.

i seriously dont see anything wrong with anything in this song. go to a public elementary school and you’ll hear the kids running around calling everything gay. is this because they listen to country? no, most kids in DPS dont listen to country. let taylor express her freedom of speach and say whatever she wants in her songs. if you want to bash on the ethics of songs and the use of “profanity” and how they impact people, then go listen to some rap music.

The only offensive thing about this whole song is the one sided, immature, PC review it got here.

If you morons would stop to listen to the song from the viewpoint it was intended, you’d see the commentary on “young love”. And this is exactly how someone young and in love would act.

I hate to break it to you, but the word gay can be used inoffensively. Have a problem with it? Take it up with the homosexuals who hijacked the word to begin with

The gay line was saying
“You tell a lie about me,I’ll tell one about you”
And,frankly,I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!(and the only thing I hate more than her is people that take any SONG out of proportion,it’s a SONG.If you don’t like it shut the radio off or turn it to a different station)

Taylor has no talent as a singer. When she does grow up, she could MAYBE function as a good songwriter.
And, LeAnn Rimes was more mature than Taylor at age 13 when her debut album was released.

I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!!!
She writes about experiences that happen to her and her feelings about those experiences. This song is meant to be fun. I think that you are way over analyzing this song. Taylor Swift is an amazing song writer and singer and deserves way more credit then you are giving her.

Taylor swift did well on this song, and the best part of the song was that line that got removed. Do you guys not forget that this is country music? Of which the demographic is rednecks? When did we forget we like offensive lyrics, and really thats not offensive, its just funny. Get off your damn high horse, and if you dont like her music than write about something else.

Speaking as a gay woman in her 30s, I just adore Taylor Swift and was not the least bit offended by the lyrics of “Picture to Burn.” It seems to me everyone’s taking the song just a bit too seriously. It’s about a teenage girl going through a breakup and writing this song to kind of get her anger out. I don’t even think it literally means that she’s going to tell his friends that he’s gay, and I do think she means homosexual – that’s why it’s funny. But I don’t think this is a song that’s intended to teach a moral lesson – it’s a teenage girl who’s pissed at her ex, and it’s cute and well-written, and editing that line out of the song just shows how freaking sanitized and overanalyzed our society is. I really think the line is a joke, and a funny one… the girl has a sense of humor. I think it’s ok if we do, too.

I really do not agree with this article. I DO understand your concerns, but I don’t believe she was saying anything against homosexuals by that lyric.

…Let’s say Taylor Swift was a lesbian, and we all knew it. “That’s fine, I’ll tell mine you’re straight.” Now, you might think that by suggesting this I sound ignorant and ridiculous. All I’m saying is that I understand WHY some people are appalled by that one line – homosexuals, historically, have been outcasts in society.

(Then again, that line gives me another thought. If the character in “Picture to Burn” is informing her friends that her ex is gay, then what does that say about herself in the relationship?)

Regardless the fact that she meant it playfully, it’s still offensive to parts of a minority.

I like Taylor Swift and yes, I am gay, but what I don’t understand is how parents are praising the lyrical value of this song? Yes, I 110% agree that this genre of music is better than mediocre crap like Lil’ Wayne and 3Oh!3 and such but the fact that a derogatory term is used (and being defended for) is discombobulating. I agree, teenagers do use that term on a daily basis as playful banter but you’ll also have to realize that they also use the “n word” along with other foul language. Just because they say it and they’re immature, or “not adults” for all you compassionate readers, doesn’t make it right.

And even though she did write this when she was Sophomore in High School, it shouldn’t have been published/aired on the radio. It’s drawing negative attention to her. But overall, I think she’s an amazing artist who’s come a long way; lyrically and vocally.

That’s my two cents. And if people are wondering if I’m pro or con this discussion, I’m pro Taylor but con on “Picture to Burn.”

P.S. It does sound pitchy if I must add a musical critique to it.