(column)
I had no idea Taylor Swift was this big. I had heard of Taylor, of course, and I knew she was a famous pop star, but I now see her fame is at a whole nother level. These past few weeks I have read about how famous she has gotten, reading how she is filling out gigantic football stadiums all over the country for three nights in a row on her Eras Tour. With many tickets going for more than $1,000.
A few weeks back, having my interest peaked, I started watching some of Taylor’s music videos on YouTube. Now, today’s music isn’t my thing. I prefer the tunes from the 70s and 80s. But I have to say I have been impressed with Taylor Swift. She is certainly talented and beautiful and there is a magnetism about her that is hard to define but still real as can be. Her songs are pretty great, too. Am I on my way to becoming a Swiftie?
(At this moment, you might be thinking what the heck does this guy know. He is probably the last person in the world who should be opining about Taylor Swift. But, heck, I have to write about something. And for some reason I do have this column. But, I digress.)
And, there Taylor was on Sunday night sitting in a luxury suite at MetLife Stadium in New York. She was there to watch her new ‘boyfriend’ Travis Kelce play football for the Kansas City Chiefs. And, the funny thing was, Taylor’s presence seemed to be the biggest deal since the moon landing. Who cares, I thought. She is just sitting there watching a football game. What’s the big deal?
But, a lot of people certainly did. An average of 27 million people tuned into the Chiefs-Jets game making it the most-watched Sunday TV show since the Super Bowl. A cynic would say this new relationship is just a way for Taylor to get publicity for her new movie which is coming out soon, but I don’t want to believe this is true. Perhaps, she has finally found true love.
Younger people than me may think this Taylormania is something that has never happened before. But, I have seen something similar.
My family had just moved to Virginia and I was entering my third grade year. We were temporarily living with my aunt and uncle, and one night we went to the grocery store and rented our first movie on VHS. We picked Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’.
When we got to the house, I can still remember how my brothers, sister and cousins all jumped around and danced with glee trying to imitate Michael Jackson’s amazing moves. Even my aunt was getting into the groove. Michael Jackson appealed to everyone, both young and old. And his legions of fans were all over the world.
My point: While it is rare there is nothing that new about someone reaching an astronomical level of stardom like Taylor Swift is now. I have seen it before with Michael Jackson, and my parents’ generation saw it with Elvis Presley.
And, there is nothing, on the surface, that is wrong with this. It is fun to be a passionate fan of your favorite artist or athlete. It is fun to been in awe of the talent of others.
Musicians have a deep connection with their fans. It’s there artwork, after all, that helps millions of people get through the tough times and the great times in their lives. A few weeks ago, the death of musician Jimmy Buffett struck me and millions like me pretty hard. He was in my top five favorite of all time. Yes, the world would be a depressing place if Don McLean’s old song ever comes to pass and a day comes when the music dies.
Now, on the other hand, of course, there is something wrong if we put any of our fellow human beings on too high of a pedestal. The Good Book warns against that.
My other concern for Taylor Swift is that things usually don’t end too well for those who reach her level of stardom. It certainly didn’t for Michael Jackson, Elvis or Marilyn Monroe. The last few years of their lives seemed to be a living hell.
But, Taylor is not them. She is her own girl. Her Love Story has yet to be written.
David W. Healy is the sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com.
