Levi Meyer

I have an STD.
Don’t worry, my nether regions are fine. I have a Surplus of Taylor Disorder. See? S. T. D. It’s what everyone contracts when they listen to too much Taylor Swift.
After 20 hours of road-tripping over fall break with a Taylor Swift fan, I was infected. I listened to song after song, each telling a similar tale about finding true love or losing what used to be love.
Every song either sends a message about finding the man of her dreams (perhaps John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Werewolf Boy, or that one guy from Glee) or how her ex-boyfriends are lifeless scumbags (John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Werewolf Boy, or that one guy from Glee). Don’t forget about Kanye, either. After being introduced to Swift’s entire musical repertoire, I came to a clear conclusion.
Taylor Swift is insane.
America’s pop-country sensation seems to have a knack for convincing men she is unstable. Consequently, her music also seems to speak to a large portion of the teen female demographic. Whether she’s gushing over a prospective hubby or wishing his blood was gushing on the floor, Swift speaks to women, and men are the ones who are paying the price.
But how does she do it? What is the secret of her madness?
First of all, Swift seems to have some sort of obsession with finding the “perfect” man. A large portion of her songs describe some sort of ideal boyfriend who always knows exactly what to say and how to sweep her off her feet. Just listen to “Love Story” or “Mine.”
A muscular, sharp-jawed hunk from humble beginnings uses his sensitivity and loyalty to make Swift fall swiftly in love. Then come the wedding bells and the little Taylor Swifts. It’s exactly what happens in the “Mine” music video.
Songs and videos like this are what make normal men so frustrated. How is an everyday joe supposed to compete with the romantic and understanding super-boyfriend that only exists in music videos? Swift gives everyone unrealistic expectations, which puts pressure on men to be something that they obviously are not – perfect.
These videos also put men in danger. When Swift enters ex-boyfriend kill mode, no man is safe. Using music as her motor, she convinces women that an ex-boyfriend must be humiliated and injured to the last ounce of his life. It doesn’t matter if he made a mistake or if the relationship just wasn’t going to work out. Ex-boyfriends are to be disposed of, and all evidence of a relationship must be destroyed.
Aside from all of the insane ex-boyfriend hunting and wedding bell chiming, Swift must be careful of what message she sends to her largest fan base— tween girls. I’m all for women who are independent and strong-willed. My favorite women, including my mom and my girlfriend, embody both of these characteristics. It’s what makes them powerful and respected. However, they are also kind, sensitive, and caring.
I don’t see or hear an ounce of sensitivity coming from Swift’s albums. With a demographic as sensitive as pre-teen girls, Swift should be more responsible as a pop icon and a role model. I wonder if she really wants all little girls to be as insensitive and spiteful as she is in some of her music videos. Teenagers are mean enough – no need to make them even meaner.
As Swift’s new album “Speak Now” hits the shelves Monday, I hope Swift will be more mindful of the demographic that she speaks to. But honestly, I have a feeling that teenage girls will have 14 new Taylor Swifts songs to either channel their inner brides or feed their vindictive minds.