Single Review – ‘Mine’ – Taylor Swift

14 years ago Liv Carter 10

Taylor Swift returns with ‘Mine’, the first single taken from forthcoming album, ‘Speak Now’.

Rush-released to radio after the song leaked online, ‘Mine’ is a typical Taylor swift song. Depending on your existing opinion, this is either a good or a bad thing. In the story, she is working out abandonment and daddy issues by virtue of finding a guy who does not leave at the first sign of trouble. That, added to the references to college and bills, make it superficially sound a little more mature, but the problem here is: I don’t believe her. It is a story she has not lived. Hearing her sing about worrying about having household bills to pay when that’s never been a worry a day in her life feels forced and a little disingenuous. Maybe that’s a slightly unfair critique but it added to the song lacking in belief.

Sonically, this is a pop song; it is not even trying to sound like a country song. Taylor’s thin vocals need more support than the very paint-by-numbers production offers her.

Though still developing her songwriting, Taylor should be careful she does not start writing to a formula. The structure of ‘Mine’ is the same as several of her previous tunes, in particular ‘Love Story’, down to the bridge depicting a conflict and the boy declaring his love for the girl in a variation of the chorus. In the end, this single is not going to advance or hinder Taylor’s career. Most of her existing fans will uncritically like this; most of her existing critics will not find anything to change their minds.

My biggest problem with Taylor’s songs has been the underlying message in pretty much her entire body of work – that as a girl your happiness and sense of self are entirely dependent on the boy in your life. In ‘Mine’, again, the girl does not resolve her issue on her own but because of her boyfriend. Hopefully Taylor will mature her songwriting past this in the near future.

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Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.

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Artists + songwriters

Anonymous

I agree with pretty much everything you said! Taylor is purposely trying to sound more mature in her lyrics and it is definitely too forced. Her vocals sound terrible and the song doesn't sound country at all. It sounds like all of her other songs and I'm bored with it.
Anonymous

Got to say this review hits the nail on the head. The thing is, #3 on Hot 100, enters at #26 on the Country Chart #1 Digital Download…are these people hearing what we are hearing or are tone deaf teens driving this song to the top?
Anonymous

I couldn't have said it better myself! Taylor Swift cannot sing!! She sounds horrible to begin with and don't try to tell me she is anything close to COUNTRY!! I f it wasn't for the younger audience I don't think she would have a chance. If they like her, then good, take her to the pop stations! Many people have complained about her live performances and how horrible they are. If they would stop playing people like this and helping them climb to the top where they DON"T belong, then the good artists could get where they deserve to be! Artists like CHRIS YOUNG, Easton Corbin, etc. actually are country and they sound AMAZING. They are truly good country artists that should make it to the top everytime!!!
Anonymous

"My biggest problem with Taylor's songs has been the underlying message in pretty much her entire body of work – that as a girl your happiness and sense of self are entirely dependent on the boy in your life"
i've been saying this for a while now. i really don't like how she represents girls in her music! she makes us look like we're lost without men.
Anonymous

This song is not even close to being country. I have not heard Taylor say that she is a country singer. She doesn't promote the country music format. She remixes.

Country radio should not cater to Taylor. Play music from artists that are proud to be in country music and say it. Play more of Brad, Carrie, Keith, Miranda, Rascal Flatts, etc.
Anonymous

already at #8 on billboard top 100 and going down on itunes so maybe people are starting to notice the vocals
UC

@ anonymous 1:21 – Thanks. I keep hearing people say how good a role model she for girls is and while I respect her for not falling out of nightclubs at 3am, I think the 'girls needs to be saved by boys' message isn't what I would teach ant daughter of mine.

@ anonymous 9:59 – It's an odd fact that all of Taylor's most recent singles fell down the charts very quickly.
Anonymous

I'm not a Taylor Swift fan but I've heard all her songs on the radio at one point or another and in every song of hers she has never said, "I need a boy in my life to make me happy." As far as I can tell it's, this person, who is special in my life. My romeo or my whatever makes me happy and I want them in my life. When you love someone or think you do, of course you're going to fight for them.
Anonymous

@ anon 3:20 in love song she says something about waiting outside of this guys house all night. does that not sound desperate and needy to you??
Torrent Download

I love Taylor Swift as an artist. I love her albums and she is a fox. As with all music either it hits you, it grows on you , or you don't much care for the song…….I reserve the right for the growth option on that one…."Crazier" and "Today Was A Fairy Tale" are hitters.

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