FEATURE:
The Alchemy
IN THIS PHOTO: Madonna photographed for Rolling Stone in 1984/PHOTO CREDIT: Steven Meisel
The Generation Differences of Experiencing the Rise and Dominance of the Music Icon
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THERE has been a lot written…
IN THIS PHOTO: Taylor Swift/PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Garrabrant
about Taylor Swift’s latest album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. Some see the album as not breaking ground and the same as her other albums. There have been big reviews like this. This is another one. A double album, some argue it could be edited better. Many fans love the album, though many have come out to say that it is not that interesting or different. One cannot argue against the fact that its creator is an icon. The biggest artist of her generation. There is almost this hegemony where Taylor Swift is dominant. Having won so many awards, broken records and been a part of one of the biggest tours of all time – her Eras Tour -, she is someone who has a legion of fans. Every one of her albums get so much hype and explosion. So many features and discussion. You can do your research, but there are so many articles written that dissect and discuss THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. I am not a massive Taylor Swift fan myself, though I admire her as an artist. She is a tremendous songwriter. Someone who is hugely inspiring and a modern icon. She will put out many more albums and no doubt appear in and direct films. I think we get to a point where each album she puts out will get more and more attention and scrutiny. It will break streaming records, sell massive units and then scoop loads of awards. Some would say that is deserved, though some would counter that it is because it is Taylor Swift: it would be wrong not to garner an artist and album with that much acclaim. One of the of the downsides of all this fame and focus means that Swift cannot really enjoy a private life in the way she would. I think she is also subjected to much more criticism than many artists. Also, a sense of pressure that future albums need to top what came before.
Taylor Swift is breaking records that Madonna previously held. Perhaps the two most successful female artists ever, Swift wants to distance herself from Madonna. That said, it won’t be long until the two collaborate on something. Madonna is in mind, as she is still touring. The Celebration Tour is a phenomenon. Sitting alongside Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour as the biggest and most successful. Full of spectacle and wonder. Three music queens producing something history-making. I think Taylor Swift very much reminds people of Madonna. Not just in terms of the fact they are blonde Americans. In terms of what they have achieved in their golden days. One could say Madonna was the biggest artist in the world from the 1980s through to the 1990s. Her 1980s was hugely successful. Taylor Swift enjoying the same acclaim and peaks in the 2020s. I have been thinking about Madonna as more than one of her albums celebrates a big anniversary this year (Like a Virgin turns forty later in the year). I grew up listening to Madonna, so I am experiencing two music icons in different times. Comparing the experience of the modern icon and ones from the past. Both Taylor Swift and Madonna are massively acclaimed and brilliant artist, yet they have risen and reached their peak at very different times. In terms of how Madonna rose and became an icon. How Taylor Swift has today. It takes nothing away from the achievements of each, yet I feel the feeling and sensations you feel now are perhaps not as potent and enduring as they were back in the 1980s and 1990s.
One could say that Taylor Swift will go on to become more celebrated and successful than Madonna. This would have seemed inconceivable a few years ago even though, with her streaming figures and album sales rising – not to mention her huge wealth -, we are in a position where we may be witnessing an artist who is going to be the most successful woman of all time. Not that Madonna can be dethroned as the Queen of Pop – I am not sure whether Swift would call he music ‘Pop’ -, but we might be living through a time that we will never see again. In terms of a single artist achieving as much. When I was young, I experienced Madonna through traditional sources of the time: MTV, music T.V in general, radio and print media/music magazines. I was born in the same year her eponymous debut came out (1983), so I was very young watching her go from this promising artist to a world-straddling legend. Maybe 1989’s Like a Prayer was the moment where she was untouchable and unstoppable. Today, on tour and inspiring countless artists, she is still this amazingly important person and icon. Her impact will never fade. There are differences in how icons are made and how we make them today. In terms of the past, a lot of the reason Madonna became an icon – apart from the music – was because of her distinct music videos, the innovative nature of her tours, in addition to the fact her music was played on radio and we read interviews about her. All forms of media sharing their opinions on her. Pre-Internet, there was a slower build but one that was more exciting and enduing. I am not sure, if Madonna came through now, there would be quite the same affect and feeling now.
It is hard to explain. I think the Internet and social media now can make an icon faster. Taylor Swift able to share clips of songs and teasers. So much of the marketing and feedback is done online. You do see her music videos played, though I think the role of radio and music T.V. is far less important than social media and digital reviews. Her tours are also important. I think most of her acclaim and popularity has come in a shorter time. Swift has always been popular; the past few years have been particularly busy and eventful. A real explosion. Building from albums such as 2020’s folklore, this acceleration has been fuelled by social media, momentum and, obviously, a gifted and wonderful artist evolving and going from strength to strength. In decades to come, we will talk of Taylor Swift and think of her as one of the best artists of all time. Swift might well endure as long as Madonna, though I think it is less likely she may be touring like Madonna is now at the age of sixty-five. Swift has re-recorded some of her studio albums. I think it is easier to make an icon now, as there is so many more media outlets now. A much bigger network who can share music really fast. Does this take something away from the phenomenon of crowning and celebrating an icon?! I suppose the more we go digital and the more the Internet takes charge, things are going to feel different. I wanted to use Taylor Swift and Madonna as two icons from different times – though both are touring and recording at the same time. Growing up between Madonna albums and seeing this evolution and transformation. Different looks and sounds. The magazine articles and press discussion around her. She faced criticism and sexism, yet Madonna always came out fighting and was this indomitable artist who was in a league of her own.
Today, we have Taylor Swift. The embodiment of a modern-day icon. Someone who has the same fame and popularity as Madonna in her regency. It is wonderful seeing her get good press and doing so well. Whilst it is exciting and like we are part of history, there is something a little numb about it. Maybe it is the sheer amount of press and wave of acclaim that seems overwhelming. I think that the way an icon was constructed and defined decades ago was more impactful and dug deeper than it does today. Whether things are more mechanical. There is definitely something missing. I look back at old photos of Madonna and some early clips. That rush of nostalgia and warmth. In many ways, it is a great and strange time to be around. Remembering days where icons like Madonna and Prince were made. How that made us feel. How they endure and influence to this day. Being around now to see Taylor Swift rule and break records. It made me think about those differences and what separates them. Everything now is so much faster and full-on. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. Maybe good in some ways as we can see and hear more from an artist a lot faster. What is clear that two living icons (look at what Madonna is still capable of doing - over four decades since her debut album came out!), Madonna and Taylor Swift, are going to be adored and revered…
FOR decades more.