Rather than get bitter, a girl tells a boy to “Stay Beautiful” as he moves on without her. Swift also offers encouragement to an insecure friend tempted to give love away “like it’s extra change” on “Tied Together With a Smile” (“The only one who doesn’t see your beauty is the face in the mirror”). She confronts an uncertain future with optimism and enough maturity to realize that she’ll learn some lessons the hard way (“A Place in This World”). “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)” shares a tale of childhood sweethearts who marry, weather some storms and anticipate growing old together. A few songs acknowledge God or speak of prayer.
“Cold as You” and “Teardrops on My Guitar” use “d–n.” Lines on “Our Song” refer in passing to a “lovin’ bed” and dishonoring parents by “sneakin’ out late.” On the hit single “Tim McGraw,” Swift reminisces about a boyfriend whose truck “had a tendency of getting stuck on back roads at night.” Angry with an ex and worried he’ll spread stories about her, she threatens to tell her friends that he’s gay (“Picture to Burn”). She accuses a boyfriend of sleeping with another girl on “Should’ve Said No.”
This 18-year-old has talent and charm. It’s too bad a handful of positive songs get bushwhacked by others containing mild profanities and banjo-backed sassiness that crosses the line.
Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.
