From day to day the tabloid and gossip machine churns and spurts out the daily, if not periodic spin to grab the attention of the pop culture audience. There are those who are chomping at the bits for their daily dosage of "who did who wrong" sensationalism spins as well as the latest paparrazis photo exploits to get the adrenaline pumping and the gossip machine cranking full speed ahead. It seems the majority of those who report and could make a positive difference in pop mania instead seek to kill inspiration or at least place a chilling effect on it.
Today the pop world is abuzz about the purported calling out of John Mayer in Taylor Swift's new song entitled "Dear John". For those who don't know,Mayer has written a number of inspiring songs that have been warming the hearts of fans for years. But you may not know this if you focus entirely on the constant spin of dating news that seems to circulate without end throughout the mediasphere. You almost have to conduct your own independent research.
I've skimmed through most of the spins about Taylor's purported song about John and the two being romantically linked, including the Perez Hilton account as well as the other web gossip magazines and even some new faces in the category. Its good to keep abreast about what is happening in pop culture across the spectrum. Today's stories on this topic range from how John Mayer has broken the heart of a young teenager to whether the two were dating, were romantically linked or have had sex. The song is on her forthcoming album and the lyrics must have been burning a whole in someone's pocket to be released because they have been tossed around the web like wildfire and have really caused a stir. If only there was another way to leak a song to the public and get such undivided attention. Go figure!
The word is and once again John Mayer has been denigrated and reduced to an insensitive and non-caring cad. Those who have met and know John are probably thinking to themselves "Here we go again with the pop spin which is in his case often laced with a good amount of shock value and sensation to get and keep people buzzing about the incident for days. In this case and so many others in the recent past,it seems John has taken more than his fair share of these kinds of hits to his character. Even if its true, there should be more an effort to tone it down than to fire it up.That he would break the heart of America's pop princess on the heel of another,well, is of course being touted as and really is unthinkable. My response is this,there are several songs on Taylor's upcomong CD "Speak Now". There was also a song that she sang on the Video music awards that even though was an act of forgiving Kanye West could have very well had John's name on it as well. John was 32 at the time she wrote and sang that very same song for Kanye who is also 32 . In the song she refers to the man to whom she sings it as an innocent and as being 32. See my previous blog post about that below.
My point is before the pop culture medium is filled with speculation that could impact a sensitive singer songwriter's reputation and image,and perhaps undeservedly so,at least give a listen to the other songs. Also, be circumspect about jumping on the bandwagon of any spin without doing your research and due diligence. You just may discover that you have a substantive angle to share that could possibly blow the previous spin out of the water. And, even if you don't care to take the time,at least give the person accused the benefit of the doubt until you get the complete story.
Incidentally, you can find the lyrics to "Dear John" here.
Dear John
I see it all now that you're gone
Don't you think I was too young
To be messed with
The girl in the dress
Cried the whole way home
I should've known.
It was wrong
Don't you think nineteen's too young
To be played
By your dark, twisted games
When I loved you so.
My mother accused me of losing my mind
But I swore I was fine
You'll add my name to your long list of traitors
Who don't understand
And I'll look back in regret
I ignored what they said 'Run as fast as you can."
My previous article about Taylor's song forgiving Kanye West can be found here.http://cynthiadwilson.blogspot.com/2010/09/song-for-kanye-its-about-forgiveness.html
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Song for Kanye: It's About Forgiveness
