SINGER, TAYLOR, EXPOSURE -- WHY?

You say you want a revolution...

Certain entertainers revolutionized show business in their day. Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Brown, the Clash, Madonna, Nirvana, Public Enemy, Michael Jackson -- all were known for their electrifying performances, their hold on audiences, their huge record sales, their influence on others in their field, and, of course, their music.

Then there's Taylor Swift, who, at 33, has become the world's latest billionaire. You could fill the Indian Ocean with articles detailing her business savvy, love life, her frantically loyal fans... Everything but her music.

Re-read those names in the first paragraph. You likely have heard most of them at one time or another. But Taylor Swift? How many of her songs can you name? Have you heard any of them more than once? Would you know her if you heard her, as you would most of those previously-named singers, even if you don't like them?

Let me say it now: Taylor Swift's music is secondary to her fame. 

Now, I respect that she's likely the only Top 40 entertainer of her time who has not only kept her original fans, but has gained younger ones over the years. She's also the only one who actually sells big numbers in actual CDs and vinyl, not just streaming and downloading. Her last album was released in four different covers, and her fans bought each one. 

Want to know how else they're loyal? When Swift started re-recording her early albums (you can read why here), all those teenyboppers have been buying them, even though they already owned the originals. Again, the music is secondary to the care and feeding of their already-well cared for and fed idol. 

Cheering on her boyfriend... or laughing at
the media falling for the hype again?

It's not just her fans that are Swift's human marionettes. In the weeks leading up to the release of her concert movie The Eras Tour, she just happened to begin dating Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. And then started showing up to his games, where -- surprise! -- she was on camera every time Klece did what ever the hell it is tight ends do. (Go ahead and laugh at my sports ignorance. But do you think Taylor Swift knew, either, without her friend in the skybox whispering it in her ear?) Even the Wall Street Journal sports columnist wrote two pieces in a row about Swift attracting more eyeballs to the game -- or, rather, the games she's attending. 

I never heard of Travis Kelce before l'affaire Swift. The only athletes I'm familiar with are those who are either great, juiced-up, or criminals. But I guess now I'll have to include "Taylor Swift boyfriend" to that list. 

Enjoy it while you can, laughing boy.

As for Taylor Swift I'm familiar enough with her to know that once Kelce has served his purpose, she's going to do what she always does: kick him to the curb harder than he does a football, then write a song detailing what a lousy boyfriend he was. And while I'll never hear it, I'll also never hear the end of it from her fans: Why are her boyfriends so mean? 

Better to ask, Which college is going to hire her to teach Marketing 101?

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