Provocative playlist

Apparently the fairy tale dream of a head-over-heels romance is not as outdated and far fetched as a modern day woman might think – that is unless you’re above the musical stylings of Taylor Swift.

I made my less-than ideal opinions about the adorable (she is, you can’t deny it, I’ve tried) country youngster’s single when it hit airwaves months ago. It seemed several versions of the song were playing alternately on every one of my pre-set radio channels, so I never missed it.

I thought the ladies of the world had given up on ye olden thyme love story and Swift’s affair with her own personal 21st century Romeo just didn’t seem realistic – it was almost patronizing. The song was cutsie sweet, even for teenage Swift. It was like taking a big bite of cotton candy to find it so sweet it makes your teeth ache. Do that much longer and you’ll get a cavity, which is precisely why I made a personal commitment to abstain from listening to the song ever again. As usual, life had different plans for me, and existence would soon lead me to a head-on collision with the power of music.

Soon thereafter, I spent an afternoon working with a friend, let’s call her Mary. Mary and I were both immersed in our tasks at hand but aware of each other’s presence, when out of the studious silence came the ultimate note of annoyance, as I heard Swift’s sugar-coated lyrics buzz out of my dear friend’s earbuds.

Now I’ve known Mary for a while – we’re good buddies and joke around from time to time, but not to the point where I could give her the lowdown on my thoughts about that song, let alone her taste in music. Instead I shook my head and tried to drown out the three minutes and 55 seconds just for my friend to hit the repeat button. She would hit the repeat button several times before the message was driven home for me that day.

I was wrong. Some young ladies today have held on tight and true to the dream of young love and the prospects of one day running into their prince. To my dismay, Miss Swift’s case does apply to love stories of today.

The song depicts every girl’s favorite trait in a man: indecisive commitment. Romeo was noncommittal, coming in and out of Swift’s life depending on his mood and whether he could find a better offer.

I know Mary’s enjoyment of the song comes from the place deep in her heart where she looks forward to the wonderful and sometimes stressful times when “love is difficult but it’s real,” she will spend with a special someone one day.

I just hope when he kneels down, pulls out a ring and whispers “I love you and that’s all I really know,” she questions him on his goals and insurance plan before she falls deliriously happy into his arms. That’s all I ask.

So girls, keep fighting the good fight with faith intact and one day your prince will come. Chances are he will be a little rough around the edges, but that’s how he will steal your heart. I promise he will be worth the wait.

KAYLA CHRISTOPHERSON-HOLMAN
Culture Coordinator

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