Taylor Swift Accepts Woman of the Decade Award | Women In Music

Summary

Taylor Swift delivers a powerful acceptance speech as Billboard's Woman of the Decade, reflecting on her journey, the challenges faced by women in the music industry, and the importance of perseverance. She addresses the criticism and scrutiny women endure, her own experiences with industry changes, and the need for continued advocacy. Swift also touches on the impact of private equity on music rights and expresses gratitude for the support from fellow artists. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of music's role in people's lives and the need to nurture the next generation of musicians.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Taylor Swift was honored as Billboard's Woman of the Decade, reflecting her significant impact on the music industry over the past ten years.
• 🎤 She emphasized the challenges faced by women in the music industry, including skepticism about their success and the need to constantly prove themselves.
• 💔 Swift discussed the criticism she received, particularly after her album 'Fearless' won Album of the Year at the Grammys, and how she used it as fuel to push herself further.
• 🔄 She highlighted the constant need for female artists to evolve and surpass their previous achievements to maintain their place in the industry.
• 🐍 Taylor addressed the issue of her music catalog being sold without her consent, criticizing the involvement of private equity firms in the music industry.
• 🌟 She praised other female artists like Lana Del Rey for their resilience and influence, and called for continued support and advocacy for women in music.
• 🎶 Swift acknowledged the power of social media in boosting artists' careers and the importance of fair revenue models for creators in the digital age.
• 💬 She called for better representation and opportunities for women in all aspects of the music industry, not just as performers but also in production and decision-making roles.
• 🌈 Taylor expressed gratitude for her fans' support and her desire to continue making music that resonates with them, regardless of external pressures.
• 🎉 She concluded by focusing on the future, the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians, and the enduring power of music to connect and inspire.

Q & A

Who is the speaker of this speech?

The speaker is Taylor Swift.

What honor is Taylor Swift receiving from Billboard?

Taylor Swift is being honored as Woman of the Decade by Billboard.

What was Taylor Swift's breakthrough album?

Her breakthrough album was 'Fearless'.

How did Taylor Swift perceive the challenges faced by women in the music industry?

Taylor Swift perceived that women in the music industry often face skepticism about their success, with doubts about whether their achievements are due to their own talents or due to male producers, co-writers, or record labels.

What was Taylor Swift's response to criticisms about her singing voice?

In response to criticisms about her singing voice, Taylor Swift decided to work on her vocals every day and perfect her stamina for live shows.

What did Taylor Swift do to combat the criticism that she was dating too much?

Taylor Swift chose to be single for years to counter the criticism about her dating life.

How did Taylor Swift react to the criticism that her album 'Red' had too many breakup songs?

In response to the criticism, Taylor Swift made an album about moving to New York and focusing on her friendships.

What significant action did Taylor Swift take regarding the ownership of her music?

Taylor Swift took the action to be the only songwriter on her third album, 'Speak Now', to assert her creative control and ownership.

What is Taylor Swift's view on the role of social media in the music industry?

Taylor Swift views social media as a powerful tool that can boost the breakthrough of emerging artists and increase fan engagement.

What issue does Taylor Swift raise about the music industry's relationship with private equity?

Taylor Swift raises concerns about the unregulated world of private equity buying up music as if it were real estate, which she experienced firsthand when her entire music catalog was sold without her approval, consultation, or consent.

How does Taylor Swift feel about the support she received from other women in the industry?

Taylor Swift feels immensely grateful and appreciative of the vocal support she received from other women in the industry during a difficult time.

What advice does Taylor Swift have for the next generation of female artists?

Taylor Swift advises the next generation of female artists to continue creating and not let obstacles like criticism slow down their creative forces.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Honoring the Decade's Journey

Taylor begins her speech by expressing her gratitude to Billboard for naming her Woman of the Decade. She reflects on her career, starting from her debut album at 16 to her breakthrough album 'Fearless'. She discusses the challenges faced by women in the music industry, including skepticism about their success and the need to constantly prove themselves. Taylor shares her experiences with criticism and how she used it to fuel her music, creating songs like 'Mean', 'Shake It Off', and 'Blank Space'. She also talks about the backlash she faced after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys and her decision to respond by becoming the sole songwriter on her third album, 'Speak Now', and improving her live performances.

05:00

🎭 Navigating Criticism and Change

Taylor addresses the continuous cycle of criticism and the changes she made in response, such as taking a break from dating and altering her music style. She criticizes the double standards faced by women in music, highlighting how they are scrutinized for their personal lives and appearances. Taylor praises fellow artists like Lana Del Rey for persevering despite criticism and becoming influential. She emphasizes the importance of not letting obstacles like criticism hinder creativity and names several female artists who are currently making an impact in the music industry. She also discusses the challenges women face in the music industry, advocating for their representation in recording studios and behind the scenes.

10:00

📈 The Impact of Streaming and Private Equity

Taylor talks about the rapid changes in the music industry, particularly the rise of streaming and the challenges it presents for revenue generation for artists. She expresses her concerns about the unregulated world of private equity buying up music catalogs, sharing her personal experience of her music catalog being sold without her consent. She criticizes the lack of communication from the new owners and the concept of artists' work being treated as real estate. Taylor also acknowledges the support she received from other women in the industry during this difficult time.

15:02

🌟 Looking Forward to the Future of Music

In the final paragraph, Taylor reflects on the progress made in the music industry over the past decade, including increased awareness, inclusion, and the ability to call out unfairness. She discusses the power of social media in boosting artists' careers and the importance of supporting the next generation of musicians. Taylor shares a personal anecdote about her speech on her 25th birthday, where she called for the protection and fair compensation of female artists, which led to a significant deal with Universal. She concludes by celebrating the golden decade and expressing her intention to continue making music and focusing on her own creative desires.

Keywords

💡Woman of the Decade

This term refers to the honor given to Taylor Swift by Billboard, recognizing her significant contributions and impact on the music industry over the past decade. It signifies her growth from a young country artist to a global pop icon, and her resilience in the face of criticism and challenges. The award also highlights her influence on other female artists and her advocacy for equal rights and recognition in the music industry.

💡Fearless

In the context of the script, 'Fearless' refers to Taylor Swift's breakthrough album that marked a turning point in her career, propelling her to international fame. It symbolizes her boldness in exploring beyond her country music roots and embracing a broader musical landscape. The album's success also led to increased scrutiny and criticism, which she addresses in her speech, showing how she used these experiences to fuel her creativity and determination.

💡Criticism

Criticism is a recurring theme in the script, reflecting the challenges Taylor Swift faced throughout her career. It encompasses the skepticism and negative comments about her abilities, her success, and her personal life. Swift discusses how she transformed these criticisms into creative fuel, producing songs like 'Mean' and 'Shake It Off' that both respond to and rise above the negativity. This keyword underscores the resilience and strength required in the face of public scrutiny.

💡Artistic Expression

Artistic expression is central to the script, as Taylor Swift discusses how she used her music to communicate her experiences and respond to the world's perceptions of her. It includes her journey of self-discovery, her exploration of different music genres, and her evolution as an artist. The term highlights the power of art to convey personal narratives and societal observations, as seen in her transformation from a country singer to a pop star and her use of music to address criticism.

💡Advocacy

Advocacy is a key concept in the script, where Taylor Swift talks about her efforts to support and uplift other women in the music industry. She emphasizes the need for continued support and fair treatment of female artists, producers, and songwriters. Swift's advocacy extends to issues like equal pay and recognition, as well as the broader challenges faced by women in the industry, such as the pressure to meet unrealistic standards and the unique forms of criticism they face.

💡Resilience

Resilience is a core theme in the speech, as Taylor Swift reflects on how she and other female artists have faced and overcome adversity. It is illustrated through her personal experiences of dealing with criticism, her determination to prove her abilities, and her commitment to continue creating art despite the challenges. The term encapsulates the strength and perseverance required to succeed in the music industry, especially for women who often face additional hurdles.

💡Music Industry

The music industry is the backdrop against which the script unfolds, providing a context for Taylor Swift's journey and the challenges she discusses. It encompasses the business aspects of music, including record deals, streaming, and the evolving landscape of music consumption. Swift's speech touches on the need for the industry to adapt to new technologies and to ensure fair compensation and opportunities for all artists, particularly in the face of rapid changes like the rise of streaming platforms.

💡Private Equity

Private equity is mentioned in the script in relation to the sale of Taylor Swift's music catalog without her consent, highlighting a controversial aspect of the music industry. It refers to the involvement of investment firms in buying and selling music rights, treating them as assets rather than creative works. Swift's experience with private equity underscores the power dynamics and the potential exploitation of artists' rights in the industry.

💡Ownership

Ownership is a significant theme in the script, as Taylor Swift discusses her fight for control over her own music. It reflects the broader issue of artists' rights to their creative work and the challenges they face in maintaining control over their music in an industry often dominated by corporate interests. Swift's struggle with the sale of her catalog without her consent emphasizes the importance of ownership in determining an artist's autonomy and financial security.

💡Support

Support is a recurring motif in the script, as Taylor Swift acknowledges the backing she received from other female artists and fans during difficult times. It highlights the importance of solidarity and community within the music industry, particularly for women who often face unique challenges. The term also extends to the support from fans, which Swift credits for her continued motivation to create music and her ability to navigate the industry's complexities.

💡Artistic Freedom

Artistic freedom is a key concept in the script, as Taylor Swift emphasizes the importance of creating art without being constrained by others' expectations or criticisms. It reflects her evolution from responding to others' opinions to pursuing her own creative vision. The term encapsulates the idea that artists should have the liberty to explore different styles, themes, and expressions without fear of judgment, a principle that Swift advocates for throughout her speech.

Highlights

Taylor expresses gratitude to Billboard for the Woman of the Decade honor.

Reflects on her journey from a young country artist to a global music icon.

Mentions the initial skepticism she faced as a female artist in the industry.

Shares her strategy to overcome criticism by turning it into musical material.

Recalls the backlash she received after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys.

Discusses the pressure to constantly prove herself and exceed expectations.

Taylor's decision to be the sole songwriter on her third album, Speak Now.

Talks about the constant changes she made to address critics' opinions.

Addresses the issue of women in music being held to higher standards.

Praises fellow female artists for their resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.

Criticizes the unregulated world of private equity buying up music catalogs.

Reveals her personal experience with her music catalog being sold without her consent.

Expresses gratitude for the support from other women in the industry during difficult times.

Advocates for continued support and advocacy for women in all aspects of the music industry.

Taylor emphasizes the importance of focusing on music and the fan connection.

Looks forward to the future, focusing on doing what she wants rather than what others say she can't.

Closes with a heartfelt thank you for the 'golden decade' and the honor of being Woman of the Decade.

Transcripts

Absolutely love this one, right?

(audience applauds)

Whew!

This is sort of a, it's not a short speech.

So just, I don't want this to slip and break

'cause it's very important to me.

- I got it.

- Thank you so much.

(audience laughs)

She's so supportive, we all need someone like that.

(laughs)

I'm Taylor, good evening.

I wanna first thank Billboard from the bottom of my heart

for this honor, for--

Whoa, this is going great so far.

(audience laughs)

Excellent, okay.

I wanna say thank you so much to Billboard

for giving me this honor,

for naming me as their Woman of the Decade.

So what does it mean to be the woman of this decade?

Well, it means I've seen a lot.

When this decade began I was 20 years old

and I had put out my self-titled debut album when I was 16,

and then the album that would become my breakthrough album,

which was called Fearless.

And I saw that there was a world of music

and experience beyond country music

that I was really curious about.

I saw pop stations send my songs Love Story

and You Belong With Me to number one for the first time.

And I saw that as a female in this industry,

some people will always have slight reservations about you.

Whether you deserve to be there, whether your male producer

or co-writer is the reason for your success,

or whether it was a savvy record label.

It wasn't.

(audience laughs)

I saw that people love to explain away a woman's success

in the music industry, and I saw something in me change

due to this realization.

This was the decade when I became a mirror

for my detractors.

Whatever they decided I couldn't do is exactly what I did.

- [Audience Member] Woo!

- Oh, I'll take it. (applauding)

Thanks!

Whatever they criticized about me

became material for musical satires

or inspirational anthems,

and the best lyrical examples I can think of

are songs like Mean, Shake It Off, and Blank Space.

Basically if people had something to say about me,

I usually said something back in my own way.

And this reflect dictated more than just my lyrics.

When Fearless did win Album of the Year at the Grammys

and I did become the youngest solo artist to ever win

the award, with that win came criticism and backlash

in 2010 that I'd never experienced before

as a young new artist.

All of a sudden people had doubts about my singing voice,

was it strong enough, was I a little bit pitchy?

All of a sudden they weren't sure if I was the one

writing the songs because sometimes in the past

I had had co-writers in the room.

At that time I couldn't understand

why this wave of harsh criticism had hit me so hard.

I believe a popular headline back then was,

A Swift Backlash, which is clever, you gotta give it to 'em.

(audience laughs)

And now I realize that this is just what happens

to a woman in music if she achieves success or power

beyond people's comfort level.

I now have come to expect that with good news

comes some sort of pushback.

But I didn't know that then.

So then I decided that I would be the only songwriter

on my third album, Speak Now,

and that I would tour constantly,

work on my vocals every day,

and perfect my stamina in a live show.

I decided I would be what they said I couldn't be.

I didn't know then that soon enough

people would decide on something else

I wasn't quite doing right, and then the circle

would keep going on and on and rolling along

and I would keep accommodating, over-correcting,

in an effort to appease my critics.

They're saying I'm dating too much in my 20s?

Okay, I'll stop, I'll just be single.

For years.

(audience laughs)

Now they're saying my album Red

is filled with too many breakup songs?

Okay, okay, I'll make one about moving to New York

and deciding that really my life is more fun

with just my friends.

Oh, they're saying my music is changing too much

for me to stay in country music?

All right.

Okay, here's an entire genre shift

and a pop album called 1989.

- [Audience Member] Woo!

- Ah! (applauding)

You heard it?

Sick!

Now it's that I'm showing you too many pictures

of me with my friends, okay, I can stop doing that too.

Now I'm actually a calculated manipulator

rather than a smart businesswoman?

Okay, I'll disappear from public view for years.

Now I'm being cast a villain to you?

Okay, here's an album called Reputation

and there are lots of snakes everywhere.

In the last 10 years I have watched

as women in this industry are criticized

and measured up to each other and picked at

for their bodies, their romantic lives, their fashion,

or have you ever heard someone say about a male artist,

I really like his songs but I don't know what it is,

there's just something about him I don't like?

No!

That criticism is reserved for us!

But you know, I've learned that the difference

between those who can continue to create in that climate

usually comes down to this.

Who lets that scrutiny break them

and who just keeps making art.

I've watched as one of my favorite artists of this decade,

Lana Del Rey, was ruthly criticized--

Yes!

(man mumbles)

Yeah.

(applauding) Thank you.

We have similar tastes, I like it.

She was ruthlessly criticized in her early career

and then slowly but surely she turned into, in my opinion,

the most influential artist in pop.

Her vocal stylings, her lyrics, her aesthetics,

they've been echoed and repurposed in every corner of music,

and this year her incredible album

is nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys

because she just kept making art.

And that example should inspire all of us,

that the only way forward is forward motion.

That we shouldn't let obstacles like criticism

slow down the creative forces that drive us.

And I see that fire in the newer faces in our music industry

whose work I absolutely love.

I see it in Lizzo, Rosalia, Tayla Parx,

Hayley Kiyoko, King Princess, Camila Cabello, Halsey,

Megan Thee Stallion, Princess Nokia, Nina Nesbitt,

Sigrid, Normani, H.E.R., Maggie Rogers, Becky G,

Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, Billie Eilish.

(audience cheers)

And so many other amazing women

who are making music right now.

Female artists in music have dominated this decade

in growth, streaming, record and ticket sales,

and critical acclaim.

So why are we doing so well?

Because we have to grow fast.

We have to work this hard,

we have to prove that we deserve this,

and we have to top our last achievements.

Women in music, onstage or behind the scenes,

are not allowed to coast.

We are held at a higher,

sometimes impossible-feeling standard.

And it seems that my fellow female artists

have taken this challenge and they have accepted it.

It seems like the pressure that could have crushed us

made us into diamonds instead.

And what didn't kill us actually did make us stronger.

But we need to keep advocating for women

in the recording studios, behind the mixing board,

in A and R meetings, because rather than fighting

to be taken seriously in their fields,

these women are still struggling

to even have a chance to be in the room.

(audience applauds)

We now find ourselves fully immersed

in a vast frontier that wasn't around last decade,

and that is the streaming world.

In music, we're always walking hand-in-hand with technology,

and sometimes that is so awesome,

like how now we're able to just drop a song

that we made yesterday.

I've spoken out in the past about the future

of revenue flow for creators and the songwriters

and producers who are being left behind

due to these rapid shifts and changes.

I still don't think that record contracts

or producers agreements have fully caught up,

and I hope that in the next decade,

we can keep searching for the right solution

for producers, songwriters, and creators.

Don't you?

(audience applauds)

Lately there's been a new shift that has affected me

personally and that I feel is a potentially harmful force

in our industry, and as your resident loud person,

I feel the need to bring it up.

And that is the unregulated world of private equity

coming in and buying up our music as if it is real estate.

As if it's an app or a shoe line.

This just happened to me without my approval,

consultation, or consent.

After I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright,

my entire catalog was sold

to Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings

in a deal that I'm told was funded

by the Soros Family, 23 Capital, and the Carlyle Group.

Yet to this day none of these investors

have ever bothered to contact me or my team directly.

To perform their due diligence on their investment.

On their investment in me.

To ask how I might feel about the new owner of my art.

The music I wrote.

The videos I created.

Photos of me, my handwriting, my album designs.

And of course Scooter never contacted me or my team

to discuss it prior to the sale

or even when it was announced.

I'm fairly certain he knew exactly

how I would feel about it though.

And let me just say that the definition

of the toxic male privilege in our industry

is people saying, but he's always been nice to me,

when I'm raising valid concerns about artists

and their rights to own their music.

And of course he's nice to you.

If you're in this room, you have something he needs.

The fact is that private equity

is what enabled this man to think,

according to his own social media post,

that he could buy me.

But I'm obviously not going willingly.

Yet the most amazing thing was to discover

that it would be the women in our industry

who would have my back and show me the most vocal support

at one of the most difficult times,

and I will never, ever forget it.

Like, ever.

(cheers) (applauds)

But to conclude, I will say that in 10 years

I've seen forward steps in our industry,

in our awareness, our inclusion,

our ability to start calling out unfairness and misconduct.

I've seen the advent of social media,

the way it can boost the breakthrough of emerging artists

and I've seen fans become more engaged and supportive

than ever before.

I've leaned on that support

and it has kept me in a place where no matter what,

I always wanted to keep making music for them.

I was up on a stage in New York City in 2014

accepting Billboard Woman of the Year

and I was talking about the future of streaming.

How we needed to make sure that the female artists,

writers, and producers of the next generation

were protected and compensated fairly.

This was before my record deal with Universal, last year,

that would contractually guarantee

that the artists on their roster be paid

upon any sale of their Spotify shares unrecoupable.

So thank you for that.

(audience applauds)

This speech I'm referring to was on my 25th birthday.

I'm about to turn 30 tonight, woo!

(cheers) (applauds)

But my exact quote during the speech was,

"I really just feel like we need to continue to try

"to offer something to a younger generation of musicians,

"because somewhere right now your future Woman of the Year

"is probably sitting in a piano lesson or in a girls' choir

"and today right now we need to take care of her."

I've since learned that at that exact moment,

an 11-year-old girl in California

really was taking piano lessons

and really was in a girls' choir.

And this year she has been named Woman of the Year

at the age of 17, her name is Billie.

(audience applauds)

And those are the stories we need to think about

every day as we do our jobs within this industry.

The ones where people's dreams come true

and they get to create music and play it for people.

The ones where fans feel a connection to music

that makes their day easier, makes their night more fun,

makes their love feel more sacred,

or their heartache feel less isolating.

The ones where all of you in this room

stand as an example for someone else in the next generation

who loves the same thing that we love.

Music.

And no matter what else enters the conversation,

we will always bring it back to music.

And as for me, lately I've been focusing less on doing

what they say I can't do and more on doing

whatever the hell I want.

(applauds) Thank you for a magnificent,

happy, free, confused, sometimes lonely

but mostly golden decade.

I'm honored to be here tonight.

I feel very lucky to be with you, thank you so much.

(cheers) (applauds)