Songful Style! “Look What You Made Me Do”

“Look What You Made Me Do”

I cannot believe today is Halloween! That means my favorite month of the year is just about over. Le sigh! And, of course, because it is my favorite month, it absolutely screamed out of the gate and dashed for the finish line! Today is also the last Monday of the month which means we are throwing a link party again for Songful Style! Songful Style is the brainchild of Suzy and Shelbee. They decided to play on the idea behind Style Imitating Art and apply it to music! What that means is each month, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, and I share looks based on a song selected by one of us. You can find us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Last month, I chose Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Over the Rainbow”. This month, Suzy chose “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift. She wanted all of the spooky vibes this song gives.

The Artist…

Taylor Swift was born in 1989 in Pennsylvania. OK, that fact alone surprises me! I would have guessed she was from either Texas or Tennessee. I know I’m giving over to the stereotypical image of a country singer, but she definitely does not read as coming from Pennsylvania, right? When she was 14, the Swift family relocated to Tennessee so that Taylor could be closer to the epicenter of country music. In 2006, Swift burst onto the music scene with her album, Taylor Swift. She wrote or cowrote all of the songs on the album which was certified platinum. I have to admit I couldn’t tell you a single song from that album. In researching this post, I watched video after video until I found one I recognized…”You Belong with Me.” That song was released in 2008. It wasn’t until 2012 that Swift began to identify as more pop and rock with the album Red.

A little more…

In 2009, Swift won the Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. During her acceptance speech, Kanye West interrupted her to exclaim Beyoncé’s video, “Single Ladies” was “one of the best videos of all times.” Unfortunately, this episode resulted in backlash for West as well as accusations of playing the victim for Swift. In this article, the racial trope of virginal white woman accosted by black male is explained via the MTV incident (source). While Swift tries to maintain the private part of her private life, many believe her songs are quite autobiographical. It seems to me she definitely used this event for at least a portion of “Look What You Made Me Do.”

Even more…

Regardless of what you think of Taylor Swift as a person, there is no denying her talent. She has won 11 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year three times. In addition, Swift won an Emmy as both artist and executive producer for “AMEX Unstaged: Taylor Swift Experience”. Taylor Swift has won 34 American Music Awards which is the most won by an artist. She also has 62 Guinness World Records, 14 MTV Video Music Awards, and was the youngest Person on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time in 2015. I wonder where she stores all of those awards! Here’s the thing…Taylor Swift is only 32 years old! Do you think there’s an award she’s not received yet wants?

The song…

This is such a graphic punch of a video! I love the colors…bold, dramatic, and make a statement!

But, this video! Wowza! I would have loved to be there watching it being filmed! I also wonder just how much of that jewelry is real and just really good costume jewelry! This is definitely an amazing video!

I don't like your little games
Don't like your tilted stage
The role you made me play of the fool
No, I don't like you

I don't like your perfect crime
How you laugh when you lie
You said the gun was mine
Isn't cool, no, I don't like you (oh!)

But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time
Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time
I got a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined
I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!

Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me...
Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me do

I (I) don't (don't) like your kingdom keys (keys)
They (they) once belonged to me (me)
You (you) asked me for a place to sleep
Locked me out and threw a feast (what?)

The world moves on, another day another drama, drama
But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma
And then the world moves on, but one thing's for sure
Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours

But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time (nick of time)
Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time (I do it all the time)
I got a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined
I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!

Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me...
Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me do

I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams
I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams
I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams
I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams

I'm sorry
But the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now
Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead (oh)

Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me...
Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me do

Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me...
Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do
Look what you just made me do
Look what you just made me do

What does it mean…

There are so many different opinions about this song. Some maintain the “you” Swift refers is her fans. She’s saying “you, the fans” made her write the song showing how she’s changed. I, however, think Swift was definitely serving tea! Those first lines definitely seem pointed at West who coincidentally (or not) had a tilted stage during one of his tours. The simulated telephone call has been interpreted as the phone call between her and West regarding lines in his song, “Famous.” The lines about the kingdom keys can be attributed to the frenemy relationship she has with Katy Perry. You can read more here and here.

Interesting covers…

I think one of my favorite things about Songful Style is finding covers. And, I really and truly went down the rabbit hole on this one! This is one quirky version, and I love it! This rock version actually sounds quite a bit like Taylor Swift without the million dollar set! Oh, wow! I love this one! You’ve got to watch it just for the little girl in it (skip the last minute…he’s just advertising his own merch)! How about a duet? I had to pay close attention at times to see who was singing…that’s how well they’re paired! This singer has the most amazing blue eyes which has nothing to do with her performance. She really gets the vibe of the song, too! OK, this guy gives me Elvis meets Eddie Vedder meets Kristen Stewart! Last one! This artist has an amazing voice and range!

My interpretation…

Oh, how I wish I had Taylor Swift’s legs! I’ll bet some of you were thinking I was going to say her money, but I’d much rather have her legs! You can always make money, but you can’t get those kinds of legs just any old way! There were so many ways to go with this video. What I kept coming back to were the scene of the artist in the bathtub covered in jewels and when she’s wearing fishnet hose. I truly meant to get some fishnets, but I didn’t. Then, I remembered I had these striped hose…not fishnets but just a little va-va-voom, right? The entire video is dark so I went with this long sleeved jersey dress from Old Navy. I have several of these swing dresses as I picked up two or three of them every year for many years. Unfortunately, they decided to discontinue this dress! The only bad thing about this dress is the lack of sleeves pockets (that’s what happens when your photographer is talking to you)! It’s been a bit since I’ve worn heels of any kind. I had to do a bit of practicing before the photo shoot! Did you notice the red lips and blue eyeshadow? I had forgotten how messy truly red lipstick can be!

The Lewk!

Oh, when it came to accessories, I just threw it all at the wall to see what would stick! It all did! Honestly, I pulled out almost every piece of really showy, blingy pieces and put them on! Some of these pieces are from Banana Republic including the two sparkly necklaces and earrings. The grey pearl necklace is an old Stella & Dot “gift” from my daughter. She sold Stella & Dot for about a year. When she quit, I was the lucky recipient of many pieces. The twist bracelet is also Stella & Dot. The large cream pearl “bracelet” is actually a necklace from Talbots that I wore twisted around my wrist. The gorgeous white and black pearl necklace was a gift from my kids for Mother’s Day one year. The rings are David Yurman, John Hardy, Lagos, and eBay! I don’t discriminate when it comes to bling, obviously! These gorgeous suede pumps are from the artisanal line, Indigo by Clarks. I bought these when I was recovering from my first foot surgery and wore them quite a lot when I was teaching.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I really do love these Songful Style challenges. I learn so much about people and songs! I was amazed to read about how young Taylor Swift was when she realized she wanted to be a singer. I was also a bit flabbergasted at how much her family was willing to do to support her dreams. But, this is about fashion, right? Creating a look for some songs is much easier than others. This particular song had many avenues to explore. I can’t wait to see what Suzy and Shelbee do! So, can we talk? Are you a Swiftie? Do you remember the 2009 incident at the MTV Video Awards? Is Taylor Swift a manipulative woman, or is she a savvy businesswoman? Leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to get back to you as soon as possible!

Affiliate links and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I recently became a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint shoes. You can use SARAHFLINT-BAMARSHA for $50 off your first pair. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

Thank you!

I truly appreciate everyone who subscribes or comments. I also love hearing from you via emails. You are why I continue to blog! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts…cooking, baking, DIY, fashion, gardening…it really doesn’t matter as long as it’s family friendly! If you don’t have a blog, please poke around. You just may discover a new blog! Next month promises to be lots of fun! Shelbee chose “The Witch Doctor” by Ross Bagdasarian AKA David Seville.

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