Taylor Swift has broken down barriers and shattered long-standing records held by her fellow musicians. And now she's made history once again with her sophomore album, 'Fearless.' It wasn't that long ago when a fresh-faced 16-year-old burst onto the scene with her tender ballad, 'Tim McGraw,' and now just a scant four years later, she is ruling the roost with more awards and plaques than she could possibly display on her mantle, or even in her home. During a private dinner at a popular Italian eatery in Nashville this week, it was a night of reflection for Taylor, her record label and a handful of key industry executives, who celebrated, among other things, the fact that the six-times-platinum 'Fearless' was officially recognized as the Most Awarded Album in the history of country music. It is the only album in country history to be named Album of the Year at the Grammys, plus Country Album of the Year from the Grammys, the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the American Music Awards!
Taylor wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, 'Fearless,' and she says the title cut represents many things that have happened in her career, as well as the feeling one first gets when they're falling in love. "What drew me to that title is writing that song about that fearlessness of falling in love," explains the 20-year-old superstar. "No matter how many times you've been hurt, you have to have this undying belief that love can last forever, we all do. We all somewhere deep inside us believe in that, or else we wouldn't keep on going back ... And my favorite thing to write about is love, so that was what this song was about, and it just seemed to be the right title for the album."
Taylor was also honored for more than 13 million in total record sales, 25 million digital downloads and her four most recent No. 1 singles: 'Should've Said No,' 'Love Story,' 'White Horse' and 'You Belong With Me.' Crunching the numbers even more, 'Fearless' was the No. 1 selling album in the U.S. for both 2008 and 2009.
The youngest artist to win the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award also holds the No. 1 AND No. 2 positions of the Top 10 Most Played Songs on the Nielsen BDS chart for 2009 with 'You Belong With Me' and 'Love Story.' Add to that, her self-titled debut album has sold more than five million copies and her tune 'Today Was a Fairytale,' from the movie 'Valentine's Day,' was certified gold, totaling more than 500,000 downloads since its release in January.
But wait, there's more! This week marks Taylor's 10th consecutive Top 10 country single with 'Fearless,' and with that she becomes the only female artist in the history of the Billboard country chart to score at least five Top 10s each from her first two major album releases. Only two other groups have previously accomplished that feat. Brooks & Dunn recorded five Top 10s each from 1991's 'Brand New Man' and 1993's 'Hard Workin' Man,' while the Dixie Chicks brought in five Top 10s from their 1998 'Wide Open Spaces' and six from 1999's 'Fly.'
Taylor's Fearless tour is in Philadelphia, Pa., tonight (March 19) for the second show of a two-night stand. The trek continues with a Saturday show in Charlottesville, Va.
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Reader Comments(1 of 3)
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GalWifeat 3-19-2010
"and now just a scant four years later, she is ruling the roost with more awards and plaques than she could possibly display on her mantle, or even in her home."-and please add that she should be worshipping the ground that Kanye West walks on. Had he not made that poor judgement in error at that award show-Taylor would not have won those "singing" awards. The girl cannot sing and hopefully country music officials will finally recognize that, especially after the Grammy's. Wake up-she cannot sing-she is no longer a teen- time to grow up.
BlueOwlat 3-19-2010
I'll admit that Taylor isn't the strongest live singer, but clearly people still enjoy listening to her--fans and industry voters alike. Also, most of her awards were for her album, which has nothing to do with her live singing. As for needing to grow up because she's no longer a teenager, I wonder what you mean by that... What would growing up entail, in your opinion? Last time I checked, the last album Taylor released was when she was 18 and barely out of high school. Her other album came out when she was 16. Is she supposed to stop singing her old material just because she's now two years out of high school? I'm sure her next album will have more "grown up" material, but it isn't out yet. Also, who are you to say when someone should grow up anyway? The music industry spent half the year worshiping Michael Jackson and I'm pretty sure he never grew up. As for Taylor, maybe she is immature or maybe she's just a romantic at heart. Either way, you're clearly not a fan, so turn the radio dial whenever she comes on. That's the only way you can help make her go away.
wiredfldat 3-21-2010
so please entertain us with your vocals on something you wrote. or at least demo some of your other talents & acomplishments.[must be many besides the crude negative crit. of people much better than you]
kimberlyat 3-21-2010
she was getting all those record sales BEFORE kanye said anything.. so you can stop right there. and she CAN sing. if she couldn't sing she wouldn't have all the success she has now. have you heard her live? probably not. stop dissing the girl.
On Da Realat 3-21-2010
Seriously, the hating is just pathetic at this point. I thought it was PARTLY a pity thing too, but seriously, if at this point, she's still doing big things, it's not pity. She has legit fans who actually love her. She was famous b4 West, famous after. Just bcuz u found out about her after West doesn't mean she was opened to more fans than she had b4. She could have only gained 1,00 fans after West, but had 10 million b4. Don't think so highly of urself. Ur just one person.
kdu719at 3-21-2010
Talk about somebody that needs to grow up - GalWife, you need some serious therapy too!
Billat 3-21-2010
Taylor Swift is everything any parent would want of their children. She is beautiful and from what I've read and seen an exceptional role model for young girls. She also writes many of her own songs. What more can any parent want. She is perfect. However, I have to agree with "GalWife" on one point, Taylor cannot sing. Have you heard her live? I think most people here have. It was not nice, and I was disappointed because I wanted everything to be perfect for her. I like Taylor a lot but I cannot overlook her poor vocals. OK everybody job on me and call me everything in the books but whatever you may call me will not help her with her vocals. Maybe a good voice coach could help her some in the power area but the basic is not there. Her popularity maybe proves what many have said, you don't need good vocals to be a country singer, add pop singer in there too. You have electronics, dancing, loud back-ups, etc. to cover the lack of singing talent. Want to know if someone can really sing? Hear them sing acapella.
theworstwayat 3-21-2010
I liked Taylor Swift before the Kanye West incident, along with millions of other people. So why don't you grow up and stop hating on her?
TinaRegat 3-23-2010
http://music.aol.com/video/white-horse-aol-sessions/taylor-swift/2361882
Very pretty voice. She's cute.
Robinat 3-19-2010
I went to her concert last night and I have to say....she puts on one hell of a show!!!!!!!!
GalWifeat 3-20-2010
By growing up-I am sure you understand unless you are still in high school-she is 20 so singing about high school angst should no longer be in her repertoire. I will be curious to see what she will be trying to sing next since she can't sing. As far as she is romantic at heart-again high school? Love story-Fifteen-is so romantic and off key-when the audience singing is better than Taylor's-well that is a picture to burn-
moo-cowat 3-21-2010
So, according to you, GalWife, because she is now no longer a teen, she shouldn't be allowed to reflect on her teenage years, the feeling she got when she first fell in love, or what her life was like at any point before she became famous or before her 20th birthday.
Obviously, if all singers were forced to adhere to that code of conduct, there would be a heck of a lot less songs on iTunes right now.
Don't get me wrong, I agree that Taylor's audience will eventually get tired of hearing her sing about the same old things, but ragging on her just because she hasn't decided to totally change her style all at once is kind of dumb. I mean, it's not like you go from being a teen to an adult all in one night.
koolat 3-21-2010
her album came out long before she turned 20.
Alex Hardenat 3-21-2010
I have attended two of her concerts, and these have been the only two concerts, out of many I have been to, in which the artist sounds the same as she does on her album. Her performances get the crowd wild and she really knows how to perform. She is an incredible talent and clearly millions of people agree with me on that one.