Not only did Taylor Swift win two Grammy awards last night, she performed her single ‘Mean’ flawlessly. Take that, critics!
When Taylor Swift took the Grammy stage with Stevie Nicks two years ago, she choked and butchered her harmonies, leading critics to question her talent. One music business blogger in particular, Bob Lefsetz, even claimed the then 20-year-old country crooner “ruined” her career with the performance.
“Now, everyone knows that Taylor Swift can’t sing,” he wrote in the scathing critique.
“Taylor’s too young and dumb to understand the mistake she made. And those surrounding her are addicted to cash and are afraid to tell her no. But last night Taylor Swift SHOULD have auto-tuned. To save her career.”
Following that hurtful review, it is widely believed Taylor, now 22, penned her single, “Mean,” which talks about “words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me” and says, “All you are is mean — and a liar and pathetic and alone in life.”
In the song, Taylor also talks about her bully saying “[she] can’t sing” and flip flopping sides (Bob had once praised her talent) — so it’s very fitting she would sing “Mean” at her first Grammy performance since her failed duet.
At first I speculated Tay would sing “Safe & Sound,” her new song with The Civil Wars for The Hunger Games, but was gleefully surprised when “Mean” started playing. Not only is Taylor talented, but she always gets her revenge one way or the other and makes her enemy look stupid.
The business savvy singer performed “Mean” flawlessly, complete with a cool set, choreography and pitch pitch perfect vocals, in addition to winning two awards for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song. Ha!
Bob Lefsetz, I hope you were watching the show at home on your TV and wishing you could take back your words from two years ago. See…all you are is mean.
What did YOU think of Taylor’s performance last night? Did she get her revenge?
Click here to read about Taylor’s new album!
Email me! | Follow me on 
| Become a 
fan
More Grammys News
View Comment
ProudSwiftie
Posted at 9:33 PM on May 20, 2012
I’m so proud of Taylor. You might say that critics have the right to say their opinion, but saying that she’s “dumb” is going over the line. I mean, it’s great that she expresses her feelings through songs, not like the others. Look at some people these days, they do their ‘revenge’ physically and bully others. She was bullied when she was young but she didn’t srike back in a bad manner, instead she wrote songs. She knew that if she takes physical revenge on her bullies, she’ll also be a bully. Instead she wrote songs, and her experience led to her dream coming true.I believe Taylor, and she said that teenagers should turn to music instead of drugs. She’s right.
Foreverswiftly
Posted at 4:46 AM on May 15, 2012
Honestly, I don’t think anyone should say stuff like that about her. She’s still young and finding her grounds. Btw, her singing is not that bad. She has a pretty nice voice. She has got a good character and strong and good believes. She is not like some of the other stars who get famous because of the record deal companies who make them famous when they are not talented at all. Taylor worked hard to achieve where she is today. No doubt. She’s the superstar here. You may have disagreements to this and it’s fine but that’s what most fans believe she is. PEOPLE SHE’S THE AWESOME ONE. AND SHE DESERVES ALL RIGHT TO WRITE THAT SONG MEAN TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS ABOUT THINGS INSTEAD OF KEEPING THEM INSIDE HER HEART FEELING NERVOUS AND ANGRY. GO TAYLOR!!! GO TO TAYLOR NATION!!!
melissa stantforther
Posted at 4:34 PM on May 2, 2012
mean and mean and mean and mean. sing it girl.
alvinmureal
Posted at 8:13 AM on April 26, 2012
YES! Taylor had all the reason in the world to pen the song MEAN and sing it at the Grammy’s. LOL
Listen to this little girl who sang “MEAN” at a rehearsal for a benefit concert for a 13 year old who committed suicide……Megan Meier’s Story. Megan’s Mother requested the song…..
tmaultmault youtube
taylor ton
Posted at 1:00 AM on April 9, 2012
yes! Taylor is not the sama with 2 years ago. Her enemy who say she can’t sing will look stupid and dumb! Just lol’ed imagine taylors enemy. Taylor is too perfect for hers enemy. Also, mean is good song by good songwriter. I can relate to this song. Its a hearts hurtful song when taylor wrote it. Well. I L O V E H E R S O N G A N D H E R P E R F O R M A N C E AND SHE ABSOLUTLY GET HERS REVENGE! Loser gonna hate.
Krissy
Posted at 7:41 PM on April 3, 2012
I really wish Taylor Swift could sing.
joe
Posted at 2:36 AM on April 2, 2012
Lefsetz is completely in his own right to say what ever he wants about Taylor Swift. What gives her the right to be exonerated from being scrutinised? Yes she is just a singer, but Bob is just a blogger. His opinion may go against the grain of many, but it is an opinion and he has the right to one. Just as Taylor Swift has the right to sing faux country music.
crawdaddy
Posted at 12:33 PM on March 24, 2012
Yes she is cute, and funny with little girl personality but lets be objective here for a minute. She writes songs for twelve year old girls and has a very weak voice. Her parents have spent tons of money over the years to make her into the superstar she appears to be. Personally I don’t get it but kudos to her and her handlers.
Sm
Posted at 12:08 PM on March 3, 2012
Was not a Country music fan, but I thought this was a spectacular performance by Taylor. i am now a fan.
CeeGraCe
Posted at 3:27 AM on February 18, 2012
So true.. I love how Taylor gets her revenge. And the critics better be careful when saying about Taylor again. This girl got REAL power!! TAYLOR SWIFT FOREVER!!!
Brian
Posted at 10:06 PM on February 17, 2012
One issue that doesn’t seem to get talked about from the 2010 Grammys is Taylor wears a headphone in her ear so she can hear herself and it didn’t work that night. She wasn’t that bad really but a little off and it was because she couldn’t hear herself. She was close to a lot of loud instruments. I wonder why that story is never talked about? I didn’t even know about it until recently.
As for her performance Sunday night, she was great. I don’t know if Mr. Meanie even cares. I don’t think many people care about him either.
variel
Posted at 10:01 PM on February 17, 2012
This is why I love Taylor Swift. Lol. She stands up for herself. This needs a lot of courage. So proud of you.
C Smith
Posted at 5:49 PM on February 17, 2012
I loved it. Love the song/the sentiment, love the way she delivered it at the Grammys. Thought her band/backup were great. And what a gorgeous girl. I like the anti-bullying role model.
Adele? Love her too! Different look and different sound to be sure.
Both of them sing a lot about lost love. It’s not an “either/or”.
BrandonC
Posted at 5:09 PM on February 17, 2012
Taylore swift did an excellent job executing this song. She really stood out to me at the grammys more than anyone else not because of just her singing, but her charisma on stage. Taylor seems like such a humble person and plus, she looked really pretty. nough said!
Piper
Posted at 9:40 AM on February 17, 2012
Hollywood is a bunch if hypocrites! Taylor Swift can’t sing! She’s more of a talker than a singer! She is sooooooo overrated!
Brian
Posted at 10:08 PM on February 17, 2012
Shut up Bob Lefsetz. Nobody cares what you think.
rachel
Posted at 6:10 PM on February 23, 2012
hahaha good one
lauren gardner
Posted at 7:29 PM on March 19, 2012
She’s not Hollywood, she’s Tennessee. Big difference! She’s very real, and down to earth. She’s also self employed.
kelly
Posted at 3:24 AM on February 17, 2012
this makes me tear up.i really thought she was way overrated but i think this song and the performance are so cool.i love it.if you dont i think you have a problem with your ears or your heart
Brian
Posted at 10:10 PM on February 17, 2012
No way is Taylor overrated. If anything she might be underrated. Reese Witherspoon seems to think so. She thinks we’ve seen nothing yet when it comes to Taylor Swift. I agree. She’s just getting started. Too bad so many people think she’s just for teenage girls. Are we supposed to listen to singers just our sex and age now?
John
Posted at 10:09 PM on February 16, 2012
The easiest thing to find on Gods green Earth is someone who will tell you what you can’t do!
Outstanding!
rachel
Posted at 6:12 PM on February 23, 2012
Very, very true. She deserved all that applause at the end, brilliant performance!
robert t
Posted at 9:47 PM on February 16, 2012
The instant standing ovation says it all!!! That was a perfect performance. A big city crowd standing up for a country singer dressed in old fashioned clothes in a old country style setting who would ever think that would come out so perfect in a high fashion big city audience! I think Taylor Swift was just awesome and the song hits home. Everyone in life has had to deal with someone who is a complete jerk. Taylor should have received another award for such a well done performance.
To be honest
Posted at 4:36 AM on February 17, 2012
THE STANDING OVATION IS BECAUSE HOLLYWOOD IS FULL OF HYPOCRITES!!!
A Sir
Posted at 3:02 PM on February 29, 2012
Okay, first of all…Taylor Swift does not live in the “old country”…she lives in Nashville, probably in a giant house like any rich/famous person would. Being a country singer does not make her any different from a famous actress, or singer of another genre. She is made to look like an underdog, like she’s just another girl from a farm trying to find her purpose in life…but that’s not the case. She is exactly like this “high fashion big city audience” that you claim knows nothing about “old country style”; this is a ridiculous accusation to make. I’m sure that these big city people are well aware of what is the “old country”, and aware of the correct meaning of it (which you obviously aren’t).
And by the way, she won an award for the performance. I guess you missed that.
[[171108522930776]] Problem?
k
Posted at 8:36 AM on March 7, 2012
you’re an angry little elf
SteveB
Posted at 8:54 PM on February 16, 2012
Awesome how critics can motivate someone to a whole new level. Even more impressed how such a young women can take this so constructively, to not only sing at the Grammy’s, but win one with this song. Well done Taylor.
Lee Kravitz
Posted at 2:49 PM on February 16, 2012
Revenge isn’t the word for it. Taylor was spectacular. If she has critics, they must be fools. She really just made me and my whole family just smile!! She turned me into a fan for life. Truly beautiful voice and endless talent and she is just beginning. WOW
A.D.E.L.E
Posted at 7:07 AM on February 16, 2012
OH MY GOD SOMEONE DARE SAY TAYLOR AND ADELE MADE THE SHOW!!!!
ARE U KIDDING ME???
ADELE OWNED,STOLE, BREAKS EVERY FEMALE ARTISTS PRESENT, SHE MADE THE SHOW AND ONLY HER!!!
Lee Kravitz
Posted at 2:57 PM on February 16, 2012
Adele was outstanding but don’t you even think of taking away anything from Taylor Swift. Maybe you do not like her music as much but most of the planet does. She will make hundreds of millions while Adele goes on sabatical for five years. If Adele didn’t have so much heartbreak in her life, she wouldn’t have any songs to sing. Great voices both of them but putting down a tremendous talent is truly foolish and yes MEAN
A.D.E.L.E
Posted at 4:39 AM on February 17, 2012
LOL LOL LOL LOL If Taylor swift didn’t date so much guys she won’t singing her songs cause she sings mostly about boys and break ups poor thing!!!!! ADELE IS A VOICE, A TALENT and Taylor swift will never never reach to her level her entire life!!
k
Posted at 8:38 AM on March 7, 2012
“so much guys” really?
truthlogic
Posted at 8:38 AM on February 17, 2012
Wow,you’re not closed minded just a little are you!Taylor gained much respect from me.Even if she is vocally not the strongest,she writes,she plays an instrument,and she is moral…way to go Taylor!!!
Wen
Posted at 8:01 AM on February 23, 2012
Adele isn’t the only good female artist! Nobody ever said that Taylor is better than Adele, we only said that you may not like Taylor’s songs but a lot of other people do. You’re just determined about screaming out the opinion that Adele owns every other female artist.
AnnoyingVoice
Posted at 1:13 AM on February 26, 2012
adele has one annoying voice, wtf are you smoking?
Charlie
Posted at 11:56 PM on February 15, 2012
Aren’t her 15 minutes up yet?
I am so tired of her act.
Please, country/pop music find a new “It Girl” soon!
GTar
Posted at 1:11 AM on February 26, 2012
STFU roach, crawl back to your corner.