Taylor Swift

By Robbie 1. Favorite Male Artist: Eminem, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw 2. Favorite Female Artist: Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Taylor Swift AMERIE! 7. Favorite Pop Artist: Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift

By Maura Or could the more casual pop-country fans out there have already moved on to Taylor Swift? I don’t think I’m wrong in noting that the buzz around this record has been fairly muted, despite the “Before He Cheats”-channeling first single “Cowboy Casanova” and Underwood getting the return...

By Chris Molanphy Aiken’s and Hicks’ tracks can be eliminated right away. These were American Idol coronation songs that each topped the Hot 100 based on a couple of fluke weeks of massive CD-single sales. I defy anyone reading this column, pop fan or no, to hum me a bar of those two tracks.

By Maura Favorite Country Artist Brad Paisley Carrie Underwood Jason Aldean Keith Urban Kenny Chesney Lady Antebellum Miranda Lambert Rascal Flatts Reba McEntire Sugarland Taylor Swift Toby Keith People’s Choice Awards [Official site]

By Maura “The only question is: Who will play Kanye West?” the Associated Press asks about teen twanger Taylor Swift’s Nov. 7 stint guest-hosting NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Actually, I think the more pressing question is, “How many skits will the hacky SNL writers try to wring out of ‘Imma let you fi...

By Maura Here is what happens when you let your “content” be ruled by the twin towers of cheap snark and search-engine optimization: You get idiotic blog posts like this one at infotainment clearinghouse E! that claims that Kanye West was shut out of the nominee field at this year’s American Music...

By Chris Molanphy This bit of throwaway trivia (regarding a movie that, all kidding aside, did suck donkey balls) leaps to mind as I consider the song that finally terminates the Black Eyed Peas’ half-year run atop the Billboard Hot 100. Got all that? Phew… Here’s a rundown of the rest of this week’s charts:

By Maura The video for Taylor Swift’s coming-of-age-thanks-to-boys tale “Fifteen” is out, and its heavy reliance on computer-generated scene-setting gives it the overwhelming feeling of a bad dream in which you’re transported back to high school, and you have to deal with all the insecurity...

By Chris Molanphy • MTV’s awards show hasn’t just been kind to Taylor Swift — the VMAs are the chart theme of the week, benefiting a range of acts who performed on the show. Let’s start with Jay-Z, who occupies two spots in the Top Five after a commanding, VMA-closing performance.

By Maura As she led into her second song, the singer put down her own guitar and stood facing the audience folding her arms with an un-entertained, unenthusiastic, “I could care less” look written all over her face, before storming off mid-song leaving her band clueless. After a brief period of con...

By Maura Male Video Of The Year: Brad Paisley, “Waitin’ On A Woman” Female Video Of The Year: Taylor Swift, “Love Story” Group Video Of The Year: Rascal Flatts, “Every Day” Video Director Of The Year: Trey Fanjoy (Taylor Swift, “Love Story”; George Strait, “Troubadour”)

By Maura Choice Music: Female Artist Miley Cyrus Lady GaGa Katy Perry Britney Spears Taylor Swift Choice Music: Tour American Idol Jonas Brothers Demi Lovato / David Archuleta Britney Spears Taylor Swift Teen Choice Awards [Official site; HT Vicki]

By Maura OK, so you’ve probably heard this song. But I’m including this because I think you picked the wrong band opening for blink-182 this summer for your shoutout, even if you didn’t listen to these guys when you were in high school. (Oy, I am old. Also, hey, Pitchfork is on my side!

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 3. Brooks & Dunn feat. Reba McEntire, "Cowgirls Don't Cry" (LW No. 5, 22 weeks) 5. George Strait, "River of Love" (LW No. 6, 18 weeks) 6. Taylor Swift, "White Horse" (LW No. 7, 15 weeks) 10. Tim McGraw, "Nothin' to Die For" (LW No. 10, 12 weeks)

By Chris Molanphy Lately, when I look at images of teen-pop dominator Miley Cyrus, she's looking less and less like a typical starlet. The big hair, the husky voice, that Bubba smile: Does this girl look like a future Viper Room denizen to you? 'Cause to me, she's all Opry. Maybe it's her Nashville lineage fina...

By Dan Gibson It's not a surprise that the new U2 album is, barring some sort of crazy coup by Taylor Swift fans, going to hit No. 1 on the album charts next week, but music biz projection types seem to think that Bono & co. are going to scan right around 500,000 copies the first week out of the box which to sa...

By Maura Johnston ALBUMS 1. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III (2.874 million) 2. Coldplay, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (2.144 million) 3. Taylor Swift, Fearless (2.112 million) 4. Kid Rock, Rock N Roll Jesus (2.018 million) 5. AC/DC, Black Ice (1.915 million) 6. Taylor Swift (1.597 million)

By Maura Johnston 1. Taylor Swift, Fearless: As noted, its momentum is unstoppable. 2. Coldplay, Viva La Vida: Up 15% from the previous week, with 35,000 sales (No. 41). 3. Pink, Funhouse: Up 32% from its previous week, with 61,000 sales (No. 19).

By Maura Johnston 9:38 p.m. "My co-host wasn't released for another 30 years," LL Cool J says of Taylor Swift. 9:38 p.m. Taylor Swift is singing about collect calls! And giving her ex-Jonas a lot of LOOKS, it seems like. 9:52 p.m. Some fierce guitar face going on here.

By Maura Johnston Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love": If this song doesn't get nominated in both "big song" categories, I will be shocked. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida": The closest thing to a U2 song this year can rustle up. Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours": A slow-burn hit by a singer-songwriter? Sure, why not.

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 1. Taylor Swift, "Love Story" (LW No. 1, 10 weeks) 4. Tim McGraw, "Let It Go" (LW No. 3, 18 weeks) 5. Sugarland, "Already Gone" (LW No. 6, 12 weeks) 6. Rascal Flatts, "Here" (LW No. 7, 11 weeks) 8. Brad Paisley with Keith Urban, "Start a Band" (LW No. 8, 10 weeks)

By Dan Gibson The crumbling state of the American economy hadn't really connected with me until recently—squatters are largely immune to changes in the home-mortgage industry, after all—but today, it finally hit home: The New York State Fair has announced that it'll be cutting back on big-name act...

By Mike Barthel Modern country has a reputation for taking outmoded rock sounds and turning them into fresh new pop. But now, an article in the Kansas City Star argues, Nashville may be cribbing instead from teenpop. The charts are dominated by "young blond women," many of whom got their start on TV, with Am...

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 2. Taylor Swift, "Love Story" (LW No. 3, 8 weeks) 4. Tim McGraw, "Let It Go" (LW No. 5, 16 weeks) 5. Toby Keith, "She Never Cried in Front of Me" (LW No. 2, 19 weeks) 9. Rascal Flatts, "Here" (LW No. 11, 9 weeks) 10. Brad Paisley with Keith Urban, "Start a Band" (LW No. 10, 8 weeks)

By Chris Molanphy • Third African-American ever to reach No. 1 on Hot Country Songs: Rucker joins country legend Charley Pride, with 29 No. 1’s, and R&B legend Ray Charles, who scored just one. Speaking of which… Here's a rundown of the rest of this week's charts:

By Maura Johnston 4. Taylor Swift, "Love Story" Seems to be bypassing MySpace Music's official player/commerce widget, opting instead to pre-sell her forthcoming album on MySpace (with the option to buy a $75 box set!) and give people the download for "Love Story" instantly.

By Chuck Eddy Each week, dozens of songs and albums from up-and-coming (or just plain unknown) bands debut on the world's music charts. Some of these bands will never be heard from again; some may become the next little thing. That's why we have Chuck Eddy exploring the world beyond the Billboard 200, whe...

By Maura Johnston 8:05 p.m. I think Taylor Swift just said this was her first CMAs ever. 8:28 p.m. Taylor, Katy, and Miley: just kiss each other already, gawd. 10:08 p.m. All right, Russell Brand. So you want to fuck the Jonas Brothers like every red-blooded American male, WE GET IT.

By Maura Johnston I don't know if I'm the only one who's alarmed by fresh-faced teenage country singer Taylor Swift's latest semi-incongruous cover, in which she apparently tries to muddy up her image by covering Amy Winehouse's ode-to-inebriation "Rehab." Sure, one could take comfort in her choice to m...

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 3. Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman" (LW No. 5, 11 weeks) 5. Taylor Swift, "Should've Said No" (LW No. 1, 15 weeks) 8. George Strait, "Troubadour" (LW No. 9, 13 weeks) 9. Toby Keith, "She Never Cried in Front of Me" (LW No. 11, 9 weeks)

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 1. Taylor Swift, "Should've Said No" (LW No. 1, 14 weeks) 5. Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman" (LW No. 7, 10 weeks) 6. Brooks & Dunn, "Put a Girl in It" (LW No. 5, 17 weeks) 8. Alan Jackson, "Good Time" (LW No. 6, 19 weeks) 9. George Strait, "Troubadour" (LW No. 9, 12 weeks)

By Maura Johnston Biggest Debuts: The best-selling new album this week: Lessons In Love by Idolator favorite Lloyd, which moved 51,000 copies and entered at No. 7. Meanwhile, other-blogs favorite Conor Oberst bowed at No. 15 with his self-titled Merge Records debut, selling 29,000 copies. At No. 10 was count...

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 1. Alan Jackson, "Good Time" (LW No. 2, 15 weeks) 2. Blake Shelton, "Home" (LW No. 1, 26 weeks) 3. Sugarland, "All I Want to Do" (LW No. 5, 9 weeks) 4. Brooks & Dunn, "Put a Girl in It" (LW No. 3, 13 weeks) 6. Taylor Swift, "Should've Said No" (LW No. 7, 10 weeks)

By Maura Johnston Biggest Debuts: Fresh off waking me up with his soundcheck, John Mellencamp enters the chart at No. 7, selling 56,000 copies of Life Death Love & Freedom; right behind him is David Banner, whose Greatest Story Ever Told moved 52,000 copies. Taylor Swift sold 45,000 copies of her Wal-Ma...

By Maura Johnston For another week, Lil Wayne and Coldplay make up the album charts' 1-2 punch, with Tha Carter III taking the top spot (125,000 copies sold) and Coldplay serving as Wayne's best men (113,000 sold). According to Hits, Nas' untitled album is set to break this log jam next week, but I'll believe...

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 1. Blake Shelton, "Home" (LW No. 2, 24 weeks) 2. Alan Jackson, "Good Time" (LW No. 4, 13 weeks) 5. Brooks & Dunn, "Put a Girl in It" (LW No. 6, 11 weeks) 7. Sugarland, "All I Want to Do" (LW No. 8, 7 weeks) 10. Taylor Swift, "Should've Said No" (LW No. 13, 8 weeks)

By Michaelangelo Matos 6. Madonna, "4 Minutes" (Warner Bros.) 7. Three 6 Mafia, "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)" (Columbia/Hypotize Minds) 8. Motley Crue, "Saints of Los Angeles" (Motley) 9. Chris Brown, "Take You Down" (Jive) 10. Taylor Swift, "Picture to Burn" (Big Machine)

By Maura Johnston As previously noted, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III blew into the No. 1 spot on this week's album charts thanks to a sales total that just broke the million mark—a feat that isn't all surprising given last week's early-bird chart debut, but is still probably causing some chilling-since-2005 C...

By Maura Johnston Biggest Debuts: Now 28, which this time actually features songs that are still selling briskly on the Hot Digital Tracks chart ("Bleeding Love," "Lollipop," that dreary Natasha Bedingfield track) came in second on the big board, selling 185,000 copies. At No. 4 was the red self-titled al...

By Maura Johnston Nickelback Award For Inexplicable Durability: Oh, come on. Like this would go to anyone but Fergie this week, given that "Labels Or Love" somehow manages to be 80x more annoying than the characters it's attached at the expensively sheathed hip to. (Sure, Taylor Swift's self-titled album...

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 1. Brad Paisley, "I'm Still a Guy" (LW No. 2, 13 weeks) 4. Rascal Flatts, "Every Day" (LW No. 6, 13 weeks) 6. George Strait, "I Saw God Today" (LW No. 5, 15 weeks) 7. Carrie Underwood, "Last Name" (LW No. 10, 10 weeks) 9. Taylor Swift, "Picture to Burn" (LW No. 4, 19 weeks)

By Maura Johnston Notable Jumps: A weak week meant not a lot of upward mobility on the chart, and the 7% jump in sales for Kid Rock's Rock & Roll Jesus resulted in the album jumping 16 spots on the chart (No. 31, 15,000 sold). Oh, and confusing Simon Cowell on last week's American Idol sort of paid off for Fanta...

By Maura Johnston Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts Top Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn Top New Female Vocalist: Taylor Swift Video Of The Year: "Online," Brad Paisley Crystal Milestone Award: Garth Brooks ACM/Home Depot Humanitarian Award: Rascal Flatts

By Chris Molanphy Hot Country Songs 2. Brad Paisley, "I'm Still a Guy" (LW No. 5, 12 weeks) 3. Phil Vassar, "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" (LW No. 6, 28 weeks) 4. Taylor Swift, "Picture to Burn" (LW No. 3, 18 weeks) 5. George Strait, "I Saw God Today" (LW No. 2, 14 weeks) 6. Rascal Flatts, "Every Day" (LW No. 7, 12 weeks)

By Maura Johnston Country ingenue Taylor Swift was a mere tot (well, OK, a preteen) when Eminem's "Lose Yourself" made it big, but apparently its message stuck with the 18-year-old singer, as evidenced by this pretty spot-on snippet of the song that she performed live in California late last spring. You kn...