When Lyricism Dominates The Internet
When Lyricism Dominates The Internet
“In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” In a world of Taylor Swift, you are bound to hear this
specific lyrical line for every boyfriend, for every celebrity it boy, or dreamy fictional male
character. However, what is the background for this trend and how is the internet using it as their
new obsession?
The Song’s Story:
There’s no female pop icon who hasn't faced scrutiny for their relationships, especially when the
relationship is being broadcasted to the world. Taylor Swift is a pop star who has faced pressure
from the media because of her relationships. You’ll find articles and posts with timelines that
close up on a wide eye to who she’s been with, who she’s broken up with, and which song
correlates with the men, or shall I say 'boys', in her romantic life. "Slut!", a track from her 1989
(Taylor’s Version) album, centers on Taylor speaking on that topic that consumes so much of her
career, yet in a sweet, admirable takeaway to those opinions about her. From a personal point of
view, I do see her humorously displaying the 'boy-obsessed' or 'boy-crazy' label but
acknowledging the person she is with by declaring that their connection is in harmony regardless
of wandering rumors and controversy. In her previous tracks of addressing men, its likely
accepting the immature nature they can give off, the gentleman is an unknown man to a crowd,
only she will she be able to know or judge.
Internet Perception
Though swifties have continuously spoken about the meaning of the song, apps including
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube inattentively preach the verse heavily, without using its actual
context. They have alternated a powerful song into their own powerful significance.
Fandoms and Edits
Teen shows and movies such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, True Beauty, My Life with The
Walter Boys, and Red, White & Royal Blue, found with devoted editors/fandoms, who connect
the meaning with soft puppy-like male characters. Honestly, the audience thrives on characters
who pick up on stereotypical 'bad boy' habits. If you've watched any teen romance drama, they
could come off as alienated, grumpy teenage boys capitalizing on their ‘boy-toy’ agenda.
Viewers tend to get comfortable with characters having character development or development
that shows more than how they were first delivered onto the screen (trauma, mental health issues
depicted in their backstory).
These boys are lovers. They’ll protect the women in their lives, especially the main character.
They know how to hold themselves gently; they expect nothing from their partner and foremost
they only reveal their true colors to the one they love unconditionally. Don’t forget the scene
where the guy gives the main character a necklace of promises. Some use it in an appropriate
sense, while others use the gentleman card to give reasoning in a love triangle-based plot.
Whether it's used by definition, the hype behind the lyrics is undeniable in fandoms.
Partners
Many girls/women have no shame in expressing how much they appreciate a kind, loyal man,
and as they should. These are boyfriends and husbands who could easily hold the door for their
partner. They are the ones who will give a woman a bouquet of flowers without her having to
ask. He notices his lady going through a painful menstrual cycle and what does he do? He gets a
basket of candies and chips, just the sort of treats she's craving. He’s aware of the coffee
addiction, and he’ll get her that iced Americano from her favorite coffee shop that costs $10. He
just wants to see a big toothy grin on her face and sparkling eyes. Forehead kisses are his forte of
affection. The movies he would’ve never watched in the past are movies he’ll gladly sit and
watch with her. I need every woman to understand that bragging about someone who respects
and values you are a deserved moment.
Celebrities
Is Jeon Jungkook a sweetheart? Is Tom Holland an angel? Was Cillian Murphy raised to be an
incredible man?
Audience: Yes.
Do you know them personally?
Audience: No.
Then how could, you be sure?
Audience: Because we just are.
Social media shines a light on ‘fan girls’ who embrace the parasocial or stan culture agenda
openly. The idea of 'worshipping' a celebrity comes with its criticism and toxicity but, they look
at these men with love in their eyes and an interest in understanding their personalities and what
they bring that's enough to give that person a reason to believe who they present themselves as is
just who they are. Awkwardly possessed, chatty, hyper males are rooted in our day-to-day
viewing of the fame world. In the pastime of heartthrobs (90s-2000s), we were more used to men
who had blonde spiky hair, content personas, and sometimes a little cocky yet, no one will flush
out their egos because, to a large extent, no one cared. The internet during the 2000s wasn't as
passive and fast to catch on to every little detail of a person. They were just... hot men. Now, a
dorky-baby-girl-coded celebrity dethrones the self-dom characteristic. They take part in
respecting the women around them or being wholesome in their unique way. These "IT" boys
carry sincerity and unapologetically adoration towards their female-driven fanbase. Every girl
(including other men) excessively desires to be reachable to that male celebrity as a friend,
romantically, or primarily, by having one interaction with them.
May we continue to praise a song from Taylor’s Vault that became a healthy trendsetter?