It debuted with 600k less than 7 Rings on global Spotify too, I thought Taylor would completely break Ariana’s record :/

I've seen a lot of criticism coming from people who actually really respect Taylor as being one of this generation's greatest popstars / songwriters. That's certainly the case on Popjustice forum and with a few of us who have replied here (including me!), as well as in some critical reviews. Maybe it's a different story on social media, I don't know.

 

'Me!' just feels low effort to me, that's my main issue with the song. I don't think Taylor is usually a low effort sort of artist. When listening I just think that she's selling herself short. Certain elements of the song are very "Taylor does Kidz Bop", which isn't what I'm personally wanting from her. I can't help but feel like this is an inauthentic place for her to have reached artistically, 7 albums in and fast approaching the age of 30. Maybe her remit for this song was to appeal to the younger fans who were craving a light-hearted & silly song after reputation, and I suppose in that sense she's ticked the boxes. Maybe the purpose of this song is to serve as a "course correct" that easily slots into playlists & is an easy fit on radio.

 

I just know she's capable of better and that's the niggling factor. By better I don't necessarily mean more serious a la Delicate. I'm here for fun pop, just pop that is of a higher standard than "spelling is fun!".

 

I really don't want to rain on anyone's parade, I also doubt anyone else here is setting out to do that. To the fans who genuinely enjoy 'Me!' and think it's another brilliant moment from Taylor (or even her best moment, gasp), that's great of course. I don't think any critical reactions should detract from that. I will say that I don't think those critical reactions should be dismissed as "they're just being haters, they're doing a bit too much" or whatever, that's kind of dismissive. Positive or negative, it's valid.

 

This is a great and really reasonable explanation, thank you. It mostly sums up exactly how I feel, and how I imagine a lot of casual and actual Taylor fans feel.

 

 

 

I’m on 116 plays already, this is so addictive ffs

I didn't expect her to break Ari's record or anything but I thought it was going to be more than that and closer to Look's total, if not beating it, but I guess it's hard to tell these days in the Spotify eras and that's part of the excitement of waiting for it to update when there's been a big release!

Down to #6 on UK Spotify

Spotify Debuts:

Global: #1 - 7,945,784

US: #1 - 3,578,756

UK: #2 - 577,148

 

Second day down to #2 globally, #6 UK, still #1 in US

Down to #6 on UK Spotify

 

It’s partly because she wasn’t on the top 50 playlist yesterday I think. If she was, I think she would have only fallen to like 3 or 4. Overall given the huge Spotify deals she’s got I am surprised she’s not doing bigger numbers but I’m sure it’ll rise again tomorrow now it’s in the top 50 playlist.

I find Me so disappointing, which is sad as I had a lot of expectations. It's not quite deserving of the mauling it's getting elsewhere (have Popjustice ever hated something to this degree?) but it's just so...basic.

 

Fingers crossed the rest of the campaign is better.

A little disappointing on Spotify, as weird as it feels to call these numbers disappointing :lol:

 

...The song is grating on me now a little oops, forget I said anything x

Edited April 28, 20196 yr by ME!

I don't mind it, it's quite bland and definitely generic but adding Brendon Urie on the track gives it another level with some extra interest. I personally think tbe backing of the track sounds a lot like Nine in the Afternoon in the verses. At least the general optimism in the song is the same.

 

What I do find funny is how Taylor Swift was so anti-Spotify in the past and now she's inking massive deals with them! If only she had done that for her last era..

Nine In The Afternoon is quite a good call, didn't think of that but I can definitely hear it now!

What I do find funny is how Taylor Swift was so anti-Spotify in the past and now she's inking massive deals with them! If only she had done that for her last era..

 

The Rep era had pretty massive Spotify support though?

The Rep era had pretty massive Spotify support though?

 

Exactly.

 

Spotify was not the issue with the last era.

I can see the comparison to 'Next To Me' but this mostly just kinda sounds like one of Panic!'s poppy songs to me, Brendon Urie has much more presence/influence on it than I expected.

 

It's a perfectly fine song, definitely getting a bit too much criticism (the spelling part is a little cringeworthy but she's had a similar cringe moment on all of her last 4 lead singles, it's like it's an intentional part of the Taylor formula, and this is the least annoying of the 4 :lol:) but I think it'll be a big enough hit for her anyway, can see it having more longevity than anything off her last album even if the debut isn't quite as strong as that of 'Look What You Made Me Do'. In the UK that is. Probably won't last as long as 'Delicate' did in the US.

Exactly.

 

Spotify was not the issue with the last era.

 

I feel like it kind of was in the way that Spotify wouldn't re-add the post-album singles to playlists which was a big factor in the era floundering so much (probably because they stupidly released the planned follow-up singles as promo singles prior to the album).

I feel like it kind of was in the way that Spotify wouldn't re-add the post-album singles to playlists which was a big factor in the era floundering so much (probably because they stupidly released the planned follow-up singles as promo singles prior to the album).

 

I would blame Taylor and her team for the messy single releases, rather than Spotify. They made so many bizarre choices with the promo singles — her stuff was being playlisted, just at the wrong times and in competition with each other.

I would blame Taylor and her team for the messy single releases, rather than Spotify. They made so many bizarre choices with the promo singles — her stuff was being playlisted, just at the wrong times and in competition with each other.

 

Yeah like they sent Gorgeous to radio in the UK only, while End Game (I think? Maybe it was Ready For It) was being pushed on Spotify worldwide. By the time we got to the next single it was off Spotify.

I have a feeling this will be like Shake It Off and the next single will be the monster smash that does 1000000x better and will be remembered more as the song that defines the era

I can’t stop playing this! Absolutely loving it and such a great recovery after the drivel that was released last era!

Debuts at 100 in America ffs :/ At least it'll break the climb for biggest climb to #1 next week if it makes it there