Music Review: "The Story of Us" (CD Single)
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this single is about the awkward encounters that happen between two people after their relationship comes to an end, and is supposedly based on a true life encounter between Swift and her ex-beau Joe Jonas. There's no anger or vengeful feelings here; there's no inappropriate content. Because it is about a relationship, though, the song is best for tweens and up.
- Families can talk about the fact that this song is about a real-life former boyfriend, Disney hottie Joe Jonas. Does that make you want to listen to this music more or less?
- What do you think about the way that Taylor Swift's music is so autobiographical and obvious in who she sings about? Is that fair? Does it make her music more appealing?
- This song has a more pop sound than most country songs. Do you think it's okay for musicians to blend their styles into one or more genres? Do you think it makes them more appealing? Do you like Swift's music because it's country, pop, or because of the lyrics and the stories she tells?
"THE STORY OF US" is a big country-power-pop ballad about the uneasy, awkward encounters between two people after their relationship is over. It's an apparent true life account of such an encounter between Taylor Swift and her former JoBro beau, Joe Jonas. This single is one of several autobiographical tracks on Swifts third album, Speak Now.
Taylor Swift has come into her own on Speak Now, showing her strength for songwriting, musicality, and getting the last word, having penned every song on this album single-handedly. " The Story of Us" is an upbeat, guitar-driven ballad with Swift in genuine confusion singing, "Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room and we're not speaking. And I'm dying to know is it killing you like it's killing me?... And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now." It's an easy favorite because it's relatable, catchy-pop, and of course, about Joe Jonas.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
Join Us