VOA常速英语听力2012年11月合辑（文本）：TAYLOR-SWIFTS-RED-AMONG-2012S-BEST-SELLERS.doc

1、Mary MorningstarNovember 05, 2012Six-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift is wrapping up her busy year with a new release destined to be among 2012s best-selling albums.Taylor Swift is used to breaking sales records and she continues that trend with Red. The album sold more than 1.2 million copies its fi

2、rst week of release, which makes Taylor Swift the only female artist in SoundScan history to have two consecutive albums sell more than one million copies in an opening week.Red leans more towards pop-rock than Swifts previous three albums. Most music critics agree that the 16 songs reflect a more m

3、ature and confident artist.Five tracks from Red were pre-released on iTunes. The title track has sold 4.5 million downloads in the U.S. and also topped the all-genre iTunes Top Songs chart in 32 countries.“I think red is a really daring adventurous color and I think it really kind of symbolizes what

4、 I wanted to do musically with this record which was make something new and bold and its definitely that,” Swift said, explaining why she titled the album Red.“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was the albums first single. Swift is known for writing songs that deal with her personal relations

5、hips. Although she never reveals her subject, many listeners believe that song is about ex-boyfriend, actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The 22-year-old superstar says she bared her emotions throughout the entire album.“I think the theme of this album is just the kind of adventures and misadventures Ive had in

6、love, and life and love, and the lessons Ive learned and a few really significant relationships that taught me a lot, she explained. And, I think that writing love songs and heartbreak songs is kind of what I love doing.”Red features duets with British singer Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrols Gary Lightbo

7、dy. Swift wrote nine of the tracks alone. She also collaborated for the first time with Swedish pop hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, and American producer Jeff Bhasker, whos respected for his work with Kanye West, Beyonce, Bruno Mars and fun., among others.As confident as Taylor Swift comes acros

8、s in her songwriting and live shows, she admits she has many fears. During a question-and-answer session at a recent college performance in California, Swift told the audience that one of her concerns is “people getting tired of me.” For now, her millions of fans around the world remain loyal. Swift

9、 feels their similar life experiences created the bond they share.“I think my songs resonate with people because, hopefully because theyre going through the same things as I was going through, she said. I think thats what connects me to my fans, like when they hear a song and they say, Thats kind of

10、 what Im going through right now, thats the exact situation. I think theres a connection made there knowing that weve both felt something in the same way.”Swift leads the nominees for the upcoming MTV European Music Awards (EMA). She received five nominations, including Best Pop Artist and Best Live

11、 Artist. She will be in Frankfurt, Germany on November 11 to perform at the EMA ceremony. And, she has announced plans to support Red with a 58-concert North American tour that is set to get underway in March 2013.“I have so many ideas about how to really bring this music to life, and I cant wait to share the new show with all my fans!” Swift exclaimed.