Sutak 1

Davin Sutak

Dr. Ryan Myers

Rhetorical Analysis

16 February 2020

Boys Only Want Love If It’s Torture

Although the lyrics are the same in “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift and the cover by

Tiffany Alvord, the two music videos show some differences in which the song is portrayed.

"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift appeals toward an audience who listens to a pop genre while

Tiffany Alvord’s version takes on an alternative role, creating a completely different tone and

takes a dramatic turn, revealing an acoustic version. These different artists share the same

rhetorical appeals regarding pathos, throughout their different versions, creating an emotional

tone for both audiences and in the end, revealing the same message.

Before the video even starts, a rare, vintage car pulls up to Taylor Swift’s mansion and

out steps a handsome man, which leaves the audience wondering, “who is this guy?” The

audience is left with many other questions like, “Is this man as rare as his car? And what exactly

does he have to do with the video?” The next shot involves the second character in the music

video, which is Taylor Swift, herself. She is preciously holding a cat, enjoying breakfast in bed,

and allowing the audience to believe that everything about her is high maintenance. Taylor’s first

lyrics begin by saying, “nice to meet you, where you been.” Although the man stepping out of

the vehicle and Taylor have never met, contradictorily, she implies in this verse that she knew he

was coming all along. The video then shows the two characters “falling in love” with each other,

showing visuals of them eating dinner at the same table, dancing, riding bicycles around the
 Sutak 2

mansion, and even a clip where Taylor is painting a portrait of this “new-lover.” Her next lyrics,

“I can make the bad guys good for a weekend,” one of her biggest hooks in the song implies that

bad guys can and want to be be made good. Taylor’s contradictorily nature is what these men are

after. They want “heaven and hell,” “magic and madness” they are wanting to see both sides of

Taylor, both good and bad. Taylor and the vintage man are then shown having a picnic when

Taylor notices something suspicious on his phone. The audience is then drawn towards Taylor’s

disturbing reaction, leaving the question being asked, “who was he texting!?” The couple is then

shown having a raging argument before Taylor reveals her very explicit message and purpose of

exposing this song. “Boys only want love if it’s torture.” Perhaps this entire song is a warning.

Based on Taylor’s language, she suggests caution when attracting men. She implies that love is

perpetuated by its tortuousness. If love is not painful, boys will lose interest.

Opposing from the original “Blank Space” music video by Taylor Swift, Tiffany Alvord

reveals a cover for this song, with her own music video. These two videos have a lot in common,

however, there are some differences that make the cover, unique. For starters, Tiffany Alvord’s

video is played with an acoustic, which attracts a different audience from Taylor’s pop genre.

The music video starts out with a story before music is involved. Rather than a rich, vintage man,

Tiffany’s lover is sitting on the front porch, wrapped in a sleeping bag, which allows the

audience to believe that this man is waiting for Tiffany’s love despite his low income and

unfortunate state. After a short conversation, the man jumps up and yells, “I knew I had a

chance” which has the same meaning in Taylor’s video, revealing that men really do only want

love if it is torture. Tiffany is shown wearing a petite, pink dress, allowing the audience to

believe she is innocent and as loving as she represents herself. The couple’s romance is then
 Sutak 3

portrayed the same way as in Taylor Swift’s music video. They are both shown “falling in love”

representing all of the good things that could come from the particular relationship. After a short

scene where Tiffany finds her man texting someone else, she makes a costume change into an

all-black dress, involving black combat boots, and striking black eyeliner. This represents

Tiffany’s feelings which allow her to appear less innocent and more law-abiding, showing the

blemish in the relationship. All in all, both videos give the same message, persuading viewers to

be careful with their feelings, because if love is not painful, boys will lose interest.

With all of these ideas in place, some would claim that both versions are intended for the

same audience. However, both versions have many differences, disregarding the fact that they

leave the same message. The initial song is meant for younger girls, who are trying to find love,

although the song gains a larger audience because Taylor Swift is such a popular American

singer/songwriter. Tiffany Alvord’s audience is those who strictly enjoy her tone and genre of

music while being portrayed to a younger audience. Both songs share the same pathos rhetorical

appeal throughout, disregarding their differences in the two music videos.

Works Cited:

Alvord, Tiffany, “Blank Space.” Taylor Swift, December 18, 2014,

 Sutak 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsdlk0_HuQ (February 2020)

Swift, Taylor, “Blank Space.” Taylor Swift, November 10, 2014,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ORhEE9VVg (February 2020)