Here’s the real reason Taylor Swift was removed from that Nashville mural

The Legends Corner Bar in Nashville has an iconic mural commemorating the achievements of some of country music’s biggest stars. From Dolly Parton to Johnny Cash and Taylor Swift, the mural represents the past, present and future stars of country music.

However, it looks like a recent change to the mural is outraging Taylor Swift fans around the world.

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This week, Brad Paisley was recently added to the famed mural, joining Blake Shelton, Loretta Lynn and plenty of other familiar faces. However, in order to make room for Paisley, Taylor Swift was completely removed from the mural.

Naturally, a lot of Swifties weren’t too happy about the change. In fact, “YOUNG TAYLOR RAN COUNTRY” began trending on Twitter worldwide this week.

Taylor swift did not become the first woman to be awarded the pinnacle award and contributed so much to country music only to be replaced on a Nashville mural, utter disrespect

YOUNG TAYLOR RAN COUNTRY pic.twitter.com/pHXNxqMXQM

— Hana ? (@MissAmericHANA) December 25, 2020

Nashville really took Taylor Swift who is the youngest person to ever win ‘The Pinnacle Award’ for her contribution in country music & popularized the genre overseas off of the Legends Corner Mural, and gave her spot to Brad Paisley who released a song like ‘accidental racist’ ? pic.twitter.com/w8DFqCEkCO

— Arpit ㋡ (@briannerbananer) December 25, 2020

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reminder that taylor swift aka the person getting removed from the mural has the most awarded country album in HISTORY.

YOUNG TAYLOR RAN COUNTRY

— steffi misses t (@steponmetay) December 25, 2020

I’m at a loss for Taylor’s removal from the mural in Nashville. She expanded the boundaries of country music and brought so many fans to the genre that wouldn’t have listened otherwise. Country music would not be as popular as it is today were it not for Taylor Swift.

— “Hi Adammm!!!” LOVER SECRET SESSIONS – NASHVILLE (@TheAdamReeves) December 25, 2020

Now, it looks like we finally know the real reason Swift was removed from the iconic mural. According to the mural’s artist Tim Davis, her genre switch is to blame.

“I have heard many complaints here in Nashville about Taylor being on the wall with country legends since she is currently focused mainly on pop,” Davis told USA Today. “Some inebriated bar hoppers have spit on her image specifically, feeling betrayed by her venture from country. I guess this is to be expected, but by in large, the people of Nashville love her, as do I.”

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Taylor Swift’s first four albums are classified as country. However, in 2014, Swift transitioned into the mainstream pop world with 1989. She went on to release three more albums in the pop genre before making another genre switch. In July, she surprise-released her eighth studio album folklore which was quickly followed up with evermore. Both of these albums are officially classified in the alternative genre.

As it turns out, the decision to remove Swift from the mural was made by the owners of the Legends Corner Bar. Davis has actually organized a GoFundMe to raise $35,000 to paint a mural completely dedicated to Swift.

“As a music powerhouse in her own right, and having introduced many to the country music genre, she should be featured on a prominent mural in Music City that showcases both her country roots, and her earned status as the queen of pop,” the fundraiser page says.

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Currently, only three female country artists are represented in the mural. However, Davis says he plans to add three more female country artists to the mural over the next few months. At this time, Davis has not revealed who these artists are.

Although an effort has been made to create a mural just for Swift, a lot of fans still aren’t happy about the sudden change.

taylor swift is literally the most awarded country artist. no one has the right to replace her in the Legend Mural. she made such amazing and unforgettable country albums that topped in so many charts at her young age. Taylor swift nase country better

“YOUNG TAYLOR RAN COUNTRY” pic.twitter.com/HpnhzSxGJB

— ?????? || ????????? (@augustfolklore4) December 26, 2020

If Nashville is going to remove Taylor Swift from the Legends Mural, they need to also stop playing Folklore on Country Music Television.

— kuma cutie (@abruhcadabruhh) December 27, 2020

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I cannot believe Taylor swift got taken off that country mural when the album Fearless was so powerful it was able to convince me that I wanted to become a country singer

— tan (@govtissuedclown) December 26, 2020

Her removal from the country-filled mural comes at an interesting time. Back in September, Swift made her first appearance at the Academy of Country Music Awards in seven years. She performed a stripped-down acoustic rendition of “betty,” off of folklore. The track is arguably her most country sounding song in recent years.

As well, her song “Better Man” which is performed by Little Big Town went on to win Song of The Year at the 2017 CMA Awards, long after Swift transitioned in the pop music world.

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Despite the backlash surrounding the mural, Swift is still having a pretty good few weeks. For the second week in a row, her new album evermore is No.1 on the Billboard 200. According to Billboard, the album earned 169,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Dec. 24. As well, folklore is sitting at No. 8 on the coveted chart following its release back in July.

Although her albums are seeing great chart success, evermore‘s lead single “willow” didn’t have such a great week. Following the release of the album, the single debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

However, “willow” saw the biggest fall from No.1 in the chart’s history this week. The song plummeted from the coveted top spot all the way down to No. 38, setting a new chart record no artist ever wants to. This Hot 100 record was previously held by Tekashi 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj when their song “TROLLZ” fell 33 spots back in June.

What are your reactions to Taylor Swift being removed from the famed Nashville mural? Let us know in the comments below.