Over the centuries, a singular important question has prevailed in our history: is the pen mightier than the sword? And while the medieval context may not seem relevant to our modern society, it is still a heavily debated topic and it revolves around some of your favorite celebrities. With the Grammy season approaching, there has been discourse on who exactly is worthy of the awards. And in 2025, we must ask, is the pen mightier than the performance?
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The Main Pop Girls of Songwriting
Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. Beyoncé and Tate McRae. Each of them seems drastically different both in fame and caliber, but they all surround the discussion of what exactly makes a pop star. Taylor Swift’s second rise to fame due to her Eras tours has sparked another conversation about whether songwriting should be considered a factor when thinking about the prerequisites of a pop star. There’s no doubt that she should be a part of that conversation (I mean come on, this is the woman who wrote “All Too Well” when she was 20).
Olivia Rodrigo has also been known for her vulnerability in her songwriting, and though she does have famous upbeat songs, her ballads always go viral. Many think her inspiration from Taylor Swift has encouraged her to lean into her writing, but it’s undeniable she’s one of the main pop girls.
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The Pop Girls of Performance
Compared to some emerging pop princesses, Beyoncé is a household name and has been around for almost three decades. Her origins in Destiny’s Child made it obvious that she was meant to stand solo and she has held her ground despite her exploring different genres and creating experimental music. Her 2022 album “Renaissance” brought a resurgence of house music back into the mainstream, and we can’t seem to escape her influence. Though she may not have been the only songwriter on her album, Beyoncé referenced several important black queer figures and it was an incredible addition to the community. Her performance level is unmatched, and she manages to bring something new to her fans constantly.
Tate McRae, a newer star on the rise, has woven her professional dance skills into her pop music. Though she is known more for her performances and less for her vocals, she is still considered a main pop star because of how viral she goes for every new song she puts out.
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A Little Bit of Everything
When observing these different types of women in the industry, it’s easy to point to your favorite and declare that they’re the standard of pop. However, we cannot do that without acknowledging past pop stars like Madonna and Britney Spears, who all have had a certain star quality to them that cemented their names in the discussions.
Though songwriting is an incredible skill that enhances the music, it’s impractical to expect that of everyone when some women just want to entertain their fans. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be the standard to do backflips while holding a perfect tune. Each pop star that can hold her own has a special skill that attracts such large fan bases and makes their persona addicting.
If we look at awards, it may seem that the Grammy’s have favorites regarding Album/Artist of the Year. Yet this debate goes beyond just the awards ceremony since the discourse is year-round. Songwriting and performance do not need to be exclusive. In the end, all of these women are successful in doing what suits them the best and creating quality work for all of their fans and the industry. They continue to be pioneers in their fields and are all equally worthy of getting awards for their art (It does make award season a little more fun though).
Do you prefer songwriting and performance with your pop stars? Let @VALLEYmag know on X!
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